| Dec 3, 2005 @ 10:04 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 4,164
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Proverbs 8:17--I LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME, AND THOSE WHO SEEK ME WILL FIND ME.
So this suggests that each individual holds the key to a momentous discovery.
Yet, the "seeking" must be an earnest search, not a casual one.
That is IF the individual truly cares about their eternal future.
Regardless of your faith, if you do not care to know, you will probably never find out.
But if you're looking for answers, do not be content with the information others are telling you. Do some private investigating.
Matthew 7:8--FOR EVERYONE WHO ASKS RECEIVES; HE WHO SEEKS FINDS; AND TO HIM WHO KNOCKS, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED."
This is not suggest that salvation, (the gift of eternal life), must be earned. It is absolutely FREE.
I'm only suggesting that an understanding of the ways + the things of God is available to anyone who wants to know.
It does require a little effort though.
We can be led to salvation.
The meat + potatoes of our spiritual meal however, requires a little effort to put it into an intellectually digestable form.
God bless you. :-)
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| Dec 3, 2005 @ 10:50 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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someone_me
Posts: 506
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Okay, so I have the tendency to rain on the "feel good" parade.
Back in the nineties they had a conference of all the major religions in the world (first and last one). It ended up being a big mess because all these people who thought there were many paths to one God and that we should all just live in peace together ended up being a fiasco because they couldn't live in peace and agree on anything.
Sorry, truth is an either/or proposition and not a both/and. You accept it, deny it, or reject it.
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| Dec 3, 2005 @ 10:35 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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surfergee
Posts: 74
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Xavier;
Although I never totally abandoned God I spent about thirty years away from imperfect organized religion. After reflecting on my life and some very strange experiences, I chose to find my way back. I felt that by faith in its founder I might benefit from church worship. I once heard a kind old nun refer to God as the hound from Heaven. She meant that He does not give up on those who seek Him. Your inquiry of our opinions is another step you're taking to this end. Thus I feel I owe you a rendering of some of my reasoning for the existance of God:
Science agrees with Einstein when he proposed that E=MCsquared or energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. Notice that only E is on one side of the equation which means that only energy was used to create the universe as we know it. In other words everything was created from nothing. Einstein also proposed and it has been proven, that time slows when speed increases and will stop completely for anyone or anything travelling at the speed of light if it could be achieved and withstood.
Suppose you found yourself in outer space in the spirit and there were no stars or planets or anything at all. Not even light. Would you really know the difference between travelling at the speed of light or standing still? Nope! So we have to reason that time was a divine concept.
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| Dec 3, 2005 @ 11:25 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 4,164
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Surfergee, I am truly impressed with your thoughts.
Wow. That was very, very deep, (and yet you made it sound so simple.  )
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 1:33 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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Jeriah_H
Posts: 6
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This is, of course, a difficult topic to give a good answer to without hurting anyone's feelings. When I was old enough to know that there were different religions in the world, I tried to rationalize a way for them all to be true: different gods being parts of one whole, like the facets of a diamond. As I got older I realized that for one thing, most religions are mutually contradictory (and sometimes internally so), and the best they can come up with are ham-handed metaphors like that facets of a diamond nonsense. The only arguments I've ever heard are either dogmatic (There's one God and Jesus was His Son whether you like it or not!), vague (Well, it works for me), or reliant on a text (The Bible/Torah/Koran says so!) that has to be taken on faith. I look at the world around me, and I don't see God. I see trees and sky, cars and buildings, people and dogs, clouds and stars. I read, and I learn, and I understand what I'm looking at. I read about history, and other cultures, and I see religion, all religion, as just a part of that tradition. Religions are an aspect of cultures, just like styles of music and dress, or types of food. It's hard for me to take someone seriously when they fail to see this: that people take on the religion of their parents, or that religions are "fashionable" at different times. Simple reason directs me to atheism. I do not intend this statement to be insulting or inflammatory, but I understand it may be taken that way: I find the capacity for faith both laughable and terrifying, laughable for its absurdity and terrifying for its consequences. We live in a world where, as I see it, people kill each other over fairy tales. That is, of course, just my opinion. So don't stab me.
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 8:54 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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Snappygoddess
Posts: 3,814
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With all of the different religions, beliefs, etc today, it can be very confusing as to what to believe and disbelieve so I have a very simple way of handling it all.
I meditate daily,keep an open mind, practice forgiveness(really hard one sometimes) seek the wisdom of God and others, work on improving myself(an ongoing process throughout life)and keep my mind, heart and soul peaceful to handle the stress of life. Sure, I have my moments like everyone, but when I stray from the path, I get back on it and keep on doing what works best for me.
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 4:33 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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surfergee
Posts: 74
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Sometimes the best way to admit that there must be a God is to try to convince someone else that there is no God. I'm going to try to convince you there is no God. So here goes: Our world was created by nothing for nothing. All of life on earth evolved from a coincidental concoction of chemicals which came to life somehow through a chance combination of water, heat and light and formed the first cell. This somehow began replicating itself and became more complex as it did so, forming structures from multitudes of itself which we call creatures. After hundreds of millions of years these creatures had become complex enough to have the power of reason and began to look at themselves and the world and ponder the non-purpose of their sorrows, their pains, their existence. Welcome to the world of the atheist. How does it feel? Personally I'd rather commit suicide than believe this.
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 4:46 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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waiting41
Posts: 1,926
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WOW!! THANKS surfergee! That made such good sense to me! Time for GOD to go!! Atheism here I come! Good, now I can spend my time more productively than talking to imaginary people. I'm not suicidal! This is great!! Thank you for enlightening me!! 
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 5:17 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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Angel54214
Posts: 14,056
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Surfer...I not convinced, I believe with all my heart, mind and soul there is a God.
(Angel's point of view) The accumulated evidence through out time shows me so. My heart tells me so and my soul sings in song. The good book guides me to peace and happyness. Two powers are known; God=Love/good & Satan=Hate/evil. We choose through out our life time from each, we are our own evidence by the outcome. Man kind has proved over and over these outcomes. It will not end until God says ok, its time to shut the physical realm down.
We live, we die physically. We cause our own failures and successes. We love and we hate. We build and we destroy. To me there is no convincing in my mind that we were an accident from an atom, gas or other. The sun doths shine! The rain doths come! The snow doths melt! The flowers still grow! The stars still shine! The sky still blue! The waters still flow! And our blood still manifests. What we know in our world I believe (my point of view), is revealed to us, I believe there is another spiritual world that God only lets us peak at because we are not able to cross the real spiritual world do to our physicial form.
But I understand the heart, soul and mind are three vast important components we are made of in that physical. We have been given the (2) powers to produce Love or Hate. God made laws to guide man. We choose freely, we live the outcome. The good book (bible) is proof of history and the sacrifice of his son that shows us God is love. Jesus established the one church, man over the centuries established religions. God has made it so simple! But man kind always strays because that is the cyle of life. That is the plan from the beginning. The evidence in our life cycle proves over and over daily. But in the end (physical death), we are gone from here, its over! So no one can convince me there is no God. Here is a gift to all that read my post...with love, 
The Book
God created life
Then created a book
To teach man and
Make powers known
How Great Thou Art!
I fear thy Lords' judgment
So the curled pages of psalms
Comfort me and I know
I am loved.
Angel
[Edited on 12/4/2005 5:21 PM]
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 7:02 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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surfergee
Posts: 74
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I'm sorry if I'm being misunderstood. As I said in my opening line: 'Sometimes the best way to admit (to myself) that there must be a God is to try to convince other people that there is no God.' I'm very much a believer in God and God incarnate, Jesus. My apologies if I've confused you.
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| Dec 4, 2005 @ 7:45 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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Angel54214
Posts: 14,056
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My apologies if I've confused you.
No apologies needed Surf.
I'm going to try to convince you there is no God.
This was my response in my post:
Surfer...I not convinced, I believe with all my heart, mind and soul there is a God.
The rest was my point of view.
Clarifying any confusion...Angel
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| Dec 5, 2005 @ 11:39 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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MelMel
Posts: 183
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It doesn't matter what religion you are guys. There is only ONE God. It's what you want to believe in. That choice it up to you. Witnesses is a cult and it's a proven fact. It is the DUMBEST thing I have ver heard of it. Now that is NOT far most religion. Any so call religion who doesn't believe in any blood transfusion and saying that they will that person die is pathetic. That is far most NOT from God. There are too many religions and very easilly to get confused. The only think you can do is "PRAY" and God will guide ya. God Bless everyone
After reading that... It cements that the fact that Christianity is not for me.. it seemed that you were trying to hide your judgement of others behind your last sentence... Goddess Bless Me...
I always thought that Christians were somewhat kind and didn't "judge" others for what they believe.. but you have proven me wrong.. are you speaking for all Christians or just yourself.. (I do mean no offense or disrespect to other Christians who do not feel the same)
I have been studying more on Wicca than anything (not calling myself an expert)... like someone said ealier about a "hole in the heart".. when I talk about Wicca.. it makes that hole close up even more with every new thing I have learned...
All I ask is respect me for my decision and my beliefs as I will respect yours... don't sit and try to convince me of something that I don't believe is there.. And if a "witness" does come to my doorstep.. the first they will prolly notice is the necklace I wear.. a Goddess on a Pentagram
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| Dec 6, 2005 @ 12:35 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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buni
Posts: 971
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good posting surfergee
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| Dec 15, 2005 @ 8:19 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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Roanin
Posts: 300
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Let's see, I was christened into the catholic church soon after birth, I was also baptized into the baptist, methodist and various other "churches", all at the "choice" of my parents. My stepdad beat my mom in the "church" parking lot one Sunday and no one did a damn thing about it. All my life, I was told to FEAR God. Well on may 15th, 1996, I became trapped underneath a 1 1/2 ton SOD roller (baby steamroller), the result...I suffered what's called Anoxia= suffocated to death. Now, while I have now forgotten almost everything I saw, it made me question again..christianity.. and so I started searching. I came upon a book about Wicca and I felt drawn to it (it's not a path for everyone I admit). I've now been following that path for 9 years and my "faith" has never been stronger. My most Blessed Lady provides (when asked) help and protects me. I do not, however follow the Celtic path, so there is no pantheon, but I can tell you this, I have never seen or heard any of the different "sects/denominations" fighting amongst each other.
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| Dec 16, 2005 @ 9:06 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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torees121
Posts: 739
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I also am Wiccan. I grew up Pentacostal and Baptist (what a combination). I was always asking questions to my Sunday school teachers or pastors. They could never answer my questions. They would say "just have faith". Well needless to say I like most people have had trauma in my life and was seeking a "higher power". Christianity was not filling my void (like someone said earlier), so I stumbled across a co-worker that practiced Wicca. We talked about it and I was hooked. It felt right! I am now part of a Pagan & Wiccan group (not a coven) we all practice solitary worship but get together twice a month for social time at a local bookstore.
There is something for everyone, even if they choose nothing.
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| Dec 16, 2005 @ 11:46 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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truth456
Posts: 61
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ServantOfChrist said:
Proverbs 8:17--I LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME, AND THOSE WHO SEEK ME WILL FIND ME.
So this suggests that each individual holds the key to a momentous discovery.
Yet, the "seeking" must be an earnest search, not a casual one.
I'm curious Servant ... has your "earnest search" ever taken you beyond the narrow confines of one religious text? An appropriate bit of wisdom from one of Christianity's own, St Francis Assisi .... "Beware the man of one book." Yes, we each hold the "key" ... it fits the lock on many diverse libraries of thought. Yet, for some reason, many keep themselves locked within their own confining notions.
That is IF the individual truly cares about their eternal future.
Regardless of your faith, if you do not care to know, you will probably never find out.
That's true ... if one limits his search, and never cares to find out what other paths may have to offer ... he will never find out. You said so yourself. I advocate "finding out", but not limited to finding out what one already holds as pre-conceived notions.
But if you're looking for answers, do not be content with the information others are telling you. Do some private investigating.
EXACTLY!!! I advocate getting outside the church ... to not be content with the dogma contained within ... and explore the ideas of many cultures and viewpoints. I'm often confronted by Christians who think they know about Buddhism. for example, after they read some apologetics from the Christian bookstore that contain many inaccuracies because they are merely sales tools for the Christian faith. Read some Buddhist-written texts if you want to know what it's all about.
I'm only suggesting that an understanding of the ways + the things of God is available to anyone who wants to know.
It does require a little effort though.
Yes, it takes some effort to inspect religious ideas dispassionately, in the light of reason. It takes some real effort to remove one's religious-colored lenses to have an uncolored look at other ideas
We can be led to salvation.
Yes, but those who are willing to follow can easily be misled, as well. So much more an argument for doing one's own research, to look beyond the dogmas of those who are oh so willing to "lead" you. It could be a case of the blind leading the blind, could it not?
The meat + potatoes of our spiritual meal however, requires a little effort to put it into an intellectually digestable form.
Yep ... one should chew on thoughts awhile before swallowing them whole.
[Edited on 12/16/2005 11:47 AM]
[Edited on 12/16/2005 11:49 AM]
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| Dec 17, 2005 @ 1:18 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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NJSteve176
Posts: 211
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I find religion interesting but I'm not going to go out on a limb with this faith nonsense and waste my time
believing without proof. I live my life without religion and everything seems to be going well. Maybe someday
I'll find a religion that suits my needs.
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| Dec 17, 2005 @ 8:37 AM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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Greystone1
Posts: 1,677
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People believe what they want to believe. It doesn't have to be the truth, or even close to the truth. Don't confuse them with facts or logic. Just give them a reason to WANT to believe and they will buy it hook, line, and sinker.
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| Dec 17, 2005 @ 1:33 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum
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surfergee
Posts: 74
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I don't think there has ever been a time in history where Divine and other spiritual beings have been so busy trying to win souls as in this last century. Think of those apparitions of the Virgin Mary atop the church at Zeitun, Egypt which occurred almost nightly in front of large crowds around 1968-70. They were sometimes even televised. She blessed the Muslims as well as the Christians assembled there. To read more about this Google: apparitions zeitun.
I know some will doubt their veracity so I'd like you to explain how it was rigged so I can be an unbeliever too.
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| Dec 17, 2005 @ 1:54 PM |
To The Non Christians & The Christians & To Every Other Faith On Our Forum |
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MotownManiax
Posts: 7,881
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I was baptized and confirmed a Catholic (I know, "we carry all the sins of the world on our back" jokes insert here...lol).
Religion definitely has a place in our lives. Some of the most profound laws and humanitarian forms of society have sprung from basic religious tenets, beliefs, and thought.
However, some of the most horrendous, destructive, genocidal wars throughout history have also been fought in the name of religion.
Moral of the story? Any religion taken to extremes has the potential to become True Evil. Just like anything else, religion needs to be taken in moderation. That's why I believe in strict separation of church and state in any society.
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