@Aiyoku_Angel@xanga

I can see you are no scholar!

All religions are, at the base, one religion. It's just different sects that branched off. They all teach the same thing.

Joh 14:6 - Show Context
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the way, truth and the life no other religion or any other thing can save us from our sin

Ro 14:11 - Show Context
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Php 2:10 - Show Context
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Those that do not believe will be cast into the lake of fire

Revelation 20:11-15

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place
for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great,

stand before
God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is
the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which
were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea
gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell F32 delivered up
the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according
to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the
book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Acts 17
30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the
which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath
ordained; whereof he hath given F38 assurance unto all men, in that he
hath raised him from the dead.

Ac 16:31 - Show Context
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

As christians we believe in a personal relationship with Jesus, as Hindu's they believe that God is in the tree, and in everything, New Age is just weird, Muslims do not believe that God has a son!
To go into all the weird and wacky things that people believe.

Conclusion
The most simplest way to explain it is in maths and in exams, if you put 1 + 1 and you thought the answer was 10 you would be wrong! Because the answer is 2. If you had a relative exam paper on say medicine or chemisty where getting any of the chemicals wrong or the equation wrong could kill you.
Where you go after you die is eternal and you have a choice of hell if you do not choose!

So... this post is about Christians feeling superior to the poor dumb Indians? Nice.

The difference between worshipping a cross and frog is that a cross is a cross and a frog is a frog.

The difference between worshipping a frog and a god is that a frog ceratinly real, but most like powerless, whereas god is pretty questionable on both counts.

@lovechartreuse@xanga - @Faerie_In_Combat_Boots@xanga - @HeartOfPandora@xanga - (This is primarily to LoveChartreuse given her initial comment.)
If we were talking specifically about worshiping the cross (and not the One who died on the cross), then I would agree with you. But the mentioning of the cross is actually in reference to all that Jesus has done for us - including dying on the Cross for the sins we committed against Him when it should have been us up on that thing. We are not worshiping the cross like those people are worshiping the frog. There is a literal distinction that must be understood.
Now, if we're going to try to say that Christianity doesn't have any similarities to other religions, then that's obviously a very ignorant statement. After all, we "all" have a statement of what we declare is true, we "all" have some idea of "god", and we "all" have idea of many other things. Just like an oval is similar to a circle - in that they are round in shape - so are the many religions of the world...they have similarities. But I think we're getting dangerously close to thinking that they're the same, as this is an incredibly misleading trail of thought. And that's the point, we're not claiming to not have similarities. But we are a far cry different from any other religion, as point of fact.

@Aiyoku_Angel@xanga - All religions do not teach the same thing.
Christianity says that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same, but expressed in different personhoods.
Islam says Jesus was nothing more than a good prophet, even less than Muhammad.
Judaism, doesn't even recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
Many others don't even acknowledge a God at all.

They are NOT all the same, even at the base of it all.

@Rain_of_Mystic_Sorrow@xanga - That was never implied. As Christians - at least those who are actually living as Christ did - we do not look down on others, even if they believe something totally different.

@NaitoOfNarnia@xanga - You do not worship the cross or a statue or whatever because your book told you not to. They're not worshiping the frog because its a frog. They're worshiping it because it obviously has some mythical meaning to them just like Jesus has a mythical meaning to you.

Whether Jesus performed all his miracles or this frog did, you're both worshiping your respective symbols in the same exact manner. You're waiting for Jesus to come back; if he comes back you will worship him the same way. Only difference is he'll be alive.

It doesn't make a difference if the symbol is dead or alive. Do you get it now?

@NaitoOfNarnia@xanga - How are you even going to say "its just a frog." Disrespectful much? Its obviously not just a frog to them. One could say the thing you worship doesn't even exist and that puts them a step ahead of you. 

@lovechartreuse@xanga - Hardly disrespectful. And if I were addressing them directly I wouldn't word it in that way. My mindset is NOT that of superiority. Far from it...though I get the feeling that you're trying to imply that that's my thinking, and if so, you're wrong.
And I realize that one could SAY anything, but I don't make my comments based solely on what I think. I'm not that vain or arrogant. I actually have done research and watched the world in action. A frog will always be a frog. It's nothing more than that. After several thousands of years, we would have noticed a more direct relationship betwen animals and the weather, for one, if there really was a "frog diety".
But for all my life as a Christian, I have seen all the words of the Bible come true in one way or another. Those passages of the Bible that speak of the "end of the world"...guess well jut have to wait patiently. But for everything that has happened an is happening, it is JUST as the Bible says.

Not once have I seen a frog change an entire person's life...much less bring rain. I speak from EXPERIENCE. Not merely "what I want to believe".

@NaitoOfNarnia@xanga - "And if I were addressing them directly I wouldn't word it in that way."

Its rather hard to make a disrespectful statement not so, people aren't stupid; they will understand that you're trying to imply less value on their symbol. So now it will be reversed; Jesus is just another person, and God does not exist.

" After several thousands of years, we would
have noticed a more direct relationship betwen animals and the weather,
for one, if there really was a "frog diety"."

Well for one we have known for quite some time some minor cause effect relationships between animals and weather, there are thousands of examples I'm sure. But that's not the point; are you arrogant enough to say that we know everything there is to know about our world and the universe just based on our time being here? If that's the case why can't you prove God exists?

" it is JUST as the Bible says."

Really? Then obviously you're not looking at the big picture.
Did your Bible tell you your country would wage war in the East?

The book is not a fortune teller, its a story book. Its purpose is to provide a  basis for morality for those who have no other influence to get them to conform to Christians. But can we get back to the point?

"Not once have I seen a frog change an entire
person's life...much less bring rain. I speak from EXPERIENCE. Not
merely "what I want to believe"."

And what experience do you have where the only explanation was that God did wonders in your life? And what makes you think your lack of experience should overshadow their experience?

@lovechartreuse@xanga - I'm not offended by what you said. For one, I already know you don't believe. Second, I know otherwise. What you're stating is your belief. But as we both know, belief alone doesn't make something fact. So your point is moot.
Third, I can and do show respect towards other people's beliefs while still explaining why I disagree and believe otherwise. I've done it many times and had no trouble.

As for the relationship between animals and the weather, my point was that animals only react to the weather. They do not affect it.
And I never said that we know everything about the world or the universe.
I also redirect the question to you: Why can't you prove that God doesn't exist?
The answer, we cannot PROVE God exists using or own method of scientific study because God exists outside our realm of existince. He is not limited to time or physical space like we are.
So let's use this example. When the Bible talks about "faith [being] the evidence of things unseen", it's like saying that a foot print is the evidence of a shoe that was there, but is not presently around. We don't have the shoe readily at hand to match up with the footprint, but we know that it was there because footprints don't just show up by themselves. This is basic CSI stuff. (Great show if you never watched it.) We have faith in the evidence (the footprint) that a shoe was there to make the footprint, even though the footprint isn't realily available to examine.
So it is with God. We know that nothing that exists can make itself before having been previously in existance. So that suggests strongly that someone made it. Although we cannot examine the one who made everything that exists, we have evidence (the whole big universe) that there was someone there to make it.
Now, when you can show me that something can suddenly make itself before having been brough into existance, I'll consider your view about God not being real.

While the Bible never specifically says that "the USA will wage war in the Middle East and everyone will blame GW Bush", the Bible DOES say that in the last days, prior to the anti-Christ and Jesus' 2nd coming, there will be wars and rumors of wars, and there will be famine and disease, and the world (the planet) will serve up countless more natural disasters than ever before. And it's only going to get worse.
And that's very presumptuous of you to suggest I don't get the "big picture". You have NO idea just how much I understand.
Also, there is not a single Old Testiment prophesy that has not come true. These are not mere stories. The writers of the Bible, if there were merely men writing whatever popped into their heads, have incredible ods AGAINST them as far as predicting the future. But their predictions were VERY specific, and each one came true.
And if you think of the Bible as merely a story book or book of "right living", then you clearly have missed the deeper implications and reasons for the Bible.

As for my experience, I pray to God. Not a frog. I have asked God for many things in my life. Whether or not God has given me what I asked for, not once have I prayed to a frog. If God does not exist and the frog is the real diety, then how is it that I still get some of the things I asked for?
As for my experience "overshadowing" their experience. Well, it's just as I said. I don't pray to a frog. I pray to God, and He brings me everything I need. He even brings things I need when I don't ask. He will do the same for the indians. Frog or not. If rain for the indians is dependant on a frog, then they better hope those frogs don't die due to disease or something.

@NaitoOfNarnia@xanga - 
"What you're stating is your belief. But as we both know, belief alone doesn't make something fact. So your point is moot."

And so is yours when you say you believe in God. Yes, you believe he exists. But that doesn't mean he does. Therefore you really don't know anything, and your point is moot. =]

"As for the relationship between animals and the weather, my point was that animals only react to the weather. They do not affect it."

So are you saying that the existence of particular animals will never change the effects on weather? That's what I thought you said before. And you're still wrong, considering humans are animals and are obviously responsible for much of the weather...but I won't go into details because this is quite irrelevant...

"The answer, we cannot PROVE God exists using or own method of scientific study because God exists outside our realm of existince. He is not limited to time or physical space like we are."

Regardless, it lies on you to prove his existence, it doesn't lie on me to prove his lack thereof. That's typically how it goes with scientific research. And because we have our knowledge based on science, and he is outside of our knowledge base or inability to construct such an abstract concept through science, you have failed to give a reason as to why you believe he exists.

"So let's use this example. When the Bible
talks about "faith [being] the evidence of things unseen", it's like
saying that a foot print is the evidence of a shoe that was there, but
is not presently around."

The person who wrote the Bible should have had a dictionary with them, because while that may be the "definition" of faith in your religion, that is not the definition according to the real world. If I have faith that I will win the lottery, does that mean there had to be some evidence I would win the lottery to make me believe that? No, it does not. =]

"So it is with God. We know that nothing that
exists can make itself before having been previously in existance. So
that suggests strongly that someone made it. Although we cannot examine
the one who made everything that exists, we have evidence (the whole
big universe) that there was someone there to make it."

Life on this planet is not "evidence" of a divine being. You may try to argue the causality theory; that every thing has a cause, however your cause may not be consistent with scientific causes. Your belief in what caused the universe isn't based on science at all actually, unlike other beliefs, where people believe the Big Bang caused the start of the universe. And it doesn't necessarily even mean the causality theory is valid, while I believe in a more circular representation of the theory. You're assuming causality is linear.

"Also, there is not a single Old Testiment
prophesy that has not come true. These are not mere stories. The
writers of the Bible, if there were merely men writing whatever popped
into their heads, have incredible ods AGAINST them as far as predicting
the future. But their predictions were VERY specific, and each one came
true."

So you're saying that normal people aren't smart enough to recognize pattern and make predictions based on probability and common sense, and that the Bible had to be written by a divine being or written by men whose thoughts were influenced by God. Right. Not agreeing with that actually.

"And if you think of the Bible as merely a
story book or book of "right living", then you clearly have missed the
deeper implications and reasons for the Bible."

You obviously didn't read the entire sentence, but who are you to say I missed "deeper implications?" Doesn't that kind of make you a hypocrite in calling me presumptuous in this statement? Lots of people who aren't Christians get the Bible, actually, and know the "deeper implications." A lot of your Christians don't, that's obvious. But how is that relevant at all? Just because I don't agree doesn't mean I didn't get it. That's like you telling a joke and as I fail to laugh at it, you say that I must not have got the joke because your joke was obviously "great." Does that make sense to you?

"As for my experience, I pray to God. Not a
frog. I have asked God for many things in my life. Whether or not God
has given me what I asked for, not once have I prayed to a frog. If God
does not exist and the frog is the real diety, then how is it that I
still get some of the things I asked for?"

Well this whole paragraph is just a mess. First of all, who said there couldn't be multiple deities? Well your book said that you were to only recognize this one God, and to not worship other gods. It didn't technically say that he was the only god, but that he was supposed to be the only god for you. And second of all, what makes you think that you getting everything you want is caused by a deity? Does that mean if I pray for my mom to make my favorite dinner and she does, does that mean that God told her to do so? Could she not have felt like making it on her own? Highly illogical. And how do you know that God is not a frog?

"I don't pray to a frog. I pray to God, and
He brings me everything I need. He even brings things I need when I
don't ask. He will do the same for the indians. Frog or not. If rain
for the indians is dependant on a frog, then they better hope those
frogs don't die due to disease or something."

That is your opinion, and it is an opinion only. Hope you can recognize that? And as for the frogs dying well, you better hope that your God doesn't use his "ultimate power" to remove himself from this universe. =]

And so is yours when you say you believe in God. Yes, you believe he exists. But that doesn't mean he does. Therefore you really don't know anything, and your point is moot. =]
Except that there's EVIDENCE that God exists. Or did you miss that? The universe didn't just create itself. And you claim that I don't know anything about the existance of God. That is a bit of flawed argument there. You are rejecting my claims of evidence solely because you don't believe. But I believe BECAUSE of the evidence. You're also claiming that you know everything that I know. Another flawed argument. You're making assessments without proof or evidence.

So are you saying that the existence of particular animals will never change the effects on weather? That's what I thought you said before. And you're still wrong, considering humans are animals and are obviously responsible for much of the weather...but I won't go into details because this is quite irrelevant...
What I'm saying is that there is not a DIRECT interaction. If a cup is teetering on the edge of a table an a dog goes running by, causing vibrations, that's an indirect cause of the cup falling off the edge as a result. The fact remains that it could be vibrations caused by humans, a dog...or a jet! Now if that same dog goes up to the table and litterally bumps the cup with his nose, that's a direct cause. What I'm saying is that the frogs are not a direct cause of the weather. There is absolutely no evidence for this even in terms of educated theory.

Regardless, it lies on you to prove his existence, it doesn't lie on me to prove his lack thereof. That's typically how it goes with scientific research. And because we have our knowledge based on science, and he is outside of our knowledge base or inability to construct such an abstract concept through science, you have failed to give a reason as to why you believe he exists.
As I explain later in my last comment, we have evidence that supports an intelligent designer/creator. You, yourself, though, are making the statement that God doesn't exist. All you are doing is making claims, but you do not suport them with anything even loosely relevant. You are simply trying to tell me I am wrong. The responsiblity lies on both of us to proove our positions/claims.

The person who wrote the Bible should have had a dictionary with them, because while that may be the "definition" of faith in your religion, that is not the definition according to the real world. If I have faith that I will win the lottery, does that mean there had to be some evidence I would win the lottery to make me believe that? No, it does not. =]
You should check out the dictionary, too, becaue one of the many definitions of "faith" is that of "trust". We Christians have found God to be trustworthy and everything in the Bible to be true. And when tested according to HIS plans (not ours, as so many people do), then we see that God is real and the Bible is more than just "a book". What you are describing with the lottery ticket is that you hope (but are not sure) that you will win. You have faith that you at least have a CHANCE to win, but you do not KNOW. Given my experience with God, I have never been let down. He has alway been true to His word and is trustworthy, therefore I have faith in Him because I have seen the evidence of His deeds and I know He is real.

So you're saying that normal people aren't smart enough to recognize pattern and make predictions based on probability and common sense, and that the Bible had to be written by a divine being or written by men whose thoughts were influenced by God. Right. Not agreeing with that actually.
These are predictions made HUNDREDS of years in advance. Some made even a couple of milenia in advance. This had nothing to do with observable patterns. In fact, some of these predictions were so far fetched that "common sense" wouldn't even be part of the discussion. "Absurd" might even fit the bill on some of them. Yet they all came true.
You and I can make predictions till our faces turn blue. Completely random predictions with great detail. But unless we have someone who can actually see the future, there's no way we can be sure ANYTHING we predict will be right short of a lucky guess.
The same goes for the Bible. These people were just like you and me. No more or less special. Yet they made predictions time and time again and were right each time. How? God. Because no one else has the ability to see into the future EXCEPT someone who exists outside of the lmits of time and space.

You obviously didn't read the entire sentence, but who are you to say I missed "deeper implications?" Doesn't that kind of make you a hypocrite in calling me presumptuous in this statement? Lots of people who aren't Christians get the Bible, actually, and know the "deeper implications." A lot of your Christians don't, that's obvious. But how is that relevant at all? Just because I don't agree doesn't mean I didn't get it. That's like you telling a joke and as I fail to laugh at it, you say that I must not have got the joke because your joke was obviously "great." Does that make sense to you?
I did read the whole sentence. I said IF that's that you think. I wasn't stating that you DO think for certain. And for one who is so concerned, suddenly, about my statements seeming to imply something that's not true, you sure do it yourself quite a bit. So let's be careful about who we're supposing is a hypocrite.
So now, here's what I'm getting from you... You "get" the Bible, but you don't believe. What I don't understand is that if you "get" the Bible then you would also see that there is more than just stories or moral codes to live by. There's actual truth in there. But yet you don't believe it. And you've done nothing to support why you don't believe. You make wild claims about various things but have nothing solid on which to support them.

Well this whole paragraph is just a mess. First of all, who said there couldn't be multiple deities? Well your book said that you were to only recognize this one God, and to not worship other gods. It didn't technically say that he was the only god, but that he was supposed to be the only god for you. And second of all, what makes you think that you getting everything you want is caused by a deity? Does that mean if I pray for my mom to make my favorite dinner and she does, does that mean that God told her to do so? Could she not have felt like making it on her own? Highly illogical.
Assuming, for the moment, that the Bible is true beyond all argument, then God said that you are to worship NO OTHER GODS. And He has also said there are no other gods, PERIOD. Not real deities. When God refers to other "gods", He is talking about idols and other things that are worshiped as if they were real and alive and had power like He does. It's like saying that there is a maniquine drressed up to look JUST like you to the finest detail. And instead of talking to you, I instead talk to the maniquine. It doesn't matter how much that maniquine looks like you, it's not YOU...let alone human. There is only ONE you, just as there is only ONE GOD, PERIOD. God is saying that He is the ONLY God and no one and no thing is to be worshiped as a god except for Him...why? Because He IS God.
And if you pray that your mom might make you your favorite meal, who knows? Maybe it was God. But there are FAR MORE important matters to praying that just asking God for somethng. It could be that God already had in mind to urge your mom to make you a meal that you liked. Out of love for you, she makes the meal. Whether prompted by God or not, you have the idea to pray and ask for your favorite meal. As a result, you find that your prayers were answered. God knows what you like and what you want. And often times we're going to find that God already has things lined up to give us, but He's waiting for us to actually meet with Him and seek Him out. And as a result, to SHOW US that prayer actually works, He gives us what we were already going to ask for. That's not illogical. It's highly probable.

That is your opinion, and it is an opinion only. Hope you can recognize that? And as for the frogs dying well, you better hope that your God uses his "ultimate power" to remove himself from this universe. =]
Once again, I speak from experience. Not mere opinion. Given that you haven't lived my life, then you stating that my experience is an opinion only is, in itself, an opinion that holds no facts because you don't KNOW the facts of my life. Try again.