I'm going to hell I guess?

reply to post by sliznut


I think you are correct except I would not agree that there is evidence for God yet. I sure hope there is one. I would be happy to know there is something more after our lives here are over. I just have no reason to believe so currently.

Originally posted by lambs to lions
reply to post by sliznut

 

In my humble opinion....organized religion is not God's design. This is a man-made device which has widely been used to control people. I believe that there is no need for middle-man in my relationship with God. What better way for the devil to divide and conquer us than through organized religion. We are born with the innate knowledge of God, and of right and wrong. I don't have all the answers, nor do I need them. I continue to seek to understand my God through faith. Just keep in mind that we can never make or mold God into what we want Him to be to fit our wants. I hope this helps a little, and I hope you find your truth. If you have any questions, there are many people on here that will be happy to give you theirs. Don't be discouraged by what can seem like an overwhelming force of negativity regarding this subject. Good luck to you.

GOD SAID THE TRADITIONS OF MAN MAKE VOID MY WORD. this being said we are to commune with like fellow people the Jews would assemble on the sabbath and read from the scripture chapter by chapter every verse. Then they would explain the stories and parables as they went . Jesus died on the cross to give us direct access to the father to cut out the corrupt church upper echelon . Just study the bible chapter by chapter and ask God for guidance , when you can meet like minded people assemble with them and of you can witness to some then plant a seed of they are fertile soil it will grow.

reply to post by sliznut

Sounds like your mother needs to mind her own business.
You are a grown up and can pick whatever religion you want (or don't want).
Sometimes grown children have to filter what they tell their older parents.
It keeps the peace in the family much better.

Originally posted by Azadok2day
GOD SAID THE TRADITIONS OF MAN MAKE VOID MY WORD.

The bible also says to 'hold fast to the traditions given'.
Scripture contradicts itself over and over.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 - So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

I could pull up a whole lotta' quotes like that.
But you get the idea.

reply to post by FlyersFan


You are mistaken. He said to hold fast to the traditions given, meaning his traditions handed down to His people. On the other hand, he was speaking negatively to the 'traditons of man'. This means man-made traditions, such as when the church decides to develop their own spin on things for their benefit.

No disrespect meant. Just giving my two cents.

Ok.... here we go again. It seems to me that you're either an atheist watering down Christianity, or just not too well informed. Let me help, though I know I'm being taken for another ride, but here goes.

The Bible is the "inspired" word of God. In other words, the Bible was written by men, that is a fact, as they were "inspired" to write, by God. It are still the word of God, even if it came by the mouth of a prophet, Apostle, etc. As a Christian, it is our faith and our law as it pertains to all things.

Ok... that was the first, now for the second part, here goes..

Eternal life does not, nor will it ever come to you by any good works. Giving up smoking, swearing, drinking, sex out of traditional marriage, or with animals, etc. Eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ. You have to first believe by faith that He is actually the Son of God, and that He died on the cross as the one and only payment for all your sins, and accept Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. Now, if you can't do that you cannot be saved, period. If you can, you will be and are saved if you did. That is eternal.

Now, so far as all the drinking, smoking, swearing, and strange sex thing. God is the one who changes your heart to be moral not your own will. You can't do a thing to be good, although for a time you can pretend to. But God will change you as you get closer to Him, and that brings you right back to the beginning of this reply. You have to believe in the Word of God, the Bible, as God's true and only written words to mankind.

So, there you have it. Let's hope this isn't just another atheist trick post like so many that I see on the ATS

reply to post by sliznut

Dear sliznut,

Thanks for your brief explanation. I'd like to ask another question if you don't mind. What do you do about Jesus? Did he exist? A good teacher only? A teacher and prophet? Were His words recorded more or less accurately? Was he a figment of someone's imagination? A part of God that had become separated?

How do you see it? (And no, I'm not looking for an argument or offering one, just trying to understand.)

With respect,
Charles1952

reply to post by sliznut

I wouldn't worry too much about hell unless you've murdered someone.

Organized religion is way out of hand.

Follow your heart and you'll be fine.

People can't seem to break the disease.

"I believe in God", "The Bible is man-made and wrong". Just can't bring themselves round to give it up. That the god part is not man made.

Originally posted by WhoKnows100

1. I believe in God. I always have and I always will.
2. God is not what most people think of when they go to church/pray/etc. God is the life source of everything.
3. The Bible is great in the sense that it was a good moral compass in early development. That is questionable though too.
4. The Bible is NOT the word of God. It is translated, written by man, re-translated, used for x, y, z, influence and so forth.
5. Atheists even understand what is right and wrong. The 10 commandments were good but that is not really a Christian foundation.
6. Christianity is fragmented and makes no sense. There are so many branches that they don't even know what they're doing. Believing in God is far simpler than this.
7. Anyone who prays or meditates is doing the same thing. Praying to God (as I call it) in different ways. Who is to say which way is right?
8. On that topic, Muslims are doing the same thing Christians are other than the ones that blow themselves up at markets. Pretty sure the higher power does not approve of that.
9. Swearing, drinking, smoking, etc are fallacies. I don't smoke anymore. I drink sometimes. I swear a lot. That doesn't mean God hates me. Do you honestly think this higher power is concerned with your speech? Shut it.
10. Science and spirituality go hand in hand. They are not enemies. What is unknown is where beliefs/faith come in.

So am I a kook? I think I have a pretty good handle on my life. My family is happy. I am comfortable in saying I don't feel that I'm going to burn in hell tomorrow if I die. Discuss? This topic always intrigues me

So what God do you believe in? Who is this "life source"? Demons believe AND TREMBLE - do you? Atheists reject God and therefore His commands. Their wrong and right are made up by themselves, not God. Those who persevere are those who obey God's commands and remain Faithful to Jesus. Love the Lord God with your whole heart, mind and soul and love your neighbour sum up the whole law - love does no harm to it's neighbour - stealing, murdering, coveting etc. of course the commands are applicable! What comes out of the mouth is in the heart. Science is god to many. If science tells them to depopulate the earth, they'll do it. If science tells them to abort babies, they do it. Just looking at your list it's obvious that you have no room in your life for the God of the Bible, and that you refuse Him to be Sovereign in your life. You want a "life force" that doesn't judge and doesn't have a set apart people, you want a "life force" that is not a judge, and you want a "life force" that doesn't require your obedience and faithfulness. I don't think that you even understand what you are doing in your thread other than regurgitating the tired mantra that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob isn't who He says He is.

You know what? As uppity as this response is, I like it. I'm glad you're laying your views out there. The more the merrier as I have had a strange time with this stuff through the years.

Originally posted by FlyersFan
reply to post by sliznut

 

Sounds like your mother needs to mind her own business.
You are a grown up and can pick whatever religion you want (or don't want).
Sometimes grown children have to filter what they tell their older parents.
It keeps the peace in the family much better.

I've never been too concerned about keeping the peace. Life is short and I don't lie.

reply to post by sliznut


What was the simple ceremony?

Originally posted by sliznut

1. I believe in God. I always have and I always will.

3. The Bible is great in the sense that it was a good moral compass in early development. That is questionable though too.
4. The Bible is NOT the word of God. It is translated, written by man, re-translated, used for x, y, z, influence and so forth.

Funny this. If the bible (and all other religious texts) were never written you would never have heard of any kind of god. So, since you are 100% sure that the bible is NOT the word of a god, why do you still believe in a god that you would never heard of without it?

Originally posted by charles1952
reply to post by sliznut

 

Dear sliznut,

Thanks for your brief explanation. I'd like to ask another question if you don't mind. What do you do about Jesus? Did he exist? A good teacher only? A teacher and prophet? Were His words recorded more or less accurately? Was he a figment of someone's imagination? A part of God that had become separated?

How do you see it? (And no, I'm not looking for an argument or offering one, just trying to understand.)

With respect,
Charles1952

I'm torn on this. My logical mind says this is a story. It clearly copied pagan stories before it. The traditional side says there is something wrong with that and believe the Bible etc. In my heart of hearts I don't think it matters at all. I think relationships with God have been way over-complicated. To the point that I didn't really care at all until recently. I have 3 kids. I don't want to lead them into any BS. I've had a very strange relationship if you want to call it that with "God".

I grew up with a Vietnam vet, Marine...by volunteer, at 17. Something is obviously off here already. Most people were dodging draft. He got in over his head and realized he had no way out. My mom was from a religious family but my dad was not. Even her fam was hit or miss on going to church. When I was little my grandma wanted to take me to church and my dad flipped. He said no way was I going to a church. He later explained that he didn't trust them and had seen too many evils inside them on top of the war. I dunno.

I still believed in God. Around 20 yrs my Grandpa (dad's dad) died. I was there. He practically raised me as my dad was pretty much a 12 year old in an adult body and an alcoholic to boot. He called me to the hospital. I was 19 actually. I watched him die and watched a look of total terror overtake him. I flipped. I was out on the balcony chainsmoking and swearing to God that he was pure BS/Evil/I hated him and must die/etc. My band had a show that night and I immediately downed every bottle of anything and everything in sight, among other things, and did our show while I was mourning in the background.

I went down that route awhile. My band did decent. Actually got offered a couple nationwide tours but we had other issues going on. I eventually straightened myself up, got married, had kids, bought the house, etc. They made me really wanna sort this all out. My wife is religious and grew up that way but had a totally different rough childhood. Bad marriage/mom and dad fought/divorced/the normal story unfortunately anymore. The balance time is now as far as I'm concerned. But I don't really know how to approach it.

In reality the tax breaks on churches are a sham as I have witnessed personally. Some of them are ex drug addicts running a "church" out of their houses. Religion has been lost. The reason I think my feeling makes more sense is because it goes from the heart. Not from what someone is telling me. Not from a profit church, not from anything else. People sell fear and religion is the best market.

Originally posted by jiggerj

Originally posted by sliznut

1. I believe in God. I always have and I always will.

3. The Bible is great in the sense that it was a good moral compass in early development. That is questionable though too.
4. The Bible is NOT the word of God. It is translated, written by man, re-translated, used for x, y, z, influence and so forth.

Funny this. If the bible (and all other religious texts) were never written you would never have heard of any kind of god. So, since you are 100% sure that the bible is NOT the word of a god, why do you still believe in a god that you would never heard of without it?

Man. I like your reply too. And the ceremony was a dedication. My mom apparently confused this with some sort of Catholic baptism (if that exists) and proceeded to tell me that meant there could be no x, y, z, ever in my house etc.

Originally posted by Fromabove
Ok.... here we go again. It seems to me that you're either an atheist watering down Christianity, or just not too well informed. Let me help, though I know I'm being taken for another ride, but here goes.

The Bible is the "inspired" word of God. In other words, the Bible was written by men, that is a fact, as they were "inspired" to write, by God. It are still the word of God, even if it came by the mouth of a prophet, Apostle, etc. As a Christian, it is our faith and our law as it pertains to all things.

Ok... that was the first, now for the second part, here goes..

Eternal life does not, nor will it ever come to you by any good works. Giving up smoking, swearing, drinking, sex out of traditional marriage, or with animals, etc. Eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ. You have to first believe by faith that He is actually the Son of God, and that He died on the cross as the one and only payment for all your sins, and accept Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. Now, if you can't do that you cannot be saved, period. If you can, you will be and are saved if you did. That is eternal.

Now, so far as all the drinking, smoking, swearing, and strange sex thing. God is the one who changes your heart to be moral not your own will. You can't do a thing to be good, although for a time you can pretend to. But God will change you as you get closer to Him, and that brings you right back to the beginning of this reply. You have to believe in the Word of God, the Bible, as God's true and only written words to mankind.

So, there you have it. Let's hope this isn't just another atheist trick post like so many that I see on the ATS

edit on 24-6-2012 by Fromabove because: (no reason given)

NO by no means! Honestly this is one of the best responses I have seen! Thank you! Seriously.

Let me clarify, I am not an atheist. I have a lot of atheist friends. I usually argue with them. I just don't know that I buy the packaged religion. That is all really. I could have really summed up all those rants with that I guess. I truly appreciate the responses though. It honestly does offer a lot for thought. Thank you all.

I think you atheists/christians need to learn that the world is not that you go to hell vs there is no god. What the OP stated was a belief in pantheism.

Think of a blade of grass does it move by self and grow by itself. Think of a yard, does each blade act as unison or does it act individually?

Think of nature; once we burned it, destroy it, dump nuclear waste on it; does nature as a whole die off? or does nature in its entirety move together and find a way to restore itself?

Basically can earth heal itself? Is earth a living organism or is it nothing more than a mudball with fur coming out of it?

Eastern philosophy has continuously mention this time and time again. The term "god" is nothing more than a moniker of the organism. You can call it gaia, you can call it w/e you want but the earth is a living breathing organism.

Such is why we often use words like "the earth is hurting." We wouldn't believe in such a way if we assumed that earth was nothing more than a mudball.

Pantheism, the religion that no one actually remembers

Originally posted by someguy0083
I think you atheists/christians need to learn that the world is not that you go to hell vs there is no god. What the OP stated was a belief in pantheism.

Think of a blade of grass does it move by self and grow by itself. Think of a yard, does each blade act as unison or does it act individually?

Think of nature; once we burned it, destroy it, dump nuclear waste on it; does nature as a whole die off? or does nature in its entirety move together and find a way to restore itself?

Basically can earth heal itself? Is earth a living organism or is it nothing more than a mudball with fur coming out of it?

Eastern philosophy has continuously mention this time and time again. The term "god" is nothing more than a moniker of the organism. You can call it gaia, you can call it w/e you want but the earth is a living breathing organism.

Such is why we often use words like "the earth is hurting." We wouldn't believe in such a way if we assumed that earth was nothing more than a mudball.

Pantheism, the religion that no one actually remembers

I think this is a part of it. I don't think it is complete, but I am with you on this. Earth is part of us all. I truly believe that and feel that.

No worries. You have nothing to fear in the future. For we, material beings damned on Earth, are already living in Hell.