The fact that Bystander wants a search engine leads me to believe that she does have a dog in this fight and it is as an advocate for cc. She is trying to collect information which will be used in the lawsuit that we will be engaging in shortly using our posts to their advantage. Just be aware that this is very likely what she is up to.
Again, just my opinion, but I would be willing to be the ranch on this one!
I have been warning folks to stop chasing the bait these trolls are waveing around - at best it serves no constuctive purpose, at worst you are playing into them hook, line and sinker.
Of course, when the new school has been approved in a court emminent domain decision, CC and it's sleazy campain will not have a lawsuit to stand on.
quote: Originally posted by: Matthew "To "Troll Callers": You can make up and hide behind whatever name-calling tactics that you'd like. If this is how you'd like to handle (not) answering valid questions that is your perogative. Matthew"
Matthew,
Two comments from me:
You are not a troll.
You have not answered the questions I have asked you (please see the newest thread on this board)
matthew...you should go find yourself a religious debate site...your questions (about religion) are not valid to the cc application - which is what we are all concerned with and discussing here...
ps...everyone has religious freedom...we do not have to buy into your brand...there are other holy books out there other than the bible...and the believers of those books have every right to have their beliefs...and get to heaven thru their relationship with god, allah or whomever...personally - i think you get to heaven by being a good, honest person...watching out for fellow man and caring for the land g-d gave us!!! the bible is not to be taken word for word in the literal sense...you learn that much as a child in ccd...noah's ark and such are stories...that teach lessons...they are open to interpretation...the jesus i believe in - were he here right now...wouldn't condemn anyone for being of a different faith...as long as they were good people...but that's just one of my personal feelings about my religion...
I believe the discussions of religion are fine on this site. This is a Rockaway Township free speach site. It is not limited to the topic of CC's application to purchase 140 Green Pond Road.
Personally, I would like to understand the Fundamentalist Christian attitude better. I also think it is enlightening for Rockaway Township residents to read the bigoted small-minded thoughts of those like Matthew - thoughts which are supposedly mirrored by members of Christ Church.
Personally, I have enjoyed watching Matthew squirm - refusing to state unequivocally that everyone outside his religion is inferior in that they will never reach heaven, instead giving links to religious sites. His non-answer to direct questions speaks VOLUMES about his opinion and the opinions of like minded thinkers.
to each his own...it just really appears to be going around in circles...he's not really SAYING anything...i think he's having as much "fun" with you as you are with him...
and religious conversation/discussion IS fine...but in my opinion - no one should be condemning anyone...and there should be a CLEAR line btw these discussions and the cc application...
quote: Originally posted by: Jay R I also think it is enlightening for Rockaway Township residents to read the bigoted small-minded thoughts of those like Matthew - thoughts which are supposedly mirrored by members of Christ Church.
quote: Originally posted by: Time Out! "Hold on, who said THAT?"
Matthew has stated he is a Fundamentalist Christian. He has also hinted in his many thoughts that those who do not embrace Jesus will not get to heaven, no matter how good a life they lead (I think his quote was something like "as far as I can see they won't get there" - or something similar)...I call that VERY small minded and bigoted.
Never said they [Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc..] didn't do ANY good. I simply said they weren't getting people into heaven as far as I could see.
Note - the info inside the brackets was added by me to describe the 'they' that Matthew and I were discussing.
I have a problem with ANY PERSON who feels his religion is the only way to G-d and that all others will rot in hell.
quote: Originally posted by: Jay R "Matthew has stated he is a Fundamentalist Christian. He has also hinted in his many thoughts that those who do not embrace Jesus will not get to heaven, no matter how good a life they lead (I think his quote was something like "as far as I can see they won't get there" - or something similar)...I call that VERY small minded and bigoted."
I meant the claim that he speaks for Christ Church, why do you say that?
It is my best recollection that the Rev himself said they hold to such beliefs, at one of the earlier meetings. It's possible I read it in the paper, though...something about dancing being wrong except in celebration of God...something like that.
Yeah, I think it was at the meeting because he was saying the church doesn't usually do wedding receptions because of the alcohol and the dancing.
(( ... remember why this forum was formed - due to one-sided administration of another forum. ))
I recall reading something about why this forum was being formed -- including the one-sided administration of another forum -- I also recall something about this becoming a 'free speech' site, too .... and that IS included in the title after all.
Were this message forum titled differently - eg: Rockaway Township anti-CC users only" ... or something specific to that, or any other extent ... it's very unlikely that I would be participating at all. It's current title allows for EVERYONE to post, as far as I interpret it.
(( We needed somewhere to communicate with each other without censorship.... If you just like contoversey, then please feel free to find another forum (perhaps something you feel you have a vested interest in, as we all do as property owners in OUR town) ))
Why should I, or anyone else, just have to go somewhere else if I/they 'just like controversy ??
(( I would have to agree with others that you are here to stir things up (in a negative way - IMHO). So troll seems to stick.... This is my opinion - like it or not.))
As I've mentioned previously .... you are most definitely entitled and welcome to your own opinions, as is everyone/anyone else.... and as you agree with others that I am allegedly here to stir things up (in a negative way) ... I say to you, as I said to others, that is NOT my intent.
It is very revealing and unfortunate that it has been perceived in that fashion.
Matthew makes his claims as a Fundamentalist. As I understand it, his beliefs are the same as those held by Christ Church members. On a previous post, I mentioned some of Matthew's comments and asked for opinions from Christ Church members. I received non. I am simply trying to understand this mindset. Are Matthew's opinions shared by Christ Church? I would like to know.
My opinion: For CC's opinions, I would ask them. For Matthew's opinions I would ask him. I would be careful with the connections we make, the same suppositions are made b/w some ugly comments on this board and VORT or RT in general.
"Never said they [Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc..] didn't do ANY good. I simply said they weren't getting people into heaven as far as I could see."
Jay,
The above quote refers to the claims of each world religion. It goes back to my question of which one offers a free, unconditional entrance into the eternal presence of our Creator.
So what you are saying, if I get this correct, is that, no matter what religion you follow, if you are pretty good, then you will get to Heaven?
Is that your belief, Jay?
And each religion mandates what rules to follow, and what passes as "pretty good"?
Do I have it right so far?
So how good is "Pretty Good" in your religion, Jay?
Is rudeness OK?
How about selfishness?
Is a little lying OK?
How about stealing small ticket items?
How about a minor drug addition, is that OK?
How about a few small assaults?
And as far as the Jewish laws, how many do you have to follow? ALL of them? All the time?
How many do you have to follow to get in to Heaven?
ANd you mentioned different Jewish sects...do each of these have different levels of "goodness" that have to be obeyed? So If one doesn't work for me, I can just join a more lenient one and then I'll still go to Heaven?
Or can I just make up my own religion (like Craig is doing) and set my own rules, and then God would surely let me in if I set the bar low enough, wouldn't he Jay?
Matthew, you've just pointed out the very reason this entire subject shouldn't be attempted--because it's totally subjective, totally reliant upon one's beliefs.
Let me take a stab at why evangelicals are so passionate about spreading their faith:
while there may be a number of ways to gain entry into Heaven, Christians (all) believe that through Jesus Christ there is a 100% guaranteed way in. That is the "good news" which the Bible indicates should be spread to others.
This is not exactly difficult to understand. To use a metaphor that I have seen here - if you have the cure for a disease, and someone is using an herbal remedy for it - sure their way might work, but wouldn't you feel moved to suggest your medicine that will work? You don't have to agree, but it is not a shocking motivation really.
quote: Originally posted by: My Take "Let me take a stab at why evangelicals are so passionate about spreading their faith: while there may be a number of ways to gain entry into Heaven, Christians (all) believe that through Jesus Christ there is a 100% guaranteed way in. That is the "good news" which the Bible indicates should be spread to others. This is not exactly difficult to understand. To use a metaphor that I have seen here - if you have the cure for a disease, and someone is using an herbal remedy for it - sure their way might work, but wouldn't you feel moved to suggest your medicine that will work? You don't have to agree, but it is not a shocking motivation really."
Well, this sounds like a plausible idea on the surface, except that if you accept that Jesus was a real person who said what is attributed to Him, then any other method to Heaven is ruled out. Why? For starters because Jesus said as much. Of course you can say, "Well I don't believe what Jesus said" and that is fine, but then you can't agree with the Christian who claims he'll get into Heaven, because if some of what Jesus said is false, then it all must be discounted. Either Jesus was God in the flesh and exactly who he claimed to be, or he was a complete liar, or he was competely insane.
Additionally, by saying that "Good People" get into Heaven as well as those who follow Jesus, you are negating the entire purpose of Jesus' life, crucifiction and resurrection. If you can get to The Father by being "pretty good" then why did Jesus come at all? It can't be both ways. Either you can get to Heaven by good deeds or you can't.
Those are the only options.
But Jesus' answer on this point is clear.
There is no ambiguity in the Bible regarding His words.
I would encourage any who are reading to NOT take my word for it, but check it out for yourself.
(( The fact that Bystander wants a search engine leads me to believe .... Again, just my opinion, but I would be willing to be the ranch on this one! ))
Why didn't you just ask me why I asked about a search engine ?? I know it's just your opinion, and you are entitled to it, too .... you'd absolutely lose that ranch, though. That's a fact, not an opinion.
"Additionally, by saying that "Good People" get into Heaven as well as those who follow Jesus, you are negating the entire purpose of Jesus' life, crucifiction and resurrection. If you can get to The Father by being "pretty good" then why did Jesus come at all? It can't be both ways. Either you can get to Heaven by good deeds or you can't."
actually (according to the bible you can be really bad person and still get into heaven if you repent and do penance...
quote: Originally posted by: Maria "actually (according to the bible you can be really bad person and still get into heaven if you repent and do penance..."
Matthew,
According to the Bible we are all "bad people" in that we can, on our own, never stop doing bad things.
You say "doing penance" gets you into Heaven, according to the Bible Maria. Please tell me where in the Bible it says that.
quote: Originally posted by: Matthew " Matthew, According to the Bible we are all "bad people" in that we can, on our own, never stop doing bad things. You say "doing penance" gets you into Heaven, according to the Bible Maria. Please tell me where in the Bible it says that. Thanks, Matthew"
matthew...you are not going to bait me into a bible thumping contest...i cannot quote scripture like you can...i have quite a full life...no time to memorize the book...
anyway...i did pay attention in ccd...and to be forgiven of your sins...you go to confession and do penance (and you are truly sorry)...it's a catholic rite...perhaps it is or it isn't WRITTEN in the bible - if it's part of our doctrine it's somewhere...you let me know...and upon your death bed you are given last rites...
original sin is wiped away at your baptism...we are born with this sin...it then it is cleansed from us when we are welcomed into and accept (our parents/godparents) g-d and turn away from sin...
it's funny - you answer nothing - just keep questioning everyone else...