Quote (Stu @ Feb. 12 2008,16:49)Cato my first question for you is how do you define 'soul'?  We must be able to agree on what it is before it can be discussed.  More importantly, the religious ignoramuses who interfere with the presidential ethical committee in the US (including the president himself) influence potentially life-or-death d…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Feb. 12 2008,06:11)Hi cato, So your conscience, reason, intelligence and intuitionare greater than scriptural wisdom?No, but it helps me to recognize true wisdom, and to separate that from mythic fantasy or gross oversimplifications given to those who can not handle any more then such.  Without such examination then we will…[Read more]

Welcome, I am sorry but I am one of the non-NZs here and am a new arrival (last month) myself.  I think you will find this an interesting site with a lot of encouragement and some challenges.  Yet it may be the challenges (we have our resident athiests) who provide some of the most interesting posts and give believers something to oppose and b…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Feb. 12 2008,04:27)Hi cato, One option is to design a god based on our view of how such a good god would behave and develop a theology from that using as much of scripture that is appropriate in our view. Many take this line.But it is better to know God exists and has revealed Himself in scripture and to seek to obey Him and…[Read more]

Stuart,I realize your response was tongue in cheek but will respond with my thoughts anyway.  The Catholic priesthood is a mixed bag, there are some who really feel that they can contribute more to humanity and God by sacrificing that aspect of their life, to those who can do so I lend my admiration.  There are others on whom giving up woman is n…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Feb. 09 2008,17:06)Hi Stu,Charles Darwin was a measurer of nature.Why did he become the most influential religious leader of his time?His religion still bewitches mankind desperate to allay their fears that the God of the bible is real.This is news to me, as stated before evolution is a theory attempting to describe how…[Read more]

Quote (Stu @ Feb. 09 2008,06:12).StuartStuart,Many alchemists (discounting of course the various con men attempting to liberate funds from the gullible aristocracy) were in actuality occultists who believed that the soul, spirit and ultimately the physical body could through various means evolve into a higher form of being.  In great fear of the…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Feb. 04 2008,07:55)Hi cato, Christ told us that the Spirit does not speak of His own initiative but reminds us of what is written and reveals the future from it. Thus new ideas can be tested against what is written. No reincarnation in what is written.Out she goes.Nick,So your entire basis of truth and what should be is based…[Read more]

Quote (Stu @ Feb. 08 2008,16:22)Quote (Cato @ Feb. 07 2008,23:36)Quote (Stu @ Feb. 07 2008,19:23)Quote (Cato @ Feb. 07 2008,01:58)Everyone likes to hit on Stuart about man coming from apes, perhaps in jest because of his avatar.Yet, think about this, is it any worse to come from other primates, then dust from the ground, as per Genesis?  If we…[Read more]

Quote (Stu @ Feb. 07 2008,19:23)Quote (Cato @ Feb. 07 2008,01:58)Everyone likes to hit on Stuart about man coming from apes, perhaps in jest because of his avatar.Yet, think about this, is it any worse to come from other primates, then dust from the ground, as per Genesis?  If we believe we are made in God's image (which can be open to widely…[Read more]

Everyone likes to hit on Stuart about man coming from apes, perhaps in jest because of his avatar.Yet, think about this, is it any worse to come from other primates, then dust from the ground, as per Genesis?  If we believe we are made in God's image (which can be open to widely varying interpretations) I think we can assume this applies to the…[Read more]

Evolution is a theory, an attempt to describe how species (not life itself) originated.  It was based on observations in nature and remains of the past.  It never was an attempt to prove or disprove God or justify any human social engineering.  As a theory it is well respected by most in the scientific circle.  Many of us find no problem in thi…[Read more]

“In that case I know there is no god.  It’s a fact. I just know.  So there.Stuart “Stuart just as I can not prove, God,  you can not disprove the idea either.  I know you can get frustrated with those that try to prove God through scripture you do not believe and I recognize the pitfalls of that approach.  I myself, though firm in my belief in the…[Read more]

Psalm 57:1Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,For my soul takes refuge in You;And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.Remember, unlike most scripture, psalms are poetry and song so I think a little literary license is in order.  I think the passage is to affect a feeling not to literally imply God…[Read more]

Quote (seek and you will find @ Feb. 04 2008,07:15)Quote (Cato @ Feb. 04 2008,06:58)Many of us feel that if anything science highlights the intricacies and the glory of God's creation rather then denies it.  While Stuart may dismiss this opinion, I think we can agree that only those of a medieval mentality equate the theories of science with…[Read more]

Quote (seek and you will find @ Feb. 04 2008,07:22)Quote (Cato @ Feb. 04 2008,07:13)It would be a really dull forum if we all thought alike, there would be nothing to discuss.  If Stuart were to leave a good number of you would have nothing to respond or post to.  So it is good on an intellectual basis.  As far as a Christian aspect, did Jesus on…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Feb. 03 2008,09:17)Hi cato, Such strange gnostic ideas such as reincarnation, do not find any place in scripture. We do not teach what is intellectually possible to the foolish mind of man but what is revealed.Nick,While I do not doubt that many have received revelations from the almighty the problem is that this is between…[Read more]

It would be a really dull forum if we all thought alike, there would be nothing to discuss.  If Stuart were to leave a good number of you would have nothing to respond or post to.  So it is good on an intellectual basis.  As far as a Christian aspect, did Jesus only concern himself with the faithful, I don't think so.  Without the Stuarts all we…[Read more]

Many of us feel that if anything science highlights the intricacies and the glory of God's creation rather then denies it.  While Stuart may dismiss this opinion, I think we can agree that only those of a medieval mentality equate the theories of science with heresy or devil worship. I'd have hoped by now we were past Galileo.

Quote (seek and you will find @ Feb. 03 2008,11:02)Quote (Nick Hassan @ Feb. 03 2008,07:39)Hi 94, God does not speak of one truth to one group and an opposing 'truth' to another.Nick You seem to stick up for the Muslim Faith and I like to know why? I do not belief that they have the truth al all. They use the Koran and have you ever read what they…[Read more]