"If the critics of the Bible dismiss the New Testament as reliable information, then they must also dismiss the reliability of the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, Homer, and the other authors mentioned in the chart at the beginning of the paper."

Oh my...

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I think that statement is spot on.

And the article below finds you 100K annually that are being killed for their christian faith.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/02 ... use-faith/

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How so?

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Yes, I was raised in a Christian home. But I made the decision when I was 9 years old I wanted to be a Christian and have it be my own personal faith. However, there are plenty of people who were raised in Christian homes or children of pastors who are no longer Christians and/or have strayed from the faith (i.e. Phil Jackson, Katy Perry, Jessica Simpson and others) (see list here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_children_of_clergy ). So it isn't a 1:1 thing where everyone who has Christian parents is a Christian.

There are people who do not grow up in Christians home who become Christians. But a lot of times they come to that conclusion when they are much older. The older you get the harder it is for a person to become a Christian. People get locked into their views and their pride tells, "You don't need the Bible or any God who tells you how to behave. That's just for weak minded people who have blind faith."

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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Being Catholic would be a lot better if you didn't have to go to church so much. Why can't they just text message me some salvation once a week?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

The reason why Islam is growing is probably because Muslims have a higher birth rate and in Muslim countries with Sharia law everyone must identify as a Muslim. So it's not as though they have any choice there. If you convert to Christian in certain countries you are put in prison and sometimes put to death. For Christians there converting is sometimes a death sentence. There are people in the United States who would die for their faith, but there is just not the same amount of persecution here that there is in other countries.

The reason why those Muslims blow themselves up is because they think that Allah will reward them heaven for killing in his name. When taken to its logical conclusion the religion of peace is not very peaceful. Allah is not a loving deity.

On the other hand Christianity allows for freedom: economic, social, personal and religious. There is the least amount of freedom in the countries that oppose Christianity (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, China, North Korea and the other former Communist countries). The Gospel message is essentially accept the sin offering of Christ, repent and receive God's love and forgiveness and share that with other people. The problem is that people want things their own way. God made man in his image and now man makes God in his image, except man's image of God is whatever a person wants him to be. But the freedom that God offers is essentially he allows each person to decide to follow him or not follow. If people don't want to follow him they can choose to live without him for eternity. God is not going to force you to love him or follow him, but there are consequences for rejecting him. He allows everyone the freedom to choose life or death.

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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

God looks like Kim Jong Il?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

1 hour out of 168 a week is really too much?

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Just watch mass on tv.

It's great.

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It's a weekend hour though. Those are valuable. Again, a simple text of "Your sins are forgiven, you are going to heaven" would be sufficient.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

or the 700 Club

Church is one of those events where it's better actually be present there than to just watch it on TV. It's not like a sporting event that is always better on TV. Although during the week there are some good radio sermons on WMBI 90.1 that are worth checking out. I like this guy who is a pastor in the city: http://www.moodyradio.org/treasuredtruth/

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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

But if I go to church I have to wear pants.

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Well put Scorehead. Here's one time your broad generalization is spot on!

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I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out. - Bill Hicks

Let's do it for Johnny!

You could wear PJs? Just an overcoat?

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

I am starting a new pants-optional church. Would you like a pamphlet?

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

I hope people who sent Ts&Ps also sent money, FWIW.

i think there a few of those out there already...or maybe the pants-optional only applies to little boys

Yep. Just like fireworks, or a beer tasting.

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That's true. If mass was on Tuesday night, I'd be willing to up the ante to a full two hours per week. I'd even be ok with Friday night at 5-7 as long they followed with a complimentary happy hour

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I'd go to mass every day if it were a work sponsored event!

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Would you stay awake though?

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Now you're talkin

A little less repentance little more celebration

Mass is a celebration!

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So thats where the term Mass Celebration comes from?

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Go Cubs!!!!

That's where the Orthodox Christians improved upon Catholicism. Going to service is a bit of a drag but cheap bar, pierogies, stuffed cabbage and sausage post service makes it somewhat worth it.

But its not

I could call work a celebration of capitalism but that doesn't mean its fun.


I'm talking about an actual celebration where 75% of the attendees aren't counting down the minutes til its over

Not from me it doesn't.

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you think you're too pretty for church.

It's still better than being orthodox jewish. Friday sundown to Saturday sunup does not work with my social agenda.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.