₦airaland Forum

dankol:
[b]CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CONTINUED III
THE MULTIVARIATE BODY OF CHRIST

There are several passages that made reference to the body of Christ. They all were inferring at one basic thing; UNITY OF PURPOSE, MANDATE AND DESTINATION.
Romans 12 : 4 and 5: “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.”
1 Corinthians 12: 20: “As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”
Before, I go to the main point, I would like to use my little biology knowledge to grasp the understanding of the BODY. Paul explicitly compared the BODY OF CHRIST to a human body, Christ being the head- I don’t know if the Catholic church has issues with this, maybe-maybe not. But I quite know, many other denominations, do not have issues with Christ being the head of the church as opposed to the Pope being the head of the church.
Now, how does the body function? How does it work? What and What does the body consist of that makes it an entity of unity to reckon with? It is a verifiable fact that every cell in our body is dependent on another directly or indirectly. Though they may have different function with respect to which ever part of the body they are situated but they all achieve one thing, UNITY OF PURPOSE, MANDATE AND DESTINATION. Meaning, the leg cells can’t do without the FULL support of other parts of the body except something goes wrong. Now, you may seem to think, I have forgotten the function of the medulla oblongata in this, no, I am quite aware, it is the engine room of every activity. Meaning, it coordinates and ensure total compliance to any activity as it deem fit.
Permit me to bring this analogy back into the BODY OF CHRIST, which consist of several thousands of denominations all over the world even as new mushroom body parts are springing up in every nook and cranny of this moral-less, right-thinking-lessness yet pious nation.
An average Pentecostal Christian cannot bear to stay or listen to an Olumba member. Please do not tell me it is a cult because they carry the same bible you carry. The hatred for Jehovah Witnesses is unprecedented amongst other denominations and the rife goes on like that even amongst sub-denominations. The recent CAN presidency tussle was drama to behold. I can’t just mention them all, it is countless in the BODY OF CHRIST (Nigerian Part).

Did you not just mention UNITY OF PURPOSE, MANDATE AND DESTINATION. If there is no UNITY, where are they going together? Carrying a Bible is not what makes you a christian, evidently you also carry a Bible. Are you a christian?

Tell me, why if as a seasoned Pastor from Christ Apostolic Church join let’s say, RCCG and I have to start all over again from baptismal class. If I don’t, I won’t be able to rise through the rank and file of the church hierarchy. Is it not the same God? Same bible? Same doctrines at some point? BUT DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP AND DOGMA.

There are different administrations, even the Bible says that. When you enter another company, no matter your experience, you are INDUCTED. And you have to comply to the new rules and regulation as it were, and your salary is likely different too. It does not stop you from reaching the top. This happens everywhere.

I recall, I was at a crusade some years ago where a renowned Bishop called Jehovah Witnesses, “Jehovah Wickedness”. It was glaring, he hated them with passion and was consistently rubbishing them, guess what, for any joke about them, we all laugh (a show or feeling of superiority).
I recall some persons said, Olumba is not a Christian body. Well, by virtue of what they are told, it could be right, but by logic, they are wrong. Irrespective of what olumba claims to be, and additional doctrines, They totally believe and use the bible.. So who is a christian, if he/she is not a follower of Christ? If he/she does not believe in the Bible. Please stop the deceit and check out their tenets here: http://www.wordcenter.org/Bcs/tenets.htm
[/b]

Olumba pikin. Olumba is not christian because they do not follow Christ, they follow Olumba. The below are direct quotes from your link. They have no biblical basis.
1. Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is the new Kingdom of God, not one of the nominal churches.
2. the Sole Spiritual Head, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu.
3. The solution to all your problems lies in the following: Confession of sins, Fasting, Praying, Feasting and evangelical work

dankol:
[b]CHAPTER SIXTEEN CONTINUUM
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF- WHO ACTUALLY LIED; WHO SAID THE TRUTH

Several times, we have usually judge people not because we are right to judge but we have been cornered by several factors chief among them is the belief that, some persons, beings can never err. For instance, a catholic believes that, the pope can never err (I stand to be corrected in the light of the latest pope who seems to be breaking traditions). But then, I want you reader to remove your religious, spiritual eye glasses, and put on a logical, unbiased and analytical eye glasses as you join me to evaluate this set of passages in the infallible holy word of God.
Genesis 2: 16 -17: “But the lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”


This is one of the first set of instructions God gave to Adam in the Garden and it was emphatically clear as KJV would put it : “ for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
It means only one thing, any day you eat the fruit, your life ends. Simple. No spiritual innuendo to it.[/b]

When someone says to remove spirituality from a spiritual book, i wonder the fear. Should we discuss physics from a spiritual standpoint too, no physical innuendo? What the Bible means is what it says in that passage, don't twist it. It means "in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die".

Now in Chapter 3: 1-7: “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden? “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil. The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their unclothedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”



Here, we see a counter-instruction, yet more revealing. The Serpent efficiently debunked every instructions given to Adam replaced it with a daring, curious instruction. It was clear
1. You will not die
2. Your eyes will be open
3. You will be like GOD
4. You will know good and evil

You seem not to know the meaning of the word "debunk". Nothing was debunked there, satan simply tempted Eve, don't get your socks in a twist already.

I guess Eve was as curious as I am, hence she dared God’s instructions. Permit me to chip in here (This question is for God- Why was he silently watching the Serpent turning his creature against him and he did absolutely nothing about it). Some persons are thinking, it is not my place to ask God such question, why would the created ask his creator, “why did you create me like this”. Then if that is the case, it is not in God’s place to punish me for whatever decision I make.

You don't believe there is God, but you are asking God question on NL. That's it, it is finished. Psalm 14 is genius. Your logic is illogical BTW. Consequences and punishment are not necessarily agreed to or determined by the defaulter.

Now verse 7, concluded the matter, it confirmed
1. They had not died yet and did not die till centuries later
2. Indeed, their eyes were opened
3. Verse 22-23 of that same chapter implicated God

Note your folly here. You take 1 literally but 2 figuratively, why? What happened to INNUENDO? Were they blind before? If you are sensible enough to see your mistakes, you would agree that what was being said could indeed be figurative. Seeing things in a new perspective may be for good or for bad, it is not compulsorily for good. Yes, Adam and Eve saw things in a new perspective. They also lost the garden BTW. There was the tree of life which they were not allowed to eat. Does that literally mean that they did not have life? Of course not, like you said yourself, they lived for centuries. Bringing in the point of understanding, death is simply separation. When you die, you are separated basically. Simply then, you want to know what is separated from what. The Bible talks so much about dying. Even the New Testament enjoins believers to die, and in some places to 'kill' or mortify things e.g themselves, the world, sin etc. When something previously connected is separated, it is said to die. When your hand is paralyzed, it can be said to be dead because it is not connected to the life in other parts of the body. On the day Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they became separated from God, Jesus came to reconcile.

“THEN THE LORD GOD SAID, “LOOK, THE HUMAN BEINGS HAVE BECOME LIKE US, KNOWING BOTH GOOD AND EVIL. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden….”

Giving credence to point 3 and 4 above.
I am not expecting any christian to agree with me, infact am expecting the venom from them. But let me address a strong point they will likely put up, the issue of death. It is theologically claimed that the death inferred was a spiritual death. But I dare any christian to show me one passage in the bible where spiritual death was refered or mentioned. Take a look at verse 22 again “What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever”- It implies that,
1. God was scared of the possibility of MAN LIVING FOREVER like him
2. it was never God’s intention to make man live forever. So that natural death was inevitable even if adam had not eaten of the fruit of Knowledge. Adam would ONLY live forever if and only if he ate of the fruit of the tree of life. So, irrespective of the death threat, Adam would still have died, maybe 2 millenium years later, perhaps the fruit of knowledge hasten it. It can’t and can never be spiritual death. If one is to go by spiritual things, spirits don’t die, do they?
So dear reader, who actually lied? Who actually said the truth? The truth is what you believe is the truth because, the truth is relative anyway. My truth may not be your truth.

[/b]

They became AS God/god, not LIKE God. Well we can see where that got them and the human race. Happy?
Now, God was not scared but concerned about the implication of man eating of the tree of life. It means, nothing will put him(man) out of his miserable existence. It is death that puts us out of this miserable earth and takes us to Heaven or hell. Imagine if some of those wicked dictators never died or never grew old or weak. Imagine that your wicked and selfish greedy boss never had to retire. You seem to lack imagination or meditation. Anyway, it is expected of today's fakethinkers parading themselves as free. What is this meaningless nonsense in bracket anyway? (The truth is what you believe is the truth because, the truth is relative anyway. My truth may not be your truth.)

raphieMontella:
well said..

Well, i hope that is knowledge gained for you, and that you do not go someplace else or sometime else to restate the previous. The emergence of a star or planet is not contradictory to any Bible claim.

0.2 of a populace...u know christians in afghan?...so u wud have been a christian..
Even in 100 percent islam countries..u wud have seen jesus as the real god?
Ryt?

Exactly.

ok...it also does nt take away the fact that muhammed can be the real dude

What is the real dude? i have never contested his existence.

the bolded words give description of an orbital movement of the sun..

WHAT? Psalm 19v4 for instance is not even referring directly to the sun and yet you bold it as describing Orbital movement? Talk about forcing statements to suit yourself. What does running a race have to do with orbits? Like i have already told you, SUNRISE and SUNSET remain VALID expressions used by all and sundry till tomorrow. That takes nothing away from your geography, neither does it make anyone wrong or ignorant. You seem to lack an understanding of basic communication principles.

the sun stood still nd didnt go down the whole day such that night never came till victory was attained...in other words...the movement(orbiting) of the sun determines a day...
Saying it was written at the level man understood the workings of the universe means that the scripture of joshua was nt divinely inspired...
A creator wud know how his creations operate..and an ominiscient one wud have known these scriptures wud also be for future generations nt only that one....this proves it was written by man's initiatives..

Same again as above, simple SUNRISE and SUNSET. The sun simply did not set, it all depends on how you look at the cup, half full or half empty. This is a non-issue, only unserious people dwell on this. A good teacher doesn't teach according to his knowledge but according to his audience. If i go blowing grammar in my rural village, i do not communicate. i come down to their level, their understanding, what they can relate to, not my phds and degrees. If you miss the point of the passage and all you can whine about are nonentities of the sun's direction and location, poor you.

as the sun goes forth it its strength..a kind of movement pertaining to earth....

i've always seen that in the context of INTENSITY, brightness. Your perspective of movement is welcome anyway, the sun does move. Who cares anyway. The knowledge/ignorance of the sun's itinerary did not stop my grandfather from all his life achievement and fulfillment, neither does it take anyone to heaven or hell. You may have a mark or 2 in O'level geography though. Abeg, talk something important if there is.

i didnt want to initially include sun set and sunrise verses..like 3 more like that...
Bt this one kinda stood out..
He commanded the sun not to rise..nd it didnt...(in relation to the earth)
a divinely inspired scripture may have said smtin like
which commanded the earth to be stable nd the sun shineth or ariseth not..
Or smtin like
which commanded the earth not to turn in thy own self nd the sun ariseth not
or better still(a creator given word)
which commanded the earth to not spin(turn) like a ball and the stable sun gaveth not her light..

As usual, the atheists have defined God without knowing one or giving an example, God does not fit their definition, therefore there is no God. You seem to know a lot of how God supposed to look like or talk like.

they do...especially joshua nd the psalmists...
Scriptures are supposed to be divinely inspired..directed by the holy spirit,,exact words of god etc..
So giving them a man-like idea is nt fitting for a creator god inspired work.

When you play a wooden flute, it is played by a human even though it may not sound like human and wood does not talk. i don't even know what to say to help your frustrations. Just find something important to talk about.

everybody does tho not to the extent u claim we do..bt they dont claim to get the idea or are directed by god or smtin likke dat....and they know how it truly works...

For someone to ignorantly say that everybody knows how the heart truly works, or is it how the earth truly works. It renders me speechless, truly pathetic thinking.

according to the bible...god made the universe in six literal days....and he created adam on the sixth day..so u can do the maths...
I jst gave it ten k years..
Its even younger than that frm ur biblle....lets say 6100 years old...so answer why that happens if the universe is 6k years?

To "make" is not exactly the same as to "create". Also, i would not be so quick to say 'LITERAL' if i were you.

if the economice issues they describe are not true..then they may nt be economics issues to tackle...the real economic issues may be hidden frm both parties...
Bt the two parties claim to knw the true economic issues nd blame the other opposition for it or label the other opposition as a lier(the economic issues brought by the other)

So you do agree that there are "real" economic issues despite the needless "if"? Their different opinions and perspective do not make the economic issues unreal. Bringing it home again, your idea and thought that if there are different views about God or hell or heaven, then there is no God or hell or heaven holds no water.

no they are not modern homo sapiens..
If the bible/quran said we started offf as homo sapiens since the inception of the universe
From where did they come from?

Good, homo neanderthals are not homo sapien. Who cares where they came from? i'm not an anthropologist or whoever else may care. We both agree that homo neanderthals are not homo sapien.

raphieMontella:
you trust people...do you trust muhammed?
It is not out of this world..the odds are low...the soldiers are so much..1.2m soldiers..
Had it been something like 3hk soldiers that plausible means would be okay to think about..and he was at the top of a mountain..the energy of sound in air reduces as the distance travelled increases...or were tthe generals anchored att various points on the mountain?
On honesty..my kids would believe me(they may later outgrow it/or refuse to believe) even if what i said is a lie...bt a good father would not lie to his children..
Much said...i still have some more am going to bring up here..

Why not? You are the one with trust issues, having a problem with the number of places he divided the moon into. If he says he did it, so be it, what next? As far as it is safe, i'm good. Many nations have over 1.2million people in the army, how then is it out of this world? i would not dwell too much on numbers though, that's if i were you anyway. On honesty, i said "If you speak HONESTLY" abi HONEST don change meaning again?

Ishilove:
He is now free to sin boldly and live without a spiritual compass.

One, i asked "how the so called pulling off the wool has helped you better than me". BETTER THAN ME. i do not want to sin, not to mention sin boldly. It's unfortunate that he/you wants to sin. Well, the Bible teaches clearly about the degenerate human nature. Fortunately, it also presents a viable and trackable solution/alternative.
It is unfortunate that you lack any moral compass. i do not see as appropriate freedom, the freedom to rape or murder or steal or be dishonest. When a human sees it as freedom to hate, be filled with wrath, indulge in witchcraft, kidnapping, lawlessness and other forms of sin. It only shows the need for humanity to be closer to God. Thanks for showing us once again that life outside Jesus is not all that.

omenka:
A congregation of internally displaced persons.

Make I no just talk wetin else dey my mind... Got respect for the dead and some elders.

Isn't that man Diezani's husband? Is she banished from Nigeria or something?

edit.
Her husband is Allison Amaechina Madueke,not Ojo i guess.

raphieMontella:
Thank you ffor ur sincerity

Gen 2:1-2.....Exodus 20:11
cheers..

Thank you for thanking me,
Gen 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The above scriptures say absolutely nothing about 10000years ago. You may re-read them again to be sure. To help you though, we have new chickens born every day, new trees grow, new mountains and rocks continually formed. The emergence of a star or planet is not contradictory to any Bible claim. And as you have seen, the passages say nothing about any 10000 years.

afghanistan is 99.8% islam...
Nd like i said..u were born to islam parents...
So i jst need a straight answer...if it were u..what wud u be ?

Exactly why i am saying that there are christians there. Out of about over 30million people, there are some christians there. i also KNOW people, MY FRIENDS who were born to islam parents and have siblings who still practice that religion but they are christians. These REALITY makes nonsense of your hoping PROBABILITY that someone born of islam parents or someone living in Afghan cannot be a christian. Jesus died for the whole world, and people give their lives to Him anywhere and everywhere. He is not bound. Deal with realities and facts, not with conjectures and whatifs. That is straight enough, the God that knew me from my mother's womb knows and i know that i was born to be God's pikin.

ok..it doesnt...then it doesnt make muhammed a liar also...

Who cares? It is not my business or not if he is a liar or a 'truther', it adds nothing to me. If he likes, let him divide the sun into 24, so what? It takes nothing away from the fact that Jesus died for me.

psalms 19:4-6
joshua 10:12-13
judges 5:31
job 9:7

Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Jos 10:12 Then spoke Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Jos 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

Jdg 5:31 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Job 9:7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.


ORBIT: to move around an astronomical object in a path dictated by the force of gravity exerted by that body

None of the above scriptures talks about the Sun moving AROUND the earth, in revolution or rotation context as you are suggesting or implying(i understand your line of argument/query). It is a simple and normal standard of expression as the usual SUNRISE and SUNSET. Everybody uses those expression till tomorrow, nobody makes silly noise about it. Only people who have nothing to say will be twisting it as scientific evidence against Bible, the Bible is not your geography textbook. It is like saying breaking one's heart, or my heart jumped. Tha't human viewpoint and expression. And yes, the clouds, the moon and the Sun do move, but the earth also move. Just like in a moving car, the trees appear to be moving when you are the one actually moving. Come to actually think of it, you are not moving in a sense but it is the car that is moving, or even more correct to say that the car is moving you.

dating backwards from the birth of jesus in 4BC it has been dated that the adam and eve story took place around 4004BC ...(genesis stories)

Well, that still says nothing about the UNIVERSE being 1000years old. Jesus or Adam and Eve are not the Universe, are they?

in religion...they may be...
The cause of the hell in christianity differs frm that of islam...
Or do the two gods co-function?

The cause of the River Ogun in Egbaland is different from the cause of the River Ogun from the christian viewpoint too, some people think that it was a human being that became river, you know?. The cause of the economic issues in Nigeria is different in the mouths of the two major political parties. Does that mean that there are no economic issues?

nigeria did nt talk about the creation of man...neither did my family claim to create planet earth...
Bt the homo neanderthals were kind of a sub species of homo sapiens..nd god seemingly the all creator...failed to say so of such...nd said the origin of man started with a homo sapien..

The homo neanderthals are not homo sapien, are they?

cloudgoddess:
I often see the argument posed by theists, and some atheists, that humanity somehow requires religion to keep from imploding on itself, and taking away religion would lead to widespread chaos and eventually doomsday.

I tend to strongly disagree.

This is a list of ways I think humanity could very likely be better off without religion now (specifically the Abrahamic religions and others with similar doctrines), supported by evidence I've come across.

Judging from the colored, it can be established that you are saying this based on FAITH. Nothing factual, nothing proven, just your thinking and coulds and likelihoods. Okay then, let us all rely on your hope, yeah right.

Without religion:
1. Humanity could get along better. Tribalism is the blanket term to describe the innate human tendency to form alliances and groups against one another. More and more research is showing that tribalism can be overcome, and peace amongst people of different groups can be achieved, the more people are able to see a like-ness in one another. A "you are human just like me, I accept you, I feel comfortable around you".

Religion is a direct obstacle to achieving this like-ness, and it shouldn't be hard to imagine why. Religion teaches millions of people, usually via childhood indoctrination (brainwashing), that because the so-called "creator of the entire universe" said so, they are better, more "holy", more valuable, more moral than other groups of people. This is a perfect recipe for unnecessary tribalistic tendencies. And we see this type of religious tribalism unfolding all over the world, often violently.

Don't get me wrong, tribalism can and does exist in many other forms (racism, imperialism, even people with different tastes in music can form alliances based on that). But what sets religion apart is the fact that it rests upon a firm foundation of fear (of hell), and shielded from criticism in a way other forms of tribalism aren't, making it much harder to overcome.

Of course you are very aware that i am here to speak about/for CHRISTIANITY, not for all the sorts of religions out there like atheism, budhism, humanism, and so on. i speak with respect to follow Jesus the Christ, living according to how God Almighty expects us to live. So then, Christianity does not teach tribalism. Here it is again,
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Anyone who ignores this is either ignorant, or dishonest, or a deceitful hypocrite. Which one are you?

2. Humanity could better understand the world & universe around us. Since the dawn of scientific & empirical thought, religion has been in direct opposition to a vast amount of scientific progress. No honest person can deny this. When Galileo discovered the earth revolved around the sun and not the other way around, the church wanted him killed because it contradicted the picture the gospels painted of our place in the world. The same goes for the anti-evolution nonsense that still goes on today. People are actively against the foundational theory uniting all biology, for no other reason than that it contradicts the religion they were taught.

Religious indoctrination installs cognitive biases in peoples' minds, causing strong feelings of resistance, anger, hostility and paranoia once they are confronted with certain scientific (& sometimes philosophical) topics that call into question the religious worldview they were indoctrinated with. The anti-intellectual, anti-science mindset that religion births is causing billions of people across the globe to remain centuries behind on a huge chunk of human knowledge. Thus, impeding the scientific & intellectual progress of humanity as a whole.

According to surveys, the countries with the lowest populations of religious people have the highest rates of quality education. It's not always accurate to imply causation from correlation, and the relationship might flow both ways, but it's quite obvious that the more religious someone is, the more unwelcoming of science they're likely to be.

Christianity is not in opposition to wisdom and knowledge. We are encouraged to get wisdom and understanding several times.
Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
Ecc 7:12 For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

No normal person can say that christianity is in direct opposition to a vast amount of scientific progress, when the vast amount of scientific progress has been done by christians and theists. Think about a man like Newton for instance, without whom we cannot fully discuss scientific progress. Many Drs and Professors are also professing chirsitians. They are in all the Universities both home and abroad. Only someone without exposure or without conscience will conclude or imply that science is filled with unbelievers alone.
Please, enlighten me on how Galileo contradicted the picture the gospels painted of our place in the world. Note that christians brought education to many uncivilized places both in the West and in Africa. Till date, many so called churches and christian institutions have schools from Creches to Higher Institutions. What are you saying again?

3. Humanity could understand ourselves better. It is true that humans have innate biological insticts that drive much of our behavior. These insticts, as science continues to find, aren't magical but evolved. They helped our species survive, just like every other animals' insticts help it survive. Rather than helping us understand and best navigate our human instincts (like our emotional reactions & sexuality), religion demonizes and mystifies them. It manufactures a ridiculous amount of shame around simply being human.

Religion also, in it's ignorance, has stamped mental disorders with labels like "spiritual invasion" or "demonic posession". Instead of people getting the psychiatric help they need, people are sent to exorcists and other phony religious leaders for "deliverance". Not only does this put lives & minds in danger, but it generates an unnecessary sense of fear and panic around treatable medical conditions, causing people to fundamentally misunderstand their own mental health.

The late Tim Lahaye's book(i do not remember the name now) is a best seller and a major influence on the study of human behaviour and understanding human behaviour and temperaments better. It has also being more right and proven more practical and reasonable than the option of stargazing and all that Arius nonsense that was the option that so called scientists presented for a long time. Mysticism is not science. The scripture makes us to understand that every human is fearfully and wonderfully made, and it describes the value of ONE soul(person) as being more than all of earth's material wealth. What more importance and priority can be obtained than that? So called scientists(wannabes) of today think that there is no difference between human life and ant life. We've seen nations and organisations leave out God and God's ways for so long, and yet no peace in the world. Despite all the meetings, research, donations and expenditure of the UN, UNESCO, WHO, WorldBank, and all their sister organisations, the world is in more mess than ever before.
Christianity does not stop you from getting psychiatric help, actual fact is that most psychiatric help are christian and theist doctors. Learn to separate abuse and misuse from right use.

4. Humanity could be more proactive & prosperous. Rather than relying on prayer, which is essentially talking to yourself, people could be more likely to take action towards solving their problems if religion were not a factor in their lives. Again, we see that the most prospering and forward-moving countries have smaller percentages of people who think religiously. Because their societies are based in reason and evidence-based thinking, they are quicker to find workable solutions to economic, political, health, and other issues. Much of the law in the developed world is based on our current understanding of these issues according to research. NOT religious books, which were written by people 2,000 years ago who were quite ignorant in these areas.

This again is foolish, vain and baseless. Atheism or a lack of religion does not help anyway in success. Most successful people believe in some form of God. From the best of footballers, to the Olympic winners, many of whom attribute their victories to some form of God or the other. People are not winning or breaking records due to atheism, so where do you get this unfounded faith that lack of religion makes people successful? Do you think the rich men in Nigerian are atheists. Most of the successful people around are theists, there are more theists succesful and breaking records than atheists. My point again is clear, a lack of religion is not a factor in success. God causes His rain to fall on the unjust and on the just. Anybody that follows the principles of success will likely be a success. Any nation or community that follows the basics of righteousness will be exalted.

5. Humanity could be happier. The biggest reason of all that people give for why people need religion, is that it gives them comfort and hope. When going through a rough time, praying helps people cope. When someone dies, the promise that you'll see them again is soothing. Although I don't deny that religion can serve as an emotional bandaid, or even a vessel for truly healing practices (ex. "giving your troubles up to god" could have the same cognitive effect as "accepting what you can't control and doing your best" ), it is NOT, imo, the only way, let alone the best way, for us to achieve happiness and peace.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the areas of Neuroscience and Psychology are making some incredible discoveries as of late, uncovering long-awaited answers to our mysterious psyches and how to navigate them. Recent studies show that happiness, contentment, and compassion for onesself and others can be learned & practiced as skills; healing from grief, sorrow, and trauma can be achieved through evidence based psychiatric techniques (including self-directed therapies); and life's obstacles can be surmounted by tapping into proven resources (like a nurturing social environment).

In other words, very good answers to how to be happier, how to get over struggles, how to find peace, are out there. In this day and age, the internet, libraries and bookstores are swarming with this information. With some research into these resources, it should become clear that religion has outlived it's usefulness in this area as well.

What does it mean to be happier? Mad people also look happy you know? Demented people and drunk peole also behave happy. Unfortunately, suicide and atheism are close friends, i wonder why. The unbelievers i have met in my life are not happier than me. The unbelievers and the never satisfied atheists here on NL are not the ones to follow. Those ones that get no joy despite their constant wailings and gnashing on teeth every day about God. i have seen and experienced joy in ALL circumstances. So, say no more already. All those so called solutions you are proposing in the PIPELINES which will probably reach the majority poor and less privileged in a vision 2050 or 2100. What happens before then? How to find peace and joy through nurturing social environment and techniques and therapies. This is laughable if it was not a pathetic political promise. i've seen people get peace and joy for free at the feet of Jesus, despite terrible life occurences and challenges. All this grammar you are saying, it is because you are schooling abroad. If you were selling akara to survive and waiting for JAMB to have mercy on your destiny, you would be more real.

So, to conclude, I think that humanity could not only survive without organized religion like the Abrahamic faiths, we could thrive. The children who are raised without the religion across the globe, in areas like the Netherlands, Japan, the Czech Republic, and Iceland, yet become healthy, happy, and functioning members of their societies, are evidence of this. At this point I feel like humanity is clutching on to religion like a child to it's stuffed animal. We don't need it anymore, we just think we do.

The deaths, the sicknesses, the anger, the pain, the dejection, the betrayal, the depression, the dishonesty, the corruption, the wickedness, the sorrow, the selfishness, the sin, they are all a product of the fallen human race. We need Jesus more than ever. Netherlands, Japan, the Czech Republic will continue to experience these until Jesus comes, no magic there. You don't even need a prophet to say that.

hopefulLandlord:
It feels great to have pulled the wool off someone's eyes through this medium

I hereby hope the below people also have that wool pulled from their eyes

Winner01 , Richirich713, naijadeyhia scholar8200 , malvisguy212 , Muafrika2, Dejideji1 , truthman2012, Image123 , InesQor, Joshthefirst MrPresident1, gatiano sukkot, OLAADEGBU , vooks, UyiIredia , Jeromejnr, thoniameek, anas09, Tufanja, elantraceey, ceeted, Chidexter, lezz, analice107, bxcode, Topeakintola, Tellemall, Ishilove, Drefan2, Strawman, dazzle101, Dejideji1, Farmerforlife, 4evergod2, udysweet, Edelweiss44, KingEbukaNaija


We need to free everyone from those tales written by deluded people who had too much to drink

Explain in a clear and short way how the so called pulling off the wool has helped you better than me?

CHARLOE:
Abeg park well joor, c ur mouth like 'direct answer', so all those ur roundabout blabbing are what u call 'direct answers', smh. Keep deceiving urselfurself.
D op has bin in ur shoes, I've bin there too, defending d indefensible, alongside folks like frosbel here on nairaland yrs gone by.
I no better now, tho I don't claim monopoly of knowledge, I can't b fooled anymore. Am not an atheist n can't be, but I no 1 tin 4 sure; d creator of heaven n earth does not interfere in d affairs of men. U can take dat to d bank!

Be reasonable. If you have anything contrary or superior to what i have said, state it instead of making lazy gullible blanket statements. Try to be logical, engage in discussions instead of not testing your ahteism/unbelief.
You insult me and my shoes, the OP has never been born again, neither do you have my shoe size. The christian faith is not indefensible, it has been defended well for ages and continues to be, irrespective of lazy clowns that refuse to think straight and who think of themselves wrongly as they should think. When you took your unbelief to the bank, how much were you able to withdraw BTW?

raphieMontella:
exactly my point...u believe it cs its in the ''bible''...i choose nt to because in the earth i live in..it is nt possible..
Like i said....telling my kids that i can see the inhabitants of planet kelper 186f does nt make it true....

Not because it is in the Bible(write normally please, it is easier to read that way, wetin be cs, u, nt?) i believe because i trust people, and what is said is not out of this world as has already been explained to you. Soldiers can transmit messages to one another. If you speak HONESTLY to your kids, they should believe you except they are bastards.

raphieMontella:
1.Christians and muslims ...if creation had supposedly stopped since far back as 10000 years ago,why are stars like FU ORIONIS being birthed inside the last 100 years.? [/b]

What does a sinner know about honesty? Anyway. Who said that creation stopped since far back as 10000years ago? Where was it said? What context was it said?

2..Christians if you were born in Afghanistan to muslim parents which God wud u have called the true God?
Muslims if you were born in the Vatican city(a country) or Greece to staunch christian parents which God wud u have called the true God?

There are christians in Afghanistan, and i have christian friends who were born to muslim parents and still have some muslim siblings. There are also people born inside church and children of Reverends and Prophetess that are not christians. Christianity is not by the first birth, ever heard of the phrase "BORN AGAIN"?

3...Christians do you believe Muhammed rode a flying horse and divided the moon into two?
Muslims do u believe yahweh made a donkey talk?

What if they did? Whose fault and whose business? How does their doing or not doing that affect my life?

4..Christians and Muslims do u believe the sun orbits the earth as ur holybooks said it did or do u believe the earth orbits the sun?

Where does the Bible say that the sun orbits the earth?

5...Christians and Muslims ..if the universe is jst approx. 10000 years old...then how does the light from
the ANDROMEDA GALAXY which is supposed to take 2.2 MILLION YEARS to reach the earth reaches us?

Who said that the universe is approximately 10000 years old?

6...Christians why dont u believe and fear the islamic hell and Muslims why dont u believe and fear the christian hell? ....

Hell is real, i do not think you should fear it, i think you should avoid it. There is nothing like the christian hell, it is as foolish as saying the christain sun or the christian earth or the christain river.

7...Christians and Muslims ..why did ur holybooks make no mention of HOMO NEANDERTHALS? And how is it possible that the fossils of them are being found if the earth is jst 10000 years old?
cc:winner01 kingsebukablog 4evergod felixomor malvisguy212 image123 Empiree worldword etc..

Because there was no need to. Why did the Nigerian constitution not make mention of it? Why is it not stated in any of your certificates or any of your family's certificates or documents?

BeClever:
[s][/s]


Enjoy the change and may you never choke on it..
I can't imagine how you Afonjas resist the evil and hang onto foolish hope for this lost hell hole of a country..

Thank God Fela was inspired by your kinds to sing 'suffering and smiling '...

I am loving this your tears.. Son of change!

After you give them the 20k, then you return and enjoy your delicious change meal.. .

Don't be foolish. Extortion and corruption in Nigeria did not start with any so called change,please be reasonable. Being partisan is not an excuse to stop thinking.

Ranchhoddas:
A duel between you too would be fun to watch. You are both ''extremists'' on opposite sides of the divide. I am almost salivating at the thought. The fact that you seem to accept evolution would make it more interesting... Cloudgoddess what sayeth ye??

Holy Spirit of the good Lord God, i am not an extremist. i am just a pikin of God.

Ranchhoddas:
Wetin you dey feel like?

Nothing oh my brother. i do not say that with any sense of pride, just pulling cloudgoddess' legs as it were. Though truth be told, she dey always run.

cloudgoddess the humanist atheist who runs from me. Make i book space jare. EDITED

cloudgoddess:
I often see the argument posed by theists, and some atheists, that humanity somehow requires religion to keep from imploding on itself, and taking away religion would lead to widespread chaos and eventually doomsday.

I tend to strongly disagree.

This is a list of ways I think humanity could very likely be better off without religion now (specifically the Abrahamic religions and others with similar doctrines), supported by evidence I've come across.

Judging from the colored, it can be established that you are saying this based on FAITH. Nothing factual, nothing proven, just your thinking and coulds and likelihoods. Okay then, let us all rely on your hope, yeah right.

Without religion:
1. Humanity could get along better. Tribalism is the blanket term to describe the innate human tendency to form alliances and groups against one another. More and more research is showing that tribalism can be overcome, and peace amongst people of different groups can be achieved, the more people are able to see a like-ness in one another. A "you are human just like me, I accept you, I feel comfortable around you".

Religion is a direct obstacle to achieving this like-ness, and it shouldn't be hard to imagine why. Religion teaches millions of people, usually via childhood indoctrination (brainwashing), that because the so-called "creator of the entire universe" said so, they are better, more "holy", more valuable, more moral than other groups of people. This is a perfect recipe for unnecessary tribalistic tendencies. And we see this type of religious tribalism unfolding all over the world, often violently.

Don't get me wrong, tribalism can and does exist in many other forms (racism, imperialism, even people with different tastes in music can form alliances based on that). But what sets religion apart is the fact that it rests upon a firm foundation of fear (of hell), and shielded from criticism in a way other forms of tribalism aren't, making it much harder to overcome.

Of course you are very aware that i am here to speak about/for CHRISTIANITY, not for all the sorts of religions out there like atheism, budhism, humanism, and so on. i speak with respect to follow Jesus the Christ, living according to how God Almighty expects us to live. So then, Christianity does not teach tribalism. Here it is again,
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Anyone who ignores this is either ignorant, or dishonest, or a deceitful hypocrite. Which one are you?

2. Humanity could better understand the world & universe around us. Since the dawn of scientific & empirical thought, religion has been in direct opposition to a vast amount of scientific progress. No honest person can deny this. When Galileo discovered the earth revolved around the sun and not the other way around, the church wanted him killed because it contradicted the picture the gospels painted of our place in the world. The same goes for the anti-evolution nonsense that still goes on today. People are actively against the foundational theory uniting all biology, for no other reason than that it contradicts the religion they were taught.

Religious indoctrination installs cognitive biases in peoples' minds, causing strong feelings of resistance, anger, hostility and paranoia once they are confronted with certain scientific (& sometimes philosophical) topics that call into question the religious worldview they were indoctrinated with. The anti-intellectual, anti-science mindset that religion births is causing billions of people across the globe to remain centuries behind on a huge chunk of human knowledge. Thus, impeding the scientific & intellectual progress of humanity as a whole.

According to surveys, the countries with the lowest populations of religious people have the highest rates of quality education. It's not always accurate to imply causation from correlation, and the relationship might flow both ways, but it's quite obvious that the more religious someone is, the more unwelcoming of science they're likely to be.

Christianity is not in opposition to wisdom and knowledge. We are encouraged to get wisdom and understanding several times.
Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
Ecc 7:12 For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

No normal person can say that christianity is in direct opposition to a vast amount of scientific progress, when the vast amount of scientific progress has been done by christians and theists. Think about a man like Newton for instance, without whom we cannot fully discuss scientific progress. Many Drs and Professors are also professing chirsitians. They are in all the Universities both home and abroad. Only someone without exposure or without conscience will conclude or imply that science is filled with unbelievers alone.
Please, enlighten me on how Galileo contradicted the picture the gospels painted of our place in the world. Note that christians brought education to many uncivilized places both in the West and in Africa. Till date, many so called churches and christian institutions have schools from Creches to Higher Institutions. What are you saying again?

3. Humanity could understand ourselves better. It is true that humans have innate biological insticts that drive much of our behavior. These insticts, as science continues to find, aren't magical but evolved. They helped our species survive, just like every other animals' insticts help it survive. Rather than helping us understand and best navigate our human instincts (like our emotional reactions & sexuality), religion demonizes and mystifies them. It manufactures a ridiculous amount of shame around simply being human.

Religion also, in it's ignorance, has stamped mental disorders with labels like "spiritual invasion" or "demonic posession". Instead of people getting the psychiatric help they need, people are sent to exorcists and other phony religious leaders for "deliverance". Not only does this put lives & minds in danger, but it generates an unnecessary sense of fear and panic around treatable medical conditions, causing people to fundamentally misunderstand their own mental health.

The late Tim Lahaye's book(i do not remember the name now) is a best seller and a major influence on the study of human behaviour and understanding human behaviour and temperaments better. It has also being more right and proven more practical and reasonable than the option of stargazing and all that Arius nonsense that was the option that so called scientists presented for a long time. Mysticism is not science. The scripture makes us to understand that every human is fearfully and wonderfully made, and it describes the value of ONE soul(person) as being more than all of earth's material wealth. What more importance and priority can be obtained than that? So called scientists(wannabes) of today think that there is no difference between human life and ant life. We've seen nations and organisations leave out God and God's ways for so long, and yet no peace in the world. Despite all the meetings, research, donations and expenditure of the UN, UNESCO, WHO, WorldBank, and all their sister organisations, the world is in more mess than ever before.
Christianity does not stop you from getting psychiatric help, actual fact is that most psychiatric help are christian and theist doctors. Learn to separate abuse and misuse from right use.

4. Humanity could be more proactive & prosperous. Rather than relying on prayer, which is essentially talking to yourself, people could be more likely to take action towards solving their problems if religion were not a factor in their lives. Again, we see that the most prospering and forward-moving countries have smaller percentages of people who think religiously. Because their societies are based in reason and evidence-based thinking, they are quicker to find workable solutions to economic, political, health, and other issues. Much of the law in the developed world is based on our current understanding of these issues according to research. NOT religious books, which were written by people 2,000 years ago who were quite ignorant in these areas.

This again is foolish, vain and baseless. Atheism or a lack of religion does not help anyway in success. Most successful people believe in some form of God. From the best of footballers, to the Olympic winners, many of whom attribute their victories to some form of God or the other. People are not winning or breaking records due to atheism, so where do you get this unfounded faith that lack of religion makes people successful? Do you think the rich men in Nigerian are atheists. Most of the successful people around are theists, there are more theists succesful and breaking records than atheists. My point again is clear, a lack of religion is not a factor in success. God causes His rain to fall on the unjust and on the just. Anybody that follows the principles of success will likely be a success. Any nation or community that follows the basics of righteousness will be exalted.

5. Humanity could be happier. The biggest reason of all that people give for why people need religion, is that it gives them comfort and hope. When going through a rough time, praying helps people cope. When someone dies, the promise that you'll see them again is soothing. Although I don't deny that religion can serve as an emotional bandaid, or even a vessel for truly healing practices (ex. "giving your troubles up to god" could have the same cognitive effect as "accepting what you can't control and doing your best" ), it is NOT, imo, the only way, let alone the best way, for us to achieve happiness and peace.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the areas of Neuroscience and Psychology are making some incredible discoveries as of late, uncovering long-awaited answers to our mysterious psyches and how to navigate them. Recent studies show that happiness, contentment, and compassion for onesself and others can be learned & practiced as skills; healing from grief, sorrow, and trauma can be achieved through evidence based psychiatric techniques (including self-directed therapies); and life's obstacles can be surmounted by tapping into proven resources (like a nurturing social environment).

In other words, very good answers to how to be happier, how to get over struggles, how to find peace, are out there. In this day and age, the internet, libraries and bookstores are swarming with this information. With some research into these resources, it should become clear that religion has outlived it's usefulness in this area as well.

What does it mean to be happier? Mad people also look happy you know? Demented people and drunk peole also behave happy. Unfortunately, suicide and atheism are close friends, i wonder why. The unbelievers i have met in my life are not happier than me. The unbelievers and the never satisfied atheists here on NL are not the ones to follow. Those ones that get no joy despite their constant wailings and gnashing on teeth every day about God. i have seen and experienced joy in ALL circumstances. So, say no more already. All those so called solutions you are proposing in the PIPELINES which will probably reach the majority poor and less privileged in a vision 2050 or 2100. What happens before then? How to find peace and joy through nurturing social environment and techniques and therapies. This is laughable if it was not a pathetic political promise. i've seen people get peace and joy for free at the feet of Jesus, despite terrible life occurences and challenges. All this grammar you are saying, it is because you are schooling abroad. If you were selling akara to survive and waiting for JAMB to have mercy on your destiny, you would be more real.

So, to conclude, I think that humanity could not only survive without organized religion like the Abrahamic faiths, we could thrive. The children who are raised without the religion across the globe, in areas like the Netherlands, Japan, the Czech Republic, and Iceland, yet become healthy, happy, and functioning members of their societies, are evidence of this. At this point I feel like humanity is clutching on to religion like a child to it's stuffed animal. We don't need it anymore, we just think we do.

The deaths, the sicknesses, the anger, the pain, the dejection, the betrayal, the depression, the dishonesty, the corruption, the wickedness, the sorrow, the selfishness, the sin, they are all a product of the fallen human race. We need Jesus more than ever. Netherlands, Japan, the Czech Republic will continue to experience these until Jesus comes, no magic there. You don't even need a prophet to say that.

EDITED.

She should not even be in Nigeria. It's unfortunate she is in Abuja receiving one yeye restoration process. The same quacks that were perplexed by ear infection?

Goodluck Jonathan's father.

raphieMontella:
so i said..if i write such myself to my kids..does it make it true?

If you are saying the truth, then it is true.

raphieMontella:
i am always conscious of what i type...ebuka claimed the army generals helped pass the message to 1.2m soldiers...i then said what is the probability of such occuring wit the length of such a message and the number of soldiers involved...he said he only gave ways it cud have happened...bt u then said..if it was passed down thatt the writer of chronicles cud get it and write it down..then it was passed down to the soldiers..

Yes, it only makes sense that if a vehicle (message) can reach 10km, then it will reach 10m. That's commonsense.

presidency:
Communique
Issued at the end of the 8th monthly meeting of the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing with operators of the Power Sector, Held on Monday, August 8 2016 at Baga Road Transmission Work Centre, Maiduguri, Borno State

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) supported by the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri, chaired the eighth monthly meeting of operators in the electricity industry. The meeting focused on identifying, discussing and finding practical solutions to critical issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The meeting was hosted by Yola Electricity Distribution Company.
The operators were fully represented at the highest executive management levels, including Managing Directors and CEOs of Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), as well as various government agencies such as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) responsible for the regulation and development of the electricity industry.
The meeting deliberated on various issues and resolved as follows:-
i. Acknowledged and appreciated reports by Yola DisCo and Borno State Commissioner for Energy that power supply to Maiduguri has improved.
ii. Acknowledged the work that still lies ahead to restore full service to Maiduguri and all parts of Borno State.
iii. Acknowledged the recent appointments made by Mr. President of NERC Commissioners awaiting Senate confirmation and substantive CEO of NBET which are consistent with the Federal Government’s drive to incremental power supply.
iv. Encouraged State Governments to assist in improving energy supply:-
(a) By helping to conduct energy audits of their residents needs to be submitted through a template which would be designed for onward circulation and guidance
(b) By educating residents about conservation of energy by switching off bulbs and appliances that are not in use.
v. The regulator of the industry published fact based ranking of all distribution, transmission and generation companies.
vi. Emphasized the need for the Operators of the industry especially the distribution companies to improve their operations and in particular their collections, by reducing losses, supplying meters and improving Customer relations.
vii. Noted that, the right of ways issues being experienced by NDPHC along Itu-Calabar axis have now been resolved

Good work, good information. It's not later now we will hear that Fashola and his ministry spent 29million on social media sensitization or whatever grammar oh. It is presidency we are seeing oh, and this postings no enter 1million naira yet oh. Be guided.

Osinbajo is in charge of economy, so his teacher should flog him jare. The V.P coordinates the economy, unfortunately GEJ made Sambo so useless and NOI so powerful. The results of the economy, good or bad is a reflection of the VP. Abi the teacher no teach am well?
lol, why GEJ administration is root cause, the current government approach as not being smooth at all.

fiizznation:
People shouldn't be deceived by this his 'nice gesture'. He used to get first-class information from boko haram, so he surely must know one or two things about the whereabouts of those chibok girls. The army should grind{ ask him serious questions, he shouldn't be manhandled} his behind until he confess.


"The army guard doesn't have airtime to contact his superiors". Don't know if I find this statement funny or some kind of indictment to the NA. Funny nation

The army don't ask intelligent questions judging from previous videos and their interactions with alleged boko haram members.

MadCow1:
They should gerraway..


Negotiating with Terrorists should never be an option...

We release these terrorists, they go back into circulation and kill more people.


Let the Nigerian Army keep exploring all means to release the girls, but I will never support releasing Terrorists.

They are useless in prison just eating food from Nigeria money. They can plant some kind of tracking device in them or recommending device.

raphieMontella:
because its a fantasy..
Ts smtin written by men..
Frm ur stand..i can as well write in my biography(or diary) that i had a special eyesight and that from earth i cud see planet 186f and its inhabitants vividly...and pass it on to my kids nd they pass it on also and then it becomes truth...
Ryt?

You complained about the LENGTH not the veracity. If the long message can be passed on till date, there's nothing hard passing it to the direct audience as my friend KingEbuka explained. Know what you are asking instead of aimlessly shifting the goal.

raphieMontella:
bros...read that chapter down...the message the guy said was long...like longgg..
And pls 1.2m is nt childs play..how can they pass such well?
What are the odds?

It was passed down to us, so why would you think that it was not passed down to the primary/direct audience?

raphieMontella:
explain how 2 chronicles 13:3-4 can happen in a real life settting

what do you have a problem with, the number or the names?

raphieMontella:
anas09 is here sef... U dnt want to tell me ur location abi? Ur disobeying ur bible o

Don't be ridiculous, unbelief is not a right to folly.

dankol:
Thanks for the reply visky, like you have pointed out, its to strengthen those who would be weaken by the above facts laid bare. But frankly, you did not do justice the post, you infact validated it with your unverifiable claims of priviledges except as proclaimed in the bible with no physical prove of such evidence.
i would have replied you extensively but it would yield nothing. You will never see things logically untill you remove that religious glasses. BUT THEN, GET READY TO WRITE MORE REBRUTTALS

Are you the one that sees things logically? The same fellow that sees Olumba as a Christian sect? The same fellow that thinks not accepting people who do not meet a criteria is hatred? i think you have just abused that word "logically".

dankol:
[b]
So I gave up on Christianity. It was not easy dear. Its like separating a child from his mother. I recall, in my room, there were two papas of student fellowships, I tackled them to a standstill that one of them avoids me like a plague till today. The other is too matured to be childish, He told me, he would pray for me to come back to God, I told him, “better still, tell God to come to me”. It got to a point that, one day, a roommate of mine, pleaded with me to stop the argument because, it is affecting him seriously, he said “dankol!, anytime I tried to pray, I begin to wonder, is God really up there listening to me ….just because of you. Please help me. I don’t want any of these discussions again”. I was moved, I never intended to shake anyone’s faith but to make you curious and inquisitive about what you believe. I promised not to talk about it anymore. But within me, I feel so much freedom and ability to think clearly and logically without any religious influence.
My story may not be intriguing as expected but I myself only knew what I went through all in the name of serving God. I do not intend to convert anyone as no one converted me. I came to that self-realization after so much struggle. Below is a few food for thought on some issues on religion.

Like every habit of course, they are hard to give up. Nothing new or special there Religion practised for over 10years may not be easy to give up. It is easier to die. There are many muslims and atheists that do not want to hear the gospel message or anything contrary to their beliefs, it's everywhere. It is not strange that your roommate does not want to constantly hear something contrary to what he knows, it is simply human nature. People don't always want change. It has little to do with who is right or wrong.

********END OF THE STORY************

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR RELIGIONISTS
What makes a Christian FEEL better than non-Christian

One day, I was in deep thought, I began to think, “what benefit do I get from being a Christian that a non-Christian do not get, moreso, there are Christians like me, who do not even have what I have, there are Christians who do have far more than I do have. Yet there are unbelievers on both sides too. So I think much deeper, there must be something that makes me different from an unbeliever”
I exclaimed, I have peace of mind! then I recall, I do get worried once in a while and even often.
I recall also, I have good health, then I remember, I have good healthy habit, live in a peaceful environment pretty much devoid of air pollution and what have coupled coupled with other physical factors.

This is the problem with the prosperity gospel so called. Gain is NOT godliness.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Jesus Himself said that in the world, His disciples have tribulation, and that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. And that the whole world lies in wickedness. The Bible clearly says that believers and unbelievers pass through and suffer the same things in this world.
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

In fact, if we think only about our gains in this life and rate it with that of others, Paul said that we will be rated MISERABLE.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Yes, there is divine intervention, answers to prayers, healings, health, miraculous provision etc. But they are not automatic or guaranteed for anybody. That is, Jesus did not guarantee His followers that they must live in all these, but that even in the waters and in the fire, HE will be with them. So when you begin to rate your life on ephemeral things, it shows AGAIN your ignorance of the ways of God.

Another came to my mind, You have sound mind.. so do many other unbelievers
Another came, Jesus has saved you, redeemed you to himself.. to become what? Ok sons and daughters of God, So if I am a son of God, then, I should not be experiencing certain difficulty. If he became poor, so I might be rich, I do not have to ration my daily meal from three to two and sometimes one.

He became poor that you may be rich, He also died to save sinners. It is not automatic. Not all sinners are saved, not every believer will be materially rich here on earth. Even the early church had a special tag, POOR saints. Not many materially rich. To be materially rich, there are laws to obey, it is not blood money that God is giving. There is sowing time and harvest time, there are principles of wealth, and acts that bring such favour. And most of that is open to al, whether believer or unbeliever. True riches are deeper than that, anyone that wants to be rich has to follow what it takes to be rich.
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

My problem is not the challenges I was facing as a Christian perhaps, it is accounted for in the scripture, Jesus did not promise a problem free life, infact he emphasized on himself, giving Christians a load to carry. Matthew 11:29-30 “… For my yoke is light and my burden is easy”. So by conventional interpretation, it has to do with challenges of life. Fine. But looking at life generally, there is virtually no physical difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. What do I mean?

1. Christians fall sick same as non-Christians
2. They die by all means possible, stray bullet, sickness, earthquake, war, fire, amongst others; same as unbelievers
3. They experience failure at one or two point in time in life ; same as unbelievers
4. Poverty, wealth , famine, name it, both Christians and non-Christians do enjoy their fair share of it.

This has already been addressed above. Just to add though that we all have the freewill and resources not to pass through many of these things. It is unto you according to your faith many times too. Generally, you might be poor or sick or unfortunate, but you do not have to be, or remain so. You have the power to redirect things. There are many ways to that e.g hardwork, curing your ignorance so you do not perish from it, prayers, persistence, diligence, deliverance, divine favours etc. Many people see rain, but few know that there are different types of rain and different ways to get rain.

SO, WHY DO I THINK AM BETTER THAN OTHERS WHO DO NOT SHARE IN MY FAITH? I almost gave up in my thought to differentiate why I am a better person by virtue of my religion to another until I remember this; Christianity is about a heavenly race. Paul said, “I have finished the race….” -2Timothy 4:7. Waoooo, I was happy to have seen one. Atleast if I am suffering on earth, I have hope of heaven. Paul further said in 1 Cor 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, WE ARE OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE”. That statement is an emphatical statement of certainty, that, Paul is so sure of a kingdom beyond this world which is of an immerse hope. Here lies my question

You are not better than others and no christian is better than others. It is just grace and mercy that separate many of us. The Bible does not teach that we are better than others. It teaches that God is the difference between us and others.

How sure was Paul to have made such emphatic statement without any evidence to back it up? Is it because he is an apostle, sorry, even apostles can tell lies that is why even Paul himself said in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”. So I decided to do that, I began to gather information about heaven outside the scripture. i.e I need some info to validate what I have read in the bible. Now, the various versions of heaven-visitors (near death experiences) made issues worse for me. Wait, Jesus cannot take sis. Janet to see a wailing Mary- crying to Janet to tell Catholics to stop praying to her and yet bro john did not see such. Infact both of them saw a different entrance into heaven and met different kinds of Jesus. So, I hastily concluded that, ok, fine, heaven exist and it is meant for Christians.

Apostles tell lies how and where?

One day, I saw a Christian magazine at a newspaper stand, front page had an info on an interview to another heaven visitor whom Jesus told that, in the whole of Nigeria, about 32 Christians will make heaven as at that point in time. I was shocked to the bone marrow. I left that place thinking, wait, Pastors in Nigeria alone go reach like half a million in Nigeria, that’s even too much, what of bishops, they are sure over 100 in Nigeria. So who would the 32 Christians be? Now, if about 50% of Nigeria’s population are professing Christians, and going by that revelation, 32 will make heaven, it is an absolute waste of years, time, resources to even try being a Christian. Then, something else poped up in my mind, there is a difference between being a Christian and being a Christ-follower. Anyone can be a Christian, bear Christian names but only one that does what Jesus wants done is indeed a Christian. Fine, lets define what Jesus wants done:

You only get yourself in trouble when you look outside to validate your father's ownership of you.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
The Scripture is a more sure word of prophecy. You have trust issues if you do not believe or trust God or Jesus or the holy apostles who had more sane things to say about Heaven, you went to look for Heaven in newspaper and magazine. Ridiculous. Here is a picture of Heaven.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

1. Help the sick
2. Feed the needy
3. Preach the gospel
4. Pray through him to God
5. Study the scripture to grow in faith
6. Obey authorities over you
7. Be honest, diligent and truthful
8. Forsake not the gathering of the brethren
9. Chief of it all, is believe in him as the messiah, he died for your sins and he is your salvation blab la bla .. in short, “HAVE FAITH”

Now, permit me to summarize all the above and as many you know that was not mentioned into two
1. FAITH
2. 2. WORK

I wont be tempted to point out the contradictions in the scripture on the two subject matter yet I admit both have a point of convergence latter on according to the scripture, and that is, a Christian needs both to be a Christian indeed.

Save yourself from frustration, here is the summary.
Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Now, it is one thing to have faith, which in my opinion it is easier- this point is what makes bulk of Christians. They profess Christ as Lord. But, it is another thing to do the works accompanying faith. The works are simply physical, interactive with man and the superman. Here lies the flaws of everything. Your works cannot be perfect. Because, humans are not wired to be 100% efficient and I think that’s what makes us unique. No Christian can do all that is expected of him/her with perfection, yet, “BE YE PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is PERFECT”.-Matthew 5:48.

Even Solomon affirmed that, there are times, you have to be good and times you have to be bad. Hence, the Idea of perfection is not an option. And from a theological perspective, this is where faith covers for your imperfect works. Fine Now here lies the problem, If even God knows, acknowledge and accept our flaws by using Jesus as a sacrificial lamb to make us perfect, that is why 2Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is …. not willing that any should perish,….”. Meaning, irrespective of how imperfect our work is, either at 99.99999999% or at 49.99999% or at 0.0000000000009%. Faith covers and serves as an insurance. If that is true- though I know this is another controversial issue in Christendom today (Once saved; saved forever VS otherwise school of thought), then, all things being equal, ALL PROFESSING CHRISTIANS SHOULD MAKE HEAVEN. But conventional report has it otherwise, where some heaven visitors are seeing the likes of Bishop Idahosa in hell, then itaffbeee. The funny thing is, this hell stuff is in tandem with theological dogma/doctrines of several churches. That is why, they will threaten with hell fire. (LOL) . Anyway If these reports are true, then FAITH IS USELESS BECAUSE, NO MAN CAN ATTAIN PERFECTION. And since you can’t attain perfection just as your heavenly father, then, there are two things involved
1. EVERYONE HEADS TO HELL MAJESTICALLY OR
2. GOD’S MERCY SPEAKS JUST AS IT SPOKE FOR MOSES AND JOSHUA- but we did not know of this except in the bible oooo. How sure that mercy will speak for you if it did not speak for Bishop Idahosa (with reference to that story based on the assumption that its true).

This is an aimless rant without head or tail.

No matter how good you are, no matter how much you are loved by people; there is something bad about you people still do not like. And if you are bad, there is some good you still do. So, since it is inherent, let faith do its work. Yet, faith failed because, even Jesus affirmed that, in Matthew 25:35-46 the kind of works he wanted and those who did not do those particular works were thrown into damnation. Faith should have saved them.

So, I told myself, there is seriously no GUARANTEE for any Christian to make heaven which is the ONLY POINT I could find to give me strength and hope as a Christian. I was weak and so I had more reasons to quit.

No guarantee yet Paul had one?

Mind you, If you have a concrete, verifiable advantage you have as a Christian over non-Christians, feel free to bring it up. Moreso, the heaven issue, If you are so convinced, please answer this question with all honesty: If Jesus come right now or If your Jesus come for you now (death), can you give me a 100% assurance that, you will make heaven? If you can, and you refuse to die, then you are a fat liar. Because, if I were present with you, I would request that you permit me to send you to heaven, why are you staying in this wicked world of sin, do you want to sin and go to hell? Seriously, it does not make any sense to belong to such a nicer class of superbeings and remain here. It is either a fairytale you deep down within you, do not believe or you are not 100% certain. Afterall, a songwriter wrote/sang “Everybody won go heaven, nobody won die, nobody won die”.

Christians are in the world to help sinners like you, and to be salt and light in the earth. They are on earth glorifying God, you do not know better. When it is their time to go, they go. You don't force people out of the market. Living a holy life is much easier and saner than the life of a sinner.

Also, why should I be bothered with after-life when, I knew nothing about pre-life. HEAVEN IS A FAIRY TALE, HELL IS NOT ONLY A FAIRY TALE BUT A FAIRY TOOL TO SCARE YOU TOWARDS HEAVEN. I WOULD LIVE THIS LIFE AM CONSCIOUS ABOUT, WELL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY- my take

Poor take on poor premise. Nobody asked you to bother about the afterlife, you are to be prepared for it. Just like developed people prepare for tomorrow, even to years and decades. It is not because they are sure they will see that tomorrow. Some are even sure that they would not.

Ranchhoddas:
I guess that would be a suitable description. I prefer 'Transitioning Christian though'.

Wandering child, come home on time jare. Jesus loves you and so do we.

dankol:
My brother, you know why i am not bothered by his replies.. because i was once like him, believing i was defending the truth. He only reminds of mof those days when i would defend tithing to a fault amongst other things here on nairaland. I totally understand him and i sincerely wish him the best in his endeavours. But mine.. he cant stop... i guarantee you.

You greatly insult me when you say you were once like me. No, you were never like me BECAUSE you were never born again or knew the Lord. You were only a religious conformist. You don't even understand yourself or what happened to you, how then can you understand another? Here your irrational and unreasonable talk about Olumba for instance? So in the school you're in, they have no standard or criteria? Anybody can just say that they belong to a body or department, and it is hatred if that department says no? Here's Olumba belief again showing how ridiculous your thinking is.

God: God is biospiritually interconnected with all things in nature, is male and female, and good and evil.
Jesus: Jesus did not have time to fully communicate his beliefs before crucifixion, and Obu’s role has been to explain, expand upon and add to his teaching. This is why a part of Brotherhood teaching has no counterpart in either the Old or the New Testament. His son, Rowland, continues to add to the teachings. BCS followers suggest that Obu’s achievements have been superior to that of Jesus.
Reincarnation: Because of a belief in the transmigration of souls between humans and animals, BCS members practice vegetarianism and veganism.