Posted by Jessica on February 25, 2001 at 19:07:52:
In Reply to: God is just... posted by Gan Uesli Starling on February 24, 2001 at 17:58:21:
I am so impressed by someone that can do a word search through the bible for the word sword. Yes, there is a lot of swashbucking and often blood curdling adventure in the bible -- but this discussion is not about the bible. It is about why people do believe or do not believe in God.
Do you believe not believe in God because of a few violent chapter from a book of dubious authorship and translation?
I believe in God because I have felt Him with me. Because I have become silent enough in my heart to feel the presence of God. If you ask with some sincerity about whether or not God exists, you will find Him.
: Quoting Sun Tzu is the current fad. But China knew nothing about the real art of war...not compared to the Israelites. Why quote Sun Tzu when our own culture provides such inspiring examples as these. Now I ask you, is THIS not truly the Art of War? Read for yourself: The Holy Bible -- New International Version (NIV) 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'" 1 Samuel 22:19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. Isaiah 13:16 Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives ravished. Nahum 3:10 Yet she [the town of Nineva] was taken captive and went into exile. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. Lots were cast for her nobles, and all her great men were put in chains. Deuteronomy 32:25-26 In the street the sword will make them childless; in their homes terror will reign. Young men and young women will perish, infants and gray-haired men. I said I would scatter them and blot out their memory from mankind, Isaiah 13:18 Their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants nor will they look with compassion on children. [Compared to the least of those above, Sun Tzu's insipid "Never leave an enemy fortress intact," comes off as really quite pale...don't you think?