All Things Religion Thread

udo, given your last post, you should probably watch this.

A few things religious people need to realize, atheists too, is that no one really knows what happens when you die. The bible was written by goat herders and shepherds. It wasn't written by god or Jesus. the one thing Christianity has going for it is that the calendar proves something major happened at the time of Jesus's death. 2021 years ago something significant happened otherwise we would have a different calendar. But this doesn't prove Jesus was Gods son. it doesn't prove Noah lived for 950 years and traveled to Australia to pick up kangaroos, koalas and kangaroos way before captain Cook discovered Australia. They though back then that the world was flat, if God was speaking to Moses he would have told him the Earth is round. Back then a global flood was maybe an entire state or country as that's as far as they could see from a mountain top.
The Bible is written by man as we didn't have science to explain all the things man didn't understand and to keep people under control, stop raping and murdering and all the other crimes.
If Christianity is the right religion, all those Hindus Buddhists, Muslims, Incas, natives, Vikings, pagans etc are all worshiping the wrong god. What makes you think your religion is the right one? Being born into it and baptized?
Seems a bit arrogant.

Make that move to redemption to see the light?

https://m.

GS, BB was one of the most over-budget and late movies of all times. That's what happens when half the cast is coked up to the eyeballs. Belushi looks horrendous in this clip.
BTW, I saw James Brown perform at 9000ft above seal level. His stretch limo rolls up in front of the stage. Six gorgeous backing singers in red evening gowns get out, followed by six more in blue gowns. James Brown was next to wild applause. He then kicked off show with a high energy number but the altitude got the better of him after a minute. He spent the next three minutes leaning over a speaker letting out the occasional (OWWW) while his lungs tried to catch up!!
Great show though after he got his breath back.

".... BB was one of the most over-budget and late movies of all times ...." AND there's no getting around it sweet mother of baby jebus its right up there as one of the best movies of all time!!

Hell yeah

That BB movie is a family favourite….along with Ben Hur and Forrest Gump.
If your truly interested in if there is a God, then you have to ask yourself that if He does exist,…who is He and what does He want from me. The reason people globally are abandoning their idols, their multi gods, their violent prophets, their superstitions, their appeasing of demons ancestor worship etc etc is because God Himself has been reaching out to them and calling everyone to him to put away what is false and begin a personal relationship through His son.
Interestingly, everywhere I have travelled overseas I’m asked about my religion and am I Christian?…etc what do I believe?
In the western world we are actually going backwards. Our prosperity and blessing from God has turned to greed. We worship success and have new idols in sport stars , property, wealth etc. etc. The successful people are the winners and the battlers are the losers. The bible talks about the last days of the current earth society when the love of many will grow cold and people will turn away from God and follow their own lusts. They will abandon the truth and exchange it for a lie to patronise the wicked and try and achieve a false peace. Like civilisations that have crumbled before them they will adopt the gods of others that cannot hear or see and the blessing that once was from the true God will fade and confusion will begin to reign.
If you really want to know the truth….chase it….read what Jesus taught in the New Testament and decide for yourself…God will give you your hearts desire but you have to be honest and be prepared to allow Him into your soul for a deep clean….that’s why Jesus came…to restore and repair our relationship to the one and only God.

I just read the first post in this thread and curious to know how it’s possible to get really fit while still smoking weed… that’s worth preaching.
I’d suggest it’s hardly surprising the bible predicts the turning away. No better way to galvanise the faithful.

Opti, Given the vast scope of the universe, billions of galaxies and stars and other planets I sort of struggle with the concept that a god that created this would be :
- so pre-occupied with earth, sins of its people and whether or not they believe in a particular storyline
and especially
-why he would think, here is an idea, I'll create a son send him to earth and have him get killed to fix everything.

Surely he would be above that sort of primitive human sacrifice type of thinking and could fix things in a thousand better ways with a stroke of his wand?

Frog - My view as I try to live a more spiritual life is to believe in a Universal Spirit .

People can choose any power as long as it is not themselves .

Dawn periscope, I’ve given it a red hot crack for some time. Now I’m giving up smoking weed to get truly fit. Getting cooked and working out/running real hard is so good. But not good for your lungs.
Praise Jeebus

Haha floptimist;)
My goodness you are the gift that keeps on giving ;);) How righteous of u !

‘In the not to distant future, an evil new leader will rise and convince everyone that he has all the answers.’

Ummmm… so, how far away in the ‘not too distant’ future?… Are you aware all ‘future’ is not too distant? And how do you actually know?

Seriously. Aren’t you trying to convince everyone that you have all the answers ;) Why should we take your advice? Where are your assumptions and conclusions based and how do you know they are real? ;);) Are they real or fantasy? And how so ? ;)

‘He will highjack the monetary system with a new global currency and present a new world view religion’
(Wow!… Sounds a bit like Christianity!)

‘The problem being, it will not be of God but of man and a typical plan of enslavement to someone’s idea of how things should be’

Now… this is really where you are talking shit ;) Are you sure the ‘problem’ you so boldly highlight isn’t something you are also guilty of? Everything you are stating is also a typical plan of enslavement to your idea of how things should be ;);) And everything YOU stated is not of god but of man! …Unless you are a god ;):)

‘God will give you your hearts desire but you have to be honest and be prepared to allow Him into your soul for a deep clean…..’

Any individual can discover, explore and pursue their hearts desire. This is not conditional to what you ‘want’ in relation to god - and nothing of this nature hinges on whether or not you ‘allow Him into your soul for a deep clean…’
But hey, if that’s what you do then farkn go for it! If it’s actually working, though, there’ll be no need to try convince anybody else ;);)

Notice how you stated that ‘god will give you your hearts desire BUT….. blah blah’

That intention right there shows a typical plan of enslavement;);)

Now… being honest. That is a big one. I agree here… You have to be honest.

So floptimist … cut the preaching shit about what you reckon is gonna unfold relative to a book you like. Just as you mentioned blues brothers movies and Forrest Gump etc - nice stories and good entertainment - moral guidelines and a bit of fun…

But really. Be honest;);) You only ever sprout garbage that is also ‘a typical plan of enslavement to someone’s idea of how things should be’.

-So how are you doing anything different?
And why are you warning us yet doing the exact same thing? ;);)
Maybe this is the problem ;)

Oh… and we should all be on the lookout for a mysterious evil new leader who will rise and convince everyone that he has all the answers ;);)
Seems like a viscous loop you’re in there!
And you’re encouraging others to be honest about things ;)
Or maybe you are just too easily convinced about stuff others choose to question and challenge ;):)

Floptimist it’s no different to a priest giving advice on marriage or sex or children…
If you don’t actually know what you are talking about it’s wide open to interpretation and….. fantasy ;);)

-Just don’t be surprised when people don’t and won’t listen…

(Still waiting for the Star Trek style beam me up into the sky thing to happen tho)

‘Be prepared to allow Him into your soul for a deep clean’

How exactly did you discern god as a ‘Him’ again?! (Other than through what you have read or heard)

Be honest.

I have alleyways believed in a Universal Spirit but have never been religious . Believe in karma and have seen so many incredible coincidences .

Never thought that the US would be interested in chatting to me though . I have changed my view and now pray and try to do meditation .

Very slow at first but as time goes by getting better at it . Trying to make it a daily ritual and that word is part of the word spiRITUAL .

Amazing that the tension in my body has reduced ( my back feels so much better ) .

Hopefully on the path to a more serene lifestyle .

Jelly - I am concentrating on the good points of Optimists views and letting the rest go through to the keeper . You are doing the old mistake "contempt before investigation " .

You said "Any individual can discover, explore and pursue their hearts desire. This is not conditional to what you ‘want’ in relation to god - and nothing of this nature hinges on whether or not you ‘allow Him into your soul for a deep clean…’
But hey, if that’s what you do then farkn go for it! If it’s actually working, though, there’ll be no need to try convince anybody else ;);)"

The huge problem is that most individuals pursue things that their true hearts don't desire . When they are about to die they finally realise they were missing the most important things .

Don't bag people for having a different view to you especially if they are trying to help .

soggydog wrote:

Dawn periscope, I’ve given it a red hot crack for some time. Now I’m giving up smoking weed to get truly fit. Getting cooked and working out/running real hard is so good. But not good for your lungs.
Praise Jeebus

Good on you soggy,
Get off the joints or hongers, if you must...cookies (so I've heard)

san Guine wrote:

soggydog wrote:

Dawn periscope, I’ve given it a red hot crack for some time. Now I’m giving up smoking weed to get truly fit. Getting cooked and working out/running real hard is so good. But not good for your lungs.
Praise Jeebus

Good on you soggy,
Get off the joints or hongers, if you must...cookies (so I've heard)

Vaporiser……..but I’m going to give that the flick too

https://www.vice.com/en/article/akgb88/viral-jump-humping-tiktok-teaches...

Roadkill - Keep your crappy articles to yourself . A complete load of BS . Every kid in the world could be doing this . The author of the article obviously has a bias . Don't pollute this thread with your personal pet hates .

Hutchy 19 wrote:

Roadkill - Keep your crappy articles to yourself . A complete load of BS . Every kid in the world could be doing this . The author of the article obviously has a bias . Don't pollute this thread with your personal pet hates .

lol

Hutchy 19 wrote:

Roadkill - Keep your crappy articles to yourself . A complete load of BS . Every kid in the world could be doing this . The author of the article obviously has a bias . Don't pollute this thread with your personal pet hates .

Triggered much?…lmao.

Hutchy 19 wrote:

Roadkill - Keep your crappy articles to yourself . A complete load of BS . Every kid in the world could be doing this . The author of the article obviously has a bias . Don't pollute this thread with your personal pet hates .

What an unusual reply.

You're a strange guy, Hutchy.

Yes it did a bit .

Thought you to be an insensitive fool .

I am not religious ( trying to build my spirituality ) so have no special feelings for any religion .

Try not to sink into the same depths Stu . Very strange that you support Roadkills views on this .

Trying is tarnish a religion like this shows everyone what nasty person you really are . Why do you feel you have the right to trample around spewing your vile . What a bully you are .

Very happy to call you out whenever you do this . Grow up !

An old man condemning a Vice article?

Mate, you don't know how silly that looks.

stunet wrote:

An old man condemning a Vice article?

Mate, you don't know how silly that looks.

I don't think Hutchy is one for self awareness.

Hutchy 19 wrote:

Yes it did a bit .
Thought you to be an insensitive fool .
I am not religious ( trying to build my spirituality ) so have no special feelings for any religion .
Try not to sink into the same depths Stu . Very strange that you support Roadkills views on this .
Trying is tarnish a religion like this shows everyone what nasty person you really are . Why do you feel you have the right to trample around spewing your vile . What a bully you are .
Very happy to call you out whenever you do this . Grow up !

FFS Hutchy....insensitive fool/nasty person/spewing vile//bully /grow up.....you seem to have a God complex , where everything you say here is the Gospel.
The fact is you put people down/call them names to try and reinforce your position/opinion/point and all you do is draw derision and spankings from the rest of us .
If you want to go down the spiritual path , well ,you concede there is an entity/God that you worship so you are held to a higher Law than man's rule of law...
It's a bit sad , but some of the people here know each other...had someone from the SN forums make the comment on email..."Hutchy is a bit sad , as it looks like he's quite lonely and comes onto the SBN forum , to have some fellowship with the human race.

Brutus

I have said here before that I believe in an Universal Spirit . No human would be able to correctly define what is the power of my US .The force that created the universe and is part of everything .

I am not lonely or sad . I am a very lucky person and am grateful for what I have . I am getting much stronger mentally , learning so much and am prepared for whatever my life throws at me .

I hope everyone else is the same .

Extremely funny that you think that the SN forum is a happy fellowship of humans . From my limited experience it is a shit fight with so much abuse , swearing and bullying . Roadkills post was a good example .

My word is never intended to be gospel as I am human and make mistakes . Being viewed as having a God complex is very interesting and quite funny . Surprised that my writing comes across that way as I still have so much I am willing to learn . Quite happy to for you to think that and will not try to change .

I do have strong beliefs but am also willing to change them after more investigation .

Hutchy, don’t take it too hard….you are a busy brained hypo person no doubt. The guys on swellnet love em or not , are a bunch of surfing brothers and like all brothers like to wrestle a bit on matters, bag each other and argue points of interest. I get a flogging sometimes ,but I just put up what I think is right and let the debate and banter begin. The world would be a boring place if everyone thought the same and there was nothing to discuss, argue over and then learn from each other…
I heard it said once that Everyman is every-mans teacher and everyman is every-mans student…I’ve learnt a lot from guys on here that I don’t really like very much but they are still my surf brothers and when everyone is sitting in the lineup together and sharing the joy of the same passion , the brotherhood really does stand firm and the common goal of riding waves enjoyed regardless of what you believe.

Nailed it Optimist. Well said.

I agree 100% Optimist with your views ! Not taking it hard at all but thanks for your suggestion .

Saw on the the Wellness TV show on the w/e . An author was interviewed and he said humans have 4 stories . Body , Emotions , Thought and Spiritual . Spiritual is like a trapdoor on the top that when opened lets the sun shine in .

You seem to have the trapdoor wide opened and are bathed in sunshine . I have opened mine for the first time and feel the warmth . Working on opening it more .

I am less irritated with many of the comments of this site as I have developed an immunity .

I am still very happy to point out what I believe are wrong or inappropriate posts .

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…Jesus…Matthew 7:12

One afternoon in 1953, reporters and city officials gathered at a Chicago railway station to welcome the Nobel peace prize winner. A giant of a man with bushy hair and a large moustache stepped from the train. Cameras flashed as city officials approached him with hands outstretched and began telling him how honoured they were to meet him.
The man politely thanked them and then looking over their heads, asked to be excused for a moment. He quickly walked through the crowd until he reached the side of an elderly woman struggling with two suitcases. He picked up the bags and with a smile escorted her to a bus. After helping her aboard, he wished her a safe journey. Returning to the greeting party, he apologised and said sorry to have kept you waiting.
That man was Dr Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary doctor, who spent his life helping the poor in Africa. In response to Schweitzer’s action, one member of the reception committee said to a reporter next to him.” That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking”…
Today, look for an opportunity to be kind…go out of your way to bless someone, even if it cost you to do it.

https://m.

Don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares…Hebrews 13:2
On a trip out of Bellingen where I was visiting a church in the very early ‘80s, I picked up a hitchhiker , something I did a lot , because I loved to talk about God to people as many of you would have guessed by now. He seemed like a great young guy and we enjoyed some awesome conversation about all things God. He seemed very knowledgeable and I enjoyed his company . He asked to be dropped on the pacific highway near a famous old car that used to have a tree growing out of it near Coffs. I thought it was an odd spot to get out as there was nothing around but pulled over and let him out and said goodbye. I looked behind me to my right before pulling out and then turned back to wave goodbye and he was gone. I looked around and got out of the car and looked everywhere and no sign of him and no where to hide. I concluded that I had just had a visit and was pretty stoked but a bit bewildered wondering what it all meant.
Another time, I was running a Christian ministry that homed people and just after dark I had a young guy come to me looking for a place to stay. He looked like he just walked a long way and I gave him a small flat to stay in. I get up pretty early and was looking out my window on dawn and saw him down on his knees drinking the pure rainwater from a fallen palm frond. I thought it was a bit odd as there were taps and cups etc as well as tea in his flat. I turned and looked away and when I looked back he was gone. Never saw him again…..
Just thought I’d share those stories and encourage you to be hospitable to strangers.

Optimist have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?

Optimist, the reason i ask is because when i was diagnosed with schizophrenia,the first question they asked me was- "do you believe in God?"
My answer was no, so they said- "so you're intelligent".

Apparently reported sightings of angels decreased at roughly the same rate as sightings of UFOs increased.

Just sharing some Sunday morning scripture and personal experience groundswell. Funny though, people like me find people like you odd because you think your the only life form in the universe…I wouldn’t even begin to share other experiences much more amazing than those little ones from my life because you just wouldn’t be able to deal with it as your world and your mind is way too small.

I don't believe we would be the only life in the universe, i believe the universe probably has at least one planet with at least some bacteria or some sort of single cell organism.
I don't believe in the bible though, how arrogant of you to believe your religion is the only true religion. Hindu's are worshiping the wrong gods and pagans are wrong.

Optimist wrote:

Don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares…Hebrews 13:2
On a trip out of Bellingen where I was visiting a church in the very early ‘80s, I picked up a hitchhiker , something I did a lot , because I loved to talk about God to people as many of you would have guessed by now. He seemed like a great young guy and we enjoyed some awesome conversation about all things God. He seemed very knowledgeable and I enjoyed his company . He asked to be dropped on the pacific highway near a famous old car that used to have a tree growing out of it near Coffs. I thought it was an odd spot to get out as there was nothing around but pulled over and let him out and said goodbye. I looked behind me to my right before pulling out and then turned back to wave goodbye and he was gone. I looked around and got out of the car and looked everywhere and no sign of him and no where to hide. I concluded that I had just had a visit and was pretty stoked but a bit bewildered wondering what it all meant.
Another time, I was running a Christian ministry that homed people and just after dark I had a young guy come to me looking for a place to stay. He looked like he just walked a long way and I gave him a small flat to stay in. I get up pretty early and was looking out my window on dawn and saw him down on his knees drinking the pure rainwater from a fallen palm frond. I thought it was a bit odd as there were taps and cups etc as well as tea in his flat. I turned and looked away and when I looked back he was gone. Never saw him again…..
Just thought I’d share those stories and encourage you to be hospitable to strangers.

Good morning optimist..
lovely message about helping strangers.....it's amazing how much crap gets aimed your way ...makes you wonder how much the people who personally bag you, Christianity and a message of hope....makes you wonder , wow, are these people against helping people in need ?

here's one that resonated with me this week....

Proverbs 30: 7-9....

7) "O God, I beg 2 favors of you ; let me have them before I die.

8) First, help me never tell a lie.

second , give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy our needs

9) For if I grow rich I may deny you and say, " who is the Lord?"

And if I am poor , I may steal and thus insult God's holy name!"

love your work optimist!

Why don't animals make it to heaven?
What did they do to piss off God?

Brutus - Well said .

I also respect and applaud your religious views Optimist .

Happy Sunday !

Brutus, some more from king Solomon for old mate groundswell…
...Ecclesiastes 3:21 ….who can say ??? I was hoping to see my beloved staffy again one day…but if not…I enjoyed the time with me little mate.

My mate is selling ant-gullible pills for all you people who believe in religions and avoiding hair loss treatments. Reply with your bank details thanks.

$499 a 30 pack.

Optimist, don't want to appear glib because I enjoy reading the stuff you guys write about and appreciate your perspectives for the most part, but I can say that when strangers I meet start talking to me about God I have been known to disappear into thin air myself. Never considered myself angelic but ...who knows hey?

Adam - I don't want to appear glib either but I can remember you also disappearing into thin air at the nightclub you ran . Come to think of it so did a lot of pretty girls .

I also never considered you angelic .

Sorry - probably should not say this on the religion thread .

Optimist wrote:

Brutus, some more from king Solomon for old mate groundswell…
...Ecclesiastes 3:21 ….who can say ??? I was hoping to see my beloved staffy again one day…but if not…I enjoyed the time with me little mate.

Haha....ah which beast and where is he heading,LOL?

Sometimes you can just learn too much...appropriate for many here on swellnet.
Some words by King Solomon from Ecclesiastes Chapter 1
The Grief of Wisdom......
12... I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13... And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14... I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 ...What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16.... I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17... And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 ...For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Optimist - Happy Sunday .

Thought provoking post . Which is funny as it makes me get knowledge of having too much knowledge .

Where's the line between having too much knowledge and not enough .

As we age we always acquire new information . I have learnt alot this year .

Good morning Optimist , here's also some appropriate words for us SNers.....I love reading Paul, as his journey from Saul to Paul is one where we can all take heart , even if we have been the worst blasphemers and persecuted and killed Christians........hope still exists as there is an all Loving God who is our heavenly Father, who sent his son down to Earth , and who was crucified on the Cross , he died for our sins . His resurrection from death , shows us all that death/and everlasting life are real and Gods grace to us, is a gift.....we are saved and have incredible hope!!!!!
So Romans 2: 1-12...God's righteous judgement.....incredible.....the Living insight Bible has a descriptive " one of the worst forms of pride among Christians is a militant, harsh, abrasive attitude that expresses itself in judging others. The most accepting people on Earth should be Christians. The most winsome, magnetic place in the world should be the Church. Both can be true if we will stop judging others and start opening doors of Christ centred giving!"

Optimist wrote:

Sometimes you can just learn too much...appropriate for many here on swellnet.
Some words by King Solomon from Ecclesiastes Chapter 1
The Grief of Wisdom......
12... I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13... And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14... I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 ...What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16.... I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17... And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 ...For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Jesus is explained best by Paul in Colossians chapter 1.
“He is the visible image of the invisible God. the firstborn over all creation, For by him all things were created that are in heaven and are on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created through Him and for Him…and He is before all things and in Him all things consist….and He is the head of the body, the church who is the beginning, the firstborn among the dead that in all things He may have the pre eminence .
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself by Him ( the son) whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.