It's how Jesus describes part of Hell.
Matthew 8:12
"But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Carl Sagan on the Existence of God
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It's how Jesus describes part of Hell.
Matthew 8:12
"But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
And, do you think THAT was a metaphor? Especially when you consider exactly how the books/stories were passed-down for decades and decades. And, then from Aramaic to Greek, to Latin, to every other language, not to mention the particulars of the different times that they were then written-out, longhand, and rewritten, and then written again, and again, and again. You don't see it as a possibility that "outer darkness... weeping and gnashing of teeth" is a metaphor?
I'm at leased pleased that you haven't been mentioning the fire-pit option like Dante or Milton.
I should back up and say I wasn’t clear on my response. Of course Jesus taught how to live with others and to treat them as you want to be treated . That would definitely fall into social issues. So apologize for my response. That wasn’t what I was trying to say. While he did teach people the right way to live his main preaching work was the Kingdom of God.
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anon_p5xhdxl4apz5n
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You're asking the wrong guy. Ask the guy who believes the Saints have been there. It's the Louisiana Superdome!
Well we view it as a real theocratic government. Think about Jesus model prayer . He prayed of course for Gods name to be sanctified, and Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven .
Daniel 2:44 describes God setting up a kingdom:
In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever.
you notice it says the kingdom will crush and put an end to all other kingdoms or governments ? So it must be a literal government .
The king of gods kingdom?
Psalms 45:6,7-
God is your throne forever and ever; The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness. 7 You loved righteousness, and you hated wickedness. That is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your companions.
This was Christ . After proving faithful to death God resurrected him to heaven to wait to be enthroned as His anointed King.
That government with Christ as King will soon execute Gods judgements on the governments of the earth , who have failed to acknowledge Christ as gods chosen king
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anon_p5xhdxl4apz5n
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Kingdom of Heaven will be liturgical, and a massive supernatural land with physical properties, theorized that our own souls, also being a supernatural land without physical properties, could be a part of the larger Kingdom of Heaven, which will be animated by the Glorified Christ if we enter those gates, and it will be journeys to for example the Liturgical Festival of Christ the King, and the place will be truly full of life, if you can imagine it from inside the Mystical Body it is possible, and no matter your creativity or imaginations limits, it will exceed it, and after the festivals the Glorified Body will be scattered like breathing in, breathing out, only to eventually be drawn back in for the next liturgical festival, which could be The Humble Lady from Nazareth, Queen of Heaven. Anyway thats the best I can come up with to explain the Kingdom.
Jesus taught how to treat others...specifically the most disadvantaged.
Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then the people who have God’s approval will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “The king will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.’
Nothing there BUT social issues.
Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Do you really believe Jesus would be saying this to the wicked Pharisees? They certainly were not worthy of the kingdom of God.
In what way was God’s Kingdom ‘in the midst’ of those to whom Jesus preached?Trusting in Jehovah’s power to protect him and grant him success, Jesus entered his public ministry, announcing to Jehovah’s covenant people that “the appointed time has been fulfilled,” resulting in the approach of the Kingdom of God. (Mr 1:14, 15) In determining in what sense the Kingdom was “near,” his words to certain Pharisees may be noted, namely, that “the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Lu 17:21) Commenting on this text, The Interpreter’sDictionary of the Bible observes: “Although frequently cited as an example of Jesus’ ‘mysticism’ or ‘inwardness,’ this interpretation rests chiefly upon the old translation, ‘within you,’ [KJ, Dy] understood in the unfortunate modern sense of ‘you’ as singular; the ‘you’ ([hy·monʹ]) is plural (Jesus is addressing the Pharisees—vs. 20) . . . The theory that the kingdom of God is an inner state of mind, or of personal salvation, runs counter to the context of this verse, and also to the whole NT presentation of the idea.” (Edited by G. A. Buttrick, 1962, Vol. 2, p. 883) Since “kingdom [ba·si·leiʹa]” can refer to the “royal dignity,” it is evident that Jesus meant that he, God’s royal representative, the one anointed by God for the kingship, was in their midst. Not only was he present in this capacity but he also had authority to perform works manifesting God’s kingly power and to prepare candidates for positions within his coming Kingdom rule. Hence the ‘nearness’ of the Kingdom; it was a time of tremendous opportunity.
But wait. There's no mention of stoning gays, or banning abortion, or of rejecting public programs to help the sick or poor. No mention of prayer in schools, or of teaching that America was founded as a Christian nation. Not one single mention of tax cuts for the rich. And no mention of being exempted from society's laws if you think they conflict with your religious values.
I would be shocked if Jesus was in favor of abortion given his other messages like protecting children.
He would share the same viewpoint as his Father :
Psalms 139:16-Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.
pretty clear God considers an embryo to be life . This should end the debate if you agree w that scripture
Here's a long article but a good one, IMO.
Yes, literally, the kingdom of god is within you, among you, and in your midst, even for the Pharisees. Here you go. Notice Jesus distinguishes between the physical world and the spiritual, the kingdom of God, the place where God resides, timeless and not following physical rules, is within everyone but will remain unseen unless born again, from darkness into the light.
John 3:1-7 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:12, "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"
Here's a long article but a good one, IMO.
I follow scholars, not apologists.
Does a Philosophy Professor at Georgetown University, 10 book author and President of Gonzaga University count as a scholar? 🙂
Priest defends pro-life movement with secular philosophy
Author and philosopher Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., released a new book that defends the pro-life stance with secular principles and argues for a fresh approach to the abortion debate.
www.google.com
Does a Philosophy Professor at Georgetown University, 10 book author and President of Gonzaga University count as a scholar? 🙂
Priest defends pro-life movement with secular philosophy
Author and philosopher Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., released a new book that defends the pro-life stance with secular principles and argues for a fresh approach to the abortion debate.
I assumed you were arguing the factual authorship of Psalms. I didn’t realize you changed the subject.
Yes the kingdom was “in their midst “ in the sense that the Pharisees were in the presence of the chosen King of that Kingdom. Do you really believe Jesus would tell the wicked Pharisees that the kingdom of God was within those wicked men?
I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make?
Daniel 2:44 makes it clear this kingdom would crush all other earthly governments. Thus it would have to a real government. Not a condition within ones self…
Yes I already answered your question on Pharisees, and even included additional verses with Pharisees. The kingdom of God exists whether the person exists or not but it’s still in each person. Think of it as an internal spiritual portal, so each person has a connection to the kingdom of God in varying degrees. Jesus had a more direct connection. I believe people are connected by a collective unconsciousness , loosely based on the work of psychiatrist Carl Jung, and are connected in ways not understood, and this is the realm God resides. Carl Jung alluded to “hints” everywhere, hinting at real but unexplained connections between people. Incidentally, Carl Jung when asked if God exists said “I know, I don’t need to believe”. He is one of the most influential psychiatrists of the 20th century.
Why can't God be in "wicked" men? If God ISN'T in wicked men, too, then God isn't anywhere at all, literally and figuratively... and, you're in a helluva lot of trouble, then!
That you would be shocked - if, in fact, you would be - isn't even slightly proof.
Nor am I claiming that Jesus favored abortion. I'm just saying that opposing it wasn't part of his playbook.
I know, you are reasoning from the evidence you have, and that's good. But to make that leap, you also have to conclude that Jesus would have seen a fetus as a child. I don't know when that viewpoint gained ascendancy in your circles, but I think that's been a fairly recent bit of mental gymnastics in our culture. I have no idea how people viewed that in Jesus's times.
And, you could even start to venture into all kinds of health-care-related aspects. Pre-natal care is medical. Abortions are a medical procedure. You've heard of the Christian Scientists- the ones who don't get treatment for infirmities from... DOCTORS! Imagine the oceans of medical advancements that Jesus of Nazareth had no understanding of, nor even could. He just "healed" people... people who WANTED to be healed.
Some people, especially churches and church institutions, NEED to have a God that is conditional. That way they can leverage their influence. If God were unconditional, then no one would ever need the church cults.
On the other hand, people like you call yourself "god" and make up your own morality, because you don't want to obey any authority but yourself.
You worship yourself since you reject God. This has the added benefit of being your own authority on every issue.
You're like your own mini god. The problem is that's the worst god in the universe. 🙂
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The reason I believe that is because Jesus's message was about loving your neighbor as yourself and protecting the poor and vulnerable.
He also said not to murder and abortion clearly is killing of an innocent.
It's hard for me to see how this would include Him supporting 125,000 abortions per day in the world.
I already posted this article but it's a good read with some evidence from a Christian perspective.
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I don't "call myself God." I know that I am a PART OF GOD. And, people have been making up their own morality since this entire thing started. Even the church! Yes, your precious church is always changing its morality based on circumstances, as they change and evolve.
I don't "worship" anything. Why would anything that is perfectly divine need to be worshiped?
Sounds like an insecure human being, to me. Whatever created the universe is obviously above such a petty, humanistic contrivance.
And, again, regarding authority? I hate to break it to you, but EVERY PERSON is their own authority. Everything that every person does, or doesn't do, is based on THEIR OWN AUTHORITY. They can be influenced, obviously. But, they choose whether or not to adhere to those influences.
You people and your multiple gods. I guess when you have saints for every possible... thing... then, you also have multiple Gods that are better or worse than the others.
And, I love how you use these blatantly-biased sources for your "proof." Hey! The Catholic Church is always right, and here's a link from the Catholic Church to prove that!
I’ve been curious about something? Since you don’t believe in a creator or in God what do you think the purpose of life is? What happens to you when you die? Are you just a blind chance life form ? What exactly do you live for ? When you look at the complexity of life and the systems in place that support this planet and life itself , you find all that came about by blind chance? I’m asking a very serious question.
Apparently, you haven't really been comprehending, or retaining what I have been writing and sharing.
This is sort of long, but I will try to make it concise and as short as possible.
Just to be clear, and maybe a good place to refresh your memory; I DO BELIEVE that there is a "Creator", or an origin, or a source, for the universe and creation that we have always, and continue to understand, realize and experience. I know there is more than I can explain and verbalize. I know there's more than ANYONE can verbalize. There's always MORE to know and understand. It's ALWAYS changing.
Now, my perception/interpretation/understanding of "God" is not limited to this... male-gendered He... that many western religious mythologies hinge their beliefs on, who appeared somehow and cobbled the universe out of... something... like Geppetto cobbled Pinocchio. When I say "mythology", I mean that it cannot be universally and objectively PROVEN. But, regardless, the notion that God is a patriarch/male who is confined to all of these completely humanistic emotional traits (needing to be worshiped, condemning and rewarding based on an ever-changing set of rules that humans endlessly attribute to HIS preferences), seems so... SUB-divine! It's LESS THAN what God is, in my opinion.
These religions- especially the Abrahamic religions most of us are familiar with- are all fine and good. If people are able to become comforted by them, or find solace and guidance, that's great. I actually find solace, guidance and wisdom from The Bible! I always have and always will! But, I have evolved beyond JUST THE BIBLE. The Bible is just one of an ocean of many understandings of God. It just makes sense to me that the "Creator" has created EVERYTHING. God is the Great White Buffalo Calf Woman of the Great Plains, and Krishna, and Buddha, and Mohamed, and Jesus, and every other "version" and more! It MUST be! And, God is much much more! God is ALL of life and if God "needs" anything, it's for all of life (all living things) to make choices, make decisions, have instincts and impulses, act-out, and correct what doesn't work and keep what does work... until it no longer works anymore. And, the whole Creation is in a perpetual state of realization of what it was, what it is, and what it can be. It's not even a need, it's an inevitability.
Humans believe themselves to be sentient, and somehow superior to other forms of life. But... they aren't. They're just unique from other things. But, humans are made up of the same "stuff" as all living things. Maybe we're more "self aware", but that doesn't mean we're superior. For all we know, other forms of life are secretly laughing at us because they've come to realize a unity and balance with the universe that we only dream about.
God- and God is just a term for "Life", to me- observes and experiences itself through all of the forms of life it has created. It's not COMPLETELY SEPARATE from it. But, it s separate enought o allow the other forms to "do their own thing" and see what happens. Your human parents helped create the thing you know to be "you." But, they're still a part of you. I believe that, just as we are comprised of billions of cells that exist within us- living their own lives- and we experience ourselves through all of them together... God is comprised of all of us, and all the universe of living things, and is experiencing itself all the time. It's SO MUCH MORE than these trivial religions and belief systems that humans have convinced themselves are the only places where "God" exists. God is ALL OF IT. God is all that is, all that isn't, and everything in between. "I am that I am" makes total sense! "I am the Alpha AND the Omega" makes total sense. God is the hot and the cold, up and down, sweet and sour, strong and weak, "good" and "bad." All of these polarities that exist are all a part of God. We cannot know "small" until we know "large." We cannot truly know "pain" unless we know "pleasure." And, I have come to realize that I have a choice about how I respond to anything-- Free Will. And, I am made "in the image of God" because I can CREATE, just as God creates. And, I believe that people like Jesus were very much aware of what exactly EVERYTHING is and they tried to convey it as best they could.
Your beliefs are based ENTIRELY on the CHURCH'S interpretation who and what IT thinks Jesus was. Your constant use of the Catholic Church as your source material proves that.
And, mine are definitely something else entirely. Thank you!
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