Is there really a god?

[Apex]

As for who wrote the bible. The gospels are based on pagan mysteries that were around in the time of socrates and pythagoras. These were then added to and altered by the early Roman church around 300 AD.

The Cannon was formed around 300 AD, but the Gospels were written around 80AD, and Paul's letters were written by Paul around 40AD.

[Apex]

1 Corinthians 14:33 :

 

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Jesus did not come to bring peace.

Mat 10:34-36

34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn

" 'a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—

36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

[Apex]

who knows if thousands of years from now, someone will think Lord of the Rings is the "bible?" or the baby-sitter's club series?

 

i suggest googling the flying spaghetti monster. it is humorous, and it's meant to be satire, but it raises a lot of valid points. (hope it doesn't offend anyone.)

Christianity wasn’t founded on a book, but on the blood of persecuted Christians.

[sugar-rae]

Jesus did not come to bring peace.

 

I do not use verses in the Bible to "outdo" someone on this forum. I write it as a reference of proof for myself and tohers that God is Love.

 

I know the passages you typed. I've read them many times. I also know WHAT they mean.

[sugar-rae]

Christianity wasn’t founded on a book, but on the blood of persecuted Christians.

 

Apex, I don't know what YOUR angle is on this forum, but I know that I love my God, Lord Jesus Christ and I believe in Him. I believe in the Bible and all it says. Past.Present.Future.

 

I know all about the Bible thumpers who show me passage after passage from the Bible... all knowing.

 

You can point out as many verses as you like, whoever you may be. Does that prove a person knowledgeable about the Bible or just knowledgeable about where a verse is in the Bible? there's a difference.

[HotCaliGirl]

The Cannon was formed around 300 AD, but the Gospels were written around 80AD, and Paul's letters were written by Paul around 40AD.

There were thousands of gospels, each telling their own version of events and differing widely, including the gospel of Mary Magdalane who claimed she was married to Jesus and had their child (whose gospel survives to this day and carries just as much weight as the others in the cannon), but the church being the way it is, in the year 180 decided to choose only 4 gospels from among the many by authors such as Mathew whose identities have never been confirmed (unlike Mary's), that would best suit their objectives (women as weak, sex as bad, church as good) and filed away or destroyed the rest.

[sugar-rae]

but the church being the way it is, in the year 180 decided to choose only 4 gospels from among the many by authors such as Mathew whose identities have never been confirmed (unlike Mary's), that would best suit their objectives (women as weak, sex as bad, church as good) and filed away or destroyed the rest.

 

Well, I think the Bible was written for ALL MANKIND. As for being targeted for women to be weak. We are. There are things we women have no business doing. Sex has proved bad when used in a bad way (i.e. cheating, lewdness, pornography, XXX movie making, etc) Church IS good, it's the idiots that CHOOSE to use God's church for their own devices that are bad.

[HotCaliGirl]

As for being targeted for women to be weak. We are. There are things we women have no business doing.

That's so sad you think that...you should speak for yourself because I don't think there is anything I have no business doing just because I'm a woman, and most woman I know are not weak, some stronger than men (not talking physically of course). So can you be a little more specific? like what??

[HokeyReligions]

I didn't really want to comment on this particular subject because I knew that there would be someone on here that would offend me, by saying something bad about my God.

 

I was surprised as i went skipping thru posts page after page to find myself just having such a sad heart. Some like Pada or Mz Pixie had my heart lifting, but others I felt this deep sadness for.

 

One I read about his mother being sick and how he would never see her once she died. No, you won't, if she's going to Heaven and you to Hell. I say this not as a mean remark, just sad. I type the words with tears in my eyes for you.

I was talking about my mother. I did not say anything bad about 'your' God. I just don't believe in God. Not believing in God is not saying something bad about God and if you took offense to that, then it is 'your' offense and I think its rather sad that people are offended by others beliefs. I'm not offended by those who believe in a God. I am not trying to talk anyone out of their belief either. I wouldn't do it to a Christian or any other faith.

 

 

I think its horribly sad that there are people who don't love animals the way I do. I feel that they are missing so very much. I would be empty without my dogs and I know there are people who would feel empty without their God. I understand that you feel sad that others can't feel what you feel.

[HokeyReligions]

I still dont understand why he would give us the choice to be evil.

I've done some study (not as much as others have, but more than some) and this is a topic of some debate among many so-called Biblical Scholars. The whole 'choice' aspect. You could talk to the pastors of different Christian churches and get different answers and you could go to a Jewish Temple and get another answer. What it boils down to is: No one knows why - they just know the avenue to evil exists. Some say its not a choice at all.

 

 

Sometimes well most of the time people become murderers because of something that has happened in the past.In our childhood maybe.If someone was a mass murder can you still go to heaven?If you ask god for forgiveness?

 

I don't know if its events in life or simply the makeup of the person that leads them to heinous crimes, but if you ask the Salvation Army they will say that Yes, anyone can go to Heaven. It is not a cumulative 'ledger' that God looks at to determine who gets into Heaven, but the repentance and dedication of the person when they make a commitment to God and how they lead their life afterward. A person can be a Born Again Christian at any age. Only God will know if they are sincere or if they are just afraid for themselves.

 

I have problems in my life like everyone else and they can change what sort of person we are.I have low self esteem and am a little shy sometimes.Thats because of my childhood probably.If someone was brought up a certain way and later on in life they became murders yes that is a sin but to them there angry and hurting.

Well, anger and hurting are no excuse for breaking the law--it just doesn't hold up in our courts, I don't know about God. If God exists as He is portrayed in the Bible and in Church teachings then He would know the sincerity of the person. I wouldn't imagine that God would accept an 'I was angry and hurt' excuse either. God would, supposedly, know if that person were truly sorry for what they had done.

 

My brother when he was little got bullied and my mum and dad divorce upset quite a bit.Later on in lif he stole things he became an arsonist.He tried to kill but it didnt work.Where as i was angry with him because it was my dad that got it in the neck.On the other hand he was angry because of things that had happened.He has commited a sin.Can he still go to heaven?Can all the mass murders still go to heaven?

Like I said, I don't buy into the 'its the parents fault' thing. The environment may not have been nurturing, but its the Individual that makes the choices later on. Your brother (sorry btw that he has such problems) could have made different choices with the same background. It may have been part of his own physical makeup that worked in conjunction with his environment and upbringing that led him to his choices.

 

God would know if you really was sorry and wanted forgiveness i suppose.You cant lie to him he knows all i suppose.But because someone has commited a sin are they evil or has life just go to them.People can be so cruel.

It's impossible to apply the same template to everyone. Many people, church leaders, scholars, etc. can't even agree on what IS 'evil' or if one sin - or a series of sins - would define a person as evil. I lean toward the theory that evil is a descriptive religious word for some types of mental pathologies. Sociopath or Psychopath, etc. Whereas an act of 'evil' or a sin is just part of everyones mental/emotional capabilities. Not everyone who commits a 'sin' has a pathology - they simply chose to do something that is considered a sin by those who believe in God, and in some cases those sins are also against the laws of the land. Like stealing. As a society we have laws for that and punishments for the act of stealing. God wouldn't be concerned with the act so much as the soul and why that person stole.

 

Ive heard about some rapists they abuse a child and then later on in life that child might become one to.They have committed a sin but surely thats not there fault?

It is their responsibility. It does't excuse them. Perhaps they can be helped to break the cycle, but they carry the 'fault' for their own actions. If they chose a path toward God, then its up to God how He wants to hold them accountable. Society will hold them responsible for their actions. If you were raped by someone who stated in court that it wasn't their fault they raped you - it was the fault of the guy who raped them, would that make it easier on you? Would you want the case dismissed? I wouldn't it. I'd want them both in prison. However, if I were a person of faith and the rapist 'found Jesus' and I believed him, then I would be more inclined to forgive and forget. God would supposedly know if the person is honest in their 'born-again' status.

 

Some churches believe that once saved, always saved. I don't get that. I don't think the Bible supports that. I think a person has to reaffirm their faith and their devotion if they have chosen a path of sin.

 

I was baptised as a child. According to that church I will go to Heaven. Now, since I don't claim to be a Christian or to believe in God, and I find out that when I die I'm wrong -- I'm not going to expect to go to Heaven on the basis of that childhood baptism. However, if I ever find adequate proof of God and begin to belive in God and re-accept Jesus as my savior I would believe that it would wipe out the years of agnosticism and my entrance would be based on my life after I was 'born again'. (I don't see that ever happening though!)

 

It's good to have questions. Ask lots of people! Hearing other peoples views and experiences is a great way to help you decide what works for you. Bits and pieces from a lot of people can help you make your own opinions cohesive. Don't rule out those who don't think or believe as you do. If you don't like someone's view or opinion, ask yourself why? What don't you agree with and why? If you can't answer then think about it and look for more opinions like that. When you can answer why then you are well on your way to securing and understanding your own convictions and firming your own beliefs.

 

That's why I'm agnostic and not athiest. There are some opinions and views that I can't debate with because I maybe only disagree with them 98% and that 2% is acknowledgement that they might be on to something. An athiest would be able to disput anyone religious belief 100% and be quite secure in their own convictions.

[d'Arthez]

What is God? No affirmative answer is possible for a religious person. Even describing a positive attribute of God is limiting Him. Therefore, whether you believe in God's existence or not, it necessarily leads to the same in that matter. Respectful silence.

 

It is pointless to attribute good or bad to God. It does not change God (at most it changes our personal perception of God), and it does not alter the situation in our lives. It only gives you something to serve as an explanation, for a series of more or less probabilistic events.

Take pain for instance. Whatever the explanation we offer ourselves, it cannot take pain away. It can only serve to help a believer to accept the factual existence of the pain. And if one can attribute a reason to it, might help one to deal with the pain. God might be one way, Tao might be another way. And science might be a third way. And there are thousands of ways, at least in name.

[Toni_no12002]

I havent been christened so does that mean i wont go to heaven?

 

There are alot of people on here who have really strong views about god.I think its good that you believe in god thats your choice.Me for some reason i just dont believe,i want to but i dont.I just dont feel it really.

 

something happened to me awhile back with an ex boyfriend and i wont say what but it hurts.I havent done anything wrong so why would god let it happen?

 

I have looked at some things on the internet and found that people who commit murder or rape have in there life when they was younger been abused in some way.Im not saying the parents are always to blame because most of the time there not.

 

Take my brother for example hes older than me when i was born he felt pushed out not that he was but he felt it because my dad wasnt around much and my mum had to give me attention because i was a baby.2 years later my sister was born then my mum and dad split up.This all took affect on my brother that and the bullying.My brother did things which he went to prison for but why did god let my brother suffer for so long?

He didnt help him!My brother had years and years of bullying and if god had helped him in some way he wouldnt be the way he is now.

If god is a nice person hes got a funny way of showing it.

 

I dont want to offend anyone but i dont believe there is a heaven.I wish there was.But because i dont believe in him and say there was a heaven does that mean i wouldnt go to heaven because i didnt believe?Is it a sin in gods eyes not to believe in him?

[hooghie]

something happened to me awhile back with an ex boyfriend and i wont say what but it hurts.I havent done anything wrong so why would god let it happen?

 

I don't think you should base your opinion on things like why god hasn't given you or others the life you/they should have.

 

I'm not religious and get really annoyed with people who try and force their religion on me, but the reasons I'm not religious have a lot more to do with science and other experiences than things like 'what kind of a god would let this happen' type of attitude.

 

I wish I were religious though. I think life is so much easier for those who believe.

[ButtonPusher]

Apex, have a look at this and try and put aside your literalist blinkers for a moment.

 

I've asked myself the same question toni, would god, if he exists, punish those people in the world that are generous, loving and honest simply because they did not believe in him? Seems a bit unfair. What about all the people that have not come into contact with a monotheistic religion but have still led a good life? Are they to be rejected by god for this? But maybe he will, as he did slaughter the majority of the world in the old testament with the great flood.

[RecordProducer]

If god is a nice person hes got a funny way of showing it.

And you are definitely not religious if you think that god is supposed to be a person!

[jaye]

I'm not trying to knock God or belittle your beliefs, but what you just described is how I feel about my dogs. For me its harder to believe than not to believe.

would you worship your dogs?

[RecordProducer]

would you worship your dogs?

GOD is DOG when read backwards.

[sugar-rae]

That's so sad you think that...you should speak for yourself because I don't think there is anything I have no business doing just because I'm a woman, and most woman I know are not weak, some stronger than men (not talking physically of course). So can you be a little more specific? like what??

 

Sorry for you to take offense, HCG. That is an issue within yourself. There are things like certain jobs women have no business doing. I am a strongminded woman myself and do not take any kind of abuse from men, if that is what you think. My husband does not think for me. But, physically, there are "jobs, etc." women don't need to do, but they do, just because they think they need to prove themselves to men and other women.

I don't have to prove I'm as good as any man.

 

God says I am.

[jaye]

GOD is DOG when read backwards.

so you mean this guy was born backward?

[sugar-rae]

GOD is DOG when read backwards.

 

 

[seahorse]

Personally I think we should be believe that there is good out there, and accept that there is also bad. I look for good stuff in the people I know, and try to live a good life and get by as best I can. I don't consider myself a Christian. I was raised a Protestant till I was 16, and then I stopped going to Church. I refused to marry in church, seeing it as hypocritical.

 

I think religion has a lot to answer for in the troubles in this world, but accept that that is down to people, not some perceived presence out there in the universe.

 

I try to keep an open mind about God, but basically I think I'm an athiest...and please stop sending Jehovah Witnesses to my door! I don't shove my athiesm down everyone else's necks!

[sugar-rae]

I was talking about my mother. I did not say anything bad about 'your' God. I just don't believe in God. Not believing in God is not saying something bad about God and if you took offense to that, then it is 'your' offense and I think its rather sad that people are offended by others beliefs. I'm not offended by those who believe in a God. I am not trying to talk anyone out of their belief either. I wouldn't do it to a Christian or any other faith.

I think its horribly sad that there are people who don't love animals the way I do. I feel that they are missing so very much. I would be empty without my dogs and I know there are people who would feel empty without their God. I understand that you feel sad that others can't feel what you feel.

 

I'm not offended by your non belief of my God. What I meant was I {expected} to be offended. I surprised myself by finding I wasn't offended and am still not offended by your non belief. I am sad for you. I can feel that way if I want to. It's my "God given " right to be sad for someone I know God loves as much as me.

 

I have horses. I have dogs. I have cats. I even have a few egg-laying chickens. I love animals too. I love my mare Mandy. I believe God gave her to me as a companion. Sometimes I'd rather talk to her than any person (besides God).She allows me to ride her and I repay her by making sure she is nourished and groomed having a good place to live and by loving her with the heart God put inside me. Not my physical heart but my spiritual heart. She is my friend by the grace of God, who created ALL living things.

 

Atheists can care for people and animals. Who is disputing this? Not me.

 

I may not agree with your belief, but you seem to think I am putting you down for feeling sad for your unbelief. I'm not. If you have pity for me because you think I'm wasting my time in believing in God, then, you show you have feelings, and to me, that's a start.

[RecordProducer]

Sugar, did I say something that's incorrect? Read the word "dog" backwards!

[sugar-rae]

Sugar, did I say something that's incorrect? Read the word "dog" backwards!

 

Nope, but that's an old one.

 

You know, RP, a week or two ago I thought you were smirky and obnoxious but I think I'm beginning to understand you.

 

 

Proverbs 26:10

The great God that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool and rewardeth the transgressors.

[HokeyReligions]

would you worship your dogs?

 

Where did worship come into this? Are you saying that my bond with my dogs is not valid because I feel about them the way others feel about God? Some people can feel the same things about their children. Some about other animals. Worship doesn't come into it. Apples and Oranges. Worship and Belief are two different things. Belief can exist without worship. And I know some people can practice worship without belief.