Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Marx, Confucius back Reverend Moon.

[Guv]

A full page ad appeared in my local newspaper giving details of a seminar held in the spirit world. Everyone there blessed Reverend Moon as the Messiah and as god’s representative on Earth.

Attendees included Jesus, Peter, Paul, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and several other important Christian theologians. Mohamed and quite a few Islamic big shots were there. Confucius, Buddha, and many other important representatives of Oriental and Hindu faiths were also present. Marx, Lenin, & Stalin attended and renounced their atheist outlook in favor of a belief in the Reverend Moon and his theology.

All claimed to believe in Reverend Moon and his religious theology, proclaiming him to be the Messiah and the one delivering god’s true message. God himself did not attend, but sent a letter agreeing with those who did attend and praising the Reverend Moon.

Being an atheist, I was not impressed with the testimony of the religious attendees, but was almost convinced by Marx, Lenin, & Stalin. After all, those three had to be shown some pretty convincing evidence to give up their beliefs, while the religious types were only trading in one brand of theology for another. Since they renounced atheism without putting down communism, I decided to stay with my current beliefs.

It is odd that Moses, Isaiah, Elijah, Abraham, and other important Jewish Old Testament prophets did not attend, especially since the Reverend Moon claims to be the Messiah. I wonder if the Reverend Moon considers the Messiah to be a Christian religious figure. I also wonder if the Jews should consider themselves insulted by the absence of any of their prophets. Perhaps they should feel smug and proud that their important people decided not to attend.

If I were running this seminar, I would have invited Harry Houdini so that he could go on record as recanting his disbelief in channeling and other methods of communicating with those who have left this earthly plane.

BTW: My spell checker gives five or more spellings for Mohammad. Is there an official one or is this the subject of some blood feuds in the Islamic world?

[kedaman]

what is it (shortly)?

[Guv]

Kedaman: Reverend Sun Myung Moon is the founder of the Unification Church. He is Korean. I think that Sun and Moon in his name are Korean words rather than references to astronomical objects.

He is 82 years old. He founded his church in about 1935 and moved his headquarters to the USA in about 1972. He spent some time in jail for tax evasion, which I consider a worthier cause than his church.

He claims to be the Savior, the Messiah, and the King of Kings.

I think his church is primarily based on Christian theology, but am not sure of this. Aside from concept of who he is, I think (not sure) that his main difference with other sects is the belief that all proper religions worship the same deity, but have some minor errors in their beliefs, while most religions seem to believe that other religions are heretical, rather than having minor differences.

[Alphanos]

I find it odd that you would describe such a cult as primarily based on Christian theology.

[snakeeyes1000]

how dare you make a mockery of christianity. The catholic church is doing a good enough job as it is. Repent for your worship of your false god.

[crptcblade]

Originally posted by Alphanos
I find it odd that you would describe such a cult as primarily based on Christian theology.

Must resist temptation to say "Don't go there"...

[cafeenman]

Originally posted by snakeeyes1000
how dare you make a mockery of christianity. The catholic church is doing a good enough job as it is. Repent for your worship of your false god.

Well, except for the repent part, I agree. I mean mocking Christianity is like mocking retarded children.

[csnyder]

I really debated weather to post to this thread, because I strongly believe in simply ignoring threads you dislike, and I think that atheist have as much of a right to have "We atheist and we're proud", as Christians do to have "Praise God" threads. But the problem is one group always attracts the other, and flames arise. So in an attempt to make my own position known, here goes...

Originally posted by cafeenman

Well, except for the repent part, I agree. I mean mocking Christianity is like mocking retarded children.

My faith in God and Jesus Christ is the single most important thing in my life. I wish you guys understood how much it hurts when I see comments like this. I understand your aversion to people who post here about “Jesus saves”, etc, and I don’t advocate fellow Christians doing that, simply because I don’t think it changes anyone’s opinion one iota, and it causes contention. But some of the comments on this board make me feel scorned by people I otherwise like and enjoy.

*sigh* Cafeenman, the truth is, you are one of the funniest people on this board, and my impression is that for the most part, you conduct yourself with a lot of class. *smile* The truth is, this wouldn’t hurt nearly as badly if it was said by someone I didn’t like as well. So, don’t take this as a flame, but be aware that there are intelligent people out there who believe in God. Despite what you think, faith and intelligence are not mutually exclusive.

In a way, comments like this make me feel how I imagine that comments that some Christians make you feel. That is, inferior, not worthy of your respect; like there is something innately wrong with me. Like if you knew me, and knew how important my faith was to me, you would look down on me. I hope that I never make anyone feel that way.

I had to say something. I’m not trying to attack you or flame you or change your opinion. I guess I just wanted you to understand what kind of impact these comments have. *shrug* Maybe this is the response you were looking for, but somehow I doubt that.

[cafeenman]

I'm sorry, csnyder. I shouldn't make myself what I don't like about others. It doesn't set a good example and makes me less of a person.

[csnyder]

You're not less of a person - don't be too hard on yourself I appreciate your response though. I appreciate it. Thanks for listening.

[mendhak]

Carol, I should point out that ideas are usually shared on discussion boards that would make anyone else squirm. The topics discussed here don't usually come up in our daily conversations, and it's mostly just for fun.

It's not a matter of "ignoring threads you don't like," It's mostly "not taking this stuff seriously."

Hope u know that.

(Stupid server,I might post twice )

[mendhak]

Carol, I should point out that ideas are usually shared on discussion boards that would make anyone else squirm. The topics discussed here don't usually come up in our daily conversations, and it's mostly just for fun.

It's not a matter of "ignoring threads you don't like," It's mostly "not taking this stuff seriously."

Hope u know that.

(Stupid server,I might post twice )

ok 12 clicks.

[csnyder]

Originally posted by mendhak
Carol, I should point out that ideas are usually shared on discussion boards that would make anyone else squirm. The topics discussed here don't usually come up in our daily conversations, and it's mostly just for fun.

It's not a matter of "ignoring threads you don't like," It's mostly "not taking this stuff seriously."

Hope u know that.

Eh...Yeah, I thought about that, and half-expected that response, which I accept and appreciate it. I realize I might have come across as being uptight. However, I really don't act much different on boards than I do in real life, and I think most people's *real* opinions come out regardless of the fact that they're here just for fun. And with that in mind, I wanted to share my real opinion about this.

[transcendental]

Originally posted by Guv
Aside from concept of who he is, I think (not sure) that his main difference with other sects is the belief that all proper religions worship the same deity, but have some minor errors in their beliefs, while most religions seem to believe that other religions are heretical, rather than having minor differences.

Guv:Why? U seem to toy with the idea that all Gods in every major religions today may be the same God or different aspects of the same God.

My advice is don't start off like that. It may take quite a few things to convince u of their doctines but once u start to believe in them, u are hooked.

IMO, the stupid so called seminar in the spiritual world was cooked up by Reverend Moon and he probably really believed it did happen, even though they were imagined by him. Dun under-estimate the magnitude of man's stupidness.

There is always somebody in this world who thinks he is Messiah or somebody representing God's voice, or reincarnation of some Messiah, be it in Buddhism, Christianity or any other religions.

This is perhaps how every Messiah is born.

The problem with these members of some cults, is that they don't see that they are in a cult. To them, their cult is a religion just like any.

Actually, Reverend Moon's concept of 1 God is not new or original. Somebody in Taiwan had a cult based on that during the same time. This cult venerate the religious figures and Gods, of other religions like Islam, Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism, Confuciusism, however no Hinduism.

That cult is called Tian Tao or Yi Guan Tao(Ikuan Tao). They have spread all over the world.

The reasons I am telling u all these, a few months ago, I saw on their official website, a powerpoint presentation by a US pastor with a PhD in Biblical Studies or Divinity,(I couldn't remember). That pastor said in the ppt, he believed Jesus was preaching Tao and part of Tao. You see, even a pastor was brainwashed by them.

That ppt was taken off their site as they updated their website regularly with new stuffs.

FYI, I am an agnostic and free thinker.

[mendhak]

Not the words of a free thinker, I must say. Nor do you seem agnostic. But that's just what I"m judging from your post.

[Guv]

HoneyBee: There wer various Hindu leaders mentioned. I am unfamiliar with the Hindu faith and did not remember the names of those mentioned. The only names I associate with India are Shiva, Vishnu, and Kali, who were not mentioned in the ad. I am not familiar enough with the Hindu faith to know if those gods belong to Hinduism. Mention of gods from other religions would obviously have been avoided by the Reverend Moon. I am aware that Buddha was not a leader of a Hinduism.

[msimmons]

Originally posted by cafeenman

Well, except for the repent part, I agree. I mean mocking Christianity is like mocking retarded children.

When I read this line I smiled, one of the best statements I've heard in days

Michael