JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

Good. You're still a flake.

Singularity

My point is that these "holy" days of other gods are not found nor the practices or principles recommended in Christian scripture, rather, as pointed out earlier, are based on pagan practices designated as sinful and forbidden, including idolatry and sexual impropriety and other unseemly appetitive excess up to and including including blood offerings and human sacrifice.

In fact, "believing in" deities like Santa or the Easter Bunny and responding to and trying to meet their "needs" by creating idols of them anyone can buy at Lowe's or Walmart, writing supplicatory letters (praying), putting out food for them, cautioning offspring to comport to higher standards of behaviour to gain favor and rewards from them, these are the actions of belief, devotion and worship!!! (If you plan to post disagreement, could you please try to explain without becoming personally insulting?)

Some here have seemed to suggest that one can do anything to show personal religious faith as long as the intent is to worship the god. However, the Christian god has a much different view. It gave the ancient Hebrews instructions about how to worship, and also told them very specifically not to borrow or copy the practices of pagan cultures around them.

“Do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I will also do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:30-32).

So, yes, the thread was cussing and discussing all the various cultural accoutrements to the celebration of the winter holidays. My earlier questions were a less than in your face method of pointing out an illogical inconsistancy. And that is that the Judeo-Christian god is quite exacting about specificity in following its instructions without adding or subtracting. To the point that because of Moses’ sin of disobedience (Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 32:51) he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. After decades of leading a large group of Hebrews on a wandering trek through the desert, when commanded by the god to raise his staff and command water to pour from the rock to satiate the thirsty mob, Moses STRUCK the rock with the staff. Big difference!!! Water still rushed forth but the god was extremely displeased! Moe was still allowed to lead the Jews there, but he would not be allowed to go in to the Land of Promise. “Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah. . . . There the LORD showed him the whole land” (Deuteronomy 34:1; cf. Numbers 27:12–13). Moses died there on the summit, “according to the word of the Lord.” the god buried him secretly, and no one knows to this day where his grave is (Deuteronomy 34:5–6).

Still think Jesus and Santa could be BFF's?

Singularity

I don't mind. There are worse things.

Like believing you will spend eternity in torment unless you repent, as publically as you have sinned, for having a pissy attitude and being intentionally insulting towards someone you can't stand yet are commanded to treat with love and respect.

eagleye13 Loc: Fl

Singularity; I do know you are pretty miserable, and that is sad.
BUt; I do agree with your take on some "Christian" doctrines.
Never ending torment is a big one.
That is big time BS.

Singularity

What makes you think I'm miserable? I just come from a long line of intelligent, opinionated people who like to debate ideas. Often loudly and with vigor. I enjoy it.

This has been fun. We should do it again once you stop channeling Eeyore!

maximus Loc: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Why I believe in Dec 25th as the real Christmas.
December 21st, I think , was a day that Roman sun worshipers prayed for the sun to come back (winter solstice occurring at that time of the year), thus pagan. The OT prophets said that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Now look at Micah 4:8. “And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah is saying that Messiah would be born precisely at Migdal Edar, the tower of the flock in this scripture. Now look at the Christmas story. Luke 2;8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour..... . Here's the kicker; sacrificial lambs were birthed and cared for in Migdal Edar, just north of Bethlehem but still in the region. The shepherds were not ordinary at all. They were ordained into the priesthood because of the sacrificial lambs. If a lamb was certified as perfect, then it was wrapped in swaddling clothes to prevent bruising and injury (inside the tower of the flock). These shepherds also tended flock year round. These shepherds knew the prophecies, were of course frightened by the angel, were told to find the bade in swaddling clothes ( which would be where they they took ewes in labor, or the tower of the flock, or Migdal Edar). I said all that to PROVE this..Christmas in NOT pagan. I believe that Dec 25 IS the birthday of Jesus, because everything points to it and nothing denies it.
So what if there's a pagan holiday at that time? Easter is Pagan also, dedicated to fertility. But that DOES NOT stop the crucifixion from happening at that time. BTW, contrary to popular belief, Jesus was not crucified on Friday to rise on Sunday. There were three Sabbaths that week, and Wednesday was a high Sabbath. Families had to keep a lamb indoors like a pet for 14 days and then, on this High Sabbath, kill it and eat it before sundown ( the start of the Jewish day). Since Jesus was the sacrificial lamb for mankind, he was crucified on that High Sabbath, (Wednesday) and gave up the ghost before sundown, which started the High Sabbath. Do the math and Sunday morning comes up perfectly.
People who don't really KNOW the Bible are the only ones that say it proves itself wrong.
Not to insult but to enlighten. And Merry Christmas to everyone.

maximus Loc: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Just to let you know, the difference is symbolic, but still huge. When Moses struck the rock, the rock was Jesus. Striking it (Jesus) was symbolic of the crucifixion. The water that poured out was salvation. Later, when God told Moses to speak to the rock, it was symbolic of the resurrection. Jesus died for our sins, was buried and arose on the 3rd day and lives forevermore. So to get the water from which you will never thirst again, you speak to him because he is alive.This IS the Gospel of the New Testament. Moses instead struck the rock which was symbolic of killing Jesus again which is impossible.
The purpose God had for the Jews was to evangelize the world, but they rebelled against Him at every opportunity. Jesus came to save the Jews, but once again, they rejected him. Then He chose Paul to reveal the great mystery, that salvation was for everybody, not just the Jews. They are still his chosen people, but they have failed and are still failing in their purpose.
If you are enlightened by this, then you know that there is purpose and reason in the actions of God. If not, then I have served God by trying to tell you the Gospel. Have a Merry Christmas.

teabag09

Lovely tree/decorations and sentiment. Merry Christmas LJ. Mike

teabag09

Moldy, we weren't living in a democracy any way. It's called a REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC. I know it's hard for you to get that into the mush you consider brains but it's a fact. As I recall, you didn't have the least little problem with the dumbocrats doing the same thing with passing the stench called obamacare. Merry Christmas, I pray the Lord looks down kindly on you and relieves some of the angst you have in your heart. Mike

teabag09

Not to mention that gas and food prices along with off day gas lines went away. I made more money with Reagan than before. Mike

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

Larry,

What has happened in the past is that the corps use the windfall money to buy back stock which inflates the price.. then the top management uses their stock options to buy very low, sell at current high prices..

They make a fortune using money that was intended to be used for building the business not fill the pockets of a select few..

About those bonuses, Att is trying for a huge buy out of time Warner in think, Boeing is last stages of signing a huge govt. contract. Comcast is working for the end of net neutrality to be upheld.

See any reason why these business would suck up to the trump cartel??

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

You were doing fine until your last childish statement. So, stock buy backs only happened under Trump? Liberals are the most dishonest people in the world.

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

Not at all, we had some noise about a fairly recent buy back scam but I can not remember the company or I would have mentioned it as a reference..

Yes, it was during Obama term..

I would think, but do not know, that buy back scams have been used from the time stock finance was invented..

when was that? Any idea?

archie bunker Loc: Texas

Oh bother.......😩😩

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

Is it me Arch or is she nuts?