Daily scripture verse - Page 7

foxtuba · 06-06-2008, 11:33 AM

"This business of proofs of God, had God wished to give us some, need not be restricted to this somewhat questionable method of making enigmatic statements to ancient sages and hoping they would survive. God could have engraved the Ten Commandments on the Moon. Large. Ten kilometers across per commandment. And nobody could see it from the Earth but then one day large telescopes would be invented or spacecraft would approach the Moon, and here it would be, engraved on the lunar surface. People would say, "How could that have gotten here?" And then there would be various hypotheses, most of which would be extremely interesting."

Carl Sagan, THE GOD HYPOTHESIS, The Portable Atheist

Christopher · 06-17-2008, 10:41 PM

Matthew 18:1-4

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

foxtuba · 06-18-2008, 10:25 AM

"All of us feel entitled to express extreme scepticism to the point of outright disbelief-except that in the case of unicorns, tooth fairies and the gods of Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Vikings, there is (nowadays) no need to bother. In the case of the Abrahamic God, however, there is a need to bother, because a substantial proportion of the people with whom we share the planet do believe strongly in his existence.....That you cannot prove God's non-existence is accepted and trivial, if only in the sense that we can never absolutely prove the non-existence of anything. What matters is not whether God is disprovable (he isn't) but whether his existence is probable. That is another matter. Some undisprovable things are sensibly judged far less probable than other undisprovable things. There is no reason to regard God as immune from consideration along the spectrum of probabilities. And there is certainly no reason to suppose that, just because God can be neither proved nor disproved, his probability of existence is 50 per cent."

Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

lakeman · 06-18-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtuba

"All of us feel entitled to express extreme scepticism to the point of outright disbelief-except that in the case of unicorns, tooth fairies and the gods of Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Vikings, there is (nowadays) no need to bother. In the case of the Abrahamic God, however, there is a need to bother, because a substantial proportion of the people with whom we share the planet do believe strongly in his existence.....That you cannot prove God's non-existence is accepted and trivial, if only in the sense that we can never absolutely prove the non-existence of anything. What matters is not whether God is disprovable (he isn't) but whether his existence is probable. That is another matter. Some undisprovable things are sensibly judged far less probable than other undisprovable things. There is no reason to regard God as immune from consideration along the spectrum of probabilities. And there is certainly no reason to suppose that, just because God can be neither proved nor disproved, his probability of existence is 50 per cent."

Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

I would agree that once we have determined that wwe cannot prove or disprove God's existence the next step is to decide if it is probable. I think everyone should do that. But we need to evaluate all the evidence fairly without prejudice. We need to have rules for how to evaluate the evidence. people on both sides forget this too often.

The next thing I would say is that the title of this thread is daily scripture verse. Are the words of Dawkins scripture? Is that your religion?

JaneDoe · 06-18-2008, 01:20 PM

Whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kind, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
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What you think about determines the quality and direction of your life. Naturally, people who think positive, have uplifting thoughts have happier, healthier, longer lives. They are less stressed, more vibrant and enjoy better sleep. That’s why the scripture encourages us to think on good things—things that are true, noble and lovely. Some translations say to “fix your mind” on them. When you fix your mind on noble things, you close the door to the negative voices and open your heart to allow God to work in your life. Choose today to fix your mind on good things. Do whatever you need to in order to keep those good thoughts before you. Write them on note cards and put them in a place where you can see them. Confess God’s promises over your life and declare His blessing on a daily basis. As you fix your mind on the goodness of God, you will rise higher in every area of your life. You will be filled with His peace and victory, and you’ll see every dream and desire in your heart come to pass.
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A Prayer for Today :
Father in heaven, I choose to fix my mind on noble things. I choose thoughts of peace and victory. Fill my heart with Your goodness that I may glorify You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

-Joel Osteen

foxtuba · 06-18-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeman

I would agree that once we have determined that wwe cannot prove or disprove God's existence the next step is to decide if it is probable. I think everyone should do that. But we need to evaluate all the evidence fairly without prejudice. We need to have rules for how to evaluate the evidence. people on both sides forget this too often.

The next thing I would say is that the title of this thread is daily scripture verse. Are the words of Dawkins scripture? Is that your religion?

Nope, they are merely my current reading materials (AKA daily scripture). They evolve over time, just as anybody's understanding on the intrinsic and extrinsic consciousness does.

Coolio43 · 06-18-2008, 05:50 PM

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
1 Corinthians 5:10-12 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 5 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

lakeman · 06-18-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolio43

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
1 Corinthians 5:10-12 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 5 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

So why bold that part? And what does sexually immoral mean? Is that just those who break the law sexualy like rapists? Or does it include the wife who witholds sexual favors to gain an advantage in some ongoing marital strife? Or the husband who uses subtle coercion to make his wife do what is against he desires? Would it be a polygamists like Solomon? What about a gay person who is celibate? Or any person who engages in premarital sex? What if they got married by the religious offiant of their choice but it were not recognized by the state? What if it were recognized by the state but not by any Christian religion?

You and I could probably agree on a list. What if we had insuficient evidence to make some part of the list? Are we not called to seek the spirit of the law rather than the letter? When we focus on the spirit our list might grow in some ways and shrink in others, what then?

JaneDoe · 06-19-2008, 03:01 PM

“Set your minds and keep them set on what is above, the higher things, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).

...And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

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Faith is simply seeing what God sees. It’s choosing God’s way, even when things look differently in the natural. When you set your thoughts on higher things, you are looking at life through your eyes of faith and seeing what God sees. For example, you may have a financial need today, but when you look higher, you see God’s promise to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. You may have sickness in your body today, but when you look higher, you see that Jesus paid for your sickness and diseases. You may feel lonely today, but when you look higher, you see that God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. As you study the Word of God, you are setting your thoughts on higher things. As you set your thoughts on higher things, your faith will become stronger, and you will begin to see those things become reality in your life. You’ll see God’s hand of blessing, and you will live the abundant life He has prepared for you.

A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, I choose to set my thoughts on higher things. I choose to focus on Your ways, knowing that You have a good plan for my life. I bless Your holy Name, today and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

-Joel Osteen

Zarathustra · 06-19-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolio43

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

No shit....