BK> A simple one:  A monotheistic religion holds that there is only one
BK> deity. If there is only one such deity then *all* monotheistic religions
BK> must be worshipping that one, Logic 101.  And as I noted, the differences
BK> between them are in their rituals and traditions, not the basic belief.

BK> I didn't say there were no differences between them, I said they were
BK> worshipping the same deity.

It seems to me that logic is a very subjective thing. While I am a Christian
who is in large part motivated by my personal faith, at the same time, I also
view myself as being a very logical person.

The strange thing is, two people can look at the same thing, and yet their
logic will cause them to walk away with two very different opinions.

For example, I've mentioned on occasion how that even if the Bible didn't
exist, I would still believe that an all-powerful Creator deity exists. I
look at the marvels of the natural world around us, and I see His Hand in
everything. In my view, the Universe, down to our very bodies, and even
smaller, is so complex, and so ordered, that my logic demands that I accept
the existence of a Divine Designer and Creator -- God. As the Apostle Paul
wrote:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power
and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Romans 1:20, KJV

Yet at the same time, someone who is not a person of faith, will look at the
very same things as I do, and their logic will convince them that Darwinian
evolution is the answer; and we will both be utterly convinced of our views.

So, while your logic dictates that Christianity, Judaism and Islam all
worship the same God, mine does not, because I interpret the evidence
differently than you do, and I doubt that we will ever come to agreement on
this issue. :)

BK> Two = actually three - different individuals comprising the same god.  A
BK> physical and logical absurdity.  And yes, I know millions of people have
BK> swallowed it.

I'm assuming that you are referring to the so-called "Holy
Trinity". For the
record, as I amply discuss in some of my articles, I for one do not accept
the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

The Scriptures lead me to believe that there are only two, God the Father,
and Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus, according to the Bible, is the second most
powerful Being in the Universe, but He is submissive to His Father. They are
not one and the same...and the Scriptures provide a substantial amount of
evidence to support this view. My logic dictates that it must be so.

It has long been my view that the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, is not an
actual physical being, as some Trinitarians apparently believe. It is an
extension of the Father. It is a powerful Creative Force which effects
miracles, etc. We are told that the Spirit moved upon the waters in Genesis,
and we are told that the Spirit overshadowed Mary at the moment of Jesus'
Conception.

Some day, by God's Grace, if I arrive in the Halls of Heaven, I don't expect
to see Jesus sitting on the Right Hand of the Father, and the Holy Spirit
sitting on the Left Hand. I expect to see God the Father on His Throne, (as
per Revelation 4), and Jesus the Lamb of God.

BK> There are historical records other than the Bible that refer to Jesus.

I agree. The writings of Titus Flavius Josephus come to mind, such as
"Antiquities of the Jews".

BK> As I said, the differences are in the rituals and traditions.  Organized
BK> religions are made by men, different men with different backgrounds.

I think the differences are deeper than that, but as I said, I don't expect
us to see eye-to-eye on that point. The latter point, yes.

BK> There has been an ongoing discussion of Mormonism in another echo.
BK> Mormonism is a subset of Christianity (as are Methodism, Lutheranism, the
BK> Baptists and Catholicism - among others).  All of the above mentioned
BK> flavors of 'Christianity' have the same basic beliefs but differ in the
BK> details - rituals and traditions.

I skim over that discussion, but really don't read too much of it in detail.
I view it as an utter waste of time, and an exercise in futility. A man
convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still. My view is that
they argue and debate, and cuss, and put each other down, just for the sake
of doing it, and not because they really hope to learn anything from each
other. There are big egos, but little substance; but that is just my
opinion.

While the above-named denominations do share some common beliefs, there are
also some vast doctrinal differences between them, too many to discuss here.
You might want to check out some of my online articles for that, or download
them from my BBS. Oh wait...you don't do Internet, do you? Not even telnet?
:)

You know, when I was doing missionary work in Mexico back during the 70's, I
often encountered Mormons...gosh...who doesn't? We've even got them here on
Guam. But my point is, back then, they didn't even carry Bibles with them,
because they esteemed their own writings, such as the Book of Mormon, more
than the Bible. In fact, unless I am mistaken, they still view the Bible as
merely a supplement to the Book of Mormon. I've read it in its entirety,
the BoM that is, and it is a strange tale which has very little in common
with the Bible.

BK> Possibly.  Maybe even probably.

Sorry, but I can't agree with that. The Bible teaches us that God is not the
author of confusion. We are not just toys to Him, and He doesn't give each
faith different beliefs, just to keep us arguing and bickering and confused.
That is someone else's job. If you want to keep people confused regarding
the truth, just give them a lot of different options. That is exactly what
Satan has done, in my view.

BK> How can that be.  All three are worshipping the same deity.

See above. :)

BK> Decades ago I asked a question of one of the priests that taught in the
BK> Catholic HS I graduated from.  I've forgotten the question but not his
BK> response:  "It's a mystery."

Ah yes...Catholics just love that word to death. When they can't provide an
honest, Scriptural answer, they just pull out the old "mystery" card...and
the blind sheep continue to follow. :)

BK> Quite frankly, IMO a deity that inflicts harm (Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse
BK> Tung, Pol Pot, Nero, Caligula and hundreds of other examples) on its
BK> creations is on the same moral and ethical level as a ten year old that
BK> pulls the wings off of flies for fun.

Now you're getting into another realm altogether. It is called free will and
personal choice. I've written a number of articles concerning this topic. We
shouldn't blame God for what we've chosen to do to ourselves. Using the
"It's God's fault" argument is such a cheap cop-out. It is so much easier
for some people to blame God, rather than accept responsibility for their
own actions, or inaction.

I've mentioned many times over the years that there is a Master Plan behind
it all, and part of the plan includes helping man to eventually realize that
he is not truly capable of governing himself. He is simply too corrupt and
imperfect. From the first attempt to do it in Eden, it has been a miserable
failure.

Obviously, God does not like or agree with everything that man does to
himself, but to intervene prematurely before school is out would abrogate
our free will; so He allows us to commit atrocities against each other, and
commit all kinds of injustices and iniquities, in the hope that we will
eventually learn our lesson. But the day will arrive when He will finally be
forced to put His foot down, just as any loving parent eventually would do.
The day will arrive when Jesus returns to rule the Earth with a rod of iron,
after He puts down all of His earthly enemies, including the corrupt
governments of man.

You might want to read "From Armageddon To The New Earth" and similar
articles that I have written. I'd be more than happy to email you PDF copies
of my articles...since you don't do the Internet. :)


Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS  Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23
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