Any Christian cyclist out there? - Page 3

Eilert Pilarm · #31 11-19.-2005

sha-alu shalom yaru-sha-li-um

pray for the peace of jerusalem

ps. 122:6a

Chad-GA · #32 11-19.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlwp

Christian and Jewish cyclists arrived at Judaism's holiest site on Thursday on a pilgrimage from the Vatican, in an unusual effort to understand each other's religion.

The 10 bikers pedaled onto the stone plaza at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, a remnant of the biblical Jewish Temple compound, after a three-week trip across Italy, Greece and Israel, starting at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.

Ed Kessler, head of Cambridge University's Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, talked about the rewards of such an undertaking.

"You come back at the end of a long day, you're tired, and you sit down looking at texts together and you talk about it as friends," Kessler said. "That's fundamental learning."

Among the 30 participants involved in various stages of the pilgrimage were a Polish student, a financial consultant, a Jewish mother and a college chaplain. The group has raised nearly $60,000 to support interfaith dialogue and understanding, organizers said.

Rabbi Arieh Banner, who helps supervise activities at the Western Wall, said it was the first time he saw people riding bikes into the plaza during his 17 years there, but he was glad to see the spirit of the international group "who have come in the name of faith and peace."

Claire Malone-Lee, 64, a cyclist and student of Jewish-Christian relations, said the group's discussions have challenged each other's preconceived ideas about religious texts or the prospects for peace in Israel.

"All you hear about is the complexity of the situation here, but really when you arrive, hopefulness is reinforced wherever you go," said Malone-Lee, who is from Cambridge, England.

The bikers were awarded special certificates and 'Israel loves you' buttons by the Tourism Ministry.

Wow, pretty neat. I would have liked to have been part of that. Is there a place I can go to read more on that?

Thanks

Ludicrous · #33 11-23.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by schamber

God, if one exists, will not get you up the hill regardless of the moto on your jersey...

No....... but He will make me lie down in green pastures and lead me besides quit waters and His goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life............

Eilert Pilarm · #34 11-23.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ludicrous

No....... but He will make me lie down in green pastures and lead me besides quiet waters and His goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life............

and dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever and ever.

jrstevens · #35 11-24.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilert Pilarm

and dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever and ever.

Interesting thread. I can, as a Christian, understand a little about where Chad and HenryLaRoy are both coming from. I think it's important to witness but also not stuff it down unwilling people's throats. I should state for the record I am on the ICCC club and proudly wear the jersey. When people see the jersey they either ask me about it or they don't. I've yet to have someone tell me they're offended or another Christian tell me what I'm doing is wrong. In addition to being an ICCC member I'm also an active member of my church and have led small groups in the past and plan to do so again this January. In other words I have other areas of ministry outside of the club. it does not define me but is a part of who I am.

just my 2 cents.

JS

jrstevens · #36 11-24.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabloScott

How would you guys feel if someone rode up to you in an "American Atheists" jersey?

I would think it would be an odd proclamation

Would you feel like striking up a conversation about the weather with him/her?

certainly; Jesus was known for hanging out with individuals of questionable character

Would your first impression be a negative one?

no; like Chad I've been there also; coming to faith is possible for all of us

Would you feel insulted in some way?

the mere act of somneone wearing the jersey would not be insulting

Would you be embarassed to be seen with him? Would you refuse to ride with him?

no again for the reason that I have been there before and also our attitude and actions should reflect that of Jesus

Would you get defensive?

only if challenged on matters of faith but not in an attacking or holier than thou manner

Eilert Pilarm · #37 11-24.-2005

seems folks have for centuries been quick to say, "but Jesus hung around with everybody, sinner and saint alike, the outcasts of society along with the religious leaders."

sure enough...but how many remember that Jesus repeatedly admonished them (us) to "go and sin no more"

ah, but that's too hard.

of course it is....that's why He did it for us.

what no man can own....no man can take

MichaelB · #38 11-24.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchak attack

...we are all gods children...

If thats the case then whats so special about Jesus anyway?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilert Pilarm

"Proud parent of a Registered Sex Offender"

Why are people obsessed with sex offenders? Surely a murderer is worse than a sex offender? You might get 'offended' by a sex offender but at least you dont end up dead! There is something very disturbing and wrong about how people want to hear about sex offender stories on the tele and in the paper. Maybe I need my **** raped by some big black guy to understand it?

The thing about god is that you cant disprove its existence. That is because believers want the things they want god to have done so badly they made up a load of premises to get around the fact that all the evidence points to the fact that gods are so unrealistic the chances of them being right are negligible.

You need to have faith in God. He will never appear. Bad things will happen even though it seems to go against what god stands for etc etc... There is now a much better explaination of how we got here than god put us here. Praying apparently does nothing. You wont see god until you're dead etc...

This case wouldn't even get to court!

In the words of Einstein:

"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotism."

"I do not believe in the immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it."

"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for a reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

jrstevens · #39 11-24.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilert Pilarm

seems folks have for centuries been quick to say, "but Jesus hung around with everybody, sinner and saint alike, the outcasts of society along with the religious leaders."

sure enough...but how many remember that Jesus repeatedly admonished them (us) to "go and sin no more"

ah, but that's too hard.

good point but I don't feel it's my place to tell someone that

jrstevens · #40 11-24.-2005

[QUOTE=MichaelB]If thats the case then whats so special about Jesus anyway?

When was the last time you or anyone you know was whipped, beaten, flogged, crucified on a cross and then rose from the dead 3 days later all because doing so would erase the sin of those who accept him as their personal saviour. I know of only one...

JS

Geoff2010 · #41 11-24.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

In the words of Einstein:

"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotism."

"I do not believe in the immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it."

"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for a reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

BRILLIANT! Einstein is a true hero of mine

Geoff2010 · #42 11-24.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrstevens

When was the last time you or anyone you know was whipped, beaten, flogged, crucified on a cross and then rose from the dead 3 days later all because doing so would erase the sin of those who accept him as their personal saviour. I know of only one...

JS

I am not sure about rising from the dead... but that happens every day in Gitmo!

wheelist · #43 11-24.-2005

Jesus was probably a really nice bloke.

jrstevens · #44 11-25.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff2010

BRILLIANT! Einstein is a true hero of mine

'I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily'. 'Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance'.
In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God's existence.

two quotes from one of the greatest scientists who ever lived - Sir Isaac Newton

Aussie Steve · #45 11-25.-2005

Nobody mentioned the artwork by Wheelist...great job with the changes dude!!
Luv your work.
Agree with some others that this thread belongs in the classifieds.
Or maybe in the thread entitled "Carry tools on long rides"

(sorry "tool" is Aussie slang for a person who is full of cr@p)
but these folk who want to push their faith love to start a debate, it makes them feel fulfilled.
But that's human nature.
I absolutely hate the "sport" of cricket, and I have gone onto an Australian Cricket fans' forum to dump on their obsession, and get excited at the responses and hysteria.
This "oh I'm so holy" guy can say what he likes, but we live in a free world and can make our own life decisions.
"Good for you, Captain America".
The ancient Greeks gave mankind geometry, physics, mathematics, the arts, the Romans gave a system of politics, legal system, etc...
so what has the mighty US empire given the world?
1. Gross obesity and high cholesterol
2. Questionable pop culture (recently giving "the Simpsons" to some Arab countries has to be the silliest export ever)
3. highly organised state-sponsored terrorism (Vietnam, Iraq, etc etc)
4. the threat of a nuclear winter.
sorry for the rant

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