What are your thoughts on god? Part 2

POSTED BY: christhecynic
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 14:34
VIEWED: 17958
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CARTOON

Monday, January 16, 2006 5:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RiveR6213:
I just wish God knew I existed.

I feel like someone who was sent on a mission, and then left behind enemy lines after the misson was completed.

I know God exists, and I still feel like someone who was sent on a mission, then left behind enemy lines -- and without much (if any) hope of furlough. Although, I know that the mission isn't over. If the mission were over, I would be with my Lord. Apparently, I still have work to do.

CAPTAINCDC

Monday, January 16, 2006 6:01 PM

I'm an agnostic. No one knows what happened before the big bang, we can only say what happened one second after the big bang. Therefore I can't say whether there is a higher power or not.

One thing I definitely believe is that NONE of the organized religions have it right. I think their beliefs are based on stories. They are myths and should not be taken literally.

Living in the bible belt makes it really tough to be an agnostic or atheist. People have the right to believe anything they want. We just need to be more tolerant of people's different beliefs.

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The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!

MEENOL

Monday, January 16, 2006 6:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cartoon:
I know God exists, and I still feel like someone who was sent on a mission, then left behind enemy lines -- and without much (if any) hope of furlough. Although, I know that the mission isn't over. If the mission were over, I would be with my Lord. Apparently, I still have work to do.

Keep going at it, my friend. And pray.

As regards the whole "tree of knowledge" thing, it wasn't knowledge in itself, the phrase "of good and evil" doesn't really do the sentiment justice; it was the idea that humanity could make their own minds up about what's morally right or wrong, without reference to God's absolute standard. It's not knowledge itself that is wrong, which is a dodgy sentiment, and something many atheists find incredibly distateful about the whole deal, and understandably so.

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No, THIS is what going mad feels like.

MATTIE

Monday, January 16, 2006 6:24 PM

I know this may be a little cheesy to some, but I want to restate what I said in the first thread, especially since we believers seem to be outnumbered.

First off, I am LDS--that means that I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In colloquial terms/situations, most people refer to members of my religion as "Mormons"--in reference to the scripture we have called the Book of Mormon. Just a little side note so that if I come off sounding...what?...a little gung-ho(?) you know why.

I believe in God. It's as pure and simple as that. I look at my surroundings and marvel at how people can dismiss the idea that some divine person did not create this world, this universe, this home that we all share. The other night I saw the most beautiful sunset that I had ever seen in my life. Now, people can explain that with science, but I look at it and say that it isn't just chance. It's not just particles in the air reflecting the sun's light a certain and special way that creates such an amazing effect. And if you explain the phenomenon of the sunset I saw using examples and explanations from science, then it is my turn to ask a philisophical question and say this: who invented those particles? Where did they come from? You can't create something out of nothing. Even if the big bang theory is true--and I have a cool picture of God swaying his hand through the air and the particles in space arranging themselves--then SOMETHING had to catalyze that. Why not God?

I believe that God created all things--even the body which my soul inhabits. I believe that I am here for a divine purpose, that God sent me to this Earth for a reason. I believe in a heaven where I can live with God and all of his other beloved creations, and I believe that it is my goal here on Earth to overcome secularity in order to prepare myself spiritually for the day that I die so that I CAN return and live with my Creator.

I know that I have free will. However, I don't think that it's FREE. God is just and will judge mankind according to his actions, thoughts and feelings. Humankind had agency--the ability to make choices--but I believe that it came at a drastic price. The price I'm referring to is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus died for the sins of the world, because he transcended below ALL things, mankind is able to repent--allowing an atonement for sins and allowing God to be merciful.

There is a hell. I would define it as a complete disconnection between the inevitable tie that humankind's spirit has with God's spirit. This hell can be experienced here on Earth and it comes when a person completely and totally denies God from their lives. I believe that a description of this hell would be a lack of joy in one's life. Now, atheists, don't crawl up my butt for saying that. This is what I believe. I'm not saying that everyone has to believe it too. And, I'm not saying that people who don't believe in God are bad people. That simply isn't true. If you aren't clear on that, ask me to explain myself better and I happily will, just don't tear me down on the thread.
Here's the deal. God:yes. Heaven:yes. Agency:yes.

My beliefs may be somewhat drastic to some. Others may think that I'm completely off my rocker. Maybe someone will read this and take confidence in what I have to say. It's possible that people will resent what I wrote. This is it, though. I believe in God, pure and simple. If you don't, or if you're not sure you do, that's cool. A question was asked and I answered because I feel strongly about what I believe and why.

I know that my religion requires faith, and I definetly have that. The faith that I have gives me hope every single day. That faith tells me that I am not alone and that I have a purpose here. It's cool to hear everyone's take on God. It makes me think--not question, just think.

TIGER

Monday, January 16, 2006 6:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RiveR6213:
I just wish God knew I existed.

I feel like someone who was sent on a mission, and then left behind enemy lines after the misson was completed.

That is one of the most beautifully sad things I've ever read.

:-(

CARTOON

Monday, January 16, 2006 7:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Meenol:
Keep going at it, my friend. And pray.

Thanks.

Ever willing to do the job -- just wish I knew what it was half the time.

Quote:
Originally posted by Meenol:
As regards the whole "tree of knowledge" thing, it wasn't knowledge in itself, the phrase "of good and evil" doesn't really do the sentiment justice; it was the idea that humanity could make their own minds up about what's morally right or wrong, without reference to God's absolute standard.

Exactly. The primary sin of mankind (and Satan before us) is pride -- that WE know what's best for us, and chose to disregard what God has said, to do what we want to do rather than what He told us to do.

Thing is -- most of us (myself included) never seem to learn from our mistakes. Is it any wonder the world looks at believers and mocks. We're hardly the best examples. But then -- neither were nearly all of the believers portrayed in Scripture.

It only goes to show that no one is beneath the grace of God. If He can use the likes of us, He can use anyone.

HAZE

Monday, January 16, 2006 7:21 PM

I was brought up in Ireland in house of people who never went to Church. They where still Catholic

Im an Atheist, don’t feel the need to explain why, don’t feel the need to try and turn Religious types to my way of thinking. It’s a personal thing.

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Who do you suppose is in there?

PRINCESSROHANNEN

Monday, January 16, 2006 7:25 PM

Every one of us is a slave to something.

Some serve hunger. Some serve sexual appetites. Some serve their thirst for knowledge. Some serve the needs of the people they love.

And some choose to serve God.

The difference is that the rewards of Earthly masters are temporary.

PRINCESSROHANNEN

Monday, January 16, 2006 7:25 PM

Every one of us is a slave to something.

Some serve hunger. Some serve sexual appetites. Some serve their thirst for knowledge. Some serve the needs of the people they love.

And some choose to serve God.

The difference is that the rewards of Earthly masters are temporary.

Blast! Posted it twice. Sorry, all.

GRAVY

Monday, January 16, 2006 7:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PrincessRohannen:
Every one of us is a slave to something.

Some serve hunger. Some serve sexual appetites. Some serve their thirst for knowledge. Some serve the needs of the people they love.

And some choose to serve God.

The difference is that the rewards of Earthly masters are temporary.

Yes, but our hungers and our thirsts and our appetites are ours - it's what makes us human. God is an authority telling us what we should be and what to do - do you not see the difference?

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