Does paradise ever run out of virgins?

[jross]

17 hours ago, jross said:

At least the Catholics admitted it was a sin and misaligned with the New Testament that teaches love and mercy.

The Catholic Church has acknowledged faults in its history, in part because Christians are not bound by the Old Testament commands of the Mosaic Law (Torah) as a binding agreement. Jesus fulfilled that entire system. The Old Agreement has been replaced by the superior New Agreement. The Mosaic Law was given specifically to ancient Israel to make sin obvious; people outside that nation and agreement were never under it. It was temporary until Christ came. In Christ, believers become sons of God through faith, not through law-keeping (Galatians 3:15-28). The book of Hebrews explains that the Mosaic Law had limitations, which is why God established a new and better agreement. Second Timothy affirms that the Old Testament remains God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.   This does not mean Christians should follow the Old Testament laws for God's acceptance. Rather, the Old Testament provides context that points to Christ and makes folks wise for salvation through faith in "Him."

For background context, Paul was a Roman Jew that persecuted Christians.  He "met" Jesus only after Jesus rose from the dead, and Paul then became a Christian missionary.  He started a church in Turkey (Galatia) with non-Jewish Christ believers.  After he left Galatia, other teachers told the new believers to follow the Old Testament to be accepted by God.  Paul wrote the corrective letter seen in the New Testament discussed above.  Paul also was a mentor to a missionary named Timothy.  Timothy was leading a church in a major city called Ephesus, and that church was dealing with false doctrine and having faith issues.  Paul wrote the letter to Timothy...

[jross]

The Ancient Israel functioning as a theocratic nation under the Old Testament (with temple, priesthood, sacrifices, civil penalties... stoning, etc.) has not functioned for 2,000 years.

The New Israel is a secular democratic nation state that is not agreed (bound) to the Old Testament.  The OT laws are not national laws.

New Israel is about 80% Jewish, 14% Muslim, 2% Christian, and other.

The Jews are 40% secular (Hiloni), 23% traditional (Masorti), 10% religious (Dait), 8% ultra orthodox (Haredi). 

76% of New Israel Jews see democracy as compatible with Israel and 3:1 favor democratic principles over religious law. (https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/03/08/israels-religiously-divided-society/).  Note: The secular treat the Old Testament as history rather than religious law.  They identify as Israelis first and culturally as Jewish.  The others identify as Jewish first and Israelis second.

 

[JimmySpeaks]

14 hours ago, mspart said:

Again, you can say whatever you want.  I can only give info and context.   

If Allah told Muslims to take over the world and annihilate everyone, why hasn't that happened?  Or is it a slow burn kind of thing? 

It was not a universal commandment to the Israelites.   It ended when the Israelites gained possession of Canaan.   God did not tell them to go into other lands and kill all those people.  It was limited to the people in Canaan only.   As I understand it. 

mspart

That is correct. 

[jross]

16 hours ago, red viking said:

If u hypocritical wingers want to justify killing of Muslim women and children due to the Quran condoning genocide then it goes both ways. Most people in Israel follow the old testament, not the new one. 

I agree with this ^^^

It is fair to condemn Benjamin Netanyahu for referencing the OT to support the war.  It is reported that he is secular, which makes his behavior dark (at best ingenuine or manipulative to me).

[Caveira]

If you get killed by your own stupidity as a terrorist …..   do you get the virgins or nah?

Hamas terrorists were rescuing one of their injured terrorists, an accidently stepped on an explosive they had planted to ambush the IDF soldiers.

All the Hamas terrorists died instantly.

[JimmySpeaks]

Why is a certain religion in a certain area of the world so far behind the rest of the world and other religions???  It can only be the book they’re following.  

[red viking]

1 hour ago, JimmySpeaks said:

Why is a certain religion in a certain area of the world so far behind the rest of the world and other religions???  It can only be the book they’re following.  

More religion in general sets countries back. Atheism results in a stronger civilization. 

Ill still choose Grndat though. Gotta look out for myself and avoid hell. 

Edited May 29 by red viking

[Caveira]

5 minutes ago, red viking said:

More religion in general sets countries back. Atheism results in a stronger civilization. 

Ill still choose Grndat though. Gotta look out for myself and avoid hell. 

I’m not religious.  But name the top five atheist counties that are strong / stronger civilizations 

[red viking]

1 hour ago, Caveira said:

I’m not religious.  But name the top five atheist counties that are strong / stronger civilizations 

Umm....all of western europe

[Caveira]

11 minutes ago, red viking said:

Umm....all of western europe

I asked for the 5 that are stronger than the USA.  
 

The Netherlands is the only Western European country where an absolute majority of the overall population officially identifies as religiously unaffiliated (around 48% to 51%). 
 

United Kingdom: Protestant (Anglican) 

France: Catholic 

Germany: Protestant / Catholic 

Sweden: Protestant (Lutheran)

Norway: Protestant (Lutheran)

Denmark: Protestant (Lutheran)

Ireland: Catholic

Belgium: Catholic

Switzerland: Catholic / Protestant

Austria: Catholic

Luxembourg: Catholic

Monaco: Catholic

Italy: Catholic

Spain: Catholic

Portugal: Catholic

Greece: Eastern Orthodox

Malta: Catholic

San Marino: Catholic

Andorra: Catholic

Vatican City: Catholic

Edited May 29 by Caveira

[red viking]

13 minutes ago, Caveira said:

I asked for the 5 that are stronger than the USA.  
 

The Netherlands is the only Western European country where an absolute majority of the overall population officially identifies as religiously unaffiliated (around 48% to 51%). 
 

United Kingdom: Protestant (Anglican) 

France: Catholic 

Germany: Protestant / Catholic 

Sweden: Protestant (Lutheran)

Norway: Protestant (Lutheran)

Denmark: Protestant (Lutheran)

Ireland: Catholic

Belgium: Catholic

Switzerland: Catholic / Protestant

Austria: Catholic

Luxembourg: Catholic

Monaco: Catholic

Italy: Catholic

Spain: Catholic

Portugal: Catholic

Greece: Eastern Orthodox

Malta: Catholic

San Marino: Catholic

Andorra: Catholic

Vatican City: Catholic

They don't go to church or give money to church like we fo though. Not even close. Theyre all better places. 

[Caveira]

17 minutes ago, red viking said:

They don't go to church or give money to church like we fo though. Not even close. Theyre all better places. 

Ok boss.  You make a compelling argument lol 

[red viking]

3 minutes ago, Caveira said:

Ok boss.  You make a compelling argument lol 

Which countries are more atheist than European ones? 

[Caveira]

3 minutes ago, red viking said:

Which countries are more atheist than European ones? 

As per usual, You neglected to make an argument … some pretty good places to live right ?

1. China

China is globally recognized as the least religious country. Depending on how surveys word their questions, estimates of China's non-religious or convinced atheist population range from 58% to over 90%. 

The Drivers: Decades of official state atheism promoted by the Chinese Communist Party have deeply embedded institutional secularism. Furthermore, traditional Chinese philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism focus on social ethics and cosmic harmony rather than a personal creator God. 

2. Japan

Depending on the index, between 60% and 86% of Japanese citizens claim no personal religious affiliation or explicitly identify as non-believers. 

The Drivers: Japanese culture treats spirituality as a set of cultural customs rather than a strict, exclusive faith system. Most people participate in Shinto or Buddhist rituals (like weddings or funerals) but do not believe in a singular, monotheistic deity. 

3.  North Korea

Though independent polling is impossible, North Korea is structurally an entirely atheist state. [1]

The Drivers: State-mandated secularism is strictly enforced by the government. Traditional religions have been replaced by Juche—the state's political ideology which functions as a secular, state-mandated philosophy centering on self-reliance. 

4.  Vietnam

Global demographic indexes estimate Vietnam’s non-religious population to be between 30% and 81%. 

The Drivers: Like China, Vietnam’s governance is rooted in secular communist ideology. While ancestor veneration and folk traditions are incredibly common, the vast majority of citizens do not subscribe to an organized religion or believe in a creator god. 

Edited May 29 by Caveira

[red viking]

2 hours ago, Caveira said:

As per usual, You neglected to make an argument … some pretty good places to live right ?

1. China

China is globally recognized as the least religious country. Depending on how surveys word their questions, estimates of China's non-religious or convinced atheist population range from 58% to over 90%. 

The Drivers: Decades of official state atheism promoted by the Chinese Communist Party have deeply embedded institutional secularism. Furthermore, traditional Chinese philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism focus on social ethics and cosmic harmony rather than a personal creator God. 

2. Japan

Depending on the index, between 60% and 86% of Japanese citizens claim no personal religious affiliation or explicitly identify as non-believers. 

The Drivers: Japanese culture treats spirituality as a set of cultural customs rather than a strict, exclusive faith system. Most people participate in Shinto or Buddhist rituals (like weddings or funerals) but do not believe in a singular, monotheistic deity. 

3.  North Korea

Though independent polling is impossible, North Korea is structurally an entirely atheist state. [1]

The Drivers: State-mandated secularism is strictly enforced by the government. Traditional religions have been replaced by Juche—the state's political ideology which functions as a secular, state-mandated philosophy centering on self-reliance. 

4.  Vietnam

Global demographic indexes estimate Vietnam’s non-religious population to be between 30% and 81%. 

The Drivers: Like China, Vietnam’s governance is rooted in secular communist ideology. While ancestor veneration and folk traditions are incredibly common, the vast majority of citizens do not subscribe to an organized religion or believe in a creator god. 

Along w Europe. Less religious than garbage USA

[JimmySpeaks]

6 hours ago, red viking said:

More religion in general sets countries back. Atheism results in a stronger civilization. 

Ill still choose Grndat though. Gotta look out for myself and avoid hell. 

Bahahaahhahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahah. More religion in Iran than America.  It’s why they’re 100’s of years behind.  Women can’t show their faces, can’t drive, can vote, get groomed.  The list goes on and on. 

[red viking]

12 hours ago, JimmySpeaks said:

Bahahaahhahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahah. More religion in Iran than America.  It’s why they’re 100’s of years behind.  Women can’t show their faces, can’t drive, can vote, get groomed.  The list goes on and on. 

As I said, ALL religion is bad,  except worshipping the TRUE God, Grndat. 

[JimmySpeaks]

12 hours ago, red viking said:

As I said, ALL religion is bad,  except worshipping the TRUE God, Grndat. 

Some far worse than others. Especially the phony ones