beowulf

I don't follow this, Steve. Are you saying that theology is not a science and therefore is not subject to the requirements of science? I mean, isn't this a given? Since theology has to do with the reality of the supernatural (God), not the natural? "reality of the supernatural(God)" ? Good luck with that oxymoron.

Apparently your reading comprehension is lacking. You totally missed his point.

Why not? guess that depends on your friends. I don't really care for sloppy seconds.

I personally think you are better off just saying that you believe in the Bible and you need no more evidence of God then that and your faith. All this arguing is really just a waste of time and really only serves one purpose, to understand what the other person thinks. At least that is my opinion.

Check the definition of faith. If there is evidence then there is no need for faith.

You're right. I accept it as a miracle by faith. Faith requires a lack of evidence.

I don't think anyone questions that something happened to your son that was out of the normal. I just don't understand why you think it was God that saved your son. Just because you can't explain it doesn't mean that it was God.

Your 'evidence' is speculation. Your definition of evidence is way too loose to be considered as actual evidence. If there were actual evidence I wouldn't be arguing with you. On another note if there were actual evidence to support any god not just the Christian God then there would not be any need for faith.

You quoted the Bible. That does not qualify as evidence.

An 'I don't know' is better then God did it. It's better to say you don't know then to give credit to an invisible entity that there is no evidence of.

Yes, the US or the UK would not be anxious to escalate the tensions between them and Iran just for a few sailors. While Iran seems to to out of their way to do so.

Even if they were in Iranian waters (which is not clear) was it really necessary to take them into custody? A show of force from the Iranians and a request that they move into international waters would have been more appropriate.

I have. Of course people on SC said it wasn't a miracle even though they could offer no reasonable explanation. Is everything with out a reasonable explanation a miracle of God?

After she has slept with your friend are you sure you would still want to sleep with her??

The USPA doesn't have near as much influence as you seem to think. There are DZ's that are not USPA members. So not being a USPA member does not mean the DZ would go bankrupt.

Even if the USPA requred 180 days no one would follow it. If they required 60 days no one would follow that either.

I believe hell is separation from God. I believe the images of darkness and fire along with pain indicate the absence of good, the regret one has for rejecting God and his efforts to "save" you. JC teaches there is a separation. To the exent of what heaven and hell will be like exactly I would not say with certainty. Too many of our ideas of heaven and hell come from extrabiblical sources. A few things I'm more certain of ... Heaven will be in the presence of God. It will not be all white and I won't be playing a harp. I think it is interesting all differences from Christian to Christian. It seems as though each person has their own religion. And then there are cults or borderline cults that have very specific beliefs. Jehovah's Witnesses are very specific in what they believe. I think they qualify as a cult.

The FAA is the only one with teeth. All the USPA can do is revoke their membership. Not much of punishment. The USPA pretty much is required to follow the FAA requirments. They can't recommend 180 days whent he FAA requires 120 days.

I have seen dropzones ignore the 120 day rule for certain people. unfortunately I can't remember the names anymore.

So do you believe that all religions are just different paths to the same place? Are Muslims equally correct as Christians? I'm sorry I thought my phrase was self-explanatory ... obviously not to all. While I believe ALL people are equal in the sight of God, and I venture to not judge any person based on their race, ethnicity, or religous persuasion, I believe in the exclusive teachings of Christ. So you believe that all people who don't believe in Jesus Christ will not go to heaven? I know you don't believe in the firery hell that so many do, but what do you think will happen to you when you die? Are you going to heaven and what do you think heaven is?

You seems to have the USPA confused with the FAA. W/o looking it up, doesn't the USPA require gear be repacked every 120? Even if so in a backdoor fashion by way of requiring gear be maintained. The USPA does regulate, don't make me break out the book. Are you referring to reserve repacks? That is mandated by the FAA not USPA. Riggers are certified by the FAA and issued seal numbers. Does the USPA require that your gear be mantained as per the FAA? I'm thinking, yes, and I don't feel like loking it up, so someone pipe in! Why is it that she you go to a new DZ or your own DZ will do reserve checks? I'm thinking teh USPA also regulates this or enforces teh FAA regulation - same thing. They may require the same things that the FAA requires but they don't enforce it and can't change it. The USPA couldn't change that 120 day requirement to 180 days if they wanted to. They can only lobby the FAA to make that change.

I've been intelectually honest in my studies. I believe I have been thourough and open minded. I have purposedly sought out ideas (universities) from many different backgrounds. To say I'm 100% right would be rather arrogant. I believe I have been honest in my study and I continue to learn. At times, my ideas and insights have changed, sometimes dramtically, at other times I simply tweaked an idea with further insight. I believe in an equality of people and a exclusivity of ideas. Sadly, what I see more of is a demand for equality of ideas and exclusivity of people. So do you believe that all religions are just different paths to the same place? Are Muslims equally correct as Christians?

You seems to have the USPA confused with the FAA. W/o looking it up, doesn't the USPA require gear be repacked every 120? Even if so in a backdoor fashion by way of requiring gear be maintained. The USPA does regulate, don't make me break out the book. Are you referring to reserve repacks? That is mandated by the FAA not USPA. Riggers are certified by the FAA and issued seal numbers.

No debating you here. There are others who feel they have the path and no one else. They are either telling the truth or deceived. Good theological study reveals the latter. One thing I have discovered in my years of studying theology, the more narrow minded the interpretation of scripture, the less scholastic principles of theology are applied. So you have expanded your interpretation of the Bible so that it isn't so narrow. How do you know you are right? How do you know your interpretation is correct? Do you think that all non Christians wrong and are going to suffer for not being Christians?

I'd say you are wrong. If the indiginous people of wherever had never heard of Christ or had access to scripture, how in hell could they ever get to him? In order for someone to come to a particular religion, they need to be taught or they will remain ignorant of that religion. I said w/o scriptures, not w/o evangels. The first Christians did not have a bible (as we know it now) for 100s of years. The message was brought by the Apostles and other disciples. Letters of Paul, Peter, James John, and other writers were circulated, but not available to everyone. The message was word of mouth. For the most part that is how it is today. While most homes in the USA may have a bible the majority of the people who became a Christian did so through the preaching or teaching of someone else. (info from Barnha Research) It really amazes me the imaginary world religous people build up around themselves. All the things you must do and believe to achieve this unseen prize that is only received once you are dead. There is nothing to support this but one book and intangible feelings. How is your faith any better then the faith that other religions have? Are the Muslims wrong you are right? Are the Hindus wrong and you are right? You seem to believe that all Christians are on the right path and their difference are just minor quibbles over minutae. I can tell you right now you are in the minority on that one. I know for a fact that Jehovah's Witness think that they are right and everyone else is wrong. That includes all other Christians. They consider all other religions to be "false religions".