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Well, I think Theo pretty much answered this but even still:
So you think if they are willing to learn about God, only then would you help them? Was it not Jesus that died on the cross for all man-kind and took every sin upon himself in order to fulfill his purpose? Christian basically means to try and be like Christ. I obviously know that being like Christ is impossible because no human is perfect, but wouldn't Jesus open the door and let him in regardless of what he believed? Unexpected kindness, as Theo put it, would be the key phrase here. Maybe through that unexpected kindness, you could either 1 - lead him to the Lord or 2 - bless him with what you have to offer. Isn't that what it's all about anyway? To give without expecting something in return?
By being a Christian Seifferlein, you are no more important than a non-believer. You are his equal and as such should treat him equally as a brother whether he believes or not. Like it says...~Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.~
In response to Wollowbilly's origional question of what we atheists do on christmas...
I'm only 16 so I pretty much have to go along with what the family does. I do give presents (only because I get them in return and feel bad when I take and not return). But I dont listen to carols, or celebrate in any other way. I give a few gifts here and there and thats it. The best part about christmas is getting to see the whole family (I live 520 miles from our whole family so everytime is a good time), and the 2 1/2 - 3 weeks off of school.
OK, I see what you guys are saying about letting in a guy even if he is not a believer and does not show signs of believing. However, that analogy is off of my main point. I was originally talking about all of the people who take part in the holiday and change it into something else. They have a different motive to change the holiday and get what they want. However, they don't see this as wrong, and they don't know/care that a lot of christians see this as wrong. So, therefore, by me allowing them into church or letting them take part in the holiday they can percieve that I am telling them that there actions are OK. So, they probably aren't going to change. If people don't force upon them that changing this holiday for their own wants is disrespectful, then they will never care.
Please do not mistake me for some christian who thinks he is better than others because I am not. Since I am a christian I am fully aware that I am no better than anyone else.
Last edited by Seifferlein; Nov 16, 2003 at 11:55 AM.
Originally posted by willowbilly3 I would be interested to hear what your concept of heaven is.
Hi willowbilly and true,
Heaven is opening a bottle of my home-made root beer and smelling the full-bodied brew before tasting. It takes me back to quiet times, a summer day, water lapping against the boat, a bobber dancing in a million diamond points of light. Or recalling the clang of horseshoes in the dwindling evening and seeing my dearly-missed grandfather pick up a ringer in his big calloused hand.
Root beer does that to me, it's all the heaven I'll need. Care for a bottle?
I'd love to sit down and partake with you someday. The smell of Juniper does that to me. We always had the native cedar tree for a Christmas tree on the ranch when I was a kid. It also brings back fond memories of family.
Originally posted by willowbilly3 I'd love to sit down and partake with you someday. The smell of Juniper does that to me. We always had the native cedar tree for a Christmas tree on the ranch when I was a kid. It also brings back fond memories of family.
mmmm....juniper. How about this:
Early June, late evening. Get in the pickup, roll down the windows, and drive along a gravel road. You can feel the heavy air, ready to burst into dew. Then catch the smell of a newly-mown hayfield.
How ironic, right after I posted I almost edited to include the smell of new mown hay in the evening. There is just something about smells that get the old neuro-transmitters firing. A sweet aroma from the past can bring back fond memories more quickly and passionately than any other stimuli.
I will always remember the kid in The Outlaw Josey Wales (I think?) The last words he said as he was dieing was that he smelled cookies baking. When I go, the smell of my mother's homemade bread could transport me.
He how about that, I hijacked my own thread.
"Baliff whack his P--P--!" nevermind.
My wife and I have been busy making that great snack mix made of Chex cereals, which I associate with the holidays, and makes the house smell fantastic when baking. We decided to give a quart jar of it to every one of our friends this Christmas. I'm the chief baker and she's the mason jar adorner, putting frilly little things on it, the touch only women have.
The most fun was sitting down and writing out the list of our friends who will receive this simple gift. I must be a lucky man, our cupboards are burgeoning with boxes and boxes of cereal.
Well, I just want to wish every one of you the best this holiday season. regurdless of how you observe it. Reach out to someone in need this year if you normally don't. Patch up a rift with a neighbor or family member. You won't regret it. J.B.
The christians simply co-oped the first day during winter where the days become longer, Mithra or some such, pagan holiday that was too well liked by many of the new converts. Had to get those impure thoughts out of there simple little minds some way or another.
Originally posted by willowbilly3 Well, I just want to wish every one of you the best this holiday season. regurdless of how you observe it. Reach out to someone in need this year if you normally don't. Patch up a rift with a neighbor or family member. You won't regret it. J.B.
Brother willowbilly,
I just read some of your comments in Waxy's divorce thread. I'm sorry to learn of your personal travails. I wondered why so many of your posts had a tragic tenderness to them, and I have been thinking about you much of this evening. I don't know you, never met you, never will, but I am thinking of you nevertheless.
Thank you for that billsco. And though we disagree on some very major issues, through all that still shines the basic human goodness that reflects itself in genuinely caring for your fellow humans, as I do for you also my good and worthy friend and (sometimes) opponent.