Massage:

There are many things we take as fact based solely on the words of others. Were you there when the Magna Carter was crafted, the Declaration of Independence was crafted & signed, when Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean, when Edison or Bell created they're respective inventions? Yes, we have documents & such but how do you really know who was responsible? Whether the airliner you're flying in was properly serviced, inspected, fueled & the baggage doors properly secured before take-off? No? Well, you took someone else's word for it.

As for the comment that you "know" of those who purposely died for a lie, I would like to see an example. No rational person would do such a thing.

The unfortunate problem is that so many point to the Roman Catholic church as the example of most what most think about how all Christian churches & their members act. Many have been severely damaged by the misguided teachings & beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. I'm not pointing my finger at the members, I'm calling out the leadership, the organization. George Carlin & Phil Marr are just 2 of the many examples of those raised in the Roman Catholic church, that had such bad experiences, that they became some of it's most vehemently vocal opponents. It's such hot button issue that few are willing to address it.

As for reaching out to God for my salvation out of fear for my soul? I did so because of His son's love & sacrifice for me. The word "fear" as used in the bible has often misunderstood & misapplied. A more proper word would be respect or awe. The real fear comes into play when someone is faced with their own ending & realizes they nothing to fall back on. Who's going to be there to catch them when they transition into the next life? My fear is for your soul & I wonder just who or what caused the damage in your life?

Knowing that you don't want to hear this, I will be praying for you. As long as you have breath in your body, there's still hope that you would have a close encounter of the God kind. It's happened before to others who felt more strongly than you.

What is this? A pamphlet in How To Defend Christianity? Do you think you are making a new and worthwhile point with all of this obviousness?

But then, you favor the all-or-nothing approach, right? Does the fact that we place trust in some peoples words makes all such taking-peoples-word equal?



Quote me. And would you please read my words if you are going to respond to them?



Hey, common ground!



... is brilliant!



Why are you talking about yourself, here? Usually when people say "as for" in this way, the words that follow are usually intended as a characterization of what the other person said....and I did not suggest that you reached for salvation out of fear. I was responding to your question "are you willing to wager your soul?".

Anyone (not you) who would answer 'no' to that question - who would otherwise be a non-believer, but who 'decides' to accept Jesus out of fear for their souls strikes me as a bit dishonest and cowardly.



This may be true, but is not related to anything I've said. I'm saying the 'willingness to wager' line of thought is a fear-based line of thought.



On what do you base your speculation that I've had damage in my life? My rejection of your religion?




There you go with your conclusion jumping again. Usually I'm indifferent, or glad in the knowledge that other-people-having-good-intentions can be good for the quality of other peoples minds and hearts.



Ah, but were they as predisposed to thoroughly examine their belief-forming thought processes?

and I want to know,, what is the big deal about aknowledging that men and women ARE different,,,sooo, stands to reason, sex with two women is going to be a different creature than sex with two men

(the latter being much more risky because of the orifice involved)

The bible says quite a bit about sodomy... but what about scissory? ;)

exactly, I always considered that more of a prolonged foreplay or lustful act than actual sex,,,but everyone is different

Hehehe, i was mainly just going for the laugh factor. It's all pollywash to me :)

Thank you for the considered response. I don't know if you read many of my other posts but I restated this later to more clearly express the question. Its not a question to me of whether the Bible says one is wrong while not saying so for the other. There are passages within the Bible (only one was pointed out here) that a reasonable person could certainly assume that both were considered wrong. The question is of treatment or to what degree it is addressed. The Bible very clearly and very frequently speaks of male homosexuality. But, for any answer I've received here or anywhere else (including some clergy who were much more agreeable than some of the people here), there is very little mention of female homosexuality and what is there is not nearly as clearly identified. Again, I'm not asking about is either right or wrong but looking into the difference in attention and handling.

I'm still curious.

Paul says that Jesus struck him blind and addresses him, calls him to be the one to take the message, etc etc.

Do we have anything else to go on, besides Paul's claim? Did anyone else 'share' in this vision, and take dictation?