For my 2nd research paper in Religion in America class, I am doing it on 'Are the modern American churches trying to induce Christ's return like a baby in labor.'
It hurts my brain.
I've been reading books as far back as 1813. It is really weird. But the weirdest is how all the way up to about 1970 there is a feeling of 'Remember, no one has been able to decode it, so don't get too confident in your predictions', then in the late 70's the Conservative Christians keep leaning towards 'God told us exactly how it is going to go down."
Tim Lahaye is retarded.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
When I saw the thread title at the forums welcome page, my actual honest first thought was "figures I'd hear about it on Hatrack first."
Who knows? Maybe because everyone discounts the apocalyptic predictions, that will be exactly when it happens?
Posted by Unicorn Feelings (Member # 11784) on :
My favorite was the dude who said 'Henry Kissinger IS the antichrist."
Posted by Unicorn Feelings (Member # 11784) on :
Seriously. Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins wrote "We believe this will happen EXACTLY as we have written it."
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
You were reading as far back as 1813????
Posted by Unicorn Feelings (Member # 11784) on :
Yeah.
the 'Rapture'. heh. heh. HA HAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Get your Christian Snake Oil! Apply it and avoid death!
Posted by Threads (Member # 10863) on :
"A baby in labor"??
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
And you thought teen pregnancy was bad!
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
That's your essay question? What's your thesis: "Yes"?
Unless you're joking, I don't think the question aptly describes what you seem to be researching. You seem to researching the relationship between American churches and interpretation of the return of Christ. Therefore your very general, basic, essay question should be, "How has the relationship between American churches and the belief in the return of Christ changed over time." However, in answering this question, you shouldn't just answer that question but also the question why this occurs.
That would be a decent essay with actual insight into religion in America.
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
quote: That's your essay question? What's your thesis: "Yes"?
This made me laugh.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
quote:For my 2nd research paper in Religion in America class, I am doing it on 'Are the modern American churches trying to induce Christ's return like a baby in labor.'
You should see the swimming pool full of pitocin they plan to launch into orbit.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
lol
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Why would a baby be in labor?
Posted by Christine (Member # 8594) on :
quote:Originally posted by Scott R: Why would a baby be in labor?
LOL...this was my thought.
However, having personally ousted babies twice, I understood that it was simply poor wording.
I used pitocin to get the babies out. I wonder how we get Christ out? C-section?
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
quote:That could be a decent essay which could offer actual insight into religion in America.
Fixed that for you.
I'd like to see your research, UF.
Also, what was your first essay?
Posted by Seatarsprayan (Member # 7634) on :
Considering Jesus specifically said "of that day and hour knows no man" and especially that the return would be "as a thief in the night" (i.e. you don't know when he's coming, if you did, you'd prepare), it's always been really strange that supposed Bible readers would try to predict the return at all.
I pretty much assume they're either nuts or else intentionally preying on people's hopes/fears for personal gain. (Yeah, I know some people think *all* religious leaders are like that, but it isn't true. Just a LOT of them.)
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
It's not that they're predicting WHEN (though there have been plenty who have tried that); it's that they are trying to predict what it's going to be like when He returns.
Wrestling with the Apocalypse of St. John is not in my agenda, alas.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
I don't suppose that they predict that it will be like when a Dragoon is built in Starcraft?
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
quote:Originally posted by Seatarsprayan: Considering Jesus specifically said "of that day and hour knows no man" and especially that the return would be "as a thief in the night"
So... we should be looking at the prophecies of female police officers, or possibly female burglars - takes on to catch one, as they say.
Posted by Christine (Member # 8594) on :
I was involved with a church years back that was pretty much preaching that these were the end of days. Though they gave lip service to the passages in the Bible which said we wouldn't know when, they went on to induce fear in the congregation that these were our last days. The contradiction was one of many reasons that I stopped attending the church.
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
quote:Originally posted by King of Men:
quote:Originally posted by Seatarsprayan: Considering Jesus specifically said "of that day and hour knows no man" and especially that the return would be "as a thief in the night"
So... we should be looking at the prophecies of female police officers, or possibly female burglars - takes on to catch one, as they say.
Jesus also specifically said "Only God the Father knows."
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Oh well. I'm sure that part was mistranslated.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
I understand there's a 20% restocking fee on all Christ Returns. Combined that with the cost of shipping it back and the S&H you paid when you first bought him, you might as well just huck him in the dumpster.
Posted by Judas (Member # 7355) on :
I really wish that stupid, intolerant, paranoid, conspiratorial idea that end of times Christians are trying to destroy the planet in order to precipitate the 2nd coming would be called for exactly what it is.
I do know some end of times people who are unconcerned about preserving the planet for future generations because they are confident Jesus will return. But that is not at all like saying they are trying to destroy the planet to force Jesus' return.
Any one with a smidgeon of sanity can recognize the absurdity of such a plan.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Your last sentence is very true, yes.
Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
Rabbit I would agree, but there are Christian groups and speakers working to halt all Mid-East peace attempts, specifically all those dealing with Israel, because such a peace is not in the Final Days doctrine. Any hint of Jerusalem not ending up in Israeli hands is fought against, no matter how many people die as the violence continues.
I understand Lisa's arguments for Jerusalem being part of Israel. I concede her arguments must be considered in any peace plan.
I do not believe the argument, "Jerusalem must go to Israel so JC can come back to town sooner" is valid, sane, or justifiable.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucus: I don't suppose that they predict that it will be like when a Dragoon is built in Starcraft?
No but oddly enough I did think when I first played Starcraft, "That is almost cooler than actually being resurrected."
I always felt a stab of regret whenever I killed one because I felt bad slaying somebody who had already been wounded and brought back to the battle field.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:I do not believe the argument, "Jerusalem must go to Israel so JC can come back to town sooner" is valid, sane, or justifiable.
I agree that such a belief isn't sane or justifiable. I just don't believe that this is an accurate summation of any Christian belief with which I am familiar. If you can link me to some Christians who are actually saying exactly that I'd be interested. But for all the end of times people I know, this constitutes simplifying their actually beliefs to the point of absurdity. Sort of like saying "Catholics believe in cannibalism".
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
quote:Originally posted by Eaquae Legit: When I saw the thread title at the forums welcome page, my actual honest first thought was "figures I'd hear about it on Hatrack first."
This was my thought, as well.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: No but oddly enough I did think when I first played Starcraft, "That is almost cooler than actually being resurrected." ...
Hmmm, it seems to me that you're implying that the return of Jesus as a bio-mechanical four legged entity shouting "I have returned" is cool. Just not quite as cool as a normal second coming of Christ.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucus:
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: No but oddly enough I did think when I first played Starcraft, "That is almost cooler than actually being resurrected." ...
Hmmm, it seems to me that you're implying that the return of Jesus as a bio-mechanical four legged entity shouting "I have returned" is cool. Just not quite as cool as a normal second coming of Christ.
I'm saying that there are worse things than being a psionic master race summoned through warp gates and fighting insect aliens from the inside of your four legged craft.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
That sounds reasonable.
Posted by blindsay (Member # 11787) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)