A question for the believers......

Yankee, were you taught that just because the nuns and priests are nuns and priests that they're not held accountable for their actions by God Himself? Take the time factor out of the equation. If God turns them away at their judgment, does it really matter how they die? Let me share a passage with you that you may not have seen before regarding people who call themselved Christians but do not act that way:

If you're looking for justice, there it is -- right from Jesus' mouth. Wearing a robe and playing the part doesn't win anybody anything before God.

 

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64030

i exaggerate a bit when i say that's how i feel about religion. but it's a bit of a parallel. basically, the guy had all sorts of reason not to believe and chose to believe anyway. i just can't ignore all the red flags i see.

 

Okay, I just read that thread from start to finish. I've heard of people getting sucked into cults like that, defying any and all reason. I'm more than willing to talk about red flags with you, because I'm willing to bet I saw a lot of the same ones myself, as have a lot of other people. What's concerning you?

 

about which religion? i suppose that's the first hurtle -- which religion should i chose to offer my belief to?

if belief is like love, then religion is like marriage. that makes just believing what your parents believed a lot like an arranged marriage. most people don't like the idea that somebody else would pick their spouse and yet, they don't mind when somebody else picks their religion.

what's a good reason to believe that christianity is correct and, for example, hinduism is incorrect?

 

Some people approach religion like something they go out and buy. Something they can "try on" and "see if it fits". If you don't like it, exchange it.

For me, personally, that's not what I'm looking for. I've seen enough in my life through both experience and academia that I'm convinced a higher power exists. Since I came to that conclusion, I've been about finding the truth about God. I'm not interested in making up one that makes me feel better, I want to know about the real God. I've done a lot of research, and will continue to do so. I'm always open to other ideas and other points of view. Blind faith is dangerous, and not something I'm willing to partake in. There is far too much room for manipulation.

I guess the question I would put to you, then, is what are you looking for? If you're looking for something to make you feel good about yourself, it doesn't matter what you believe. Whatever works for you is good enough. If you're looking for truth, for a real God, talk to as many people as you can. Apply that powerful sense of discernment you have to everything you read, hear, and see. Then see what the field narrows to.

Not a bad analogy, really, though I don't know that I'd agree with it 100%. I think belief is, in a lot of ways like love. It can take many forms and vary greatly in intensity. Faith and religion are not the same thing, though. Faith, simply put, is trust. Religion is dogma. One can have faith in religion, but religion isn't faith.

 

and i'm not convinced there's a higher power. if that conviction is what lead you to find the truth about God, then you should understand why without it, i'm not looking. (not to suggest you don't understand or anything)

i'm not looking for anything. i'm a generally content person. i've never been "goal oriented" (tho i want to change this -- j/k). i tend take things as they come and try to live in the moment -- tho i'm far from spontaneous. religion has never interested me, unless, as thelt would claim, reason is a religion. but that's another topic, i suppose.

are you suggesting people waste their time with religions that they don't fully agree with?

 

Absolutely. Without the option open of the existence of God, a person's not going to be very motivated to go find one. I could present you with logical and scientific evidence -- not proof -- that supports the existence of God, but if you're not willing to consider it, there's really no point in continuing, is there?

 

not in this thread, but i'd love to hear your case.

 

I believe...I think

...that's my whole problem...??? :huh:

Not really...I guess I'll see you on the other side

Im 34 years young and not afraid....a lot of this life has been hell on earth. Why am I here??? Why do I get the benefits others dont??? Honestly I dont care. I'm not looking for answers....why does this thread even exist :huh:

there are sooooo many different types of religions in this world...I can not subscribe to one. I dont think any of them are right. i guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

HB...with all due respect

I never liked word problems...ie your equation reference.

Who's to say the God you subscribe to is everyone's "God"...you cant!

I looked up to the priest's & nun's during my most volatile years, as a child, and I have absolutely NO RESPECT for them...or their beliefs, because I can not trust them. They are supposed to be (at least what I was taught) the up-most examples of how to live "in God's eyes" as we could possibly hope for. All of that has been shattered for me. I've lost all respect for the people I was supposed to respect the most...lost it a long time ago.

I will not be intimadated by any "bible thumper" or "holy roller" trying to push "the word" on me. Believe what you want. For the moment (and last several years) I stay in bed on Sunday and consider it St. Mattress. Im not trying to be Czarcastic (well...I guess I am)...I just dont realize how you get off on over looking the blatent disrespect for the holy trinity and still subscribe.:huh: