Hiker Missing on Blood Mountain

“I love his writings. I'm going through "Magicians Nephew" with my son and "Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe," with my middle daughter now.”

“Yeah, Prince Caspian is May 16th! Hopefully it's as good as the first one.”

“Not to harp on this chili, but to check if I was just living in a dream world or not, I asked my buddy, who is a brand new Christian (about 1 year), and belongs to a different denomination than me. He went to a baptist church about 350 miles from where I grew up. I asked him without any prompting or history of our discussion, "What are the United Methodists known for" ... he said (1) preaching only the "happy" parts of the bible, like love, not about hell and eternal consequences (as I said, worldly teachings), and (2) fundraisers, like bake sales.

So chill out chili. I'm not out to get you man.”

“You guys knocking "be good and get into heaven" are splitting hairs. I grew up UMC and was taught that (and like that teaching for my LITTLE ones), I would not agree to teaching kids "follow God's word and accept Jesus as your Savior or burn in Hell for eternity". Jesus Christ, y'all are trying to dig too deep!

I know what you're getting at tho Sarge with UMC, we're some more laid back about Bible thumping. But.... we are certainly less hypocritical than Baptist groups, who teach "YOU'LL BURN IN HELL YOU SINNIN' DAWG!!!". I always enjoyed going to my best frind's Catholic church with them, w/ staggered masses, the Latin, the grapejuice, and nasty little wafer on my tongue. I always loved going to Mass with them. I enjoyed Methodists svc's too, more laid back, easy going. As a little rascal tho, my times in Baptist svc's pretty much scared the hella'outa me. The dude was yellin' and sweatin' and sayin' to me "repent or go to Hell!!". When I got old enough to know what heart attacks were, and what caused them, I thought it was proof that God was the Real Deal by my bud's Baptist preacher never dying at the pulpit every Sunday. I didn't go every Sunday with my Baptist friend, but it shore seemed like that preacher yelled about something every single Sunday I saw him.

I'll say this about my Methodist upbringing: they teach more about love and Bible study, and much less about "burning, turtured in Hell thru eternity". They are some more age-apropriate then other Protastant faiths.

One small issue I might have Rev, is the fact that you are an "internet reverend". So you got your "degree" online, that in of itself is suspect my friend. Now perhaps you've done the required college classwork and worked hard over time "earning" your doctrine. But..... I know for a fact that ministry services exist online where you pay, and blammo, hello Reverend. It exists primarily in black North Carolina. Some of the sorriest #&%!$s I ever knew and worked with were/are 2 black Ministers, both of whom got their preacherdom thru the above pay and get system. At the time either could not be fired from our corporation because we were under our black hire quota, and both of these guys should have been fired for not doing their jobs. On the weekends these 2 bums preached, gained notoriety (one in particular), and eventually now is quite wealthy (and no longer needing to work at my old workplace) from their talents from the pulpit. I wouldn't pee on either one of these guys to put out a fire. But I have a much better understanding of how stupid idiots can gain great wealth and some fame thru this method; i.e. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.”

“Naked ape.... I did not get my degree on line. Sarge would love to have you believe that. I got it from an internationally accredited brick and mortar Seminary. The website I referred sarge to was the website for the ministry I direct. On that website I list my cirriculum vitae. If you want that information I will gladly provide it to you. However, e-mail me for so as to avoid further descent into fuego.”

“I really don't think knocking "be good and get into Heaven" is splitting hairs. The Bible is very clear that that is NOT the case. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%202:8-10;&version=51;

But yeah, no point in scaring the kiddies.”

“Naked ape, for the record, the "reverend" was putting words into my mouth. I never said he got his degree online, but I have asked him repeatedly where he got it - he won't answer, despite his earlier dishonest baiting.”

“harharrrrharlol

Them jokes are funny Sarge! I have a feeling that y'all ain't talkin bout John Wesley Powell huh? Maybe I ain't too good a Methodist (I DO have my covered dish tho!)

Oh yeah, thanx for KJV Bible origins. I knew there was something about Greek in there as well.”

“Maybe since the girl is dead, this thread could die too? Or steer back towards the original topic?

I discussed it with Amy Grant and decided this is my grown up Christmas list.”

“Oh goodness no rev, Respects to you. I don't need your proof man, nor do I care what your cv says. You saying you ain't no fly-by-nighter internet minister is good enough for me, I'm very glad to hear it.

Yeah Sarge, maybe you ain't splittin hairs, but you ARE making a mountain outuva molehill. UMC teaches what you've linked, we just take it easy on kiddies. Be good and get into Heaven is fantastic for a lot of your early years. I wouldn't put it past that Baptist preacher of my youth to yell Brimstone and damnation to a 1 year old, all the while spittin and drippin sweat!”

“A mountain out of a molehill? Some jokes?

Right.”

“Rest in peace........Meredith Emerson

How about you guys take your bibles at ten paces and duel it out elsewhere.”

“Hehe, yeah y'all are right. That's a good idea Stick and Mark0.

edit below:
Stick is Amy Grant the new Matt or something? Just curio, perhaps she the new boss....
last edited: 1/14/08 9:19:09 AM”

“Regardless of either place Meridith ended up, MarkO, I'm quite certain she would love for us to discuss Heaven and hell on her thread. She understands more than any of us that that is a very important topic to hash out, as she is living the consequences of her decision, good or bad.”

“forget it.
last edited: 1/14/08 10:30:47 AM”

“oh come on Creek Dancer unload it, :)”

“".....she is living the consequences of her decision, good or bad."

She's dead................hello?

Rest in peace.....”

“Rest in peace Meredith. May your friends and family never read this thread.”

““".....she is living the consequences of her decision, good or bad."

She's dead................hello?

Uh, exactly. She's dead on earth. She's living elsewhere now.”

“Rest in peace........Meredith Emerson
How about you guys take your bibles at ten paces and duel it out elsewhere.”

Rest in peace Meredith. May your friends and family never read this thread.

That says it all”

“I'm sure somebody who is actually living in the afterlife isn't offended by discussion of it as some of you. You guys need to chill out.”

“"I'm sure somebody who is actually living in the afterlife isn't offended by discussion of it as some of you. You guys need to chill out.”
Sarge
11:55:19 AM
1/14/08

Your kookiness precedes you.”

“I love kookies.”

“May your friends and family never read this thread.”
Creek Dancer
12:43:17 PM
1/14/08

The first page or two is dang good and then it went to, uh, hell in a hand basket. I am sorry that I contributed to that.”

“Out”

“Here is a thread just for the folks who want to debate the wonderful death penalty and deeper religious meanings of meredith abduction and beheading.


http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/50474,3.php


What a bunch of great folks.”

“Adult discussion makes my bwain huwt.

Please, continue only espousing words of good thoughts being blown and positive vibes being psychically transmorphed ... and anything else you deem is unsubstantial enough.”

“A man died and went to heaven. St. Peter was showing him around. They went through one room, and St. Peter said "this is the room with all the Catholic people who have died and come to heaven." The next room St. Peter told the man, "this is the room where the Methodists are." Then, as they were making their way to the next room St. Peter told the man to be very quiet as they walked through. After going through the room, the man asked St. Peter why they had to be so quiet. St. Peter replied, "that is the room the Baptists are in, and they think they're the only ones here."

I don't remember where I heard that. It might have been on TT. If so, the original poster can have the credit.”

“ductape.. the proper written punchline for that joke is putting "insert denomination here" in the punchline. I have heard it with every combination. hehehehe”

“Nigal, I can not imagine sarge's surprise when he found you taking his side against the silly educated Bible man. "wink"

Actually I think the joke was missed by everyone. I was being sarcastic at how Sarge's study group somehow trumps your degree. I however respect your accomplishments in higher education in the pursuit of being as knowledgeable as possible in the service of your flock.”

“N, your explanation is how I took your joke.”

“Nigal.. I think you missed the wink at the end. I got it...”

“That's how I took the sarcasm/joke too. Do I get a prize?

But in regards to respecting is pursuit of knowledge, I'm not sure how much he studied, so can't really offer respect in that regard. The evidence is kinda lacking. Unless his professors allowed him to use his own sources to prove his argument wrong, then he probably got good grades.”

“Forgive me. I have wet bread for brains today. :P”

“That's how I took the sarcasm/joke too. Do I get a prize?

No but you do get a prize for taking the joke like a man. :)


But in regards to respecting is pursuit of knowledge, I'm not sure how much he studied, so can't really offer respect in that regard.

Generally when a place of higher learning is accredited this means they adhere to a generally accepted level of learning or excellence.

Then again, my old pastor went to such a place and he told me I was going to hell for leaving christianity. LOL!”

“He was right. LOL!”