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KING DAVE

King Dave "An atheist is something I am, not something I do" ~ Christopher Hitchens
Articles Posted: 77  Links Seeded: 292
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God is Not Great ~ Christopher Hitchens ~ Video

Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:50 AM EDT
religion, christianity, atheism, christopher-hitchens
By King Dave
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Isn't it amazing the religious believe that  not only does the creator of the universe look like a middle aged white man, but also having  the great fortune   bestowed  upon them by this phantom creator,  dominion over every women,  living creature and thing on this Earth?

This has not made for good neighbors. ~ KD

 Christopher Hitchens @  the Village Voice Bookshop, Paris, France. Hitchens delivers another  fierce criticism of religion. Previously un-released video. So it's new to us.

Christopher Hitchens on God is Not Great at The Village Voice Bookshop, February 4, 2009 - Part 1

Christopher Hitchens on God is Not Great at The Village Voice Bookshop, February 4, 2009 - Part 2

As always your comments and criticisms are welcomed.....and will be challenged!

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  • Public Discussion (80)
King Dave

Thank you for watching.

These videos are the opening remarks. They are very good, but I did not post the question and answer parts.

  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:13 PM EDT
ndeepnow

How can anyone listen to this dude.

  • 1 vote
#2 - Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:51 PM EDT
King Dave

You have to be intelligent.

  • 6 votes
#2.1 - Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:25 PM EDT
ndeepnow

Why He's NOT.

    #2.2 - Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:50 PM EDT
    kaviaq

    He's extremely intelligent. You may not agree with what he has to say ndeepnow, but you can't honestly make an argument that he is not intelligent.

    • 7 votes
    #2.3 - Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:37 PM EDT
    bluearcher

    Hitchens is an intellectual giant of our time. He is a master of both the written and spoken English language.

    He is so erudite that he does not need to be "line edited" and his editors have to frequently ask him to rewrite\rephrase material so as to be more easily understood.

    You have to be intelligent.

    Absolutely correct. He does not pander to the lowest common intelligence level to be understood.

    ndeepnow's dislike is likely motivated by Hitchens' stance against religion.

    • 6 votes
    #2.4 - Thu Oct 20, 2011 8:56 PM EDT
    ndeepnow

    LOL ..

      #2.5 - Fri Oct 21, 2011 12:25 PM EDT
      JackOL-1666973

      ndeep -

      Why He's NOT.

      Sorry, you have no clue.

      • 5 votes
      #2.6 - Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:34 PM EDT
      bluearcher

      LOL ..

      LOL is not an effective debate strategy.

      ndeepnow you obviously have an interest in NV and the discourse. Why is it that in the face of a multitude of facts and response that you never seem to become more educated and accepting of facts?

      You are continually given factual info and presented with logical arguments and yet you fail to become more educated and cling to your personal biases and misinformed opinions.

      If you do not participate to learn then why are you a registered user????

      Are you a kid that enjoys simply perpetuating your beliefs with no regard to facts and further educating yourself?

      A closed mind has no potential grow. Give it some thought.

      • 5 votes
      #2.7 - Fri Oct 21, 2011 5:12 PM EDT
      kaviaq

      LOL ..

      LOL is not an effective debate strategy.

      It's actually a big improvement over his usual bible quotes.

      • 7 votes
      #2.8 - Fri Oct 21, 2011 6:55 PM EDT
      ndeepnow

      I'll give you one. Professing to be wise they become fools.

        #2.9 - Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:44 PM EDT
        JackOL-1666973

        I'll give you another. Little overblown sayings by ndeepnow do not affect the truth of Christopher Hitchen's intellectualism.

        • 6 votes
        #2.10 - Fri Oct 21, 2011 11:59 PM EDT
        ndeepnow

        That came from Jesus --

        Romans 1:22 (AP)Professing to be wise, they became fools,

          #2.11 - Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:39 AM EDT
          JackOL-1666973

          First of all, he never professed to be wise. Second of all, no one cares about sayings from your book of mythology. Third, your saying implies no one can be wise without being a fool, which is plain stoopid.

          JackOL 1, 36:37

          • 4 votes
          #2.12 - Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:09 AM EDT
          kaviaq

          That came from Jesus --

          Romans 1:22(AP)Professing to be wise, they became fools,

          Hey, I've got Jesus over for coffee right now (he visits those of us he REALLY likes) and he said to ask you to stop making him look bad! He says "Thanks for your interest, but I think your skills are better suited to Islam....you should convert immediately!"

          • 4 votes
          #2.13 - Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:02 PM EDT
          JackOL-1666973

          ndeep -

          One last thing. Christopher Hitchens has esophageal cancer and has been going thru radiation treatment. He may not have much longer left to his life and I would appreciate you not taking a dump on his life.

          The video posted on this article is from awhile ago when he was better. Here is how he looks today.

          http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/mason-crumpacker-and-the-hitchens-reading-list/

          Please desist from your attacks on this man that I'm sure you know nothing about.

          • 4 votes
          #2.14 - Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:46 PM EDT
          dakaiser11

          Hey, I can play that game! I'm pretty good at quoting scripture myself!

          Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell.

          So, ndeepnow implicitly called kaviaq a fool, and more clearly called Hitchens, a fool and thus is in danger of hellfire. Awesome.

          And in responce to you specifically accusing others of professing to be wise, showing as fools

          Matthew 5:7 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

          • 3 votes
          #2.15 - Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:47 PM EDT
          ndeepnow

          kaviaq -- Jesus would never ask you to worship a FALSE god. So I believe you were talking to the devil. Watch yourself.

          Jack .. I pray for him just like anyone else. I pray he finds Jesus and repents of his sins. I would really like him to come out in public and repent of his sins, but most importantly I pray he accepts Jesus and goes on to heaven.

          But that doesn't excuse his life of deceit.

          dakaiser11 -- I sometimes consider you a fool as well, BUT I pray you are in heaven also. I pray for you. I pray you accept Jesus. I think that's so I forgive all, because I pray for all to be in heaven. You can't go no more forgiven then that. I pray my worst enemy makes it in heaven.

            #2.16 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:03 AM EDT
            kaviaq

            Jesus would never ask you to worship a FALSE god.

            You didn't read that carefully, did you. He was asking YOU to worship a false god, because he says you are embarrassinghim and you'd be MUCH more helpful to him if you could go embarrass Allah for a while. He said he'd REALLY appreciate it if you could do that for him. Next week when he comes by for coffee again I'll let him know you are off to the Mosque to do his bidding.....OK?

            • 3 votes
            #2.17 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:20 AM EDT
            Wheel

            Hey, I've got Jesus over for coffee right now (he visits those of us he REALLY likes) and he said to ask you to stop making him look bad!

            Jennie Breeden at Devil's Panties has an interesting take on Jesus' relationship with us:

            My followers scare me. Me too.

            At least they're not doing it 'for' you. One of my favorites.

            Yeah, sorry about that. Don't forget the Christian crimes against women.

            Which one was the good guy again?

            Guess who my daddy is?

            Jesus loves you. No, I don't.

            • 3 votes
            #2.18 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:39 AM EDT
            ndeepnow

            kaviaq again you are having coffee with the DEVIL.

              #2.19 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:05 AM EDT
              Wheel

              Recognize this guy?

              • 3 votes
              #2.20 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:17 AM EDT
              kaviaq

              kaviaq again you are having coffee with the DEVIL.

              LOL Sure, if he went to YOUR house for coffee he'd be Jesus! You're just jealous that he likes me better!

              • 2 votes
              #2.21 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:02 AM EDT
              JackOL-1666973

              kaviaq -

              I was going to ask if I could come over and have coffee with you and your guest. However, it's probably best if I don't since I wouldn't know whether to bring over angel or devil's food cake.

              • 3 votes
              #2.22 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:18 AM EDT
              kaviaq

              Well Jack, I'm vegan and Jesus still keeps kosher, so it could get complicated!

              • 2 votes
              #2.23 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:50 AM EDT
              dakaiser11

              ndeepnow

              I sometimes consider you a fool as well

              Not getting the message are we? Did you even read the Bible, or you do you have a "Bible happy quotes" book that you use to avoid the actual lessons? It says clearly that if someone is a fool, you simply correct them. Both of my quotes are statements on wrongful judgement. I wasn't calling you a fool, I was pointing out that you are not to be accusing others as such. You should instead be correcting what they said/did which might have been foolish. That was the message in both quotes I used, in context.

              I pray for you.

              Why? I committed the unforgivable sin, no amount of prayer overcomes "unforgivable".

              I think that's so I forgive all, because I pray for all to be in heaven

              Also, it says quite clearly in the Sermon on the Mount

              Matt 5:23-24 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift.

              So instead of praying for me, you are supposed to be apologizing to me first. If you wrong me, or kaviaq, or anyone else, you seek our forgiveness first, then you pray for them.

              I pray my worst enemy makes it in heaven.

              There is more to "love your enemy" than praying for them. And calling them blind, fools, or anti-christ is not on the list of ways to love your neighbor.

              You want an example of a great religion? One that I would consider following if I wasn't a skeptic? Jainism. That is a philosophy that is clear, and it's followers actually follow it. Unlike far to many Christians, that insist on judging and insulting people, disguised as an attempt to "save". Christians that feel they can act like complete pricks and it is ok as long as they pray later. No, that's not what Christ taught and it sure as hell isn't what is morally right.

              • 2 votes
              #2.24 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:03 PM EDT
              dakaiser11

              kaviaq

              Well Jack, I'm vegan and Jesus still keeps kosher, so it could get complicated!

              Shouldn't be a problem, I can't imagine what your diet allows that Jesus's didn't. Fruit salad would probably be good.

              The real question for me is if you are opposed to eating magically produced meats? If Jesus poofed a burger into existance, would you eat it?

              • 1 vote
              #2.25 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:08 PM EDT
              ndeepnow

              kaviaq -- that's because the devil is not welcome here. I'm sure he walks around all the time, but I rebuke him in the name of Jesus Christ.

              dakaiser11 .. I don't have nothing against you. Jesus gives you the right to worship anyway you want. I would think most I talk to here needs to apologize to Jesus.

              Dak you're still alive. You can repent any sin. Believe Jesus is GOD in the flesh, Believe he died for all of your sins, Believe he arose from the dead and is sitting next to the father, repent your sins, and ask him to make you what he wants you to be.

              You will be saved.

              We all act like pricks sometimes. Including you, but that's the beauty of Jesus. He can forgive and if you know that you were being a prick then you should call that person and apologize. " Matthew 5:23-24"

              Jesus doesn't care what you eat. You should just bless it first.

                #2.26 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:04 AM EDT
                ndeepnow

                dak -- also I looked up Jainism -- Jain doctrine teaches that Jainism has always existed and will always exist,[1][2][3]although historians date the foundation of organized or the present form of Jainism to sometime between the 9th and the 6th century BCE.

                This is after the FLOOD, I have told you that all religions come from teaching of Jesus and basically came after the flood. When Jesus came down confused their language and sent them all over the world. The devil went straight back to work on these people all over the world and gave them false religion.

                Thanks for proving my point. Great Work

                  #2.27 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:12 AM EDT
                  kaviaq

                  Jesus doesn't care what you eat. You should just bless it first.

                  LMAO Magic zombie dude wants you to say hocus pocus over your food!? I LOVE this stuff! It makes Harry Potter's world seem absolutely mundane!

                  PS- ndeepnow...there's no such thing as a devil, so you don't have to be afraid OR rebuke the nonexistent entity. Yikes...it's like your using Grimm's Fairy Tales ad a guide book to living!

                  • 3 votes
                  #2.28 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:33 PM EDT
                  JackOL-1666973

                  kaviaq -

                  ...there's no such thing as a devil,

                  I'm not so sure about that. I think the reason an omnipotent god hasn't been able to vanquish him is because he is a ... wait for it ... slippery little devil!

                  • 4 votes
                  #2.29 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:48 PM EDT
                  dakaiser11

                  I don't have nothing against you.

                  Yes you do. you already said that you do. You are only saying differently now because I called you on it.

                  Jesus gives you the right to worship anyway you want.

                  Actually, he did speak out against open public prayer as being prideful.

                  I would think most I talk to here needs to apologize to Jesus.

                  I don't have to apologize to Jesus any more than I need to apologize to Isaac Newton, Torquemada, or Mussolini.

                  You can repent any sin

                  Are you calling Jesus a liar? Mark 3:28-30? You know full well that I have read the Bible and tend to quote it as well as you, don't lie to me about what's in it.

                  We all act like pricks sometimes. Including you, but that's the beauty of Jesus

                  He said clearly, and I quoted it clearly, that before seeking God's forgiveness, you seek the forgiveness of those you offended or wronged. I have seen a huge lack of you seeking other people's forgiveness. I even pointed out before how you were directly insulting people, and you didn't care about their feelings or if it was wrong to do so, only if your hurting them matched a Bible definition of a term.

                  also I looked up Jainism -- Jain doctrine teaches that Jainism has always existed and will always exist

                  Ok. And now look at what I said about it. Did I say they were right? No. Of course I don't think they are right, they believe in an unprovable soul/spirit. I said they were clear and faithful to their clear message of peace to all living things, through bringing no harm either though careless/malicious deed or word.

                  I have told you that all religions come from teaching of Jesus

                  Jainism is before the flood, and before Jesus, Judaism taught animal sacrifice as a mandatory ritual. It also taught of the many conquers of it's holy men, the many cities and nations they destroyed. Capital punishment was a God given command. All of that directly violates the core of their faith. Saying Jainism sprang from Judaism or Christianity is insane, they directly contradict on major concepts.

                  The devil went straight back to work on these people

                  WOW! You are saying that the devil created the greatest religion of peace? The only religion that actually teaches not to kill bugs because they are also life. The devil is obviously far morally superior to God. Why is it that the devil can actually create a true religion of peace, but God and Jesus couldn't? That says a lot.

                  Thanks for proving my point.

                  Your point being that the devil is apparently morally and intellectually superior to God, in addition to matching His power? Great point.

                  • 1 vote
                  #2.30 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:38 PM EDT
                  ndeepnow

                  Dak if you believe Jesus is GOD in the flesh and died for your sins, arose from the dead and is sitting next to the father. Ask Jesus into your heart, REPENT your SINS. Ask Jesus to make you what he wants you to be. You will be saved.

                  Jesus Loves You and Died For ALL of your sins. ALL ..

                    #2.31 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:39 PM EDT
                    dakaiser11

                    You will be saved.

                    "UNFORGIVABLE". Directly from the mouth of Jesus, that sin is unforgivable. Instead of actually showing that scripture is out of context or somehow not the words of Jesus, you just keep insisting it is forgivable. That idea is in direct contradiction to Jesus's clear statement.

                    So instead of just repeating an idea that is anti-christ, why don't you try and show me how Jesus lied or how he didn't actually say what the Bible states were his words:

                    "I tell you the truth, people will be forgiven for all sins, even all the blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin”

                    How can you expect to convert someone into following Christ when you blatantly teach the opposite of what He said?

                    • 2 votes
                    #2.32 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:48 PM EDT
                    ndeepnow

                    You're still alive. Jesus means here if you keep on and never turn from this sin. This sin is actually not listing to the holy spirit speaking to your heart. Knocking at it asking you to allow Jesus in.

                    When you BLASPHEME -- MEANING " you want accept Jesus as lord and savior " You speak out loud making fun of Christians and so on.

                    BUT if you accept Jesus you will be saved. TURN FROM YOUR SINS and TURN TO HIM " JESUS "

                      #2.33 - Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:08 AM EDT
                      kaviaq

                      Knocking at it asking you to allow Jesus in.

                      Well when Jesus comes over for coffee he rings the bell, but sure....I let him in. And he like to visit BECAUSE I don't worship him. He says all that grovelling tires him out.

                      • 3 votes
                      #2.34 - Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:19 PM EDT
                      dakaiser11

                      This sin is actually not listing to the holy spirit speaking to your heart.

                      Oh! So you base this on redefining blasphemy to make your religion fit what you want it to be and not what it actually says in the book. Blasphemy is, and always has been, disrespecting God. Not just accidental disrespect, like his name in vain, but intentional irreverence. Certainly not simple disbelief, as that isn't disrespect. But insulting God is blaspheming the holy spirit. Blaspheming the holy spirit is an action. That action can be an prolonged one, if one puts out a display saying "God is a wanker" and leaves it there with intent his whole life, for example. (hmm... why didn't I think of that earlier!)

                      You are even allowed to openly mock Christians, and not be performing blasphemy. You can even mock them for their belief and not insult God, depending on method and how leinient God will be in his judgement's matching the definition. But the moment you call God evil, when you call God a monstrous, sinister baby-killer, and do that knowing what you are saying and saying it as understood truth of the being that is the Christian make-believe God, then you have committed blasphemy. That is the unforgivable sin, and I have definitely performed it.

                      But if you want to twist the word of God, to lie about what the Bible says, go ahead. You lie about a lot of it, why should that part be any different. Just like the Pharisees and Paul, you throw out any of God and Jesus's teachings that prevent you from recruiting people into obedience to your personal message.

                      • 2 votes
                      #2.35 - Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:17 PM EDT
                      ndeepnow

                      dak -- if you do those things until you die you will not be allowed in Heaven, BUT if you stop and believe in Jesus and ask him into your heart, repent your sins. YOU WILL BE SAVED.

                        #2.36 - Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:09 AM EDT
                        ndeepnow

                        kaviaq -- because you are talking to the devil. he doesn't want to hear about Jesus being GOD.

                          #2.37 - Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:10 AM EDT
                          dakaiser11

                          if you do those things until you die you will not be allowed in Heaven

                          No. Look, when I'm eating my breakfast, I am not blaspheming God. That means it is an action. It occurs in time frames. I have blasphemed the Holy Spirit many times, not just once in a constant stream. That action is unforgivable, and was performed in the past. It's that simple. Quilt denying God's word, or you will be denied heaven.

                          if you stop

                          If I stop, I will still be unforgiven, due to having blasphemed the Holy spirit. I swear, you don't care at all what the Bible says, only what you want to believe. I have never seen someone so stubbornly ignore their own Bible just to insist their version is more correct than the Bible. What, do you think you are some kind of prophet?

                          • 3 votes
                          #2.38 - Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:29 PM EDT
                          ndeepnow

                          Jesus loves all. Just stop what your doing, believe Jesus is GOD in the flesh. ask Jesus into your heart. , repent your sins .. you will be saved.

                          I'm just someone who loves Jesus, because I understand how much Jesus loves me / US. Jesus is just saying here that you can't deny him and go to heaven. STOP DENYING HIM and GO TO HEAVEN.

                            #2.39 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:30 AM EDT
                            dakaiser11

                            ndeepnow,

                            Stop denying Muhammad! He brought us all God's word to save you, but since you deny him you will go to Hell. STOP DENYING HIM and GO TO HEAVEN.

                            So, does that convince you to convert to Islam? No? Get the point?

                            • 3 votes
                            #2.40 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:38 AM EDT
                            ndeepnow

                            No because that is a false religion. One man wrote around 500 to 600 AD after Jesus. The bible is 40 men that wrote 66 books over 1500 years. Before and After Jesus.

                              #2.41 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:59 AM EDT
                              dakaiser11

                              No because that is a false religion.

                              pot says to kettle...

                              One man wrote around 500 to 600 AD after Jesus

                              How is the year it is written relevant to it's truth?

                              The bible is 40 men that wrote 66 books over 1500 years. Before and After Jesus.

                              Again irrelevant. How does the number of books and the length of time covered have any relation to authenticity? If that were true, Papal sanctions in modern times prove that it is the only true denomination of Christianity because it has more authors and is over an even longer period of time.

                              And when you allow a bunch of bishops to vote on what to keep and what to throw out, you somewhat decrease the validity. Imagine allowing that today. How much to you trust the infallibility of today's bishops to decree what should be accepted as the Gospel? And if they did, do you think the non-catholics would accept their decree? If anything, the manufacturing of the New Testament from cobbled stories is the greatest hindrance to its religion's validity.

                              You are just so blind to the reality that your religion is nearly indistinguishable from many that you so quickly label as "false"

                              • 2 votes
                              #2.42 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
                              ndeepnow

                              Is it any other book like the bible. We find all kinds of stuff like the koran. Nothing like the bible anywhere.

                              Also we have come out the dark ages. We now know the bible that you read today is the true word of Jesus.

                                #2.43 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:19 PM EDT
                                Wheel

                                Also we have come out the dark ages.

                                Some of us have, some of us still want to wallow on superstitious drivel first espoused by ignorant sheep herders.

                                We now know the bible that you read today is the true word of Jesus.

                                Perfect example of the kind of drivel I was talking about right there.

                                It's amusing that you want to claim your book of superstition is better than some other book of superstitions.

                                • 3 votes
                                #2.44 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:28 PM EDT
                                dakaiser11

                                Nothing like the bible anywhere.

                                In what way is it unique? And in what way does that uniqueness prove it's divinity?

                                Also we have come out the dark ages. We now know the bible that you read today is the true word of Jesus.

                                Besides those two statements conflicting each other, what evidence do we have now that those are the true word of Jesus that they didn't have in the dark ages? And even if it is really the word's of Jesus, how does that prove Jesus's divinity when the Council of Nicaea didn't even all agree on that just a few hundred years after he died? I mean, even Thomas doubted Jesus's resurrection and he spent years with Jesus, so Jesus wasn't that amazing even to his own apostles. Seriously, you have no material reason why Christianity is any more "true" than Islam, or even Scientology.

                                • 1 vote
                                #2.45 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:32 PM EDT
                                ndeepnow

                                Thomas did until he saw Jesus. Then did he ???? Give me a book like it.

                                  #2.46 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:09 PM EDT
                                  dakaiser11

                                  Thomas did until he saw Jesus. Then did he

                                  Then he believed in the resurrection, sure. But if you really believe this guy is God on earth, that shouldn't have been a doubt for Thomas! Thomas spent years with Jesus and thought self-resurrection was beyond his ability. That says a lot about the unimpressiveness of Jesus the Divine.

                                  Give me a book like it.

                                  Aesop's Fables, Dianetics, Koran, Bhagavad Gita, Homer's Odyssey, and Grimm's Fairy Tales. Though I would rank the Odyssey as much more internally consistant and Aesop's Fables as being morally superior than the Bible.

                                  • 3 votes
                                  #2.47 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:58 PM EDT
                                  ndeepnow

                                  Even if you saw someone doing all the miracles that they witness Jesus do. It would still be hard to believe he arose from the dead. IT was people that witness his miracles and did not believe.They are called nonbelievers. They do not believe in Jesus Christ " aka Anti-christ by definition "

                                  None of those books even come close.

                                    #2.48 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:13 PM EDT
                                    ndeepnow

                                    Hell you don;t even see the miracles today. Jesus told you all about the signs at the end of times. With all our knowledge and technology you still can't believe.

                                    That's scary. For the first time in history have we been able to issue a mark and make it where you can't buy or sell without it. The time is now for his return.

                                    I pray you ask him into your life.

                                      #2.49 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:24 PM EDT
                                      King Dave

                                      Even if you saw someone doing all the miracles that they witness Jesus do. It would still be hard to believe he arose from the dead. IT was people that witness his miracles and did not believe.

                                      So, that's all it takes for you to believe. It's the magic tricks that has you sold, not the message ndeepnow. It's too late to walk that one back. You have just admitted to being easily fooled. Don't worry you have lots of company. And that is why the magic tricks are in there, to heard the sheep.

                                      • 3 votes
                                      #2.50 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:30 PM EDT
                                      ndeepnow

                                      If I watched you doing miracles That would be one thing, but if I saw you come back from the dead would be another. People saw this and did not believe. I on the other hand hear the holy spirit speaking to me. I on the other hand step out on faith, because I know what I feel in my heart to be TRUE.

                                      I have read the scripture and believe them 100%. Jesus is GOD in the FLESH. I pray we got that straight.

                                        #2.51 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:38 PM EDT
                                        Wheel

                                        ndeep's train of ...logic I suppose, for want of a better word... seems to be this. The bible says the bible is true and so the bible is true. If you don't think the bible is true then just look at it where it says it all absolutely true. Of course the bible makes no such claim but logic doesn't seem to be in big demand in any of his/her posts.

                                        • 2 votes
                                        #2.52 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:39 PM EDT
                                        ndeepnow

                                        wheel . The floor is open for discussion.

                                          #2.53 - Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:00 PM EDT
                                          dakaiser11

                                          Even if you saw someone doing all the miracles that they witness Jesus do. It would still be hard to believe he arose from the dead

                                          So you are telling me that the people that knew Jesus the best, those closest to him, didn't think he was God? If a regular guy could do proven miracles in God's name, I would be a fool to be skeptical about anything he did. But even if I was that skeptical, that is only because I impose the restrictions of it being a man, not a god. You are saying that an apostle didn't think Jesus was God. If an apostle didn't think that, why the hell should anyone else?

                                          They are called nonbelievers.

                                          He was one of Jesus's apostles! Apostles are the teachers, god's messengers on earth. This wasn't some disciple of Christ that just thought he was a good rabbi, this was an apostle that did not believe Jesus was God. And did Jesus prove that Jesus was divine to Thomas? no. He just proved that he could resurrect. Did he rebuke Thomas for doubting his resurrection, let alone divinity? no.

                                          You accept on blind faith that which those who personally knew Jesus didn't believe, even according to the book you call the infallible truth.

                                          None of those books even come close.

                                          You are just upset that you can't give a shred of proof that your religion is any better or more valid than any other. And some of those books are way better than the Bible.

                                          The one aspect of most of those books that the Bible excels at is the death tolls attributed to what is inside them. Except maybe the Koran, none of those books have killed as many innocent people as the Bible.

                                          Hell you don;t even see the miracles today.

                                          Because they aren't happening today. Show me the Christian that can regrow other people's amputated limbs and then you can talk of modern miracles.

                                          Faith of a mustard seed should be able to regrow a limb. Are you saying you aren't able to do that? Are you a fake Christian?

                                          With all our knowledge and technology you still can't believe.

                                          Likely because a significant parts of our knowledge and technology directly disprove accounts in the Bible (like the flood).

                                          That would be one thing, but if I saw you come back from the dead would be another.

                                          People can do that trick. It can also occur as a side effect of certain poisonous insects temporarily suspending the body.

                                          According to The History of Torture by Daniel Maddox failed executions have always been common. Science of detecting life signs being non-existent a thousand years ago, many people were released from their executions before actual death set in. Given time to recover, they could "resurrect" and go about their evil ways. This was less common after the creation of the drop gallows, but it still happened. It's not exactly "miraculous"

                                          I on the other hand hear the holy spirit speaking to me.

                                          Is that the reason your responses are so illogical? Is the Holy Spirit incapable of telling you a rational, logical reason why the Bible is a superior religious text instead of just asserting it is?

                                          I have read the scripture and believe them 100%

                                          I have read the scripture and believe 100% that it is an immoral book written by men to control a population.

                                          • 1 vote
                                          #2.54 - Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:32 AM EDT
                                          ndeepnow

                                          John 20:24-29 24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

                                          26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

                                          28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

                                          29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

                                          Jesus is GOD in the flesh. BUT I believe it is easier for me to believe now then it would have been for me being one of the 12. I have a chance to put it all together " His Words / The Bible ". See I get to look at it from a different prospective.

                                          I say anyway you hear / come to allow the lord in your heart is a bonus. This is a special moment / day in ones life. This is not to be made fun off. This is something that everyone should be celebrating.

                                          28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

                                          29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

                                          May the Lord Jesus Christ Bless You and Yours. May all hear the Holy Spirit knocking at your heart and blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

                                            #2.55 - Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:48 AM EDT
                                            dakaiser11

                                            So what are you trying to say? I've read the story, so you quoting it doesn't help your case at all.

                                            Are you trying to say Thomas didn't think God was capable of raising himself from the dead? That's really a stupid assumption since God is all-powerful and immortal, so I take it you believe Thomas doubted Jesus could raise himself from the dead? But that would mean that after years of serving God next to Jesus, teaching along with Jesus, Thomas did not believe Jesus was God and did not believe Jesus could resurrect.

                                            28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

                                            Jesus was their authority, so the title "lord" was the most appropriate and is not suggestive of divinity. His exclamation "My Lord and my God" is not, in context of the Greek language used, him attributing both titles to Jesus, but rather him praising both entities and seeking their forgiveness for his doubting. The Greek for attributing both titles to Jesus would have been through not containing the article between them and generally (but not always) not having the second possessive after "God" (It's after in the Greek, but I'm sure you knew that).

                                            May the Lord Jesus Christ Bless You and Yours. May all hear the Holy Spirit knocking at your heart and blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

                                            May logic and reason come to you and yours. May you cast away the evil mind control shackling your mind and hearts in the guise of religion.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #2.56 - Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:22 AM EDT
                                            ndeepnow

                                            I think Thomas was like COME ON DUDE .. REALLY .. II'LL HAVE TO SEE THAT. LOL

                                            I think you need to reread the greek. http://biblos.com/john/20-28.htm.

                                            Thomas says you are lord of me and GOD of me. Lord meaning ownership and GOD meaning ..In fact I will give you that one.

                                            2316 theós (of unknown origin) – properly, God, the Creator and owner of all things (Jn 1:3; Gen 1 - 3).

                                            [Long before the NT was written, 2316 (theós) referred to the supreme being who owns and sustains all things.]

                                              #2.57 - Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:34 AM EDT
                                              dakaiser11

                                              Huh. Didn't read my post did you. I didn't deny he said the word "yeov/theos". I pointed out the use of the article and the double use of possession. Oddly your version doesn't even address the meaning of the article or it's value in the sentence.

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #2.58 - Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:55 PM EDT
                                              Reply
                                              Hiram-1381633

                                              Christopher is a very intelligent and articulate man, that is a given. However many times such as with Dawkins they loose in my eyes some credibility by saying anyone who believes in God is ignorant, stupid, unintelligent, evil and many other belittling phrases. There is no need for any of that in a civilized debate or discussion. They attempt to cover their despise and hatred for religion and in many cases particularly Christianity with clever attempts at humor. Even the valid points that they make become less important lost in their loathing of anything Christian.

                                              Interesting point about Christopher is that his brother Peter is a Christian. I have not read to this point anything that he has written that questions his brothers intelligence. I have not read where he loathes, despises or hates Atheist.

                                              "Why is there such a fury against religion now? Because religion is the one reliable force that stands in the way of the power of the strong over the weak. The one reliable force that forms the foundation of the concept of the rule of law.

                                              The one reliable force that restrains the hand of the man of power. In an age of powerworship, the Christian religion has become the principal obstacle to the desire of earthly utopians for absolute power.

                                              Peter Hitchens

                                              The one reliable force that restrains the hand of the man of power. In an age of powerworship, the Christian religion has become the principal obstacle to the desire of earthly utopians for absolute power.

                                              • 3 votes
                                              Reply#3 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:08 AM EDT
                                              kaviaq

                                              Because religion is the one reliable force that stands in the way of the power of the strong over the weak.

                                              LMAO Religion IS the power of the strong over the weak. It always HAS been! It is a way to control the gullible but well meaning masses.

                                              • 4 votes
                                              #3.1 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:11 AM EDT
                                              Wheel

                                              they loose in my eyes some credibility by saying anyone who believes in God is ignorant, stupid, unintelligent, evil and many other belittling phrases.

                                              ...and where did they say that again? I've heard lots of people say those things but not the 2 you're attributing this to.

                                              • 3 votes
                                              #3.2 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:19 AM EDT
                                              Hiram-1381633

                                              kaviaq-

                                              Many things have power to control the masses, and every time man discovers that power he will corrupt it. That does not make the doctrines, principles or morals of Christianity wrong man makes them wrong by his own corruptible nature. I am nor are the people I associate with gullible or weak that is a common and often misguide conception of what a Christian is by those who truly do not understand or have a misguided interpretation based on their own bias.

                                              H

                                              • 2 votes
                                              #3.3 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:23 AM EDT
                                              JackOL-1666973

                                              Hiram -

                                              However many times such as with Dawkins they loose in my eyes some credibility by saying anyone who believes in God is ignorant, stupid, unintelligent, evil and many other belittling phrases.

                                              Prove it!

                                              • 3 votes
                                              #3.4 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:23 AM EDT
                                              Reply
                                              Hiram-1381633

                                              Richard Dawkins

                                              The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry.

                                              There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out.

                                              Religious people split into three main groups when faced with science. I shall label them the "know-nothings", the "know-alls", and the "no-contests"

                                              It is almost as if the human brain were specifically designed to misunderstand Darwinism, and to find it hard to believe..

                                              “One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.”

                                              I was reminded of a quotation by the famous American physicist Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist. Weinberg said: "Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it, you'd have good people doing good things, and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion"

                                              The Root of All Evil?, later retitled The God Delusion, is a television documentary written and presented by Richard Dawkins in which he argues that humanity would be better off without religionor belief in God.

                                              Despite the elegant language and the calmness the belittling and insulting tone comes through clearly. Dawkins and Hitchens loathing of anything religious is well documented. There is on the other side those that claim a mantle of Christianity that do the same, neither side is correct either morally or ethically. Both sides lump great numbers of people and paint with broad brushes which in turn stifles cooperation and understanding. The greatest threat to humanity is not religion, nor is it lack of religion, the greatest threat to humanity is intolerance and those that feed it.

                                              H

                                              • 1 vote
                                              Reply#4 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:13 PM EDT
                                              JackOL-1666973

                                              With the exception of the "three main groups" statement, none of the above statements reflect your assertion. He is commenting on his viewpoint regarding religion, not -

                                              saying anyone who believes in God is ignorant, stupid, unintelligent, evil and many other belittling phrases.

                                              1. Blind faith is a rational discourse stopper. One particular Viner comes to mind. It is valid to point that out.
                                              2. Yes, if you are so open minded that anything goes, then it is as if your brain dropped out. Not sure how this relates to religion.
                                              3. OK, that one was a bit insulting, but funny.
                                              4. That is exactly how it seem when discussing the science of evolution to one who is not scientifically inclined but heavily influenced by religion.
                                              5. Good point not stated enough. It is simply enough to accept what we are told by a book or others rather than searching out understanding.
                                              6. Again, referring to religion - not calling people names.
                                              7. I feel the same way about religion.

                                              Again, for the most part, this deals with the topic of religion and he is not calling anyone names. I have to agree with most of his points. Perhaps they doesn't apply to all who believe in religion, but it is fair to say that it can have that effect on many.

                                              You simply have an issue with those who are brutally frank regarding religion. That is a far cry from your earlier assertion.

                                              • 3 votes
                                              #4.1 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:58 PM EDT
                                              ndeepnow

                                              All of you so called educate people have been brain washed by the books you read and teachers who taught you.

                                              You have had a slow indoctrination of falsehoods. Do you understand. It isn't the bible that has brain washed Christians it's your books that have brain washed you.

                                              LOL .. and the propaganda keeps getting worse. Look at what they are teaching our kids today. you have been brain washed.

                                                #4.2 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:40 AM EDT
                                                JackOL-1666973

                                                ndeepnow -

                                                Please reread. Thanks.

                                                The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry.

                                                Religious people split into three main groups when faced with science. I shall label them the "know-nothings", the "know-alls", and the "no-contests"

                                                “One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.”

                                                • 3 votes
                                                #4.3 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:59 AM EDT
                                                Hiram-1381633

                                                Jack-

                                                You are as many do talking semantics. When you insult a religion such as Christianity or Islam and use broad general terms you are insulting the people in that religion.

                                                H

                                                  #4.4 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:24 AM EDT
                                                  ndeepnow

                                                  jack -- I believe we can use those same 3 kinds of people for science and just the world in general.

                                                  You people are brain washed. Not I

                                                    #4.5 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
                                                    JackOL-1666973

                                                    Baloney. Religion is wrong, I believe it and so does Richard Dawkins. How can he get the message across it he doesn't explain the consequences of religion? Anyway, your earlier assertion was refuted since he never called people those names.

                                                    BTW, your assertion is a prime example of one of his statements -

                                                    The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry.

                                                    Notice how one cannot have a rational discussion regarding the problems with religion and religious believers when they make false claims such as -

                                                    by saying anyone who believes in God is ignorant, stupid, unintelligent, evil and many other belittling phrases.

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #4.6 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:05 AM EDT
                                                    JackOL-1666973

                                                    ndeep @ 4.5 -

                                                    Just this once, I'll regress and reply in kind. Sigh.

                                                    I know you are, but what am I?

                                                    • 2 votes
                                                    #4.7 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:12 AM EDT
                                                    ndeepnow

                                                    A sheep being lead to slaughter

                                                      #4.8 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:18 PM EDT
                                                      JackOL-1666973

                                                      I know you are, but what am I?

                                                      • 2 votes
                                                      #4.9 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:49 PM EDT
                                                      JackOL-1666973

                                                      Hiram -

                                                      Proof of Dawkin's correctness. From a post in another article:

                                                      If there is a God ... and this God is omiscient and omnipotent, it is possible that He has a morally sufficient reason for ordering a Genocide even if we don't or can't have the faculties to apprehend such a reason.

                                                      I think the above covers

                                                      • The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry.
                                                      • “One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.”
                                                      • 3 votes
                                                      #4.10 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:17 PM EDT
                                                      ndeepnow

                                                      I'm rubber your glue

                                                        #4.11 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:31 PM EDT
                                                        Reply
                                                        UNA_Lion

                                                        Isn't it amazing the religious believe that not only does the creator of the universe look like a middle aged white man...

                                                        I'm a Christian and believe no such thing, nor do I know of any brothers or sisters in the Faith who do. That said, I've read the posts here replying in arrogant derision to what Christians wrote and have only this to add:

                                                        Matthew 7

                                                        6 "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        Reply#5 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:01 PM EDT
                                                        King Dave

                                                        Isn't it amazing the religious believe that not only does the creator of the universe look like a middle aged white man...

                                                        I'm a Christian and believe no such thing, nor do I know of any brothers or sisters in the Faith who do.

                                                        Genesis 1:26-31

                                                        King James Version (KJV)

                                                        26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

                                                        27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

                                                        I see your point UNA Lion, I don't believe it either.

                                                        That said, I've read the posts here replying in arrogant derision to what Christians wrote and have only this to add:

                                                        Matthew 7

                                                        6 "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

                                                        I see your point again UNA Lion, I don't follow the Bibles advice either!

                                                        • 3 votes
                                                        #5.1 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:06 PM EDT
                                                        Reply
                                                        JackOL-1666973

                                                        A timeless quote from Hitchens -

                                                        “One must state it plainly. Religion comes from the period of human prehistory where nobody – not even the mighty Democritus who concluded that all matter was made from atoms – had the smallest idea what was going on. It comes from the bawling and fearful infancy of our species, and is a babyish attempt to meet our inescapable demand for knowledge (as well as for comfort, reassurance and other infantile needs). Today the least educated of my children knows much more about the natural order than any of the founders of religion . . .”

                                                        • 4 votes
                                                        Reply#6 - Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:31 AM EDT
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