Science is a tool that can be abused!

[_spotlight]

Can we change the title of the thread now to, "The mind is a tool that can be abused!" ?

[_LittleNipper]

So are Islamic fundamentalists. Unfounded belief is like that. It develops in a self imposed evidence free environment in the brain and therefore tends to be selective in accordance with the subjective feelings of the individual believer.

You are absolutely correct. Any man who is inspired by the scripture to take the inward journey will receive his own subjective feelings back at him. This is described in symbolic form in Eze 14. But the man who cast the world aside and takes no desires with him on his inward journey receives the spirit of truth. This was described by Jesus and written in John. Since the vast majority of the people on this planet have never cast the world aside then they receive their own subjective feelings back at them when they read the scriptures. So you observing this have formed a correct assessment of the religious world.

Correct? Not according to the scriptures.

II Peter 20:16-21

16 For when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, we did not rely on cunningly contrived myths. On the contrary, we saw his majesty with our own eyes. 17 For we were there when he received honor and glory from God the Father; and the voice came to him from the grandeur of the Sh’khinah, saying, “This is my son, whom I love; I am well pleased with him!” 18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Yes, we have the prophetic Word made very certain. You will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark, murky place, until the Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all, understand this: no prophecy of Scripture is to be interpreted by an individual on his own; 21 for never has a prophecy come as a result of human willing — on the contrary, people moved by the Ruach HaKodesh spoke a message from God.

[_Themis]

Themis:

The world as used in Scripture is not the earth. I don't have a problem with the earth. God saw that it was very good. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Some what we mortals do to it and to ourselves isn't so good.

If we artificially restrict this discussion to just subjective feelings then there is no difference. It makes little, to no difference to me what people believe about God, as long as they treat me, and mine, with respect, and a certain amount of human dignity.

The issue is not about how people treat you, but how you know you interpretations of what you think are experiences of God are correct and why others are wrong. If you don't want to think about it fine. I was there for many years. We don't like to think about them because doing so will challenge your beliefs.

[_Gunnar]

Correct? Not according to the scriptures.

II Peter 20:16-21

16 For when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, we did not rely on cunningly contrived myths. On the contrary, we saw his majesty with our own eyes. 17 For we were there when he received honor and glory from God the Father; and the voice came to him from the grandeur of the Sh’khinah, saying, “This is my son, whom I love; I am well pleased with him!” 18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Yes, we have the prophetic Word made very certain. You will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark, murky place, until the Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all, understand this: no prophecy of Scripture is to be interpreted by an individual on his own; 21 for never has a prophecy come as a result of human willing — on the contrary, people moved by the Ruach HaKodesh spoke a message from God.

The above all sounds like a cunningly contrived myth to me!

[_Franktalk]

Correct? Not according to the scriptures.

II Peter 20:16-21

16 For when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, we did not rely on cunningly contrived myths. On the contrary, we saw his majesty with our own eyes. 17 For we were there when he received honor and glory from God the Father; and the voice came to him from the grandeur of the Sh’khinah, saying, “This is my son, whom I love; I am well pleased with him!” 18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Yes, we have the prophetic Word made very certain. You will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark, murky place, until the Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all, understand this: no prophecy of Scripture is to be interpreted by an individual on his own; 21 for never has a prophecy come as a result of human willing — on the contrary, people moved by the Ruach HaKodesh spoke a message from God.

The above all sounds like a cunningly contrived myth to me!

Much of the new Testament is myth. It was written by men long after the death of Christ. But mixed in the myth are truths. Only if you let the spirit of truth guide you will you be able to sort it all out. But it does not matter if you do or if you don't. There is no judgement except how we judge ourselves.

Just remember all are alike unto God. That means no one gets a miracle. No one is special. Everything must be available to all in time. But we are free to reject all truth.

[_Maksutov]

The above all sounds like a cunningly contrived myth to me!

Much of the new Testament is myth. It was written by men long after the death of Christ. But mixed in the myth are truths. Only if you let the spirit of truth guide you will you be able to sort it all out. But it does not matter if you do or if you don't. There is no judgement except how we judge ourselves.

Just remember all are alike unto God. That means no one gets a miracle. No one is special. Everything must be available to all in time. But we are free to reject all truth.

Here you are quoting your own interpretation of the Bible which the Bible itself tells you not to do. What a racket.

Scripture says:

"First of all, understand this: no prophecy of Scripture is to be interpreted by an individual on his own;"

And then you go on to do just that.

Since the Bible is full of errors, contradictions, mistranslations, books of questionable provenance (which is all of them), you can pluck anything you want out of the Bible and disregard whatever you want. No accountability, no reality test. This is why confusion reigns among Christians sects and has for two thousand years. And religionists wonder why they are losing ground.

[_The CCC]

Depends on the ladder.

Well 140 lbs average weight for a woman times 30 takes us past 4,000 pounds. A quick google search doesn't show any ladders capable of that kind of load. Even spending $1,000 will get you to only 450lbs capacity. Maybe if they weighed 15lbs each? Add to the argument that you need 31 steps minimum and ladders were built of wood in Joseph's day...
I think I win.

Stairway to Heaven. SEE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFhf3BisUA

[_spotlight]

Stairway to Heaven. SEE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFhf3BisUA

The next morning Joseph visited the Kimball home. "[He explained] the principle of Celestial marrage...After which he said to me, ‘If you will take this step, it will ensure your eternal salvation & exaltation and that of your father’s household & all of your kindred.[‘] This promise was so great that I willingly gave myself to purchase so glorious a reward.

http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/26-He ... imball.htm

[_The CCC]

Stairway to Heaven. SEE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFhf3BisUA

The next morning Joseph visited the Kimball home. "[He explained] the principle of Celestial marrage...After which he said to me, ‘If you will take this step, it will ensure your eternal salvation & exaltation and that of your father’s household & all of your kindred.[‘] This promise was so great that I willingly gave myself to purchase so glorious a reward.

http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/26-He ... imball.htm

Nearly all the Old Testament prophets were polygamous. That doesn't mean I want to be in it myself. More than one mother-in-law at a time is too many. I had a great MIL and love her even now that she has passed on. She raised a wonderful daughter. Who became my wife.

[_spotlight]

Nearly all the Old Testament prophets were polygamous.

Good point. Thanks, I've been eyeing a 12 year old down the street.