Do You Believe?

Isn't that a bit unfair to all those millions of people who died before Christ was sent to Earth? Because they would never have been given a chance to accept him, or even know him, and now they're in Hell, if you're right. Those are your forefathers, too.

It's just too ridiculous to be taken seriously, in my eyes. This whole religion thing is just a big fat lie to me.

But that Footprints in the Sand story is very pretty, Corp. Even though the Lord could easily be replaced in this context by any other form of companion, support, anchor that a person can have. It could be one's self-esteem walking on the beach with him, or one's wife, best friend, one's common sense, one's faith (not necessarily in God), one's parents, one's pet, one's wallet fro pete's sake. Anything you put your faith and trust in.

 

surely if jesus and god for that matter are such good and gracious beings why would they condemm people to hell. this is an act of pure evil and therefore would mean that god is more evil than good, therefore is the devil.
i believe in the cycle of life and reincarnation and our souls are our non physical higher being, a greatly evolved lifeform we dont understand.

 

What we call God, that's any human God, is a physical manifestation of the spirit of the universe, that is us, all of us. We are all part of this, like it or not, those that believe and those that don't inclusively. We were all there at the big bang, the begining, just perhaps in a different form of life energy. Einstein had it right when he said "we are life energy, energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed"; therefore we are immortal.
I don't pretend to know or understand the workings of the universe and all creation but I do know one thing for sure: when people ask me my age I answer them like this, "I am as old as the universe, because I was present at the very begining of the great consciousness and this is what I have evolved into". In me is the summation of the humour of the universe. Why else would I desire monetory wealth, social status and the like before my own spiritual requirements of further evolution; this is the test the great spirit, in this case Jesus, has set before me. It is so simple that I cannot fathom its answers . . . yet.
Do I beleive in God and Jesus? The answer is yes. Do I beleive in other deities? The answer is I am sure they exsist, but these are not for me as I have identified with the incredible sacrifice Jesus bore on the cross for all the world.

Good night and may your god, if you have one, go with you. Even if you don't indentify with what I have wriiten I hope that peace finds you when it is most needed.

Cheers!

 

I really like this, Mutant Poodle. It's how you can get religion and faith out of science. A very nice perspective.

 

To condemn someone who has rejected God and Jesus to Hell is *not* an evil act, Cheeky; it is just punishment for their sin and disbelief, no different from sending a criminal to prison. The difference is that God CANNOT send an innocent person to Hell; His holy nature will not allow that to happen. Those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are dooming themselves; no one is forcing them to reject Him. As for reincarnation...well, I will simply say that I do not believe in it. You have the right to your beliefs, of course.

 

Allow me to utter a short sarcastic laugh.

Ha Ha Ha Ha!

How is the threat of eternal pain in Hell not forcing someone? Your only way out of not accepting God is not believing in Hell either, because otherwise you're really in a lot of trouble. This is forcing people to accept God, in my book.

Disbelief is not a sin, period. You are really near to insulting people on the basis of their religion, Corp, so be careful when you say these things.

 

A sin is a crime in the Christian context. So yes, disbelief is a sin. In the eyes of a devout Christian, its wrong not to believe in god.

 

Technically, sin is not crime, sin is a rejection of God.
(in order to sin, you must ignore/reject God)

Therefore how can rejecting God's existance not be sin?

 

You're forcing me into a position here, because I'm not about to throw the whole idea of Christian values overboard (not entirely anyway), even though not accepting God would make me do that or be a sinner.

How can rejecting God not be a sin? Easy. If God doesn't exist. Isn't Christianity aimed for accepting the truth?

 

'"Is there a heaven, is there a hell? That damned elusive Pimpernell"'

 

Christianity is aimed at conforming to its version of the truth. There is no reason to be offended when someone calls you a sinner if your set of values contradict.

 

True, I do not mind being called 'infidel' by a Muslim, or being pitied by a Buddhist, or... (you get the idea!)

 

Put that in capitals please!

The problem is that my set of values, like that of all Western countries, is deeply rooted in the Christian set of values because that was our common history for 1500 years. So it's harder for me to say my values differ. But I just don't believe in God, or the Devil, or Heaven or Hell or in the idea that some guy who died 2000 years ago has saved me.

 

I am insulting no one, Roel; I am merely stating my religious beliefs. If you find that "insulting", that is unfortunate.

God forces no one to accept Him. The fact that you are refusing to do so proves my point. And disbelief is most definitely a sin, Roel.

Oh, and I would really appreciate it if, in the future, you would refrain from telling me that I need to "be careful" about what I say about my faith. You are entitled to your beliefs, but I am entitled to state mine whenever and wherever I choose. The purpose of this forum is to *discuss* topics, not to try and muzzle those with whom we disagree.

 

And (thankfully) the days when 'Christians' will come and force you to convert with the aid of sharp, heated bits of metal are now over.

 

I said you were close. What I mean is that some people may find it insulting to see you call your religion the only right one, and to claim that those who think therwise will be condemned to hell. It's quite something you're saying, that's all. Please be careful, this is a delicate issue to many.

...to you, not to me.

Well, aren't we discussing? I think the purpose of this forum is being met very adequately.

You must understand that there are two sides of me on this forum. One is Roel the member, who wants to argue and press his points home regardless of rules or decency. The other is Roel the Administrator, who must keep the peace and keep threads on track morally as well as physically. In this thread specifically, they are in a sort of clash.