Is there a GOD? - ding! ding! ding ding geeeeet reaaaaaady toooooo rummmmble!!!!

[carson]

It is what it is.

Beautiful!!

[George Jung]

The Bible is the word of God translated by MAN. God did not write the book. Just as Allah did not write the Quran (Koran). And G-d did not write the Torah. They're all just translations and the MEN who write them decide what we need to know.
These are all just stories, just as the Romans and Greeks had their gods before Christianity and Islam. God is real. The books, well, you can't believe everything you read.

Exactly. 

I think that people have a need to believe in a higher being or something greater, it gives strength and confidence to our minds.  In order to overcome and persevere you must have positive thoughts, so whatever it takes for an individual to accomplish that is completely up to that person, just like if I believed in the ice cream cone.

[glitter]

I think people have that need-in part- because who wants to think this crappy life is all there is? and when you die- your just dead....no virgins in heaven for anyone.....

[Ohio Buckeye]

It is the most hilarious thing to think of God in terms of an ice cream
cone and as a source of strength as an ice cream cone melts so quickly
and would be gone so quickly.  How's that gonna help you?  You can make most
anything a God - a spouse, child, car, money, but none of those things will make a
difference in the end and all of those things can disappear, die, or betray me.
Being a Christian is not about a church building,  going to church,
singing in the choir or being good, it is about a relationship with the Lord
Himself, believing in Him, putting Him first, placing your hope and trust and finding your strength
and guidance in Him. Not something temporary.  When I leave here I will not die, but be moving.  Only the Lord can give
me that hope.  He will meet me on the other side. as will my husband, son, 2 brothers and parents and others.
An ice cream cone could not do that for me.
The Bible is not merely a book of stories written by men.  It is
inspired by God.  He is so very real to me that no one could ever prove to me that
there is not a God.  I did not mean to get on a soapbox but that is too funny thinking
of an melting ice cream cone as a source of strength.

 
 

[Bajanne]

Being a Christian is not about a church building,  going to church,
singing in the choir or being good, it is about a relationship with the Lord
Himself, believing in Him, putting Him first, placing your hope and trust and finding your strength
and guidance in Him. Not something temporary.  When I leave here I will not die, but be moving.  Only the Lord can give
me that hope.  He will meet me on the other side. as will my husband, son, 2 brothers and parents and others.
An ice cream cone could not do that for me.
The Bible is not merely a book of stories written by men.  It is
inspired by God.  He is so very real to me that no one could ever prove to me that
there is not a God.   

I could not have expressed it any better myself.  This is it, folks!!  The real deal!

[Duane]

This is what I’ve come to believe.

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (No date on when this beginning  happened and I’m fine with that) (eternity, is fine with me). This first chapter explains all creation.

John 1
 1.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
 2.  The same was in the beginning with God. (The Word)(His Word)
 3.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
 4.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
 5.  And the light shined in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
 6.  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
 7.  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
 8.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
 9.  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
 10.  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
 11.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
 12.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
 13.  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
 14.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (This is Jesus)(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
 15.  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
 16.  And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
 17.  For the law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ.
 18.  No man hath seen God at any time; but the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Now to learn of Jesus we have to start where he told us to.

Luke 24:27  And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

Genesis 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Mark 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, (those who don’t believe in God) all these things are done in parables:
12  That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Romans 16:25  Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26  This secret has now been made clear through the prophetic writings. The eternal God ordered this, so that when it becomes known, all nations will believe it and obey. 

It had to be a power greater than man to design a book like the bible, here we are in the year 2007 and still discovering new facts about life that were written over 4,000 yrs ago in this book.

[Duane]

1 Corinthians 13:12  In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.

[kitkatz]

I am still pitching rocks at God over here.

[George Jung]

I am still pitching rocks at God over here.

I am just curious, what do you mean by that?  Are you angry with him?

[kitkatz]

Constantly!

[paris]

Interesting-- God didn't cause our illnesses -- why should someone be made at Him?  This is life -- the good, the bad and the ugly. 

[Joe Paul]

Interesting-- God didn't cause our illnesses -- why should someone be made at Him?  This is life -- the good, the bad and the ugly. 

It makes us "feel" better to have someone, anyone to blame.

[livecam]

I am just curious, what do you mean by that?  Are you angry with him?

I am still pitching rocks at God over here.

I wouldn't do that if I were you.  Who do you think is going get you a transplant?  Reevaluate... and ask him for some help, he does help you know.







EDITED-Quote tag error, kitkatz,moderator

[Amanda From OZ]

I am still pitching rocks at God over here.

God doesn't give people illnesses... thats just a malfunction of science and genetics.. its got nothing to do with god..

[paris]

Joe Paul, you are right. We do need someone to be mad at -- I guess God knows that and understands!

[George Jung]

I think I will be getting a transplant and it won't be because of "God", it will because I went after it, because I want it, because I will stay positive and keep moving forward until I do get it.  In this world people make things happen, if you wait for "God" or anyone else you will be waiting a long time.  I am not saying that it is senseless to believe, some people need to find the strength from somewhere, whereever that is, is up to you.

[Chicken Little]

I am not a believer, but have no problem with anyone that does.  To each his own.     

[kitkatz]

I figure if I wait for God to do it, I am in trouble.  Get in the damned boat and row!

[Yonanamama]

Interesting thread.  Very interesting indeed.  It is MY belief that the only thing that organized religion succeeds in doing is pitting people against one another...as is evident here.  I've never been known to back down from a great religious debate.  Unfortunately, the only definitive answer I ever get receive from a "Christian," "Catholic," "Protestant," "Mormon," etc, etc, etc when I ask them to explain why God would allow a 2 year old child to be sexually tortured, mutilated and then murdered or, why would a Catholic Priest molest a young boy or little girl (or, in some cases both) and not only NOT be held accountable but, protected by the church is "We all have free will" or, "God doesn't condone that behavior" or, "We are all sinners."  You get the message! 
That being the case, I think I'll stick to my standard mantra..."Thank God I'm An Atheist!"

[BigSky]

Interesting thread.  Very interesting indeed.  It is MY belief that the only thing that organized religion succeeds in doing is pitting people against one another...as is evident here.  I've never been known to back down from a great religious debate.  Unfortunately, the only definitive answer I ever get receive from a "Christian," "Catholic," "Protestant," "Mormon," etc, etc, etc when I ask them to explain why God would allow a 2 year old child to be sexually tortured, mutilated and then murdered or, why would a Catholic Priest molest a young boy or little girl (or, in some cases both) and not only NOT be held accountable but, protected by the church is "We all have free will" or, "God doesn't condone that behavior" or, "We are all sinners."  You get the message! 
That being the case, I think I'll stick to my standard mantra..."Thank God I'm An Atheist!"

God no more "allowed" it to happen than you did.

[George Jung]

When it comes to things that man/woman could possibly control it is always said that they are to blame, when it is something out of man's control it is said that it is/was "God's" will.  Is that strange to anyone?

What is the general consensus on "hell"?  Who is it that goes there exactly?

[livecam]

When it comes to things that man/woman could possibly control it is always said that they are to blame, when it is something out of man's control it is said that it is/was "God's" will.  Is that strange to anyone?

What is the general consensus on "hell"?  Who is it that goes there exactly?

Dialysis patients are there for sure.  There was never a more accurate description of hell-on-earth than hemodialysis in an in-center setting.  Many of us are in hell now.  Some of us have been to hell and back.  And an unlucky few have been to hell and back but have had to go back to hell. 

[Yonanamama]

Interesting thread.  Very interesting indeed.  It is MY belief that the only thing that organized religion succeeds in doing is pitting people against one another...as is evident here.  I've never been known to back down from a great religious debate.  Unfortunately, the only definitive answer I ever get receive from a "Christian," "Catholic," "Protestant," "Mormon," etc, etc, etc when I ask them to explain why God would allow a 2 year old child to be sexually tortured, mutilated and then murdered or, why would a Catholic Priest molest a young boy or little girl (or, in some cases both) and not only NOT be held accountable but, protected by the church is "We all have free will" or, "God doesn't condone that behavior" or, "We are all sinners."  You get the message! 
That being the case, I think I'll stick to my standard mantra..."Thank God I'm An Atheist!"

God no more "allowed" it to happen than you did.

But...God has the power to protect that child.  I don't!  You can be assured, if I did...I would.  Bottom line...God gets all of the glory but none of the blame.

[BigSky]

But...God has the power to protect that child.  I don't!  You can be assured, if I did...I would.  Bottom line...God gets all of the glory but none of the blame.

Because one doesn't use said power in all cases that means they allowed it?  Sorry it doesn't work that way anymore since Adam and Eve days.  It was mankind that set itself down this path and therefore we must take good with the bad.

You want to hold God accountable for mankind's actions on earth, sorry but mankind is responsible for mankind's actions on earth.  God will hold them accountable in his realm when the time comes.

[George Jung]

I don't feel like I am in "hell" nor do I hold "God" accountable for mankinds actions.  I don't play both sides of the fence.