I read that Daniel is a Christian. Being a Christian myself, I thought this was very cool. Cool because people look up to Daniel and respect him. All of the anger and problems in my life went away when I became a Christian. Leave me your email on this forum if you want to chat about becoming a Christian. I promise not to judge you, preach to you or anything like that. Just a great way to find happiness you never knew existed. Any comments? Can't hardly wait to see some of the negative post I get from this. Any positive comments would be welcomed.

There was a long post about playing poker and christianity a week ago it was written by "jackthecat" I would give you the link but I'm lazy so just search the forum members link and then look through all the posts written by that member and you should find it.

thanks. i saw it the other day. i am a poker player myself. this was not meant to be about poker being right or wrong. just a lighthearted post to see what peoples beliefs are. i'm not here to judge anyone or bash anyone. just letting anyone who wants to know how much it changed my life for the good.

All of the anger and problems in my life went away when I became a Christian.


Isn't your life incredibly boring without any challanges and deviod of any passion with occasional anger?

Sounds horrible.

are you saying i have a boring life because i am a Christian?

i'm personally a satanist and a disciple of anton lavey and i school in aleister crowley. sorry.

are you saying i have a boring life because i am a Christian?


No, you are.

I'm just saying it sounds horrible.

Life without problems or anger would be completely pointless, banal, mundane and boring as hell.

No pun intended.

When he said "all problems" I dont think he meant every problem in the world. That's impossible. It's not like once you decide to dedicate your life to God that everything becomes peachy. You really have to work at re-doing your entire life. In fact, becoming a Christian in itself, and staying true to it is probably one of the biggest challenges you can face. And at times you'll be angry, but overall i've noticed that people are also happier. I'm agnostic, but my best friend recently became a very dedicated Christian. He still has challenges, but they're GOOD challenges. He's happier than i've ever seen him, and i'm happy for him.

So Smash, going around and saying that a life of faith is "boring and mundane" definitley isn't true. Why would anyone want a boring and mundane life?

my mother is happy too. she's a fanatical catholic, and she doesn't mind when i'm at her house playing black metal or watching dead alive.

smash, based on your comments, i feel sorry for you . i do not know you or anything about you. just the comments you made. i use to have an attitude alot like yours. i was big and bad. and as for my problems going away, they did. i still face challenges everyday, but i have a totally new way of dealing with them. i love talking to people who had an attitude like yours and then became a Christian. the change you see in them is amazing. making fun of someone who has found happiness (however they found it) blows my mind. anyone out there agree with me? remember, i am not any better than any of you guys, just sharing a positive story in a sometimes very negative world.

i love talking to people who had an attitude like yours and then became a Christian.


Well, I imagine that's fairly unlikely to have happened, because my attitude is that Christanity for weak minded sucjers who needed something to fill the void when they realized that the Easter Bunny wasn't real.

If you want to treat people well, then treat people well. Don't treat people well because someone told you that some guy who was nailed to a tree 2000 years ago, of whom there is absolutely no credible jistorical eveidence of him even existing, told you to.

I derive my morality and ethics internally, not based on an organised movement that's been responsible for more death than smallpox and more pain and suffering than than just about any other in the history of the planet.

Christanity is about power and money. Power and money. Not virture. Virtue is self derived.

I understand that the vast majority of the people in the world are hopelessly insecure followers who want to be told what to do and be part of something that makes them special.

I understand that most people in the world are simply terrfied to say "I don't know the answer to..." about any of the big questions humans ponder.

Fortunately for us the occasional atheist fronting as a christian pops up and points out minor little things like the Earth not actually being the center of the universe, homosexuality not being evil, and that woman probably shouldn't be owned by men and that maybe they should be allowed to do tings like read or vote.

I'm happy for you that you've found something to glom onto and use as a crutch so you can go through your entire life avoiding and self inspection or uncertainty or whatever problem it was that caused you to somehow come to believe that an invisable man in the sky sent his son into the womb of a virgin so he could wander around the desert for a while before being killed, coming back to life and then going back up to the sky with dad.

Personally, I'm just not that gulliable or needy for some sort of emotional or rational quick fix at the cost of my intelligence. I'm fine with saying "I have no idea what happens when I die, all evidence would sem to indicate nothing at all". I'm also bright enough to realize that just because someone wrote something doesn't make it true. Particularly when they have their hand out looking for cash while they tell me salvation is more important than material things.

Anyway, it's a poker forum, let's stop clogging it up with pointless posts about whatever cult we've decided to join the last few moths. You don't see me in here talking Kant or Sartre do you?

You'd think we'd gotten past this when Emily came here to pick a fight.. yeesh.


Christan or not, DN, and many other members of our circle, are. Lets respect them for not pushing it onto us. The topic was not misleading at all.

your comments were direct quotes from bill maure.

smash, jesus loves you. God bless you

ok let's chat about me becoming a christian. what do i have to do?

your comments were direct quotes from bill maure.


No, they're a direct quote from me.

He may have said something simmilar at some point, I mean it's stating the obvious after all.

If I say teh sky is blue that doesn't mean I'm quoting someone else who said it at some point, now does it.

Look you're outclassed here. I'm the wrong guy to discuss this with because I'm rhetorically better than you and I know the subject better than you.

Just let it go.

Surely Davey and Golliath should be coming on soon or something?

smasharoo, disillusioning the masses minute by minute.

i won't mention it again on here, but there are people out here that agree with me 100%

Holy shit, I almost got on here to defend Smash because I thought he was just playing mind games with the original poster, but holy shit... holy shit.


I am all for anti-political-correctness, but you may have taken this one a bit far Smash (and I think you are a bit intoxicated, judging from the abnormal amount of typos compared to your usually clean posts). I actually feel the same way about religion in general, but man it's not really something you should be saying to people. Believe what you believe, let them believe what they believe. Would you be as upset if someone came in here and said "I play with hot wheels every day, and I heard Daniel does also. I just wanted to see if other people played with hot wheels, or even if some were more in to micro machines." You kinda have to look at it the same way in this instance, rather than jumping down the throat of someone due to their lifestyle choice.

Although, Kelsey, I think you are wrong in text and tone when you went at Smash for his 'attitude'. You added fuel to the fire by using a typical "Holier Than Thou" argument. That is about the easiest way to get an educated athiest to dust off his debate team skills, and due to the nature of religion (it is after all based on faith alone), there is no winning argument for the faithful -- which is fine, that is the point really, and good for you if it brings you happiness. Do whatever makes you happy, that is how everyone should live.

i was all about micro machines back in the day.

i think that was after i was all about jesus.

several times i said "i'm not saying i'm better than anyone or am i trying to preach to you". i was just talking out loud for once. i am not trying to cram anything down anyones throat. let's just talk poker. regardless of how you achieve it, being happy is NEVER a bad thing. good luck to all of you. i was not trying to stir anything up.

several times i said "i'm not saying i'm better than anyone or am i trying to preach to you". i was just talking out loud for once. i am not trying to cram anything down anyones throat. let's just talk poker. regardless of how you achieve it, being happy is NEVER a bad thing. good luck to all of you. i was not trying to stir anything up.



Can't hardly wait to see some of the negative post I get from this. Any positive comments would be welcomed.


I must have missd the part in Leviticus where it said lying was a good idea. Or was it in Matthew where Christ said "Be sure and condtradict yourself whenever possible. I mean don't. No wait, do."

Whatever.

smash, the diff. between you an i is that i have no problem with you and you are have a problem with me. i repect what you have to say. what did i lie about?

smash, the diff. between you an i is that i have no problem with you and you are have a problem with me. i repect what you have to say. what did i lie about?


I don't have a problem with you, I have a problem with Christanity.

I mainly have pity for you in regards to this subject.

You posted this topic to elicit this kind of response, nothing more, nothing less.

I was just wondering where you read that Daniel is a Christian

I don't know what all this fuss about Christ is about. I know the guy. He lives down the street from me. Lets me borrow his staple gun. Say what you will, but I'l vouch for him. Ralph Christ is one stand up guy...

Daniel had posted something from the bible about pride and religion that he received in an e-mail, and since it tied to Christianity, I decided to post the link here, since I commented on it, but it was kind of late since the topic had been dead for awhile:

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...p?p=49186#49186

Found something, it's in his blog entry on March 7th.

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-jour...rt_from=&ucat=&

just because he KNOWS people are gonna trash him doesn't mean he's TRYING to stir things up. It means he knows most people on here will trash him for being honest enough to share his views.

I personally think most of this forum is way too far up DN's A** even for being fans. I mean i've read some of his old posts on RPG & i have seen recently where he had to be censored like 6 times in one of his posts. Yet he tells the rest of us to watch what we post. MOST people that are real christians do not speak this way. so i find it comical that he claims to be one as well.

Its pretty obvious he's creating an image for ENDORSEMENTS, and most of you eat it up. Not that i think he's a bad guy,,,,i just don't buy 100% of his image.nor do i expect much from him. he's a poker player,,,not a teacher or a scholar, doctor or anything noble such as these professions.

Believe what you want,,,when you're dead at least Smash can't argue with you!

I thought being a christian had to do with believing in Christ. Last I checked it had nothing to do with swearing or anything else. DOesn't matter if your a sinner or a saint, only that you believe.

That being said, this is not the forum for a serious theological debate. It's a censored poker forum. I don't know why there can't be a forum without a rreligous debate comming up (I just got banned from IMDB for making fun of mormons)...

I just stumbled onto this forum because this thread came up in a google search. I am a Christian also. Not a Baptist or a Lutheran or a Catholic but a follower of Christ. I find that leaves me at odds with many of the so called organized religions as it does the the world in general. Does it make my life boring? I don't think so. I also have not found it to have taken all my problems away but rather to give me a new perspective on them and a different approach to handling them. The folks teaching that if you become a "Christian" that your problems are all solved and everything goes your way are reading a different Bible that I am.

Many who are Christians would tell me that playing cards in general is sinful. Not that they could back that up with much other than their prejudices. I see it as a game I enjoy. I have to be careful that I do not devote too much of my time or money to it at the neglect of my family or other responsibilites but that could be said of any hobby.


CenturionFive

"Religion is the opium of the masses." Marx

Yeah, Smash is right on alot of what he said.

Unfortunately, there are too many people out there that use God for their own agenda. Most are just trying to make money, but all are a problem. For those out there that aren't sure what is right. I suggest you read the bible and study it. Yes, I believe in christ. By no means is my life problem free or dull or anything like that. I do strive to become the best version of myself that I can be.

I think the biggest problem is that what most people who are not christian know of christ is what they see on TV. I'll tell ya that's not good. Too many con-men and women trying to make a buck. ITs always "Tithe this and that, send money now" frankly its all BS. Yes the Bible says to tithe but this is often described incorrectly. Even if you go to church every week you don't need to give 10 percent to that church. Understand that Tithing is a way to make sure you help others. If you don't want to give 1 cent to a church don't but you should donate approx 10% to whatever charity you like.

Also, for those christians here, reread the Bible. Anger is not a sin. Even Jesus got upset.

Also, for those of you who think being a christian is easy and that is why people are christian, I suggest you become one so you will see its much harder to be christian than atheist. I've been both I know from experience.

I am a Christian. After reading "A Case for Christ" it left no doubt in my mind that Jesus not only existed, but was who he says he was. He'd have to be totally insanse to lie about something like that and based on his actions there was no reason to believe he was mentally unstable.

The book was written by an atheist who spent years studying facts. He put those facts into a book and after reading it you would have to have a lot of "faith" to believe that everyone who believes is delusional and that everything that occured was just a random coincidence.

As for me not behaving like a Christian... I do my best. I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I realize that I will screw up again, and again. We all do and that's ok, no one can be like Christ was. We all sin in one form or another and God doesn't condemn us for that. He understands.

I don't chew people out for not believing, it's not my place to. However if they attended a live debate between a Christian and an atheist I think they would see that again and again, it's the atheist that has a deep faith in random coincidence while a knowledgeable Christian shows Christ's existense as the more likely possibility.

That's supported by numbers as well. Studies have shown that after watching these debates a decent percentage of people convert to Christianity while a miniscule percentage of people decide that atheism is rooted in fact.

I was really surprised that the book (A Case for Christ) shot so many holes through so many atheist arguments. From how do we know he died on the cross? To how do we know he wasn't crazy? To how do we know he wasn't a magcian rather than a miracle worker? If you are a Christian or not I think the book is pretty awesome read and I'd be happy to send you a free copy if you e-mailed me.

i think i definitely have to go with Smash and the others on this one. Not that I have any problems with Christians, but i find many major issues with Christianity, the Bible, and the hyprocracy of the Church in general. I really have no bad blood towards Christians themselves, i just don't buy into that argument.

Christianity is a mythology. One day like all others before it(in my opinion) it will be a thing of the past. The Bible was written as a tool to spread propaganda and unite an empire (fact). i'm not saying the stories are not based in truth (based mind you) but they are certainly only a small and very misleading picture of that time period. I mean the bible was edited by Constantinople I believe who was a pagan himself but wanted to unite his people and new he had to appease the Christains so he made Jesus the son of God so that the Bible would carry some mystical power.

One of my majors was in literature, i studied the bible one semester as a historical text in context with that society and I really believe that is was just a tool to bring together a kingdom and create a unified religion throughout an empire.

Regardless i am an atheist.

I believe in the collective unconscious.

just my two cents.

although i would be interested in checking out the book that Daniel talked about it sounds kind of interesting.

One more thing: I personally don't puy much stock into organized religion. What I''m more interested in is a personal relationship with God.

I'm not all about rules at all. That's the difference between religion and faith in God. My faith in God is strong, but my faith, or trust in organized religion is shaky at best.

It's unfortunate that when the media looks to discredit Christianity they focus on the negative things that have happened in the name of Christ, when there are so many positive things that have been done in the name of Christ. From relief efforts, to shelters, to support groups, etc.

I think it says somewhere in the Bible (sorry I'm no scholar) that Jesus disliked the Pharoses. He yelled at them and lambasted them for thinking that they are better than others. Jesus didn't conform to organized religion back then.

In closing, a lot of the reason I think people "hate" Christianity is because they wrongly associate what some "so-called" Christians do as being part of the faith. Many people misunderstand what it means to be Christian. I know I always did.

I hated those evangelsits on TV. Looked so stupid to me, basically like a total scam. I thougth being a Christian was about healings and telling others not to do this or not to do that. After spending more time studying the truth about what was written nothing could be further from the truth.

Being a Christian is about having a personal relationship with God, loving your neighbor as you do yourself, and not judging others.

It's not about "You shouldn't do this, or you shouldn't do that" but unfortunately some organized religion focuses on things that aren't their business to even address.

Smash, I think you were way out of line here. Kelsey just wanted to put himself out there for people who want to discuss Christianity and you had to tear into his faith. That's just wrong. You may disagree with organized religion as a whole, or just Christianity or whatever, but you didn't need to just come out and attack everything he believes. You are right, some people go through life doing what some book tells them, but what bad lessons is that book teaching that has you so pissed off? He shares the same values and morals that you do, but because he may have first been exposed to it through the Bible that makes you better than him? You say the problem with Christians is they use God as a crutch, and you the go through life using Christians as one don't you think? All the wars in the past were not solely fought for religion, all the kings and nobleman had other agendas on top of religion. Was WWI or WWII the fault of Jesus? Yes, organized religion as a whole leads to many problems, some of which are very relevant in the Middle East and Asia, but money, power, evil men, land, resources, and even beautiful women have launched a couple of ships as I recall.

I'm not trying to sit here and make you believe in God, that's not my job. As a matter of fact, I applaud you for being a true existentialist in that you say you are a good person without fearing some sort of punishment from a God. But wouldn't you say that just because some (I stress some) people fear God's punishment that it is still good for them to be good? I also do what is right based on what I feel in the heart, and it so happens that I share many beliefs with the teachings of the Bible, although not all. Yet I have an Uncle who got through alcoholism because he renewed his faith. Is he a weak man for using the crutch of God to get off of his addiction? In the end, there are just as many deaths for differences in religion as there are for any other reason.

I've always enjoyed your posts in the past, and your lighthearted approach. But something was different in this most recent one, a mean and angry side of you came across. I can say without doubt you are bitter and resent the faith that Kensey has even though it has helped restore his vigor and outlook on life, and for that it seems your life sounds very horrible indeed.

I have no trouble accepting the fact that it is possible that there is a higher being of some sort. What I cannot accept the fact is that man could possibly percieve what this power is.

Based on this belief I will not subscribe to any organized religion.

Many Christians have repeatedly informed me that it isn't about what the church and it's doctrines, it's about you "personal relationship with God." If you sincerely believe this why are you supporting a church?

The Catholic Church has historically acted in it's own best interests. Period. Not only would it persecute those who's beliefs strayed slightly from it's own but it would take advantage of it's own.

All Catholics were forced to pay (literally) an entrance fee to heaven. Those too poor to pay the Church would live and die in fear of being refused at the pearly gates.

We are past that now, aren't we? I hope that for the most part we are. I embrace the idea that some people believe in a God, even a God like that described in Christianity. Just don't let it get out of hand. Maybe those Christians I've talked to are right. Maybe you should have a personal relationship with God. Don't let an organization dictate your beliefs.

I know you said that you would send people a copy of the book. I am not asking for that, but is this a book that is carried in main stream book stores or do I need to go to a religious book store. Just wondering.

Yup smash I'm with you on this one. I respect those people who use what the bible says to better themselves but it shouldn't be needed as everyone should be conducting themselves properly anyway.

Also Daniel don't feel you have to live your life by the letter of gods law all the time because someone here says you should. He's the guy in the wrong for judging you in the first place.

Live life to the fullest, Have a laugh, a drink and do what feels good. I know I will.

That's kind of my point about some organized religions. I go to a Bible Study church that is non-denominational I guess. One of the key differences between Catholic beliefs and my beliefs is that Catholics believe that if you do good deeds you go to heaven. Much like a score card really.

Personally I don't think it's that easy but I don't want to get into that whole debate. I wanted to address your question about supporting a church. It is also written that we should share our love for God with each other. It's important to have people to talk to about personal struggles. There is power in numbers.

Having said that, it's important to find the right church that fits in with your personal beliefs.

personally i disagree that homosexuality is wrong and that physical abuse of your children is necessary.

Unfortunately some people take what they read, whether it be from the Bible or Constitution, and take it too literally. Ok, so I get your point, but what I meant by comment was that the overall message of the Bible is good. Like DN said, be a good person, respect and be good to your neighbor, do unto others, don't judge. These are the primary messages of the Bible. So yes, while I agree to a point that certain messages are wrong in the Bible, the fact is that most people follow the overall message, which is a good thing.

I think it is unrealistic in today's world to think that any person that is in an organized religion believes everything that religion proclaims. If they do then in my opinion they are being sheep just following the pack. I am Roman Catholic and I must say that there are truly a lot of things they profess that I am not in agreement with, but I cannot deny any of our core beliefs that I grew up with so I cannot pull myself in another direction. I was going to list out beliefs and things like that then I realized it would be silly. In the aspect that I am not a preacher. I don't want to convert anyone to anything. I do think it important that people form some relationship with some God because if they don't how sad can your existence be with the belief that this is all there is. This is as good as it gets. I am not perfect none of us are and it never was an expectation of God's I truly think he just wants us to live as closely in his image as possible and learn from our sins and become better everyday.

For some what fits your personal beliefs cannot be found in an organization.

As for my remarks regarding Catholocism: It is the original church. All Protestant churches are Catholocism's bastard children. I use it as an example because Catholicism was Christianity until about 400 years ago.

Overall the bible does have a good message. I don't want to get into the symantics of it but I suggest you reread Genesis. In addition the profound hypocracy illustated in the creation stories (yes, there are two) there are certain messages portrayed that I believe are less than genial.

Granted, these are simply the customs of the time. But should we take them as doctrine? Women must bare child birth for their sins, the homosexuals of Sodom must have brimstone rained upon them, and the dark-skinned Canaanites are not God's chosen people.

Sure, the overall message may be good. But is it worth it when passages such as my examples are taken literally?

Have you read the DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons by Dan Brown?

Although I grant that they're both ultimately works of fiction, much of the discussion in both books regarding christianity and the church are rooted in fact.

I'd be happy to send you a copy of either if you e-mail me. :wink:

I think what has smash and others (including myself) is the fact this was posted on a poker forum, and has no poker content.

There was an earlier discussion and religion and poker, and that seems appropriate. But like someone else said, i might as well post about my favourite member of the Justice League of America (Flash, BTW).

If someone wanst to discuss religion, go to a religious forum. I don't think anyone begrudges your faith, or anyone elses. After all, we're all even at the poker table, regardless of our beliefs.

For the original poster to say he wasn't here just stirring things up is, at best, disingenuous.

So, let's get back to poker, shall we?

Doyle brunson is my god!I was an alcoholic when i was 17,and went to prison 2 years ago.Then my girlfriend sendt me the super system,and that changed my life.I play for a living now,and are able to take care of my family because of him.I am so thankful!Does anybody know if he has an email-adress?He is a true legend!

i don't know how to have a relationship with a "being" that doesn't reciprocate. i can't even comprehend it. sorry.

Hey Everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster. (What a way to start, eh?) 8)

Just a few of comments:



If you don't want a free copy from Daniel, you can find it at Barnes & Noble in the Christianity section. (The author's name is Lee Strobel.) I would highly recommend it. Among the topics that Case for Christ covers:



People have been saying that for hundreds of years, and yet the Bible is not only still around, but it's a #1 best seller.



Most of the authors of the New Testament (many of whom personally witnessed Christ's resurrection) died horrible, horrible deaths on account of their preaching. They must have believed pretty strongly in what they were saying if they were willing to die for it.

Anyway, there is much, much more covered in the book. If anyone out there is even the slightest bit curious about Christianity, I would highly encourage you to take Daniel up on his offer.