Are you an atheist? (1 Viewer)

[Frothingslosh]

Bladerunner also says that George Soros controls the US through his liberal slaves, so we can safely rest assured that he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

 

[ConnorGiles]

Bladerunner also says that George Soros controls the US through his liberal slaves, so we can safely rest assured that he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

Always can count on you to bring the big guns Frothingslosh

Hope all went okay over the weekend bud, thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[Brianwarnock]

Plus if the money they are "raking in" is that much and most is given away, why would you just not set up a charity instead of having a colossal building which costs a lot to make ?

Connor you forgot to mention "and maintain" which includes all day to day running costs such as heat and light.

Brian

 

[ConnorGiles]

I did try researching that Brian!

But could find no figures

 

[Brianwarnock]

Ok I have no actual figures but I do know a lady who looks after the finances of her church and that they are struggling to find 10 grand for the heating bill, and it can't be cheap to heat the huge cavernous cathedrals with their high ceilings.

Brian

 

[ConnorGiles]

It must not indeed!

The heating bill for my house is enough!

Wonder where that 10 grand is going to come from Charitable donations perhaps?

I hear churches don't pay regular tax too, because of being classed as a charity.

 

[ColinEssex]

I hear churches don't pay regular tax too, because of being classed as a charity.

That's just not right, the Church of England is probably the largest landowner in the UK and has mints of money, they should be taxed to the hilt, after all, all they are doing is brainwashing gullible people by pedalling a fairy story.

Col

 

[Galaxiom]

Here is an example of how churches spend money.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John's_Cathedral_(Brisbane)

It has been under construction for over a century and probably cost over $200,000,000 in today's money.

Here are some quotes from the article.

"The third stage of construction cost A$40 million which was raised by public donations, bequests and grants from the federal, state and local governments."

Don't forget the graven images yet to be completed:
"The third stage of construction commenced in 1989 and was completed in 2009 (with the exception of 29 life sized statues on the west front and a set of cloisters on the north side of the cathedral which have yet to be commissioned). "

"To ensure enough supply of sandstone for the project, the cathedral authorities purchased a sandstone quarry at Helidon, 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Brisbane where each piece of stone was cut and finished and then trucked to the cathedral site in Ann Street."

Nothing done by halves:
"The cathedral has a peal of 12 bells hung for full circle ringing with the tenor weighing 16 hundredweight.[11] The first bells were made by John Warner & Sons in 1876 with funds raised by public subscription"

Now remember what Jesus said about conspicuous worship.

 

[Bladerunner]

Here is an example of how churches spend money.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John's_Cathedral_(Brisbane)

It has been under construction for over a century and probably cost over $200,000,000 in today's money.

Here are some quotes from the article.

"The third stage of construction cost A$40 million which was raised by public donations, bequests and grants from the federal, state and local governments."

Don't forget the graven images yet to be completed:
"The third stage of construction commenced in 1989 and was completed in 2009 (with the exception of 29 life sized statues on the west front and a set of cloisters on the north side of the cathedral which have yet to be commissioned). "

"To ensure enough supply of sandstone for the project, the cathedral authorities purchased a sandstone quarry at Helidon, 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Brisbane where each piece of stone was cut and finished and then trucked to the cathedral site in Ann Street."

Nothing done by halves:
"The cathedral has a peal of 12 bells hung for full circle ringing with the tenor weighing 16 hundredweight.[11] The first bells were made by John Warner & Sons in 1876 with funds raised by public subscription"

Now remember what Jesus said about conspicuous worship.

Was this a Christian (Protestant, Morman , Evangelical) or Catholic Church. There is a difference. While traveling the European countryside in the early 70's, we visited a many of church that for all practical purposes was out in the middle of no-where. They were immaculate and I always wondered why? They do not need something so beautiful in order to praise God. They had one thing in common, they were Catholic churches. Why do they insist on spending huge amounts of money for churches in the countryside that wil have very few parishioners.

Of course in today's money any building is going to cost upward to $200,000.00 in price, however the price you quoted is way over the top. To be fair you have to consider the needs of the congregation when building a church.

While all are Christian Churches there is a wide variety of differences that sets the Catholic Church apart from the other Christian Churches.

 

[Galaxiom]

It is an Anglican cathedral.

1500 people turned up at the opening of the third wing in 1989. This would have been less than one in a thousand of the population of Brisbane at the time.

Both Federal and State governments contributed to the cost of construction.

 

[Frothingslosh]

Anyone who doesn't realize that Catholicism and Protenstantism are both Christian has no business trying to discuss Christianity, or honestly, religion in general. For the record, the three divisions are Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Apparently, Anglicanism can be argued to be separate from Protestantism as it sprung from the English Reformation which happened at the same time as the Protestant Reformation, but that is still being argued.

Mormons are Protestants, and 'evangelical' describes an approach to one's religion, not the religion itself.

People who claim Catholics are not Christian quite simply don't know what the hell they're talking about, and very much don't know what Christianity even *IS*. Then again, with all the hatred Bladerunner has displayed in this thread, him not actually understanding anything about his own religion doesn't surprise me even slightly.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

People who claim Catholics are not Christian quite simply don't know what the hell they're talking about, and very much don't know what Christianity even *IS*. Then again, with all the hatred Bladerunner has displayed in this thread, him not actually understanding anything about his own religion doesn't surprise me even slightly.

Who claimed that? Oh mighty one?

 

[Frothingslosh]

Was this a Christian (Protestant, Morman , Evangelical) or Catholic Church. There is a difference.

Had you bothered to, I dunno, read, you'd have seen that two posts above mine. Guess you couldn't miss your chance to snark, though, even if it meant looking lazy.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

Had you bothered to, I dunno, read, you'd have seen that two posts above mine. Guess you couldn't miss your chance to snark, though, even if it meant looking lazy.

I read the last line of Blades post. Its you who is lazy and that's ready to snark. Incorrectly as well I may add.

 

[Frothingslosh]

Actually, somehow I read that last line but it didn't register. Good catch, and my apologies. However, now it appears he's just (as is usual), incoherent, explicitly separating Catholocism from Christianity at the top, while at the end saying it's part of Christianity. Part of my problem came from the fact that right-wing Christian groups and individuals (which very much describes Bladerunner) have argued for years that Catholics are expressly non-Christian, so that first sentence came as no surprise. You're right, though, in that I should have remembered that last sentence.

Interestingly, though, in his reply he managed to completely ignore Galaxiom's actual point.

Of course, in the same comment, he takes Galaxiom to task for coming up with the value of $200,000,000 and for some reason just tosses in "buildings usually cost more than $200,000", apparently to argue against something Galaxiom never said. It rather reminds me of how earlier in the thread he repeatedly argued that 1200 AD was 3200 years ago. Between things like that and his insistance that a book MUST BE THE LITERAL WORD OF GOD BECAUSE IT SAYS SO ITSELF, I'll freely admit I'm pretty ready to leap to the conclusion that he is once again saying something inane.

Oh, yes, now I remember you. You're the one who completely misread my post on the tattoo thread and started trying to put words in my mouth. I should have realized this was just you either trolling or trying to get revenge for being wrong.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

Actually, somehow I read that last line but it didn't register. Good catch, and my apologies. However, now it appears he's just (as is usual), incoherent, explicitly separating Catholocism from Christianity at the top, while at the end saying it's part of Christianity. Part of my problem came from the fact that right-wing Christian groups and individuals (which very much describes Bladerunner) have argued for years that Catholics are expressly non-Christian, so that first sentence came as no surprise. You're right, though, in that I should have remembered that last sentence.

Interestingly, though, in his reply he managed to completely ignore Galaxiom's actual point.

Of course, in the same comment, he takes Galaxiom to task for coming up with the value of $200,000,000 and for some reason just tosses in "buildings usually cost more than $200,000", apparently to argue against something Galaxiom never said. It rather reminds me of how earlier in the thread he repeatedly argued that 1200 AD was 3200 years ago. Between things like that and his insistance that a book MUST BE THE LITERAL WORD OF GOD BECAUSE IT SAYS SO ITSELF, I'll freely admit I'm pretty ready to leap to the conclusion that he is once again saying something inane.

Oh, yes, now I remember you. You're the one who completely misread my post on the tattoo thread and started trying to put words in my mouth. I should have realized this was just you either trolling or trying to get revenge for being wrong.

I didn't remember the tattoo one. Looked it up - you were too ready to snark at Blade there too, maybe your reasoning above tells us why! I'll leave you both to it.


I think the Brissie cathedrals quite nice - the architect did a nice church by me. Was my Grandads local. I have never actually been in. Pleasing to the eye though.

Must work, or at least learn something today. Neithers happening here.

Toodles.

 

[Bladerunner]

It is an Anglican cathedral.

1500 people turned up at the opening of the third wing in 1989. This would have been less than one in a thousand of the population of Brisbane at the time.

Both Federal and State governments contributed to the cost of construction.

Yeah buddy, they should have had at least 3/4 of the population attending.

 

[Bladerunner]

What is it with you F* trying to bust my ass all the time.

I know exactly what a Christian is.and I stated as much.

Quote Bladerunner:"Was this a Christian (Protestant, Morman , Evangelical) or Catholic Church. " End Quote

I was trying to include those denominations of Christianity here. Yes the Catholic church is a Christian denomination. Oh, do you really know what being a Christian means? No, don't go and look it up, like another on this thread, I will tell you. Would not want you to hurt yourself and such. It means that we all believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Another Bladerunner Quote:"While all are Christian Churches there is a wide variety of differences that sets the Catholic Church apart from the other Christian Churches." End Quote:

Here I actually tell that the Catholic Church is a Christian church... Maybe you forgot to read this. I bet you got a D in Comprehension , English 101, Hummmmm

Mormons are Protestants, and 'evangelical' describes an approach to one's religion, not the religion itself.

Excuse me, Yes Mormons believe in God and Jesus Christ but they consider themselves different from the other denominations of the protestant faith. (1)

And yes even the Evangelicals consider themselves different from the protestant faith. (2) As far as the definition of evangelical perhaps you had better try reading a few more pages.

As far as the Angelical denomination goes, it is among a couple of other denominations that are less known.

Then again, with all the hatred Bladerunner has displayed in this thread, him not actually understanding anything about his own religion doesn't surprise me even slightly.

It looks to me like you are the only one throwing hate around. You keep trying to belittle me for what reason?. Someone said in one of these threads that the internet can make a genus out of a Nobody! You sure are good at everything are you not?

To the other posters, I am sorry I broke my word and answered F*'s last post. I can assure you that I will never again answer F*'s post directly or knowingly indirectly.

To F*; I will put you in my prayers tonight.!

(1) http://www.diffen.com/difference/Christianity_vs_Mormonism
(2)http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/evangelicals/evmain.html

 

[ConnorGiles]

That's just not right, the Church of England is probably the largest landowner in the UK and has mints of money, they should be taxed to the hilt, after all, all they are doing is brainwashing gullible people by pedalling a fairy story.

Col

Hate to say it, Col is right.

Although a little harsh calling it a fairy story, being an atheist myself allows me to agree with this hypothesis.

Which leads me back to an idea given by many atheists - religion should be 18+ not forced upon you as a child. (I say this in experience not as a opinion) in my primary school and Secondary school we were forced to say a prayer at the start of every assembly and maybe even a religious hymn .... I have to admit I never sang along (*Mumbling the sounds* worked everytime.)

 

[Frothingslosh]

What is it with you F* trying to bust my ass all the time.

I'm not trying to bust your ass - I'm trying to get you, for once in your life, to *THINK*.

*A lot of irrelevant crap*

Still avoiding Galaxiom's entire argument, I see.

It looks to me like you are the only one throwing hate around.

Okay, that's just funny. I don't believe I've ever said that you are a traitor actively attempting to destroy his own nation simply for disagreeing with me. I've never claimed Islam to be a religion of death and violence. You've done both. All I've done is call out your logical failures and refusal to actually THINK. And yes, I missed a line in your post earlier, which I then acknowledged - something I have literally NEVER seen you do. Hell, when you were called on thinking 1200 AD was 3200 years ago, you doubled down rather than accepting that, oops, you goofed.

You keep trying to belittle me for what reason?. Someone said in one of these threads that the internet can make a genus out of a Nobody! You sure are good at everything are you not?

Yes, I'm blunt, direct, and often rude. My brain-mouth filter doesn't work and never has, meaning you can always rest assured I am saying precisely what I mean. I don't expect people to like me, and honestly I tend to worry when people do. My apologies if you felt my repeatedly calling you an idiot was belittling - it was supposed to be insulting.

That said, unlike you, I've made some effort to understand logic and reason, including good and bad ways to make arguments. I've also studied religion and religious philosophy (among others) for over twenty years now, as well as physics, psychology, chemistry, astronomy and cosmology, and politics. As a rule, I spend 2-3 hours a day studying SOMETHING.

I also, as a rule, try very hard to make sure I've researched any topic I speak on, although as seen earlier I can still make mistakes. So, good at a whole lot of things? Actually, yes. Good at everything? Hell no - my dancing has been compared unfavorably to an epileptic cat getting electrocuted, and if I'm trying to throw something at you, the safest place to be is my point of aim.

To the other posters, I am sorry I broke my word and answered F*'s last post. I can assure you that I will never again answer F*'s post directly or knowingly indirectly.

Yeah, we both know that won't last.

To F*; I will put you in my prayers tonight.!

Ah, the final approach of the "Christian" (as opposed to an actual Christian) when they need to indicate their superiority over someone who refuses to meekly submit to the dogma being pushed on them.

I'm sure Galaxiom is still waiting to hear your explanation of how ridiculous opulence and overdone cathedrals match up to Jesus' cautioning against making sure everyone knows how big a Christian you are.