Pete

I saw the leaders of many countries march in Paris for free speech. It is odd that the UK and other countries have put there flags to half mast to show sympathy with the death of King Abdullah who on the same day of the march had sentences Raif Badawi to ten years in prison and a thousand lashes just for exercising his free speech. He was sentenced for insulting Islam because of his atheist blog. He received his first 50 lashed in public on the day of the march. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raif_Badawi

There was a period of time I believed one should but there are some who apologise but you know they will do it again and again. I had someone who tried to set fire to my home 4 times and flooded my property 3 times. I know given a chance she would do it again and it was only threats by the police that stopped her. It gets hard then. Does God forgive? ???? If he exists he seems to have no involvement in so many things.

Lovely news. Grandchildren are a great joy.

oh! good. I will have three.

its not me guv. It was God. Therefore you can trust me.Yeah right.

There is more :- He is reported to say by the Daily News:- "Dammann looks back on the "inexcusable" altercation with "deep sorrow," he told the Daily News. The story was taken out of context." "I do not endorse child abuse or the punching of children," he said. "My intention in the sermon was to make a point of how God can use our mistakes. The viral clip does not show the whole sermon, where I say what I did was wrong." From :- http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pastor-punches-youth-not-lord-serious-article-1.2074291 I would still not let him near children.

I guess that even members of his own church were disgusted. After all it must of be one them that put this on you tube. Cannot see anyone else who would listen this. Ruddy bully. I bet he would not of hit anyone his size.

Luckily, I do not think he is an example of most folks.

Had I witnessed this I would have called the police and the child protection agencies. If it had happened to me as a child my father would have punched him into next week. I wonder how much the pastor would have learnt about God then. I do not know but I would be surprised if this child still goes to church on maturity and is looking for this pastor to sue him.

Sadly true..

No this is not an anti-Christian post. I do not not know anyone who would agree with this so called Pastor Eric Dammann. who is reported to punch children in order to teach them about God. The thing I am surprised at is in the US he is not behind bars. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/12/pastor-eric-dammann-put-the-fear-of-god-into-a-child-by-punching-him_n_6456636.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cuk%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D321789 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-niZnfSpftI

Its my church. It has given me the freedom to change and grow. It is also the best learning environment I have ever known. Universities tell you what to learn, the ULC and its members help you develop your own path. Pickles?????? I do not know what you mean.

I agree with Cuchlain. It is not the books but the readers and the hate the readers inspire that produces evil (imo). There are a lot of books which have inspired hate, like the bible, the koran, Mein Kampf, chairman maos' little red book but much hate is also produced by others without books like stalin, napoleon, genghis khan nero etc. It seems evil just awaits a chance regardless of books.

That is true. I think after Barrie has looked at the oldest version of it at the British Museum and studied it for six year. As I said he is a professor at Toronto University and not given to make judgements on a whim. In fact he can be intense with his study as anyone will find if they read his works. One such book I read of his was how Jesus became Christian. He leaves very few stones unturned in his presentation (imo). However each to their own.

or is Jesus and Mary being told in the face of the harsh censorship of Rome.

Barrie Wilson is a credible person however.

Anyone read the new "The Lost Gospel" researched by Simcha Jacobovici and Barrie Wilson. It is said to report that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had two children. The book is a rewrite by an unknown monk over 1,500 years ago and is thought to date from the first century. Just got a copy. Barrie Wilson a professor at Toronto University adds some credibility to the find as being legit. I am told it is a NY best seller but I have just heard about it. Anyone know more.

There are more Christians today than there has ever been and no one seems to do things said of others in the past. Now you can argue that they said there would be no signs or question whether they ever could do it or is it People has less faith today. I somehow doubt that considering how so many are really trying.

In the little research into talking in tongues it use the same brain centres as language and creativity. Sounds right by me.

I think we seem to have two debates on the same topic, but just to keep everyone happy . ichi bott hulan kromaah butini solanme. Roamararaah slimarrrg tobagaoran hookuk.. Pitawi Pitawi every feels something spiritual now. Mmm! I guess not. On then to Dan at:- http://ulc.net/forum/index.php/topic/132839-fundamentalists-pentecostals-and-evangelicals-rev-1/#entry755878

Hi Timothy and welcome to the forum. Not convinced by acts myself. I would not consider it food. But if you do then good for you.

I am still not convinced Cool. What people claim in a frenzy is not conclusive to me.

I do not believe people speak in tongues (real languages). What does it serve if non understand anyway. How do we know an interpretor actually knows what it says and not speaking about their view on things. I am not hot on Paul as people know but he had things to say on this topic.. 1 Cor 14 8 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Cor 4-19-20 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. Paul does not seem to place much value upon tongues unless it helps another to understand. In most services I do not see it plays much more of a role than a performance that no one actually understands. Sorry but I do not see it and think unless a person is understood it does more harm then good.

It would be easy to test. Just get someone fluent in an uncommon langauge and see how it is interpreted. One maybe unpopular but it sure would shine a light on things.

I know other Christian churches look on such events as a crowd whipped up in to a high. I remember one minister described it as High on Sunday, Depressed by Monday, Forgotten by Wednesday. I am sure some get a lot from it but at the same time others stay clear because of it.