Thanks Naughty BOB. I have enjoyed thinking about the questions asked and the points made throughout this thread while I cleaned house today. You seem to know the scriptures well and ask questions about the Bible referencing specific passages. Is the Bible the Word of God?
To me the Bible is like a wealth of historical documents and teachings on morality written by men. I like to think some of these were inspired and influenced by our Creator. And, Id like to believe in an ending where Good triumphs over Evil with an eternity of Pure Love without Evil. But, I wonder if the battle is eternal like the Creator is?
I am fascinated with all books written on Creation. I favor books like The Lost Books of the Bible and The Forgotten Books of Eden, The Book of Enoch, and all books about Angelic lore.
Why should we have to accept the Holy Bible as the only Word of God with its limited selection of writtings about him? Weren't the people very careful about the selection process for the writings included in the Bible for the sake of controlling the masses?
Anyway, later I hope to find a thread as good as this one that covers the topic of Creation.
cmariesees

I have spent many hours thinking that in all the infinite universe and cosmic wonders man has been brain washed into believing in a book that another man wrote? Sitting in church as a little girl about 7 i began to question and my mom did not like it. I wonder why?

I can only speak for myself. I have not read the bible I only know of it through others' ability to decipher the words. I do not go to church as I have never believed in the organization of Religions.

I do have Spirit and it talks through me by way of everything around me. Recently, I was lifted from my physical appreciations to a higher state of thought and I found the ability to heal myself by asking for forgiveness. I accept Christ as Lord, and I accept my humble nature of service for this beautiful gift I have received; I am washing myself of my fears and my pains, and I am basking in the Light that surrounds me.

Am I religious? I do not think so. I am Spirited and I accept this as a means to reaching Christ within. I do not think religion can actually teach someone this and I do not think that religion can give someone this.

We either are of Spirit or we are not! I am now very saddened by the way the Non-Spirited, cloaked in any religion, has manipulated and plundered this Paradise. Our water is dead now filled with hatred, should we not drink from the well when it is of our own making? Faith will restore the water but it does not come to those who cannot feel Spirit within, so this is why we must face the worst fears of our lives, the very fears that were told to us throughout our Past. It is repeating itself for us.

Ironically, when Christ returns and restores Paradise within the hearts of men, those who participated in the destructiveness today will be risen once again to "play out" the final Battle. Then the Judgment. So I can only assume that the next set of books that man will ponder will speak of these days on Earth. The next scholars will be just as clever at provoking from within, so as to vibrate that Spirit enough for redemption of all who seek it.