| May 26, 2006 @ 3:19 PM |
God or Jesus?
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raykl
Posts: 566
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Now, I mean no disrespect to ones beliefs or any religious affiliations, but I was curious as to how Jesus has become more important than God to all of Christiandom?
If you walk into Christian churches or places of worship, the predominant symbol is the cross or crucifix (remember the Commandment on symbols?), with barely any and in most cases no symbolism to God.
The gospel readings and preachings are mostly about Jesus and his teachings, with very little said about God's word. I realize that he is known as the "Son of God" (Are we not all considered "Children of God?), but Jesus did not pray to himself. He prayed to God, his father. He even gave us words to pray to God in the Our Father. Yet most today, pray to Jesus and not God.
Please do not try and tell me about the Holy Trinity belief, as that was founded through the Catholic Church to give more credence to Jesus being equal to God. Is any child equal to their father? This really goes against Monotheism, which God demanded in his laws.
As to the belief that to be saved then you must be reborn through Jesus? If I believe and pray to God, then I cannot be saved, thus doomed to everlasting death? Seems to be a power struggle if you believe this.
I am not against the belief of worshipping or honoring Jesus and many will say that I am incorrect in what I am saying. But the words and preaching in the churches has shown otherwise. I would just like to know why Jesus has become more important than God in worshipping? Why not pray to God and avoid the middleman?
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| May 26, 2006 @ 3:40 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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stivvy
Posts: 108
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You answered your own question. It is about faith. And it is about Monotheism as we as believers know Fahter, Son, and Holy Spirit as one and not three.
It is this unquestioned faith and belief which is the mystery that makes all true christians wake each morning and smile and know there are bigger things ahead of us.
I try not to get involved in these discussions for the reason I will not be drawn into questioning my faith, but I wanted to explain it.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 3:44 PM |
God or Jesus?
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FeliciVagano
Posts: 2,152
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God 1st had only the old testament...it did not work. so he modified the rules to make it eaisier for us..By sending Jesus to the world. It is a real stretch to say that Jesus became more important than God...Try -that God decided to delegate (us) to Jesus
PS...Jesus was the son of God...we are not..I am the son of my father..God Is the Supreme Father of everything...
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| May 26, 2006 @ 3:58 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,239
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Oh good question. Now, if I had an easy answer,,,, 
I have to say, that I seem to pray to God. I have been wondering about people praying to Jesus and also the Holy Spirit.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 4:20 PM |
God or Jesus?
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omkeerpunt
Posts: 511
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Well said Stivvy. Nothing to be added to that answer.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 5:15 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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uncrazy
Posts: 1,489
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Son of God...Son of Man
Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man perhaps more than 10 times. It seems that he referred to himself as the Son of God 2 or 3 times. I have to be careful to not multi-count the times by using multiple gospel writers documenting same events. I must be careful never to remove the human-ness of Jesus from Him, without this human nature the path he walked could never be applicable for us to attempt. For a divine only creature, what He did would have been a walk in the park and not useful to us.
Just info...good thread.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 5:57 PM |
God or Jesus?
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chinabull2000
Posts: 7,012
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This confuses me... although I pray to no-one, most people that I know who do pray, pray to God, and not Jesus..
And if I was to ever pray, I would pray to God too... after all, is he not supposed to be the creator, the all-knowing, all-seeing one?
Edited to say that I've changed my mind now, I would most certainly pray to the ghost guy! 
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| May 26, 2006 @ 6:14 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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Jankia
Posts: 9,092
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I was taught China to go through Jesus to speak with God.Anyone that wants to be with God must first go through his son.That is why my prayer is to Jesus.
I would just like to know why Jesus has become more important than God in worshipping? Why not pray to God and avoid the middleman
Jesus is not more important,he is the same.There isnt a middleman.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 6:21 PM |
God or Jesus?
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,239
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Edited to say that I've changed my mind now, I would most certainly pray to the ghost guy! 
I wondered if I was doing something wrong praying to God instead of Jesus, then a light bulb comes on,,(lol,,I am a Blonde ya know) If I wasn't doing this right, my prayers wouldn't have been listened to or answered.
Ya, some times it hurts to think. 
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| May 26, 2006 @ 6:35 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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raykl
Posts: 566
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I was taught China to go through Jesus to speak with God.Anyone that wants to be with God must first go through his son
You were taught this by whom? So, if I pray to God and not Jesus, then I cannot be with God? I remember the nuns teaching that everyone who was not Catholic and did not follow Jesus would go to hell- seems to be the same logic.
Using the Holy Trinity concept to explain the answer to this thread, is like telling me that apples are red because they are red. I understand that religion is faith based, but it just seems to me that the emphasis on Jesus does go against the 1st Commandment.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 6:52 PM |
God or Jesus?
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chinabull2000
Posts: 7,012
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Reading through many of these threads in the Religion and Spirituality Forum gives me every reason I never needed to decide that I am right to be a non-believer. All many of you ever do is bicker about your own interpretation of your religion, even though it is the same religion.
I am sure that if your God truly does exist, then he is as sick and tired of this bickering as I am, especially since it is all done in His name. I cannot believe how narrow-minded many of you are, surely you should be supporting each others faith, not belittling and insulting it just because it differs slightly to your own. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Yes, God truly does move in mysterious ways.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 6:54 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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Jankia
Posts: 9,092
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I was taught by the Methodist church.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him:I am the way and the truth and the life.Noone comes to the father except through me.
And that has what to do with this thread China? I see noone that should be ashamed nor do I see bickering.Whats up with your sudden attitude?
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| May 26, 2006 @ 7:42 PM |
God or Jesus?
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,239
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I head for the big guy!!! Yep, no middleman for me.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 8:25 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,243
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I've got to say that in the last few years I've been rather upset about all this public "Jesus-Jesus-Jesus" business (even if it can be rationalized by the Trinity concept) -- especially when it's used by our GOVERNMENT.
It's "In GOD we trust", "So help me GOD", "Under GOD" etc. The DEISTS who helped design and unify this country did NOT say "In JESUS we trust"...that puts a whole different spin on things for many of us. 
I also resent that the word "Christian" has been usurped by the "saved/born-again/legalist" contingent. "Christian" is a generic term, NOT a denomination! I've even witnessed those zealots who claim (in all seriousness) that CATHOLICS (and Mormans) aren't Christians. What's up with that?  
(http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Christian.shtml)
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| May 26, 2006 @ 8:57 PM |
God or Jesus?
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Angel54214
Posts: 13,933
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I have my thoughts "ray" on your question. I believe strongly to pray to God. Jesus even told how to pray in the "Lords Prayer" by an example. He judges our hearts and how we present our selves in his presence.
Another thought to is Jesus can be the mediator between us and God while praying, to stop all prayers that are in vain to pass through to the holyness like Jesus used the "Lords Prayer" and not be like the Pharasees hypocrits for they prayed in vain.
Many pray with the ending "In Jesus Name, Amen." for acknowledgement as a self reminder of his blood he shed for our sins and through his grace that saves us.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 9:37 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 4,131
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My understanding is in harmony with Jankia.
I believe my prayer is heard by the Father THROUGH Jesus Christ. With Jesus as the Mediator--working on my behalf--presenting my case to our Heavenly Father.
But also as Jankia said: none are of less-importance.
One God-3 Persons. (Thanks Stivvy.  )
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| May 26, 2006 @ 9:43 PM |
God or Jesus?
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raykl
Posts: 566
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China:
This thread, as in most others, is a discussion on various viewpoints on a particular topic. It is not bickering- it is a discussion on divergent viewpoints to possibly learn from. This is what intelligent people do. Your initial post in this thread gave your point of view on the topic.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 10:00 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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wandaful123
Posts: 1,511
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I cannot explain how, but feel this applies... I had a good friend, deceased now, was quite a "character"... up on charges one time, he skooted over beside his mate and left a space at the end of the seat. I asked him about this and his reply, as he patted the empty spot beside him was, " thats for my buddy Jesus... touched my heart that day and will forever more. My take on this... Jesus came to us in a form we know, a form we understand. He is not threatening or intimidating. He was not perfect, made his mistakes... if the "trinity" is what we believe in, what does it matter whom we direct we our "prayers" too?
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| May 26, 2006 @ 10:07 PM |
God or Jesus?
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Jankia
Posts: 9,092
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In my opinion the reason for the many different religions having different interpretations of the bible is because they only want to accept what and how they interpret it.
I'm not a holy roller,I dont know much about other religions,I tried to read the bible but gave up not understanding much of it.I didnt know John 14:6 just now without looking it up.
The point that I'm trying to get across here is the scriptures can and are taken in many different ways.Why those differences have to be fought over is beyond me.
The Methodist church that I am a trustee of bars noone because of race,criminal history or sexual preferences.Unlike many other denominations, everyone of every religion is welcomed to take communion.
I like that church because it draws no lines.
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| May 26, 2006 @ 11:00 PM |
God or Jesus? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,239
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That is the same way our church is too Jankia. It is so nice to see people of all ages and color, dressed up or in jeans and t-shirts.
It shouldn't matter anyway.
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