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by Robster on August 1st, 2009
I believe anything supernatural to be impossible and therefore imaginary. 'If it does not occur as a natural event then it must be considered supernatural'. Is there a clear distinction between natural and supernatural?
by kakskee on September 20th, 2009
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I just saw a category 'natural theology'. Isn't all theology unnatural?
by Ombliss22 on August 16th, 2011
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Did God make pigs, then Satan made them delicious to piss off God and lead people to eternal burnification?
by Want To Sleep With A Miner on November 30th, 2011
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What sort of explosion would you have if you took a dump?
by missingtruth on March 18th, 2012
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Is the Occupy Movement beckoning a whole new epoch unlike that ever experienced through previous world history?
by CosmicWunderkind on November 17th, 2011
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You're reading Same as the Cowboys have transformed themselves and are very sophisticated today, how have the Crusaders transformed themselves?
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Comments
True, Robster. It has been a complex transformation. Difficult to explain. The old evangelists in the US were mostly sincere, 'down to earth' preachers. They tried to give hope and faith to downtrodden people. But, then, the 'Media' struck. Money, and lots of it, became possible. Then, they, or their descendents, got involved in politics. Religion, money, and politics is a bad combination.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
Money has taken precedence. Thats the transformation.
Thats what I understand from your answer and Tom's comments.
+6
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
Indeed, Suby. Billy Graham was the last of a line of sincere and truly gifted Christian preachers. And he was no bigot. His job, as he saw it, was to revitalize the Christian faith wherever it could be. Of course, he never went to India, or the Far East. What would be the point? But, he never condescended to the non-Christian people of the world. He really had little to say except that "all are God's children". He naver "got rich" from his extensive worldwide evangelism. It was all in the hands of his church's missionary foundation. He only drew a very modest salary for himself. Yes, there was that time, back in the sixties, when he made a statement that there 'could' be a such a thing as a "holy war", but I think it was taken out of context. Anyway, he later regretted that it was misunderstood. Many had taken it as his approval of the Vietnam War, but that is not what he meant. Anyway, I have talked long enough. 'nite all.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
Billy Graham did visit India in the early 1970s, Tom. He came to the North Eastern Tribal State of Nagaland where there is a good presence of the Baptist Church. I had gone to hear his speech. Very impressive he was. He kept the audience spellbound for over 2 hours.
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
I stand corrected, Suby. You are right. And you actually went to see him?
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
I was in Kohima, Capital of Nagaland State at that time. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to listen to one of the greatest orators of the time.
And all he was talking about was the benign topic of God. Nothing controversial. But he did speak, that I will vouch for.
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
He was a unique man. But there were and are many like him. They are not as well known, but maybe they will be. Christianity needs them. Yes, Suby, you know I am one. It is just me, my friend. It is where I come from. I am not your "typical" Christian...(smile) I am rather unique, myself. I am affiliated with a denominational church, but I do not ascribe to some of the beliefs most of them have. I never say so and would never argue those points with any of them. I love them too much. It is the church I grew up in and the one I am most comfortable with. But, I have my own beliefs. Our differences are really insignificant. The basic tenets and "articles of faith" of Christianity are really very few. That is why I can feel comfortable in any Christian church.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
Baptist Church got into the conversion game late, Tom. Catholics had a head start as their conversion efforts stated with St. Thomas an were mostly unrestrained by modern secular law. For the Baptist Church even a visit by Billy Graham could not produce the desired results except in a few pockets where the Baptist Church had got itself well entrenched.
But he did speak to a whole stadium full of people in a most powerful manner.
Is Billy Graham still alive, Tom? Must be very old now.
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
Oh, yes,..though very much 'retired'. He is approaching his 92cnd year. Oh, you did know his father was a dairy farmer, didn't you? (smile)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
I didn't know that. Now I can connect even better with Billy Graham!
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
He probably milked a lot. It was in North Carolina. You have to know that state to appreciate where Billy was coming from...(lol)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
I don't know North Carolina, but I do appreciate Billy's convictions.
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
He was a "nominal" Scots Presbyterian, but his missionary work was really non-denominational. He was convinced that preaching of Christ was his only calling. He even, to my admiration, said that if the "virgin birth" was a problem, then throw it away. It is not necessary. Amen, Billy. (William Franklin Graham) Now, Suby, that is a true Scots name if there ever was one...(lol)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
It was great listening to his speech, Tom. I can compare it only with that of Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Dayananda Saraswati. All profoundly spititual men of great elocution in erudition of tbeir convictions.
by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009
So, maybe Billy Graham is our "common connection", Suby,..besides AB (lol). Are you familiar with the theory of "five degrees of separation"? It says that all the people of the world are separated by only five or less degrees. Conversely, they are also connected by at least five degrees. It is sort of complicated, but having seen and heard the same person speak or touched them physically is a "degree of connection". Anyway, the theory is that everyone in the world is connected in some way to everyone else. It is a stretch and the theory allows for "out of connection". But when you consider billions of people, it is rather amazing. Yes, it does involve eating food raised or picked from another part of the world and manufactured goods used by millions of other people. It is a very convincing theory. (smiling)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009
It demonstrates that there is a Universal Soul the sparks from which reside in every one of the living and non living beings we have in this world or even the whole Universe, Tom.
The Universal Soul is the 'Tat' or 'God' whatever you prefer to call it. Our own souls owe their origin and source to 'Tat'. Using our own minds and intellects it is possible be to access our souls and through it the 'Tat'.
'Tat' could be acting like something like the satellites which connect all the computers to the internet. Same as your PC gets connected to my PC through satellites, your soul and my soul are connected to one another through 'Tat'. Only we don't realize it. From souls minds get connected. Intellects get connected. It is a simple and complicated theory at the same time.
Physical contact is really not necessary. Minds can communicate.
People like Billy Graham could connect their minds to the minds of a Stadium full of people.
by Suby the Coat on August 2nd, 2009
Very few people have this inborn ability. Others develop it by practice.
The five degree connection theory is nothing extraordinary. It has been developed by people who know what they are talking about.
by Suby the Coat on August 2nd, 2009
In John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" written in the 1930's, during the great depression, he has his protagonist, Tom Joad, say, "Maybe we are all just a part of one "Big Soul",..."
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 2nd, 2009
You might be interested in checking out the answres to the following two questions I asked some months back. Also post your ansewrs if kyou feel like it and give me your comments here.
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http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1487556
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1454723
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The questions have a relevence to the topic we are discussing now, Tom.
by Suby the Coat on August 2nd, 2009