ThailandTom wrote:
Carry on doing what you are doing frodo, if it makes you happy and content then sure, go ahead! But realise that not everybody has a religion ad not everybody wants the word of jesus to be jammed down their throat.
I'm not Jamming it down their throat. They don't have to click on this thread. I don't follow people around in other threads pushing it on them, therefore it's not being jammed down their throat.
I think jesus was wrong and right. What he preached did help people and it did bring peace and happiness to people's lives, you should try to bring this to people for sure. But those who do not believe in god aren't going to start if you start reciting sections of the bible at them. If anything, it will steer them further from what you intend.
The bible is God's word. It's their choice if they want to believe it or not. Why don't you ask me to provide evidence for my claims? That way we can explore this together.
A religion should not be about who can get the biggest following, or who is right or who is wrong, it should be about peace, about spirituality and loving kindness. A quick story to reiterate what I am referring to.
A couple were enjoying an evening stroll along a lakeside and there was a noise from the bushes. 'quaaack!' They both heard it and the woman said to her partner, 'did you hear that chicken..' The man replied saying, 'yes I heard the DUCK, but I didn't hear a chicken.' The noise sounded again, 'quaaaaaack'. The woman repeated that it was a chicken. The man started to raise his voice and get a little frustrated, 'no, it is a duck!' They were both starting to get a little heated and were no longer holding hands. The noise sonded a 3rd time and they both looked at each other and the man realised something. He smiled and said to his partner, 'yes, I think you are right, it is a chicken.' They both held hands once more and continued their walk. The point here is that he knew he was right, but that doesn't actually matter, the who is right or wrong. What matters is the fact they are both content and at peace. When you start to argue who is right or who is wrong, you are letting your ego get in the way of love and peace. It really doesn't matter who is right or wrong so just let it be..
It DOES matter in a HUGE way. If the bible's right, which I know it is, then the people who don't accept Christ are in grave danger of spending eternity in hell being tormented, naked, hungry, thirsty, eaten by maggots, burned in fire, crammed with millions of screaming others, not able to breathe, never sleeping, never resting, no comfort, no water, no light, pitch blackness, tormented by demons who rip their arms and legs off, crush their skull, with no possibility of ever getting out, EVER. Yes it DOES matter very much. I wouldn't waste my time if it didn't. Thats' the reason that God sent His very Son to this earth to DIE. To save us from that. He doesn't want that. If we accept the pardon (Jesus Christ) for our sins (crimes against God) then we will be forgiven and become royalty in heaven with Him. If we don't, then we have to go to hell (prison) to pay for our sins, forever.
Clinging to the notion of god as is portrayed in the bible is blind because it cannot be proven for a fact.
The evidence backs it up. Science, Prophecies, History, Eyewitness Testimony, Miracles, Creation and Personal Experience.
Most physicists will tell you that there is a higher power in this universe most likely, but they do not consider it to be an all knowing all powerful god.
Then they don't know Him, I do. I'm not trying to be arrogant, I REALLY know Him.
You are entitled to your belief for sure, but it is not a fact and cannot be proven, so it is blind. If it was a fact, then it would not be a belief would it...
It's not blind. It IS backed by the evidence. To be an atheist requires more faith than one who believes in God. No matter what you believe, a measure of faith is required.
Just try and think about what you do and say before you actually do it next time. You may offend somebody or hurt their feelings, not everyne has the same opinion as you frodo...
I don't want to hurt people's feelings, but if it would save them from eternity in hell, it would be worth it. That's the loving thing to do. I tell them these things BECAUSE I care. If I didn't care, then I would just go along with the flow and not say anything. If I come accross as rude, then I apologize. I am just very blunt about this because I don't want anyone to misunderstand the message. My hope is for the salvation of everyone here. It's so easy to pray from your heart and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. I hope you will all do that here.
My response is in bold above.
---------- Post added at 01:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 PM ----------
Saradactyl wrote:
I'm sorry, I didn't realize that the Lord only cared about how big his fan base is. If all I have to do is utter a prayer and get instant access to heaven, but all the good deeds I have done don't count for shit then I will gladly accept my place in hell.
It's not like that. Look, if a person goes out and robs a bank, then decides to be a good citizen from then on, what do you think will happen to him when the police catch him? What if he says, I've been a good citizen. I've done good deeds. I shouldn't go to prison. Do you think he won't go to prison for his crime? Yes, he would go to prison. When we sin we commit a crime against God and must go to prison (hell).
What if the President offered you a pardon for your crime of robbing the bank. Would you take it? Of course you would. What would happen if you refused the pardon? You would have to go to prison and pay for your crime, right?
Well, Jesus Christ offers you and I a pardon for OUR crimes (sins) against God. All we have to do is accept it through Jesus Christ. If we accept it, we will be pardoned. If we reject it, we will have to pay for our own sins by going to hell (prison). The problem is that this prison is eternal so this is a very, very important decision. Choose life. Choose Jesus.
