Religious Guidance Please - Hello. Many questions.

[whatISlove]

I'm figuratively "religion" window shopping.

Literally, trying to decide what religion to believe, if at all, and why to believe it over others.

I know that is a simplistic and crude way of describing what I'm doing, but it is what I'm doing.

Which religion is the true religion? How can you tell?

If Christianity, then why?

 

[all_for_Jesus]

So, who am I to tell you the christianity are the true religion. Actually, in my opinion, religion doesn't matter.

I'm a Jesus follower. Jesus is my savior, not my religion.

God bless u, guy! If u need somethind, tell me!

 

[Jilly81]

Hi, welcome, my friend . Well, I generally don't look at Christianity as being a religion, really.....the point of religion is generally "do this, do that; follow rules; don't be naughty; behave". With Jesus, it's DONE . His death on the cross paid the price for our sins (since He is the perfect Son of God who came to Earth in the form of a man just to rescue us), and all we have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus as our Savior; ask Him to let His death on the cross be the propitiation for our sins. I know, it sounds too good to be true...... He's so amazing, and He loves you SO much "greater love has no man than this; that he lay down his life for his friends". I think it would be wise for you to ask God to show you if He's real or not, and if so, who He is, and agree in advance to give Him your life once He reveals Himself to you. He can do this in your heart. There's actually a verse in the Bible that says not to base your faith on the words of man, but on the power of God alone. He actually WANTS us to ask Him to show us, rather than just take someone's word for it (not that you'd automatically believe us ). I hope all this helps, and please send me a message if you have any questions . -Jill

 

[sweetpea]

FIRST of all I think to find out about God you should start ht reading the Bible instead of asking for our opinion because it would just be our opinion. I can tell you verses to check out. But God said if we want to know the true to read his word and it will set you free.

 

[Devoted2JC]

whatISlove hello welcome to Christian chat.

 

[dscherck]

Well, I say become a Catholic Christian!
The Catholic Church is awesome! There's literally over a billion of us! And while obviously sheer numbers aren't really a good reason to join the Church, there are many many really good reasons to join.

We love science and God! We count among our members many many great scientists both in modern and ancient history!

We're the world's LARGEST charitable force. Seriously, check out for yourself the sheer amounts of charity that the Catholic Church does worldwide.

We're diverse! We count among our beloved brothers and sisters great warriors, peacemakers, scholars, monks, peasants, nobles, scientists, philosophers, poets, musicians, authors, explorers, missionaries, linguists, etc. You name it, we're likely to have a saint who was into those things! Did you know we have a patron saint of pistoleers?

You can find a parish nearly anywhere! Not only that, you want a more modern service? There's a parish for that. You want a very solemn service with chanting? There's a parish for that! We cover the widest variety of worship styles out there!

We're an ancient church, we've seen our share of scandals and yet, despite the best efforts of some sinful men and women, we're still around. Not only that, we're growing!

Did I mention how ancient we are? Not that it's a bad thing, in fact it's a great thing! Got a question about something in the faith? More than likely you'll have found that we had robust debates about that very same subject years, if not centuries ago! You can read the debates and find the answers you seek!

And death! We Catholics aren't afraid of death! Yeah, we don't really go out looking to die, but at the same time, we're not worried about what will happen afterwards. We have faith, and in fact many of us look upon death not as something to fear, but the beginnings of an all new awesome adventure!

Not only that, we've got the Eucharist. I mean you can LITERALLY be in the physical AND spiritual presence of Jesus! That's right, when we celebrate Mass, Jesus Christ comes down and literally is in our presence. We're not worshiping some sky-god, we're worshiping THE God who became one of us, who literally offers us His Flesh and Blood perpetually to partake of to heal our souls and bodies! How awesome is that?

There's many many more good reasons to be Catholic. I didn't even go into the richness of the liturgy and how deep in Scripture and history it is. But it's all there!

Come, join us! We'll work with you not only to save your soul, but to help you save others as well. We want you to be a part of our family! We want to offer you the ultimate peace and joy that is found in Jesus Christ Our Lord! Come and see!

 

[Kyouken]

Two things I've noticed:
Christianity has the only God that is a living God. That, and Christianity has the only God that died for us (I think; someone correct me on that if I'm wrong).

There's a whole lot of good reasons to become Christian. The main thing is, however, having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Bible says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father but by Him (John 14:6, I believe)

There isn't anything you are required to do. However, it would be stupid of me to say that you shouldn't read the Bible. Many things about Christianity aren't apparent and won't become apparent until someone is born again. When you are born again, and read the Bible, you'll get a better understanding if you meditate on it.

God is a good God, and through Jesus, He's given us everything. Health. Prosperity. Forgiveness of our sins. And more. In order to learn how to appropriate your faith with God's grace (and what else He's given us), you need to read the Bible, as it gives you instruction on how to do so. Some of these things aren't immediate, except for the forgiveness of sins, as that already happened (if you do choose Christianity, you'll find that everyone's sins are forgiven already).

One of the more important themes is salvation, and when you receive Jesus, you become born again in your spirit, you're born of God this time, your name is written in the Lamb's book of Life, and from that moment on, heaven awaits you, instead of eternal damnation in hell otherwise. (Yay run on sentence!)

Keep in mind that all I have said is from the Bible, so you can count this as a point of view if you'd like. If you truly want to learn more about Christianity, ask God with an open heart to tell you about it, and if it's right. He'll tell you what's up. If you do choose Christianity, ask God also to tell you how to be born again.

By the way, the Bible never contradicts itself. I don't and won't ever have a complete understanding of it, but I thought I'd put that in here too.

I hope you find what you're looking for, whatISlove.

 

[whatISlove]

FIRST of all I think to find out about God you should start ht reading the Bible instead of asking for our opinion because it would just be our opinion. I can tell you verses to check out. But God said if we want to know the true to read his word and it will set you free.

I have read the bible.

Twice actually.

I wanted to understand from the point of an adherent.

 

[whatISlove]

Sounds like the team to be on, but I'm not playing social baseball.

 

[whatISlove]

I think I've found what I have found before with Christianity and most other religions, which is the same.
It's not a matter of questions and answers.
No words can account for it.

You either have faith in the unknown existence of God(s) and the supposed afterlife or you don't.

Neither side is right or wrong. Their merely stating their opinion, which they believe to be true.

However, I will say this, religious people have more in common than non-religious or whatever the correct terms are.

 

[all_for_Jesus]

I have an opinion about it, and it changed my way of see this things.. You know, I studied sciences, and because of that, I spend a lot of time trying to explain a lot of things in christianity..

And then, I've learned something: Faith is not a matter of science.. It can't be explained! Doesn't matter if it's from christianity or other religion.. =)

 

[brotherdano]

Jesus is very clear in teaching that there is only one way to heaven. And, that road does not lead through Mecca, Israel or the Vatican. It leads directly to the cross. You do need to find a church that meets your spiritual needs, and one that makes you a better person. If you get no "vibes", then keep looking. I believe there is a multitude of churches because people learn and grow in a multitude of ways.

Study the Word. Daily...I suggest starting with Genesis 1, and read two or three chapters each day until you've read through. Keep a notebook nearby and make notes and write down questions as you need to do so. Then, before you read, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you into God's truth for your life. I wish you well.

 

[cari6]

I love your conclusion whatISlove. I think I have arrived at the same one. My only problem is I am in need of fellowship so for that matter I have to choose one. For right now, I am leaving that to practicality and attend Catholic church cause I don't have any other churches around plus they are not too pushy with their theological believes. Let us know how it is going for you!

 

[whatISlove]

Jesus is very clear in teaching that there is only one way to heaven. And, that road does not lead through Mecca, Israel or the Vatican. It leads directly to the cross. You do need to find a church that meets your spiritual needs, and one that makes you a better person. If you get no "vibes", then keep looking. I believe there is a multitude of churches because people learn and grow in a multitude of ways.

Study the Word. Daily...I suggest starting with Genesis 1, and read two or three chapters each day until you've read through. Keep a notebook nearby and make notes and write down questions as you need to do so. Then, before you read, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you into God's truth for your life. I wish you well.

Thanks, but that task has already been completely.
Also, I tried speaking outloud to the Spirit, there's never any answer. I am not going to pretend that some part of my life was the answer.
If there is not a prompt answer the entire exercise is fruitless because the probability that something in my life (THE ANSWER FROM GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT) will appear, increases, exponentially. I tested this in an experiment once. I set a prayer time asking for guidance in a matter. Then I constantly waited for something that seemed like the answer, a day past then another, yet the moment the matter was somewhat resolved I instantly believed my pray was answered. I did this for a month. Marking the start dates of prayers and the resolution dates. It was clear as time passes, the likely hood of an answered prayer increases exponentially. Most prayers were answered when anything good happened, because prayers are so ambigious, some not at all. The number of prayers answered increases the further from the origin date you are. My old papers looked like this where I kept tally. i.e. {day, prayers answered) (0,1) (1,1) (2,3) (3,5) (4,7) (5,9) (6,15) etc. i.e. probability of answered prayer increases closer to always answered or 1 if the process could be continued infinitely, i.e. {day, probability answered} (0,1/33) (1,1/33) (2,2/33) (3,1/11) (4,5/33) (7/33) (3/11) (5/11) ...etc -->
As you can see it's statistically likely that a prayer will eventually be answered. As the amount of time spent waiting for an answer increases, so does the likelyhood that it will be answered.
The real question is, are they everyday events were you have the will to change and affect them or does God manipulate or influence the lives of human beings?

 

[Kyouken]

Thanks, but that task has already been completely.
Also, I tried speaking outloud to the Spirit, there's never any answer. I am not going to pretend that some part of my life was the answer.
If there is not a prompt answer the entire exercise is fruitless because the probability that something in my life (THE ANSWER FROM GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT) will appear, increases, exponentially. I tested this in an experiment once. I set a prayer time asking for guidance in a matter. Then I constantly waited for something that seemed like the answer, a day past then another, yet the moment the matter was somewhat resolved I instantly believed my pray was answered. I did this for a month. Marking the start dates of prayers and the resolution dates. It was clear as time passes, the likely hood of an answered prayer increases exponentially. Most prayers were answered when anything good happened, because prayers are so ambigious, some not at all. The number of prayers answered increases the further from the origin date you are. My old papers looked like this where I kept tally. i.e. {day, prayers answered) (0,1) (1,1) (2,3) (3,5) (4,7) (5,9) (6,15) etc. i.e. probability of answered prayer increases closer to always answered or 1 if the process could be continued infinitely, i.e. {day, probability answered} (0,1/33) (1,1/33) (2,2/33) (3,1/11) (4,5/33) (7/33) (3/11) (5/11) ...etc -->
As you can see it's statistically likely that a prayer will eventually be answered. As the amount of time spent waiting for an answer increases, so does the likelyhood that it will be answered.
The real question is, are they everyday events were you have the will to change and affect them or does God manipulate or influence the lives of human beings?

God answers prayer; He moves through us. God is spirit. Have you ever noticed that when some demonic crap is happening that there's a person there? Without that person, no levitations or stuff like that would happen. No spirits are 'channeled' (if you will) through that person, and no power is released. Now, I'm not saying we can control God. Why, if these things that I have said are so? We have no authority over God. Now, my logic here may not be sound, and I need to do a bit of thinking on what I have said, but I hope that gives you some good insight on your question there.

If this is how you view prayer, you may never see manifestation of the answer. You can't control when you see that manifestation, as there are plenty of more factors than God's hand.

When people say, "I won't believe until I see" they've got it backwards. The Bible says "You won't see until you believe".

You can pray every minute of every day of your whole life, and you won't see manifestation if you don't believe. The statistics you have provided don't count for belief. And you can't measure that.

Keep in mind again, that what I'm saying is from a Biblical scope, so you could take all of this as an opinion if you'd like.

 

[whatISlove]

God answers prayer; He moves through us. God is spirit. Have you ever noticed that when some demonic crap is happening that there's a person there? Without that person, no levitations or stuff like that would happen. No spirits are 'channeled' (if you will) through that person, and no power is released. Now, I'm not saying we can control God. Why, if these things that I have said are so? We have no authority over God. Now, my logic here may not be sound, and I need to do a bit of thinking on what I have said, but I hope that gives you some good insight on your question there.

If this is how you view prayer, you may never see manifestation of the answer. You can't control when you see that manifestation, as there are plenty of more factors than God's hand.

When people say, "I won't believe until I see" they've got it backwards. The Bible says "You won't see until you believe".

You can pray every minute of every day of your whole life, and you won't see manifestation if you don't believe. The statistics you have provided don't count for belief. And you can't measure that.

Keep in mind again, that what I'm saying is from a Biblical scope, so you could take all of this as an opinion if you'd like.

Demonic crap <-- I've never scene any or heard of any verified demonic crap occuring accept in movies and on television, or from stories my very strange friends (I mean VERY )make up. Usually their media intake involves a large portion of horror and sci-fi, so I wouldn't doubt their imaginations, just their stories.
I think this argument needs to be cached under the free will debate. Does God give free will, partial free will or is he the great puppeteer?

That's a dual concept of (God exists [angels on earth/miracles] therefore the Devil exists) or (The Devil (demonic crap on earth) exists therefore God exists). Eitherway you're using one unverified source (unless you've personal experience [which I'm supposed to take your word on]) to verifying the existence of another unverified entity (God).

From what I read, a summation of your argument could be, " Prayers connect us to God (He moves through us?), because demonic crap happens to people (Power is released? Levitations?)." Now, I could be wrong, but I think I read something similar to this in a Manga Comic book my friend lent me.

Plenty of statements, no examples.
How do you know God is moving through you ? (Right...you can't really describe it, you just know.)
Examples of well known and verified levitations (that weren't magic tricks) ?
What power?

That reminds me of a funny loop conversation.
-Start-
A: Got the power.
B: What power?
A: The power of Whodo.
B: Who-do?
A: You do!
B: What?
Repeat from -start-

"You won't see until you believe". You are talking about information flowing backwards, like time travel. You need prior knowledge of something to "believe" it. I have no prior knowledge of the God entity, therefore how can I believe in it.
Read a little bit on the theory of information to understand what I mean. {ante ipsum} and {cognitio prior}
You can't draw from your natural senses to interact with God.

 

[Kyouken]

Demonic crap <-- I've never scene any or heard of any verified demonic crap occuring accept in movies and on television, or from stories my very strange friends (I mean VERY )make up. Usually their media intake involves a large portion of horror and sci-fi, so I wouldn't doubt their imaginations, just their stories.
I think this argument needs to be cached under the free will debate. Does God give free will, partial free will or is he the great puppeteer?

That's a dual concept of (God exists [angels on earth/miracles] therefore the Devil exists) or (The Devil (demonic crap on earth) exists therefore God exists). Eitherway you're using one unverified source (unless you've personal experience [which I'm supposed to take your word on]) to verifying the existence of another unverified entity (God).

From what I read, a summation of your argument could be, " Prayers connect us to God (He moves through us?), because demonic crap happens to people (Power is released? Levitations?)." Now, I could be wrong, but I think I read something similar to this in a Manga Comic book my friend lent me.

Plenty of statements, no examples.
How do you know God is moving through you ? (Right...you can't really describe it, you just know.)
Examples of well known and verified levitations (that weren't magic tricks) ?
What power?

That reminds me of a funny loop conversation.
-Start-
A: Got the power.
B: What power?
A: The power of Whodo.
B: Who-do?
A: You do!
B: What?
Repeat from -start-

"You won't see until you believe". You are talking about information flowing backwards, like time travel. You need prior knowledge of something to "believe" it. I have no prior knowledge of the God entity, therefore how can I believe in it.
Read a little bit on the theory of information to understand what I mean. {ante ipsum} and {cognitio prior}
You can't draw from your natural senses to interact with God.

I thought I was getting into more than I could handle I'll do my best Oh, and I'm a bit blunt, as you could tell

As far as free will, Scripture supports it (Jeremiah 19:5, Deuteronomy 30:18 or 19, I think). Those aren't the only scriptures, but those are the ones that stick out most to me. Oh, and I don't go to movies or anything to find out about demonic stuff; nothing big has happened to me, but some stuff has. That may just be me not being able to explain why it happens, but from what I can tell it's not normal.

As far as dual concept wise, God existed before the devil existed, and there was where there was no "polar opposite" of God.

And from my statements regarding God moving through us and levitations and what not, don't take my words heavily, as it seems what I said literally made no sense. While prayers connect us to God in a way, it isn't because demonic crap/stuff happens.

I know God moves through me because I do what the Bible says to do (now I'm not perfect, of course). There isn't a feeling. I don't feel God move through me at all. People can't. While I do feel the Holy Spirit stirring inside of me, I don't look for that feeling. But I'm rambling there.
I've taken the Bible to a point where I don't just regard it as a book, but the word of the living God. I know because the Bible tells me so. Not exactly a better answer than "I just know" but it's at least better.

I don't have any examples of well known levitations or verified ones at that, nor will I look one up. You don't have to take my word that these things happen, either. But people release the power of the devil every day. Even people who are born again (and they probably don't mean to, either, but people do have choices). The power of the devil is death, and the power of God is life. When we speak swears or curse people or in plain terms put other people down, even if we do these things jokingly, we release the power of the devil because what we would be saying would not be of God, as God would not want us to do those things. However, when we speak the Word of God, we release life. After all, life and death are in the power of the tongue.

And you're exactly right "You can't draw from your natural senses to interact with God." The Bible says we are supposed to worship Him in spirit and in truth. However, you need faith to believe if you want to see.
But it is possible to believe in God because the Bible gives us knowledge about who He is. There's your prior knowledge.
And even if that isn't a good enough argument, every believes in something they can't see. Even you. Yet people 'just know' those things exist. If you would like for me to elaborate on this, I can do that
I don't think you've factored in the concept of 'faith' either. Believing what you can't see/taste/touch/hear/smell is a sort of definition of 'faith'. And we have faith in what we can't see all the time. You, me, everyone.

I hope I haven't provoked more questions than what you've asked here; I don't have all the answers (which is obvious, but I need to state it). I also hope that my answers are sufficient enough.

It all comes down to whether or not you believe what the Bible says about everything.

 

[resurrection33]

I'm figuratively "religion" window shopping.

Literally, trying to decide what religion to believe, if at all, and why to believe it over others.

I know that is a simplistic and crude way of describing what I'm doing, but it is what I'm doing.

Which religion is the true religion? How can you tell?

If Christianity, then why?

There is one truth.

 

[whatISlove]

I thought I was getting into more than I could handle I'll do my best Oh, and I'm a bit blunt, as you could tell

As far as free will, Scripture supports it (Jeremiah 19:5, Deuteronomy 30:18 or 19, I think). Those aren't the only scriptures, but those are the ones that stick out most to me. Oh, and I don't go to movies or anything to find out about demonic stuff; nothing big has happened to me, but some stuff has. That may just be me not being able to explain why it happens, but from what I can tell it's not normal.

As far as dual concept wise, God existed before the devil existed, and there was where there was no "polar opposite" of God.

And from my statements regarding God moving through us and levitations and what not, don't take my words heavily, as it seems what I said literally made no sense. While prayers connect us to God in a way, it isn't because demonic crap/stuff happens.

I know God moves through me because I do what the Bible says to do (now I'm not perfect, of course). There isn't a feeling. I don't feel God move through me at all. People can't. While I do feel the Holy Spirit stirring inside of me, I don't look for that feeling. But I'm rambling there.
I've taken the Bible to a point where I don't just regard it as a book, but the word of the living God. I know because the Bible tells me so. Not exactly a better answer than "I just know" but it's at least better.

I don't have any examples of well known levitations or verified ones at that, nor will I look one up. You don't have to take my word that these things happen, either. But people release the power of the devil every day. Even people who are born again (and they probably don't mean to, either, but people do have choices). The power of the devil is death, and the power of God is life. When we speak swears or curse people or in plain terms put other people down, even if we do these things jokingly, we release the power of the devil because what we would be saying would not be of God, as God would not want us to do those things. However, when we speak the Word of God, we release life. After all, life and death are in the power of the tongue.

And you're exactly right "You can't draw from your natural senses to interact with God." The Bible says we are supposed to worship Him in spirit and in truth. However, you need faith to believe if you want to see.
But it is possible to believe in God because the Bible gives us knowledge about who He is. There's your prior knowledge.
And even if that isn't a good enough argument, every believes in something they can't see. Even you. Yet people 'just know' those things exist. If you would like for me to elaborate on this, I can do that
I don't think you've factored in the concept of 'faith' either. Believing what you can't see/taste/touch/hear/smell is a sort of definition of 'faith'. And we have faith in what we can't see all the time. You, me, everyone.

I hope I haven't provoked more questions than what you've asked here; I don't have all the answers (which is obvious, but I need to state it). I also hope that my answers are sufficient enough.

It all comes down to whether or not you believe what the Bible says about everything.

Then I won't have or ever understand this form of the definition of the word faith. It's not in me to know or attempt to know what that means, if it truly is a form of knowledge at all. What doesn't fall under the category of knowledge? Experience and feeling can both be known. The bible can be known. Jesus' existence can be known and verified by the roman and biblical texts.
Jesus' miracles were only verified by the bible. As for God and the Holy Spirit, these are essences/entities which definitions are grounded in the Old Testament. The evidence of which is solely dedicated to the bible and individual connections.

The problem I find is in the biblical texts. All reports of connections to Heaven and God, etc. are always sourced individually. Such as, one prophet having a dream sent by God. Also most parts of the Bible were written individually, where the events therein have only one record that can't be crossed referenced with other historical documents. The cross -references for any miracles come from like-minded individuals who spoke amongst themselves (i.e. the gospels).
Correct me if I am wrong, but all the miracles the bible reports cannot be cross-referenced by other historical documents (accepting one man's writing or a small like-minded group). Jesus' death on the cross was not a miracle and it was also recorded by the Romans. The ressurection, the multiplying of bread and fish, walking on water, etc (only source is biblical).

Other Historical Documents (Why they're important.)
I could tell you now that God came into my room and said (in the holy language, tongues of fire, or however you interpret that meaning in the bible), "Austin, my son, follow me and the kingdom of heaven awaits."

You could believe me or not, but that is your choice. However only one individual has "proof" God exists.

You can't transfer that knowledge like other types of knowledge, however the event can't be recreated or understood in the same manner as typical knowledge, such as, "I saw a bear today." I can show what a bear is, looks like, draw it, describe with the 5 senses.

However if my family member saw it also, you could say the event is more credible now.

If another person I haven't and don't affiliate myself with sees it also, then it is very credible.

They use a technique similar to this in the court of law, to verify the facts of crimes with credible witnesses.

There are no examples of verification of this type for miracles in the bible.

You can have faith in yourself, in others, but you must put your faith in the human integrity of a small number of people you do not know (who also lived in a time where Greek Mythology was still believed in by many) to believe they wrote the truth in the bible.

Right now, I prefer to dwell in reality.

Belief in God is a very large exentsion of a Human's ability to have "faith". So much so that there is no way to verify that your faith has grounds in reality, only unverified historical events.

Summary

Personal opinion - I believe that believing in anything that can't be verified (with appropriate sources) and/or experienced by the 5 senses (and the 6th being prior knowledge or experience from memory) is futile. Faith can and should be extended only as far the Human capacity is able.

If the miracles of the bible, the existence of God &or the afterlife had to be proven in a court of law, do you think you could prove any of them?

 

[Kyouken]

Then I won't have or ever understand this form of the definition of the word faith. It's not in me to know or attempt to know what that means, if it truly is a form of knowledge at all. What doesn't fall under the category of knowledge? Experience and feeling can both be known. The bible can be known. Jesus' existence can be known and verified by the roman and biblical texts.
Jesus' miracles were only verified by the bible. As for God and the Holy Spirit, these are essences/entities which definitions are grounded in the Old Testament. The evidence of which is solely dedicated to the bible and individual connections.

The problem I find is in the biblical texts. All reports of connections to Heaven and God, etc. are always sourced individually. Such as, one prophet having a dream sent by God. Also most parts of the Bible were written individually, where the events therein have only one record that can't be crossed referenced with other historical documents. The cross -references for any miracles come from like-minded individuals who spoke amongst themselves (i.e. the gospels).
Correct me if I am wrong, but all the miracles the bible reports cannot be cross-referenced by other historical documents (accepting one man's writing or a small like-minded group). Jesus' death on the cross was not a miracle and it was also recorded by the Romans. The ressurection, the multiplying of bread and fish, walking on water, etc (only source is biblical).

Other Historical Documents (Why they're important.)
I could tell you now that God came into my room and said (in the holy language, tongues of fire, or however you interpret that meaning in the bible), "Austin, my son, follow me and the kingdom of heaven awaits."

You could believe me or not, but that is your choice. However only one individual has "proof" God exists.

You can't transfer that knowledge like other types of knowledge, however the event can't be recreated or understood in the same manner as typical knowledge, such as, "I saw a bear today." I can show what a bear is, looks like, draw it, describe with the 5 senses.

However if my family member saw it also, you could say the event is more credible now.

If another person I haven't and don't affiliate myself with sees it also, then it is very credible.

They use a technique similar to this in the court of law, to verify the facts of crimes with credible witnesses.

There are no examples of verification of this type for miracles in the bible.

You can have faith in yourself, in others, but you must put your faith in the human integrity of a small number of people you do not know (who also lived in a time where Greek Mythology was still believed in by many) to believe they wrote the truth in the bible.

Right now, I prefer to dwell in reality.

Belief in God is a very large exentsion of a Human's ability to have "faith". So much so that there is no way to verify that your faith has grounds in reality, only unverified historical events.

Summary

Personal opinion - I believe that believing in anything that can't be verified (with appropriate sources) and/or experienced by the 5 senses (and the 6th being prior knowledge or experience from memory) is futile. Faith can and should be extended only as far the Human capacity is able.

If the miracles of the bible, the existence of God &or the afterlife had to be proven in a court of law, do you think you could prove any of them?

One thing to note: logic and me don't mix. I'm not thickheaded, but I can't really explain it. The only logic I can use is Biblical logic (well, the only logic that will make sense when I use it, anyway).

Saying that you won't understand that definition means you're choosing not to, really. You seem like you're pretty bright, actually. I bet you could. If you want to even begin to understand that, you need to take a step out of "I can't touch/taste/hear/smell/see it, therefore it doesn't exist" and into "believing what I can't touch/taste/hear/smell/see." Actually, you do believe in things of the sort now. Everyone does. I'm not sure they think about it often, but you, me, and everyone else believe in (or rather recognize they exist) things we can't touch/taste/hear/smell/see, believer or unbeliever.

It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a man to get into heaven. However, if one doesn't have ears to hear, he won't hear this.

Like I said, it all comes down to whether or not you believe what the Bible says, verified by other sources or not. But it is sensible not to believe in something unless it seems credible, I'll give you that. But then again, I would say the Bible is credible.

And it's funny how you said you prefer to dwell in reality; I think I'm right in assuming we have different realities. My faith has been verified, honestly. I've done things that humans can't do. Of course, you can't hear/smell/touch/taste/see what I'm telling you, so you can take it with a grain of salt (I don't put that in there to be sarcastic or demeaning or anything).

And the big finale; the answer to your question there (this'll be fun!).

If I were to prove God's existence in a court of law, I'd find a believer who has some sort of sickness/ailment, preach healing to them, and heal them (not of myself, of course). However, I'd bring in a doctor to do some tests to verify that person is actually sick, and then have them check after to verify they had been healed. Now of course, chance play a big part in this. If that didn't work, I'd try creation evangelism . That is logical and won't fail (or at least, I haven't see it fail). And THAT fails, I'd probably ask God what to do, perform some sort of miracle that couldn't be explained by any human means, and there you go.

^Opinion opinion opinion and so on.