Christianity is on the decline in America.

Rana said:
Well, aren't you something...why don't you rule the world? Those are very impressive abilities. Why are you wasting your time on a message board ? With those powers you should be doing great things!

Good luck with your mental super powers, but I don't share your "realities" and think Christianity is a fabrication. You haven't shown me any of your truths that would change my mind.
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LOL. What I do on message boards is spread my beliefs. You need more then discernment to rule the world. You need followers. Finance. Care to donate? :)

Whether you believe it is a fabrication or not? It is very difficult to deny the wisdom in Scriptures. I can see a revolutionary figure rising and being assassinated by the very people that He spoke against. The rich. Whether the "fabrication" as you call it was embellished is one thing. Though I am quite certain a great man did arise and spoke many words of wisdom. Unequaled in his time, nor in the future. Therefore these fabricators must have led a short life.

Today the Pharisees and the rich are hard at work subduing the masses. With many revolutionary figures assassinated throughout history. I think in the very near future another champion of the people will rise who will not easily be silenced.
 
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bravo said:
Thats quite a talent......I'm certainly gonna pay more attention to your musings from now on......

I wish I had the same ability......I believe everything I hear on the Chris Matthews show and Keith Olbermann.....
and everything I read on 'media matters' and the "huffington Post".......lol
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According to Scripture, it is a talent(The ability to discern) bestowed by the Spirit of Truth. :) You would really enjoy my rants on the Christian boards. Those fakes(Pro wealth greedy Christians) will be weeping and gnashing their teeth when I am through with them.lol
 
wiseones2cents said:
No man I ever spoke to ever said words that even closely moved me as the words of Jesus do. AHhh you are no longer a Christian or a Theist?lol Although My GOD may differ from mainstream beliefs of GOD? My GOD is very real to me. Our reality is possible via a universal energy. The source and the energy itself to me is what I identify with GOD. I also feel that I am somewhat connected to this energy. I feel that the world around us is communicating to us on so many levels and it is up to us to understand what it is saying. And I believe there is a singular/central origin to it all.

There is also a possibility that some of the Angels spoken of in Scripture are in fact Aliens. And their reference to them with wings is actually via space crafts. I believe it is possible that a superior intelligence is the reason man was able to evolve in the way that it did. If so, the question is.....Who sent these aliens. Do they have a Leader a Lord?
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I find Joseph Campbell, Jung, Huxley, Hume, Thomas Paine, the Vedas, Tao, Confucious and Aesop to name a few as my sources of wisom. The Bible has some good thoughts, but it has a lot of bad, too.

Each of us discerns what is our truth, what resonants with us and what we hold to keep true to ourselves. I was passionate about my Christianity in my 30's, but I was fearful, had a young family and didn't want to die. Now, I am older, have faced death and am no longer afraid to die. I try to enjoy the here and now instead of focusing on the future and the what ifs. I also have tried to expand my horizons, in doing so, whati once accepted as true is no longer true or me. The majority of my family still clings to what sustained them their whole lives and that is wonderful because it works for them, but I would not be true to myself if I tried to fake that it still worked for me.
 
wiseones2cents said:
According to Scripture, it is a talent(The ability to discern) bestowed by the Spirit of Truth. :) You would really enjoy my rants on the Christian boards. Those fakes(Pro wealth greedy Christians) will be weeping and gnashing their teeth when I am through with them.lol
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You do have a great sense of humor.
 
Rana said:
I find Joseph Campbell, Jung, Huxley, Hume, Thomas Paine, the Vedas, Tao, Confucious and Aesop to name a few as my sources of wisom. The Bible has some good thoughts, but it has a lot of bad, too.

Each of us discerns what is our truth, what resonants with us and what we hold to keep true to ourselves. I was passionate about my Christianity in my 30's, but I was fearful, had a young family and didn't want to die. Now, I am older, have faced death and am no longer afraid to die. I try to enjoy the here and now instead of focusing on the future and the what ifs. I also have tried to expand my horizons, in doing so, whati once accepted as true is no longer true or me. The majority of my family still clings to what sustained them their whole lives and that is wonderful because it works for them, but I would not be true to myself if I tried to fake that it still worked for me.
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Sure they have a few quotes here and there but not on the level of the Gospel of which in fact, most of those you speak of were inspired by.

I too classify my self as Agnostic as many of those you referenced and if one were to take all the philosophies I have written about over the last 12 years. You would probably be impressed with my teachings also. Not knowing that it is indeed fact that the Gospel(especially the words of Jesus) was my initial source of inspiration.
 
wiseones2cents said:
Sure they have a few quotes here and there but not on the level of the Gospel of which in fact, most of those you speak of were inspired by.

I too classify my self as Agnostic as many of those you referenced and if one were to take all the philosophies I have written about over the last 12 years. You would probably be impressed with my teachings also. Not knowing that it is indeed fact that the Gospel(especially the words of Jesus) was my initial source of inspiration.
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I do enjoy our exchanges, but I think Jesus may have gotten his inspiration from Eastern philosophies, it is a theory I have been reading about recently, so I think it is the other way around.
 
Rana said:
I do enjoy our exchanges, but I think Jesus may have gotten his inspiration from Eastern philosophies, it is a theory I have been reading about recently, so I think it is the other way around.
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I enjoy our exchanges also. I enjoy intellectual discussion. I like to share knowledge and beliefs I have acquired over the years and learn from others. I dont know about freedumb but my time is too valuable to waste exchanging insults. There are much more productive things I would rather be doing.

I'm talking about the Agnostics you mentioned. Joseph Campbell, Jung, Huxley, Hume, Thomas Pain, ect... Jesus came before them.

Jesus's inspiration were from the OT. As in ALL His preachings referenced books of the Old Testament. Therefore you are mistaken.

If you are referring in regards to Vedas, Tao. Confucius? Jesus did NOT get His inspiration from those books. Now you can say that the OT was inspired by eastern Philosophies though it's hard to say...... it seems that Confucius, Buddhism, Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes all share common Wisdom. Which came first? Not sure. According to history? King Solomon son of David was known world wide for his wisdom. Some attribute the book of Proverbs to him, some the book of Ecclesiastes. Which would mean it is way before Confucius and Buddha. The rich people in those days studied ALL the worldly wisdom that was available to them. Solomon was schooled in all the worldly religions/books of Wisdom. Did any of them include the Vedas? More then likely, but I'm sure they had some of their own wisdom. Solomon is known for many books he wrote.

Though nothing in Scripture suggests that Jesus was every influenced by "Eastern Philosophies:. He wasn't super rich, nor was he a practicing Rabbi educated in Jewish Scripture. He was more then likely self taught. Therefore it is unlikely to be "the other way around".
 
wiseones2cents said:
I enjoy our exchanges also. I enjoy intellectual discussion. I like to share knowledge and beliefs I have acquired over the years and learn from others. I dont know about freedumb but my time is too valuable to waste exchanging insults. There are much more productive things I would rather be doing.

I'm talking about the Agnostics you mentioned. Joseph Campbell, Jung, Huxley, Hume, Thomas Pain, ect... Jesus came before them.

Jesus's inspiration were from the OT. As in ALL His preachings referenced books of the Old Testament. Therefore you are mistaken.

If you are referring in regards to Vedas, Tao. Confucius? Jesus did NOT get His inspiration from those books. Now you can say that the OT was inspired by eastern Philosophies though it's hard to say...... it seems that Confucius, Buddhism, Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes all share common Wisdom. Which came first? Not sure. According to history? King Solomon son of David was known world wide for his wisdom. Some attribute the book of Proverbs to him, some the book of Ecclesiastes. Which would mean it is way before Confucius and Buddha. The rich people in those days studied ALL the worldly wisdom that was available to them. Solomon was schooled in all the worldly religions/books of Wisdom. Did any of them include the Vedas? More then likely, but I'm sure they had some of their own wisdom. Solomon is known for many books he wrote.

Though nothing in Scripture suggests that Jesus was every influenced by "Eastern Philosophies:. He wasn't super rich, nor was he a practicing Rabbi educated in Jewish Scripture. He was more then likely self taught. Therefore it is unlikely to be "the other way around".
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One modern scholarly theory with the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls is that Jesus was an Essene, and it is thought that the Essenes were influenced by Eastern philosophies.
 
I have to agree with wiseones2cents on this...I don't see anything in Jesus' teachings that reflects a vedic influence. That is assuming Jesus even existed.
 
Rana said:
One modern scholarly theory with the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls is that Jesus was an Essene, and it is thought that the Essenes were influenced by Eastern philosophies.
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Essene were influenced by eastern philosophies? On what grounds does he make this claim? They say they were a sect from the Zadokite priests. How the heck were they influenced by eastern philosophies?

After doing some research I have a slightly different theory. I will make it easy on you and ask you only one question. When(year) is the first historical reference to the Essene?
 
wiseones2cents said:
Essene were influenced by eastern philosophies? On what grounds does he make this claim? They say they were a sect from the Zadokite priests. How the heck were they influenced by eastern philosophies?

After doing some research I have a slightly different theory. I will make it easy on you and ask you only one question. When(year) is the first historical reference to the Essene?
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The ground that some scholars believed trade and conquering nations and nations conquered brought different ideas to Jerusalem.

I am not sure when the "first" historical reference was to the Essenes, but they were mentioned by Josephus and they were the cult of the Dead Sea scrolls.

There are scholars that posit that both John the Zbptist and Jesus old have been associated faith the group near Nazareth.
 
Rana said:
The ground that some scholars believed trade and conquering nations and nations conquered brought different ideas to Jerusalem.

I am not sure when the "first" historical reference was to the Essenes, but they were mentioned by Josephus and they were the cult of the Dead Sea scrolls.

There are scholars that posit that both John the Zbptist and Jesus old have been associated faith the group near Nazareth.
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And Jerusalem's beliefs brought different ideas to them. It works both ways. They influenced each other.The Book of Genesis seems to be made up of different sources. Though most of the Bible is in regards to the History of the Jews. The Books of wisdom(Like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes) seem to be inspired by a myriad of sources. Solomon himself must have had access to all the books of wisdom(including foreign) in his time. And was able to create his own philosophies as a result.

The question is. Did all the wisdom have a single source? Did one culture advance much more quickly then the others? Or did they merge a few and come up with a universal one?

Apparently they are from 2 B.C. right before the birth of Jesus. Funny how they are not mentioned in the Bible. Which brings me to believe they may have came about AFTER the birth of Jesus. They seem to be very Christian in nature indeed.

The word does not appear to be of Hebrew origin. Some identify the word Essene with Issani. Jesus is known as Isa to many. And Issani would be one who follows Isa(Jesus). Known Essenes were Judas, Simon, John(Apostle names).

I highly doubt that Jesus was inspired by eastern philosophies. And the ground you stated is just gross speculation with no real evidence to the claim.
 
wiseones2cents said:
And Jerusalem's beliefs brought different ideas to them. It works both ways. They influenced each other.The Book of Genesis seems to be made up of different sources. Though most of the Bible is in regards to the History of the Jews. The Books of wisdom(Like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes) seem to be inspired by a myriad of sources. Solomon himself must have had access to all the books of wisdom(including foreign) in his time. And was able to create his own philosophies as a result.

The question is. Did all the wisdom have a single source? Did one culture advance much more quickly then the others? Or did they merge a few and come up with a universal one?

Apparently they are from 2 B.C. right before the birth of Jesus. Funny how they are not mentioned in the Bible. Which brings me to believe they may have came about AFTER the birth of Jesus. They seem to be very Christian in nature indeed.

The word does not appear to be of Hebrew origin. Some identify the word Essene with Issani. Jesus is known as Isa to many. And Issani would be one who follows Isa(Jesus). Known Essenes were Judas, Simon, John(Apostle names).

I highly doubt that Jesus was inspired by eastern philosophies. And the ground you stated is just gross speculation with no real evidence to the claim.
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actually, there are two other influences that may have guided jesus

one is the jewish book of splendor known as the zohar

another is a possible influence by Zoroastrianism
 
bravo said:
Really ?......guess they didn't like all that advancement.....most of them are still living in the Dark Ages......covering up women like they are too fuckin' ugly to set eyes on, stoning people buried up to heads, circumcising young girls, chanting 5 times a day like superstitious fools....
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Covering up women, stoning, female circumcision are cultural practices that didn't start with Islam.
 
Don Quixote said:
actually, there are two other influences that may have guided jesus

one is the jewish book of splendor known as the zohar

another is a possible influence by Zoroastrianism
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Proof please. Jesus did not reference either book. And how would the son of a carpenter in Nazareth get his hands on Zorostrian text or even be educated in Zoroastrian as a Jew??
 
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