Stupid Guest Tricks

BRWombat wrote:The Biblical description of hell isn't a place Lucifer rules over, it's a place of torment, of eternal separation from the presence of God, prepared for him and his angels -- in other words, Lucifer will be there for punishment, too. God really doesn't want anyone to have to join him there, and has provided a way of escape available to everyone through faith in Jesus. But He's also provided us with a choice.

I personally don't see what the big deal is with separation from God, I am separated from God right now and it doesn't feel like a big deal to me. Also, what about the people who ENJOY torment, huh? Seems to me like this whole plan was thought through far enough. Then there is the fact that pretty much no religion uses that description of Hell anymore, they all use the Dante Hell, probably because it is scarier to think about, in which case my point still stands. I feel pretty safe that religions don't use this description of Hell because then they couldn't preach that people who don't follow their religion are sent there no matter what, which is pretty much what all of them say, "follow our religion or go to Hell." Of course, going into the Bible at all is a mistake because it contradicts itself to much, it cannot tell you if you are saved by works or faith, it says both and it says neither. "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." So yes, I question your source.

Sounds like they're trying to cover all bases.

Just a word of caution. This subject can be a sore spot for some. Discussing religion on a web forum rarely goes well. I will keep it open for the time being but be the good members I know you all are and keep it civil.

Hey, only on SGT can we discuss Religion AND Politics in the same thread while off topic and not start a flame war or have a mod instantly slam the topic closed :)

I would hate the "traditional" idea of Heaven as a perfect place. Can you imagine perfection for eternity? Ugh! "Oh, look, I won the lottery again. Let me buy another Rolls Royce. Oh yeah, there's already 500 of 'em in the garage. What's the weather forecast? Silly me, 78 and sunny of course." I figure ANYTHING would get dull for eternity, so even though I am a Christian I tend to believe in reincarnation. After all, God probably didn't just stop at making one world. That would get dull for Him too. And at any given time, there are new worlds starting while old ones (like ours) are in the process of destroying themselves. When that happens, one of the newer ones will have more life on it so the souls from here can be sent over there.

Lasolimu wrote:...Of course, going into the Bible at all is a mistake because it contradicts itself to much, it cannot tell you if you are saved by works or faith, it says both and it says neither. "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." So yes, I question your source.

Understood. A quick look at the Bible will show some seeming contradictions, but I've found that a deeper study resolves any of significance. Like the James quote you give above. In context I think James was using the word "justified" differently than salvation. In the second quote, Paul was definitely talking about salvation, being reconciled with God, which is certainly one meaning of "justified." But James is talking about claiming with words to have faith. Such a claim is "justified" only if its the type of faith that makes a change in your life -- words alone aren't enough.

Me, I've found the Bible to be reliable and have banked my entire life on what it says.

Syndrome wrote:I would hate the "traditional" idea of Heaven as a perfect place. Can you imagine perfection for eternity? Ugh! ...

Me too! I've always thought the common view of heaven as a place of fluffy clouds, harps, halos, and angel food cake (?) sounded awfully boring. Fortunately, I don't think that's the case -- how could a God who was creative enough to make this beautiful earth make someplace so dull? I highly recommend a book called Heaven by Randy Alcorn, which takes a look at what the Bible (there I go again! :) ) actually says.

CujoSR wrote:Just a word of caution. This subject can be a sore spot for some. Discussing religion on a web forum rarely goes well. I will keep it open for the time being but be the good members I know you all are and keep it civil.

Agreed, and I'm grateful that -- so far at least -- we can discuss this without aggravation. This really is one of the most easy-going, friendly web communities I've seen anywhere. Because I don't want to mess with that, and because these type of discussions aren't really what SGT is for, feel free to respond or not, but I'll gladly stop here. (But I'd be glad to continue by PM if anyone wants.)

A few days ago off of Katella and Clemintine (sp) there was a car crash. It involved 1 cast shuttle and a SG driving a white king cab pick-up truck. Around I am guessing about 9:45 am ish, the white pick-up driver was trying to get infront of the shuttle bus and tempted to make a left turn. From what I heard, the SG T-boned to shuttle bus in the intersection. There was a good gap on the left side of the shuttle and the white pick-up truck was smashed in the front.

Folks, don't drive like an idiot in front of shuttle buses. Or even try to do a stupid stunt that might hurt you and others.

BRWombat wrote:I highly recommend a book called Heaven by Randy Alcorn, which takes a look at what the Bible (there I go again! :) ) actually says.

I just read a few excerpts from it online. Very interesting, especially the part about pets and Heaven. I've always believed that pets will indeed be in the afterlife, but I've had religious friends argue the point. I fully agree with Alcorn's view. I just sometimes imagine that one of my adopted pets perhaps had an owner who loved it but somehow lost it...there we will be, fighting over our pet in Heaven someday. They ain't getting any of my beloved critters away from me (well, maybe Tooncinator the Poopy Cat, but his former owner was one of my friends who doesn't believe that pets will be in Heaven...she was the one who saved his feral mom...so it's not like she's going to want him back).

Syndrome wrote:I would hate the "traditional" idea of Heaven as a perfect place. Can you imagine perfection for eternity? Ugh! "Oh, look, I won the lottery again. Let me buy another Rolls Royce. Oh yeah, there's already 500 of 'em in the garage. What's the weather forecast? Silly me, 78 and sunny of course." I figure ANYTHING would get dull for eternity, so even though I am a Christian I tend to believe in reincarnation. After all, God probably didn't just stop at making one world. That would get dull for Him too. And at any given time, there are new worlds starting while old ones (like ours) are in the process of destroying themselves. When that happens, one of the newer ones will have more life on it so the souls from here can be sent over there.

Ther was an old Twilite Zzone episode about a mobster that died and went to heaven, he always won at the casino, always had the hot babes, etc. etc. he got very board after a week of always winning at everything.

turns out it wasnt heaven!!

hehehehehhehee

GRUMPY PIRATE wrote:Ther was an old Twilite Zzone episode about a mobster that died and went to heaven, he always won at the casino, always had the hot babes, etc. etc. he got very board after a week of always winning at everything.

turns out it wasnt heaven!!

hehehehehhehee

Was all the Rum gone? ;)