Report: Top 10 Most Religious States in America

elusivepete »

Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:48 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Hinduism isn't really a religion in itself. It's more a name western folks have given to a vast collection of religious beliefs in and around India.

Other than that, you're absolutely right. Even the Bible teaches that true religion is "to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27). These are important things, to be sure... but they should be an outflow of the presence of Christ in our lives, rather than some kind of religious duty.

Indonesian Lawmakers Pass Anti-Porn Bill

elusivepete »

Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:47 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

It's an interesting law to pass.

In theory, banning pornography could be a very good thing, as it can be very personally damaging to people who are involved with it. However, as the article notes, it could be used very differently in practice.

'No God' Ads to Hit London Buses

elusivepete »

Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:16 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 0

Let's all group together to start our own advertising campaign:

"There's probably no Richard Dawkins."


It's a perfectly reasonable slogan. I've never met him, therefore he probably doesn't exist.

U.S. Churches Urged to Confront Lukewarm Giving

elusivepete »

Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:02 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I know that there are certainly some very questionable ministries out there, but a lot of the other folks in ministry who have fancy homes and cars etc. actually bought it with their own money (i.e. that they made being entrepreneurs or whatever, NOT through donations from Christians). It's often these same folks who fund long-term evangelistic crusades through Africa and so forth, giving away more money than most of us make in a lifetime.

The Bible never said it's wrong to have material stuff... it's just wrong if that's our priority in life.

U.S. Churches Urged to Confront Lukewarm Giving

elusivepete »

Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:52 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I am often amazed (and saddened) at people's attitude toward taking financial responsibility for their own church. They expect the building to be clean, warm and comfortable (I live in Scotland, so warmth is important indoors!), and for the sound system to work right, and the video projector to run properly, and so on... and yet they grumble at the offering bag when it goes round.

If people won't even fund the resources they use themselves by being at church, it's a bleak outlook indeed for the unsaved and needy.

Church Promotes Guilt-Free Chocolate for Halloween

elusivepete »

Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:25 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I'm all in favour of the Fair Trade idea: it's good to make sure folks have the chance to a decent living.

However, something bothers me somewhat about churches promoting trick-o-treating at Halloween. The origins of the 'festival' (or whatever you'd call it) are disputed and debated, but regardless of what it originally was, I would never be comfortable with my kids (if I had any) dressing up as ghosts and witches etc.. It just doesn't tie-up with Philippians 4:8.

Atheist Group Sues Bush Over National Prayer Day

elusivepete »

Sun Oct 05, 2008 2:03 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Surely a person's "prayer" could simply be the rhetorical verbalisation of hopes for purpose of self-motivation? Or, for the radicals amongst us, it could mean talking to God.

Free will: the manifestation of God's love for atheists.

Over 800 Scientists Stand Against Language Critical of Evolution

elusivepete »

Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:08 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

It's a shame that current scientific theory differs from the Bible on this issue. Ultimately though, evolution *is* the current scientific theory, and that is what should reasonably be taught in science class.

I know it totally sucks for people (like me) who don't believe in evolution, but the church has a bit of a history of meddling in science, and for all their good intentions, it often ended badly.

Besides, science is always moving and changing, which is great. (Stale science would be a little pointless). Maybe some new scientific evidence will come along some day which disproves evolution. Who knows? :-)

Evangelist: Religion Won’t Save You, but Relationship Will

elusivepete »

Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:02 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

It's certainly good to be aware of the dangers of pressure to conform, but even if 1,295 of those people didn't receive genuine salvation, then by goodness it was TOTALLY worth it just for that 1,296th person!

Additionally, at least a seed of Truth has been sown into everyone's lives who was there. Whether the seed finds good soil or bad, it's still there, and may yet come to a ripe harvest in the future.

Court Hears Case on Censorship of Bible Verse in Ads

elusivepete »

Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:44 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Perhaps because the original intent of the "separation of church and state" was to prevent the government interfering in the running of the church. The present situation in China is a prime example of the consequences of losing that separation.

Over time, people have reversed its meaning.

Grant Aims to Expand Pro-Gay Churches

elusivepete »

Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:51 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

You're absolutely right, DavidHart, that anybody and everybody should be welcome to attend church. It's not our place to select who deserves to hear the gospel, because we have *all* sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

The issue, however, is preaching in enmity to God's Word. We don't (or can't) always understand *why* things are the way they are, but we have to trust that God has given as all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

He didn't give us homosexuality, so it's therefore not part of life and godliness. I'm not saying people should be forced to change or undergo some kind of therapy! Following God is an individual choice, and up to each of us how much we want to pursue His righteousness and His ways.

Peace bro.