Religion help..plz

[savage1]

I agree. I simply don't believe there's a "whatever" watching over us and judging.

How would you describe yourself-agnostic, atheist or somewhere in between perhaps?

[CheechB03]

How would you describe yourself-agnostic, atheist or somewhere in between perhaps?

Agnostic and a hypocrite.

A hypocrite because while I don't believe in god my children have made their communion and confirmation. I believe in instilling some faith and let them make their own decisions.

[BettorsChat]

I've always asked my self one question and i've never got an answer. If there is one god why is there 1000 different religions?

Easy God appeared to many nations in different forms thus the reason for different religions.

[BettorsChat]

One asks why do bad things happen to good people? I think you should try asking a priest this question. I believe it's a test for those around us and I also believe its evil that does it. As stated before God allows it to test people. Other than that I wouldn't really know.

I do know when I lay down at night and i'm thinking to myself I cannot imagine just ceasing to exist one day with no thinking anymore. I believe my spirit of my body will still exist.

[bover1]

I do know when I lay down at night and i'm thinking to myself I cannot imagine just ceasing to exist one day with no thinking anymore. I believe my spirit of my body will still exist.

WELL PUT 3 CARD.....ITS A VERY ERIE THOUGHT SOMETIMES...

[savage1]

Agnostic and a hypocrite.

A hypocrite because while I don't believe in god my children have made their communion and confirmation. I believe in instilling some faith and let them make their own decisions.

I don't think you are being a hypocrite at all. You are just doing what any good parent would do under the circumstances.
Let me tell you something-my father died 3 years ago at age 90.
He openly admitted he didn't belive in god or at the very least was at least more atheist than just agnostic.
However, he instilled in me and my brother the tenets of Judaism(along with the help of my mom) but emphasized and practiced (as Judaism does) living a good life here on earth and letting whatever happens afterwards take care of itself.
He viewed high holidays such as Passover as much if not more as an opporunity as to bring the family (his relatives) all together then in actually what the holiday was all about.
My eleven year old daughter, who lives with her mom, who is Catholic, has been exposed to both that and Judaism, and ultimately will choose whichever she chooses(if either).
I think approaches as yours and mine are the mature and realistic way to raise a child.
If my new wife(who is evangelical christian) and I should choose to have a child, I hope to use the same philosophy(although admittedly this might be more difficult because she is far more religious and commited to HER religion than my first wife because of the nature of the religion itself). At the very least, we will instill good values in her, and that is what really counts.

[tkim11]

I believe it's a test for those around us and I also believe its evil that does it. As stated before God allows it to test people.

What kind of a test is raping a 14 yr gonna show? How can I 'worship' this God who test people by letting them get raped, killed, molested, etc...? Why is it that everythin that turns out bad is b/c God is testing us and everything that turns out good is b/c God wants it that way. Do I have no say, in how my actions turn out? I graduated from college b/c of hard work and efforts. No matter how hard I pray, if I didnt do the work I wouldnt have been able to graduate - but at that point, god would have wanted it that way...

Why cant it be that some people are fucked up and others are not. Its not about God or Devil but Fuck up's vs the non's.

I have talked to a friend who went to college to become a priest (some christian college). Didn't help one bit.

What I come to found out is without facts, proofs, evidence, anything can be said to prove one's conclusion correct.

[soonerbud]

Kim, First and foremost I pray for your friend and especially his daughter. Believe me I cannot even begin to understand the pain and sorrow of this event, but I am the father of three daughters myself and know that I pray daily that god protects them from just such an event or tragedy.
You ask so many great questions, and your friends at BC have given some great responses. I am a born again christian, I have seen gods glory in so many different ways. But one thing I never lose sight of............we live in an EVIL world that is reigned over by satan. We are born into sin in an evil world. It is only gods grace and the death of his son Jesus Christ for our sins that saves us from this world. You asked a Great questions when you asked if you had a say in your actions, ABSOLUTELY it is called "free will" (Adam and Eve). God gave it to us to make our own choices. He obviously wants all of us to chose to worship him, however some don't. But please, please don't ever fool yourself the day will come when ALL will. That day will come!! As for the thought of tests, it is written that test will come. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, look at all the bad things that happened to Job, yet he still believed.(book of Job) David seen good take his son, yet as angry as he got with God he still believed. (2 Samuel) Stephen was tested unto death as a martyr and the tests of Paul are too great to list in such a small space.
My point is this, Christ is NOT of this world, yet he has and always will protect his people. What happened to your friends daughter is impossible for us to understand, and what kind of good can come out of it, is impossible for us to even realize. But remember Gods thoughts are not our thoughts, Gods ways are not our ways. No one on this earth can give you the answers you are seeking. However, God with the help of his holy spirit can and will give you a peace to understand that as it is written in 2 Corinthians "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." Again kim, this world is not his world, it will be again soon. When something tragic like this happens we always wonder "Why would God let this happen?" then as part of the evil ones plan we as "free will" humans begin to doubt God and his exsistence. You don't think his children the Isrealites didn't doubt him when they were in slavery for generations or wandering around the desert for 40 years?
Please, don't doubt him. Don't try to think like God or to make sense of so many evil things in our world. All we can do by faith is TRUST him. Ask him for peace and to help you understand. Pray for healing for your friends daughter and her family. And as unpopular as this statement will be here, do as Jesus commanded and pray for the person who did this. I know that sounds weird, but we are to pray for those who persecute us.
Does God exsist, without question. Is he the ruler of the universe? No question. Will he come again to judge us all, Yes and every knee will bow and every tongue confess. But he is God and when we try to figure things out, it just won't happen because his ways are not our ways. But for those who believe, there is a better world coming. I guess I would close by saying this. I hate to think or believe that this is as "good as it gets". Trust him kim, be angry, ask why, tell him how you feel. But don't stop or not believe in him and never ever stop trusting him. God is good, so very very good, and this world is not God. Always remember that. I pray for you and your friend and his daughter. I know this answers nothing, but maybe your heart will begin to see that the most important thing is that you don't seperate yourself from God. Because like your friend and his family you need God now more then ever before. Gods Peace.

[Lsufan]

Kim, First and foremost I pray for your friend and especially his daughter. Believe me I cannot even begin to understand the pain and sorrow of this event, but I am the father of three daughters myself and know that I pray daily that god protects them from just such an event or tragedy.
You ask so many great questions, and your friends at BC have given some great responses. I am a born again christian, I have seen gods glory in so many different ways. But one thing I never lose sight of............we live in an EVIL world that is reigned over by satan. We are born into sin in an evil world. It is only gods grace and the death of his son Jesus Christ for our sins that saves us from this world. You asked a Great questions when you asked if you had a say in your actions, ABSOLUTELY it is called "free will" (Adam and Eve). God gave it to us to make our own choices. He obviously wants all of us to chose to worship him, however some don't. But please, please don't ever fool yourself the day will come when ALL will. That day will come!! As for the thought of tests, it is written that test will come. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, look at all the bad things that happened to Job, yet he still believed.(book of Job) David seen good take his son, yet as angry as he got with God he still believed. (2 Samuel) Stephen was tested unto death as a martyr and the tests of Paul are too great to list in such a small space.
My point is this, Christ is NOT of this world, yet he has and always will protect his people. What happened to your friends daughter is impossible for us to understand, and what kind of good can come out of it, is impossible for us to even realize. But remember Gods thoughts are not our thoughts, Gods ways are not our ways. No one on this earth can give you the answers you are seeking. However, God with the help of his holy spirit can and will give you a peace to understand that as it is written in 2 Corinthians "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." Again kim, this world is not his world, it will be again soon. When something tragic like this happens we always wonder "Why would God let this happen?" then as part of the evil ones plan we as "free will" humans begin to doubt God and his exsistence. You don't think his children the Isrealites didn't doubt him when they were in slavery for generations or wandering around the desert for 40 years?
Please, don't doubt him. Don't try to think like God or to make sense of so many evil things in our world. All we can do by faith is TRUST him. Ask him for peace and to help you understand. Pray for healing for your friends daughter and her family. And as unpopular as this statement will be here, do as Jesus commanded and pray for the person who did this. I know that sounds weird, but we are to pray for those who persecute us.
Does God exsist, without question. Is he the ruler of the universe? No question. Will he come again to judge us all, Yes and every knee will bow and every tongue confess. But he is God and when we try to figure things out, it just won't happen because his ways are not our ways. But for those who believe, there is a better world coming. I guess I would close by saying this. I hate to think or believe that this is as "good as it gets". Trust him kim, be angry, ask why, tell him how you feel. But don't stop or not believe in him and never ever stop trusting him. God is good, so very very good, and this world is not God. Always remember that. I pray for you and your friend and his daughter. I know this answers nothing, but maybe your heart will begin to see that the most important thing is that you don't seperate yourself from God. Because like your friend and his family you need God now more then ever before. Gods Peace.

Awesome write-up Soonerbud.

[BigTicket]

I think it's important for you to understand just how ticked off and biased you are right now because such a terrible thing happened to someone you know. That is disgusting and there is no other way to put it, I hate to hear stuff like that. However, what you are doing, it seems like, is directing all the anger you feel about the tragedy at God, but why? Why is God responsible for what some dispicable EVIL person did to that young girl? You need to understand that this world is filled with evil and sin and that's just the way it is. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins, but it isn't that simple. He didn't die on the cross so that everyone would just be guaranteed an everlasting life without doing anything more. It's contingent upon a Christian accepting Jesus Christ into his/her heart as their personal savior. In the same way, it's important to look at events like this tragedy and not take the easy way out and condemn God because of what happened. God doesn't control each and every person in this world, the man that did that to that girl chose to do it himself, and he alone should be held responsible for his actions. God does not necessarily impose His will on each and every person and event in this world, but he is always willing to listen to a prayer about something specific or a person willing to open their heart to Him in order to be saved and be at peace with oneself. Basically what I am getting at is the whole idea that God isn't responsible for what that guy did, he is. He didn't necessarily "let" it happen.

I don't believe that religion is the root of all evil and it always shocks me to find out how many people do not believe in God. I have had so many personal experiences with God answering prayer that it is overwhelming. I am so happy I am saved and believe in a God that gives me a peace beyond all understanding.

[tkim11]

I thank you for all your heart-felt responses. But I still cant over how a parent would rather watch their child get harmed (to test them) rather then stoping it from happening. If you are a parent wouldnt you want to protect your child from being harmed? How many of us will watch our child get raped? If you have the power to feed your child wouldnt you do it? Would you make him starve to test him? And yes, we do have free will. But parents control that free will, if it leads to harm. We have a 'free will' to touch that hot stove, but our parents prevents us from doing that.

Maybe we dont know answer to these questions b/c some people are fucked up in the head or shit happens.

Sooner - thank you for your write up. If I was a believer that would make perfect sense. But at my current state, you stating quotes off a book (that you cant prove if the person being written about exists - nor can I prove that he/she doesnt exists) does not hold much ground. I'm just confused, angered, frustruated, hopeless, and helpless.

[BettorsChat]

What kind of a test is raping a 14 yr gonna show? How can I 'worship' this God who test people by letting them get raped, killed, molested, etc...? Why is it that everythin that turns out bad is b/c God is testing us and everything that turns out good is b/c God wants it that way. Do I have no say, in how my actions turn out? I graduated from college b/c of hard work and efforts. No matter how hard I pray, if I didnt do the work I wouldnt have been able to graduate - but at that point, god would have wanted it that way...

Why cant it be that some people are fucked up and others are not. Its not about God or Devil but Fuck up's vs the non's.

I have talked to a friend who went to college to become a priest (some christian college). Didn't help one bit.

What I come to found out is without facts, proofs, evidence, anything can be said to prove one's conclusion correct.

Yeah, it could be just pure evil.

Obviously you don't believe in God which is your choice.

[TwoTonTony]

I think it's important for you to understand just how ticked off and biased you are right now because such a terrible thing happened to someone you know. That is disgusting and there is no other way to put it, I hate to hear stuff like that. However, what you are doing, it seems like, is directing all the anger you feel about the tragedy at God, but why? Why is God responsible for what some dispicable EVIL person did to that young girl? You need to understand that this world is filled with evil and sin and that's just the way it is. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins, but it isn't that simple. He didn't die on the cross so that everyone would just be guaranteed an everlasting life without doing anything more. It's contingent upon a Christian accepting Jesus Christ into his/her heart as their personal savior. In the same way, it's important to look at events like this tragedy and not take the easy way out and condemn God because of what happened. God doesn't control each and every person in this world, the man that did that to that girl chose to do it himself, and he alone should be held responsible for his actions. God does not necessarily impose His will on each and every person and event in this world, but he is always willing to listen to a prayer about something specific or a person willing to open their heart to Him in order to be saved and be at peace with oneself. Basically what I am getting at is the whole idea that God isn't responsible for what that guy did, he is. He didn't necessarily "let" it happen.

I don't believe that religion is the root of all evil and it always shocks me to find out how many people do not believe in God. I have had so many personal experiences with God answering prayer that it is overwhelming. I am so happy I am saved and believe in a God that gives me a peace beyond all understanding.

what you descrive i believe would be called "free will" and God gave it to every man......Life has so many twists and turns....Some fair and some not fair....But they are being judged on earthly merits.......In the end if we believe Christ died for our sins then this my friend (life) is just a blip on the radar in eternity......When i hear of a young person passing it bothers me but i gain comfort in the fact that we are not Humans that are spiritual....but spirits (souls) that are human, be it for a short time......These things we call bodies are simply temporary vessels for our souls....

[soonerbud]

kim....brother I am praying for you. And you know what, you have every right and have been very truthful about how you feel. God does understand your anger, confusion and frustration. Please remember this, you are NOT hopeless nor are you helpless. Though you don't believe, God still wants that personal relationship with you. I pray that this experience draws you closer to him, that you will turn to him for the answers you seek. As for the parents protecting this child from what happened, again I know if they had the choice they would have. Unfortunately, in this evil world some one else made a choice for them. And though it makes us sick to our stomachs and we have NO answers, I know he does. I pray for you, and again for this precious girl and her family. I wish you Gods Peace and if you EVER WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS OR A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS please contact me. It would be my honor to help in anyway I can. Gods Love and Peace my brother. And know that I share in your sorrow as a brother.

[Fast Eddie]

great write-up sonnerbud...you have to go thru the valley to get to the top...may GOD be with that girl's family and all that were touched by this horrible tragedy...