steveorino

Well, I think it is more than consciousness. I think it is the essence of who we really are. steveOrino

He said: "Im sure we all agree that in a debate between atheist and Christians that soul refers to some form of the mind that survives physcial death" Maybe it is semantics, but I would not equate it with the mind or brain activity. steveOrino

No, we don't all agree, as usual. From my theological viewpoint the soul is everlasting. It is the essence of who we really are. steveOrino

That's what I was going to say. If the Bible cannot be read without interpretations, the benefit of studying the Bible is the same that studying the text consist of random words. But if you read the Bible without interpretation, it is very contradicting, so cannot be studyed for anything useful either. You must read some awful boring stuff. I mean imagine literature without metaphors, similis, hyperboles, idioms and figures of speech. What a boring world you must live in. steveOrino

Yes, Moses had a death curse on those who dishonored their parents, but JC changed the common interpretations of Moses many times. Almost the entire 5th Chapter of Matthew is the beautitudes. Almost every paragraph begins with, "You have heard it said .... Then he follows with "But I say to you" He is quoting Moses from the OT, and correcting the understanding. The Beatitudes 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Salt and Light 13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. The Fulfillment of the Law 17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny 27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 31"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'[f] 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. 33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. 38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. steveOrino

Maybe. Of course I venture downtown Tulsa about 1-2 times a year now that my wife's job moved a mile south. steveOrino

you may be right. steveOrino

Back in 1978 I went to SF SCUBA school. I had 8 fillings put in a few days before. They told to not dive the next week. I figured that would not be a problem as the first week of UWO course is calssroom and pool. However, on Sunday, my second day there, they put us in a hyperberic chamber and took us down to 130 feet. On the ascent I thought my jaw was going to explode! It was sharp and painful! Later one of the fillings fell out. Never again! I'd heed that warning! steveOrino

Here's the rub. I'd prefer my wife to not pick up anyone. So I do not blame women for passing me by, but most men? Come on! What wussies! steveOrino

yes, but what does your looks have to do with me getting a ride? steveOrino

Then don't believe dude ... sounds pretty simple to me. steveOrino

u r sick man steveOrino

I tried smiling. But of course in the summer my skin is very dark brown. I see your point. steveOrino

That's dangerous stick to skydiving Ever been a foot? I had two flats coming home on my son's pickup this Summer and I dropped it off at a nearby Tire store. I walked the 4 miles home in 108 degree weather down a main street in Tulsa. Not one person picked me up. What a bunch of weenies! Christian town ... yeah, right. They must have never read the story of the Good Samritan. steveOrino

From JC himself ... "whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven" Matthew 10:33 steveOrino

What empiracle evidence do you have for love? steveOrino

Ephesians 2:8,9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." When one is "saved," (or made whole) he has been spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God. Many Christians believe that trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is what it means to be "born again" spiritually. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation..." (2 Corinthians 5:17a). steveOrino

You're looking for something that does not exist. Empiracle evidence for a soul. Define deny steveOrino

I apologize if it sounded as bragging. That was not my intent. I was trying to show I'm a self-sufficient guy who doesn't need a "self help" book as you described the Bible. I think it is impossible to be spiritually whole without JC You hear Christians talk of being "saved" Many equate that to being saved from Hell. The actual Greek word (soza) means "made whole" I think being a follower of Christ completes me. steveOrino

If I could have done it myself I would have. steveOrino

I've never been that down and out, but I've been dead broke before. I usually don't wait until they beg. If I see a homeless guy, I give him a few bucks. I also give hitchhikers rides too. steveOrino

If I could have done it myself I would have. I'm pretty self-sufficient guy. I made it through Special Forces Q course, put myself through college and two Masters programs while working and raising a family, taught myself how to cartoon and illustrate on a national level, taught myself web designing, yada, yada, yada ... steveOrino

Bingo! I was growing weary of videos, and thought of birdman but before I could demo a suit I took a tandem instructor course. I love taking tandems. Yes, you only have 98 jumps so I realize many options are not available, but as Spence says, it is what you make it. The last thing it should be is an obligation. steveOrino

I seldom turn away a hand out when I'm downtown. What they do with the few bucks I give is there business. I give a hell of lot more money to the government and they waste it on stuff far worse than cigarettes. steveOrino