( ) So maybe there's a Supreme Being, but who knows what He or She or IT is like? ( ) It's a personal matter with me--I don't talk about it. (Lone Ranger type) ( ) You're asking ME? I dunno. (An agnostic doesn't know.) ( ) I have my own; I made it myself. (pie-in-the-sky religion) ( ) I'm in the mainstream -- whatever "they" say, is OK by me. (Duh..) ( ) Mine is the True Religion; others all go to hell. (stuffed-shirt).
( ) Nothing to it. Just a crutch for weaklings and bleeding hearts. (Atheist category).
George Washington passed through several cities -- including Philadelphia and Trenton -- on the way to that historical first inauguration at Federal Hall in New York City; then the temporary capital of the United States. Aware of the importance of this national ritual, the brown-suited Washington set many precedents during his first inauguration: the swearing-in took place outside; the oath was taken upon a Bible; an inaugural address was given (to the assembled Congress inside the Hall) the contents of which set the pattern for all subsequent addresses; and festivities accompanied the inauguration, including a church service, a parade, and fireworks.
- See http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trt051.html for this historical data concerning our Christian Nation.
The Bible uses the word "Religion"in three books, and because I consider the Bible my prime dictionary as well as my absolute Instruction Book, I don't use this word "religion" lightly or disparagingly -- rather, I acknowledge the religion of the Pharisees (Acts 26:5) and of the Jews (Gala 1:14). It's the Book of James, 1:27, which tells us that "pure religion and undefiled before GOD and the Father is this; to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
- Don't hide away or become a recluse--we're supposed to live victoriously in a manner others will desire.
A scan of 2009 estimates of USA religions indicates Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10%. The polls seem to shy away from the term "Christian", and "God-of-the-Bible" is inexcusably avoided, but despite a "falling away" and a rapidly growing Islam, Christianity appears to still be in the lead with more than 70%.
The Old Testament Hebrew religion was exclusively for the 'chosen' people, the Jews, but the New Testament is for 'any whosoever', including the Jews, as well as all races; anybody who chooses to recognize and follow after Christ.
- Sometimes we hear it said that Jerusalem is the birthplace of the world's three greatest religions, but Islam came much later, in the 5th century A.D., and Mohammed had plenty of time to hear scriptural accounts, but reportedly was never in Jerusalem and didn't mention that city in his koran.
- In Europe now, the Sharia Law of Islam is being recognized and its impact on the USA has already grown to alarming proportions.
Could the 9/11 WTC attack have been prevented?
For sure, if our fearless Leaders and fatcat Judges only had the guts and faith of our founders concerning the GOD of the Bible. Then the foreigners with their dumb idols and strange gods would not have been welcomed with open arms to the U.S.A. Then the mosques and heathen temples would not have been a haven for the jihad skyjackers. Then the world would know that the United States is great because they worship the One True God, and not the false and lying perverted gods who are no gods. Then our leaders would have been educated in an honorable and ethical educational environment instead of one where Darwin's evolution philosophy still reigns, and the Word of God often ridiculed.
Is it too late for that now? Do we really believe that all religions are equal--which is to say that there's no such thing as a "True" religion and that therefore Jesus must have been a liar or charlatan or completely misquoted? Will there really be a personal "judgment" for each and every one of us like the Bible says, or is it the Washington think-tanks and Supreme faithless Courts which have the true handle on wisdom? As for me and my house, we will follow after the God of the Bible, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In the 5th chapter of 1st Samuel we're told about how the Ark of God was taken captive by the Philistines and was brought into the house of Dagon and set by that idol. Their god, Dagon, has the head and hands of man, but the tail of a fish! On the first night Dagon lands on his face, but on the second night he gets his head and hands cut off. How degrading! How humiliating!
- Nevertheless, we aren't told about any of those myopic worshippers switching sides and following after the One True God -- no, they didn't LEARN anything, but instead stayed away from there and likely continued their same old screwy and unfounded beliefs somewhere else. The Bible is true, and true to human nature. People who are raised in customs contrary to the Bible don't often change when confronted with truth, but follow willy-nilly what they've been told by Grandma and Grandpa. Some atheists have taken that position just as an attention-getter I think, but others at least partly because of the untruths and fabrications people tell about the Bible.
American Religions
Adventist, Ahmish, Assemblies, Baptist, Catholic, Christian Scientist, Church of Christ, Church of God, Congregational, Episcopal, Jehovah Witnesses, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene, Pentecost, Presbyterian, Quaker, Unitarian:
- These nineteen denominations are among the better known churches in the United States which consider the Bible [for the most part: Genesis to Revelation] to be the inspired "Word of God".
- Bible Church, Word Church, and Christian Church are among the "non-denominational" names found currently in the U.S.A.
My intent is not to belittle other belief's, but to present the wisdom and TRUTH from Scripture so that folks can weigh for themselves whatever they've been taught.
Seventh Day Adventists stress Saturday the proper day to recognize the sabbath.
- or World-wide -- same appropriate name, but differing doctrines.
No mention here of the church which split over the issue of whether Adam and Eve had navels or not, but if you don't find fault with at least two or three of these thumbnails, you probably aren't paying attention! No criticism intended -- simply highlighting the better known attributes. We wouldn't all fit in the same building anyhow.
Jesus told the unnamed Samaritan 'Woman-at-the-Well' (John 4), "Ye worship ye know not what". And so it is to any and every who don't know the God of His Word, His Truth, His Son, His Seed. God of the Bible.Atheists (anti-theos), Agnostics (anti-knowledge), and Scientology or New Age (so-called) all fit in the category of anti-Christ which 1John2:18, explains has been with us ever since that first century A.D. Likewise, Deists and their deism seek to lump all under their banner of 'a god of natural Reason and Logic' by denying the Godhead (deity) of Christ and Truth of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible plainly speaks of witchcraft, which I take to include Voodoo, Wicca, Druid, Santeria, Toltec, etc. and even the modern Ralien's of today. Abraham's father, Terah, followed after "other gods", Josh24:2, the Scripture telling us we may have to leave our father's house in search of genuine truth. We aren't told who dreamed up these many false religions -- only that idol worshipping was already in existence even before Abraham's time.
I've never forgotten the Boy Scout Law; "to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent". And, when given the chance, I'm pleased to explain the real truth and logic to those willing to listen.
"Every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (incarnate) is NOT of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist"... 1Jn4:3.
"Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way". Deut27:18
Evangelicals, Charismatics, Fundamentalists, Holiness, and Holy Rollers, are just a few of the other names claimed by contemporary "Christians".
Acts 11:26 tells us "they were called Christians first in Antioch" (after Barnabus and the Apostle Paul had been teaching there for a year).
"J" - "C" - "P" Protestant by process of elimination! When I joined the Navy at the tender age of 17 they offered me only three choices for my dogtags: I could choose either J for Jewish, or C for Catholic, or P for Protestant. NO OTHER CHOICES were offered to me. At the time I'd never heard (or it hadn't registered) of John Wycliff or Martin Luther or the Reformation, and certainly didn't know then that a Protestant was someone who protested the Roman Catholic church because it taught contrary to what was written in the Bible.
No Christians without Christ!
"Christ in you, the hope of glory", Colossians 1:27, is the definition of Christian, so anyone acting contrary to the doctrine of Jesus Christ is at best an illegitimate christian.
"For IN HIM we live and move and have our being, as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring". Acts 17:28.
Not everyone likes poetry, and all poetry is not the same, but the Bible lays a notable foundation when it says "My Cup runneth over" in the 23rd Psalm. Not a tin cup or coffee cup, but poetically speaking of the blessings found in the lives of those who follow after Christ.
Cults (who frequently teach that Jesus was "just a good man"), and other organizations which disbelieve the Bible and/or put their own writings in the forefront include: Mormons (Latter-Day Saints), Vishnu ghuru's or Krishna's (Hindu), Moonies (Asian), Rastafarian's (Haile Selassie of Ethiopia), Buddhists, and Moslems (Islam). Do they actually think I'm going to believe their so-called "enlightened" mantra and revelations (Rubbish, malarkey, nonsense, or Moroni Baloney) when it's clear to me they haven't even understood the original??
- What kind of cunning stupidity is it that denies the Resurrection by saying Jesus was just a good man?
Click on www.selectsmart.com/religion if you want help to choose the "right" religion for you, according to your present beliefs. Of course, more time or study or circumstances may cause you to change your mind....as the saying goes 'there are no atheists in the foxholes'..
Jesus gave us a new commandment in John 13:34: "that ye love one another as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". So I'm sorry when they won't accept Jesus and his words, and I hope they'll learn or change or make a new decision, but as long as they behave themselves and don't deliberately violate society's rules, I'll just pray they live long enough to see the Light and try to love 'em.
- The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. Mizpah, or galeed, Gen31.49.
"Strait is the gate, and narrow the Way which leads unto Life,- and few there be that find it". Mt7:14 "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!" Mt4:19
GospelSmiths * Allegory * Church-State * King-Priest * Tongues * Healing
