₦airaland Forum

tangled:
When will you learn to coexist in peace and love. All these 'my god is better than your god' comments will do more harm than good. If you want others to respect your beliefs and God, do not go around destroying what others believe in. If you believe your 'God' is superior, allow 'Him/Her' to prove the superiority without human intervention.
The most important thing for everyone, theist and non-theist, is respect and love. Preach the love of your 'God', leave the jugdement aspect to 'Him/Her'. Only the animals in the jungle will kill other animals for food, animals don't even kill for fun. All the bickering must stop, all these insulting comments and cartoons must end, protect your beliefs but don't trample on or insult the beliefs of others. Let us create a better world for our children, let us join our hands together to make this world a better place for everyone.

This is a good moral advice but will terrorists heed it?

I believe self defence is no sin. You do not have to submit yourself to be killed by satanists in the name of propagating their religion, hence my expressions hereunder. Thank God for some men of God who have now realized and have agreed to self-defence. Infact I discusssed this issue with a pastor friend and we disagreed to agree and at the end of the day, he concurred self dfence is no sin. God would not blame anyone for attacking who wants to take his/her life. I know this thread may generate a lot of heat, just express your opinion.
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No doubt, killings and attempts to kill will continue as long as islam exists. It is a way of serving their god:

"Warfare is PRESCRIBED (ordained) for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth , ye know not" (Quran 2:216)

Soon shall we cast TERROR into the hearts of the unbelievers, for that they joined companion with Allah (Qur'an 3:151)

And fight with them until there is no more filna(disorder, unbelief) and religion should be only for Allah (Qur'an 8:89).

The Messenger of Allah said: "I have been commanded by Allah to fight against people till they testify that there is no God but Allah, that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and pay Zakat" (Sahih Muslim 1:33).

So, islamic terrorisms in not a new development in the world, only that it is heightening as the end time draws near.

WHEN PHYSICAL WEAPONS ARE NEEDED

When Jesus was to be arrested, He knew His disciples would be harrassed and embarrassed after He would have left. For that reason, He told them to get swords for self defence or what else were the swords to be used for?: Then said he unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take it and likewise his scrip: and he hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one (Luke 22:36). I believe sword for
self defence was necessary to stop some individuals from harrassing them.

When they which were about him saw what would follow,they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with sword? (Luke 22:49). I'm so sure Jesus was aware that his disciples had swords on them, which he never objected to. Do we have swords as Christians today? Christianity is based on
Jesus words and deed, are we holier than Him?

Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (John 18:11).
Jesus mission was to die for the sins of the world and Peter preventing them from his arrest would work contrary to His mission, hence he had to stop him. You and I are not here to die for the sins of the world, that is not our mission.

Then said Jesus unto him, put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword (Matthew 26:52). Think thou that I cannot not pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53). Jesus could have delivered himself "but how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be"? (Matthew 26:54). Here again, Jesus makes us to understand that He would have defended Himself but for the reason that His misson was to fulfil the scriptures that He must be killed. As Christians, can we NOT use swords or weapons to defend ourselves, as it is not prophesied of us to die for the sin of the world?

He who kills by the sword will perish by the sword should mean the person who first attacks and kills by sword will die by sword on judgement. For a man to die by the sword on judgement, he must have killed first by sword. This is teaching us not to be offensive by killing first, but does not mean we should surrender ourselves to someone who draws sword against us. For man and animal, nature abhors
it to be killed without resistance. That is why if someone strangles somebody's neck, the victim would by instinct try to struggle out and would do so if he could. We have both natural and spiritual right to defend ourselves as Christians.

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him (Matthew 5:39). This is talking about light afflictions, which you can bear. The fact that you are enjoined to turn the other cheek shows you still have the ability to endure more. This is not applicable to your heads or hands being chopped off, which you cannot endure or bear. Or can you bear your right hand cut off and stretch the left hand? The verse is not talking about the use of weapon against you.

SPIRITUAL WEAPONS FOR SPIRITUAL FIGHTS

We need spiritual weapons for spiritual fight: God's words, prayers and fasting.

Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood, BUT against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

"We wrestle NOT against flesh and blood BUT": means we do not initiate fight against humans first BUT against spiritual forces. I reiterate: "We wrestle NOT" is an active and not a passive tense, meaning we do not act first and not when first acted against. It means we do not carry out an attack on humans and not that we cannot respond to human attack carried out against us. The verse is talking about offensive attach[/b]on spiritual beings but not on human. In other words, the verse could read: [b]We ATTACK NOT (i.e wrestle not) against flesh and blood (humans) but principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. We have no right as Christians to attack anybody first but invisible (spiritual) forces, offensively and defensively.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down IMAGINATIONS AND EVERY THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ
(2 Cor.10:4-5). The weapons mentioned here can not be physical as the targeted enemies are not physical. The targeted enemies are IMAGINATIONS, PRIDE and EVIL THOUGHT,which cannot be fought with swords, gun etc. Again, this is an offensive attack are requiring us to pull down strongholds.

The next question is: why did the apostles not fight back when they were being killed? I believe it was because it was the government at that time that was persecuting them and they as individuals could not face the government. If it was a group of pagans that attempted it, they would not have given up to them.

I think it is an erroneous belief for Christians to surrender to jihadists, who go about forcing their belief on everybody. I believe is hightime we started having swords on us like Jesus disciples. Satan capitalizes on the ignorance of the Christians and raised those who would kill them untimely or force them to accept islam that offers hell.

Around 1983 or thereabout, there was islamic sectarian crisis as usual in the North, Kano. These jihadists were coming in their number to attack a Pentecostal Church on a Sunday Service. In the mist of the service they started hearing the shout of "allau akbar" with the people surging towards the church. But because the leader of the church had instructed the members to be fully armed, the members too
came out in Jesus name with various weapons. It was a surprise that the jihadist disappeared like air. The church was small at that time and today, it is a church to be reckoned with in Nigeria. What if they had succeeded in killing the leader and the members?

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). We are compared to serpent because it is wise and would not attach if not provoked. And we all know that serpent is dangerous and does not condone attack. We should be dangerous to our enemies, both physical and spiritual, who want to kill us.

It is our faults as Christians if we should allow human agents of the Devil to close the church and terminate our lives untimely. Islam has no message, the only message of converting is violence. Satan knows violence is a very effective weapon against man and that is why Allah said they should fight people till they surrender.

If they realize that the Christians will not give up easily, and are ready to defend themselves, they too will be afraid of carrying out attacks. Allah says they too do not like to die - "Warfare is PRESCRIBED (ordained) for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth , ye know not" (Quran 2:216).

timonski:
there are many mary's in the bible. The lazarus we are discussing here is that of the "rich man and lazarus" story/parable. This lazarus is different from mary and martha's brother, whom i believe always played host to Jesus christ. I am saying that this poor lazarus did nothng that merits heaven. Being poor doesn't give u access to heaven and that's why it was a parable

First, I maintain that the fact that Jesus mentioned two human names shows it was not a parable.

Not the whole record of Lazarus life is narrated, so you are not in the position to know what he did to qualify for heaven.

truthman2012:
@ yazach

I know why you muslim guys are comfortable with telling lies, it is just like the quran is full of them. Let me quote the verse for you properly:

Lo! those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), AND[/b]those who are Jews and Christians and Sabaeans - [b]WHOSOEVER believeth in allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve (2:62).

Where do you see ''before prophet Muhammad'' there? I will not be surprised if muslims change the entire words in the quran tomorow as allah himself was changing his revelations to suit any situation.


All your accusations of Paul are irrelevant. Paul had written everything he wrote as part of Christians belief before your Allah said Christians will go to heaven.

@ yazach

No more words coming from you na. Have you exhausted your lies?

Islam is falsehood, see why:

www.nairaland.com/2084448/islamic-lies-muslims-don't-want

timonski:
@truthman Lol, it was a parable...duh. So what did the poor lazarus do to merit heaven. Does being poor/wretched guarantee one of heaven?

It was not a parable because Lazarus and Abraham were humans who once lived in the world.

It wasn't poverty that took Lazarus to heaven but the type of life he might have lived that pleased God.

jayriginal:
This is known as special pleading, a common fallacy. Everything except . . .

Oh and see the bolded, that effectively negates any notions of scientifically proving God.



Except God right?

LMAO

God is beyond human experiments. He is invisible as even you cannot see your own spirit

What in your knowledge caused the universe as nothing can cause something.

DieeDiee

Earlier you said nothing can create something. If there is absence there is nothing because absence means "not there". Meaning if evil is the absence of God then evil is nothing because nothing can create something but that is faulty as we KNOW evil is something because we WITNESS it meaning then to define evil as the absence of God is untrue, faulty and misleading because according to you only God can create something out of nothing (He created Himself out of nothing) meaning only God can create evil. But for Him to create He not only has to be there but He is aware of His creation and is doing it with full consciousness. Therefore evil is not the absence of God but the conscious creation of God.

Evil is an action and not a creation. People act evil when God is not in their lives.

What invitation is that when He "allowed" our ancestors, for example, to be "heathen" for centuries? If He was fine with that for centuries on end is it not then reasonable for us to see no wrong in our "heathen" ways? He was okay with them before, why not now?

They were heathens because they did not hear about God. God has a programme for every race and generation. When it was time for Africa, Assia, etc., the Gospel got to them. And for those ancestors who did not hear the gospel, God made a provision for them too. When Jesus died, the bible says : For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead (I Peter 6). Our ancestors also had the opportunity to hear the gospel even in their graves. Congratulations to those of them who believed it.

What do you have to say about that poor mama who wakes up every morning, stands in the street corner at the mercy of the heavens, selling her wares for pitiless pennies tirelessly day after day trying to feed her 8 children whom she is raising alone because the husband that used to beat her night after night decided to get himself a new wife, leaving this poor woman and her children homeless and penniless. Now this woman who regardless of the weather goes to church to worship God, regardless how tired she is will pray before she gets into bed and first thing when she wakes up. She prays for God to help her and her children to not get kicked out of the room she can't afford to rent. She not only gets kicked out but her children are bullied and made fun of because they are so poor. One of her children is sickly, another is disabled and another had been raped by an uncle that had promised to take care of her. Has this woman not accepted God's invitation? Is she liable for what is happening to her - prayer after prayer?

I do not believe in Catholic faith in the first place. They worship Mary contrary to the bible. There is nowhere Jesus said his mother should be worshiped. Then, was she poor because she was going to church? NO. She would have been poor the same if she was an atheist. That somebody is righteous is not a condition for being rich. Lazarus was a VERY poor man but yet recognized by God, while the rich man's name was not recognized in heaven (Luke 16:20-25) They call him rich man and not his name because his name is not in the Book of Life. This is not a parable, it was a reality.

You should take your nose out of the bible sometimes and experience the world with us. Who doesn't know about the worldwide cases of child molestation by Catholic priests? That man or woman who sits next to you every Sunday, prays the loudest and is always the first one to faint - you don't know what he or she is up to Monday to Saturday.

Like I said before, I don't believe in Catholic, they do a lot of things contrary to the bible. Besides, Jesus said not everybody who calls him Lord will enter heaven but only those who do the will of God. You don't go to heaven because you a pastor, priest, bishop etc., only those who do the will of God. Jesus said we should look unto him the author of our faith and not any pastor or church goer. Even, one of Jesus disciples disappointed him.

So He'd much rather they live in darkness so that He can punish them for their lack of knowledge? There are only 7 continents in the world. How many "prophets" did He send the Israelites? Did those prophets not repeat the same message? Besides what's wrong with repetition if the message is important and of truth?

I think I have answered a bit of this earlier. God would not punish them for lack of knowledge but for refusal to accept knowledge as they too have the opportunity to hear God's word. Abraham was called out from among idolaters and was counted for him as faith. Who knows if God called people also from all the continents and they refused? God gives man freewill to choose, that is why He keeps looking at everyone: atheists, christians, idolaters, muslims etc. But a day of reckoning is coming why people will account for their choices. But one thing am sure of: anyone who opposes a judge cannot be discharged and acquitted.

Coming to answer you @ DieeDiee, my batery is low, expecting power to be restored.

@ yazach

I know why you muslim guys are comfortable with telling lies, it is just like the quran is full of them. Let me quote the verse for you properly:

Lo! those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), AND[/b]those who are Jews and Christians and Sabaeans - [b]WHOSOEVER believeth in allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve (2:62).

Where do you see ''before prophet Muhammad'' there? I will not be surprised if muslims change the entire words in the quran tomorow as allah himself was changing his revelations to suit any situation.


All your accusations of Paul are irrelevant. Paul had written everything he wrote as part of Christians belief before your Allah said Christians will go to heaven.

yazach:
This verses of the glorious Qura'an will be appropriate:
Qura'an 1 vs 5-7
O!! Allah!! Guide us to the straight path
The way of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace(Muslims)
(Not (the way) of those who earned Your anger(Jews), nor of those who went astray)(Christians)
Meaning
guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom you have bestowed Your grace, that is, the people of guidance, sincerity and obedience to Allah and His Messengers. They are the people who adhere to Allah's commandments and refrain from committing what He has prohibited.
But, help us to avoid the path of those whom Allah is angry with(Jews), whose intentions are corrupt, who know the truth, yet deviate from it.

Also, help us avoid the path of those who were led astray, who lost the true knowledge and, as a result, are wandering in misguidance, unable to find the correct path.(Christians)

Are you denying what allah said in quran 2:62 that Jews Christians are going to heaven? Didn't allah know the Jews' and Christians' belief b4 he said so? Why did he issue out 1:5-7?

johnydon22:
Seriously malvisguy i am disappointed... Ur posts are very disappointing and lacks every bit of intellectual cobstruction...SMH

You don't expect him to reason the way you do, you do not have the same spirit. The word of God is foolishness to carnal people.

@ DieeDiee

Atrocities committed by man cannot be blamed on God as you have claimed. Atrocities could be summarized as 'evil'. Evil is the absence of God just as darkness is absence of light.

If man decides not to obey God and lack His presence despite His general invitation, then he (man) should be held liable to whatever happens.

Of all the atrocities you highlighted, you cannot find any committed by God's people, I mean the born-again. They were committed by people who do not know God.

God cannot give every continent their own prophets as it will mean repitition of His messages.

davien:
which means?

Am not a psychic.

DieeDiee:
Then you must be psychic.

No. The word 'psychic' has to do with occulticism, the congregation of satanists. I'm a child of God.

davien:
I commend intellectual honesty whenever I see it...christian,muslim,hindu,atheist etc...frosbel has been intellectually honest enough to review(albeit to myself not entirely)his worldview and has come across profound discoveries..
A common christian would think an atheist like me is just "angry at god" because of a sad event or just rebelling or "possessed" or just came across a website making a case against a belief and I fell for it...
Truth is I was a staunch christian.. I had even decided to become a pastor and so I decided to go study "the word" historically....and it's origin and it's canon...what I found was nothing the common preacher was preaching behind the altar but the opposite....so it was either to be intellectually honest about it or find a way to convince myself no matter what.

Huum! May God in his mercies restore you. Amen.

I have many testimonies using the same word you have rejected.

slyfox5555:
The question is similar to asking why does "darkness" exist? Darkness exist because of the absence of Light. Evil exist because of the absence of God. God did not create evil. When you remove God's moral standards: you have a solid framework for evil.

Good.

davien:
All the people you mentioned above and those dreams are still claimed in the bible so how does that make it true if you're using the bible to confirm itself?

Apart from the bible, I have had many dreams coming true.

DieeDiee:
Do you know what a lion or elephant looks like? Have you ever seen a real life elephant or lion? How do you identify it's a lion or elephant?

I saw them on TV.

DieeDiee:
I don't live in Nigeria where I live in the city we don't rear chickens we get them frozen in the store already dead

Ok. But since you have not seen life chicken before, how did you identify it was chicken?

If you were a Christian, seeing chicken in the dream could have a meaning: either you are enjoined to stop eating it for some time or rear it as a business. But if you are not certain of what it means, you have to pray for clearer revelation.

DieeDiee:
Born and raised in the city never seen a live chicken in real life in my life (or have no memory) and I don't particularly like chicken

How can you tell this type of lie. Born in the city and never have seen chicken before, even if you are 2 years old. Don't you see them on the street on Christmas day?

davien:
So? If i dream about anything and it comes true...does that automatically mean anything I dream about is true, even unicorns?

Whether your dreams will come true or not depends on the type of spirit that dwells inside of you. Solomon, Joseph and many others dreamt and they came true. God do send messages to people in dream. If you don't have God, your dream may be seeing chicken, rats, snake etc

davien:
you've already been labelled a backslider though

I think so myself.

Should we not all stand against atrocities committed by these jihadists. So, we should praise them, abi?

Did Jesus praise the pharisees and saducees by saying 'woe' unto them? What did they do compared to muslims?

Your criticisims of Christian faith these days show you are no more part of us. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

DieeDiee:
I once dreamed of a chicken knocking on my door ... If dreams are the future I'm still waiting for that chicken to come knocking at my door

Did you think of chicken before you slept? Maybe you keep poultery.

People dream of future events and they come true.

timonski:
Dreams are simply our afterthoughts. Ntin spiritual

Your afterthought carries you to a place different from where your body is? People dream of what happens in the future, they never have idea of talkless of thinking about it.

timonski:
jamb can only give a certificate. It is not enough evidence that u wrote the exam with ur own hands

It is an abberation to have certificate without sitting for exams.