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 15 faith-based predictions for 2012To ring in the New Year, CNN's Belief Blog asked experts in religion, faith leaders, and a secular humanist about how the forces of faith and faithlessness will shape the world in 2012. Here's what they told us: 1. The Republican Party will tap Mitt Romney as its presidential nominee, and America will finally have its "Mormon moment." As evangelicals try to figure out whether they can support a president who practices Mormonism, the rest of us will try to figure out whether Mormonism is a cult, a form of Christianity, or something in between. Meanwhile, visitors to Marriott hotels will finally crack open some of those nightstand copies of The Book of Mormon. 2. Despite all of the lessons that could have been learned from Y2K and Harold Camping, people will still rally around the idea that apocalyptic events are on the calendar for 2012. Some will turn to the end-date of the 5125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar (closely associated with the Maya civilization) and a handful of folks believe cataclysmic events are awaiting on December 21, 2012. But the dates with will pass with little fanfare — except for those profiting from the sale of gold coins, generators, and dried food that you'd probably rather want to die than eat. 3. Continuing revolutions across the Arab world will raise alarming questions about the fate of the remaining Christians in the region, and will put the issue of religious persecution squarely on the political agenda. Sizable Christian populations now survive in only two Arab countries, Egypt and Syria, both of which could soon be under Islamist rule. At a minimum, expect to see inter-faith violence on the ground. In a worst case scenario, Arab Christians could face large scale persecution, forcing millions to seek new homes overseas. Watch too for religious persecution to be an emotive issue in the U.S. presidential race. 4. The year will see an increase in the number of people "coming out" as nonbelievers. Major events like the Reason Rally in March will be a catalyst for more people to publicly declare their secular worldview. The statements of popular celebrities George Takei and Ricky Gervais as atheists in 2011 are just the tip of the iceberg. 5. "All-American Muslim" will become a bigger hit than "Jersey Shore" ever was. Obsessed fans worldwide, regardless of gender, will begin rocking sassy colorful hijab (veil) and converting en masse. Tim Tebow will choose to fast in solidarity with Muslim football players and Tebowing will be replaced by Teprostrating. President Obama will jump on the bandwagon and replace VP Joe Biden with Keith Ellison as his running mate, guaranteeing his re-election in a landslide victory in November. Peace will reign on earth and pigs will have a new lease on life. 6. There's no question the worldview of most younger Christians already differs from previous generations regarding social justice, cultural engagement and politics. The next issue of probable divergence? The conflict in Israel and Palestine. The American church has largely purported just one theology about the modern state of Israel, but now questions are being asked - especially by younger Christians learning of persecution and human rights issues happening in the region - if the church should have a more active role in peacemaking. Is there a way for the Church to be pro-Israel, pro-Palestine and pro-peace? 7. Significant numbers of millennials (young people born in the 1980s and 1990s) will continue to walk away from socially conservative religious traditions. Bringing them back will be tough, especially for religious organizations deeply invested in brick-and-mortar and bureaucracy. Millennials who are facing the erosion of access to affordable, quality education and meaningful employment and who stand to inherit from their elders a great deal of debt and environmental destruction want to know why and how faith matters. 8. The year 2012 promises to be a time of great spiritual stirring in our nation. People are seeking both practical and spiritual answers to their problems. As a result, churches and media ministries that answer specific needs will grow in unprecedented numbers. We can expect to see the numbers of mega-churches and super mega-churches continue to grow. Culturally there will be marked return to helping the poor (both domestically and internationally) and political and social engagement by a younger/more racially diverse, evangelical people. 9. Sabbath becomes trendy! Fourth Commandment makes a comeback! Sabbath named Time’s person of the year! A new movement sweeps the country. They call themselves 24/6. Worn out by being tethered to the grid 24/7, sick of being accessible all hours of the day, inundated by updates, upgrades, and breaking news, Americans finally rebel, demanding, “We need a day off.” People all over the country go offline for 24 hours every week. The simple break from the frenetic pace results in lowered cholesterol rates, fewer speeding tickets, and a reduction in marital strife. Peace, tranquility and contentment spread like wildfire. 10. Women in the Middle East and around the world will rally in protest about the woman who was beaten, stomped on and stripped down to her blue bra (under her abaya) during a demonstration in Egypt. Women everywhere who have been oppressed by their religions will rise up, as they have already done in Egypt, to join "The Blue Bra Revolution." We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. 11.“Occu-pew Church" – a movement away from counterfeit "Church-ianity," cult of personality and religion toward authentic grassroots personal faith, based on living and loving like Jesus. More churches will lose the moat dragon mentality, lower the drawbridge and dispatch members beyond the church service to church SERVICE, applying their faith in the community through volunteerism and outreach. A renewed global emphasis on prayer - especially for peace and reconciliation - as individuals and leaders recognize that personal spiritual peace in one's heart provides the only lasting foundation for physical peace among families, friends, neighbors - even nations 12. Hindu Americans will continue to become better advocates for themselves, particularly in the public policy arena. They will play a larger role in defining the manner in which Hinduism is represented in the media, academia, popular culture, and interfaith dialogue. The acknowledgment of the Hindu roots of yoga will continue to spread with more people seeing the connection. And the Hindu ethos of religious pluralism will take on a more prominent role in nurturing not only tolerance, but respect for and between the world's religions. 13. In 2012 the lines between the sacred and the profane will get even more blurry: Scientists will religiously maintain their search for the elusive God particle (they won't find it); evangelical sports superhero and Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow will continue to be both an inspiration to the faithful and an object of scorn to skeptics (he will be watching, not playing in, the Super Bowl); at least one well-known religious leader or leading religious politician will be brought down by a sex scandal (let's hope all our leaders have learned a lesson from former Rep. Anthony Weiner and stay away from sexting); and the "nones" - those who don't identify with one religion - will grow even more numerous and find religious meanings in unexpected places (what TV show will become this season's "Lost"?) 14. America’s evangelical community will have its hands full addressing both a presidential election and offering a biblical response to “end of days” Mayan prophecies surrounding 2012. With the economy emerging as the primary issue for the November election, America’s born-again community will have an opportunity to contextualize an alternative narrative to the polarizing elements from both the right and the left by reconciling the righteousness message of Billy Graham with the justice platform of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. By offering compassionate, truth-filled solutions and focusing on the message of grace, love, reconciliation and healing, evangelicals will demonstrate that the greatest agenda stems neither from the donkey nor the elephant but rather from the lamb. 15. We are seeing the divide between younger generation evangelicals and older generation (baby boom and older) get wider every year both theologically and culturally (lifestyle). 2012 promises to widen the gap even more with Gen X and younger evangelicals having trouble understanding why the traditional lines make sense and/or just outright rejecting those lines. |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, with daily contributions from CNN's worldwide newsgathering team and frequent posts from religion scholar and author Stephen Prothero.  |
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I predict........nothing any more relevant in the lives of 7 billion people that hasn't already happened where religion is concerned....war, death, hatred, ra-pe, lies, lies, lies......
This video is rather amusing:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV?v=B8SzMIBlVdw&feature=pyv
Lets see if this embed code displays the video:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8SzMIBlVdw&w=420&h=315
Does anyone know how to display a YouTube video in this comment section?
I tried selecting the 'old embed code' option from YouTube:
This example attempts to embed a YouTube Video using the "short code":
The most unpopular bible verse is Matthew 19. Everybody knows it but no one wants to follow it. R
If believing something that isn't true makes you feel better, than ignorance is bliss.
http://www.PressArchive.net/Believe.htm
I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have experienced redemption from the guilt of having rebelled against a Holy God. These things are foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, are the power of God. The more I truely examine God's Holy Word, and cross examine it with history, the more assured I am in my faith, but, my faith does not spring from what my eyes can see, or my ears have heard, or my hands have felt; otherwise it would not be faith. For one does not hope for what one already has, that would be foolish, but one hopes for what one may obtain.
What God would allow hundreds of priests (representatives of God) to molest children virtually destroying the life they were meant to have and have almost nothing said or learned from it. If you don't get it the answer is SATAN!!! The only other reasonable explanation would be if God wanted to teach us that the religion as we know it is corrupt and needs to be revisited and revised as we know it.
A great example of our broke religions is why do they support war? There is no exception in the bible for a government to kill? Capitol punishment is another. If the churches as we know them were true representatives of God they would feverishly protest and dispute all wars and capitol punishment across the world without regard to popular opinion.
I think it's pretty well established that God is not the cosmic lifeguard, that he's left us in charge, and that we have personal responsibility. It's no objection to demand that God start acting like what he isn't. It's like a soccer fan who keeps yelling at the players, "Pick up the ball, for crying out loud!"
GHoG, you are getting closer and closer to Epicurus' closing line, loosely, "So why call it god?" A few more steps and you'll be there.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
GHOG -
I guess my big point is: what if the evil Gods or Satan as many know it where acting in disguise in a form of trickery dressed in darkness following a book that has been re-written too many times and translated too many times to justify evil acts. Weigh out a list of all the good you can think of that has ACTUALLY happened as a direct result due to religion. Now do the same for all the evil things that have happened due to religion. Keep in mind more deaths have been caused in religious wars then any other wars ever created by man. Love to see someone present any kind of accurate list that even slightly suggests religion is the greater good in our world.
The Bible is just the introduction, the rest is for you to learn from speaking with God. Jesus said that God is the god of the living not the dead. The real problem is as old as sin, we think too much of ourselves.....
Bob: Been there, done that. Faith makes more sense, on every level
Wicked: World War I and II, the collectivization of the Soviet Farms, and the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward had nothing to do with religion.
On the good side: hospitals, universities, orphanages, the preservation of ancient Greek and Roman culture, and a durable value system that, although often violated by its adherents, still keeps them on the path.
The problem with argument by example is that one can always find counterexamples. Trying to balance out the net positive and negative effects of religion is so incredibly complex, and subjective, that it's effectively impossible. So we need to bring this down to a more meaningful level of focus.
I find that most people just want to feel all warm and cozy. In reality they know there is no god,and most have been placed in positions where calling on a fairy tale hero is the only name or help they know. So,lets keep it real and be about testable, proven solutions to real world problems. Let us asteem one another and continue to work with our minds and our hands to make this world a better place. ALLOW REAL WORLD SOLUTIONS TO COME TO REALITY IN YOUR LIFETIME!
No doubt people want to feel warm and cozy, nothing wrong with that. But people don't find fleece and cocoa worthy of worship, and no one turns away from evil because they install a new furnace. The explanation for faith runs deeper.
No, it's not any deeper. The Christian god really is a delusion. If you think otherwise, present the reasons.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
My introspection is proof to me that God exists but if you require proof just ASK him for some. If you never had asked him for it from your mouth with faith then don't ask anyone else for proof of his existence. He is more then ready to do that himself.
Bob, it's hard to know where to start.
How the Universe came into existence at all is a mystery to science, along with life and consciousness.
I'm satisfied that evolution happened, but I can't figure out how it happened, because it violates the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Miracles do happen, but you will disbelieve any witness who reports one, even though you'd believe the same person's testimony as to almost anything else.
The persistence of belief also argues that it has some basis other than psychological. Most of the people who've ever lived had a faith in a higher being. They can't all be crazy.
Then there's the personal experiences that each individual finds convincing, without having to prove that they must be convincing to anyone else.
Now don't take this the wrong way, but I don't expect you to have your thinking changed by any of this. I'm not taking umbrage. Peace be with you. You asked a fair question, and I'm trying respectfully (and briefly) to answer it.
I find that most people just want to be contraversial.In reality they know there is a GOD,and most have been placed in positions where GOD is the only name or help they know.So,lets keep it real and be about our FATHERS business.Let us asteem one another and continue to pray.ALLOW GOD TO MAKE YOUR HEART HIS HOME.
No, actually a lot of people find the idea of god, especially a personal god, absurd, childlike, and ridiculous. I realize that it might be hard for you to wrap your head around that – that people don't actually think the same way that you do.
The problem with that opinion, of course, is that many millions of the smartest and most psychologically sophisticated people in history have believed in God. And you think it's a sufficient response to call them stupid? There are more things between heaven and earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy!
@Glenn Dickinson: He didn't call them stupid. He said the thing they believed was ridiculous.
Smart people believe ridiculous things all the time. I keep believing the Flyers will win the Stanley Cup.
Funny! But the implied point obviously is that there must be something wrong with people who believe ridiculous thing, or people who DON'T believe those things are somehow better. So, he's basically saying that people who live in Philly and tear down the Flyers are better than people who keep rooting for them. Heretics!
@Glenn Dickinson: You said, "But the implied point obviously is that there must be something wrong with people who believe ridiculous thing, or people who DON'T believe those things are somehow better."
No, I don't think that implication is at all obvious. It appears you have, for lack of a better term, a persecution complex that is preventing you from seeing the distinction.
I absolutely believe that what you believe is absurd and ridiculous. As a former believer, I can also understand why you believe it, so I empathize. It doesn't make me better (although I personally feel much better now than I did as a believer), and it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you insofar as "wrong" implies some sort of malfunction.
You can attempt to demonize me, but I'm sorry. I won't allow it.
Whoa, no one's trying to demonize you! I'm being nothing but respectful, albeit a little light-hearted. But the manners in this place are atrocious, so I don't blame you for getting your guard up, because I might be one of the many people who just want to vent their anger. I assure you I'm not.
I used to be a non-believer, so I think I have some sense of what the world looks like from that point of view, too. Ultimately, the choice between belief and unbelief is a matter of conscience. I absolutely believe that, even though I think unbelief is mistaken. But it's a fundamental principle of Christian theology that God credits the efforts of people who are truly doing the best they can, even if they are wrong. Peace.
It's in our human DNA to sin.
Hence, we still need a Savior in 2012.
JESUS still saves.
Predict, Jesus will still save sinners in 2012.
So why couldn't your supposedly omnipotent sky fairy do the saving and remove "sin" without all the silly dead jeebus on a stick foofaraw? What a steaming load your religion is.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
If it is in our DNA to sin, why does God blame us for sin? We have no control over our DNA, birth or early environment, does it makes sense to You that God would punish anyone for things that are clearly out of the a persons control, that is if you are right and Sin is in our DNA.
"If it is in our DNA to sin, why does God blame us for sin? "
Their god is a tyrant and a monster who rules them through fear.
@ johnquest - a really good question, imho. The Christian answer is that God doesn't blame us. If he did, he'd leave us to rot down here. Instead he took heroic steps to lift us out of the world where some of our fellow posters think we live, and let us have a life where things do matter, where meaning and purpose must be found, and where love is what matters most. Faith is not about trying to convince yourself the Tooth Fairy is real, or submitting to the will of a tyrant. It's about acknowledging that there's something more, and ourjob is to go looking for it. Peace.
I've got some predictions too.
1) Kim Kardashian will adopt a 3rd world child and then discard it when it becomes too large to tote around in a handbag.
2) Iran will breed a race of brobdignagian insects that breathe atomic fire. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will claim that they are "purely decorative".
3) Suri Cruise will be named the 2nd coming of L. Ron Hubbard. From that point on, all photos of the child will prominently display dozens of ficti.tious military decorations.
4) Capitalizing on the success of Botox, plastic surgeons will begin injecting clients with salmonella to promote weight loss. "Salmonex" booths will pop up in mall food courts all over America.
Very funny. Good morning, Doc.
streetsmt
Although believing in God is a personal belief, there is a God for you just as there is for any other and just as there has always been. Can God help it that you cannot see the miracles He's performed or the promises He's given through His Word or the blessings He's given you to receive and you have not because of your unbelief in the one who created you before the foundations of the world? God is there always, you just are the person who makes the deciding decision for yourself. Either you want to live in hell and be feasted upon in the hottest fire in the depths of the earth or you want to live with your creator in heaven in splendid blissfulness were you will be forever surrounded with the mighty love of God. It ultimately is your choice and yours only. Nor I, or God, or anyone else can make the decision for you. But, whatever the choice, it is the choice of your life or your death, and this goes for anyone not just yourself. Ponder these things which have been spoken, for you never know when your life in this world will end and the next one begin.
"you want to live with your creator in heaven in splendid blissfulness were you will be forever surrounded with the mighty love of God. "
The stupidity of humanity, you have no proof of heaven or hell.
Cpe: Wow, that's quite the ass-hole of a god that you've made for yourself there. Any modern western court would consider such punishment as eternal torture for minor transgressions in a short mortal life to be unfair and barbaric, to say the least.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Bob and ohplz
One of these days really soon you will be regretting the very words which you have spoken through your previous text. One day very soon when you stand in the presence of the Lord you will realize that you have committed blasphemy against the only one that could have saved you. My hope for you is that you will find your Savior Jesus before you depart this earth. What you guys don't understand is that Jesus gave us the power on earth and that is why He, according to His word, can not do the deciding for us. God is always there, so if one day you realize your mistakes against Jesus and want to know Him better, just go to Him. Jesus loves you and in the spirit so do I. Please have a blessed day and find your Savior in Jesus Christ!
Why would anyone want to worship a god that continually threatens them with burning in a supposed fiery damnation ? I for one would rather worship a God that allows everyone into the fold and more than just one chance to do so .
Cpe, wow, you really are that ignorant. Go google 'Pascal's Wager' and don't come back until you understand it and you get why it doesn't work as an argument for the existence of your particular nasty sky daddy.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Bob
I am not the one in ignorance, you are the one who possesses that unfortunate character trait that you have established in your life. Instead of falsely crediting a long gone scientists and mathematician, you should read the life happenings of real living Spirit-Filled, God worshiping people who have written books for people to read. And in case you need a few of those names, here they are! 1) Kenneth and Gloria Copeland 2) John Hagee 3) Andrew Wommack Also, here are some names of people just like the one's I previously mentioned who are now dead but have had experiences in their life that you could not even imagine. 1) Kenneth Hagin 2) Smith Wigglesworth And, just as an added measure, if you want to look up someone who is a real life prophet and prophecy teacher, look to none other but Perry Stone! I'm sure after reading materials by such authors as these you surely will not say the same things which you have just said. And even if you do, the only reason for that would be because you have hardened your heart so against God for some unknown reason to me that you will not allow the presence of God to flow through you. For that unknown reason, you might know and I know God does. Maybe something has happened to you when you were younger and you think that because of it God doesn't love you because He didn't stop what was going on, or maybe it's something much simpler than that. It might just be because you have been told lies by the devil and by the devil's workers and slaves on this earth and instead of looking up every possibility, you just went along with the lies and now that the lie has been told long enough and is now engraved on your heart you refuse to accept the truth as it really is. Right now, in the name of Jesus, I command the devil to flee from you and to get your hands off of this man in the name of Jesus!!!!!!!!! God, let his eyes to be open and let his heart be made open so that we will have another member of our ever increasing family so that he may become a child of God and a new creature in the you who first created him! And I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Our Lord And Savior Now and Forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Bob, if you will look, your infamous scientist and mathematician said that, because he could not prove that God was not real, it would be better to believe in God than to not believe in Him. Just a thought.
"What you guys don't understand is that Jesus gave us the power on earth and that is why He, according to His word, can not do the deciding for us. "
The problem with your statement moron is your jesus didn't write anything. Plus when you factor in that the gospels about him were written 50 – 100 years after he died means what you are quoting is hearsay. We know today that second party hearsay will be thrown out in court. DUH!
“And even if you do, the only reason for that would be because you have hardened your heart so against God for some unknown reason to me that you will not allow the presence of God to flow through you.”
Uh, Duh…it’s all in your head. They are proving it more and more that there is a part of your brain that releases a chemical that makes you believe in a god, but the reality is it’s your brain. OH….I forgot the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! after that to make the point.
“It might just be because you have been told lies by the devil and by the devil's workers and slaves on this earth and instead of looking up every possibility, you just went along with the lies and now that the lie has been told long enough and is now engraved on your heart you refuse to accept the truth as it really is.”
You do get your only quoting lies told in a book created 2000 years ago. You have no proof of your god, the devil. So the lies that are engraved are the ones you’re telling not the other way around. You’re the one that can’t accept that it’s all in your head, there is NO god, NO devil, NO heaven, NO hell. Oh crap I forgot the !!!!!!!!!!!!! again. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well, ohplz
there will always be people like you who think they no everything and you just don't know anything, Yeah, you may know lots when it comes to books but when it comes to the important things you are absolutely clueless. Oh, and by the way there wasn't any exclamation points after "let the power of God flow through you" part of what I said. The paragraph is above, since you will need to check to make sure I am not lying. Oh, and you might also want to take a few classes in elementary punctuation since you don't seem to understand that exclamation points are also used to show that you mean to be louder or more abrupt and not just to mean that something is important or is of urgency. By the way, I was not talking to you in the above statement. I was talking to Bob only, so next time you decide to take it upon yourself to speak in-place of someone else I propose you make absolutely sure you know what your talking about. Also, I bind that false word of yours away from my life. I command it to become void in the name of Jesus! I have only ONE God, and that is Jesus Christ!
Let's suppose that Lawrence Krauss advances a hypothesis about the origin of the universe that leaves absolutely no room for God the Creator. Also, eminent physicists A, B, and C advance equally plausible hypotheses for the origin of the universe that don't have this feature. Also, surprisingly, all of the hypotheses are testable. The budget required for testing any one of the hypotheses is huge. Let's say an order of magnitude greater than what's projected for the operation of CERN for the next 10 years. How should we proceed?
Whether or not a hypothesis proves or disproves the existence of any should not be factor in determining which hypothesis should be tested or further investigated. While unvestigation into the origins of the universe is very interesting and I imagine that there are practical spinoff benefits of the theoretical research, I would not change the amount of money currently being spent, unless there is a significant improvement in the world economy.
jemzinthekop
I feel so sorry for you and others alike. You have been so 'brainwashed' by the words of your elders and the words of this world and the words of yourself that your heart has become so hardened against the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that you will not take the time to read the scriptures in the Bible to discern for yourself whether to believe in God or not. God is the only way to happiness and peace. He is the one who created you. How could you, therefore, deny Him at least your time in the study of His Word, let alone your confession of belief for Him? "God is the light in the life of men." "Without Him was not anything made that was made." "We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus." Hallelujah, Glory be to God in the highest!!!
Most atheists have read the bible. It is one of the many reasons why we are atheists.
Cpe, your silly and unsupported declarations don't help your case for your idiotic Christian fables.
Don't be fooled. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
"God is the only way to happiness and peace"
No it's not, most atheist are happy and at peace with themselves. It's a lie told by christians so they can feel better about themselves, nothing more. Oh, and lying is a sin according to your handbook, duh! . By the way most athiests have read the bible and some of us posting are former christians that look at the real truths about the fiction written in the bible, the hatred and intolerance your religion spreads and said no thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh don't those explanation marks just make it seem so important....NOT! LOL!
Christians that are intolerant believe that what they think is right but they often missed the point altogether. If a person reads the Bible and thinks that it teaches intolerance then they are not reading. Jesus taught us to not give a gift to someone who can afford to give you the same gift becuase then they could just buy their own, but to give a present to someone who doesnt have the means to buy that thing, thats a true gift. I tell you this as a gift and remember the blind man that Lord Jesus gave true sight to stated that he saw men like trees walking. Find the meaning to this and you will understand that we know nothing.
@Cpe:
Actually, my parents created me. Your parents created you.
Well .. it is not too hard to predict the obvious. (here are some good bets for 2012...)
1. The Midwestern states will produce a vast about of corn and soybeans and the plains will produce wheat.
2. The Mississippi will be at it's crest in late spring (probably April)
3. There will be some hum-diinger blizards in the Great Lakes area after January 15th and before March 1
4. There will be at least one earthquake in Jame and one in California
5. Tornadoes will cause damage and injury in Oklahoma or Missouri
6. The Euro will lose value and the EU will be troubled
7. The U.S dollar will lose value and taxes will go up
8. The price of gas will go up this summer
9. The media will make sure the current president is re-elected
10. Between 40,000 ad 50,000 Americans will be killed in traffic accidents
11. Fidel Castro will be reported as sick and in failing health
12. Honey bees will be stressed with hive collapse problems
13. Unemployment will be way above 9%
14. A record number of homes will be foreclosed
15. Apple will sell a record number of Iphones
16. A record number of boomers will go on Social Security and Medicare
17. Prescription costs will increase
18. There will be clashes between Palestinians and Israel
19. Russia will have trouble with Chechnyan Rebels
20. Another drug tunnel will be found from Mexico to the U.S.
Well could not anyone have made this list? Not hard to predict the obvious. Pretty safe bet on most of these.. almost and absolute certainty for most of them.
Whether the predictions materialize of not they are pretty much meaningless. Most of them will not raise anyone's pulse an iota. The only people with a grudge against Mormons (or anyone else) are atheists. It's their grudge (let it lie). The election is already a non-event so who cares. Young people ARE turning away from religions and religions are turning them away with continued foolishness. Moslem areas have always been a bad place to be Christian and now ever more os .. also a bad place to be female and now even more so. (and yet the feminists love the Moslems .. so go figure .. but it's their choice so let them have it). Anything "occupy" is a lunatic fringe like Camping and then Mayan calendar people. That makes it a great year for shrinks. But then they always have Washington and liberal state capitals for a supply of crazies. So in all none of these predictions are very significant. Predict corn futures in July and August and that will be impressive. Predict volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, stock market jolts, new discoveries or inventions, new pandemics and THEN it will be impressive.
RTC...you are kidding ..the only people with a grudge are atheists..religions dislike each other and I expect Romney will have a hard time with those not of his faith..
When there are articles on Mormonism, it is the evangelicals who tend to cast the most vitriolic aspersions.
For 2012-
Recognizing the flaws, follies and frauds in the foundations of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, the "bowers", kneelers" and "pew peasants" will continue to converge these religions into some simple rules of life. No koran, bible, clerics, nuns, monks, imams, evangelicals, ayatollahs, rabbis, professors of religion or priests needed or desired.
Ditto for houses of "worthless worship" aka mosques, churches, basilicas, cathedrals, temples and synagogues.
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It's very difficult to break people of the bonds they so revere....
Present any single religion-based prediction in the past century with a specific date of the predicted event down to the exact day. Good luck with attempting that; there aren't any such predictions. The Christian bible is self-contradictory supersti-tion originating from people who just didn't know any better, and with no evidence to support its claims for the divinity of its holey ghosties and its sky fairy god.
Don't be fooled. Break the chains. Be free of religion in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Prayer changes things
Enter boldly the throne room of God
With praises and peti tions
Listen and learn to speak the Truth in love
Directing all mankind to the grace of God
Pray without ceasing in 2012
Prayer is just a total waste of energy. As someone else here recently said, 2 hands working get more done than a thousand pairs of hands praying.
Are you implying "Other Living things" have gods?
You never see animals going through the absurd and often horrible fooleries of magic and religion. Only man behaves with such gratuitous folly. It is the price he has to pay for being intelligent but not, as yet, quite intelligent enough.
Prayer is a good thing. Sitting on a park bench watching the grass grow is truly a wast of time (but nobody is objecting to that ... they have selective objections related to wasting time). Sitting in as an "occupy" protester is an absolute waste of time. Working crossword puzzles is a waste of time (doers even SAY they are wasting time). Pointless complaining is a waste of time. Smoking cigarettes or pot is a waste of time. Serving time in prison or jail is a waste of time. Meandering around in an art museum is a waste of time. Doing Yoga is a waste to time. Watching TV is a waste of time. Playing cards is a waste of time. Sitting in a bar drinking is a waste of time. There are many forms of wasting time. Everyone can choose their own form of it and everyone does it (some waste their entire lives).
Prayer is a waste of time. Smoking has effects.
Prayer changes things
Prayer is effective
Prayer alters the course of history
Prayer brings life to dry bones
Prayer really changes things
Prayer is a waste of time. No prayer has ever been answered by a god. If you think otherwise, prove it.
Oddly enough smoking can actually cause prayer. You pray that the surgeon go it all, you pray the chemo works, you pray nothing else was involved. You pray for more time. You pray to go quickly in your sleep (and not agonizing months of slow decline). Smoking is related to lung cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, emphysema, some kinds of ulcers, COPD. It creates a coat of yellow toxic on you windows and walls, kills pets, can cause fatal auto accidents and burns out clothes including pants, ties, dresses, shirts. It causes fatal house fires and car fires. And that's just cigarettes.
http://www.carpenterstouch.org/
Those are predictions for 2012 – and confirmation to what He had revealed to many during 2011.
See for yourself and be prepared
I was expecting a list of specific predications and their status but did not find anything but some ranting by Phyllis Ford, who is not half as entertaining as Marilyn Agee.
If someone chooses to be religious then they shouldnt be mocked by those who chose to disregard G-d and religion and vice versa. The biggest problems seem to emerge when one group starts to bash the other group's beliefs (scientific or religious) or when one group forces their belief down the other's throat.
I'm Jewish and fairly religious but I have atheist friends. Religion wasn't for them and that's their decision and I respect them for it. No one should be forced to defend their belief in G-d to anyone because at least for me it's a deeply personal experience. And inversely atheist shouldnt have to defend the fact that they don't believe in G-d...I'm really just rambling now.
You are just rambling Ben. You have a right to your opinions. So do others. If someone says something totally ridiculous, they are going to have to expect some push back. The Earth *IS* flat ya know.
youtube.com/watch?v=LqwgVo33dyA&feature=related
youtube.com/watch?v=LqwgVo33dyA&feature=related
Be blessed as you listen to his link
The only issue I have with that is that people who say they believe in god usually don't realize that it is not really a personal belief. This claim must also be true for me (like the people who believed the earth was flat, for example). This belief in god is not like, lets say, a love for another person, which truely is only for the one making the claim.
If you are going to make a claim that there is a god for me too, then I will start to ask you questions that you might not be comfortable with.
.... er... actually these are predictions for 2016-18, as 2012 already happened 4-6 years ago. ; )
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithforward/2011/12/2012-is-the-end-its-the-beginning-or-its-just-another-year/