God Questions?

[BillW]

I totally understand where you're coming from. However, shouldn't faith be more than hedging your bets?

I'm not hedging, just making a statement. I happen to believe.

[Tracy]

My point is....I believe that faith should be more than just "if I don't believe I may go to hell".....you should believe (if you choose to) for a better reason than that. It's almost the same as being good because you're afraid of being punished as opposed to being good just because it's the right thing to do.

[Jessica]

I consider myself agnostic. I used to consider myself athiest, but then I realized that it's ridiculous for me to believe that I have all the answers when it comes to religion. If I believe that there could be life beyond Earth because it would be presumptuous to think we're the only beings in the whole universe, and if I believe that ghosts are possible because it would be presumptuous to believe that the end of our bodies is the end of our existence - how can I not at least consider the possibility of a supreme being?

I am a staunch believer in evolution. But I don't think that it excludes the idea of something greater.

I know that I've never experienced what most people call faith. I've tried. I've studied religions of all kinds, attended services, prayed, etc. I've just never had that moment that believers seem to have - that point where they just know, deep inside, that there is something greater than themselves.

For most of my life, present included, I've looked at the higher power of the world as being man-made, but not in the way that's been discussed here. I'm basically a humanist- I think that human beings have an incredible power to love and care for each other - and that's enough for me. I don't have grandiose ideas of good and evil. I think people posess both, although I wouldn't use those exact terms - in different degrees. I think people control their own destinies. I don't see how it could be any other way.

Regardless, I respect everyone's opinion on religion. My husband's differs from mine greatly. We talk about it, share our thoughts, and move on.

[Mr. Haney]

My point is....I believe that faith should be more than just "if I don't believe I may go to hell".....you should believe (if you choose to) for a better reason than that. It's almost the same as being good because you're afraid of being punished as opposed to being good just because it's the right thing to do.

I know what you mean.

Myself I'm a recovering Catholic and after many years of not attending any church at the request of my wife, I promised I'd give it another chance.

I tried a few and by chance, ended up playing guitar at the church to which we now belong.

After about four months of attending but not officially joining our pastor started his service with these words.

"I was planning on speaking about something else this Sunday but a few people asked me this week why I don't talk more about hell. It's not that I don't believe in hell, sometimes I think we're living it. But I'd rather see people get interested in faith because they want to have a closer relationship with God not because they're running away from the devil."

I joined that week.

[grimace302]

I consider myself agnostic. I used to consider myself athiest, but then I realized that it's ridiculous for me to believe that I have all the answers when it comes to religion.

And, I consider myself Christian, but realize that it's ridiculous for me to believe that I have all of the answers when it comes to religion.

In whacked out analogy land, I like to think of followers of organized religion as the homes in an older housing development.

Like ours.

Looking up and down our street, you can see that the homes were all initially constructed with the same basic floor plan, and started out relatively identical.

But, today, each home looks completely different. Some have additions built on. Each is painted a different color. Some have satellite dishes on the roof. Some have opted for stucco or siding rather than brick.

Even within the "confines" of Baptist or Wesleyan or Catholic or Episcopal ideologies, you'd have a difficult time finding two church members with an identical (sometimes, even a similar) world view.

With any discussion of religion, I find, my own personal "house" takes on some small renovation.

I believe that in any good discussion, both parties walk away taking a slightly altered outlook on life.

This is not to say that I'm looking to "recruit" Christians. Or, that I'd dread having a discussion with an agnostic or *gasp* atheist for worries that my faith would be shattered.

Though I'm sure it's possible to have a Pauline "Road to Damascus" moment, where the very structure of agnostic ideals crumbles and a Christian/Buddhist/Muslim/Taoist/Hindu/etc. skeletal frame is erected to replace it, it's a rarity, I'm sure.

Likewise, though some undergo experiences that would cause them to denounce their beliefs, I just don't see that happening for me.

But, to assume that one's own "house" is perfect, no matter what conceptual frame supports it's built on, is foolish, in my opinion.

I'm sure that my "house" will change in appearance, no matter how slight, thousands of times before I pass on. Even then, it will not look perfect, but will look as close to perfect as I could make it... and, God willing, with the original studs and beams intact.

That said, StandAskWalk, a sincere thanks for the invite. I have my doubts that I'll attend since 1) I don't know where Camden Wyoming is... and 2) Church services and I operate on two different time tables. If it was an 11:00 PM service, I'd have a much better chance at making it.

Stranger things have happened, though. And I do want to head to a church service one of these weeks. Perhaps I'll start there.

[BillW]

My point is....I believe that faith should be more than just "if I don't believe I may go to hell".....you should believe (if you choose to) for a better reason than that. It's almost the same as being good because you're afraid of being punished as opposed to being good just because it's the right thing to do.

That's not what I'm trying to say.

Maybe I should have said I happen to be a believer. Admittedly, not the best Christian in the world, as i don't go out 'and preach the word', i don't try and force my beliefs on anyone and if someone else decides not to believe, it is not my job to hold that against them, or change my feeling about them, good or bad. It's just a statement that seems pretty simple to understand, a way to get an idea across without chastising the other, again not my job.

[Mr. Haney]

Admittedly, not the best Christian in the world, as i don't go out 'and preach the word'

I believe it was St. Francis of Assisi who said, always preach the gospel and when necessary use words.

Setting a good example often is the best form of evangelism. If you're leading a good life you're already doing your part.

[Tracy]

That's not what I'm trying to say.

Maybe I should have said I happen to be a believer. Admittedly, not the best Christian in the world, as i don't go out 'and preach the word', i don't try and force my beliefs on anyone and if someone else decides not to believe, it is not my job to hold that against them, or change my feeling about them, good or bad. It's just a statement that seems pretty simple to understand, a way to get an idea across without chastising the other, again not my job.

Personally, I feel that going out and preaching the word doesn't make you a better person, just a more annoying person. I'm definately not saying that anything you believe is wrong. I just consider myself very lucky because for the longest time, I considered myself an atheist. However, I had one moment in my life that thoroughly convinced me that there is some higher being. In that one moment, I didn't care whether I went to heaven or hell...it didn't enter into the equation. I just knew. As trite as it sounds (and I'm pretty sure I've shared this before), it was the moment they put my daughter in my arms after she was born. I knew in that instant that for such a beautiful being to exist, there must be some sort of higher power.

[witchofthedogs]

Elizabeth I said, "I will make no windows into men's souls."

I always thought was an exceptionally progressive thought for the sixteenth century. I think it's a progressive thought for the twenty-first century, too.

[Hollow]

I believe it was St. Francis of Assisi who said, always preach the gospel and when necessary use words.

Setting a good example often is the best form of evangelism. If you're leading a good life you're already doing your part.

"Leading a good life" in terms has a vast definition to many different people.

[frogman68]

I said it once before but I think it's appropriate to repeat it here. Pretty simple to understand.

If you believe and are wrong, you have lost nothing.

If you don't believe and are wrong you have lost everything.

i think that is the opposite

if you believe and are wrong and went to church for 50 years you lost over 100 days.

if i am wrong this loving god will forgive me

[daisy dog]

First asbestos suit $199
Second asbestos suit half price !!

This is a good place for my business
Plenty of customers here.

[BillW]

.....
if you believe and are wrong and went to church for 50 years you lost over 100 days.

if i am wrong this loving god will forgive me

In no way do I consider those days lost. I am / was at a place that I chose to be surrounded by people who also chose to be there for the same reason.

[Jessica]

i think that is the opposite

if you believe and are wrong and went to church for 50 years you lost over 100 days.

if i am wrong this loving god will forgive me

I don't think anyone loses time participating in something I believe in. If you volunteer for Sarah Palin's campaign, and you meet great people, attend awesome events, and enjoy yourself but she loses, did you "lose" the time you spent campaigning for her?

Of course not, you gained experiences you never would have otherwise.

[Josef]

Since you wish to comment on Christianity and chose to "recruit" new members. Here's my 2 cents.

Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Muslims, Buddhist, Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy were all created by man to either control the masses with fear or to profit in the name of God.

You do not need a "religion" to have a relationship with God.

P.S. Love the Baptism though.

YouTube - Best god In Show

[Curly]

this loving god will forgive me

And if you are wrong?
That logic sort of defeats the whole purpose of being a "Christian".
I know I'd be pissed if I followed the Christian faith to a tee and I die, go to the gates of heaven and here comes Frogman. Frogman doubts God his whole life and gets a free pass to heaven.

I wouldn't count on it Froggy. No matter what you believe, I would think there is some effort involved. Look at radical Islam, treat your wives like shit, blow yourself up killing innocents, polluting your offspring with hate etc..........now that's effort.

[daisy dog]

Jehovahs Witnesses just came to my door. They told me only 144,000 people will fit in heaven. Not sure what my chances are.

[BillW]

Jehovahs Witnesses just came to my door. They told me only 144,000 people will fit in heaven. Not sure what my chances are.

I thought that kind of crap ended in the 60's. I vaguely remember some churches offering reserved spots in heaven for some hefty contribution.

[BillW]

And if you are wrong?
That logic sort of defeats the whole purpose of being a "Christian".
I know I'd be pissed if I followed the Christian faith to a tee and I die, go to the gates of heaven and here comes Frogman. Frogman doubts God his whole life and gets a free pass to heaven.

I wouldn't count on it Froggy. No matter what you believe, I would think there is some effort involved. Look at radical Islam, treat your wives like shit, blow yourself up killing innocents, polluting your offspring with hate etc..........now that's effort.

Treat your wives like shit? More like treat all women like shit.

[Curly]

Jehovahs Witnesses just came to my door. They told me only 144,000 people will fit in heaven. Not sure what my chances are.

That explains why so many of them are knocking at doors across the country.