Hehe, I like your reasoning Bob and it is a real timesafer too.
*Thinks about some misdeeds for the afternoon.*
As stated above, I only posted because I thought I could clarify a misconception someone seemed to have about Biblical Christian theology. Apparently, I struck a nerve with some people. However, I do not think I will have the time to keep up with all the posts that will be further spawned by my most recent rebuttals (just look at how long it took me to come back and see if anyone hade even made a new post to this thread, lol). Besides, it is rather difficult to adequately address such complex matters online, due both to the various shortcomings of the media, and to the seriousness and depth of the topic. That, and I am sure some people would rather see this thread used for its intended purpose, rather than a discourse on theology.
Some of you, though, really do need to think through your rather stereotypical view of religion, Christianity, the Bible, and probably a whole host of other things. I can understand if someone takes a look at Scripture, then walks away and says that they do not believe what it says; I just don't understand why someone becomes so filled with hostility at the notion that someone else has looked at it and does believe it.
We are living in dangerous times indeed when those who hate and oppose "religion" do so with all the same zeal, furvor, hostility, dogmaticism, illogic, incivility, irrationality, intolerance, fascism and extremism that they so condemn in the stereotypical "fundamentalists" which they so despise.
If I have unneccesarily offended anyone, I humbly apologize. I do not plan on returning to this thread again, or else I will be tempted to start posting more off-topic rebuttals. You are now therefore (at least in your own minds) free to assume that I have done so only because I was "losing" the argument. But frankly, I have to deal with enough trolls and flamers in REAL LIFE than to waste my time arguing online with people who don't understand the concepts of polite debate and intellectual honesty -- and let's face it, the internet (heck, the world) is dominated by such people, and you won't get far in life letting them concern you too much.
Anyone sincerely interested in discussing this more can feel free to E or IM me, whether to clarify some point or to try and convince me that I am wrong, etc. Best of luck to the rest of you, and remember: if you want others to respect your right to your opinion, then you also have to have just as much respect as you desire. If you want to be treated civilly, then you need to be at least as civil to those with whom you disagree. Otherwise, you may as well admit that you'd rather line people up against the wall and shoot them rather than try to sincerely convince them to come around to your point of view based upon reasoned argument and their own free choice....