Astralinre

Please refrain from insulting people without reason or proof. Stop insulting non-Christians who do the above in moderation. We are not out of control, sending us on a path to destruction. The Swearing, rambling drunks are a minority group which you just blatantly painted as the majority. There are many people who drink and swear that lead very gratifying lives. Notice that I didn't say anything about those who do that in moderation; I only metioned the extreme consequences. Because there is logical proof backing up that accident. I believe that what's he's trying to say is this- if your logic came about by natural, imperfect processes, then how can you trust it? Isn't it possible that the evolutionary processes which created your logic are not finished, and your reasoning is still not working properly? Isn't that basically a religious statement? You're talking about theories that have no proof, and yet you believe them anyway. How is that any different from having faith in a God? For all you know, there could be an infinite personal triune God out there who created the universe, loves you, and is trying to get your attention. And that is every bit as likely as the theory you put forth.

No,You are brainwashed and corrupted Please refrain from insulting people without reason or proof. I would argue that a life of following Christ is far more rewarding than one of gratifying your sinful nature. When people stop talking to you because of how vulgar your language is, it that more fun? Is it more fun when you get drunk and hurt yourself or a loved one? I would say that you are the one leading purposeless life and denying yourself true joy, even though God would be glad to give it to you. "I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly." -Jesus Christ

The sons of the first man ever created were building cities and playing musical instraments. If they had that kind of intellect already then they also would have had morals. Only man who has a sprit, has need of moral standards... i'll get back later :shock: It's not possible, unless there used to be a superior race of men billions of years ago before the dinosaurs. There is no evidence to back it up though. No, we didn't evolve directly from apes but from animals similar to them. I can't be bothered to list all the forms of evolutions from the first one to the current one, there are about 15. There are about 15 theorised forms. Though species similar to humans have been found, there is still no progression of evolution or direct human ancestors that have been uncovered. C. S. Lewis has some good arguements against moralaity being the product of natural selection in Mere Christianity, which I will be glad to type up if I can get my hands on the book.

Doesn't the story of Job kind of go against this claim? God and Satan makes a bet, now how can Satan come into Gods presence or visa versa to make this bet? The story comes from Judaism in which Satan is not the evil rebel, Christianity comes up with the logic he is but now they're stuck with teachings from judaism. It appears that you've pointed out a flaw in my reasoning. I guess I'll have to rethink and reword that statement. :wink: Let me say it like this, one who is imperfect cannot experience the joy or peace that God gives, since his sin interferes. Teachings which value humility, love, patience, kindness, self control, and mercy are tyrannous? I don't think I want to know what you think selfishness, lust, and hatred are. You're forgetting God comes first above all you just listed, thats tyranny, as for selfishness God does a good job at keeping his ego well fed. Ego? Sir, God neither has nor needs an ego. The reason He requires us to worship Him is because He is the only one worthy of praise. To exalt yourself or anything else over God is sin, since it is not worthy of that praise. As for the tyranny part, I still don't see where you're coming from. God does not force anyone to worship Him (at least not until the end of time when all will see His greatness and be compelled to worship Him, but that's another matter). Even though He wants us to worship Him, he neither needs us to nor forces us to.

Eric, prove to me *scientifically* that there is no life or existance after death. ;) Notice I only said that he was a great thinker; I never said he didn't have a childish imagination. Neither do I see nothing wrong with having one. In fact, Christ Himself said that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. ~Astra

Nice mountains, nice planet, and nice colors. However, I think the comets need some major work. They just look like moons with blur on them to me. The text is pretty plain, but, of course, you don't always want the text to be a focal point in a sig like that.

I suppose you've never heard of C. S. Lewis? Augustine? John Milton? All of them were Christians with a strong faith in God, and all were great thinkers. Religion is the cause of war, terror, and hate? No, humans cause those. Some may use religion as an excuse for their own hate or blood lust, but that doesn't make religion itself evil. Someone may use 'god' to oppress people, but that neither disproves His existence nor proves that He is evil. Brainwashed? Sir, I believe you are the one who has been brainwashed to stereotype those who believe in God without giving a valid reason. Again, that reasoning is not reasonable. "Since humans have made up stories of god and gods, there is no such thing as a real God that was not made up by humans." I could just as easily say, "Since humans have made up stories about love, there is not an actual thing as love." I could just as easily replace 'love' or 'god' with war, animals, food, or anything else that stories have been written about. Think of it this way- God is perfect. Humans are fallen (imperfect). Anything that is not perfect cannot come into the presence of that which is. Christ died for our sins so that He can make us holy. If we allow Him to do so, then we enter into eternal life with God. If we refuse to let Him make us holy, then we cannot join God. Since God is life, and those people are separated from life, they have nothing left but their empty, sinful selves. What could be more hellish than being alone with your own evil for all eternity? That's my point. If there is a starving person wearing rags on the street and you say 'God bless you', does it help the person? He will probably die in a few days because nobody helped him. If you'd actually stop, possibly try to arrange him at least a few bucks for food or clothes, you'd do what is the point of the whole religion instead of just saying words that don't mean anything. I agree whole-heartedly. The Christian church is in major need of reform, especially in America. We have become more concerned with pretty building, feel-good praise music, and a watered down version of the Gospel than we are with loving Christ and people. To be perfectly honest, I can't. Though I wish I has the answer to every question, I know that I don't even come close. The best answer I can give is that God created us with free will. We can choose to glorify God like He intended us to, or we can glorify oursleves, which is sin. Teachings which value humility, love, patience, kindness, self control, and mercy are tyrannous? I don't think I want to know what you think selfishness, lust, and hatred are. It isn't an excuse; it's an answer to things that science cannot answer. Science can explain how creation works, but it cannot explain how it came into existance. It can explain how people die, but not what happens afterward. It can explain how the brain works, but not where morals and emotions come from. Christianity, however, does answer those questions. ~Astra

Thanks for the advice. :) Here's my second try. I think it turned out much better than the first.

This was inspried by Nadril and Ryan's abstract landscape. I liked it so much, I decided to do one of my own. Personally, I don't think this one turned out that great, but it's an interesting concept that I'll keep working on. I'll post any other attempts I make on this thread too. C/C appreciated. Edit: #2 try. I think this one is much better.

Thanks for the comments, keep 'em coming. :) Ok, I made the text a little bigger, though I want it to be a somewhat small just for the look. Since I'm not that good at line art, I decided to just remove it until I can make some that's better.

The second one is simply awesome. The entire concept of a abstract landscape is a cool one, and y'all did a good job on it. Good colors, nice render, and good job placing the render over the landscape.

Well, I just got finished making this. The render was in Bryce and I touched it up in Photoshop. My first question is this: should I use this as my new sig? Secondly, I'd like some good C/C on it. Tell me what I did well, what needs work, what looks cool, and what sucks. I know the line art could use some work, but I've never been very good at that. ~Astra

Lol, Rease. :P It doesn't seem that 'grungy' to me, but, never the less, it's very nice. Good concept, good colors, and I like the text.

Thanks for the comments, guys. Any other comments or advice?

9.5/10 (not a ten because you'll top it somehow :P ) Good job, Nad. The land texture is good, the water reflection is good, and the clouds are very realistic, which is hard with Terragen. The sun is perfect. Those little stars also add a nice touch to it. As Keiphus said, the text seems a little too showy, but I like it. However, the signature version doesn't look nearly as good as the large one. You mind PMing me the large (1600x1200) version to use as desktop background?

O, how I wonder from the path that is straight, and yet You love me anyway. Over and over everyday, You, O Lord, I can't help but betray, and yet You love me anyway. My heart always strays to the left or the right. I cannot stay true for even one night, not even one day... and yet you love me anyway. No matter how I try, I fall back into sin, and yet you are gracious, again and again. You are forgiving and faithful; you stay true till the end, my Redeemer, Deliverer, Lover, and Friend. ~Astra

I'm not really sure what to make of this sig. I was messing around in Bryce and came up with this. What do you think? C/C appreciated.

Just a little abstract I whipped up. Title inspired by a teacher of mine. (even though it has nothing to do with the sig) C/C appreciated.

Keyboard. (computer keyboard, that is) I don't have a single musical bone in my body. :P

Eighth story of a condominium. It is (was) beyond most of the resorts and down by all the cool beach houses, so it was a pretty unique viewpoint.

I really wish I'd taken the picture in color, but I guess it's too late now. :( Fortunately, my grandparents are fine. They live up here near me, but they usually spend a couple months a year at the beach. Also, I've been able to find out that their place is still standing, even though I'm not sure what kind of shape it's in. :? I'll be sure to go check out your stuff soon, dj. :wink:

This a picture I took this summer while at my grandparents' place in Orange Beach. Since Ivan hit, nothing in the picture except the two story house in the distance remains. I guess I'm using this sig to help remind me of all the great summer vacations I spent down there. :( Feel free to comment or rate.

Really? I actually like it for those same reasons. The fact that it's so busy means that you can keep looking at it and noticing new things, and the bluriness gives it a sort of mysterious feel. And you also thought it was incredible, it is not up to my standard of incredible... good... but not incredible. Heh. Maybe I was a little too quick to use the word 'incredible', but I also have a bad habit of rating things on my personal tastes alone, which is why I rarely rate sigs on here. Anyway, I still think y'all did a very good job, and that the end effect is very nice, even if it's not 'incredible.' :wink:

Really? I actually like it for those same reasons. The fact that it's so busy means that you can keep looking at it and noticing new things, and the bluriness gives it a sort of mysterious feel.

Incredible... :shock: And that, my friends, is what happens when the masters come together. :P