The Christians Thread

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Ill give a "nutshell" version of my experience in religion.

Me growing up poor & morman had its drawbacks. The mormon church is kind enough to help those in need. Our family got help, but in turn it seemed the whole church new about it. So my brother, sister & I were harshly ridiculed to the point where I gave up church all together.

So 20+ years go by, and I have lived a life that is not exactly what a "good christian" would live. I drank, cussed, smoked, did piles and piles of drugs, loose women, smuggleing guns from south america, harboring illeagal aliens from mexico....etc. yall get the idea. So kids, marriage and various other scares in life have calmed me down.

There is one moment in my life that happened 4 or 5 years ago that changed the way I look at God forever. Im not going into details. If someone wants the real story they can PM me and I might tell it to you. Its very personal and seems like something out of a Alfred Hitchcock movie, But I assure you it was real, and has no explanation that I can give.

*forgot where I was going with this.....OH YEAH*

So I like a lot of you, thought the same thing. "its a form of government" (which was my main gripe) that was outdated, how can there be suffering when there is this "god" that is supposed to be......well you get the idea. But as I grow older and more family oriented, I looked to the future of my family and those that I love. And not to mention myself as well. So my thoughts have changed slightly. I no longer divuldge into the debotchery that I used to and try to live a clean yet fun life. I think I do ok with that now. But I still lack the rest I seek inside myself. My life is a very stressfull one that I wouldnt wish on anyone. I think it stems from my uncontrollable work ethic (I have to be working all the time, or I drive my family NUTS) and the strive to give my family the love and care they deserve. I dont have my mom and dad to look to. Ive grown up on my own and that will continue. Ive always had to figure things out myself.

So now Ive seen where my mistakes in life are. Is religion the right answer for someone like me? I have no clue. But Until I get that clue. My search will continue. Rather its a foolish adventure into this thing called "religion" that might be bullshit to begin with, or whatever. But I am now on a quest to put spiritual self at ease and thus making the rest of my life easier!

I would like to thank Andur for the PM you sent me. You know what it said and I have decided to take things the way you suggest. Thank you my friend. you are always full of good advice.

HRD
 
While this thread is mostly civil, I personally have a distaste for talking about family, religion, and money in public; rarely does civility and calm minds prevail on these topics. I will contribute my approval of the attempt and its moderate success so far. Me, I will keep to myself and lurk around here like I usually do on this wondrous site.

Advice: Since Christianity is composed of so many sects (for better or for worse), only apply absolutes to your own beliefs and not imposing them upon others who may be a different kind of Christian (or person) from you. :)

--Forgon
 
HRD said:
So 20+ years go by, and I have lived a life that is not exactly what a "good christian" would live. I drank, cussed, smoked, did piles and piles of drugs, loose women, smuggleing guns from south america, harboring illeagal aliens from mexico....etc. yall get the idea. So kids, marriage and various other scares in life have calmed me down.
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Did you know the guy who wrote the song Amazing Grace was once captain of a slave ship? And then there was the apostle Paul, who had Christians put to death before he had his life-changing revelation. The point is, there's no point where you're out of reach of God's forgiveness. ;)

jwdinkc said:
Oh man. Religion is scary to me. People will admit faults in their own children before they admit faults in their own religion. Then, there's the whole implied belief that I'm better because I believe in "X" and others are ignorant or lost for not believing in "X". Plus, when any religion takes it's dogma too literally it always ends up shooting itself in the foot. Like in Christianity when Adam and Eve had kids who had kids who had kids...don't think it works that way. And as far as the Bible goes, people supposedly lived for up to 900 years. They must have had good health care. And I've always wondered about the mathematics of "The Great Flood". Mount Everest is around 30,000 ft. - so for the entire Earth to be covered by water it would have to get that high right? Water weighs about 8lbs a gallon. I figure that not only would such a flood increase the size of our planet, but also the weight. So, there would be an orbital shift or change in rotation. If it really happened we prolly would have had a sling shot effect launch us out of our own solar system. On top of that, rain is fresh water. If it rained that much all the sea creatures would have died unless Noah had some huge ass aquariums on board. If it rained salt water, all the fresh water creatures would have died. Still, he'd need a huge aquarium. Then, there's the whole, God loves you but left his presence and wishes for us reasonably uncertain. But, despite the uncertainties God made, he'll still damn you for eternity if you make a wrong choice despite the murkiness he/she left such an important decision in. Plus, like the book of Job, where God made a bet with Satan over the loyalty of Job. So, Job, one of God's precious children, was made to suffer so God could prove a point to Satan. But Satan used to be in heaven as an Angel so he already knew God was all knowing, but made a bet with God anyway. Honestly, I've found less plot defects in Anime.
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I see your point man, and I agree there are people who take an attack on their religion as an attack on them personally. And the reason these kinds of discussions degenerate into flamewars is because they tend to become a battle of egos, which is entirely contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Regarding all the difficulties you mentioned regarding the stories of the old testament, there have been many gifted minds throughout the centuries who have considered them and addressed them as well. For all the things you mentioned, (and many more that you didn't), there are a lot of perfectly plausible explanations and theodicies. I can go more in depth if you wish, if you're truly interested in hearing about it.
 
I'm glad to see a thread like this :D I'm Christian but I have beliefs that others will oppose. I just don't like the West Buro Baptist Church making a bad name for Christians.
 
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