[rachinma]

I am agnostic. I believe that all people will believe what they need to believe. Some people need religion in their lives. Some people need to know God.

I enjoy the ritual of Catholic mass. I was raised Catholic. But I do not believe that I need God in my life, as I am not even sure I know what it means to have God in my life and whether there is a "God."

I just keep on truckin' and living my life according to my own set of morals and acceptable behaviors.

[EZMONEY]

Originally Posted by CountingDown

...I KNOW that I AM getting out alive.

C-YA there

Originally Posted by Justwant2Bhealthy

EZ ~ I think you have to want to believe first; and be open to believing, so that GOD can reveal himself to you thru his Son, JESUS.

The WORD says if the heart is hardened against HIM the Son can not be revealed.

Originally Posted by Frigg

I was always it was up to God's will, not ours. Wont he just do as he pleases, whether to the faithful or the nonbeliever?

It is always up to God's will. I think Rosebud was refering to my comment on "we have the gift of free will"

There are many of us who have been quite open to [the Christian] God's existence who have yet to see him reveal himself. I was raised in a very religious home and believed all my life without question. After a while I realized I never had a personal experience with that God. I prayed quite frequently and asked for signs. This might be a problem....by requesting proof of His existence you "may" be ignoring what you already know, growing up in a religious home. God gave the people signs prior to the coming and death of Jesus...after that, well that is all the "sign" we need. This is my point of view-- I was always taught that the Christian God changes peoples lives. He's supposed to fill you with joy and hope and make you a better person. Poor behavior is not so much an argument against God in particular, but it is for Christianity. If I don't see Christians behaving any differently than people of any other persuasion, then why should I become a Christian? It seems like I could just do what works best for me.

Being a Christian does not make one "perfect" we are all a work in progress as we try to become Christlike in our walks....some walk a lot faster than others! But as far as "why" you should become a Christian...well, for the same reason not all Christians "act" that way...it is a PERSONAL Relationship with our Lord....it is...all about you!

Originally Posted by Primm

If there were someone up there pulling the strings, he/she/it certainly has a pretty warped sense of humour. I've seen people who are the strongest of strong believers knocked down in the prime of their lives, leaving loved ones and small children. And I've seen babies born with horrendous brain injuries, who will be going home with parents who you absolutely know aren't capable of looking after them. And you're saying this is deliberate? Wow.

Primm, I know we can't answer the "whys"...but I do know that GOD does care and He has already felt that pain on the cross. His WORD tells us that He will work all things together for our good if we believe and trust in Him...He just doesn't tell us when or how.

Anyway, I'll stop before I get carried away. Each to their own, like I said before. I have no problem with people spreading the word of their beliefs (hi Gary!) HI right back to ya

Originally Posted by painted lady

...that being said, show me some physical, scientific proof of a mystical being that lives in the sky and controls our lives and i'll acknowledge its existence.

I wake up every morning and see the proof when I look at myself in the mirror or my wife beside be...He is in control of our lives...but He does not control us...we have the gift of free will...

Originally Posted by Justwant2Bhealthy

I see so much awesome beauty in this world and the night skies, that I find it hard to believe that it all happened by accident alone:

Won't argue with that!

[QUOTE=Jacquie668;2805390]...
I've only met a few that told me I was going to burn in ****...*nods* All though I did have one person tell me I was going to be burned to death like a Witch would be...when I asked for the time of my burning and if I should bring matches or a lighter...they didn't seem amused. hehe. I've been insulted by Christians, non-Christians, atheists, intellectuals, Catholics, Jews...in the end they were just people being mean.
QUOTE]

Christians are not always the nicest people

Originally Posted by rochemist

... God is bigger than my church, my understanding, and my want, so I trust that I am doing the best I can with the information at hand. I have faith that He will help me find my way and His will for me.

AMEN to that

Originally Posted by Puffy

...I also know that God is who HE says he is in the bible, not what people try to make up to suit their own needs.

I thank God for his atonement and forgiveness of my sins.

And another AMEN to that

[EZMONEY]

One thing I have seen in this thread is that some of you may be more receptive to "learning" of our Christian God if "WE" were better Christians and set better examples.

A Christian is a Christian...we are not good or bad or middle of the road. A Christian is a believer in Christ, the Son of God that died on the Cross for us so we may have eternal life.

As Christians we do good and bad things...just like you that are not Christians...we are no different...we are not perfect.

As Christians we are supposed to walk in His Light...as I mentioned before some of us walk much slower than others.

Some of the nicest people I know are not Christians...and some of the nastiest people I know are!

Being a Christian is about what HE did for us...

I hope you don't base your journey through life and after to what some of us say...take a chance and look to what HE says...it is there if you want it.

For those that don't wish to seek Him....I respect your decision. Our Lord says many will not seek Him or even want Him. I believe that to be true.

Blessings for all ~ Gary

[Ruthxxx]

This is a very touchy subject and some feelings have been hurt. Time to close the thread which has been most interesting.