Another god-related topic

[Annella]

qon, nobody is pushing any religion on you or anyone else on here.

That's not the point.  Mere laypeople atheists have to start somewhere in encouraging our fellow man to get out of Bronze Age thinking.  It's quite sad how many MILLIONS of people's potentials are wasted on religion.  You want to live forever?  Well gee, maybe we could if we didn't have so many people wasting their only life WISHING for it instead of developing the technology to make it possible!

There were 4 couples.  Noah and his wife, their 3 sons and their wives.

And they all came from 2 people!  Nonetheless, if we ignore that glaring detail like you just did, that is not enough genetic diversity by a long shot to repopulate the earth to the BILLIONS.

Go and spread your discontent to someone who actually wants to hear it.

Stop responding to my posts if you don't want to hear it.  It's that simple.

If you were a Christian before, and then denounced it, I have no desire to hear anything you have to say.

Wow, "no desire to hear anything you have to say" -- is that what Jesus would do?  Better repent for saying that, or you'll burn.  Just goes to show that so many Christians don't actually care about people.

We won't denounce our God as you did, so give it up.

Oh, you would love that, wouldn't you?  Sorry sweetie; it may be a long and frustrating process, but the fight to chip away at people's unfounded delusions is far from over.  P.S.  I know you're a lost cause.  Thankfully, you only had one offspring you inflicted your beliefs onto.

I don't have much time, but I'm happy to answer you qon.  I've been waiting to do such.

First of all, you brow beating Jcribb for not divulging the personal miracles or connections she has with God is totally uncalled for.  Your "tell me some proof" is nothing short of another chance to mock or explain away any miracle or anything positive pointing to the belief in God.  I posted (once) miracles and manifestations for you and everybody to read that I had witnessed, and happened to me personally, and what did I get?  Mocking, and explaining away everything with science or just pure unbelief.  Why should we put our pearls out there anymore for YOU to trample them underfoot again?  FORGET IT!!!

As far as posting to you, I'm answering a fool in his folly, and not going to let you browbeat my Christian family....got it???

You don't believe in the Bible so telling you anything Biblical is lost on you.  I will not tell you anything Biblical anymore.  I broke my own rule by even arguing with you about it.
  
As far as what Jesus would do?  He was not some mamby pamby mealy mouth man.  Go read his words, and see how he didn't put up with a lot of the stuff that you yourself dish out here.  I've done nothing to repent of, and my love for humanity does not have to be proven to YOU!  Christians care very much for everybody, but they are not for your entertainment to mock or someone to wipe your shoes on.

You have no idea how happy you made me by calling me a "lost cause" to you.  No higher compliment could have been given me.....THANK YOU!!  I have news for you......here it is.  I influence literally thousands of people wherever I go about the Gospel, and the saving power of Jesus!  I will till the day I die!  

Be back in 20 min....don't go away

[502mania]

i want the religious people to explain why their god is any more real than the next guy's.

Eh...my g-d is real to me.  Doesn't mean it has to be real for you.  Historically, in my religion, a convert will be turned away 3 times or more before the conversion process begins.
So...tell me why I should explain to you why my g-d is real, when you clearly don't want to believe it?

I understand the convertion in the jewish religion, my mom converted when i was like 8 or 9 and she's a devotedjew to this day. I've eve said before that i LOVE the idea of a god. I want to believe in god, i'd love to have one. but every religion claims to be right. i've asked this before, what if you get to heaven and it's allah? then what? what if science brings a flawless answer to explain the human race's existence? people used to think a god physically carried the sun across the sky. but now we know that isn't true. religion seems to be an explanation of what science has yet to explain. also, evolution is possible because everything evolves. humans have evolved to conditions of their land. i'm not saying we started out as monkeys, but, we have evolved.

[502mania]

I am sure you have an idea of what you believe already, so you pick a religion that correlates with your beliefs. How do we know it is the correct one, we just have faith.

All of them shun other people's beliefs, well not all, that was unfair. but could you imagine if we "just had faith" in EVERYTHING? what if we were under a cruel dictatorship, instead of standing up to the facts, we "just had faith"? that's why people in north korea are starving and dying. because they "just have faith" in their ruler despite the way he locks them down and treats them like caged animals.

[Annella]

502.....

Your mandate that we as Christians are to sell all we have and give to the poor, is taken out of scripture, and context.  This is about 1 rich man that came to Jesus and wanted to follow Him.  Mark 10:17-22

It was not a commandment for everybody, but for this man that trusted in his riches.  Jesus knew that this would hold him back.  Riches were his God.  All of us have something we make ruler over the kingdom of our hearts. Some people's god is money.  There were many rich men of God in the Bible.  Abraham, Solomon, David, etc.  It's not a sin to be rich, but what do we do with the riches that God has blessed us with?  Do we give to the poor?  do we help others less fortunate than ourselves?  Now that is commanded by God.

I would love to be rich like Sherene posted in an earlier post, but God knows how well I would handle it, and wether it would be a snare to my soul (Sherene posted these words also).  I know some very rich people that are Christians, that donate enormous amounts of money to the poor, and help out causes for the Lord.  We have charities because there are those who want to help others as Jcribb said.  Many well off people support my Ministry of an Evangelist, and pay for my travels and expenses.  They are furthering the Gospel.  Money given to God, or the poor, or anything to edify mankind is not lost.  You can't out give God.  I've had people tell me that the more they give, the more God heaps blessings upon them, and sometimes gives them back "over" what they gave.

Money is not evil.......the LOVE of money is.  The love of money is the root of all evil.  It's okay to be rich, if riches don't rule your life.  Someone asked Rockefeller (spelled wrong), how much money is enough?  He answered....a little bit more!  This is a man ruled by money, and money ruled him.

I forgot to answer this for you earlier, and just got busy with something else.

[502mania]

actually, anella, that brought a lot of clarity to my concern, thanks. I don't doubt tht there are valuable lessons to be learned from the bible, i just doubt that the bible is percisely "god's word". it was physically written by men. whether or not they could actually speak to god and translate is not to my knowledge. i really hope i don't seem antagonistic, if i do i apologize.

[Annella]

I am sure you have an idea of what you believe already, so you pick a religion that correlates with your beliefs. How do we know it is the correct one, we just have faith.

All of them shun other people's beliefs, well not all, that was unfair. but could you imagine if we "just had faith" in EVERYTHING? what if we were under a cruel dictatorship, instead of standing up to the facts, we "just had faith"? that's why people in north korea are starving and dying. because they "just have faith" in their ruler despite the way he locks them down and treats them like caged animals.

502, I have my Spiritual Authority sitting next to me right now, and he's looking over my shoulder and following these postings. He said you need to ask God where he wants you, and be sincere about it.  God will not fail you, and Faith is very important to come to God.  

You must believe who He is, and that He exists in order to follow Him.  You say that you want to believe, and that's a good statement.  Since only God knows your heart, only God can lead you.  We can give you all the roadmaps, but you have to follow them yourself.  We can't "push" you into the "knowledge" of God, we can only lead you, and you have to take the steps of Faith.  We will be praying for you.

We will be out for another 20 minutes........

[amyrouse]

i want the religious people to explain why their god is any more real than the next guy's.

Eh...my g-d is real to me.  Doesn't mean it has to be real for you.  Historically, in my religion, a convert will be turned away 3 times or more before the conversion process begins.
So...tell me why I should explain to you why my g-d is real, when you clearly don't want to believe it?

I understand the convertion in the jewish religion, my mom converted when i was like 8 or 9 and she's a devotedjew to this day. I've eve said before that i LOVE the idea of a god. I want to believe in god, i'd love to have one. but every religion claims to be right. i've asked this before, what if you get to heaven and it's allah? then what? what if science brings a flawless answer to explain the human race's existence? people used to think a god physically carried the sun across the sky. but now we know that isn't true. religion seems to be an explanation of what science has yet to explain. also, evolution is possible because everything evolves. humans have evolved to conditions of their land. i'm not saying we started out as monkeys, but, we have evolved.

I am not anti-evolution...don't assume that because I'm religious that I am.  I've said before that Science is wonderful and I do not dispute it.

what if science brings a flawless answer to explain the human race's existence?

OK...and?  Does that mean that flawless answer makes the entirety of every religious holy book something not worth reading?  So what if g-d doesn't exist...am I really hurting anyone that badly by believing g-d does?  By feeling a connection with my ancestors when I sing and pray in Hebrew?  Yes, my religion motivates me to vote in the way I do...but I'm generally voting for human rights, like equality for gays and women, reproductive rights, and helping out those who are impoverished...I vote in ways that I can display my love for g-d and g-d's people. The simple fact that I believe in g-d, though, seems to be offensive.  Why?  Because you don't?  Its time to embrace our differences, rather than force all to assimilate.

You may believe every religion claims to be right...so?  Of course everyone believes they are right; why would they believe it if they didn't?  I believe I am right...but accept the possibility that I may be wrong.  Til I die, though, I will live my life believing I am right.  But, what is right for me may not be right for you.   However, upon dying, if I learn that I wasn't right...g-d should respect the life I've lead because I've lived it to the best of my ability, and I've spent my life loving g-d and living the way I believe in my heart is right.  Any g-d that wouldn't accept/respect that is not one whose presence I would want to spend eternity in.  

I've said it before...I am not living my life and loving g-d in a quest for a reward.  Cuddling with my daughter and watching Toy Story for the fiftieth time or Pinocchio for the 500th time is enough reward for me.

I am sure you have an idea of what you believe already, so you pick a religion that correlates with your beliefs. How do we know it is the correct one, we just have faith.

All of them shun other people's beliefs, well not all, that was unfair. but could you imagine if we "just had faith" in EVERYTHING? what if we were under a cruel dictatorship, instead of standing up to the facts, we "just had faith"? that's why people in north korea are starving and dying. because they "just have faith" in their ruler despite the way he locks them down and treats them like caged animals.

You're right, it is unfair to claim all religions shun other people's beliefs.  I don't, and there are believers and non-believers on this forum that don't.  Generalizations are not pretty, and are not fair.

[502mania]

thanks for the affirmations, anella. and to amy, despite our relgion, you realize that you could be wrong and know that life as we know it now shoud be enjoyed to the fullest. I praise you for that. I realize i could be wrong as well. you guy's faith dosn't offend me. it dosen't hurt anyone. but i am still skeptical about evey religion. i went to a christian school in 1st and 2nd grade. in the 3rd my mom put me in  jewish school. i wish i would have stayed just to learn the hebrew language if nothing else. but since i was about 14 i've been on a seemingly-never-ending quest to find the right way for me to go. rght now, i'm open to all posibilities, here are a lot of things in the bible that are hard to "just ave faith in". n fact i willprobably never "just have faith" in anything. I have to use logic and reason, i can't escape it. it's what makes the world turn. we didn't get to the moon by "just having faith". i'm just saying.

[ladysurvivor]

I don't just pray for those the don't believe in God, but I also pray for the country, my family, the church, children with illness and so much more. Prayer is a very powerful thing. After reading many of these posts, qon it seems that you don't want to listen to anything anyone has to say because it has been stated over and over. Are your listening or do you just like to argue? Do you still actually believe in God to a degree but you are really trying to convince yourself that you don't. I grew up church and always knew about God but that is where it really ended. After my divorce and moving back in with my parents with my 2 kids, I struggled. I really didn't want to live and that my kids were better off without me. One day when I was at my lowest, I picked up my Bible and started reading it. At the point, something got hold of me and I starting believing in God. See the difference is that I knew God was real but I had never accepted Him or Believed in Him. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and my life as never been better. True I have gone through a lot of trails and hardships, but because of my believe I have been able to come through those. I have a question (maybe 2) to ask before I have to go. I'm a single mom and my day never ends. Question 1 - Do you know that difference between joy and happiness? Question 2 - Which one of those do you feel?  As for the post regarding Christians being put in jail, etc. It is true. It is getting harder and harder for Christians to be open but other religious faiths can be open about their faith. Christians are having a difficult time, but I wouldn't change my faith for nothing. God bless you all.

[ladysurvivor]

I know, I must be nuts for God talking to me right? In fact, the only people that are not nuts to say God spoke to them are the ones in biblical days. That to me is just, um, well retarded.

If that is how you people feel, then the whole bible and God thing and all religions are a crock of poo poo.

If I am crazy because of this, well you are crazy for believing any of it.

I really get tired of getting called nuts or mental or whatever. You don't relize, these are my beliefs do you?

They have not been heard of before me. They are mine. Respect my beliefs and I will respect yours, I have respected yours already.

NO you are not crazy. God does speak to us. Maybe not literally but in that small voice inside of you, a scripture that pops into you head, an email that came just at the right time. I have the same thing happen to me. Oh, I also work in a psych hospital. There is a difference God speaking like I said and how others say He speaks. Ask any Bible teacher or preacher and they will agree.

I just have to ask, I speak to God, do you? God speaks to me, does he speak to you? Is that nuts? Why must people try to tell me I am wrong?

You're wrong, not me, you.

Your beliefs are giving me a headache. They MAKE NO SENSE.

[shernajwine]

I wouldn't change my faith for nothing. God bless you all.

[Annella]

thanks for the affirmations, anella. and to amy, despite our relgion, you realize that you could be wrong and know that life as we know it now shoud be enjoyed to the fullest. I praise you for that. I realize i could be wrong as well. you guy's faith dosn't offend me. it dosen't hurt anyone. but i am still skeptical about evey religion. i went to a christian school in 1st and 2nd grade. in the 3rd my mom put me in  jewish school. i wish i would have stayed just to learn the hebrew language if nothing else. but since i was about 14 i've been on a seemingly-never-ending quest to find the right way for me to go. rght now, i'm open to all posibilities, here are a lot of things in the bible that are hard to "just ave faith in". n fact i willprobably never "just have faith" in anything. I have to use logic and reason, i can't escape it. it's what makes the world turn. we didn't get to the moon by "just having faith". i'm just saying.

Okay, why do you have logic and reason?  Why do you even want to know more about God, or if He exists? Wouldn't that be something you think of with your logic and reason?  You say you've been on a never-ending quest to find out the right way to go.  Why do you even have that longing?  Could it be that your being pulled by a God that want's to know you as you want to know Him?

There are many religions, but you must find the way for YOU and where YOU belong.  You can listen to everybody's explanation of where, why, what, but it's your choice, and you have to work that out for yourself.  As far as the Bible being written by men?  Your right, men wrote it as they were "moved on" by the Spirit of God.  I myself believe it to be the miracle it is!  All those books put together by different men of God, in different times and dispensations, to come together and "flow" together in harmony like it does, takes nothing short of a miracle in my book.  I've tested it's "Truths" between it's pages and found them to be correct and True.

Sometimes there are things that go beyond reason and logic in the Spiritual realm, because, well........it's spiritual, where reason and logic can't explain it or follow.  That's where Faith comes in, and a belief in God.  

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

We're going to dinner and will be gone awhile.  I hope we've helped you a little bit 502.  God loves you more than you can even fathom.  So do we.

[jcribb16]

I don't just pray for those the don't believe in God, but I also pray for the country, my family, the church, children with illness and so much more. Prayer is a very powerful thing. After reading many of these posts, qon it seems that you don't want to listen to anything anyone has to say because it has been stated over and over. Are your listening or do you just like to argue? Do you still actually believe in God to a degree but you are really trying to convince yourself that you don't. I grew up church and always knew about God but that is where it really ended. After my divorce and moving back in with my parents with my 2 kids, I struggled. I really didn't want to live and that my kids were better off without me. One day when I was at my lowest, I picked up my Bible and started reading it. At the point, something got hold of me and I starting believing in God. See the difference is that I knew God was real but I had never accepted Him or Believed in Him. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and my life as never been better. True I have gone through a lot of trails and hardships, but because of my believe I have been able to come through those. I have a question (maybe 2) to ask before I have to go. I'm a single mom and my day never ends. Question 1 - Do you know that difference between joy and happiness? Question 2 - Which one of those do you feel?  As for the post regarding Christians being put in jail, etc. It is true. It is getting harder and harder for Christians to be open but other religious faiths can be open about their faith. Christians are having a difficult time, but I wouldn't change my faith for nothing. God bless you all.

Very well put, ladysurvivor!! 

[queenofnines]

We gave you answers plenty of times, but you keep asking the questions...if you don't accept those answers that's fine, but quit asking the same damn questions.

Yep - that would be it.  A lot of the "answers" aren't really answers at all; they're justifications, excuses, rationalizations, or my personal favorite , "just have faith and go ask god".

Your "tell me some proof" is nothing short of another chance to mock or explain away any miracle or anything positive pointing to the belief in God.

No, I really am curious how people can spend their whole lives devoted to the dogma and never see the problems with it/ignore them.  Please fill me in, otherwise I am left with thinking humanity is just weak and stupid (not a word I try to use that often because it offends, but it's true).

Why should we put our pearls out there anymore for YOU to trample them underfoot again?

Comparing me to swine, are you?  I've read the Bible, so you can't make these underhanded insults and expect to get away with it, miss.  Again, not very Christian of you.

As far as what Jesus would do?  He was not some mamby pamby mealy mouth man.

You can craft the Christian god to be anything you want when he doesn't exist.   

You have no idea how happy you made me by calling me a "lost cause" to you.  No higher compliment could have been given me.....THANK YOU!!  I have news for you......here it is.  I influence literally thousands of people wherever I go about the Gospel, and the saving power of Jesus!  I will till the day I die!  

I always scratch my head when people taunt stuff like this.  "I'M A STRONGER CHRISTIAN THANKS TO YOU, HA!"  Blah, blah, blah...are people really *that* insecure that they need to make such childish announcements?  It just looks sad.

[queenofnines]

Are your listening or do you just like to argue?

My argumentative attitude comes from being frustrated and P.O.ed at humanity for sacrificing their lives to such baseless things.  That is all.

Do you still actually believe in God to a degree but you are really trying to convince yourself that you don't.

Nope.  And that's a really silly thing to say.  Please stop saying this, believers.  I don't believe in your god.  In fact, I know the Christian god doesn't exist.  I know it's hard for y'all to come to the terms with this, but millions of people are convinced that Biblegod is just a malfunction in the mind.  There might still be an entity running a giant cosmic science experiment, but I don't believe that to be the case because I have no good reason to.

Okay, why do you have logic and reason?

Because it was beneficial to our species in terms of survival.  It's a natural consequence of our evolved intelligence.

Why do you even want to know more about God, or if He exists?

Hmm, because it's a pretty important matter to be sure of before you kick the bucket and potentially wind up in hell forever, ya think?

Wouldn't that be something you think of with your logic and reason?

Eh...logic and reason is what helps one determine that the claims of religion are fantastical and false.  In terms of wanting an answer to the god question, this is only because we're born into a world that pretends one exists.  We want to know if there's anything to this widely-held tradition "just to be safe".  There's not.  

Why do you even have that longing?  Could it be that your being pulled by a God that want's to know you as you want to know Him?

Uh, no.  We're curious creatures.  It's how we've got to be so dang advanced is by asking questions, exploring, developing science.  We could have just sat around as cavemen flinging poo at each other, but evolution had something else in mind.