Yes of course... and greek too But, learning any non native language presents inherent problems of flawed understanding. But even setting that problem aside.... it forces adherents to receive gods message through high priests. And, the brutal reality is that those high priests have enormous diversity of views on the nature of gods true message. And so, adherents not only must receive the message through a flawed human intermediary (in the best case). Further, prospective adherents must select the proper high priest intermediary.
When given the most cursory examination, the Abrahamic religions collapse under their own weight. Most of their followers are very naive and childish. The smart ones twist themselves into unbelievable knots to justify their faith. A powerful being may indeed exist that needs/wants to be worshiped, but I would never call such an insecure creature "God".
In general there are two motivations at work with respect to praying and worship rituals: 1) fear and 2) getting stuff. Well there is also brainwashing at work. Well then there is the social interaction provided by services.
[/QUOTE] That is correct. God speaks to his servants, the Prophets and Apostles. Not to non-believers. So, I don't expect you to change until something devastating happens in your life and you call out for God to help you. That is doubting Thomas approach. I've already applied the stated methods to communicate with God and he has answered me. There is nothing you can say that would change my testimony.
I assume you refer to clergy as the priesthood? We have a ministry. Both men and women participate in ministering to others. However, only males hold the priesthood of either Aaron or Melchizedek orders. Women have their own order of Relief Society and Young Women (teenagers).Women primarily run the Primary for children 18 months to 12 years of age. Both men and women can be Ward and Stake Missionaries as well as general Missionaries for the Church worldwide. We believe everyone should have a calling directed by the priesthood so that they can grow in the Gospel.
Check out mathew 5:22 Follows is what you wrote about hebrew QUOTE="Zosimus, post: 1070316988, member: 79456"]The first rule of atheist discussion: Never allow facts to get in the way of expressing the atheist worldview. Well done. Worship, in Hebrew (you know, that language that the Torah was written in), is sagad (Strong's 5456). The word occurs exactly 4 times in the Old Testament, and all 4 times it is used to condemn the worshipping of idols. The word means to prostrate oneself. Now, one might think that atheists would wholeheartedly support a book that says you shouldn't prostrate yourself before … oh, I don't know... golden statues of calves. One would be wrong. Of course, few people read the Bible in Hebrew. Originally, the Bible was only translated into the Latin Vulgate wherein the word "adoratio" was used to translate not only sagad but also shachah (Strong's 7812). Here's how that worked: When Moses, for example, went and bowed/knelt before his father in law, that was not adoratio. Similarly, when people bowed/knelt before King Saul, that was also not adoratio. But, magically, when people knelt to pray that was adoratio even though the word in Hebrew is the same for both actions. This trend continues in many Latin-based Bibles, such as the Reina Valera wherein the word "adoración" is used. King James and his experts, however, did not use the word adoration rather they turned to the Anglican word wurdthscip --> worthship --> worship. It simply means to recognize that something is of value (worth). Now, out of curiosity, exactly where does the Bible say that God demands that we prostrate ourselves before Him?[/QUOTE] So who was the bible directed to if not atheists? Lets just say that it would be foolish for jesus return and only speak swahili... Just as it was foolish for god to send us his word in hebrew Horse shot.... duck all? My goodness, you have evaded site filters in a creative way
I think this is a "can't we get along" moment You appear to be well-acquainted with the Bible and certainly have the right to post opinions. Some family/ friends don't believe in God though we were all raised in the Church. Quite surprised by the number of so-called documentary television programs devoted to haunting ghosts/ evil spirits, I can't help but laugh that it is all a farce. Perhaps you feel the same about Christianity. Being respectful with each other is important.
There are two t's in Matthew. And you seem to think that just because I can google the answer to a simple question, that I must be a Christian, but I'm not. So, here's a big "raca" to you. Yes, I know what I wrote. I wrote it. In no place did I ask you whether you had read the Bible in Hebrew.
There is a very important way in which your alogical attitude bothers me, but I will start another thread to address is.
Catholic worship is totally centered on Christ. This is the interior of the cathedral. Focus is on the table/ altar where we are fed.
I did what I thought I would never do again today and returned to the pews if only briefly. I am a local election candidate (talked about that in another thread) and hoped to interact with the voters by going to church. I'm not allowed to be openly atheist where I live so nobody will really know that I did it for the votes. I did not bow my head and clasp my hands in prayer though.
