Francis Chan is awesome though! My youth group did a study by him called "Crazy Love" like two years ago, which was pretty soon after I was saved, and it completely changed how I viewed God.
After reading countless theological debates over the internet, I have come to a conclusion: nobody will ever come to know God because of an argument I had with them on Youtube... There is nothing that I, or anybody else, can do do to convince anyone else that my God is real. The only way of securing salvation is by having faith. And that, is between the individual and Jesus Christ.
I shared my testimony at our local Fields of Faith testimony and posted it to YouTube- check it out here: "Lars Hanson's Fields of Faith Testimony 2011"
In the 1940s there were people who said “it is right that people different than us be sent to the ovens and tortured”. The people who believed this were fascists and anti-Semites. Today many people say “it is right that people different than us be sent to the ovens of hell and tortured”. The people who say this are Christians. Most Germans didn’t personally kill Jews. Today most Christians don’t personally torture anyone, they just think that God is righteous for doing so.
So, people who feel the need to congregate in a building to kneel before a super natural being are so stupid that their explanation for metamorphosis is "God makes caterpillars into butterflies"
And completely ignoring all scientific research done on the insect for decades.
When does logic overcome fear?
Religion was invented to control populations, not "show them the light" (christianity applies top commenter)
@godoftech13 fact is greater than fiction. But unfortunately theoretical science is taking the place of fact. So the credibility of true science is being blurred by theories of evolution and unrealistic science that has only existed for about 200 yearas now. We deserve a much higher wisdom.
@godoftech13 Well yeah, of course. - Like TV, cell phones, computers and politics. - But while man creates all types of distractions to keep us focused on things that don't matter and in turn control people groups, God created man. Look, consider some truth - just because Religion is used by man as a means to control people, doesn't mean that God is a lie. - Religion = creation of Man < Man = creation of God
"Religion is used by man as a means to control people, doesn't mean that God is a lie."
I agree. However, there is no evidence of the existence of any gods. Until there is, all gods are indistinguishable from figments of peoples' imaginations.
@NaturalMiracleMan To be clear - the existence of "gods" IS a lie. Since the one true God is infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, without boundary - possessing absolute control over all creation, the idea that there could be more than one is, in all logical reality, not possible. I consider the vast incalculable complexity of creation to be evidence enough of design by God.
@Gruvmachine28 When I use the term "gods," I am including your god concept in the pool with every other god concept I have ever heard of. Plus, not all gods are defined as "infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, without boundary - possessing absolute control over all creation." There are many different god concepts out there; yours is only one of them.
@Gruvmachine28 You wrote, "I consider the vast incalculable complexity of creation to be evidence enough of design by God."
And that epistemological consideration suffers from a logical fallacy known as an argument from ignorance. Plus, if you are arguing in favor of a god that is based upon the Hebrew and/or Christian god, then I can safely say that what we know about the way the universe is rules out such a god.
I pray for clarity in your life and mind to see the truth. God knew you would turn away bit still sent his son to die for you and if u truly believed and repented earlier in life than u are redeemed.
Im glad that you guys are happy bein athiests and all and came out of deppression, but you would have soooo much more freenness and happiness and PURE joy from the love of jesus christ that only he can give to you.
Thanks, but I've been a Christian before, and I already know about what Christianity offers. I am freer, happier, and more joyful as an atheist than I was as a Christian. I am glad that you are happy as a Christian.
Think about what you get that joy from, do you get it from family, friends or other relationships? That's great, but those people won't last forever and neither will you without God. I think we all know that life on earth happens really fast, but wouldn't you like the assurance of having a great life after you die? The LORD never makes mistakes it's not his nature, he gave the power of choice to us humans and we disobeyed him that's why he regretted making us.
@BlueCloudBerry I do get a lot of joy from my family and friends. I also get joy from learning, eating, porn, great movies, etc. I don't need these things to last forever, because part of the joy I get from them is that they are fleeting and momentary, making them both rare and special to me. I will last forever: I will last for all of the time that I will live, and that is all the time that any of us have. I know that I will one day die, my self dissipating as my brain dies.
We Christians have a saying that we like to use often, " Love the person but hate the sin." Now, I do beleive that porn is worng and I hate it but I will still love you as a person because that is not a part of who you could be, it's just something that you choose to do. I hope you will take these things to heart as I have from your comments and thank you for being patient with my opinion.
@BlueCloudBerry I do not consider porn to be a bad thing at all, and I know what it was like to be without porn before. As a single man, porn is healthier for me than to try to do without it (I tried that as a Christian, and it lead to self-abuse). Porn is a healthy outlet for my sex drive, and it is often a very beautiful thing to behold.
I appreciate your politeness and your patience with me, as well. And thank you for your compliments. :)
@NaturalMiracleMan Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14.. I am only commenting because I dealt with the idea that porn was okay.. I am only 21 but I found my way onto porn websites and pornographic photos anyway I could.. I was addicted.. There comes a time when you have to realize that you are now lusting with your eyes which is a sin
@NaturalMiracleMan Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14.. I am only commenting because I dealt with the idea that porn was okay.. I am only 21 but I found my way onto porn websites and pornographic photos anyway I could.. I was addicted.. There comes a time when you have to realize that you are now lusting with your eyes which is a sin and Finding the Holy Trinity is the only way to true healin
@MsGodjazz I am not addicted to pornography; I look at it about once or twice a week. It's very useful in avoiding the mess known as wet dreams. Porn is a very beautiful thing; there is hardly a more beautiful sight than two or more people giving one another orgasms. If it is an addiction for you, then I can understand if you wish to avoid it. I don't have such a problem, though.
I don't believe in gods, including the god of the Bible. I do not believe in the Christian notion of sin.
@NaturalMiracleMan Soon enough you will. As a Christian I pray God's mercy continues to cover your life. I agape you and through the power of the God i believe in, i pray you are broken and come to a realization of who He is through conviction and constant love from Him. Have a great week, month, and year sir....Just remember whether you believe in my God or not, one day you will stand before Him in judgement.
How dare you wish that I would be "broken" in any sense of the word? How cruel and heartless of you! You are only threatening me with consequences of not believing in your god, and that is reprehensible. You have offered me no reason to believe what you have said, and you have resorted to making arrogant and rude claims that are very distasteful. I've been having a great life, and you have done nothing to improve it.
@NaturalMiracleMan I'm sorry if you thought broken was used in a physical sense. The broken I am refering to is a humbling of one's self to God. A sense of allowing Him to control & mold your thought process and not what we can create ourselves.. As humans we have the ability to create our own world with laws of our own.. but my God wants all of us to live for Him. Romans 11:32 He has bound all men to disobedience so that He can have mercy on all.. He loves you and He wants to be merciful!!
@NaturalMiracleMan I mean, that train of thought is completely backwards. First off, if you are saying 'your god' yet then you say 'makes me', then you are already contradicting yourself and are just going nowhere in your accusation. Secondly, THAT'S THE POINT! God created us to be in a relationship with HIM and if it takes us being disobedient and seeing our own sin to be able to come to Him, then so be it. He is what we need and He KNOWS it!
"I mean, that train of thought is completely backwards. First off, if you are saying 'your god' yet then you say 'makes me', then you are already contradicting yourself and are just going nowhere in your accusation."
How is it a contradiction to say that "your god makes me disobey"? It's a simple, straightforward statement. Also, it wasn't an "accusation," it was a hypothetical proposed by MsGodjazz. Do you even know what the words "contradicting" and accusation" mean?
"Secondly, THAT'S THE POINT! God created us to be in a relationship with HIM and if it takes us being disobedient and seeing our own sin to be able to come to Him, then so be it. He is what we need and He KNOWS it!"
So the point is that your god made me disobedient so that I would need your god? That is absurd. What evidence is there that a god of any kind exists? Why do I "need" a relationship with a god when I am living a very fulfilled life without one?
@sangsh0w You removed your comment, but, according to my inbox, you wrote,
"I understand you might not agree with Christian beliefs and see God for His magnificence, but I believe that you should have enough knowledge to understand that the Christian God is capitalized within the English language. Not doing so just makes you look uneducated."
I was raised a Christian and was one for 20+ years, and I went to Johnson Bible College.
Monotheists have attempted to claim the word "god" as theirs exclusively by turning it into the name of their god and capitalizing it. However, the term is NOT exclusive to them, for there are plenty of polytheists and deists who do not use the term as a name for their gods. The term god refers to a sort of being, as does the term "human being," so I do not capitalize it, because I do not use it as a name.
@NaturalMiracleMan As a believer, I can't say I know anyone monotheist who tries to claim that, but they may be out there. The general public looks at the word "God" differnetly from the word "god", which saves a lot of confusion. It works the same way as when you take the word "berry" and capitalize it as "Berry", it becomes a relatively common english name.
Your analogy is correct, so I hope that you see that your god is one of many, which is why I refer to it as your god, instead of your God. It would be poor grammar on my part.
@NaturalMiracleMan most of the world refers to the USA as America, but some people become offended because th USA is only part of America. Likewise, most people, christian or not, perceieve the words "god" and "God" differently. Other are offended by the usage of the capital. I say why get hung up in the technicalities?
"most of the world refers to the USA as America, but some people become offended because th USA is only part of America. Likewise, most people, christian or not, perceieve the words "god" and "God" differently."
I do not see how this pertains to your original point at all. I do not refer to the USA as America, because it is incorrect to do so. In our case, you complained about me referring to your god without capitalizing the g. Your complaints do not make sense.
@NaturalMiracleMan Basically I'm saying that peopel are unique. Some take technicalities seriously, and others are too lazy to worry about it. I am one of those that is too lazy to worry about how words are used, when we could be spending our time just enjoying life.
@4dojo Well, I am the sort of person who cares about "technicalities," and the distinction between "God" and "god(s)" isn't a small one at all. People have the right to be intellectually lazy, but those who are need to avoid challenging those of us who are not lazy. I enjoy life by seeking to find what is true from what isn't true, and intellectual laziness will not help me to achieve that.
@NaturalMiracleMan To soem degree, I also seek to find what is true, but mostly I'm just concerned about helping the needy, and beign a blessing to those who need a hand everynow and then. Knowledge is also important, but only in as much as it is used to help others.
Knowledge is the most useful tool in helping people, because it gives us correct understanding in order to help others most effectively. All knowledge is important, in this respect, even knowledge about grammar. Knowledge also helps people by liberating them from false beliefs that people can use to enslave them with.
I'd like to apologize on behalf of the countless ignorant and often angry Christians that roam around YouTube for the crap theology that you have been presented with on this comment thread - and that you are probably presented with elsewhere on a regular basis. Your philosophical and logical thoughts are totally sound, and for what it's worth, every thing you've said lines up 100% with the orthodox Christian faith.
@4dojo dude, if you're going to try and be a representative for God and His good news, don't be an idiot about it...
@NaturalMiracleMan and @jmbates5179 this guy doesn't know what he's talking about... I personally believe that anybody can get to heaven, but very few people choose to. it's hard to commit to the life of accountability and responsibility that God wants us to live. however, it is not impossible.
@BlueCloudBerry I am ok with dying someday. I have no control over that inevitable fate, and I accept that. Life starts off feeling very slow like it could last forever until one day we wonder where all the time has gone, so I am making sure to enjoy my life and to help others while I have it. It doesn't matter whether I would like to be assured of life after death or not, because there is no good evidence that there is any such thing.
@BlueCloudBerry I would rather not spend the rest of my life worrying about what will happen to me after I die, because that is a distraction from what I am doing with the one life that I know I have. I was a Christian for over 90% of my current life span, and I have very seriously looked into the claims of Christianity and theists in general. I find all of their claims dubious at best, and dishonest at worst. I have arrived at the conclusion that there is no justified reason for being a theist.
@BlueCloudBerry Upon reaching such a conclusion, I became, by default, an atheist, lacking any belief in gods of any kind.
I know that Christianity says that its god created me, never makes mistakes, and regrets making me, because it claims that I have disobeyed its will. I do not believe that there is any reason to believe that such a god, if any kind, exists.
I do not regret being me; I do not regret making mistakes, because I can learn from mistakes.
Jesus does not regret making you and he knows the opprotunities that you can have with Him. However, He is sad that you walked away from Him and turned to other gods if you will. As humans we depend on things to support us and even entertain us. Things like water, food, sunshine, freinds, family. :) I do believe that knowledge is a good thing, so is eating and watching good movies but overindulging yourself in these things may be dangerous. (more coming)
@BlueCloudBerry I do not believe that Jesus is alive or that Jesus played any part in my formation. I do not know how it is that you can claim that he is sad that I am no longer a Christian, since I see no reason to believe that he isn't dead and long gone. I do not worship any gods, nor do I believe in any gods. I am an atheist.
I do not believe that a person can overindulge in knowledge, for knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding leads to wisdom. I do not overindulge in anything.
@BlueCloudBerry By the way, I want you to know that I appreciate your comment to me, and I respect your rights to your opinions and to your beliefs. I am in no way trying to mock or to insult you.
Thank you for your respect on the subject. It is a common truth that we learn from mistakes and that we can't let the regret from them eat at us. However, the freedom that you experience now is not the right freedom. Scince you were a christian before I expect that you know some of God's commands. Every one of them is meant to protect you from harm. Through Jesus' forgiveness, mistakes don't have to be part of who you are.
@BlueCloudBerry To say that the freedom I know is not the "right" freedom is to misunderstand what I went through, and that is ok. If I had not deconverted, I shudder to think of where I would have wound up. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a person who was kind and open enough to listen to me and to respond to me with honesty, and they saved me from a path to destruction by opening my mind to question what I believed.
@BlueCloudBerry During my time as a Christian, I did study the Bible quite a lot. I even attended a Christian college for two years, majoring in Bible. So, yes, I do know of many of the commands written in the Bible. The problem is that many of the commands attributed to that god are harmful and caused great suffering. My belief as a Christian harmed me psychologically, and I consider myself fortunate to have escaped it.
Even when we are forgiven by anyone for any mistake made against anyone, those mistakes remain a part of us, having served to help form us as individuals. I do not consider mistakes as something to be perpetually ashamed of. Rather, I consider them to be learning experiences.
I love that Francis Chan's teaching, as in this video, is refreshing and challenging. We who claim to follow Jesus need to be stretched and moved from our natural desire to be comfortable. I expect that his style and content appeals most to those seeking to live a more authentic and effective Christ-centered life. Hopefully and prayerfully, for those whose hearts and minds do not 'know' Jesus, teachings such this will point them to our heavenly Father, who never gives up on us.
My metamorphosis was from being a Christian to being an atheist. In this way, I can relate with the caterpillar, because I was reborn as a person and I've been loving life ever since becoming an atheist. :)
uh, I saw that you were an atheist....I don't wanna start major problems because God's can handle it better than I can....but don't you know that there is a Living God ?
"If we are faithless, He is faithful; for he cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
@B2kcookies I have not been presented with evidence of the existence of any gods, so I am an atheist. I used to be a Christian, but I found that my beliefs had no credible support.
no, I am not mocking you it's just that......you're special bcuz even though you don't desire to have a relationship w/ God, w/ not realizing how faith in HIM can change you for the better....even if we fail ourselves...God makes no mistakes !!!! I just thank God that He still loves those He creates....even if they don't love Him back....
I'm not goin' back n forth anymore...I'll just say Lord help you!!!!!!!
I'm special, because I matter to my parents and my friends; I don't need a god to make me special. I've been a Christian before, and I know what it is that Christianity has to offer. I find that life is better as an atheist, and I do not regret leaving Christianity behind.
I find it funny that you think that the biblical god makes no mistakes, when that god expresses regret in making mankind in the flood narrative.
Being alive is a precious gift from God. To breathe, feel, taste, all very precious. People take life for granted, even myself sometimes, but we need to stop and think..I do not control ultimately over my life, God does. He knows my every move and wants to talk to me and help. He is our Father who loves us. He sent His son Jesus Christ to DIE for us so that we wouldnt have to sacrifice animals anymore. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. May God be with us all. God bless you all!
stupid!!! so i am suppose to be a fat caterpillar. what other "animals" transform. you already transformed idiots. you were a tadpole, now you are human. this is it. enjoy. you will not wake up with wings.
@NateTalksToYou sorry, but @shnoodog is right. Christianity is God reaching down to us. It is not a religion like any other; it's a Relationship like No other! <3
@NateTalksToYou okay, would you please explain why you believe that. i don't agree with you, but your statement interests me. if you don't mind having a polite conversation, would you please explain. thank you :)
@JESUSRockedMyWorld I would explain it to you, but it would be too much to fit into one comment. I'm going to send to a personal message with a link to a video that should explain it better. The video has 3 parts to it.
@stevenweir76 read The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. You want proof, there it is. That's the account of an atheist converted to Christianity based on pure physical evidence.
I do not believe in God. However I do believe in you and me and my neighbors and the grass, and a bunch of other things. But mostly those things. : ) How do we know that God is real? Because we are alive, and we are God I think. I think we are God, everything a manifestation of IT. Otherwise you have God out somewhere in space kinda fucking with people from time to time.
@CoffeePatron You view God as impersonal like most people. But if you truly humble yourself and seek God you will find him.
And when I say seek God, I don't mean seek church, I mean really SEEK GOD. Get on your knees and pray and truly ask him to reveal himself to you. Read a Bible and learn what God's character really is. (psalms is good for that)
Don't just pray once in double-mindedness and be like "whatever" I'm just doing this, put everything aside and seek him day to day. Just Seek him.
@YamiKazeSora Jesus had what was called oceanic consciousness or cosmic--enlightened. This hits people all over the world and when it does they say they are one with God. For instance, when it happens in Tennessee the person thinks he's jesus christ come back. And they all say the same thing they said to Jesus--"you are not god, we know your parents." : ) My view isn't impersonal, it's supra personal. Otherwise you start thinking God is just your personal helper.
@CoffeePatron Not sure if you think Jesus was a man who thought became God or what but I don't view God as my personal helper, if by that you mean someone who I just ask to do things for me when ever I want. I do see God as a loving God that wants to have a relationship with us. He desires us to seek him.
All I can say is spread the good news. If one doesn't accept you can't hold yourself accountable but pray for them and move on. No point in trying to prove yourself because we all know that you are only save through Jesus Christ. AMEN.
@tynaka123 - Yes, I've heard, and if I think you have an imaginary friend or what psychologists like to call a simulacrum perhaps you should analyze the accuracy of the statements made to you by this deity. What insight have you gleaned that you could not have ascertained for yourself? Try praying to a rock for a month, see if anything changes. Or instead of Jesus in your head, think of John Wayne in a spaghetti western. The results would be the same. Hear the music, see the lights, John Wayne.
@stevenweir76 this is not the first time ive read the verses, praying to a rock ur right is not going to do anything, i kno waht i believe and u hav ur beliefs, im not tryin to agrue in any way, i was just giving my perception of the verses in the anylisis i hav given on it. the only proof i have of gods existence is the faithfulness and blessings he has shown me. ima keep praying for u.. even if it means nuthin to you.. it has meaning to me... God bless :)
@tynaka123 - Your perception is distorted by bias. God Bless is meaningless to me, thanks for the sentiment but you may as well save it for your religious friends. Prayer has been scientifically proven ineffective in scientific double blind studies s you may as well find something better to do. I recommend learning science, like astronomy and astrophysics or biology. You tube makes it very accessible to everyone. Instead of preaching, you should try learning, ensure you know instead of guessing.
@stevenweir76 I just wanted to ask you. What do yu think happens wen we die?.. im not trying to argure anything i just want to kno.. we all hav our own views and beleifs on how we veiw the world and religion. NO matter waht people tell you or say to u, the ultimate decision is up to u.. u hav made urs and i hav made mine.. becuz of these differences i dnt c u as an enemy. just from waht i believe... god made us to live in harmony, i dnt think the right way to show gods love to people is to
@tynaka123 - I think that when we die it is as it was before we born. There is no reason to believe otherwise except wishful thinking. I used to believe belief was harmless, now I know better. Belief is harming all of us, whether you are aware of it or not. And by belief I mean basing your entire life upon that which isn't true or can't be proved. I don't believe God made us, I believe we are the product of natural processes. We do not transcend nature in any way, we are a part of the universe
@stevenweir76 argue over our beliefs, the only way we can show people gods love is not through fighting ir disagreement, but through accepting people as the way they are.. showing them love. and letting god do the rest. he is the only one that can change a mans heart.
@tynaka123 - I don't believe in God, the only way to not fight is to speak the truth and in earnest try to appreciate and respect other people. When someone chooses the unprovable, invisible man in the sky whom no-one has ever seen and expects to garner a consensus based on that fantasy it is never going to happen. Why do you believe in God? What is you basis for belief? If it's only a book written 2000 to 3000 years ago you might want to reconsider. It is not a good guide for morality.
@tynaka123 - I don't believe in God, the only way to not fight is to speak the truth and in earnest try to appreciate and respect other people. When someone chooses the unprovable, invisible man in the sky whom no-one has ever seen and expects to garner a consensus based on that fantasy it is never going to happen. Why do you believe in God? What is you basis for belief? If it's only a book written 2000 to 3000 years ago you might want to reconsider. It is not a good guide for morality.
@tynaka123 - Do you really think you should decide what to believe, or should you believe what is true and what we can know. If you make wild assumptions and grasp at straws, someone is going to take advantage. Even a legitimate preacher knows no more than you or I. Why not ask questions, reality is what it is, either you choose to know the truth or not. You can't fabricate what you want from wishful thinking.
@tynaka123 - And my beliefs are not wild assumptions. They are based on what my mind is able to comprehend, given evidence, logic and experience. Even our senses can not be trusted. Humans are subject to hallucinations, strong bias, predispositions, and many other things which make us unable to appreciate reality without a strong grounding in science.
@tynaka123 - So letting God do the rest isn't really doing anything, you're leaving it up to others to live your life for you, if you don't want it throw it away, it's your life, do what you want. But if you are confident the Bible is true, what is the harm in learning science like physics and biology, surely your faith could withstand such common tests. What is the harm in learning the true reality behind how the Bible came to be? Where could the harm be in learning history?
You wrote :"christianity is not a religion it is a relationship :)"
Can you explain to me a little bit about why you reject the term "religion" to describe Christianity? I understand that many protestent sects involve the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer but I don't see how this precludes the use of the word "Religion".
@doireallyneed1 Religion is defined as a set of beliefs and rules that an individual must follow Christianity is more then a set of beliefs,, or rules u have to follow. Its a one to one reltionship with God There is so much more to Christianity then a set of commandments you must follow. Its accepting jesus christ as ur lord and savior and loving him whole heartly living everyday for him. doing everything in his name. and in loving him, "good works" will come out of ur natural love for God
@doireallyneed1 Religion purely rests upon man doing things in order to gain something or be atoned for something. But Christianity stands out from every single religion because it says there is NOTHING you can do to receive salvation. You must instead BELIEVE in Christ and what He has done for YOU. Everything else Christians do- bible reading, praying, whatever, is basically all things to listen to what God has to say (Bible) or speak to Him (prayer), both of which r needed 4 ne relationship
Lots of Christians reject that word. It's one of those syntax things, but from Wikipedia, religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency,[1] or human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine"
James in Chapter 2 says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. "
So, the idea behind saying that is that Christianity has little to do with institutional values and rules, tradition and those things. It is literally all about "calling on the name of the Lord," having a relationship with Jesus. The greatest commandment given by Jesus was to Love the Lord your God with all your heart.
So, in summation, I think to answer your question, it is, imo, a reasonable response to a possibly common misunderstanding about the message of Christianity.
@doireallyneed1 I haven't read down to see who said this or in what context but I admit I have used the phrase myself in several instances. In saying this we are not condemning religion as a bad thing but merely accepting the bad connotation it has developed over the centuries. The various sects of Christianity seem to have deluded the word down to where it seems to focus on the disputes between difference religions such as Lutheran, Methodist, or Catholic rather than focusing on our
@doireallyneed1 relationship with God himself. By saying that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship we are merely stating that we're not worried about specific beliefs of one religions compared to another but in the overall relationship with God and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior that all Christians share. I hope that clears it up for you. If not my email is kharders2010@hotmail.com. Feel free to email me with any questions.
@doireallyneed1 [James 1:27] Religion is thinking that going the church is going to make you a good person. Morality is religion. Christianity or the term Christian literally means "Christ in One". It was a derogatory term that was given to the believers when the first church was started. Christianity is a relationship in that it is a restoration of the relationship that was seen in the Garden of Eden. It that intimacy to be able to walk with God as we once did before our fall.
I have been blessed by being pastored by Francis for the past Six years and he is 100% the same guy every minute of everyday "Crazy in Love with GOD!!" He found something alright and it is the Face of God in Christ and the Light of God has light the way so we can all see as clearly and become not like Francis but like Christ - Fall from yourselfs and Fall Crazy in Love with God !! God Bless you all!!
this guy stevenweir76 is on numerous Christian u-tube videos commenting... it's like the guy has really nothing else better to do. My suggestion is to just ignore him...keep him in silence, do NOT respond to his post...because all your doing is throwing your pearls to swine..Matthew 7:6
@created4goodwrks Your right. I do sometimes get into dialogues where I think I can explain the logical fallacies in someone's viewpoint, but I end up trying to convince someone who is not going to see what it is that I am saying. Thank you for your response, I sometimes need that reminder. Stay Strong Brother, the world is a cruel place, and we need to encourage and build up our brothers. Praise and Glory to the LORD God Almighty, to Our Lord and Savior Jesus, who died so that we may live!
The Bible in its different translations are derived from the original Hebrew & Greek historical documents. To understand a miniscule of the awesome and glorious Lord God there has to be a drawing unto Himself first, and most importantly. Without the Spirit of God all your left with is human reasoning. It's not a Christians job to "prove" His existence. We can't and shouldn't. People who don't know, don't know. It is impossible to persuade those who "require" evidence. Seek HIM first........
@stevenweir76 - "It is only fundamentalists who are stupid enough to think we were wished into being." I believe that you were ragging on kormeier about an Ad hominem earlier, correct? Is the preceding statement not the most recognizable form of an attack ad hominem? I believe it is.
@amill316 - Yes. I am sorry. Plenty of people believe this even though it is baseless. My argument coming from the other direction, despite being logical was having no effect.
I find these arguments frustrating if only that people blindly believe anything despite it's effects on everyone else and in spite of the truth. I might as well scream at the world for all the good it would do.
I love how when it comes to the topic of 'religion'...everyone so strongly desires to become an 'intellectual' with their thought processes. Your not putting through any creative new ideas people. Stop trying to convince others there is no God, just because you don't know Him
@kormeier - How do you know him? How do you know you are not talking to yourself? There is a trail of evidence which points back to my birth,. There is a trail which points to Christianity being a big fat lie. I can convince anyone what I wish to, you are not my boss, and you have no authority over me. Faith means nothing to me, except people telling themselves comfortable lies.
@kormeier - Attacks ad hominem will get you nowhere. Because even if I were a worst liar on Earth, if I said something was true and it was, what could you do? So stop the pointless posturing, is that all you have is insults, intellectualism would be quite a leap for you and at this point it is one that I doubt you are capable of. You are a joke just like your primitive tribal belief system.
@stevenweir76 primitive tribal belief......that sounds more like believing that we came from monkeys or pond scum. To me, that sounds like a primitive belief system
@kormeier - You might come from pond scum or monkeys. My ancestors come from the crucible of the volcanic depths of the primitive ocean and a common ancestor actually less evolved than the monkey. Ans you are too brainwashed to ever understand. Delusion is a happy place for you. I choose reality, whatever the cost.
@kormeier - Before you believe or disbelieve something. Don't you think you should learn about it first? For instance, I learned a lot about the Bible before I went around telling people it is one of the dumbest books ever. You are trying to fight an idea you don't even understand. Most Christians believe in evolution. The majority who believe in creationism are of another religion, like Islam for instance. It is only fundamentalists who are stupid enough to think we were wished into being,
@stevenweir76 Perhaps there is truth in evolution, but it is impossible to be christian without believe in the bible. The bible is basically the building blocks on which Christianity is based upon, and for a Christian to denounce it would be blasphemy.
@wolfmantrev - My only reply to that is that maybe people shouldn't categorize themselves and they certainly shouldn't categorize others. Gospel and truth do not coincide, and lies and blasphemy do not coincide. Only to a believer. For me the fact that I am blasphemous is an honor to me that despite the possibility of a fascist God I have overcome that fear to speak out for what I believe. It is a stupid human rule. Not a divine one. I have no reverence for this ludicrous institution of hatred.
@wolfmantrev - And before you argue that it is an institution of good, you should view what churches and religion have done to this world, and compare what secularism has achieved in making this world more free and more open so that people can have conversations such as these. The fact is, I would respect religion if it were accomplishing something, at one time it may have, but now it is holding us back, denying truth and causing atrocities.
@stevenweir76 name me a secular institution that has the world wide impact on hunger, disease, and nakedness that Christianity does? You say that it is secularism that has provided freedom and achieved so much...yet, the evidence speaks entirely to the contrary. It was the Marxist ideas of utopia that led to the Soviet Union and the mass murder that followed in which 63 million were killed; 43 million at the hands of Stalin alone. True Christianity is love. And there are many who practice it.
@therev410 - Charity Water, Red Cross, Doctors without borders are charities that I giv to which hold secular humanist beliefs. I give no money to those charities which proselytize their unsubstantiated beliefs on people who know no better for lack of education.
For me, Christianity is love of the imaginary in spite of many humans and I find it disgusting how you separate and attack many groups who hold beliefs which are not amoral that you do not agree with, all without evidence.
weak. i need crazy love too. crazy love in the .....
MrOutlaw2009 2 days ago
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jacobcredh20 1 week ago
Francis Chan is awesome though! My youth group did a study by him called "Crazy Love" like two years ago, which was pretty soon after I was saved, and it completely changed how I viewed God.
jacobcredh20 1 week ago
After reading countless theological debates over the internet, I have come to a conclusion: nobody will ever come to know God because of an argument I had with them on Youtube... There is nothing that I, or anybody else, can do do to convince anyone else that my God is real. The only way of securing salvation is by having faith. And that, is between the individual and Jesus Christ.
jacobcredh20 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I shared my testimony at our local Fields of Faith testimony and posted it to YouTube- check it out here: "Lars Hanson's Fields of Faith Testimony 2011"
thelarsychannel 4 months ago 32
0:05!! Nyew nyew nyew nyew. Hahahaha That's great.
firebreathinghottie5 4 months ago 17
In the 1940s there were people who said “it is right that people different than us be sent to the ovens and tortured”. The people who believed this were fascists and anti-Semites. Today many people say “it is right that people different than us be sent to the ovens of hell and tortured”. The people who say this are Christians. Most Germans didn’t personally kill Jews. Today most Christians don’t personally torture anyone, they just think that God is righteous for doing so.
jmbates5179 5 months ago
So, people who feel the need to congregate in a building to kneel before a super natural being are so stupid that their explanation for metamorphosis is "God makes caterpillars into butterflies"
And completely ignoring all scientific research done on the insect for decades.
When does logic overcome fear?
Religion was invented to control populations, not "show them the light" (christianity applies top commenter)
seriously, fact > fiction.
godoftech13 7 months ago
@godoftech13 fact is greater than fiction. But unfortunately theoretical science is taking the place of fact. So the credibility of true science is being blurred by theories of evolution and unrealistic science that has only existed for about 200 yearas now. We deserve a much higher wisdom.
njs811271 7 months ago
@godoftech13 --- fact > fiction. Truth > fact.
Gruvmachine28 6 months ago
@Gruvmachine28 Fact = Truth > Religion = fiction
godoftech13 6 months ago
@godoftech13 - Truth = God > Religion = Man
Gruvmachine28 6 months ago
@Gruvmachine28 Religion = God < Fact = Man
godoftech13 6 months ago
@godoftech13 God > Man
Gruvmachine28 6 months ago
@Gruvmachine28 Man > fictional creations of man that only exist to control a population
godoftech13 6 months ago
@godoftech13 Well yeah, of course. - Like TV, cell phones, computers and politics. - But while man creates all types of distractions to keep us focused on things that don't matter and in turn control people groups, God created man. Look, consider some truth - just because Religion is used by man as a means to control people, doesn't mean that God is a lie. - Religion = creation of Man < Man = creation of God
Gruvmachine28 6 months ago
@Gruvmachine28
You write,
"Religion is used by man as a means to control people, doesn't mean that God is a lie."
I agree. However, there is no evidence of the existence of any gods. Until there is, all gods are indistinguishable from figments of peoples' imaginations.
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan To be clear - the existence of "gods" IS a lie. Since the one true God is infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, without boundary - possessing absolute control over all creation, the idea that there could be more than one is, in all logical reality, not possible. I consider the vast incalculable complexity of creation to be evidence enough of design by God.
Gruvmachine28 6 months ago
@Gruvmachine28 When I use the term "gods," I am including your god concept in the pool with every other god concept I have ever heard of. Plus, not all gods are defined as "infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, without boundary - possessing absolute control over all creation." There are many different god concepts out there; yours is only one of them.
(continuing in a second comment)
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@Gruvmachine28 You wrote, "I consider the vast incalculable complexity of creation to be evidence enough of design by God."
And that epistemological consideration suffers from a logical fallacy known as an argument from ignorance. Plus, if you are arguing in favor of a god that is based upon the Hebrew and/or Christian god, then I can safely say that what we know about the way the universe is rules out such a god.
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
The old has gone and new things have come
Thank you Francis!! I love your messages!
KKsporty 7 months ago
That is the BEST encouragement I have ever heard in my life!
AEOTS 7 months ago
I pray for clarity in your life and mind to see the truth. God knew you would turn away bit still sent his son to die for you and if u truly believed and repented earlier in life than u are redeemed.
jmw9509 7 months ago
That is so true God has the power to make all things new
45hectorr 7 months ago
Im glad that you guys are happy bein athiests and all and came out of deppression, but you would have soooo much more freenness and happiness and PURE joy from the love of jesus christ that only he can give to you.
nc0071 8 months ago
@nc0071
Thanks, but I've been a Christian before, and I already know about what Christianity offers. I am freer, happier, and more joyful as an atheist than I was as a Christian. I am glad that you are happy as a Christian.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
Think about what you get that joy from, do you get it from family, friends or other relationships? That's great, but those people won't last forever and neither will you without God. I think we all know that life on earth happens really fast, but wouldn't you like the assurance of having a great life after you die? The LORD never makes mistakes it's not his nature, he gave the power of choice to us humans and we disobeyed him that's why he regretted making us.
BlueCloudBerry 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry I do get a lot of joy from my family and friends. I also get joy from learning, eating, porn, great movies, etc. I don't need these things to last forever, because part of the joy I get from them is that they are fleeting and momentary, making them both rare and special to me. I will last forever: I will last for all of the time that I will live, and that is all the time that any of us have. I know that I will one day die, my self dissipating as my brain dies.
(more coming)
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
We Christians have a saying that we like to use often, " Love the person but hate the sin." Now, I do beleive that porn is worng and I hate it but I will still love you as a person because that is not a part of who you could be, it's just something that you choose to do. I hope you will take these things to heart as I have from your comments and thank you for being patient with my opinion.
BlueCloudBerry 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry I do not consider porn to be a bad thing at all, and I know what it was like to be without porn before. As a single man, porn is healthier for me than to try to do without it (I tried that as a Christian, and it lead to self-abuse). Porn is a healthy outlet for my sex drive, and it is often a very beautiful thing to behold.
I appreciate your politeness and your patience with me, as well. And thank you for your compliments. :)
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14.. I am only commenting because I dealt with the idea that porn was okay.. I am only 21 but I found my way onto porn websites and pornographic photos anyway I could.. I was addicted.. There comes a time when you have to realize that you are now lusting with your eyes which is a sin
MsGodjazz 7 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14.. I am only commenting because I dealt with the idea that porn was okay.. I am only 21 but I found my way onto porn websites and pornographic photos anyway I could.. I was addicted.. There comes a time when you have to realize that you are now lusting with your eyes which is a sin and Finding the Holy Trinity is the only way to true healin
MsGodjazz 7 months ago
@MsGodjazz I am not addicted to pornography; I look at it about once or twice a week. It's very useful in avoiding the mess known as wet dreams. Porn is a very beautiful thing; there is hardly a more beautiful sight than two or more people giving one another orgasms. If it is an addiction for you, then I can understand if you wish to avoid it. I don't have such a problem, though.
I don't believe in gods, including the god of the Bible. I do not believe in the Christian notion of sin.
NaturalMiracleMan 7 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan Soon enough you will. As a Christian I pray God's mercy continues to cover your life. I agape you and through the power of the God i believe in, i pray you are broken and come to a realization of who He is through conviction and constant love from Him. Have a great week, month, and year sir....Just remember whether you believe in my God or not, one day you will stand before Him in judgement.
MsGodjazz 7 months ago
@MsGodjazz
How dare you wish that I would be "broken" in any sense of the word? How cruel and heartless of you! You are only threatening me with consequences of not believing in your god, and that is reprehensible. You have offered me no reason to believe what you have said, and you have resorted to making arrogant and rude claims that are very distasteful. I've been having a great life, and you have done nothing to improve it.
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan I'm sorry if you thought broken was used in a physical sense. The broken I am refering to is a humbling of one's self to God. A sense of allowing Him to control & mold your thought process and not what we can create ourselves.. As humans we have the ability to create our own world with laws of our own.. but my God wants all of us to live for Him. Romans 11:32 He has bound all men to disobedience so that He can have mercy on all.. He loves you and He wants to be merciful!!
MsGodjazz 6 months ago
@MsGodjazz I knew what you meant by "broken," and it is still absolutely repugnant to me.
You write, "He has bound all men to disobedience so that He can have mercy on all."
According to you, your god makes me disobey without my choice in the matter so that he can make himself look better? What an asshole of a god!
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan I mean, that train of thought is completely backwards. First off, if you are saying 'your god' yet then you say 'makes me', then you are already contradicting yourself and are just going nowhere in your accusation. Secondly, THAT'S THE POINT! God created us to be in a relationship with HIM and if it takes us being disobedient and seeing our own sin to be able to come to Him, then so be it. He is what we need and He KNOWS it!
fapjack77 6 months ago
@fapjack77 You write,
"I mean, that train of thought is completely backwards. First off, if you are saying 'your god' yet then you say 'makes me', then you are already contradicting yourself and are just going nowhere in your accusation."
How is it a contradiction to say that "your god makes me disobey"? It's a simple, straightforward statement. Also, it wasn't an "accusation," it was a hypothetical proposed by MsGodjazz. Do you even know what the words "contradicting" and accusation" mean?
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@fapjack77 You write,
"Secondly, THAT'S THE POINT! God created us to be in a relationship with HIM and if it takes us being disobedient and seeing our own sin to be able to come to Him, then so be it. He is what we need and He KNOWS it!"
So the point is that your god made me disobedient so that I would need your god? That is absurd. What evidence is there that a god of any kind exists? Why do I "need" a relationship with a god when I am living a very fulfilled life without one?
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
Comment removed
sangsh0w 6 months ago
@sangsh0w You removed your comment, but, according to my inbox, you wrote,
"I understand you might not agree with Christian beliefs and see God for His magnificence, but I believe that you should have enough knowledge to understand that the Christian God is capitalized within the English language. Not doing so just makes you look uneducated."
I was raised a Christian and was one for 20+ years, and I went to Johnson Bible College.
(more coming in second comment.)
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@sangsh0w
(continuing)
Monotheists have attempted to claim the word "god" as theirs exclusively by turning it into the name of their god and capitalizing it. However, the term is NOT exclusive to them, for there are plenty of polytheists and deists who do not use the term as a name for their gods. The term god refers to a sort of being, as does the term "human being," so I do not capitalize it, because I do not use it as a name.
NaturalMiracleMan 6 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan As a believer, I can't say I know anyone monotheist who tries to claim that, but they may be out there. The general public looks at the word "God" differnetly from the word "god", which saves a lot of confusion. It works the same way as when you take the word "berry" and capitalize it as "Berry", it becomes a relatively common english name.
4dojo 5 months ago
@4dojo
Your analogy is correct, so I hope that you see that your god is one of many, which is why I refer to it as your god, instead of your God. It would be poor grammar on my part.
NaturalMiracleMan 5 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan most of the world refers to the USA as America, but some people become offended because th USA is only part of America. Likewise, most people, christian or not, perceieve the words "god" and "God" differently. Other are offended by the usage of the capital. I say why get hung up in the technicalities?
4dojo 5 months ago
@4dojo
You write,
"I say why get hung up in the technicalities?"
You tell me. You're the one who started complaining about me using correct grammar in the first place.
As for me, distinguishing between terms is important for effective communication and for the proper pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
(more to come)
NaturalMiracleMan 5 months ago
@4dojo
You write,
"most of the world refers to the USA as America, but some people become offended because th USA is only part of America. Likewise, most people, christian or not, perceieve the words "god" and "God" differently."
I do not see how this pertains to your original point at all. I do not refer to the USA as America, because it is incorrect to do so. In our case, you complained about me referring to your god without capitalizing the g. Your complaints do not make sense.
NaturalMiracleMan 5 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan Basically I'm saying that peopel are unique. Some take technicalities seriously, and others are too lazy to worry about it. I am one of those that is too lazy to worry about how words are used, when we could be spending our time just enjoying life.
4dojo 5 months ago
@4dojo Well, I am the sort of person who cares about "technicalities," and the distinction between "God" and "god(s)" isn't a small one at all. People have the right to be intellectually lazy, but those who are need to avoid challenging those of us who are not lazy. I enjoy life by seeking to find what is true from what isn't true, and intellectual laziness will not help me to achieve that.
NaturalMiracleMan 5 months ago 3
@NaturalMiracleMan To soem degree, I also seek to find what is true, but mostly I'm just concerned about helping the needy, and beign a blessing to those who need a hand everynow and then. Knowledge is also important, but only in as much as it is used to help others.
4dojo 5 months ago
@4dojo
Knowledge is the most useful tool in helping people, because it gives us correct understanding in order to help others most effectively. All knowledge is important, in this respect, even knowledge about grammar. Knowledge also helps people by liberating them from false beliefs that people can use to enslave them with.
NaturalMiracleMan 5 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
I'd like to apologize on behalf of the countless ignorant and often angry Christians that roam around YouTube for the crap theology that you have been presented with on this comment thread - and that you are probably presented with elsewhere on a regular basis. Your philosophical and logical thoughts are totally sound, and for what it's worth, every thing you've said lines up 100% with the orthodox Christian faith.
madguitarist1400 2 months ago
@madguitarist1400 I appreciate that you are embarrassed by many of the statements made by some Christians. I appreciate your compliments.
NaturalMiracleMan 2 months ago
@4dojo dude, if you're going to try and be a representative for God and His good news, don't be an idiot about it...
@NaturalMiracleMan and @jmbates5179 this guy doesn't know what he's talking about... I personally believe that anybody can get to heaven, but very few people choose to. it's hard to commit to the life of accountability and responsibility that God wants us to live. however, it is not impossible.
natewertz 3 months ago
@natewertz I appreciate that you do not agree with 4dojo.
I don't want to go to the heaven within Christian theology, because to do so would be irresponsible of me to do.
NaturalMiracleMan 2 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry I am ok with dying someday. I have no control over that inevitable fate, and I accept that. Life starts off feeling very slow like it could last forever until one day we wonder where all the time has gone, so I am making sure to enjoy my life and to help others while I have it. It doesn't matter whether I would like to be assured of life after death or not, because there is no good evidence that there is any such thing.
(more coming)
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry I would rather not spend the rest of my life worrying about what will happen to me after I die, because that is a distraction from what I am doing with the one life that I know I have. I was a Christian for over 90% of my current life span, and I have very seriously looked into the claims of Christianity and theists in general. I find all of their claims dubious at best, and dishonest at worst. I have arrived at the conclusion that there is no justified reason for being a theist.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry Upon reaching such a conclusion, I became, by default, an atheist, lacking any belief in gods of any kind.
I know that Christianity says that its god created me, never makes mistakes, and regrets making me, because it claims that I have disobeyed its will. I do not believe that there is any reason to believe that such a god, if any kind, exists.
I do not regret being me; I do not regret making mistakes, because I can learn from mistakes.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
Jesus does not regret making you and he knows the opprotunities that you can have with Him. However, He is sad that you walked away from Him and turned to other gods if you will. As humans we depend on things to support us and even entertain us. Things like water, food, sunshine, freinds, family. :) I do believe that knowledge is a good thing, so is eating and watching good movies but overindulging yourself in these things may be dangerous. (more coming)
BlueCloudBerry 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry I do not believe that Jesus is alive or that Jesus played any part in my formation. I do not know how it is that you can claim that he is sad that I am no longer a Christian, since I see no reason to believe that he isn't dead and long gone. I do not worship any gods, nor do I believe in any gods. I am an atheist.
I do not believe that a person can overindulge in knowledge, for knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding leads to wisdom. I do not overindulge in anything.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry By the way, I want you to know that I appreciate your comment to me, and I respect your rights to your opinions and to your beliefs. I am in no way trying to mock or to insult you.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
Thank you for your respect on the subject. It is a common truth that we learn from mistakes and that we can't let the regret from them eat at us. However, the freedom that you experience now is not the right freedom. Scince you were a christian before I expect that you know some of God's commands. Every one of them is meant to protect you from harm. Through Jesus' forgiveness, mistakes don't have to be part of who you are.
BlueCloudBerry 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry To say that the freedom I know is not the "right" freedom is to misunderstand what I went through, and that is ok. If I had not deconverted, I shudder to think of where I would have wound up. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a person who was kind and open enough to listen to me and to respond to me with honesty, and they saved me from a path to destruction by opening my mind to question what I believed.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry During my time as a Christian, I did study the Bible quite a lot. I even attended a Christian college for two years, majoring in Bible. So, yes, I do know of many of the commands written in the Bible. The problem is that many of the commands attributed to that god are harmful and caused great suffering. My belief as a Christian harmed me psychologically, and I consider myself fortunate to have escaped it.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@BlueCloudBerry
Even when we are forgiven by anyone for any mistake made against anyone, those mistakes remain a part of us, having served to help form us as individuals. I do not consider mistakes as something to be perpetually ashamed of. Rather, I consider them to be learning experiences.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@darthelghastN7 I am glad that you are free. :)
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
I saw the title and thought that he was sayin' "shut up!" about an ongoin' thought or somethin'....-
but Amen to that!
B2kcookies 9 months ago
I love that Francis Chan's teaching, as in this video, is refreshing and challenging. We who claim to follow Jesus need to be stretched and moved from our natural desire to be comfortable. I expect that his style and content appeals most to those seeking to live a more authentic and effective Christ-centered life. Hopefully and prayerfully, for those whose hearts and minds do not 'know' Jesus, teachings such this will point them to our heavenly Father, who never gives up on us.
awbusch 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Shut up! HAHAHAHA!!!! :p
indieece 9 months ago
Shut up! HAHAHAHA!!!! :p
indieece 9 months ago
My metamorphosis was from being a Christian to being an atheist. In this way, I can relate with the caterpillar, because I was reborn as a person and I've been loving life ever since becoming an atheist. :)
NaturalMiracleMan 10 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
:(
B2kcookies 9 months ago
@B2kcookies Is there something about what I said that you didn't like?
NaturalMiracleMan 9 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
uh, I saw that you were an atheist....I don't wanna start major problems because God's can handle it better than I can....but don't you know that there is a Living God ?
"If we are faithless, He is faithful; for he cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
B2kcookies 9 months ago
@B2kcookies I have not been presented with evidence of the existence of any gods, so I am an atheist. I used to be a Christian, but I found that my beliefs had no credible support.
NaturalMiracleMan 9 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
wow you're very special
Lord Jesus help you
B2kcookies 8 months ago
@B2kcookies
What do you mean? Are you mocking me?
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
@NaturalMiracleMan
no, I am not mocking you it's just that......you're special bcuz even though you don't desire to have a relationship w/ God, w/ not realizing how faith in HIM can change you for the better....even if we fail ourselves...God makes no mistakes !!!! I just thank God that He still loves those He creates....even if they don't love Him back....
I'm not goin' back n forth anymore...I'll just say Lord help you!!!!!!!
B2kcookies 8 months ago
@B2kcookies
I'm special, because I matter to my parents and my friends; I don't need a god to make me special. I've been a Christian before, and I know what it is that Christianity has to offer. I find that life is better as an atheist, and I do not regret leaving Christianity behind.
I find it funny that you think that the biblical god makes no mistakes, when that god expresses regret in making mankind in the flood narrative.
NaturalMiracleMan 8 months ago
This was my first ever night of winterfest I've been going to a church of God for a year now I love Francis Chan what a great winterfest this was
30hd30 10 months ago
this guys awesome @ putting things in such a way a slow guy like me can understand...
munkirinch 11 months ago
0:38-3
ahahah
"shut up" :D
OdieRocks725 11 months ago
Meh
NateTalksToYou 11 months ago
Pray for those 8 who did not like this.
RayRay4LIF3 1 year ago 6
Being alive is a precious gift from God. To breathe, feel, taste, all very precious. People take life for granted, even myself sometimes, but we need to stop and think..I do not control ultimately over my life, God does. He knows my every move and wants to talk to me and help. He is our Father who loves us. He sent His son Jesus Christ to DIE for us so that we wouldnt have to sacrifice animals anymore. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. May God be with us all. God bless you all!
McWallyWallace 1 year ago
stupid!!! so i am suppose to be a fat caterpillar. what other "animals" transform. you already transformed idiots. you were a tadpole, now you are human. this is it. enjoy. you will not wake up with wings.
godnmyhands 1 year ago
This is a really beautiful metaphor
l33tpwnzord 1 year ago
@branblackmon
Uh oh. Dropped the "Mark Driscoll" bomb on 'em.
blainer19er 1 year ago
religion is man trying to reach up to God while Christianity is God reaching down to man!
shnoodog 1 year ago 17
@shnoodog Christianity is a religion, just like any other. You are still trying to reaching up.
NateTalksToYou 11 months ago
@NateTalksToYou sorry, but @shnoodog is right. Christianity is God reaching down to us. It is not a religion like any other; it's a Relationship like No other! <3
God Bless <3
JESUSRockedMyWorld 11 months ago
@JESUSRockedMyWorld I have trouble believing that, considering the fact that many Christian customs originated from Paganism.
NateTalksToYou 11 months ago
@NateTalksToYou okay, would you please explain why you believe that. i don't agree with you, but your statement interests me. if you don't mind having a polite conversation, would you please explain. thank you :)
JESUSRockedMyWorld 11 months ago
@JESUSRockedMyWorld I would explain it to you, but it would be too much to fit into one comment. I'm going to send to a personal message with a link to a video that should explain it better. The video has 3 parts to it.
NateTalksToYou 11 months ago
@NateTalksToYou okay, i'll watch it and i look forward to talking to you =)
JESUSRockedMyWorld 11 months ago
@stevenweir76 read The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. You want proof, there it is. That's the account of an atheist converted to Christianity based on pure physical evidence.
Guitar4god33 1 year ago 2
I do not believe in God. However I do believe in you and me and my neighbors and the grass, and a bunch of other things. But mostly those things. : ) How do we know that God is real? Because we are alive, and we are God I think. I think we are God, everything a manifestation of IT. Otherwise you have God out somewhere in space kinda fucking with people from time to time.
CoffeePatron 1 year ago
@CoffeePatron You view God as impersonal like most people. But if you truly humble yourself and seek God you will find him.
And when I say seek God, I don't mean seek church, I mean really SEEK GOD. Get on your knees and pray and truly ask him to reveal himself to you. Read a Bible and learn what God's character really is. (psalms is good for that)
Don't just pray once in double-mindedness and be like "whatever" I'm just doing this, put everything aside and seek him day to day. Just Seek him.
YamiKazeSora 1 year ago
@YamiKazeSora Jesus had what was called oceanic consciousness or cosmic--enlightened. This hits people all over the world and when it does they say they are one with God. For instance, when it happens in Tennessee the person thinks he's jesus christ come back. And they all say the same thing they said to Jesus--"you are not god, we know your parents." : ) My view isn't impersonal, it's supra personal. Otherwise you start thinking God is just your personal helper.
CoffeePatron 1 year ago
@CoffeePatron Not sure if you think Jesus was a man who thought became God or what but I don't view God as my personal helper, if by that you mean someone who I just ask to do things for me when ever I want. I do see God as a loving God that wants to have a relationship with us. He desires us to seek him.
YamiKazeSora 1 year ago
All I can say is spread the good news. If one doesn't accept you can't hold yourself accountable but pray for them and move on. No point in trying to prove yourself because we all know that you are only save through Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Chouakue27 1 year ago
This guy is way too excitable. Christian apologists disgust me.
NaturalMiracleMan 1 year ago
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doireallyneed1 1 year ago
Why are there so many different religions?
doireallyneed1 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1 christianity is not a religion it is a relationship :)
tynaka123 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - Yes, I've heard, and if I think you have an imaginary friend or what psychologists like to call a simulacrum perhaps you should analyze the accuracy of the statements made to you by this deity. What insight have you gleaned that you could not have ascertained for yourself? Try praying to a rock for a month, see if anything changes. Or instead of Jesus in your head, think of John Wayne in a spaghetti western. The results would be the same. Hear the music, see the lights, John Wayne.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 this is not the first time ive read the verses, praying to a rock ur right is not going to do anything, i kno waht i believe and u hav ur beliefs, im not tryin to agrue in any way, i was just giving my perception of the verses in the anylisis i hav given on it. the only proof i have of gods existence is the faithfulness and blessings he has shown me. ima keep praying for u.. even if it means nuthin to you.. it has meaning to me... God bless :)
tynaka123 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - Your perception is distorted by bias. God Bless is meaningless to me, thanks for the sentiment but you may as well save it for your religious friends. Prayer has been scientifically proven ineffective in scientific double blind studies s you may as well find something better to do. I recommend learning science, like astronomy and astrophysics or biology. You tube makes it very accessible to everyone. Instead of preaching, you should try learning, ensure you know instead of guessing.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 I apprectiate the advice... once again GOD bless
tynaka123 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 I just wanted to ask you. What do yu think happens wen we die?.. im not trying to argure anything i just want to kno.. we all hav our own views and beleifs on how we veiw the world and religion. NO matter waht people tell you or say to u, the ultimate decision is up to u.. u hav made urs and i hav made mine.. becuz of these differences i dnt c u as an enemy. just from waht i believe... god made us to live in harmony, i dnt think the right way to show gods love to people is to
tynaka123 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - I think that when we die it is as it was before we born. There is no reason to believe otherwise except wishful thinking. I used to believe belief was harmless, now I know better. Belief is harming all of us, whether you are aware of it or not. And by belief I mean basing your entire life upon that which isn't true or can't be proved. I don't believe God made us, I believe we are the product of natural processes. We do not transcend nature in any way, we are a part of the universe
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 argue over our beliefs, the only way we can show people gods love is not through fighting ir disagreement, but through accepting people as the way they are.. showing them love. and letting god do the rest. he is the only one that can change a mans heart.
tynaka123 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - I don't believe in God, the only way to not fight is to speak the truth and in earnest try to appreciate and respect other people. When someone chooses the unprovable, invisible man in the sky whom no-one has ever seen and expects to garner a consensus based on that fantasy it is never going to happen. Why do you believe in God? What is you basis for belief? If it's only a book written 2000 to 3000 years ago you might want to reconsider. It is not a good guide for morality.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
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@tynaka123 - I don't believe in God, the only way to not fight is to speak the truth and in earnest try to appreciate and respect other people. When someone chooses the unprovable, invisible man in the sky whom no-one has ever seen and expects to garner a consensus based on that fantasy it is never going to happen. Why do you believe in God? What is you basis for belief? If it's only a book written 2000 to 3000 years ago you might want to reconsider. It is not a good guide for morality.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - Do you really think you should decide what to believe, or should you believe what is true and what we can know. If you make wild assumptions and grasp at straws, someone is going to take advantage. Even a legitimate preacher knows no more than you or I. Why not ask questions, reality is what it is, either you choose to know the truth or not. You can't fabricate what you want from wishful thinking.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - And my beliefs are not wild assumptions. They are based on what my mind is able to comprehend, given evidence, logic and experience. Even our senses can not be trusted. Humans are subject to hallucinations, strong bias, predispositions, and many other things which make us unable to appreciate reality without a strong grounding in science.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@tynaka123 - So letting God do the rest isn't really doing anything, you're leaving it up to others to live your life for you, if you don't want it throw it away, it's your life, do what you want. But if you are confident the Bible is true, what is the harm in learning science like physics and biology, surely your faith could withstand such common tests. What is the harm in learning the true reality behind how the Bible came to be? Where could the harm be in learning history?
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@tynaka123,
You wrote :"christianity is not a religion it is a relationship :)"
Can you explain to me a little bit about why you reject the term "religion" to describe Christianity? I understand that many protestent sects involve the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer but I don't see how this precludes the use of the word "Religion".
doireallyneed1 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1 Religion is defined as a set of beliefs and rules that an individual must follow Christianity is more then a set of beliefs,, or rules u have to follow. Its a one to one reltionship with God There is so much more to Christianity then a set of commandments you must follow. Its accepting jesus christ as ur lord and savior and loving him whole heartly living everyday for him. doing everything in his name. and in loving him, "good works" will come out of ur natural love for God
tynaka123 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1
It's said to be a relationship, due to the negative sound of Religion and the difference between Christianity and other Faiths
217Mark 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1 Religion purely rests upon man doing things in order to gain something or be atoned for something. But Christianity stands out from every single religion because it says there is NOTHING you can do to receive salvation. You must instead BELIEVE in Christ and what He has done for YOU. Everything else Christians do- bible reading, praying, whatever, is basically all things to listen to what God has to say (Bible) or speak to Him (prayer), both of which r needed 4 ne relationship
Bobbo825 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1
Lots of Christians reject that word. It's one of those syntax things, but from Wikipedia, religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency,[1] or human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine"
James in Chapter 2 says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. "
quietwiser 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1
So, the idea behind saying that is that Christianity has little to do with institutional values and rules, tradition and those things. It is literally all about "calling on the name of the Lord," having a relationship with Jesus. The greatest commandment given by Jesus was to Love the Lord your God with all your heart.
So, in summation, I think to answer your question, it is, imo, a reasonable response to a possibly common misunderstanding about the message of Christianity.
quietwiser 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1 I haven't read down to see who said this or in what context but I admit I have used the phrase myself in several instances. In saying this we are not condemning religion as a bad thing but merely accepting the bad connotation it has developed over the centuries. The various sects of Christianity seem to have deluded the word down to where it seems to focus on the disputes between difference religions such as Lutheran, Methodist, or Catholic rather than focusing on our
kharders2010 1 year ago
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@doireallyneed1 relationship with God himself. By saying that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship we are merely stating that we're not worried about specific beliefs of one religions compared to another but in the overall relationship with God and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior that all Christians share. I hope that clears it up for you. If not my email is kharders2010@hotmail.com. Feel free to email me with any questions.
kharders2010 1 year ago
@doireallyneed1 [James 1:27] Religion is thinking that going the church is going to make you a good person. Morality is religion. Christianity or the term Christian literally means "Christ in One". It was a derogatory term that was given to the believers when the first church was started. Christianity is a relationship in that it is a restoration of the relationship that was seen in the Garden of Eden. It that intimacy to be able to walk with God as we once did before our fall.
aromkim 1 year ago 3
I have been blessed by being pastored by Francis for the past Six years and he is 100% the same guy every minute of everyday "Crazy in Love with GOD!!" He found something alright and it is the Face of God in Christ and the Light of God has light the way so we can all see as clearly and become not like Francis but like Christ - Fall from yourselfs and Fall Crazy in Love with God !! God Bless you all!!
bobbystcyr 1 year ago 28
@bobbystcyr
He's your pastor??? wahhhh! I'm so jealous! although I love mine too <3
Agentseaturtle 10 months ago
That's awesome =)
janeym 1 year ago
romans 12:1-2
thadynastyrecords 1 year ago
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This is pathetic
NicosMind 1 year ago
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this guy stevenweir76 is on numerous Christian u-tube videos commenting... it's like the guy has really nothing else better to do. My suggestion is to just ignore him...keep him in silence, do NOT respond to his post...because all your doing is throwing your pearls to swine..Matthew 7:6
created4goodwrks 1 year ago 5
@created4goodwrks Your right. I do sometimes get into dialogues where I think I can explain the logical fallacies in someone's viewpoint, but I end up trying to convince someone who is not going to see what it is that I am saying. Thank you for your response, I sometimes need that reminder. Stay Strong Brother, the world is a cruel place, and we need to encourage and build up our brothers. Praise and Glory to the LORD God Almighty, to Our Lord and Savior Jesus, who died so that we may live!
theantihero420 1 year ago
@created4goodwrks my bad, didn't realize that you were a Sister in Christ. No disrespect intended!
theantihero420 1 year ago
@theantihero420 none taken... it's all good!
created4goodwrks 1 year ago
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created4goodwrks 1 year ago
Reasoning alone cannot prove, OR disprove His existence.
stoneez67 1 year ago
The Bible in its different translations are derived from the original Hebrew & Greek historical documents. To understand a miniscule of the awesome and glorious Lord God there has to be a drawing unto Himself first, and most importantly. Without the Spirit of God all your left with is human reasoning. It's not a Christians job to "prove" His existence. We can't and shouldn't. People who don't know, don't know. It is impossible to persuade those who "require" evidence. Seek HIM first........
stoneez67 1 year ago
AMEN BROTHER!!!!!
l33tpwnzord 1 year ago
@namasteywhat - Who's us? Which group do you speak for?
stevenweir76 1 year ago
Deuteronomy 29:4
But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.
Matthew 13:13
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
shengfully 1 year ago
My HERO
FrancisChanWordOfGod 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 - "It is only fundamentalists who are stupid enough to think we were wished into being." I believe that you were ragging on kormeier about an Ad hominem earlier, correct? Is the preceding statement not the most recognizable form of an attack ad hominem? I believe it is.
amill316 1 year ago
@amill316 - Yes. I am sorry. Plenty of people believe this even though it is baseless. My argument coming from the other direction, despite being logical was having no effect.
I find these arguments frustrating if only that people blindly believe anything despite it's effects on everyone else and in spite of the truth. I might as well scream at the world for all the good it would do.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
I love how when it comes to the topic of 'religion'...everyone so strongly desires to become an 'intellectual' with their thought processes. Your not putting through any creative new ideas people. Stop trying to convince others there is no God, just because you don't know Him
kormeier 1 year ago
@kormeier - How do you know him? How do you know you are not talking to yourself? There is a trail of evidence which points back to my birth,. There is a trail which points to Christianity being a big fat lie. I can convince anyone what I wish to, you are not my boss, and you have no authority over me. Faith means nothing to me, except people telling themselves comfortable lies.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@kormeier - Attacks ad hominem will get you nowhere. Because even if I were a worst liar on Earth, if I said something was true and it was, what could you do? So stop the pointless posturing, is that all you have is insults, intellectualism would be quite a leap for you and at this point it is one that I doubt you are capable of. You are a joke just like your primitive tribal belief system.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 primitive tribal belief......that sounds more like believing that we came from monkeys or pond scum. To me, that sounds like a primitive belief system
kormeier 1 year ago
@kormeier - You might come from pond scum or monkeys. My ancestors come from the crucible of the volcanic depths of the primitive ocean and a common ancestor actually less evolved than the monkey. Ans you are too brainwashed to ever understand. Delusion is a happy place for you. I choose reality, whatever the cost.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 Haha...oh ok!
kormeier 1 year ago
@kormeier - Before you believe or disbelieve something. Don't you think you should learn about it first? For instance, I learned a lot about the Bible before I went around telling people it is one of the dumbest books ever. You are trying to fight an idea you don't even understand. Most Christians believe in evolution. The majority who believe in creationism are of another religion, like Islam for instance. It is only fundamentalists who are stupid enough to think we were wished into being,
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 Perhaps there is truth in evolution, but it is impossible to be christian without believe in the bible. The bible is basically the building blocks on which Christianity is based upon, and for a Christian to denounce it would be blasphemy.
wolfmantrev 1 year ago
@wolfmantrev - My only reply to that is that maybe people shouldn't categorize themselves and they certainly shouldn't categorize others. Gospel and truth do not coincide, and lies and blasphemy do not coincide. Only to a believer. For me the fact that I am blasphemous is an honor to me that despite the possibility of a fascist God I have overcome that fear to speak out for what I believe. It is a stupid human rule. Not a divine one. I have no reverence for this ludicrous institution of hatred.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@wolfmantrev - And before you argue that it is an institution of good, you should view what churches and religion have done to this world, and compare what secularism has achieved in making this world more free and more open so that people can have conversations such as these. The fact is, I would respect religion if it were accomplishing something, at one time it may have, but now it is holding us back, denying truth and causing atrocities.
stevenweir76 1 year ago
@stevenweir76 name me a secular institution that has the world wide impact on hunger, disease, and nakedness that Christianity does? You say that it is secularism that has provided freedom and achieved so much...yet, the evidence speaks entirely to the contrary. It was the Marxist ideas of utopia that led to the Soviet Union and the mass murder that followed in which 63 million were killed; 43 million at the hands of Stalin alone. True Christianity is love. And there are many who practice it.
therev410 1 year ago
@therev410 - Charity Water, Red Cross, Doctors without borders are charities that I giv to which hold secular humanist beliefs. I give no money to those charities which proselytize their unsubstantiated beliefs on people who know no better for lack of education.
For me, Christianity is love of the imaginary in spite of many humans and I find it disgusting how you separate and attack many groups who hold beliefs which are not amoral that you do not agree with, all without evidence.
stevenweir76 1 year ago