40 Killed In Hamas Attacks In Israel

[Gofer Blue]

1. I did include a quote above my comment.
2. And for the sake of further clarity, while I adhere to God's view of family life, I have never suggested that those who go their own way should be exterminated. All of us in one way or another flout God's Law, which is why we are all in need of a Saviour; some accept Him, others simply add him to their gutter level language.
3. On religion I oppose them all, as they only cause confusion and at their worst death. Jesus was (as planned thousands of years before) murdered because of the religious people in Jerusalem.

P.S. Sorry to hi-jack the thread but as the conversation (inevitably it seems!) has recently turned to "religion" I see that Russell Brand has recently been baptised and declares that he is now a Christian. Like Michael Coren says* (https://inews.co.uk/opinion/russell-...aptism-3032293) I look forward to seeing the change in him. "By their fruits you shall know them". To quote the vernacular: the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

I wonder what other posters make of this?

* Quote from the Coren article: One of the delights of my priestly life is when I’m asked to perform a baptism. Sometimes it will be babies held by their parents, but often it’s mature people who have come to know Jesus Christ, and long for this sacramental bonding into God’s family. I welcome every one of them.

I have the same attitude towards Russell Brand, who has just announced to his millions of online followers that on Sunday he was baptised. He said that he felt “incredibly blessed” and that he was “nourished” by it all. I’m delighted for him and hope that he emerges as a true follower of Jesus, committed to devotion to God, loving his enemies, standing with the poor and the marginalised, and putting others before himself.

But there’s even more to it than that. Baptism involves transformation, a different life, and what we might think of as a great, glorious coming clean. This new covenant is not just for us but to us; in other words, it’s not something that’s passive but for an adult is an indication of action and movement, and it also demands humility and contrition.

[truthpaste]

P.S. Sorry to hi-jack the thread but as the conversation (inevitably it seems!) has recently turned to "religion" I see that Russell Brand has recently been baptised and declares that he is now a Christian. Like Michael Coren says* (https://inews.co.uk/opinion/russell-...aptism-3032293) I look forward to seeing the change in him. "By their fruits you shall know them". To quote the vernacular: the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

I wonder what other posters make of this?

* Quote from the Coren article: One of the delights of my priestly life is when I’m asked to perform a baptism. Sometimes it will be babies held by their parents, but often it’s mature people who have come to know Jesus Christ, and long for this sacramental bonding into God’s family. I welcome every one of them.

I have the same attitude towards Russell Brand, who has just announced to his millions of online followers that on Sunday he was baptised. He said that he felt “incredibly blessed” and that he was “nourished” by it all. I’m delighted for him and hope that he emerges as a true follower of Jesus, committed to devotion to God, loving his enemies, standing with the poor and the marginalised, and putting others before himself.

But there’s even more to it than that. Baptism involves transformation, a different life, and what we might think of as a great, glorious coming clean. This new covenant is not just for us but to us; in other words, it’s not something that’s passive but for an adult is an indication of action and movement, and it also demands humility and contrition.

While I share your desire to see him live it in his everyday life to prove he is truly serving Christ, the emphasis on baptism will potentially be misleading to many. As I mentioned yesterday, religious ceremonies have no direct impact on a persons eternal destiny, and can only point (as baptism after repentance does) to a commitment that has already taken place; the Bible says, 'believe and be baptised', because it's faith in Christ that saves, and not any religious act or man-made ceremony.

[Gofer Blue]

While I share your desire to see him live it in his everyday life to prove he is truly serving Christ, the emphasis on baptism will potentially be misleading to many. As I mentioned yesterday, religious ceremonies have no direct impact on a persons eternal destiny, and can only point (as baptism after repentance does) to a commitment that has already taken place; the Bible says, 'believe and be baptised', because it's faith in Christ that saves, and not any religious act or man-made ceremony.

I understand what you mean by baptism sometimes being misleading. Baptism is the outward sign to others that a person has already accepted Christ rather than the act of being baptised somehow makes a person an instant Christian! Only Russell Brand himself can know that in his heart.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I understand what you mean by baptism sometimes being misleading. Baptism is the outward sign to others that a person has already accepted Christ rather than the act of being baptised somehow makes a person an instant Christian! Only Russell Brand himself can know that in his heart.

I am trying not to get involved with the fruitless religious debates on here but as far as Russell Brand is concerned: he used to be a drug addict, a Buddhist, a sex addict, a bulimic, a porn addict, a self-harmer. He suffers from ADHD and is now accused of numerous sexual misdemenours. It's tempting to think that anything he gets involved with may be intense but ephemeral.

[truthpaste]

I am trying not to get involved with the fruitless religious debates on here but as far as Russell Brand is concerned: he used to be a drug addict, a Buddhist, a sex addict, a bulimic, a porn addict, a self-harmer. He suffers from ADHD and is now accused of numerous sexual misdemenours. It's tempting to think that anything he gets involved with may be intense but ephemeral.

Many people have an intense spiritual experience but that is no guarantee of becoming a genuine Christian?
It's about a total transformation from within which is endorsed and permanently sealed by God, not a flash in the pan. This means that if it is the real thing, his countless 'misdemenours' will have no impact on what has happened to him now.

Saul (Paul) was a murderer of Christians, his life was turned upside down after he met with Christ.

We shall all be watching.

[Gofer Blue]

I am trying not to get involved with the fruitless religious debates on here but as far as Russell Brand is concerned: he used to be a drug addict, a Buddhist, a sex addict, a bulimic, a porn addict, a self-harmer. He suffers from ADHD and is now accused of numerous sexual misdemenours. It's tempting to think that anything he gets involved with may be intense but ephemeral.

Apart from that, just a regular guy then?

[truthpaste]

Apart from that, just a regular guy then?

Fair point.