jaybird18c

So it's only critical thinking if the results they come up with match up with yours. Got it.

What do youmean by indoctrination?

You don't teach your kids your beliefs and right from wrong and why? How loving is that?

It's not up to my kid's school, me, or anyone else but God to establish faith and belief in my children. It is my job, in which the school is a partner, to present them with what we believe to be true and to culture an environment to that end. However, they could in fact decide for themselves to reject the faith. I hope not and i think it's much less likely given that they've been brought up with the benefits of being part of a covenant family...but it is possible.

Figures. Teach them to recognise the enemy and they'll know how to avoid them. Would you not be open for Ken Ham or even Ben Stein to lecture at your kid's school (if you have kids)? Or do you "teach them to recognize the enemy?" Wouldn't it be good for them to really know both sides of the issues and have the critical thinking skills to decide for themselves which is correct?

General Rashid Dostom and his army in the North could unilaterally kick Karsai's a$$. Karsai might control Kabul...but not much more...not really.

I would love for Richard Dawkins to come to my kid's private Christian school. Within their classical model of instruction, they're taught logic and critical thinking skills. Some of our kids could put on a clinic with Richard in a debate.

If this country were primarily comprised of Indians with their culture, I would expect for those traditions to shine through including student led Hindu prayer at school. That would not be an "establishment of religion" and I would still be able to worship or not per the Constitution.

If I were in India, I would expect that. Doesn't mean I have to participate. It certainly wouldn't offend me. Most people there are Hindu. Here, the majority are Christian. It doesn't offend my individual disbelief if I am with them in a group as they pray at an event. It is in their culture. I still have my freedom to worship how I choose or not. I think this is much to do over nothing. Added: I was in Afghanistan and attended a funeral service for a friend (Afghan, Muslim) who was murdered because he worked for us. Muslim group prayer was offered. I payed my respects to him in my own way and also remained respectful to the Muslim majority. No problem.

This is such an absolutely ridiculous conversation. I can't figure out for the life of me why the atheist cares at all about this (because he doesn't believe any of it) except for the fact that I believe deep down each one of them, in their suppression of the truth in unrighteousness, hates Jesus Christ (even if they deny it).

Using the term in the sense of adhering to biblical doctrine. Not in the sense of describing a particular church. The term is still used correctly in the context in which I used it.

This is lengthy but extremely informative concerning the Roman Catholic belief system and its radical differences with orthodox Christianity. Worth the read. It's a transcript from a lecture on the topic by Dr. John MacArthur. You can also listen to the. .mp3 on his website. It illustrates just how heretical their system has really become. http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-291_The-Pope-and-the-Papacy?q=pope+and+papacy]The Pope and the Papacy

Grow up.....drink Coke!

One of my favorite sections of scripture:

The Mayflower Compact was covanantal in nature (a biblical concept). Sure, this country was also settled (maybe even primarily out of business motives) however, it's hard to deny the heavily religious influence. Our founding fathers certainly did not intend a theocracy, but religion was always integrated in government. That's not to say an establishment of religion but definitely not elimination of it from government. That would be a very revisionist view of history indeed.

Well...it's a new day.....you can resume flag burning and criticizing those who protect you.

I have to respectively disagree with this also. Nothing personal brother. We, in no way, can claim to be gods, equal woth God, even through faith in Christ. We, as believers, are "seen" as righteous because of wbat Jesus did in our place...but nothing more. That doesn't mean that we are righteous in and of ourselves, it does not buy us equality, and it certainly doesn't make us "little gods" in any way, shape, or fashion. I think you were trying to find common ground with him using semantics but it's wrong. The transaction that took place has to do with justification. Our justification changes how we're seen before God but nothing more.

I agree. Good point! But many people do create "g"ods in their own images.

OR...YOU COULD JUST SAY THANK YOU.

I provided a link to the source. No, I did not come up with the addition, subtraction, multiplication, division analogy. Clete Hux from the Apologetics Resource Center (ARC) in Birmingham, AL did. I've heard him in person before. He is extremely good on the topic. The link (I provided) points to a conversation between Clete and Dr. Harry Reeder (Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL).

Signs of a Cult (who claim to be Christian but depart from essentials of Christianity) 1. Addition - Add to Bible as their authoritative source; extrabiblical authority (e.g. Book of Mormon) 2. Subtraction - Take away from the person of Jesus Christ; deny His divinity; make Him into "just a man" or angel; just a good "teacher of morality" 3. Multiplication - Multiplying requirements for salvation; works and not "faith alone" 4. Division - Drive divisive wedge between loyalty to God's word and loyalty to what the leader says; loyalty to the Church of believers in Christ versus loyalty to the leader's "earthly family." In any case, the attack from non-believers and cults usually begins with the attack on the authenticity, authoritative nature, and sufficiency of scripture....it then is directed squarely at denying the divinity of Jesus Christ and the nature of His saving work on the cross. Below is an excellent discussion on the topic: "Cults, Occult, Religion, Christ" - Apologetics Resource Center (ARC), Birmingham, AL

"De Oppresso Liber"

It means that only the Lord determines the standard of righteousness...not you...or me. It anyone is going to be saved, it will be worked out by Him alone. Then you are radically out of line with what the scriptures say concerning the doctrine of man and salvation and are very much in the realm of non-Christian cult thinking. The first three chapters of Romans does nothing but establish the total depravity of man and his need for salvation. (Particularly Romans 3:23-26). I have no idea how any professing Christian can just read the Bible and not at least grasp the theme from Genesis to Revelation. I can understand a non-Christian not believing it...but even he/she can usually read what it says.

Exactly right Max!

Salvation belongs to the Lord. (Psalm 3:8)