Happy whatever

Merry Christmas, Andy

I pray the author of "Happy Whatever" won't be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to learning the true meaning of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you try to learn about Christ, you might be surprised what you would find.

It is the "Reason for the Season"! Merry Christmas!!

This is Andy, the author. Please, tell me, what would I find about Jesus in your book? When he died? Because there is some argument over the day he died in the bible between the different stories. What he said about the separation of church and state? "Let what is Caesar's be unto Caesar, let what is God's be unto God." Matthew 22:21. How about some of the things in the old testament? Or will you, like some people, say that because Jesus came the old testament is null and void. Because at least two times in the new testament Jesus talks about the validity of the laws of the old testament. Perhaps I'd learn about Adam and Eve, the first two humans, who even though they were the same race, we still have different races of people. Perhaps they just adapted over time (the very definition of evolution). Maybe I'd learn about how millions of species of animals got onto a 35000 square foot boat? A pair of every single species on that boat, even with it being three stories high? That's 6 MILLION animals on that boat, conservatively. And the math comes out to a quarter of a square foot for each animal. Maybe I could learn about how the Merciful god says that death is the punishment for: adultry, homosexuality, fortune telling, hitting a parent, cursing a parent, not listening to a priest, following another religion, blasphemy (wow, better put me to death!), working on the sabbath, and probably many many others. Also I hope you don't have a decorated tree in your house! That's a no-no. And finally, maybe I'll learn by reading the bible why people try to justify all of this by saying it is not what it seems, that either it is a metaphor or the fact that it was written by man inspired by god leaves it to be not perfect. If it is not perfect, how can it be the work of a perfect god, and a holy book? But yes, go ahead and talk to yourself in your head about how you want me to follow your mythology. It would bring me nothing but happiness. I will think about how much nicer the world would be if all religious people would think for themselves instead of blindly following what they have been indoctrinated with since birth. Just one thing we would have if there were no religion in the world: the twin towers. Have a nice day.

The date of Jesus' death is not listed in the Bible. However the Bible does state Jesus died on the first full moon and there was a solar eclipse on that very day. Astronomers have done the research and found there was such an event on April 3, 33 AD. The resurrection occurred on April 5, 33 AD.

You cannot gain the full context of Matthew 22:21 with by just reading that specific verse. Go back to Matthew 22:15. Here you will find the Pharisee's are trying to trap Jesus by claiming the people shouldn't have to pay taxes. Then you will see the full meaning of "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give to God what belongs to God. In other words, pay your taxes, the rest belongs to God. Nothing to do with separation of church and state.

Jesus never claimed the teaching in the Old Testament were null and void. The Old Testament revealed to us what sin was. Many who call themselves Christians fall into this, some entire denominations also fall prey to this. The presence of Jesus Christ in our lives absolves us from the burden on the sins in the Old Testament because we, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, are to no longer think or commit acts of sin, as specified in the Old Testament. We, as humans fail, but through Jesus Christ, we repent and pray for forgiveness, and pray through Him, we change.

The different races of humans we see today are a result of natural adaptation, or micro evolution. Small changes as a result of environment. Macro evolution, or large scale evolution, a attempt to be proved by humanistic sciences, is a different story, it does not exist or ever has been.

As for the Ark. The Bible states the 2 of every kind of animal and plants (seeds) was to be placed on board. Two dogs, two cats, two horses, I'm sure by now you get the picture.

The merciful God, here is where we get into theology. This is the area where one cannot pick and choose a specific verse in the Bible and say "gotcha!". The entire context of the Bible must be used. When we die, we die two deaths. One is the physical death, we all will experience that. The other is the spiritual death. Our spirit is our lives outside our own bodies. It is because of our sins that causes the spiritual death. Thirty seconds after we take our last breath, our earthly body begins to die. A person of sin, as defined as believing in human nature, their spiritual death also begins there. It is reflected in their children, neighbors, friends, and the rest of the world who will forget. A follower of Christ however, their spirit lives on.

The Holy Bible is written by man, through the inspiration of God and Jesus. If you can, show me otherwise.

Most of us followers of Christ were NOT indoctrinated since birth. We have lived the way of the world and can say, with proof, Jesus' way is better.

Have a nice day Andy.

"Please stop saying Jesus is the reason for the season. He is the reason for your season."

No, because my season is better than your season!

Seriously, most people are able to ignore such things regardless of their religion.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Andy.

In a way, Andy, and all the other 'Andys,' are the Reason for the Season. In a way, just call me 'Andy.'

The world was perfect, until, blunder of blunders (bad joke), God made 'The Man' (HaADAM), and Sin has been Satan's favorite Weapon, against our (Satan and Man) 'Maker,' ever since, with we humans being his weapon bearers. Earth has not been perfect since 'Adam and Eve,' partook of the fruit of the Tree ... Good and Evil.

Today, we openly celebrate the Season, even though we don't know the date (of birth), to celebrate that God has given us a way back to Him, through Faith in His 'Only Begotten Son,' Ya'eshuah/Jesus/Emmanuel/etc, and the only reason He needed do that is for the 'Andy's' of this world (every living soul). Perhaps that is one of the reasons, so many take umbrage with anyone using the 'Reason for the Season,' when we all are that 'Reason.' Hmmm.

I, an 'Andy', cannot join Andy, in being upset, since my Sin filled Soul has been cleaned, pure and white, in His Blood, shed to pay that price.

We all were given the Right of Choice, to accept His "Escape Route," if you will, from the penalty for our Sin. I chose, and Andy can choose for himself. I will pray he joins us in Salvation, and should you not, Andy, I/we will miss you. As, those Saved, the Unsaved, too, are Eternal/Immortal, and there be only two avenues to that Eternity, upon Graduation from Mortality. At present, it is possible Andy and I do not occupy the same avenue. Jump over, Andy, Jesus will help you.

Either way, Merry Christmas, as I said, above.

Well my latest comment has been deleted, which is not surprising to me, it got a little heated. But my offer still stands from it, you may email me for a more in depth debate at hutch.69024@gmail.com .

Wait, religion caused us to lose the twin towers? I was always led to believe that people crashing planes into the twin towers was why we lost the twin towers. If what you're saying is true, Andy, then clearly 9/11 was caused by angry worshipers of the plane god! Why must they commit such evil deeds?

Anyway, the article was nice, but I gotta dock points for your later comment that implies that religious people don't think for themselves, but follow "their parents' indoctrination". Like CPB said, many of us Christians chose Christ without parental indoctrination, typically after thinking about it on our own. (Gasp!) I do find it intriguing that you call us out for being insensitive to, for example, the Hebrew community, and then proceed to insult a nice chunk of the Hebrew community by implying that religious people can't think for themselves. Not to mention the fact that such a comment is quite insensitive on its own, which adds to the intrigue of you calling others out on their insensitivity. It's also rather arrogant to make such an assumption about a group of people.

Frankly, it's hard to take your argument seriously when you act so hypocritical. I can't really see how you are any better than the "keep Christ in Christmas" warriors Dawn Cribbs was talking about last week. I'm not sure I'd gain any beneficial discussion from debating you via email, if your attitude is reflected in your article and comment. The fact that you had a "heated comment" removed just makes me more and more wary. Then again, you are human, or at least I'm assuming that you are. Humans make mistakes, and sometimes get so wound up over causes they believe in that they make assumptions about others that may or may not be true. I know I have done the same.

Though really, if the Judaism followers and people of other religions are so offended by the pro-Christian stance of the other opinion letters and articles, then maybe they should write in their own opinion letters expressing their views on their holidays. They gave your letter face-time. so I don't see why they wouldn't do so for others. I, for one, would be interested in learning more about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

bjo we lost the twin towers because followers of the muslim religion had declared Jihad on the US. It was a religious attack based on this fact.

Amen Andy! (lolz)

Science is the reason for the season. Not a book, made by a guy...about another guy.

Andy, it's sad, your post will fall upon inept, blind mind's...They cannot seem to believe in reality, science, logic or reason, but believe wholeheartedly in a mythical being. The problem with the world, too many minds not being utilized.

Happy XMAS and Merry New Year! Another year gone, and what have you done?

Hopefully the author of "Happy Whatever" will gain a little maturity and be able to write from first hand knowledge of the Bible rather than spew half truths. Unfortunately the knee jerk reaction by the author makes one think the author considers his opinions and beliefs are the only ones that matter. Otherwise there would not have been a letter to the editor.

The author should check the dictionary to learn that the word "season" does not have to do with only the rotation of the earth but has several other meanings. Only someone that was uninformed would treat the definition of the word season so narrowly. Be my guest and look up the definition of "season" in an online dictionary.

Like someone stated above, there are those that are in darkness and will die that way to endure eternal damnation and yet many of us pray that someday they will see the light.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Oops!! Hope I haven't offended anyone by the term Happy New Year.

"First of all, even though this seems like it shouldn't be mentioned, we live in the USA." Because we live in the USA we have some rights........

Freedom of religion

Freedom of speech

So if you don't like what you are reading, don't be offended, just don't read. If you don't like what you're hearing, don't be offended, you have the choice to not listen..... BUT.... Others DO have the right to say it. If anti-Americans can have public anti-America rallies and are protected by the freedom of speech, I'm pretty sure it should be alright to wish good tidings to someone.

Let us remember though, that the freedoms of speech and religion are all good and fine but when it comes to religion, specifically Christianity, these freedoms seem to be muted a bit. If you work in a government office, it's Happy Holidays", and schools are also on the rise for censorship. I'm not going around contesting people in regard to their religious beliefs.... although if prompted I will gladly engage conversation on the topic. Remember, it's these rights that made this Country so diverse. Sorry if you don't like what others are professing, I don't care for religious propaganda that results in hate crimes and Jihad as it is destructive. Wishing everyone peace and happiness however doesn't seem to be much of an inconvenience lest you are in favor of anarchy.

I see how science has solved the problems of hunger, war, abuse, injustice, poverty, and the many other ills that plagues mankind. Heck science cannot prove the origins of life. Meanwhile we watch as scientists create gadgets that supposedly makes life easier. It only creates more stress.

Those of you who wish to worship science, please do so. I will worship a God who uses the human resources to do actual good for their fellow man and woman.