Why is God So Mean?

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F

Fire7

Guest
#1
I was going to use a more philosophical, intellectual title to address this matter, but the bible itself says of itself that it is so simple that a fool shouldn't err. So, like a child, I'm keeping it simple, because there really is no other way to put it.

I was born and raised in the pentecostal church. I no longer claim Christianity, but in my search for knowing God, I still listen to sermons. The sermons I listen to are usually by black hellfire and brimstone preachers, because that;s what I'm most familiar with. I don't know if you're familiar with a man named G Craig Lewis. But if you are, then you have an idea of the type of ministers I listen to. What I honestly have a hard time understanding is why it feels to me that God is hell-bent on sending me to hell?

You might think that I'm exaggerating when I make this statement, but I am by no means being overdramatic. I try very hard to believe that when these preachers say "God loves you but hates your sin," that they mean it. I try with everything within me to believe that these people really love me. But I have to be honest. I have never felt love coming from these preachers. I always feel that they are just saying what they have been taught to say, if they aren't just in it for the show. I do believe that some of them are genuine and sincere. But you can also be sincerely wrong.

even all of these testimonies I have ben hearing over the years of people who died and went to hell, and were brought back to tell about it. I listen closely, and what I gather is that it is very hard to make it into Heaven. And I don;t undertand if God really wants people in Heaven, why He made it so hard to get in. It just doesn't seem right. It seems to me like He plays favorites. But why create people just to throw them in hell. It's almost like He enjoys it. Even many preacher talk as if they're glad there is a hell and glad you're going. It's like if you don't live up to THEIR standard (personal hidden agenda), you can't do anything right, and for that you ARE going to hell. I also don;t understand why God is so hard on homosexuals when He created the very biology that made them that way. And don;t tell me that they weren't born that way, because I am one.

Unless you have seen things through, of course, you cannot fully understand where I'm coming from, and most of this is just hot air to you. And this is another thing; Christians are poor listeners and bad at understanding. They just love to judge others so they can (secretly... and often unconsciously)feel better about themselves. I know this because I've spent my lifetime (29 years) around them. I've seen Christians of every kind, so I know what I'm talking about. But I would literally be here for a couple of days describing to you all of the contradictions I have observed throughout this exclusive belief system.

And as much as I want to know God and be His closest friend, I feel that He doesn't really want to get to know me, but is just out to play mind games with me. I'm not being irreverent or sacrilerious: I'm just being honest. It makes me not feel like praying, even though I want to. It makes me not want to read the bible, because it's full of contradictions (and don't tell me there aren't, when they are very blatant). God just seems, to me, to be the cruelest, most cold blooded, hard hearted, unforgiving, stone faced, dominating, ruthless, non caring, bi-polar, sadistic, spiteful, wicked terrorist of all time.

Have you seen this recent testimony of a girl, Angelica Zambrano, who claims to have gone to hell for 23 hours and saw Selena Quintanilla, Michael Jackson, and children in hell?
"23 Hours Dead" - Testimony of Angelica Zambrano (with English voice-over) - YouTube
 
X

xJoe

Guest
#2
first of all anyone who claims they've been to hell. Put them out of the logical christian section. And also if you believe the bible has contradictions then you might as well toss your bible out the window. It would be no good, I would gladly talk with you about subjects that you might think contradict and see that you come to a conclusion.
Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wage = Price,
The Pricetag on sin is hell.
Now let me ask you a question. If you committed a crime worthy of death and the judge said, well ill let you off. Is that a good judge? Is he doing the right thing? If God said, ok i know sin is bad but whatever you can go to heaven. Is that a good God?
Now lets see he alternative.
Jesus Christ came down and died for your sins. He died so that you would not have to suffer the consequence. Without Jesus we would all go to hell. But he gives us a way out of this punishment so how can he be cruel?
Jesus came and died for the sins of the world.
John 3:16
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God offers everlasting life at the cost of us believing in Jesus.
Romans 10:9

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Hard to be saved? He says confess and believe and you will be saved from hell.

It is the hardness of a persons heart that sends them to hell, not mean old God.
You already say your looking for truth yet you call the bible a contradiction and say you don't want to pray. Tell me whose turning there back on God?
God your Bible is fake and I don't want to pray give me truth? How about you give it a honest chance and reflection. I used to think it contradicted until i asked and had them explained to me. But your taking everything at face value without digging. Don't expect God to reward your efforts.


Interested In Christianity? Then give it a chance rather then judging it. You condemn Christians for judging yet you judged the whole religion yourself saying it contradicts.

I'd be glad to help and explain things. Up to you.
 
S

shekaniah

Guest
#3
Pray for God's wisdom, we are not to lean on our own understanding.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
 

damombomb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2011
3,801
68
48
#4
God did not create homosexuals,actually it means god has turned one over to unatural effections, because they refused him,this would explain
why you think god hates you and preachers are trying to send you to hell. why dont you realize it is wrong and truly repent, and live.Not judging
telling the truth.Wouldn,t you rather someone tell you the truth or do you want your ears tickled. I would rather be chastized for correction,
wouldnt you? What makes you think you were born that way? You should really consider talking to someone about this openly. Is there anyone
else that way in your family?
 
B

Bobbyking

Guest
#5
Hi

What about going to a quiet place where it is only you and the Bible? If you can, put aside for the time being what you have read or heard from others. If you really want to know Him, give Him the opportunity to speak to you directly, for a start, through the gospels.

I believe God will grant you a personal experience beyond what others have said. Let Him touch you in your heart. :)
 
B

BrittanyJones

Guest
#6
I soooo know what you are talking about. Hell fire and damnation sermons have been part of my life and family. I rejected Christ for quite a few years until a death in my family brought me to a point where I realized I needed someone or something. I finally got to a point where I really wanted and needed a God who could help me and love me and I just looked at the sky and said if there is a God who really cares I want to know you. Shortly after the salvation of Christ was explained to me.

John 3 16-18
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

That's it just believing. God gave His son, a sacrifice for us and as this verse says, just believing on Jesus and we will have everlasting life. No, you don't have to be heterosexual; no, stop sinning if you want to be saved. Whoever believes on Him will have everlasting life. That's love. Pain, torture, sacrifice all for us, is love. I have learned love and felt amazing love and peace knowing Him and letting Him have my life.
I also spent a lot of time learning to love others as Christ as loved me.

1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

If you read the story of as many tend not to do, God destroyed the city only because of their hard hearts. Homosexuality is not part of God's plan, I don't know why, there are many things I don't always understand, but I do know that God gives us rules to live by for our benefit, and the closer I've looked into these rules the more I've seen the love in them. Loving and caring for others, taking care of ourselves.
 

DinoDillinger

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2009
839
19
18
#7
Are you saying that you would rather have a God who made an acceptable standard for us to reach to get to heaven then one who makes the standard impossible to reach by people who are quite frankly messed up? I guess that would be cool for people who measured up....
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#8
Yes God created hell, He also sent His son Jesus so that none would have to go to hell.
We all are called in Jesus, each simply has to answer.

Now from an intellectual standpoint.
And please forgive my spelling, a weak point with me.
We are all called to be the children of God.
That means God is Our Father.
A father takes responcibuility for His children.
So, when God created us, He created us free, not slaves.
The cost of this freedom is sin.
So God Our Father also sent Jesus for our sin.
Took responcibuility for givng us freedom.
When we choose to be in Jesus, becomeing His children, we recieve this gift of being saved from sin.
Those that choose to walk away, to not be one of His children, family.
Well, they are on their own, just as any child that rejects the parent.
Hell , is a choice.
Fire and brimstone are God Our Fathers persuasion, so that none would be lost.
Consider this, God Our Father has done everything to save you from hell, death, even sacrificing His son Jesus.
So why is it that one thinks there should be more?
It takes a selfish and self filled heart to reject all that the perfect Father has provided.
But then, one could be a slave, never knowing the greatness and love that is given to us in Jesus by God Our Father.
Some come through understanding, mercy, and some are pulled from the fire, hating the flesh that clings.

Being a parent has helped me see the power and need of both understanding and fear to keep my children safe, that they will know a good life.
And I only see this through flesh.
How great is the love of God Our Father that He gave us Jesus, so that we shall know the perfect love that is eternal. :)

The best things given dont have to make sence, because they are given in love!

In Jesus,God bless.
pickles
 
A

AnandaHya

Guest
#9
. God just seems, to me, to be the cruelest, most cold blooded, hard hearted, unforgiving, stone faced, dominating, ruthless, non caring, bi-polar, sadistic, spiteful, wicked terrorist of all time.
\


that is because you are listening to Satan and not God. you want to be able to live in your sin and be blessed by God as well.

Until you reach a point of repentance for your disobedience and your hatred towards God

Until you overcome your own feeling that you are entitled to things that are only Gifts from God then you will continue to walk in darkness.

Until you realize that this world does not have what you need to be happy, you will continue to suffer and never find God, because you will be looking around you, inside of yourself instead of being upon your knees humbly asking for forgiveness and allow Jesus to be not only Savior but also Lord of your life.


Right now Satan still has you firmly enslaved and ensnared in his lies. We will pray that Jesus reaches down and sets you free, but that will not happen until repentance and a turning away from the world and sin occurs and a turning to God and His grace manifests itself in your heart.

Only then will God life you up and place you upon the solid foundation of Christ. only when all false strongholds are destroyed can you build a life devoted to God and learn what true happiness, love and peace are.

The fact you breath shows that God still loves you, He allows your heart to beat, anything good that happens in your life is from God. Do you think to pray and thank Him for it and His many other blessings?

Are you angry at God? or are you angry at yourself and the world around you?

for what blessings do you curse God for?
 
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GOD_IS_LOVE

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2009
306
4
18
#10
What I honestly have a hard time understanding is why it feels to me that God is hell-bent on sending me to hell?
Because of all the sermons about hell that you've been listening to....?:eek:

It seems to me that you need to understand who God is and who you are. God is the One who created everything, to which we owe everything, our existence and everything about it. So if you really want to know God first understand this and be willing to accept that things are the way He says, not the way you think and most importantly, be willing to make the sacrifices He may ask from you.

"Anyone who comes to me i will not cast out." (Jesus)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

May God have mercy on you!
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,189
113
#11
I wonder the opposite. Why does God allow people to sin so much? Why is God so merciful? We wouldn't be. If we had the power of God and someone disobeyed us for 2 hrs we would cause something to happen. God has been merciful for thousands of years and we don't deserve it. Most of humanity doesn't even try to obey. Its obvious that sin is slavery. Look around and you will see people sinning without any desire to stop. You know why God is so merciful? Because He has been here in the flesh, just like us. He knows what we go through. And He Loves us. If you don't believe it ask Him.

God Bless You
 

GOD_IS_LOVE

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2009
306
4
18
#12
I wonder the opposite. Why does God allow people to sin so much? Why is God so merciful? We wouldn't be. If we had the power of God and someone disobeyed us for 2 hrs we would cause something to happen. God has been merciful for thousands of years and we don't deserve it. Most of humanity doesn't even try to obey. Its obvious that sin is slavery. Look around and you will see people sinning without any desire to stop. You know why God is so merciful? Because He has been here in the flesh, just like us. He knows what we go through. And He Loves us. If you don't believe it ask Him.

God Bless You
Amen to that!
 
R

rainacorn

Guest
#13
I've been learning more about Pentecostals recently.

Parts of how they worship are so great...like really inspiring. I wish I was more like that, actually. I wish I was the kind of person that could just totally lose my mind when I pray, like crying hysterically and shouting stuff. It's a public display of how I feel on my insides sometimes, but I can't bring myself to ACTUALLY do it. Feels too showy, I guess?

Anyway, their church, overall, kinda freaks me out. Just how they read the Bible and view the personal relationship with Christ leaves the door WIDE OPEN for Satan to pull strings. So many false prophets. So many false teachings. So many pastor-worshipers.

Obviously not every Pentecostal is the same, but the more I learn about them, the sadder I am about it. These people truly have a heart for God and it's being used and abused by wolves in sheep's clothing pushing their own agenda.

OP, I'm sorry you have been raised with this distorted view. Leave the preachers and read the Bible. Let the Holy Spirit interpret for you.
 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
6,397
109
48
#14
Father's Love Letter Narration Video

I love this video. Every bit of this is from the bible. It is all TRUE.
I also watch this video when I am down and depressed and it always lifts me up.

And if you aren't in the mood to watch the video here are the words(scriptures)

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
[SIZE=+1]
[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]A Father's Love Letter is owned and copyrighted by Barry Adams. [/SIZE]
 
Feb 16, 2011
2,957
24
0
#15
I believe you should know you are going to Hell. You can't be homosexual and then blaspheme God for sending you to Hell. God forgives people who have faith and repent with their faith in Jesus. You really are going to Hell, that's probably why you feel like God is your enemy. Sadly enough, I think you understand that you are not a Christian and you are not going to Heaven. You said so yourself. Homosexuals are wicked people who are full of wickedness. You should put your faith in the Cross and repent.
 
S

skie

Guest
#16
Re: Why is God so Mean ?

What you mean is why is Satan so mean, Satan is the one that is in charge of the world right now as we speak. God has given him authorithy over all the earth. Governments, wars, people not getting along thats all satan. Revelations 19: 17 -21 Revelations 20: 1 - 15 Talk about the kings of the earth which is the goverment and satan. When people see that their life starts to change for the better because the start to follow Jesus footsteps not satans. As long as you believe in arms, fighting, wars, courpt governments then you are in the steps of satan not Jesus. God Bless .
 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
6,397
109
48
#17
I believe you should know you are going to Hell. You can't be homosexual and then blaspheme God for sending you to Hell. God forgives people who have faith and repent with their faith in Jesus. You really are going to Hell, that's probably why you feel like God is your enemy. Sadly enough, I think you understand that you are not a Christian and you are not going to Heaven. You said so yourself. Homosexuals are wicked people who are full of wickedness. You should put your faith in the Cross and repent.

Where did he say he is homosexual? Did I miss that part?
Sorry, I am a bit out of it today. I could have clearly missed alot.
 
Feb 16, 2011
2,957
24
0
#18
I was going to use a more philosophical, intellectual title to address this matter, but the bible itself says of itself that it is so simple that a fool shouldn't err. So, like a child, I'm keeping it simple, because there really is no other way to put it.

I was born and raised in the pentecostal church. I no longer claim Christianity, but in my search for knowing God, I still listen to sermons. The sermons I listen to are usually by black hellfire and brimstone preachers, because that;s what I'm most familiar with. I don't know if you're familiar with a man named G Craig Lewis. But if you are, then you have an idea of the type of ministers I listen to. What I honestly have a hard time understanding is why it feels to me that God is hell-bent on sending me to hell?

You might think that I'm exaggerating when I make this statement, but I am by no means being overdramatic. I try very hard to believe that when these preachers say "God loves you but hates your sin," that they mean it. I try with everything within me to believe that these people really love me. But I have to be honest. I have never felt love coming from these preachers. I always feel that they are just saying what they have been taught to say, if they aren't just in it for the show. I do believe that some of them are genuine and sincere. But you can also be sincerely wrong.

even all of these testimonies I have ben hearing over the years of people who died and went to hell, and were brought back to tell about it. I listen closely, and what I gather is that it is very hard to make it into Heaven. And I don;t undertand if God really wants people in Heaven, why He made it so hard to get in. It just doesn't seem right. It seems to me like He plays favorites. But why create people just to throw them in hell. It's almost like He enjoys it. Even many preacher talk as if they're glad there is a hell and glad you're going. It's like if you don't live up to THEIR standard (personal hidden agenda), you can't do anything right, and for that you ARE going to hell. I also don;t understand why God is so hard on homosexuals when He created the very biology that made them that way. And don;t tell me that they weren't born that way, because I am one.
Unless you have seen things through, of course, you cannot fully understand where I'm coming from, and most of this is just hot air to you. And this is another thing; Christians are poor listeners and bad at understanding. They just love to judge others so they can (secretly... and often unconsciously)feel better about themselves. I know this because I've spent my lifetime (29 years) around them. I've seen Christians of every kind, so I know what I'm talking about. But I would literally be here for a couple of days describing to you all of the contradictions I have observed throughout this exclusive belief system.

And as much as I want to know God and be His closest friend, I feel that He doesn't really want to get to know me, but is just out to play mind games with me. I'm not being irreverent or sacrilerious: I'm just being honest. It makes me not feel like praying, even though I want to. It makes me not want to read the bible, because it's full of contradictions (and don't tell me there aren't, when they are very blatant). God just seems, to me, to be the cruelest, most cold blooded, hard hearted, unforgiving, stone faced, dominating, ruthless, non caring, bi-polar, sadistic, spiteful, wicked terrorist of all time.

Have you seen this recent testimony of a girl, Angelica Zambrano, who claims to have gone to hell for 23 hours and saw Selena Quintanilla, Michael Jackson, and children in hell?
"23 Hours Dead" - Testimony of Angelica Zambrano (with English voice-over) - YouTube
He said he is one.
 
U

unclefester

Guest
#20
I was going to use a more philosophical, intellectual title to address this matter, but the bible itself says of itself that it is so simple that a fool shouldn't err. So, like a child, I'm keeping it simple, because there really is no other way to put it.

I was born and raised in the pentecostal church. I no longer claim Christianity, but in my search for knowing God, I still listen to sermons. The sermons I listen to are usually by black hellfire and brimstone preachers, because that;s what I'm most familiar with. I don't know if you're familiar with a man named G Craig Lewis. But if you are, then you have an idea of the type of ministers I listen to. What I honestly have a hard time understanding is why it feels to me that God is hell-bent on sending me to hell?

You might think that I'm exaggerating when I make this statement, but I am by no means being overdramatic. I try very hard to believe that when these preachers say "God loves you but hates your sin," that they mean it. I try with everything within me to believe that these people really love me. But I have to be honest. I have never felt love coming from these preachers. I always feel that they are just saying what they have been taught to say, if they aren't just in it for the show. I do believe that some of them are genuine and sincere. But you can also be sincerely wrong.

even all of these testimonies I have ben hearing over the years of people who died and went to hell, and were brought back to tell about it. I listen closely, and what I gather is that it is very hard to make it into Heaven. And I don;t undertand if God really wants people in Heaven, why He made it so hard to get in. It just doesn't seem right. It seems to me like He plays favorites. But why create people just to throw them in hell. It's almost like He enjoys it. Even many preacher talk as if they're glad there is a hell and glad you're going. It's like if you don't live up to THEIR standard (personal hidden agenda), you can't do anything right, and for that you ARE going to hell. I also don;t understand why God is so hard on homosexuals when He created the very biology that made them that way. And don;t tell me that they weren't born that way, because I am one.

Unless you have seen things through, of course, you cannot fully understand where I'm coming from, and most of this is just hot air to you. And this is another thing; Christians are poor listeners and bad at understanding. They just love to judge others so they can (secretly... and often unconsciously)feel better about themselves. I know this because I've spent my lifetime (29 years) around them. I've seen Christians of every kind, so I know what I'm talking about. But I would literally be here for a couple of days describing to you all of the contradictions I have observed throughout this exclusive belief system.

And as much as I want to know God and be His closest friend, I feel that He doesn't really want to get to know me, but is just out to play mind games with me. I'm not being irreverent or sacrilerious: I'm just being honest. It makes me not feel like praying, even though I want to. It makes me not want to read the bible, because it's full of contradictions (and don't tell me there aren't, when they are very blatant). God just seems, to me, to be the cruelest, most cold blooded, hard hearted, unforgiving, stone faced, dominating, ruthless, non caring, bi-polar, sadistic, spiteful, wicked terrorist of all time.

Have you seen this recent testimony of a girl, Angelica Zambrano, who claims to have gone to hell for 23 hours and saw Selena Quintanilla, Michael Jackson, and children in hell?
"23 Hours Dead" - Testimony of Angelica Zambrano (with English voice-over) - YouTube
I can relate somewhat Fire7. I have never been a proponent of hellfire and brimstone preaching. Matter of fact, I despise it. It has always seemed to me that those who avail this method have within themselves an underlying personification of anger and an absence of understanding in regards to the nature of God, His great love for us as well as His extended hand of forgiveness and mercy for those who seek Him. To be quite frank, I see it as a "transferring of their own fear, guilt and shame" upon the listening hearts of their audience. One can only teach in the manner in which they themselves have learned and are able to relate. He who knows only fear can express only fear. It may have it's time and place (I seriously doubt it).....but I have yet to see a heart transformed thru gentleness and understanding of God's precious gift of grace that hasn't lived in the assurance that God is indeed love. Now these three remain.....faith, hope and love.....but the greatest of these is love. This is what needs to preached. An open heart is already aware of the struggle between their fleshly desires and the desires of God's Spirit within. Put another way .....which of us doesn't know the consequences of our sin .....at least those of us reading this thread ? We know because God's laws are written in our hearts. Nuff said on that topic for now. If I may, I will now touch on the dreaded topic of homosexuality. We all know what the Word of God has to say regarding this matter. And it is no different than what is said about every other sin that separates us from the love of God. I am going to speak frankly and honestly with you....because you did with us. Each and every one of us struggles with sin and our flesh nature. Heterosexual males lust after woman. Homosexual males lust after men. But both sins have their origins born of a sexual nature. This cannot be denied. What makes the heterosexual struggle easier to overcome is the fact that we are able to satisfy our desires somewhat within the context of what is "allowable" by God thru the means of marriage......and a wife. You are not afforded this luxury (for lack of a better term). So,....what are you left with and what are your options ? How might I bring you peace on the matter ? Truth is, I can't. I can't change or compromise what God's Word has established. All I can tell you is that God loves you enough that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins that you might live forever with Him. Your struggle is greater than mine .......no question about it. Perhaps your reward would be greater as well. Don't make this earthly dwelling and it's offerings of temporary fulfillment your home. Where our treasure is, there are our hearts also. May the strength you need to overcome be found in Christ and Christ alone. Only He is able to satisfy and give us what we truly are in need of.