Jay, I am glad you returned safely from the Middle East. I'm afraid that long ago I decided that I could not resolve the crisis there so I'll let your comments speak for themselves.
On another front, I know you were an open, early and ardent support of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in his unsuccessful run for the Republican Presidential nomination. Personally, I believe that one reason he did not get further in that process was because of sheer bigotry against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Now, I believe that this nasty sentiment has reared its head again, this time in Colorado Springs, home to Focus On the Family.
It seems that Focus did an interview with talk show host Glenn Beck before the holiday season of 2008 and had it posted on its website. The interview was primarily about Beck's latest book, The Christmas Sweater. It was up for a while. Then it disappeared. It seems that some evangelicals didn't like Beck's well-known Mormon ties tainting the "purely" Christian Focus homepage. The complaints were predictable: Mormons believe in a "different" god and a "different" Jesus.
Now, don't get me wrong. If I never saw or heard of Glenn Beck again, it would be just fine with me. He is an insufferable character who does a bone-headed show in which his distaste for everybody he doesn't like comes through nightly. (I know, I just insulted him too, but I don't do it every day.) However, his extreme right-wing positions and ignorance mirror what often comes out of Focus itself. They didn't decide he was in error on policy matters; they just got nervous because of his religion. Focus now says that they "merely miscalculated on how best to feature" Beck, not that they were trying to be insulting.
I find this explanation ludicrous and unsupportable. What they "miscalculated" was how hostile their core constituency can get. Let this be a warning to them. Next December, if Ann Coulter comes out with a book called The Christmas Mini-Skirt, they'd better vet the purity of her theology before interviewing her.
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Your Name
You said: Jesus Christ was an actual person that lived and walked this Earth (do the research). How can you compare Him with the concept of magic underwear?
Boris says: I have done the research and there is absolutely not one shred of evidence that Jesus Christ ever existed. I suggest you visit Jesusneverexisted.com to see just exactly what it is Christian apologists consider evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ compared to the real evidence we do have for actual historical figures.
You said: The reason that you can't understand Christ and the Bible is that you do not have "a relationship" with Christ.
Boris says: In other words once I drink the Kool-Aid I’ll believe. No thanks. I have studied the Bible and also Classical Greek so I can read the NT in its original language. I’m Jewish so I read a little Hebrew also.
You said: The only way that one can obtain a relationship with God is to submit to Him.
Boris says: You have to understand that what you are saying that to me is no different than a Muslim telling you to submit to Allah. Now why can’t you submit to Allah? Because you don’t think there IS an Allah. I don’t think your God or Allah exists. So it would be impossible for me to submit to something that I’m quite sure isn’t there. See?
You said: Do you believe in any aspect of the supernatural?
Boris says: Absolutely not. There’s no evidence for anything supernatural. The universe and everything in it including life itself can be explained with very plausible explanations. Even though these explanations are incomplete they have been proved to be at least partially accurate thereby disproving all known explanations rooted in supernatural mysticism.
In response to a posting by Boris, January 16.2009 @ 8:31 p.m.
Your blind devotion to your errant beleifs that recorded history does not reflect that Jesus Christ lived is perhaps a convenientlie that you tell yourself. Had you actually researched this subject matter, with the same fervor you proclaim that HE did not exist, you would find that Josephus, a Jewish historian wrote of Him, (circa 70 A.D. The Complete works of Josephus, 18-3-18)
You would have also learned that within the past 15 years, Archeological findings clearly establish that Pontius Pilot ordered HIS crucifiction! Yet, men choose to remain blind, for their hearts are hardened to the truth. As my Lord said; "Men will not come into the light, for they love the darkness."
It is written, concerning a certain man named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, possibly an elder member of the Sanhedrin Counsel: My Lord and Saviour, Jesus said to him, when he came to my Lord by night, "Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God. You must be born again, of the water and of the Spirit." Is it not written that God is a Spirit, and we must worship HIM in truth and in Spirit." Is it not also written that the Spiritual man discerneth all things concerning God, for they are Spiritually discerned, but the natural man discerneth not the things of God?
You seem to be wagering your eternal soul upon the theory of evolution, how very sad indeed. The theory of evolution has never been supported by one shred of fact to support it, for the nature of man remains unchanged over the past 6,000 years, even though his toys have become more sophisticated and his secular knowlege has greatly increased. Yet, is it not written that in the last days that mans knowlege will be greatly increased? It is also written that the blind will lead the blind and they shall both fall in the ditch. For men thinking themselves wise became fools.
You may beleive as seems right to you, but I assure you, that one day, you will kneel before my holy Lord, Jesus Christ, and profess that HE is the Son of the Living God. For HE is the Messiah foretold of by the prophets and by the Word of God. Harden not your heart against my heavenly Father who desires that no man perish, but that all should receive eternal life through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
In response to: Your Name
January 16, 2009 6:11 PM
"Long ago I read something from ancient records regarding how during the period of 40 days before Christ's ascension (but after his resurrecion) he taught the faithful some sacred concepts that they were to keep sacred--some to be kept very hush, hush about. They were also given under clothing related to their covenants. If someone knows about this and its source please respond--thanks."
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Be not deceived by the doctrine of devils, for these are the teachings of the Book of Mormon, which was plagerized, in part, from the Holy Bible by Joseph Smith and a few of his confederates. If you desire to know the truth, study the Word of God and seek HIM with your whole heart, in humble repentance and sincerety, for HE will in no wise reject you.
In response to: Your Name
January 16, 2009 6:11 PM
"Long ago I read something from ancient records regarding how during the period of 40 days before Christ's ascension (but after his resurrecion) he taught the faithful some sacred concepts that they were to keep sacred--some to be kept very hush, hush about. They were also given under clothing related to their covenants. If someone knows about this and its source please respond--thanks."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Be not deceived by the doctrine of devils, for these are the teachings of the Book of Mormon, which was plagerized, in part, from the Holy Bible by Joseph Smith and a few of his confederates. If you desire to know the truth, study the Word of God and seek HIM with your whole heart, in humble repentance and sincerety, for HE will in no wise reject you.
http://www.discoveringjesusfishing.net
I don't have a problem with Focus taking down the interview. You stated that it had been up there for a while anyway. Considering the difference in values, it was nice for Focus to even post the interview. For a time, the Focus page was open to the exchange of various ideas. This should suffice. Nothing more is required.
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