Posted on 12/03/2009 9:27:32 PM PST by GonzoII
And yet if you read history, other times were just as bad.
During the end of the Western Christian empire things were pretty nuts.
“Just out of curiosity. How long do you think AIDS would exist if the main transmission route for it’s spread were removed?”
Well, if you’re serious, as in Bubonic Plague once the primary vector was removed from the chain (ie. rats), then the disease transmission would occur by secondary vectors (other vermin like Prairie Dogs and other rodents). Don’t assume that the disease goes away simply because you remove the primary vector. In the case of AIDS, I’m not entirely sure if the original resevoir for the infection has ever been established. If it were eradicated in the human population, as much as that action would disappoint a small minority, it would continue to exist in the original reservoir. Without removing the original reservoir, it could conceivably re-emerge into the human population by whatever means it was introduced originally. At least in the United States, AIDS is no longer a disease that sweeps the population and kills at a young age. Most folks with AIDS are beginning to approach a normal life span thanks to medical science. That, in itself, is a victory (though some obviously disagree).
How long do you suppose AIDS existed in its original reservoir before it got into the human population. I certainly don’t know the answer to that question. No human does.
Of course, I don’t believe AIDS is a judgement on the world, anymore than an H1N1 epidemic in the church nursery is God’s judgement on the Baptists.
I still think you’re gonna’ get on the bad side of God by accusing him of having a rather peculiar interest in carrying out mass exterminations. I’m not terribly comfortable with God being portrayed as some sort of divine Mengele. But since I’m not inside God’s head (and neither are you by the way), I can’t really say what God’s gonna’ do. Suffice to say that every natural disaster, pandemic and human mass atrocity has folks that’ll tell you that it’s God’s judgement for this or that. Some even advocate it.
Personally, I don’t lay a lot of this sort of trip on God, as I have always tried to be complimentary towards the Gentleman Upstairs. Now, you go ahead and do what you want. But I’d prefer to avoid explaining why I dropped that less than favorable rap on God when I go through my final interview.
Death is trauma enough. A soul doesn’t need to be pleading his/her case for redemption in what could become an adversarial proceeding. Don’t be saying uncomplimentary things about the Big Guy for which you don’t have absolute proof. Just tryin’ to help another soul here.
“Just out of curiosity. How long do you think AIDS would exist if the main transmission route for it’s spread were removed?”
Well, if you’re serious, as in Bubonic Plague once the primary vector was removed from the chain (ie. rats), then the disease transmission would occur by secondary vectors (other vermin like Prairie Dogs and other rodents). Don’t assume that the disease goes away simply because you remove the primary vector. In the case of AIDS, I’m not entirely sure if the original resevoir for the infection has ever been established. If it were eradicated in the human population, as much as that action would disappoint a small minority, it would continue to exist in the original reservoir. Without removing the original reservoir, it could conceivably re-emerge into the human population by whatever means it was introduced originally. At least in the United States, AIDS is no longer a disease that sweeps the population and kills at a young age. Most folks with AIDS are beginning to approach a normal life span thanks to medical science. That, in itself, is a victory (though some obviously disagree).
How long do you suppose AIDS existed in its original reservoir before it got into the human population. I certainly don’t know the answer to that question. No human does.
Of course, I don’t believe AIDS is a judgement on the world, anymore than an H1N1 epidemic in the church nursery is God’s judgement on the Baptists.
I still think you’re gonna’ get on the bad side of God by accusing him of having a rather peculiar interest in carrying out mass exterminations. I’m not terribly comfortable with God being portrayed as some sort of divine Mengele. But since I’m not inside God’s head (and neither are you by the way), I can’t really say what God’s gonna’ do. Suffice to say that every natural disaster, pandemic and human mass atrocity has folks that’ll tell you that it’s God’s judgement for this or that. Some even advocate it.
Personally, I don’t lay a lot of this sort of trip on God, as I have always tried to be complimentary towards the Gentleman Upstairs. Now, you go ahead and do what you want. But I’d prefer to avoid explaining why I dropped that less than favorable rap on God when I go through my final interview.
Death is trauma enough. A soul doesn’t need to be pleading his/her case for redemption in what could become an adversarial proceeding. Don’t be saying uncomplimentary things about the Big Guy for which you don’t have absolute proof. Just tryin’ to help another soul here.
God holds us accountable for our decisions. People have a huge problem with 3 small words, “Thou shall not”. I don’t know how it could be made more simpler.
How did AIDS get started in the US? What group has the most cases? How do they get exposed to AIDS? What possibility does a straight married couple who don’t engage in sex outside of marriage and don’t use illegal drugs have of contacting that disease? What is the average lifespan of a homosexual?
I am not in God’s head. If you read his word you will understand his plan a little better. The Bible is full of instructions. It says what to do and what not to do. It also tells what happens to people who refuse to listen.
The God of the Bible destroyed 2 cities in the large part because of what the citizens were doing.
I seriously doubt he cares what you think. The Bible says you will be judged for every action and every word that leaves your mouth.
Have a long good life. By the way, you should seriously pray I am wrong. If I am wrong, what have I lost. If you are wrong, what have you lost?
“I seriously doubt he cares what you think. The Bible says you will be judged for every action and every word that leaves your mouth.”
Indeed. And that is the wonderful thing about free will. We are eventually accountable. I believe that one would be incorrect in a belief that one will receive heavenly rewards or punishments in this life. The scales get balanced later.
In the same way that Christians have no assurance of an easy earthly existence, neither is there any divine guarantee that the wayward among us will be receive an earthly “correction”. Apparently there are those that take satisfaction, if not downright joy at the human suffering of others. I am not one of them. I work the other side of that street.
All of this business of assuming that the mortal suffering of particular groups is visited by God himself, does God a great disservice. Jews, Gays, even African Christians fall into groups that have had plenty of troubles. To select some as being worthy of divine extermination, and taking satisfaction in this based on self-judgement is intellectually lame, and spiritually bereft of the Christian tenets that Jesus commanded us to exercise during our life.
I will pray for you (I really will!), in the hope that you continue to progress in your spiritual development. As you’re no doubt aware, Christianity can be a joyful experience if one chooses to live in the light, versus the dark. I prefer the joy, but I’m one of those New Testament types.
Galatians 6;
Verse 7- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Verse 8- For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
I am slow, but to me this seems to indicate we should be careful what kinds of seeds we plant and where we plant them. Of course, I am not a scholar.
The whole of Jeremiah Chapter 5 is very interesting to me.
Jeremiah 5:
Verse 23- But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
Verse 24- Neither say in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, but the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Verse 25- Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Verse 26- For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
Verse 27- As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
Seems pretty plain to me. I see a lot of Verses 26 and 27 now. Look at the riches our Television Evangelist are gaining.
Jesus also walked the other side of the street. I sincerely hope you are on his side. He taught the wages of sin is death. He fought the dangers of the current “religion” of his time because it had deviated from God's plan. Our religions are following the old plan.
The truth can't be taught in most Church buildings because it would step on too many people's toes. He can't preach about adultery, dishonesty, or homosexuality and a long list of other wrong things. The people would find some way to get rid of him. He would be unemployed and lose many of the benefits the Church members provide.
Some pastors get free housing and cars as part of their salary. Some don't even mow their own grass. It is a whole lot easier to just preach God's love and Oh, be sure to give to the Church so they can afford to keep him.
As a result the Pastor is forced to preach about God's love, not the fear we should have and let his flock wander around aimlessly.
My Bible says:
Psalm 111: verse 10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.
Proverbs 1: verse 7- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9: verse 10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
This makes me wonder if many Churches are on the wrong side of the street. ;0(
Makes me wonder who controls those Churches.
God may or may not be in a Church service. Satan never misses one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.