Ok Guys and Gals.
A few questions for you all. In my last blog reply I mentioned I'd start a simple discussion question. lets his these one at a time.
What if you did believe in God, how would your life change?
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Well considering I left Christianity and basically all that changed was I no longer bow my head at prayers. The way I treat people is exactly the same. I am not a heavy drinker, nor do I do any other types of drugs. I might say swear words more than I did but not a lot more, I don't swear in front of kids or in public. I do care more for the rights of others and the planet than I did as a Christian. I go to church less now than I did before, but I still go to church to help run their sound system. I read the Bible more now than when I was a Christian.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for some, ha you like to sin that is why you are an atheist, you won't really find it with me. I am trying to think of some other things but I can't think of anything else right now.
If I believed in God, I would be a Deist and that would have very little impact on my life.
ReplyDeleteIf I believed in God I don't think it could be the God of the Bible. There's too much nasty, interfering stuff in there that contradicts my current understanding of human rights and how best to treat other people.
ReplyDeleteI can't reconsile a idea of a God of love who would punish people for ETERNITY. I mean, that's a long time!
If Jehovah and the Bible were convincingly demonstrated to be the real deal I would be very disappointed, and would probably choose to go my own way anyway as I consider my moral standards to be better than His.
I still do believe in God, I just don't believe in any particular theology's version.
ReplyDeleteBeam- I care for the planet a considerable amount. It's not like Jesus gave anyone a date that he would return. Remember the Bible says to God a thousand years is like one day and a day is like a thousand years. I care about all people but not everyone's way of life. It took me turning to God to over come my personal issues to see that I was wrong by talking bad of some people. I think a majority of our sins are against others and not against God. They still count but if we treated people the way Jesus wanted then we would all sin less and have more understanding of each other. My favorite verse is John 3:17 and it follows the one verse most Christians love to shove in peoples face with out regard.
ReplyDeleteMilo- Would you take more consideration into laying off the G-D curse words? To willingly believe in God doesn't mean you have to fear God. God doesn't want to be feared he wants to be accepted and respected. Having the fear of God in you doesn't mean fear as we are accustom to knowing. It's the deepest respect you can possibly have. Much like I had with my Grandpa. I loved and respected my Grandpa more that anyone could possibly know.
Stew-I'm not 100% sure people understand what Hell would be like. What I think it Hell would be anything with out God. Satan would have free reign to do as he pleases. Who really knows? Maybe Satan will throw everyone a big party and serve piña colada's and shrimp cocktails. Or maybe he's going to hate you just as he did when the war between Heaven and Hell started millenniums ago.
Whateverman- I'll have to do some research on that subject soon. If you don't mind could you share what you do believe?
Milo- Would you take more consideration into laying off the G-D curse words?
ReplyDeleteWhat the &*$%#@@ are you talking about? Just kidding. I have no idea what you are talking about.
To willingly believe in God doesn't mean you have to fear God. God doesn't want to be feared he wants to be accepted and respected. Having the fear of God in you doesn't mean fear as we are accustom to knowing. It's the deepest respect you can possibly have. Much like I had with my Grandpa. I loved and respected my Grandpa more that anyone could possibly know.
Why are you directing this at me? I am not a God fearing person. Again I have no idea what you are talking about.
First off, I also don't see where Milo said anything you are considering a blasphemy. Second even if he said god damn, that is not a specific blasphemy to any particular god including your own. Your god's name is Yahweh, El, or Jesus. God is a title just like lord or christ.
ReplyDeleteNow as to your points to me. You said, "I care for the planet a considerable amount. It's not like Jesus gave anyone a date that he would return. Remember the Bible says to God a thousand years is like one day and a day is like a thousand years." So then is it possible the Earth is much older than 6,000 years? Sorry, that is a bit of a red herring. I also thought I cared about the planet as a Christian. I would pray to protect it, but then keep on polluting.
"I care about all people but not everyone's way of life." Well at least you acknowledge homosexuals as people, that is better than some Christians. So do you think it is okay to deny them the same rights given to others? Just for a little historical consideration, the Church fought against Governmental Marriage for secular people. http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/ATLAS_EN/html/history_of_marriage_in_western.html
"It took me turning to God to over come my personal issues to see that I was wrong by talking bad of some people. I think a majority of our sins are against others and not against God." You sound like me, when I was a Christian and wish more thought this way. This is a basic tenant of Secular Humanism. It is now called the platinum rule, an expansion on the golden rule. Treat people the way they want to be treated. This is my moral guide line. Although this goes against what you said earlier about taking up the sword.
"They still count but if we treated people the way Jesus wanted then we would all sin less and have more understanding of each other. My favorite verse is John 3:17 and it follows the one verse most Christians love to shove in peoples face with out regard." For God did not send his son to condemn the world but to save the world. Forgive me if that is not entirely correct because that was from memory. I do see a lot of hypocrisy among Christians, like you said, using passages to condemn. Claiming they are not condemning but it is God. Ray loves to do this, calling people fools and then quoting scripture to claim it is God not him. This is very disingenuous, he is calling people names and judging them. You will never see him concede a point because of his pride.
Sorry Milo let me clarify. I was asking if you did believe in God would you respect him? Or would you despise him for what he's done?
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to imply you were speaking blasphemy in your post.
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Getting to Heaven isn't an exclusive club perk. Some powerful people have taken Christianity and twisted it into this. Evil people hiding behind the name of Christ have done horrible things. I can't blame anyone for not wanting to be a part of that "crowd".
Believing in God is a personal choice it doesn't belong to any person, any group, any religion, any denomination. There are no guidelines. If you follow the feelings in your heart you will see.
When I was a kid I would go outside late at night and stare into the stars. I knew in my heart this was all too perfect to be chance. But it wasn't until decades later when I begged God to save me and my marriage that I accepted him whole.
Guys you don't have to reply to defend yourself. I'm not pointing a finger here. If you ask yourself is God real? Do you hear a resounding boom telling you "No!"? Do you think that inner voice could be lying to you?
"Do you think that inner voice could be lying to you?"
ReplyDeleteDory, who do you think that inner voice is?
a. In your case?
b. In my case?
In my case, the Holy Spirit. I will do what's best for God regardless of what it means for me.
ReplyDeleteI can't define this voice in your case but if I was to look back before I dedicated my life. I'd have to say many voices. The voice of Greed, selfishness and self centeredness. The voice of revenge, hate and spite. The voice of indulgence. The voice of pride and arrogance. Anything that doesn't want God to be a part of a persons life.
Sorry Milo let me clarify. I was asking if you did believe in God would you respect him? Or would you despise him for what he's done?
ReplyDeleteI came to the conclusion that God does not exist independantly of what the bible has to say about his deeds. Therefore, I don't despise him. In other words, I did not read the bible and say, "What a mean God, I hate him and I'm not going to believe in him!" That is childish. When I bring up verses in the bible that show God doing despicable things it is only to refute your claims that God is love, God is good, etc.
If I did believe in God, it would be a God much like "Mother Nature" and one that is indifferent to humans. You seem to be setting up a false dicotomy: Atheist or Christian God.
"I'd have to say many voices. The voice of Greed, selfishness and self centeredness. The voice of revenge, hate and spite. The voice of indulgence. The voice of pride and arrogance. Anything that doesn't want God to be a part of a persons life."
ReplyDeleteBut I asked WHO the voice might be in my case. Is the voice me? A deeper subconcious part of me? Or is it me just vocalising my thoughts? Or is it something else, something external? If I was on the edge of submission to God, could it be the Holy Spirit in me, convicting me of sin?
In your case, now that you are saved, you say that your inner voice is the Holy Spirit. Does this mean you no longer ever hear an inner voice thinking thoughts that might be sinful or might lead to sin?
Well I get that occasional cuss word trying to make it's way out of my mouth that most people wouldn't think twice of saying. But the Holy spirit kicks in checks to my heart and I can quickly avert. I think it's catching on at work because my new cuss word is "bananas!" I just say that any time I feel mad. Now a bunch of guys at work are starting to use it. =)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny too, guys here have the maxim magazines all over. The cladly dressed gals on the front don't even phase me. That was one of my major problems. Lust. So I have to keep my guard up. If I get a urge to gaze I know it's not something I should do and I just say to myself. "Get out of my head!. Living as a Christian isn't easy. It's hard to not live like everyone around you and try to be an example. It's hard to be friends with guys who say F**K every other word and then want you to give them a hand. I know if I stick it out soon enough God will open that door for me to them. It's happened several times already. Then I have those friends like many of you here. Challenge God's existence or straight up disrespect God in my presence almost if on purpose to stir me up.
Guys don't get me wrong. I actually enjoy our chats here. Gives me something to work with when I meet someone face to face. Like things to know and to have answers for. Some day I'll buy you all a nice draft!