Washington, D.C., local JoEllen Murphy has received a steady stream of media exposure for her Biblical message to counter the controversial "Why believe in a god?" ads seen on metro-area busses.
On Monday, December 15, D.C.-area Metro busses will sport a pro-God advertisement that is a direct response to a $40,000 atheistic ad campaign sponsored by the American Humanist Association. Those ads read, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake."
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I find...
December 12, 2008 - 10:59 ET by AJBThose who worship their sex parts and the 'if it feels good' mentality are missing most of the joys of life. So, why worship God? When you realize you are not the center of the universe, the whole purpose and meaning of life changes. It becomes about serving others and not yourself. What kind of world would it be if we all did that?
The entirety of the gay
December 12, 2008 - 11:27 ET by MrSnugglesThe entirety of the gay movement is about genital worship and the "me me me" mentality. We would be much better off if those people got some perspective and realized they are not alone in this universe.
2000 years ago Paul
December 12, 2008 - 11:27 ET by mattm2000 years ago Paul described this generation:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." - Romans 1:18-25
And if you go a little bit further you get to the meat
December 12, 2008 - 11:33 ET by Jaykeof most of our problems today ...
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created
things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and
were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts
with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their
perversion.
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God,
he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Mild surprise
December 12, 2008 - 11:33 ET by knmbarkerI find it fascinating (a little Spock lingo there) that the coverage is even there. What I find even more interesting is the "discomfort" some feel when talking about God. I wonder why.....
I wonder....
December 12, 2008 - 11:36 ET by Prester John....when the first lawsuit claiming the "pro-God" signs are either a) hate speech b) violation of church and state since Metro receives federal/local funds or c) both a and b, will be filed?
No doubt the ACLU is hard at work.
Nativity as "hate speech"
December 12, 2008 - 12:48 ET by moderncommentaries83Some atheist already said the Nativity is "hate speech" (I kid you not), so that wouldn't surprise me.
I think this is the appropriate response to the human toothaches who clearly have limited, fleeting joy in their lives. Beat back discourse with discourse. I mean, while I think the atheist signs (including the one by the Nativity) are stupid and born out of biogtry of Christianity, they're attacking a newborn child, a sight that still warms the heart of a majority of Americans. Thinking people are going to look at the "Nativity is hate speech!" argument, scratch their heads and say, "This isn't hateful."
Christ promised that the hell itself would rally against the gates of the Church, but that the Church would never be defeated...no matter what.
My hope, my comfort, my joy, and my strength are in the Lord and Christ. Without them I am nothing, with them nothing is impossible...
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
I am not much for quoting the bible--
December 12, 2008 - 11:56 ET by misterbillI am not much for quoting the bible-- but I am a believer--always was, always will be. I am really getting fed up with a small portion of our population denigrating the majority of us and filling our children's minds with confusion with their anti-God messages.
I hope I do not offend anyone here, but quoting the bible will not win our cause, it is like trying to show a painting to a blind person, (who hates paintings). The efforts of wonderful people like JoEllen Murphy will do the most good. I do not want to turn the other cheek anymore. I want to stand and smite, (in print), those who demean religion. I want my grandchildren to have the right to join in our family's beliefs without being visually assaulted and insulted.
The First Amendment does not protect us from these assaults, but it does give us the right to fight back.
Quoting the Bible
December 12, 2008 - 12:26 ET by iiiireaderI quote the Bible because it is the Word of God - it speaks to the heart of each individual. In some cases, yes, the individuals stiffen their neck and harden their heart - but in other cases - God's words get through and can change a life. I know this for a fact, because it happened to me.
Nothing I can ever write with have the truth, authority and eloquence of God's truth. When you are in your darkest hour, when it seems everything has gone wrong, that is when the chance read or heard word of God can come back to you. That is why as Christians we are commanded to go to the entire world with the Gospel - if we don't speak the truth (God's word) to this generation, who will?
I quote the Bible because
December 12, 2008 - 13:29 ET by Dan The Man 2I quote the Bible because it is the Word of God - and so we should know and understand the Bible. But, as the Bible said we must be all things to all people. We need to fight tehm on the terms they understand and accept, especially in the courts. Both the ones of legality and the ones comprised of teh public at large. This is not to say we through out scripture and the Bible, we just tailor the words for teh audience without changing teh meaning.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Why worship God?
December 12, 2008 - 12:15 ET by legacyrepublicanBecause He is worthy to be praised!
or she.
December 12, 2008 - 12:19 ET by mandrakeor she.
???
December 12, 2008 - 12:24 ET by botg???
based on what exactly do you get this?
----- Radical Liberal
does GOD have a gender?
December 12, 2008 - 12:30 ET by mandrakedoes GOD have a gender? Think about it..GOD created everything!!!
1) the Father is Spirit and
December 12, 2008 - 12:37 ET by botg1) the Father is Spirit and thus has not gender, the Spirit is Spirit and has not gender; BUT He has so chosen to reveal Himself in masculine terms
2) Jesus is a male
thus in all cases reference to God should be as a male.
so you use feminine terms why exactly? seems some thought is needed here.......
----- Radical Liberal
Is it important?
December 12, 2008 - 13:48 ET by IamTinmanWhy is gods gender that important, or are you just looking for an arguement?
There are religions who believe god has a physical body (and therefore a gender) and some who believe god is a spirit. Maybe the next person who comes face to face with god can text us with the answer.
Meanwhile gods commandments don't change regardless of gender.
God with a small g?
December 12, 2008 - 14:12 ET by NortoI guess I wonder which of the many gods you are speaking of or was that just an oversight?
God as the Father is part of the success of His plan when followed. His plan is in need of resuscitation at this point, but really He has never needed our help, we just need to pay better attention.
Fear(read:respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, to me, the small "g" god is disrespectful. However, there are places in His Word(the Bible) where His name is not capitalized and it always gives me pause.
tinman
December 12, 2008 - 14:30 ET by botgi already gave you a logical argument which evidently you ignored, are you just looking to bicker?
btw: i was merely responding to mandrakes contention.
----- Radical Liberal
God as Father (Male)
December 12, 2008 - 17:07 ET by moderncommentaries83You're absolutely correct that God could be anything He desired. However, because God chose a woman - Mary - to bear Christ, and God is the Father, it logically concludes that God should be known by the male pronoun. And many churches do this and consider it part of their theology.
As a woman, it doesn't offend or belittle me that God is referred to as "He" or "Father" - in fact, during the Nicene Creed, I still say "for us men and for our salvation." I'm comfortable enough with my gender, and how God made me, to know a male-friendly word doesn't shatter my self worth. It annoys and offends me when God is referred to as "Creator" or "Goddess"...God is a HE.
That fact doesn't make me any less of a woman or oppress me in anyway...same for the millions and billions of other Christian women who believe God is a Father. So I don't understand why people who either 1) don't theologically believe God is a male or 2) are hostile toward anything that's not PC feel they're either entitled to tell me (and the countless women like me) that I should feel oppressed or otherwise bad because I'm "excluded" or that they - who are not of my faith - can tell my faith that it needs to change so that they (who do not practice it) can feel better.
Not saying you're doing that, but I needed to vent because I know someone who has a hard time getting her head around the fact I'm a-okay with the all-male, celibate Catholic priesthood, and the male language of worship. I just don't get it.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Finally...
December 12, 2008 - 19:45 ET by Travis NoodleI am so glad someone is standing up to the American Humanist Association. The ads from www.ibelievetoo.org are so perfect. The message is about God's love for humanity, plain and simple.
It actually brought tears to my eyes!
“Why Believe? Because I created you and I love you, for goodness’ sake. – God.”
You've Got To Be Kidding Me...
December 12, 2008 - 23:50 ET by The7SticksAs far as I can tell, the only ones who have even claimed hate speech on this issue are the evangelicals. They explicitly said the Atheist plaque that was placed in that Washington State nativity scene was "hate speech."
As one secularist to another, I must say that I don't believe any of this nonsense is hate speech on either side. It's kind of an idiotic farce that reinforces that dreaded stereotype that there's a so-called "War On Christmas." It isn't. I found out it's a scam that's being done by these political action groups that guise themselves as Christian groups, like Focus on the Family and the American Family Association. Don't trust any Christian group that says there is a so-called war on Christmas and tries to con you out of your money by hocking you shoddy "I support Christmas" bumper stickers and pin-on buttons. They are the real Grinches of Christmastime.
7 Sticks... Have yourself
December 12, 2008 - 23:57 ET by bigtimer7 Sticks...
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...and may God Bless you and all those you love.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
7
December 13, 2008 - 00:10 ET by RESTLESS 1While I will never understand the impulse of unbelievers to to make their message known at religious symbols, (it just seems childish to me), I have not much love for groups like Focus and the family either. It is said in the Bible that Christians will be castigated and ridiculed in this world, but that our reward is in Heaven. The more the unbelievers scream, the more my Faith is resolved.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Tree of Life
December 13, 2008 - 00:07 ET by wolfemanic"See what they do to me when the tree is fresh and green. Think of what they will do when its old and grey and brittle." - Jesus Christ
“agnostics, atheists
December 13, 2008 - 00:14 ET by RESTLESS 1“agnostics, atheists and
other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays
because of its association with traditional religion."
Hmmm. You don't say.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008