The Religion Thread

[O Really]

God couldn't possibly be male. Gender is a human trait. Even if you go with the traditional story of Jesus, it's still not God, the originator and creator of the universe and the one who decided to assume human form temporarily.

All I can tell you is that throughout the Bible, He's spoken of in the masculine form....including Father. I know someone's going to throw in a remark about sexism, misogyny, and all them other little cutesy words in their cutesy little mind.

Back then there was no confusion who was/would be called Father.

True that. But you have to consider the context of the writing. The Bible also speaks of "Kings" and "kingdoms" because that's what the writers knew. But kings and kingdoms are human organizational and governmental concepts. I doubt the God who created the universe is very interested in political fiefdoms. Reference to God with a human gender in a writing many years after God created the universe doesn't mean God actually has a human gender. But you and Vrede agree and are right that at the time of the writings, it would be appropriate to "throw in a remark about sexism, misogyny..." because that's what ruled at the time.

[bannination]

The whole idea is fascinating though. If a god has sexual organs, that means they're possibilities for whole families of gods.... oh crap wait..... if god is infinite and even if he's reproduced at a finite rate, they're literally an infinite number of other gods out there.

Yikes! I guess that's proof that gods take up no space, otherwise we'd be squished by all the gods.

[O Really]

Well, unless God is impotent, instead of omnipotent. But (semi) seriously - what does God, who created the entire universe, need with gender parts?

[Mr.B]

"So I am the son of god.'

We all are; however since you choose to blaspheme your Creator, I have to ask what part of "what was left of" did you not grasp the meaning of?

[Mr.B]

Presbyterians approve gay marriage in church constitution
"Tick-tock. To many of the posters there and the former if not the very recently pro-equality Mr.B, they are not "real Christians".

A non-story. The PCA (USA) has had the largest member loss since their taking up the "gay" issue. The only reason this did pass was because of the loss of mainly conservative membership, and the deciding vote was from a liberal state. The PCA (USA) also has had 428 churches pull out of it's association.

Between 2011, when the Presbyterians authorized gay ordination, and 2013, the latest year for which figures are available, 428 of the denomination's churches left for more conservative denominations or dissolved, though some theological conservatives have remained as they decide how to move forward. The losses helped pave the way for approval of gay marriage, since many opponents had left the church.

Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the conservative Presbyterian Lay Committee, said the new definition was a repudiation of the Bible and approved "what God does not bless." She urged Presbyterians to protest by redirecting donations away from the national church until the original marriage definition is restored.

The Rev. Paul Detterman, national director of The Fellowship Community, a network of conservative Presbyterian churches that have stayed with the denomination, said his organization will "remain faithfully engaged in conversation" with those of different views in the church. He said the Fellowship's opposition to the amendment is not intended to be anti-gay but aims to uphold the traditional Bible view of marriage.

Although several Protestant denominations have taken significant steps toward recognizing same-sex relationships, only one other major Christian group has endorsed gay marriage church-wide.

So, yes, it appears that those with real Christian values recognize homosexuality for what it is; an abomination and a lifestyle contrary to God's intention for mankind. Your tick ain't tocked yet.

[Mr.B]

"So what exactly does "He" use his penis for? I know he raped Mary according to myth.... but anything else?"

To quote JTA (with variation): "That was almost a homerfobe level insult right there."
You trying to compete with Vrede for Homey's favors? You're doing rather well.

[O Really]

That wasn't an insult at all. Some (apparently including Mr.B) say God is male. Thus, He would have penis. Why would He? And what would He do with it, other than pee, which of course an entity who created the universe wouldn't likely need to do.

[Mr.B]

That wasn't an insult at all.
The rape remark was.

Some (apparently including Mr.B) say God is male. Thus, He would have penis. Why would He? And what would He do with it, other than pee, which of course an entity who created the universe wouldn't likely need to do.
The Bible states He is male; hence the Father. Why would anyone be concerned if He has organs and what He does with them if He does have them?

[O Really]

]The Bible states He is male; hence the Father. Why would anyone be concerned if He has organs and what He does with them if He does have them?[/color]

[/quote]
Because it's inherent in the description. Why is it necessary for the creator of the universe to have a human gender? And if the creator of the universe does have a human gender, why would anyone NOT wonder what He does with His man-parts?

[Mr.B]

"Why is it necessary for the creator of the universe to have a human gender?"
It was y'all that started this; why is it necessary to even worry about the subject?

"And if the creator of the universe does have a human gender, why would anyone NOT wonder what He does with His man-parts?"
Why would anyone bother to wonder? Why should anyone NOT wonder? Man parts, mortal or otherwise, have never been on my agenda...regardless what Vrede says I fantasize about.

[neoplacebo]

Presbyterians approve gay marriage in church constitution

Tick-tock. To many of the posters there and the former if not the very recently pro-equality Mr.B, they are not "real Christians".

I saw this story earlier today. Pretty significant.

[Sometime Lefty]

"So I am the son of god.'

We all are; however since you choose to blaspheme your Creator, I have to ask what part of "what was left of" did you not grasp the meaning of?

How can you blasphemed something that doesn't exist? My mother did not have sex with god. However, I heard your mother had anal sex and you were born. The immaculate conception.

[Mr.B]

"How can you blasphemed something that doesn't exist?"
You don't believe in God, nor that there's a heaven or hell; I do. Had you rather I be right?

"My mother did not have sex with god."
I didn't say she did. Your ilk is the believer of evolution; therefore you must have evolved from a watery dribble of ejaculate that was spilled on the ground.

"However, I heard your mother had anal sex and you were born."
You and I are twins?? You do know they made a movie about us..? ... You were short and had a pony-tail...remember?



"The immaculate conception."
In your case, you were your parent's immaculate deception.

[Mr.B]

... Man parts, mortal or otherwise, have never been on my agenda...

I realized that was a laugh...I'm satisfied that I have "man-parts", I'm not confused about them being there, nor do I wish to trade them for "female parts"; however, I admit guilt to sharing them with female parts. Thanks for the wake up.

[Mr.B]

"Wait a second. You now support equal rights for gays. How is it that 1.8 million other Christians become "Christians in name only" by also supporting equal rights for gays?"

Equal rights as in their being humans.
I do not support their lifestyle; anyone who condones homosexual activity is going against Biblical teachings.

I fully expect your coming back with "fantasizing"® and/or "obsessed"® ...your two famous buzz words.
(® Vrede, all rights reserved.)

[O Really]

... Man parts, mortal or otherwise, have never been on my agenda...

I join the laugh. But Mr.B, my part of this discussion has nothing to do with sexual orientation or concern about "man parts." If you want to define God as a female, I'll ask the same question about Her lady parts and you can be more comfortable not having to discuss peni. Or just say - hypothetically - what would God need lady parts for? All genders are related to physical beings (in this case humans). The God that created the universe doesn't need a gender as far as I can tell, nor as far as you have explained.

[Mr.B]

I've never given it any thought; no reason to; comfortably or uncomfortably, nor do I see that it's really any kind of an issue. finis

[neoplacebo]

On the "Ancient Aliens" shows, the concept that aliens mated with human females is put forth in an attempt to explain the rapid increase in intelligence and dominance that humans achieved. The show puts forth as evidence various carvings and writings depicting or describing such sexual activities, and the persons who recorded these events described the aliens as "gods" since they didn't know what else to call them. I can conceive of nothing more intriguing than divine interstellar sex....I mean, how can you top that?

[Mr.B]

On the "Ancient Aliens" shows, the concept that aliens mated with human females is put forth in an attempt to explain the rapid increase in intelligence and dominance that humans achieved. The show puts forth as evidence various carvings and writings depicting or describing such sexual activities, and the persons who recorded these events described the aliens as "gods" since they didn't know what else to call them. I can conceive of nothing more intriguing than divine interstellar sex....I mean, how can you top that?

Good guess...you can't top that!

[Mr.B]

"You forgot "liar"®.
That too.

"Call me a cynic..."
I and many more could call you quite a few things....

"I was pretty sure that you would renege the moment I listed what "entitled to every right that I have" means."
Damn you're stupid...and condescending. I didn't renege on anything; I made my stance on homosexuality clear from the beginning as well as my stance on their rights as humans. I don't know what makes you so stupid, but it's doing a great job.