Well, let's see. I'm well versed in mathematics, world affairs, politics, science, military history (just for starters)...but not being overly familiar with Old Testament mythology disqualifies me from being even "somewhat" educated?
Uh, yes.
You're certainly free to believe that Christ is the "King of the universe", but please note that not believing in someone's religion is not the same as mocking it.
No, but calling the resurrection daffy is. And "Christ" is what He is, not His last name. Are you afraid of saying "Jesus?"
You asserted that the authors were ignoring vast numbers of "idol worshipers". I pointed out that the religions which they covered included well over 90% of humanity, which you did not dispute. While I grant you I don't know the "New" (why the quotes in this case?) Testament all that well, why should I? I'm not a Christian. I'm also not a Muslim, Mormon, Hindu, or Confucianist...so I don't know the Qur'an, the Book of Mormon, the Vedas, or the Five Classics of Confucianism all that well. Should I?
There is only one set of Scriptures that are true, and they all point to Jesus the Christ, whether before the Gospels or after. Again, I would think you would want to be informed before you mock the King of the Universe.
Sorry, simply not true objectively. I've eaten bread (white, wheat, etc.) many a time, and it's sustained me quite satisfactorily.
Those that know you better than me would probably argue that point. Ask the ones that aren't afraid of your need to always be right. One day your bread will grow stale and moldy, with the smell of death.
Even after proton decay has rendered the question moot?
Some might define that as the end of time, or, forever. But once you join the eternal you do not thirst, and Jesus is the only way to join that party. But to my eye, the day of the Lord looks more like the sun going nova (if we use that kind of language).
1) How does mockery "enslave" the mocker?
Do you not see the bars of your own prison? Don't you want real, meaningful relationships based on irrational, passionate love? Don't you want someone to really care about you, even if you were to lose all your wonderful reason and knowledge and science? You must be terrified of getting Alzheimers.
2) Just who are these multitude of "idol worshipers" who aren't covered by the 24 cards in question?
Look all around you. For God's sake, we use it as a compliment now, a goal to be aspired.
3) What does Elijah have to do with any of this?
Oh, please, are you that dull? Do you really think Jesus would have killed the prophets of Baal? Why then does he tell us to leave the weeds alone? Ripping them out harms the harvester. Really, did I have to explain that?
4) What does Bono have to do with any of this
Even he knows who the author of life is, but he still hasn't found what he's looking for.
5) How exactly does my being amused by these cards cut the sacred out of anyone's life?
By itself it doesn't. But if you were so inclined, I imagine you'd read Jefferson's Bible.
6) What am I looking for that I haven't found? It can't be Christ, because I'm not a Christian and I'm not looking for him.
And you profess to be well-versed in science? Even Heisenberg would tell you that you can't measure something you aren't looking at.
Mock away, scoffer, but should you ever look, you will wonder and be amazed. God will do something for you that you would not believe, even if I told you.
Uh, yes.
99% of Japanese people are non-Christian. Presumably, the vast majority of these are not overly familiar with Old Testament mythology. By your definition, some 99% of Japanese are by definition not even somewhat educated.
That's just silly.
No, but calling the resurrection daffy is. And "Christ" is what He is, not His last name. Are you afraid of saying "Jesus?"
Believing that Athena sprung fully grown from the head of Zeus is daffy, but my saying that doesn't mock Greek mythology. It simply recognizes that the story was written by the people of that time.
Google "Jesus Christ". It gets 148 million hits. It's simply a common way of referring to the man. And by the way...
Jesus.
Hm...I don't seem to be afraid. Do I get a cookie?
There is only one set of Scriptures that are true, and they all point to Jesus the Christ, whether before the Gospels or after. Again, I would think you would want to be informed before you mock the King of the Universe.
You're certainly free to believe that your set of Scriptures are true, just as believers of other Scriptures are. If I believed that Jesus the Christ was the king of the universe, I'd certainly bring a different attitude to this discussion. Since I don't...
Sorry, simply not true objectively. I've eaten bread (white, wheat, etc.) many a time, and it's sustained me quite satisfactorily.
Those that know you better than me would probably argue that point.
And your basis for knowing this is...what, exactly? Let me assure you that if I asked anyone who knew me well "Does white & wheat bread sustain me satisfactorily?" the answer would be "Um...sure. Why wouldn't it?"
Ask the ones that aren't afraid of your need to always be right.
Since you (apparently) know me so well, please let me know which of my friends are afraid of my need to always be right.
Just as an aside, what's wrong with wanting (but not anticipating) to always be right?
One day your bread will grow stale and moldy, with the smell of death.
Then I'll throw it out and buy some new bread. Problem solved!
Even after proton decay has rendered the question moot?
Some might define that as the end of time, or, forever.
Proton decay (assuming it even occurs, it's debatable at this point) will result in a lack of baryonic matter by 10 to the 100th years from now (or so). Not forever, but a heck of a long time! For a fun read on the subject, I recommend "The Five Ages of the Universe: Inside the Physics of Eternity" by Fred Adams and Greg Laughlin.
But once you join the eternal you do not thirst, and Jesus is the only way to join that party. But to my eye, the day of the Lord looks more like the sun going nova (if we use that kind of language).
Unless, of course, you're wrong and the Muslims are right. Or the Buddhists. Or the Hindus. Or the atheists. Or...
1) How does mockery "enslave" the mocker?
Do you not see the bars of your own prison?
Er...no, sorry.
Don't you want real, meaningful relationships based on irrational, passionate love?
How does enjoying the occasional bit of mockery prevent such a relationship from occurring?
Don't you want someone to really care about you, even if you were to lose all your wonderful reason and knowledge and science?
I already have people who really care about me in this way. They're called friends and family. None of whom are Christians, for what it's worth.
You must be terrified of getting Alzheimers.
It's a creepy disease, but I'm certainly not "terrified" of it. Why are you certain that I'm so scared of it?
2) Just who are these multitude of "idol worshipers" who aren't covered by the 24 cards in question?
Look all around you. For God's sake, we use it as a compliment now, a goal to be aspired.
Who. Exactly. Are. They. I pointed out that the cards covered well over 90% of people, and you didn't disagree.
3) What does Elijah have to do with any of this?
Oh, please, are you that dull?
Christian attitude noted :-)
Do you really think Jesus would have killed the prophets of Baal? Why then does he tell us to leave the weeds alone? Ripping them out harms the harvester. Really, did I have to explain that?
Yes. You do. What part of "I'm not a Christian and I'm not familiar with the Bible" didn't I make clear? I knew Elijah was a Biblical-sounding name, but that's it. I didn't go to Sunday School. I've only been in a church a half-dozen times in my life (I have to admit The Vatican was really cool). When you discuss Elijah's gardening techniques, you're speaking of something with which I'm simply not familiar.
4) What does Bono have to do with any of this
Even he knows who the author of life is, but he still hasn't found what he's looking for.
Well, if you say so. You evidently know the man better than I do. I confess I don't follow pop stars all that closely.
5) How exactly does my being amused by these cards cut the sacred out of anyone's life?
By itself it doesn't. But if you were so inclined, I imagine you'd read Jefferson's Bible.
And how would my reading Jefferson's Bible cut the sacred out of anyone's life? Mind you, if I were inclined to read the Bible I'd prefer reading the unexpurgated version. Reading Jefferson's Bible would be like reading The Iliad with all the parts about Gods taken out. The fantastic elements and mythology are the whole point of the Bible.
6) What am I looking for that I haven't found? It can't be Christ, because I'm not a Christian and I'm not looking for him.
And you profess to be well-versed in science? Even Heisenberg would tell you that you can't measure something you aren't looking at.
You're asserting that the Heisenberg uncertainty principle proves that I'm looking for Christ?
That's certainly...novel, to say the least.
Mock away, scoffer, but should you ever look, you will wonder and be amazed. God will do something for you that you would not believe, even if I told you.
Do you not mock and scoff every religion in the world except your own? We're in agreement when it comes to 99% of the world's religions. You simply disbelieve in one less than I do.