New ex-Christian who is lost in his own freedom and uncertainty.

reply to post by runetang


Well said! I will be light........I will be light, Amen!

May we all shine bright and true

Peace,
Grandma

Read these two free books, and then you'll at least be able to make an informed decision....

biblical-truth.com... - Mystery of the Ages - This will show you the problems with the English translation of Genesis, and why people then think it to be flawed (page 48)

biblical-truth.com... - THE UNITED STATES & BRITAIN IN PROPHECY - This will show you through prophecy how real God is, and that he does keep his promises.

[edit on 8/11/08 by doctorex]

reply to post by doctorex


I figured that I might base "informed" decisions on information that doesn't come from sources that make sweeping assumptions and preconceived conclusions like biblical-truth.com does.

I'd rather be a bit more scholarly in my "informed decisions."

Originally posted by Good Wolf
I'd rather be a bit more scholarly in my "informed decisions."

A word of advice.

Should God visit you, there may not be anything scholarly about it.

Its going to be him, and you.

His decision to inform you.

After that happens, the only scholarly reference your going to have is the Bible and a some other scriptures speaking of experiences others have had in which they were visited.

How do I know? Because it happened to me.

The command of Jesus to Love one Another and its ramifications on a global scale. What might that be like? To Love another is to honor his command, and in doing so we Love the Father.

No War, No oppresion. Surely no need for military. Utopian?

If it can happen to me, it can happen to you.

Peace


[edit on 8-11-2008 by HIFIGUY]

Originally posted by HIFIGUY
Should God visit you, there may not be anything scholarly about it.

Its going to be him, and you.

No but I was talking about study. A face to face encounter doesn't really apply.

Another thing. If I meet God face to face, I'm not going to need the bible, am I. I will be sure to bin it.

Originally posted by Good Wolf
Another thing. If I meet God face to face, I'm not going to need the bible, am I. I will be sure to bin it.

Now you see where I stand. But you see, in my experience, he told me to write a book, of which I will do.

But imagine that revelation if it came to 1000s of people at once, and then just as quickly, went away. A divine experience en mass, yet in the twinkling of an eye, some would doubt their own testimony.

Those 1000s, some believers and some non, would wonder what path to take. Where to start? What to do? Why?

It starts with each and everyone of us, doing our part brother.

Love one Another. Its really that simple. Do it, to where your outside your comfort zone, going beyond the standard day to day roll.

That homeless man you pass, who isnt in control of his life, or the person selling papers. They need love too. Is it about your believing of the Bible?
Or is it doing what Jesus Christ himself asked us to do that is found within those pages. Is it so wrong?

Its the profiteering and commercialism of religion that I detest with a fervor. It is those that live in glass palaces and ask for a donation while their congregation is in need. There is much need in the world, and if one cannot see that through Jesus Christ, then at least see through an eye of justice and equality.

Peace

reply to post by HIFIGUY


Your going off on a complete tangent with plenty of "suppose"s and "if"s which is a waste of time. He's neglected to show up in the past 20 years so if he ever does he can explain it.

Originally posted by Good Wolf
reply to post by doctorex

 

I figured that I might base "informed" decisions on information that doesn't come from sources that make sweeping assumptions and preconceived conclusions like biblical-truth.com does.

I'd rather be a bit more scholarly in my "informed decisions."

Why ask for help or information when you are going to write it off before you even read it. It seems like you have already made up your mind, and only want views that are going to justify your already chosen position. Well, good luck.

Originally posted by doctorex
Why ask for help or information when you are going to write it off before you even read it.

Because you said that I needed it to make an "informed decision" which is a lie. I can't make an "informed decision" based on other peoples presumptions!

]It seems like you have already made up your mind, and only want views that are going to justify your already chosen position. Well, good luck.

Is that such a bad thing? You've made up your mind. Am I not allowed to make conclusions?

From everything I've every seen/read/experienced I can conclude that christianity is a lie. I'm atheist. I don't believe there is a god or that there is not a god - I can't believe with out evidence, something christianity unashamedly lacks.

Please take close note of my signature.

[edit on 11/8/2008 by Good Wolf]

Originally posted by Good Wolf
Your going off on a complete tangent with plenty of "suppose"s and "if"s which is a waste of time. He's neglected to show up in the past 20 years so if he ever does he can explain it.

My ifs are for you.

Whats been done is with me.

My question is have you looked with a sincere heart.

You will find that the only neglect was your own.

Peace

reply to post by HIFIGUY


You will find that you are wrong. I have looked high and low exhaustively for five years. God has neglected to do anything in that time. It's not like ha hasn't had an opportunity. It's not about having a closed heart any more. I'm not simply going to believe on faith - that's just stupid.

If God is real then the ball is in his court. He can show up at any time and I will follow, but without evidence beyond a reasonable doubt then I won't believe. If he is real and doesn't show up, then I don't have any reason to believe. He is responsible for showing up, so if he doesn't then it is him who has been neglectful.

[edit on 11/8/2008 by Good Wolf]

Originally posted by Good Wolf
You will find that you are wrong. I have looked high and low exhaustively for five years.

At 44 it took 39 years. Was it him not coming to me or me not listening?

Originally posted by Good Wolf
He can show up at any time and I will follow, but without evidence beyond a reasonable doubt then I won't believe.

Does it take him showing up to do his will, or because it is right? Would an appearance be motivation to take action? What if he showed for one day, and left for a long duration? What might you tell the people that did not witness?

Peace


[edit on 8-11-2008 by HIFIGUY]

Make your own decision,as i see it, devout belief in a personal God is just about verging on ludicrous/insanity.But we all have to get to a place in our lives where we feel comfortable in our understanding of the universe,whether that be through the logical rational route of science or faith based religion is up to you.Read both arguments,take your time,there is no rush and come to a decision...

Originally posted by HIFIGUY
At 44 it took 39 years. Was it him not coming to me or me not listening?

I don't know. I'm not you, or even know you. Considering the fact that God may not exist in the first place, it's far easier to assume that he simply was not coming to you. Problem is that at the end of the day, "personal revelation" is useless as evidence, even on a personal level, and God (if he exists) knows that fact. That's exactly why to believe, and to be fair, we need far better evidence than the useless stuff we have now.

Does it take him showing up to do his will, or because it is right? Would an appearance be motivation to take action? What if he showed for one day, and left for a long duration? What might you tell the people that did not witness?

What does "doing his will" have to do with anything? We're gonna have to get past the "does he exist" question first. What would I tell others? Completely irrelevant.

Bottom line is that he needs to do something on par with showing up in person, something beyond reasonable doubt, that's not a big ask of a supposedly omnipotent being. However, it is a very difficult thing to do for a being that doesn't exist.

Put it this way, if he wants me to believe in him, he's going to have to do something about it first. How about not hiding for once.

[edit on 11/8/2008 by Good Wolf]

But religion is faith based....what you are asking for is evidence,which religion doesn't do.The only evidence a religious person who believes in a personal god needs is their own will to deem it be so.

reply to post by Solomons


That's why I'm not looking for religion. Or faith. They are not the same thing as God. My mind is logic based - note the quote in my signature.

[edit on 11/8/2008 by Good Wolf]

Originally posted by Good Wolf
reply to post by Solomons

 

That's why I'm not looking for religion. Or faith. They are not the same thing as God. My mind is logic based - not the quote in my signature.

yes but from the question you are asking,it is a religious based *personal* god ie why doesnt he show himself etc...the word God can be subjective...not a conscious god who cares for humans etc....if me as an atheist were to describe God it would be the thing that has always been and will forever be,that is energy.

reply to post by Solomons


Ah yes, I see what you're meaning. Indeed.

This hunt (as it were) is not something that's still a major part of me at any more. I'm Atheist too.

Note worthy (for the other guys):
Atheist does mean 'believe that god does not exist' because that would require faith as it is not a falsifiable conclusion. Atheism is simply to not hold a faith [regarding God] for or against.

I think that if a God exists, it's more likely that he doesn't care about the individual and therefore we don't have souls, therefore there is no afterlife. I would be happy to be proven wrong. I would be very happy to be proven wrong, and God is the loving, forgiving God of the NT. But sadly, the evidence just doesn't point that way so I just want more evidence.

New ex-Christian who is lost in his own freedom and uncertainty.

When exiting from being a christian, you and anybody will have the freedom. Being a christian is being (brainwashed) and being(programmed). It is NOT about being a christian. There is ONLY two commandments that must_be done. 1: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul. 2: love thy neighbour as thyself. It is simple as that, nomore and noless.

I faced similar thoughts when I walked away from Christianity. I'm now Buddhist, which let's me feel at peace without ever setting my thoughts on worship of some deity which I cannot see, hear or feel.
Some believe that 'God' is simply the good attributes of a person while 'devil' is the bad attributes. That's been my thoughts on it since I've stepped away and thought for myself. If you want some sense of peace, then I suggest you look into Buddhism, if you're looking for absolute proof that God does or does not exist, then I wish you luck.