Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Christians Don't Understand Non-Christians
ArGee | 1/3/01 | ArGee

Posted on 01/03/2002 11:19:13 AM PST by ArGee

A very rich man decided that he wanted to show kindness to the people of the fair city where he lived. Since he was very rich indeed, he decided to throw a banquet for the entire city. He rented the largest sports arena in the city and began his plans. He planned for huge amounts of the best food possible, making allowances for every religious and medical diet. He advertised the banquet in every possible manner - television, radio, billboard, door-to-door canvassing. Considering that there might be some who could not travel, he arranged for free bus transportation to and from the event, and some special-needs vehicles for all who could not ride busses. He even scheduled the banquet to run for 24 hours a day for several days so that everyone could be sure of being served.

He planned long and hard and finally the big day came. The rich man ate quickly and then went about wishing all his guests well and personally making sure that all had every need met. After a while he went outside to tour the grounds and talk with those who had not yet gone in, and those who had already left. Everyone was happy. Many were profusely thankful. It was a glorious occasion.

At one point the rich man noticed a group of people sitting outside a locked door with most unpleasant looks on their faces. Sensing they were not happy, he went over to them. He did not introduce himself but simply asked them if he could be of service.

"We want to go in through this door," one of them replied.

The rich man explained to them that the hall was arranged to feed a large number of people as quickly and effortlessly as possible. This required order inside, and the entrances and exits had been carefully planned to be as efficient as possible. He then offered to go call one of the golf carts that were avaialbe to help people who could not walk far to take them to the entrance. But the man replied, "We do not want to go in the entrance. We want to go in this door. We don't understand why we can't go in any door we wish. We think the man who set this banquet up is mean and hateful for insisting we go in through the entrance. He has tried to bill himself as a very kind man by offering this banquet, but he is not kind at all if he will not indulge us and let us go through this door.

The rich man was distressed at these words, but still attempted to please these people. He tried once more to explain to them what was behind this particular door, and how if they went in this door they would disrupt the meal service being offered inside. He offered to drive them himself, not only to the door, but inside the hall to their tables if they would only go through the entrance to enjoy the meal. Again the man said, "No, but only a hateful man would keep us from going through the door of our choosing. And we will sit here and tell anyone who will listen to us what an awful man he is until he lets us in."

At that the rich man was enraged and he shouted, "Enough." Then he called a police officer to have them thrown off of the property and ordered that they not be allowed to return until the banquet was over and all the scraps had been hauled away. Then, mourning for their loss, he turned to visit with other guests.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: braad
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 281-300301-320321-340 ... 1,281-1,287 next last
To: nmh
What buggs NON Christians is the peace of mind that Christians have.

Yes... it is clear from your posts, that you are the epitome of peace and loving kindness.

301 posted on 01/03/2002 5:27:55 PM PST by OWK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 298 | View Replies]

To: proud patriot
We can't relate to non-Christians because we can't understand why a person would want to spend eternity in hell.

Perhaps some of us feel that Hell would be preferable to spending eternity with a bunch of sanctimonious, intolerant boors.

302 posted on 01/03/2002 5:27:55 PM PST by reg45
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: proud patriot
"If they hate Him, they must love death!"
303 posted on 01/03/2002 5:29:52 PM PST by 185JHP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: nmh
It's just another choice we make in life - belief or disbelief.

I never understood how this works. How do you choose to believe or not to believe?
I have to be convinced of something in order to believe it but I fail to see how one can consciously choose this state of mind.

304 posted on 01/03/2002 5:31:30 PM PST by BMCDA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 296 | View Replies]

To: BMCDA
I fail to see how one can consciously choose this state of mind.

The willful suspension of disbelief.

305 posted on 01/03/2002 5:34:43 PM PST by OWK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 304 | View Replies]

To: OWK; BMCDA; the_doc
I don't claim to be an expert on the bible but if I remember correctly there was this "tree of knowledge" whose fruits were not intended for human consumption. - BMCDA

Of course that's what the book says.... but the denial and subjugation of knowledge wouldn't seem to be an attribute of a loving God.

It seems more in keeping with the attributes of a tyranical shaman intent on keeping control.

Or, maybe, it is the commandment of a God who knew just how dreadfully and eternally destructive some knowledge would really be.

Maybe, God also wanted man to come to Him to seek his knowledge; for His glory. O the beauty and glory that Adam beheld when the Breath of God soaked into his empty body and he became a living soul, yet he sought his knowledge elsewhere.

306 posted on 01/03/2002 5:38:28 PM PST by CCWoody
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 277 | View Replies]

To: OWK
As for me, I'd suggest that my moral code (derived by reason) suffices just fine.

For many conscious and responsible people that is enough.

However no system of beliefs, ethical, philosophical or religious has ever been enough to keep society ordered. The only reliable system thus far discovered is law and punishment.

Reason is great and all, but look at the world. Most governments are hopelessly corrupt, the citizens live in poverty. The basest instincts are redirected into pettier diversions and many people suffer.
307 posted on 01/03/2002 5:38:38 PM PST by Belial
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 276 | View Replies]

To: lexcorp
Maybe, but that's an incredibly cynical point of view that flies in the face of centuries of both Western European and Middle Eastern culture. It's a shame you feel (at least saying that you're) comfortable in that skin.

I also don't buy a word you wrote. You're doing a poor job of hiding something. Here's to praying you find what you're looking for.

308 posted on 01/03/2002 5:38:48 PM PST by RightOnline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 279 | View Replies]

To: ArGee
Enjoyed your little parable.
309 posted on 01/03/2002 5:40:00 PM PST by HENRYADAMS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stuartcr
Is there not only one G-d?

If you believe that there is only one G-d, then there can only be one religion "G-d's Religion". All human religions (Hinduism, Judaism, Buddaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.) are based upon mans limited understanding of "G-d's Religion".

310 posted on 01/03/2002 5:42:34 PM PST by reg45
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies]

To: reg45
Why does there have to be any religion?
311 posted on 01/03/2002 5:56:44 PM PST by stuartcr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 310 | View Replies]

To: ArGee
RADIO FR PRESENTS "UNSPUN WITH ANNA Z." - TONITE - 6:00 PM PST - STELLAR GUEST LINE-UP!

TONIGHT...
...put the blasted Rose Bowl game on MUTE for a while and join AnnaZ and Mercuria for A Very Unspun New Year!!

Our guest line-up includes:

Heidi Maher - If you haven't been reading about her husband Ted, who has now been imprisoned in Monaco for two years under the most suspicious circumstances, click HERE and bone up before the show!

David Keene - Chairman of the American Conservative Union, who will be talking about the upcoming CPAC shindig!

Sean Finnegan - columnist for Mercurial Times and Sierra Times, who will be rapping with us about Klamath, issues of freedom, and what it's like to work in Mercuria's on-line scribbler sweat shop!

That's TONIGHT - JANUARY 3, 2002, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST - on UNSPUN WITH AnnaZ!!

CLICK HERE FOR RADIOFR!

We will be taking calls (but don't even bother trying while we have a guest on the air)...

1-866-RADIOFR!!!

312 posted on 01/03/2002 6:00:14 PM PST by Bob J
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stuartcr
Why does there have to be any religion?

Control.

313 posted on 01/03/2002 6:00:51 PM PST by OWK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 311 | View Replies]

To: proud patriot
The Koran is nothing but a book of falsehoods and for you to suggest otherwise shows how much you hate Him.

    The Holy Quran teaches
  1. The divinity of Jesus - I guess you don't believe in that since the Quran is all lies.
  2. The virgin birth of Jesus - I guess you don't believe in that since the Quran is all lies.
  3. The Supremacy of G-d - I guess you don't believe in that since the Quran is all lies.
  4. The Bible is a Holy book - I guess you don't believe in that since the Quran is all lies.

For you to say what you say shows how little you know about the Quran.

314 posted on 01/03/2002 6:04:51 PM PST by reg45
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 166 | View Replies]

To: ArGee
I like Jesus' Version better.

< Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

315 posted on 01/03/2002 6:05:53 PM PST by RaceBannon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CCWoody
Or, maybe, it is the commandment of a God who knew just how dreadfully and eternally destructive some knowledge would really be.

Well, maybe... But the problem I see here is the futility of this commandment. Someone who is not able to differentiate between good and evil cannot understand why disobeying is wrong. This was only possible after they ate the fruit of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil". So the fault is on him who made this tree accessible. It's like leaving a sharp knife or a loaded gun accessible to your 3 year old child and telling him not to touch these items.
BTW, as God is considered almighty why didn't he just make... let's say a "watermelon of forgetting the knowledge of good and evil" and told Adam and Eve that it is very delicious and that they should try it?

But of course these stories (especially that of Adam and Eve) were made up to explain why reality is the way it is and not as it should be. Pretty much like those stories I was told in kindergarten which explained why the tip of the foxes tail is white or why the bear and the rabbit have only a short tail (as far as I know they got trapped in somewhere and used force to liberate themselves but had to leave their tail behind and since then all bears and rabbits bla bla... some kind of Lamarckism y'know).

316 posted on 01/03/2002 6:06:51 PM PST by BMCDA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 306 | View Replies]

To: stuartcr
Why does there have to be any religion?

Community People need to organize around established frameworks. See also sports.

Emotional Fulfillment Many people in the world will never receive all the love they need from their spouses or children, if indeed they have both. Christianity offers a God who loves you perfectly, unconditionally, forever, etc.

Control Religion validates laws and rulers who may appear arbitrary and unjust to restless citizens.

Realization of Death Um, yikes. This could drive a man insane if he let it gnaw at him.
317 posted on 01/03/2002 6:07:38 PM PST by Belial
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 311 | View Replies]

To: nobdysfool
BUMP!!
318 posted on 01/03/2002 6:09:09 PM PST by aruanan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 225 | View Replies]

To: OWK
You got it my friend.
319 posted on 01/03/2002 6:09:32 PM PST by stuartcr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 313 | View Replies]

To: OWK
JOB:38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? 9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, 10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? 12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? 14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. 15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. 16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? 17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. 19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? 21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? 22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, 23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth? 25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; 26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; 27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? 28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? 29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? 30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? 32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? 33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? 34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? 35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? 36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? 39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? 41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

39:1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? 2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth? 3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows. 4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them. 5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? 6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. 7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. 8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing. 9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? 10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? 11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? 12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? 13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? 14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, 15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. 16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; 17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding. 18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. 19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? 20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. 21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. 22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. 23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. 24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. 25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? 27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? 28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. 29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. 30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, 2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. 3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. 6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? 9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? 10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. 11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. 12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. 13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. 14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee. 15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. 16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. 17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. 18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. 19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. 20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. 21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. 22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. 24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? 4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? 6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? 8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. 9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? 10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me? 11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. 12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion. 13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle? 14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. 15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. 16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. 18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. 20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. 21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. 22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. 23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. 24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. 25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. 26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. 27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. 28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble. 29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. 30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. 31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. 32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. 33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. 34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

320 posted on 01/03/2002 6:10:18 PM PST by RaceBannon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 270 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 281-300301-320321-340 ... 1,281-1,287 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson