Have you read any of the holy books of other religions? If not, do you intend to?

[Lucian Hodoboc]

Personally, I have not yet read any of the holy books of other religions, but I want to do so, if God wills it. Have you read any of the holy books of other religions (besides your own)? If not, do you intend to give any a read in the future? Why or why not?

 

[Castle Church]

Sure, I have read the Koran, Book of Mormon, and several Buddhist texts. I find them of interest, but lacking compared to the Bible.

 

[Josiah]

I've read the Holy Book of Judaism.



.

 

[Lees]

Personally, I have not yet read any of the holy books of other religions, but I want to do so, if God wills it. Have you read any of the holy books of other religions (besides your own)? If not, do you intend to give any a read in the future? Why or why not?

If you want to do so, why are you worried if God wills it? Do you pray to God and say 'God I really want to read the Koran and the Book of Mormon, so is it ok?" Guess what...God just might say go ahead. If that's what you want. So how do you know if God wills it?

I have not read any other religions books and have no desire to do so. Why should I? I have the One true God and His Book already. Why do I want to seek some false religions faith in a god that doesn't exist?

I use their books for debate purposes. I don't read them. I use them to show what they really are. Not to read them as though I might gain some insight from them.

Why? Because they have nothing to offer.

Lees

 

[Stravinsk]

Religious texts (regarded as holy books) I have read (in full or part)

Book of Mormon (part)
Quran (part)
Jerusalem Talmud and Babylonian Talmud (part)
Nazarene Acts of the Apostles/Recognitions of Clement

Of these I only consider the Nazarene Acts of the Apostles/Recognitions of Clement to have significance in my religious beliefs.

 

[Lamb]

I have read portions of other texts such as the Koran and book of Mormon, but never in full and I doubt I ever will. They will not edify me.

 

[Albion]

The other sacred writings that most of us have in mind are worth a quick read, at least parts of them. That's because these religions often come up in discussions like we have here, so you might feel it worthwhile to have familiarized yourself with at least the general drift of the contents.

To a Christian, these books usually appear remarkably shallow or surprisingly fanatical. One of them is a compilation of pieces of advice for readers on how to live successfully in civilized society, right down to bathroom habits, rather than a book of religious enlightenment. Another is essentially a lengthy fable like the Wizard of Oz, but using names, events, and places taken from the Bible. And still another one would strike you as downright cultic.

What could be worse, though, is the possibility that a person with an inquisitive mind like yours but not a strong background in theology would actually latch onto some intriguing idea found in one of these books and be misled by it.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

The other sacred writings that most of us have in mind are worth a quick read, at least parts of them. That's because these religions often come up in discussions like we have here, so you might feel it worthwhile to have familiarized yourself with at least the general drift of the contents.

To a Christian, these books usually appear remarkably shallow or surprisingly fanatical. One of them is a compilation of pieces of advice for readers on how to live successfully in civilized society, right down to bathroom habits, rather than a book of religious enlightenment. Another is essentially a lengthy fable like the Wizard of Oz, but using names, events, and places taken from the Bible. And still another one would strike you as downright cultic.

What could be worse, though, is the possibility that a person with an inquisitive mind like yours but not a strong background in theology would actually latch onto some intriguing idea found in one of these books and be misled by it.

If only you applied the same critical judgement to Christian Scriptures...

 

[Stravinsk]

The other sacred writings that most of us have in mind are worth a quick read, at least parts of them. That's because these religions often come up in discussions like we have here, so you might feel it worthwhile to have familiarized yourself with at least the general drift of the contents.

To a Christian, these books usually appear remarkably shallow or surprisingly fanatical. One of them is a compilation of pieces of advice for readers on how to live successfully in civilized society, right down to bathroom habits, rather than a book of religious enlightenment. Another is essentially a lengthy fable like the Wizard of Oz, but using names, events, and places taken from the Bible. And still another one would strike you as downright cultic.

What could be worse, though, is the possibility that a person with an inquisitive mind like yours but not a strong background in theology would actually latch onto some intriguing idea found in one of these books and be misled by it.

Perhaps you can be more specific in naming books and fallacies contained therein, along with the reasons for such conclusions.

 

[Albion]

If only you applied the same critical judgement to Christian Scriptures...

I have done that. It's at least part of the reason that I'm a Christian rather than something else.

 

[Lees]

A Christian does not need any 'critical judgement' to know what the Bible is to him. Or, to know that other religious writings offer nothing for him.

The Bible is the Word of God and the Christian is born of God. The Holy Spirit of God ministers to the Christian through His Word, the Bible. No such ministry takes place with other religious writings. And the Christian knows it.

Lees

 

[Stravinsk]

A Christian does not need any 'critical judgement' to know what the Bible is to him. Or, to know that other religious writings offer nothing for him.

The Bible is the Word of God and the Christian is born of God. The Holy Spirit of God ministers to the Christian through His Word, the Bible. No such ministry takes place with other religious writings. And the Christian knows it.

Lees

Lees, when is the last time you honored the king? 1 Peter 2:17 The word of God compels you to do so. Don't want to hear any double-speak, as you've publicly stated that you think America's founding was God-ordained, and this of course is at direct odds with 1 Peter 2:17 and 1 Peter 2:13.

Speaking of Peter, can he make up his mind whether he obeys God or men?

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Do you think God sets up all governments? Romans 13 certainly seems to. Do all governments do all things for good as Romans 13:4 states? Can you not think of any examples of this not being true not only for your own government but for others?


Amuse me with your apologetics.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

Amuse me with your apologetics.

How do you think we should discern what is good to take from the Scriptures and what isn't?

 

[Stravinsk]

How do you think we should discern what is good to take from the Scriptures and what isn't?

I do not think there is an easy answer to this. There are passages in Isaiah and Jeremiah, for example, that indicate even the Torah was corrupted, specifically in regards to animal sacrifice. Paul contradicts Christ and the internal consistency of even the Gospels falters at several points. I do not think this makes any compilation of works untrue in itself, and I do believe there are truths in both the old and new testaments, however I do think it is naive (and even intellectually dishonest) to hold the maxim that any holy text is somehow protected by God from corruption. Perhaps this is why the 10 commandments are unique in that they were written by God himself in stone.

 

[Lees]

Lees, when is the last time you honored the king? 1 Peter 2:17 The word of God compels you to do so. Don't want to hear any double-speak, as you've publicly stated that you think America's founding was God-ordained, and this of course is at direct odds with 1 Peter 2:17 and 1 Peter 2:13.

Speaking of Peter, can he make up his mind whether he obeys God or men?

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Do you think God sets up all governments? Romans 13 certainly seems to. Do all governments do all things for good as Romans 13:4 states? Can you not think of any examples of this not being true not only for your own government but for others?


Amuse me with your apologetics.

America's founding by God is not at odds with (1 Peter 2:17) or (1 Peter 2:13).

(1 Peter 2:13-14) "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto the governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well."

(1 Peter 2:17) "Honor all men, Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

So, how is America's founding by God at odds with these verses? Are you saying the founding of America was not God ordained?

Concerning (Acts 5:29) and (1 Peter 2:13), there is no problem with Peters actions. We as Christians do submit to every ordinance of man, as long as they don't conflict with the ordinances of God. Once the Christian is being forced to obey a law by the government, contrary to God, we do disobey the government.

Yes, God sets up all governments. That doesn't mean they are all Godly in nature. But the purpose of all government is to punish evildoers.

Concerning (Rom. 13:1-7), again, the government is to be against evil. Because that which is evil is against God. But once a government becomes evil, and begins to force the believers to submit to that which is against God, they have left their intended purpose from God. And we as believers will not obey their ungodly ways.

I answer first to my governor, Greg Abbott. Next I answer to the President, Joe Biden. I do honor my governor, Greg Abbott. I have no honor for my president, Joe Biden, who has proven he is for the criminal. He is for evil, as are all the liberal democrats.

Lees

 

[Stravinsk]

America's founding by God is not at odds with (1 Peter 2:17) or (1 Peter 2:13).

(1 Peter 2:13-14) "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto the governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well."

(1 Peter 2:17) "Honor all men, Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

So, how is America's founding by God at odds with these verses? Are you saying the founding of America was not God ordained?

Maybe you skipped basic American History class but the English settlers fought not one but two very bloody wars against England (Revolutionary War and War of 1812), against King George III. I don't know mate, perhaps in your world killing your King's soldiers equates to honoring and obeying the King. Such is the warped twisting of basic truths that some Christians endure to justify their dogma.

Concerning (Acts 5:29) and (1 Peter 2:13), there is no problem with Peters actions. We as Christians do submit to every ordinance of man, as long as they don't conflict with the ordinances of God. Once the Christian is being forced to obey a law by the government, contrary to God, we do disobey the government.

Yes, God sets up all governments. That doesn't mean they are all Godly in nature. But the purpose of all government is to punish evildoers.

God sets up un-Godly governments. Hmm. Sort of gives me an idea of who your god is.

Concerning (Rom. 13:1-7), again, the government is to be against evil. Because that which is evil is against God. But once a government becomes evil, and begins to force the believers to submit to that which is against God, they have left their intended purpose from God. And we as believers will not obey their ungodly ways.

I answer first to my governor, Greg Abbott. Next I answer to the President, Joe Biden. I do honor my governor, Greg Abbott. I have no honor for my president, Joe Biden, who has proven he is for the criminal. He is for evil, as are all the liberal democrats.

Lees

Historically, Governments have been the leading cause of death worldwide, rather than agents of good. Mass murder through war and other means is what is known as Democide. If God sets up Governments, He obviously sets them up to fail spectacularly and end up murdering a bunch of their own citizens.

 

[Lees]

Maybe you skipped basic American History class but the English settlers fought not one but two very bloody wars against England (Revolutionary War and War of 1812), against King George III. I don't know mate, perhaps in your world killing your King's soldiers equates to honoring and obeying the King. Such is the warped twisting of basic truths that some Christians endure to justify their dogma.


God sets up un-Godly governments. Hmm. Sort of gives me an idea of who your god is.


Historically, Governments have been the leading cause of death worldwide, rather than agents of good. Mass murder through war and other means is what is known as Democide. If God sets up Governments, He obviously sets them up to fail spectacularly and end up murdering a bunch of their own citizens.

War among people and nations will always be until Christ's return, due to the fall of man. Your suggestion that the Christian should be a pacifist like the Quakers is wrong. You could equally say, based on (Rom. 13) that the Christian must obey the government when it calls him up to go to war and shoot the Kings soldiers.

The purpose of government is to curb evil. But once the government is evil, then God uses nations to cast down nations. War. And He uses division to separate. (1 Kings 12:14-17) I know....you don't like those Christians with guns. You would rather we remain pacifist and allow evil to have it's way. But God is a Man Of War. (Ex. 15:3)

No, it gives you nothing. You already know Who my God is. The God Who wrote the Bible.

Historically, government was established by God. (Gen. 9:6). They were created by God to curb evil among fallen mankind. So, of course there will always be wars as there is always the war of good and evil. Governments will fail, but God's purpose in using them won't.

Lees

 

[Fritz Kobus]

If you read the Declaration of Independence you will see that the "revolutionaries" were long suffering and gave due respect to the King for many years and the King would not listen. They were merely standing up for their rights as Englishmen, just as Paul the Apostle stood up for his rights as a citizen of Rome. Romans 13 tells us to obey the government that does God's will, which is to praise the good and punish the evil. I see nothing in the Bible that says we are to obey a tyrant who is in rebellion against God.

 

[tango]

Back to the original topic, I read a small part of the Book of Mormon and have my own copy of the Qu'ran, although haven't read a whole lot of it and remember little of what I read in it. In a past life I kept coming across Muslims asking questions, and it seemed prudent to at least know something of where they were coming from.

 

[Lees]

Back to the original topic, I read a small part of the Book of Mormon and have my own copy of the Qu'ran, although haven't read a whole lot of it and remember little of what I read in it. In a past life I kept coming across Muslims asking questions, and it seemed prudent to at least know something of where they were coming from.

I use a Koran or a Book of Mormon, when in debate with those religons, to check up on what they use to present their argument.

But, understand, Islam redefines everything in the Bible to fit the Muslim belief. Jesus is redefined. Heaven is redefined. God is redefined. In other words, when you talk about Jesus, they will talk about Jesus, as defined in their Koran.

The best one can do in witnessing to a Muslim is to say this is what the Bible says. And that is what I believe. And then trust God to open their eyes...or not.

Lees