Religious Guidance Please - Hello. Many questions.

[Kyouken]

You have something in your ear called the vestibular system. Maybe you could call it your six sense of balance. It's a measure of force. There are no instruments to measure spiritual or "God" force. Good and evil are "forces" in a way, but they come from people, not the "super-natural realm". That only occurs in movies and comic books.

I can't say this is news, but I didn't know that exactly... Huh. I have another suggestion that may help you further your studies; it's a DVD (compiled by the 700 Club I believe) called The Quest for God. I haven't watched it (as I don't have money to order it with), but from the previews, it looks like it compares all the other religions (maybe not all) to Christianity. I'll tell you straight up that it is from people who are in favor of Christianity. I'll leave you to judge whether it's biased or not, though.

That's really interesting about the ear thingy. I might look that up later.

 

[nickybeans]

hi Jesus said that he was the only way to heaven, he came from heaven to earth to shed his precious blood for our sins, so please receive his free gift of salvation by faith in him. his grace awaits you!

nick

 

[whatISlove]

I can't say this is news, but I didn't know that exactly... Huh. I have another suggestion that may help you further your studies; it's a DVD (compiled by the 700 Club I believe) called The Quest for God. I haven't watched it (as I don't have money to order it with), but from the previews, it looks like it compares all the other religions (maybe not all) to Christianity. I'll tell you straight up that it is from people who are in favor of Christianity. I'll leave you to judge whether it's biased or not, though.

That's really interesting about the ear thingy. I might look that up later.

You can find similar things from other countries.

For example... I've seen an Islamic film that shows why Islam is the one true religion or way to God. It had English sub-titles. Very convincing perspective in some ways, but just as impertinent as I am sure that the video your suggesting is.

 

[whatISlove]

I'll give you the short answer. Christianity, Islam, Judisim and Satanisim are the only religions that I know of who's God is alive. Why worship a God who is dead. Seems pathetic to worship a dead guy or inanimate objects who are worse off then you. Satanisim doesn't make sence to me because I don't want to follow what's evil. Evil is bad and bad is wrong. Not very confusing... Judisim ignores the fact that Jesus Christ fulfilled every requirement for the Messiah that they've been looking for for the past 2,400 years or so. And Islam has the Holy Bible as one of it's holy books but claims that Jesus Christ was just a high ranking prophet instead of the Son of God all while the Holy Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the Son of God.

That's the logical answer. My personal answer is because I have found love, joy, peace, self-control, meekness, gentleness, kindness, faith, and goodness in Jesus Christ.

True. You must have faith in the Old Testament to have faith in the New Testament, unfortunately (from a Christian perspective) I've neither; especially not the Old Testament. I'll certainly agree with you, the bible is full of good teachings and parables and meanings. These are all very important teachings about how to become and/or be a good person on a complex and simplistic level.

 

[StMichaelTheArchangel]

True. You must have faith in the Old Testament to have faith in the New Testament, unfortunately (from a Christian perspective) I've neither; especially not the Old Testament. I'll certainly agree with you, the bible is full of good teachings and parables and meanings. These are all very important teachings about how to become and/or be a good person on a complex and simplistic level.

Whenever I hear you say "I've read the Bible and learned it", it reminds me of this verse from the Wisdom of Sirach:

Sirach 22:8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?


The Psalm in the Holy Bible says, "Psalm 14:1 To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.



Its like you did not get the message of the Bible. You are blind to its Wisdom and Teaching.

In the Bible God has made known:

[1] What the world is; where it came from; why it exists; where it is heading; how it will end;

[2] What man is; where he comes from; where he is going; what he is made of; what his purpose is; how he will end;

[3] What animals and plants are; what their purpose is; what they are used for;

[4] What good is; where it comes from; what it leads to; what its purpose is; how it is attained;

[5] What evil is; where it comes from; how it came to exist; why it exists--how it will come to an end;

[6] What the righteous are and what sinners are; how a sin*ner becomes righteous and how an arrogant flghteous man becomes a sinner; how a man serves God and how he serves satan; the whole path from good to evil, and from God to satan;

[7] Everything--from the beginning to the end; man's entire path from the body to God, from his conception in the womb to his resurrection from the dead;

[8] What the history of the world is, the history of heaven and earth, the history of mankind; what their path, purpose, and end are.

In the Bible God has said absolutely everything that was necessary to be said to men. The biography of every man-*everyone without exception--is found in the Bible.

 

[PopClick]

You really can't "make" yourself have faith to believe in Jesus Christ's saving power; it has to come from God (base your faith not on the winsome words of men, but on the power of God, alone). If you are truly open-minded, then you can tell God that you will give Him your life, if He will reveal the truth to you, and if you really mean it, then He will do it. It sounds like you might not be at a point where you would really mean it yet (which is fine). However, if you ever are ready to level with God, then go straight to Him, and let HIM show you The Way. Because you really shouldn't take ANY man's word for it; that would be a blind faith. I'm not into blind faith, and I don't incourage you to be, either. Go straight to The Source! (when you're ready) Love, -Nichole

This is awesome.

 

[Kyouken]

You can find similar things from other countries.

For example... I've seen an Islamic film that shows why Islam is the one true religion or way to God. It had English sub-titles. Very convincing perspective in some ways, but just as impertinent as I am sure that the video your suggesting is.

Ah, I see. That Islamic one must have been interesting... But then again, I'm sure the Christian one is too...

 

[whatISlove]

This is awesome.

What source??? The person wrote,

Go straight to the source.

If you could show me how to get to the source that would be wonderful. None of this individual journey. That translates into, "We don't know where the source is, you find it."

 

[whatISlove]

Whenever I hear you say "I've read the Bible and learned it", it reminds me of this verse from the Wisdom of Sirach:

Sirach 22:8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?



Its like you did not get the message of the Bible. You are blind to its Divine Wisdom.

In the Bible

Writers from the time of Christ and before; humans wrote down their supposed divine thoughts. God can't write, unless I'm mistaken. It's the "inspired" words of man, because God speaks in tongues.

has made known:

[1] What the world is; where it came from; why it exists; where it is heading; how it will end;

[2] What man is; where he comes from; where he is going; what he is made of; what his purpose is; how he will end;

[3] What animals and plants are; what their purpose is; what they are used for;

[4] What good is; where it comes from; what it leads to; what its purpose is; how it is attained;

[5] What evil is; where it comes from; how it came to exist; why it exists--how it will come to an end;

[6] What the righteous are and what sinners are; how a sin*ner becomes righteous and how an arrogant flghteous man becomes a sinnerNow, where those adjectives really necessary, or are you sending a message between the lines. You couldn't have just said, "sinner", like you said, "righteous"?"; how a man serves God and how he serves satan; the whole path from good to evil, and from God to satan;

[7] Everything--from the beginning to the end; man's entire path from the body to God, from his conception in the womb to his resurrection from the dead;

[8] What the history of the world is, the history of heaven and earth, the history of mankind; what their path, purpose, and end are.

In the Bible God has said absolutely everything that was necessary to be said to men. The biography of every man-*everyone without exception--is found in the Bible.

Making a list doesn't make your argument any more true or false.

Once again you are assuming that intelligence begets intelligence and that everything has to have purpose.
Does everything have to have come to be via purpose and intelligence? How could you verify that?

 

[whatISlove]

By tongues, I mean, when God speaks, all will understand.

 

[sjask]

To cut through all the dogma, It is all about your relationship with Christ. when you are ready to be loved unconditionally and accept the tremendous gift of forgiveness you will know it is real. You will know that you will never be alone no matter how difficult the road is. You will not have to depend on "inner" strength because you will have the most powerful force in the universe, the One who created the Universe on your side. Take that step and surrender, it will change your life. I once thought that all roads lead to a generic God but when I surrendered I knew that the Truth of Jesus Christ had altered my life forever including delivering me from depression and guiding me through the consequences of some bad decisions in my life.

 

[PopClick]

If you could show me how to get to the source that would be wonderful. None of this individual journey. That translates into, "We don't know where the source is, you find it."

How's this: "God, I don't know if you're real or not. So if you show me, UNDENIABLY, who you are, I will give you my life. Otherwise, no deal."

 

[whatISlove]

To cut through all the dogma, It is all about your relationship with Christ. when you are ready to be loved unconditionally and accept the tremendous gift of forgiveness you will know it is real. You will know that you will never be alone no matter how difficult the road is. You will not have to depend on "inner" strength because you will have the most powerful force in the universe, the One who created the Universe on your side. Take that step and surrender, it will change your life. I once thought that all roads lead to a generic God but when I surrendered I knew that the Truth of Jesus Christ had altered my life forever including delivering me from depression and guiding me through the consequences of some bad decisions in my life.

Good for you. That has nothing to do with my argument. If anything, I'll become a Buddhist before I become a Christian. There faith is much more peaceful than the history of Christianity. Also, I would have the God of the universe on my side, just the Buddhist's have many God's but still believe in the unity of all being.

Christianity has the trinity.
Buddhism has multiple Gods.

Christianity has a history a violence and wars over their belief.
Buddhism has a history of the way to fight with non-violence.

 

[whatISlove]

Also what is wrong with being independent? Obviously the most powerful force in the Universe can't be known to you unless your dead. So why don't you die, then rise, and tell all of us about the most powerful force in the universe. He certainly can't and won't intervene in this world because of free will. This also does not make sense.

If God truly gave man free will. Why does he have any connection with humanity after Adam an Eve or even during Adam and Eve's presence on earth?

Even Jesus' presence goes against free will. God is altering the will of man, and the floods, etc. If we truly had free will, we'd have no information about God.

 

[whatISlove]

How's this: "God, I don't know if you're real or not. So if you show me, UNDENIABLY, who you are, I will give you my life. Otherwise, no deal."

I've tried that. You know praying or asking to the entity. It doesn't work.

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?

Therefore, NO DEAL...

I am pending a return message to delete my account.
As for now... I'll do my best to listen to valid arguments.

 

[sjask]

He gave you your life, look at the miracle of a human body, there is proof all around you. If you are closed off to it then He could stand before you and declare He is God and you would still not believe.

 

[sjask]

Buddhism is a way of life not a religion necessarily. Many Buddhists also claim to be Christians.

 

[whatISlove]

He gave you your life, look at the miracle of a human body, there is proof all around you. If you are closed off to it then He could stand before you and declare He is God and you would still not believe.

Only if you believe intelligence begets intelligence.
Read up on the logic concept of cause and effect. It's really simple.

We assume the universe was created because of cause and effect.

Time gives us this impression.

That's true, however why would God have a body? Only his son took human form.

 

[whatISlove]

Buddhism is a way of life not a religion necessarily. Many Buddhists also claim to be Christians.

Fair enough. I like the Buddhists way of life, it does not change what Christianity is.

Also, Buddhism is accepted by most, to be an official religion.
Buddhism was derived from Hinduism, much in the way Christianity was derived from Judaism.

 

[whatISlove]

Saying the Universe is proof combined with your adjectives of miracles (usually followed by amazing or fantastic) you assume that everything is complex because we humans have limited intelligence. To know all is impossible. Therefore all this complexity must have been created by something greater than all of us combined.
NO. It's a ploy used by Christians to imply verification for a God of which the bible is the only verification (and Torah).
I could just as easily say. Look at all this world, look at you, look at me, isn't it amazing? The great spirit guide must have put us here. The great spirit guide is all around you.

How can you say the great spirit guide doesn't exist? He is the only ultimate, he is everthing, he is all wise, he is all knowing. How could you deny the great spirit guide?