Do you believe in a god or gods?

[elcee 3,343]

I find it interesting that so many people love to say that there must be a creator... all you have to do is look around you and observe the wonders of God.

Who created God then?

Its a bit like infinity. I understand the concept but it doesn't make sense. Everything has to have a start and an end even time and space. It was something I could never get my head round at school and I find the concept far creepier than spiders, monsters or the like.

[elcee 3,343]

Who created God then?

This one's easy - Man. Whether it be God, Gods or whatever they were created by man to fulfil a certain need. The same way that the Bible was written by man. Every culture has had a book or tales that it uses to explain creation, record some of its history and possibly contain a code for living as well. The Bible is simply the Christian's version of this.

What is interesting is that you will find the themes are common across many religions whether they be Christian, pre Christian or something else, most have a story of a Virgin birth, a resurrection etc.

And by the same token many Christian festivals/holidays/traditions predate Christianity but have been adopted and adapted by Christians to suit their needs.e.g Easter.

[serenity55 15]

Isn't Christianity one of the youngest, if not THE youngest, religions? So if that's true, god can't possibly be that old, can he?

I'm not trying to be facetious, but, I have heard that the early Christians took pagan holidays and used them, as someone else said, (but much better than I) to suit their needs.

I knew a couple of people that were Jehovah's Witnesses. I guess one of them was trying to convince me of something, but all she could do was use the Bible, which, as I said in an earlier post, does nothing, if you don't believe.

Debbie

[pattygreen 5]

One has to have a belief that god even exists before they can claim Jesus as their personal savior. Herein lies the rub, as they say

Debbie.

My own personal story proves that to be untrue.I did not know if God existed or not. I wasn't sure. So, I talked to Him as if he were real. I said into the air, "If there is a God out there who created me, I want to know you. Make yourself known to me." I desperately wanted to quit smoking at that time, so I also said, "If you are real, take away this great desire to smoke from me, so that I could know for sure that you are God." I also picked up an old bible that was given to me as a wedding gift and opened it for the first time ever and believe it or not, it opened up to John Chapter 3 and I read it. That is the chapter that has to do with being 'born again', and the famous John 3:16, that I had never heard of before I read it. I thought that there had to be something more to this life than what I had, so I figured I had nothing to lose by reading it. I thought that chapter was nonsense. How can a person be born twice? I didn't understand it. I was like the man Nicodemus in the chapter, not fully understanding what Jesus was telling him. So, I read that chapter and went to bed. The next day, I awoke and never had another cigarette again. My desire was completely gone! I began to read some more, till I eventually read the whole book. Believe me, I wanted to get to know this God. There was a time when I thought that I couldn't eat pork any more because the OT , as I read from the old to the new, gives some laws that I thought I was bound to obey if I were to accept this God as my God. I was willing to give up the pork. But as I learned from the whole book, I was free to eat pork and many other things through Jesus and his dying on the cross for mankind. This started my belief in God. Now, I fully understand what he meant when he said,"you must be born again." It is a spiritual birth. We are born once physically, and then after coming to a real belief in Jesus, God the Father will put a spiritual birth within you. Each person will experience this birth individually. Sometimes it happens immediately and sometimes gradually. (you know, some births take days and some come quick, only minutes)But, either way the spiritual rebirth happens to all believers in Christ. It is something of a mystery that born again Christians know all too well about because they have been born spiritually, and unbelievers don't understand about because they have not been born spiritually yet. That is why all believers want so badly for unbelievers to be born again also, because it is soooooo real and true.

[btrieger 21]

Patty,

You just described exactly how I felt when I first saw the movie "Star Wars." That is when I let George Lucas into my heart.

[BJean 16]

This is a great dialogue and it is clarifying, that is if you ever choose to question the things that you have been so endoctrinized with.

patty, I have been born again.

And again, and again, and again. Thank goodness that I have been able to deal with and overcome some pretty intense brainwashing by opening my mind and heart to things that are obvious to all who are willing to seriously question the motives of the writers of the Bible and the framers of all religions.

It isn't easy. In fact, it is quite difficult. But it is amazing and beautiful. And that is what I wish for you someday. I doubt very seriously if you will ever be able to do it.

You, like so many others, have such an enormous need for your interpretation of the Bible. For it fills you with the answers and the reasons for everything and even better, it fills you with the knowledge that all the things that you have done that you shouldn't have done, are forgiven by someone far greater and more powerful than yourself. Forgiven by our creator. That's powerful stuff!

[pattygreen 5]

This is a great dialogue and it is clarifying, that is if you ever choose to question the things that you have been so endoctrinized with.

patty, I have been born again.

And again, and again, and again. Thank goodness that I have been able to deal with and overcome some pretty intense brainwashing by opening my mind and heart to things that are obvious to all who are willing to seriously question the motives of the writers of the Bible and the framers of all religions.

It isn't easy. In fact, it is quite difficult. But it is amazing and beautiful. And that is what I wish for you someday. I doubt very seriously if you will ever be able to do it.

You, like so many others, have such an enormous need for your interpretation of the Bible. For it fills you with the answers and the reasons for everything and even better, it fills you with the knowledge that all the things that you have done that you shouldn't have done, are forgiven by someone far greater and more powerful than yourself. Forgiven by our creator. That's powerful stuff!

Even if everything I believe is one big farce, I would not choose to live any other way. My faith in Jesus is the answer to my every worry, fear, problem, etc. It gives me peace and security and serenity and a hope to look forward to. Even if I am wrong, and I can say without a doubt in my mind that I'm not, this is the best way to live out anyones life. After my searching and learning and dicovering of all the many things there is to know about God, I can say that he is real and he has shown himself to me in many ways that I could not even begin to tell you here. If you think that I have been 'indoctrinated' by the words in the bible, you are sooooo right. I've been indoctrinated by God and I am so grateful for his love for me. I am so glad that he loved me enough to make me part of his family. He loves all of you as well. If only you would reach out to get to know Him. Oh well.... only you can make that choice.

[serenity55 15]

Didn't Karl Marx say that religion was the opiate of the masses? Somebody did.

I think I'd rather achieve goals through hard work rather than risk turning them over to something that hasn't been proved to be real.

I wanted to be a missionary. I wanted to get married. I wanted to be a "good Christian."

I didn't get a husband. I didn't go overseas. And I didn't get any of the answers I looked for. And believe me, I read and reread the Bible. I did everything, prayed, screamed, cried, pleaded, and nothing worked. Which tells me that there's nothing and no one out there.

If it works for all those who choose to believe, fantastic! I'm not one of them!

Debbie

[123crod 170]

Even if everything I believe is one big farce, I would not choose to live any other way. My faith in Jesus is the answer to my every worry, fear, problem, etc. It gives me peace and security and serenity and a hope to look forward to. Even if I am wrong, and I can say without a doubt in my mind that I'm not, this is the best way to live out anyones life. After my searching and learning and dicovering of all the many things there is to know about God, I can say that he is real and he has shown himself to me in many ways that I could not even begin to tell you here. If you think that I have been 'indoctrinated' by the words in the bible, you are sooooo right. I've been indoctrinated by God and I am so grateful for his love for me. I am so glad that he loved me enough to make me part of his family. He loves all of you as well. If only you would reach out to get to know Him. Oh well.... only you can make that choice.

Very well put Patty. I totally agree with what you said. I would not be able to make it one day to the next without God's hand upon my family and I. I would be lost without my relationship with The Lord. You guys don't know what you are missing. My prayer is you will one day!:tongue_smilie:

[pattygreen 5]

Didn't Karl Marx say that religion was the opiate of the masses? Somebody did.

I think I'd rather achieve goals through hard work rather than risk turning them over to something that hasn't been proved to be real.

I don't like 'religion'. It is man's way to get to God through his good works and deeds. I prefer a 'relationship' with God. Personal, individual, and private.

I wanted to be a missionary. I wanted to get married. I wanted to be a "good Christian."

Why did you want these things?

I didn't get a husband. I didn't go overseas. And I didn't get any of the answers I looked for. And believe me, I read and reread the Bible. I did everything, prayed, screamed, cried, pleaded, and nothing worked. Which tells me that there's nothing and no one out there.

Many people base their 'salvation' on 'feelings'. This should not be. People should take God's word as fact. If he says "My grace is sufficient for thee." Then it is.

If it works for all those who choose to believe, fantastic! I'm not one of them!

Debbie

Did God want you to be a missionary? Did He call you to do that? Did God intend for you to be married? God is in control. He is the potter and we are the clay. A potter has the right to do whatever he wants with his clay. He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. He determines what will happen in your life. Rejoice, for God has a special purpose for your life.

[sam c 0]

Pattygreen,

I have been reading this post for a few days. I thought it would do your heart good to know that your words have not only touched my heart they have also taught me. Do not be frustrated or be discouraged from spreading Gods word. Just know that you helped atleast one. Thank you!

[Mz.Boop 0]

Did God want you to be a missionary? Did He call you to do that? Did God intend for you to be married? God is in control. He is the potter and we are the clay. A potter has the right to do whatever he wants with his clay. He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. He determines what will happen in your life. Rejoice, for God has a special purpose for your life.

I agree with 100%. Me myself I lost my husband at a young age. I could've been angry at God. He has a reason to do the things he does. We are his clay and he loves and molds us. Everybody got a different opinion about God, I know he keeps me everyday I been laid off a year and he's still keeping me.

[pattygreen 5]

sam, thank you for your kind words. They meant alot to me. Patty

[pattygreen 5]

I agree with 100%. Me myself I lost my husband at a young age. I could've been angry at God. He has a reason to do the things he does. We are his clay and he loves and molds us. Everybody got a different opinion about God, I know he keeps me everyday I been laid off a year and he's still keeping me.

Sometimes I wonder how anyone can get through this life, what with its heartaches and troubles and all, and not have God there to comfort them and to reassure them that this life is but a breath, and that it is the spiritual part of ones life that lives for all eternity, not the physical part. Whenever anything bothers me or afflicts me, I just hold onto that hope that I have in Jesus to bring me through it and I try to remember that this life is not eternal. Not that I don't enjoy humanity, but just knowing that there is something even more joyful awaiting me is very comforting and brings peace to my soul.

I'm sorry that you lost your husband. How long ago was that? Do you mind me asking? You're right when you say that God has a reason for all that he does. He is the author of life and only he can decide when a life ends. He knows what is best for us, yet it is hard for us when we go through things. He understands that also.

[pattygreen 5]

Its a bit like infinity. I understand the concept but it doesn't make sense. Everything has to have a start and an end even time and space. It was something I could never get my head round at school and I find the concept far creepier than spiders, monsters or the like.

Who created God? I will try to answer that one. That question is illogical, somewhat like "to whom is the bachelor married?". If the universe needs a 'cause' then why doesn't God need a 'cause'? And if God doesn't need a cause why should the universe need a cause?

1. everything that has a beginning has a cause.

2. the universe has a beginning.

3. Therefore the universe has a cause.

The universe requires a cause because it had a beginning. God didn't have a beginning so He needs no cause. Einstein's general relativity shows that time is linked to matter and space, so time itself would have begun with matter and space. Since God is the creator of the universe, he is the creator of time. Therefore, he is not limited by the time demension he has created. No one created God. He always was.