At the most basic, the idea of God exists in the simple acknowledgement that we don’t know why we are here or how we got here. At the most twisted the idea of God is used to promote the power of humans. At its most beautiful the idea of God exists in loving thy neighbor, doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, faith, hope, love, and the greatest is love…
But if you must, go into the commons and scream with all your might up and down Broad Street that there is no God. Run screaming from Broad to Reynolds that God is playing a joke on everyone.
The sun will still rise, the sun will still set.
Christianity is hard. It shouldn’t be judged by what the least of Christians do, or even by what the best of Christians do. It should be judged by the standards of behavior all Christians are supposed to try to meet.
Remember, Christianity is only 2000 years old. We’re all still learning, still trying, and still failing.
But we’re getting better at learning, trying, and yes, failing.
At some point in your life, you might want to read C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” for a clearer perspective.

I agree. This situation will never be resolved. The one fact that has been evaded is that Islam was not a religion until 622 years after Christ was born. The difference between Judaism and Christianity is who the real Messiah is. Both religions agree God is the same God. Islam even belives in the same God. But so do the Jehovah's Wittnesses...a religion that has only been in the history books since 1914 (some records say 1931).

The Jews and the Christians are somewhat united. Islam evolved from Mohammed. No one is right or wrong as far as who God is, or what God stands for. All modern or ancient religions agree on one thing...in different references...the golden rule. Even Buddism and Hinduism have the same basic beleif. Treat others as you would have others treat youselves. Why do we need to stray from that one simple principle? The war that we are fighting is thousands of years old. It's a war of who rightfully owns the Promised land. A bastard of Abraham (Ishmael), or the legitimate son of Sarah (Isaac). She made a mistake because she was desparate. So what else is new about the nature of a woman? After all, Eve was the poster child of women making bad decisions. Do we never get to redeem ourselves as women? Point being, we can't make up religions to make that happen.

Islam doesn't even address women as productive memebers of society so I don't think they have the answer. Jesus, on the other hand,held women in high regard. He understood their importance in society. I am not trying to make a sexist statement, only a truism.

Point.....we can't make up religions to suit what we think should be THE WAY. The Bible, both Testaments were around centuries before the Koran was populated. Torah (the old testament - the first 5 books of our Chrisian Bible) was the beginning. Christians use "Torah" as well as the teachings of Jesus (The New Testament). Islam created Koran based upon the profet Mohammed. Christians and Jews, alike, do not recognize the Koran as the Works of God. Even some Jews recognize the words of Jesus. Islam recognizes Jesus in their writings, but they don't even give Him the credit the Jews do.

That said, all three major religions believe they are right. Only difference is that the two first ones are united. The one that stands alone is a violent one. Stay united people. We will prevail.

Yeah and all the Buddhist, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Agnostics, Athiest, and Pagans that led fruitful and meaningful lives that are moral good people are all going to hell ... right. Go tell that to some of your friends who are "non-believers" or lets just call them infidels. It's so selfish to think that we're so important that we don't just die and continue natures cycle but that we're going to fly up to heaven and hang out with all our old friends. Why not just concern yourself with leading a good life so that your legacy is passed on through friends and family. That's immortality. As for the concept of hell that is a way to control people. If you do these bad things you are going to burn for all eternity, but God loves you. What makes Christians so much more important than everyone else? Why don't we see the hand of God anymore like you read about in the Bible? Why today when someone claims they talk to God we call them crazy? No one's got it right and no one knows what's right because no one has been to heaven or hell and come back to talk to us about it, no one has been reincarnated knowingly to tell us that it's correct, no one has come back to tell us all how the 71 virgins were.

"Lead a good life" "moral good people". "fruitful and meaningful".

Who in the world determines what is "good, moral, meaningful..."? God? A terrorist? Weekapaug05?

These are arbitrary words that have no meaning outside of some absolute standard that defines what "good" is. Mankind is very divided about what defines "good". It's pretty arrogant for a person to push their definition of "goodness" on someone else, wouldn't you say?

Those who love to pontificate about "goodness" and "morality" being all there is to life usually get pretty lost when they really think about what their statements imply. Without a standard to define what these things really are (dare we use the term "God"?), we are basically left with anarchy. Who are you to impose your standards of "goodness" on me? Who will be the judge of my "meaningful" life?

Carefully consider the implications of what you are saying here. These "good" words may fall softly upon politically-correct ears, but the truth of the matter is that they smack more of blind human arrogance than spiritual "morality".

Yes, God is love. But, God is also righteous and just. If so, then isn't it logical that a just God could not allow wrong to go unpunished? A God that simply looked away when wrong was committed would not be a God worthy of worship, don't you think? If everyone went to heaven regardless, what would be the point of that? Where is the justice in that? If there is a God of love and justice, then there must also be a place for all "wrong" to be dealt with away from his presence. Call it hell, torment, lake of fire, etc. It's simply a place where God ain't. The really important point is that it is YOUR choice to go there and escape God forever. God never casts anyone out of his presence. We do that by saying he does not exist or by disobeying his righteous commands, and ignoring his roadmap to heaven (i.e., Jesus Christ).

Hell is the ultimate memorial to human rights. It's a place designed for people who live their lives determined to ignore God and get away from him. God has created a place for them away from his presence, and God simply gives these people exactly what they want: an eternity without God. God will respect your right to choose.

Your point about "no one has been to heaven or hell and come back to talk to us about it" is a good one, and cuts right to the heart of the matter. A foundational premise of Christianity that sets it apart from the world's religions is that Jesus Christ was Himself God Incarnate, and by definition, came down to earth from heaven. So, according to Christianity, your point is totally inaccurate. Christians maintain that God did indeed come from heaven to earth himself to tell us about it -- and provide a way for us to get there (if we so choose). Again, the choice is always ours.

Your rants about religions are correct, and I agree totally. But the funny thing is, Christianity can answer all the questions you raise. The answers are there. Good answers. You may not believe them, as that is your right. But, there are answers nonetheless. Check it out for yourself. No one has come back to tell us about the 71 virgins because that is nonsense. Christ came to tell about heaven and how to get there. Only he knows the way because he's been there. In fact, he says he himself IS the way.

Does that seem intolerant? Yep. Exclusive? Most definitely. But doesn't God, if he is indeed God, have the right to select the way to save us and expect us to follow his instruction book to heaven? Truth is truth, no matter how many people get offended by it. To suggest that any and all man-made ways to heaven are equally valid is just wishful thinking. Religion is confusing. Christianity is not. If I want to go somewhere, I'll follow the directions of one who has been there and can show me the way. That makes sense. ONLY CHRISTIANITY makes that claim. It is unique.

The choice is yours. God is the most "pro-choice" being in the universe. He leaves it up to you to decide your own fate -- accept his way to heaven, or go along your own way that leads away from Him (whatever you want to call that place).

You make good points. The truth of the matter is that no one knows for sure. The Dali Lama and the Pope are going to disagree with each other about whose religion is right and wrong just like anyone who is strong in their faith. I think that it is important for people to have beliefs. I think of religion as guidelines in being a good person. I grew up Methodist and was a strong Christian when I was young. As I grew older I started to realize how similar all religions are and their common theme was to be a good person. So that's the way I look at it. I think that the Bible has many important lessons in it that can help with that goal and I think that Buddhist teachings are the same. I haven't read the Koran yet but I'm sure it's got some good stuff. I just think that religion was something made by man to control people so that we don't have anarchy and chaos. The problem is that people from opposing religions disagree on whose right and wrong and break into violence. I just don't believe that when we die that we're so important that we have to go somewhere else after we die. I don't understand why it's so hard to grasp that when you die you're just dead especially when someone sees dead animals all the time (dog dies, possum got ran over, etc.). No one thinks oh that dog is being judge by Dog God, people just think its dead, we bury it, it breaks down, and fertilizes the Earth. It's not a complicated concept. I believe that when we die we continue the cycle of life and nature. The earth feeds us while we live then we feed it when we die and the cycle continues. That's why I think it's important to lead a good life and be a good person because that's how you become immortal is the legacy you leave behind you, and one would want to be remembered as a good person. And a lot of people use the argument that you use and it's a good argument when you're talking to a person who at the least believes in God. I just don't understand that if God loves all his children why he would let them go to hell. Would you let someone you love fall into a fire? Of course not. It's a control factor.

I can only speak from the perspective of the Bible (although I've studied a lot of "religions" and cults -- that's why I'm a Christian. Christianty makes sense to me and it works. The others don't, IMHO).

You are dead on right that religion is all about being "good". Christianity, on the other hand, is not. Christianity (and not Methodism, per se, which is only marginally Christian doctrine-wise) teaches that NO ONE is good. End of story. To be good enough to enter heaven, we'd have to be perfect, i.e., just like God. That ain't gonna happen. No one can earn a piece of heavenly real estate, because we all fall short of perfection. Islam teaches that if you obey the rules, you might get into heaven (depends on what kind of day Allah is having at the time). Judaism says about the same thing. Hinduism says, if you're lucky, you'll be a cow one day. Christianity says it's not about YOU at all, it's all about God. A God who loved you so much that he pesonally came to earth to show you the way to heaven. You can die for Allah and you might get to see the 71 virgins (quite a sexist concept, don't you think?). Christianity says your God came and died for you, i.e., in your place so you inherit his perfect nature. It's somewhat mysterious and I sure don't understand how it all works, but there's no greater notion in all the world that to receive this "grace" of God via Jesus Christ. Try comparing Jesus to Mohammed, Buddah, etc. You'll see the difference. Focus on him, and you can't go wrong.

The Bible teaches that man is different from animals. We were created in the "image of God", meaning we have an eternal spirit (as opposed to dogs, cats, etc.). It says we were created to have an eternal relationship with our Creator. For sure, you can't scientifically prove there is an afterlife (although some of the near-death experiences stories are pretty amazing !!), but neither can you prove there is not an afterlife. It is a matter of faith on either side. One day we'll all find out.

"Would you let someone you love fall into a fire? Of course not." Problem here is that YOU are not God. That line of thinking presupposes that God must think as we do. If there is a God (as I believe), He can darn well do what he pleases (i.e., what is right), and I don't dare try to tell him what he should and should not do based on my human perspective. I'm not divine and omniscient, therefore, I'm not qualified to tell him how to run things. It would be the height of arrogance for me to say, "God wouldn't do that." I do know that God is love, but that he is also holiness and justice too. He has to balance these things, like forgiveness and justice. It's up to him to do so, and not for me to tell him how to do it.

Actually, God has done all he possibly could do to keep us out of hell. Heck, he came to earth and allowed himself to be crucified in our place. What more could he possibly do???? He's paid our death sentence and given us a blueprint of how to avoid hell. All we have to do is follow his plan. He's doing his very best to keep us out of hell, for goodness sakes. But, he respects our personal choice so much that if we are bound and determined to get away from him, he'll let us -- even though it pains him greatly.

God is cool. The more you understand about him, the more you love and appreciate him (even in our limited human sense). I doubt that your Methodist background really helped you grow much in your Christianity. I'd really suggest and urge you to study up on Christianity some, and this time get the real picture. You may not end up coming back to it, but it will certainly help you understand that the answers are all there for those who believe -- not just a blind faith, but a faith based on reason and evidence.

Best of luck in your journey. I appreciate your honesty and desire for truth.

Ok my Methodist background has nothing to do with growing into a better Christian. When I was in my late teens early twenties I attended several different denominational churches. I went to a "non-denominational" church for a year. I have been to several Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian services. I've even been to a French Huguenot church in Charleston. I've attended Bible studies. I know the book. I've attended Jewish services, only one Islamic service and it was a funeral so I don't think I got a good personal experience. I just choose to believe something else. I've studied religion a good bit and they all are common in theme but all lack tangible answers/evidence. I think that the "Mountain top high" that one gets from religion is from achieving a meditative state that will run ones emotions high by releasing certain chemicals through out the body making you feel high, like endorphins or adrenaline will do. People say you know God is real because you feel him within. Just like the Buddhist (who have really mastered meditation) feel that they are getting closer to obtaining Nirvana by that feeling within. And religions pass with time as well. Differing forms of paganism (primarily Greek and Roman) were thought to be correct for thousands and thousands of years. Then something new came along. For all we know 3,000 years from now two people not unlike ourselves will be arguing over Scientology (I hope not) instead of Christianity. I think religion is a waste of time and money. I'm just saying it's not for me. I know a lot of people get a lot out of worship, prayer, and song. I got a lot out of it growing up and I get a lot of personal satisfaction and philosophies on how one should live and better themselves from learning about other religions today. It makes them stronger people, makes people feel good about themselves, gives a person purpose. I feel that I have purpose, and that's to live a good life, try to treat the people around me well so that I will be treated well (I do believe in karma or the golden rule or whatever you want to call it), work hard to provide and so that I can do the things that I enjoy.

Well, I agree with about 99% of what you said. Religions are a dead end, and pretty much a waste (unless it eases your stress, etc.). I gave up religions years ago when I discovered the truth of Christianity. Religions are about works. Christianity is about a person -- Jesus Christ. He's been around earth for over 2000 years now, and he's not going anywhere. There are more Christians alive now than ever before.

I guess I have to respectfully disagree with only one thing you say. I don't believe you really "know the book" as you claim. Your previous writings indicate a rather peripheral, surfacy knowledge of Christian truth. That's not meant to insult you at all, but is just an observation that I think bears some more thought on your part.

You mention denominations and religions, but you keep avoiding the one key issue: What do you really think about Jesus Christ? He is what it's all about, and you've not even mentioned him at all. If you've read "the book", then what about Christ has turned you off so much that you've rejected Christianity? What about Jesus do you find so objectionable? I'd be very interested to hear your perspective on his life and teachings, and why they seem to offend you (or at least prevent you from exploring him deeper). I can certainly see where certain "churches" or church practices would turn some people off. Been there, done that. But, when I take a critical, thoughtful look at the person of Christ and what he taught, I find myself compellingly drawn to him. Not repelled as you seem to be.

This is fascinating stuff.

I really can't say as to whether Jesus existed or not. I'm sure that there could have been a man that was a great teacher and healer in those times in that part of the world. As far as his deeds they're a little far fetched. Walking on water, bringing the dead back, turning water into wine, I don't think so. If you're going to believe in a person you can believe and learn from any great person. Its not that I am turned off by or offended by the teachings of Jesus. I am offended by "Christians" that carry out rediculous tasks in his name claiming its "his will". Or Christians that will automatically assume that you're a bad, evil, immoral person just for not being a Christian. Or people that do stuff like make bill boards on the side of the road that say "'Keep using my name in vain and I'll make rush hour that much longer' -God". I think the teachings of Jesus are good, important and can teach you to be a better person much like the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) like I mentioned before I'm not well versed in Islam, but I'm sure Muhammad has some right on stuff as well. So I'm not repelled, just critical. I think of the Bible and its teachings just as lessons for life not so much the you have to believe this or you're going to burn. I don't believe in an afterlife. And its good that you have your beliefs in Christ and that's what works for you, it helps make you a better person. I like to draw from other people that were wise and have taught us good lessons on life than to put all my "faith" as it were in one man. I enjoy reading an array of teachings from religious teachers (Christ; Buddha) and philosophers (Socrates; Plato; Hume; Nietzsche) as well as from the people around me.

History is very clear that Jesus Christ existed. You can check the writings of Roman, Jewish, and Greek historians from the same period (i.e., non-Christian sources) who verify his life. For example, Tacitus writes that Christ was a Jew who lived in Palestine and was crucified under Pontius Pilate. Other secular historians corroborate the Bible accounts on the life of Christ. So, whether Jesus actually lived and died as the Bible says is not an issue. He did. History proves that (as well has history can prove anything).

Here is what sets Jesus apart. He never claimed to be a good man. He claimed to be GOD. Therefore, he was either the worst lying megalomanic to have ever lived, or he was telling the truth. That is the issue. Just saying that Jesus was a "good man" is not an option for you. Either he was a very bad person who deceived millions, or he was God in the flesh. That is the decision you have to grapple with. You can't patronize him by passing him off as only a "good" spiritual person. Mohammed or Buddah may have been spritual people, but they never claimed to be God. Jesus did. He demands that you decide on whether he is a liar or he is telling the truth.

Did Jesus perform miracles? Well, we know that no human can. However, the whole point to it all is whether Jesus was much more than human. If he was indeed God, as he asserted, then no miracle would be too great for him to perform. So, the issue, again, comes back to whether he was a liar or whether he really was God.

The really amazing thing that we CAN know for certain is that so many of his early followers testified to the truth about Christ with their lives. History tells us of the terrible persecutions suffered by Christians in the 1st century. Why would anyone willingly suffer a horrible death for what they knew was a lie? People tend to get awfully truthful about things at the point of a sword, a cross, or a fiery death. Yet thousands of Jesus followers -- especially the ones who knew him personally -- died rather then denied that he was telling the truth. You can't discount the truth of their testimony. It's recorded history. The blood of thousands of Christians from the time of Jesus on down to us stands as a vivid testimony to the fact that Jesus Christ was not a liar.

You don't have to believe it, for sure. But, you can't argue with historical fact. Jesus' closest disciples and early followers went to their graves with their last words being, "Jesus Christ is God, and none other." They knew Jesus personally. They refused to call him a liar, even at the terrible cost of their own lives.

If you are seeking truth, there it is. What are you now going to do with Jesus? Do you consider him a liar or the Lord? You must choose only 1 of these 2 mutually-exclusive options.

I'll go with liar. He was a man. Man can not do these things. Man is not perfect. So it would make sense that he's a liar. We all have our faults. He did claim he was God and got people to believe him and follow him. Now I will direct you to L. Ron Hubbard. You may know that name. He's a sci-fi writer of above intelligence that once said something to the effect of (I'm paraphrasing): That starting your own religion is a great way to make money and rise to power. He started scientology, a very popular and growing theology. (If you want a good laugh or like Sci-Fi read up on THEIR beliefs.) So Jesus may have been an extremely intelligent individual who was able to gain a following convincing people that he was God, gained followers, had some amazing and new philosophies, started to gain power (referred to as the king of the Jews), the Romans were threatened and took care of the problem. (I just came up with that theory, how's it sound?) So now you have these apostles that go around spreading the "gospel" and made it sound so great (that's one thing Christians have down is the power of persuasion) that people bought it and spread it. Just like cults do, but they usually drink the Kool-Aid before they get a massive amount of people. Its human nature to think that there's got to be a higher power that created us, earth, the universe, because we don't know the answers so we just say oh lightning storms are just when Zeus gets mad, or where did we come from; oh God just willed us into existence. These are easy answers for hard questions that we may never know the answer to. Humans also don't like to be wrong so we will fight for what we believe is right even though it maybe a complete lie. How many Muslims and Christians died during the crusades? Tag your it!

If someone said they were "God", how would you respond? Call 911? Grab a straightjacket? I probably would too. Jesus told his most intimate followers that he was God, would be killed, and then come back from the dead 3 days later. In this statement, he put everything he stood for on the line. It sounded laughable and too fantastic to believe. He must have been lying (even though he constantly preached truth). No man could do this, unless, of course, he really was God. History confirms that Jesus Christ was crucified and buried in Jerusalem. That is documented. Now here is where it gets interesting...

Christianity exists today. Therefore, it must have had a beginning. History/archeology tells us that Christianity was initiated by the associates of Jesus Christ in and around Jerusalem right after his death. Given these indisputable facts, I can only think of 2 possible scenarios to account for the existence of Christianity.

1) Jesus' associates, knowing that he claimed to be God and promised to "rise" on the 3rd day, simply propagated this presumed story about a resurrection for their own profit. Stupid people believed the lie, and began spreading the news all over the world. Suckers believed that a man could come back from the dead, and we have Christianity today.

2) It really happened, just as Jesus predicted.

Now, you've a very logical, reasonable person. For #1 to be true (which is what you believe), logic dictates that these things must also have been true:

Despite the fact that Jesus' body was still in the tomb and there was no proof of any supposed resurrection, thousands of local people still believed he came back from the dead. Despite the fact that you had 2 very hostile and powerful opponents to Christianity who could have killed the entire movement there by simply pulling out Jesus' dead body, no one does this. The Jews and Romans would have been very eager to produce the body, but they couldn't. Why?

I submit that if Jesus was still dead, the one place on earth where Christianity could not have begun was in Jerusalem. When Jesus' disciples preached resurrection, they would have been laughed out of town. Their folly would have been far too easy to expose. I mean, simply take a walk out to the sealed tomb and bingo, Christianity dies before it starts. Yet, that didn't happen. The very skeptics who could have walked away from Christianity at the beginning, instead, founded it and propagated it at great personal cost. People might die for the truth, but no one is going to die for what they know is a lie.

You are right that, "starting your own religion is a great way to make money and rise to power." Let's examine the evidence.... Jesus was common laborer with no formal education or political ties -- not a very likely candidate to change the world, I'd say. Yet, he did. Can't dispute that. What did founding his "religion" get Jesus? -- a lot of trouble and eventually crucifixion. Not much profit in that. Certainly no power. I think if I was standing before the guy ready to condemn me to death, I'd confess I was "just kidding" and promise to go back to my woodworking shop. Jesus never denied that he was God, even as they nailed his arms to a wooden beam. Also, how much profit / power did his disciples make on religion? Well, some were crucified, some beheaded, some speared, some shot through with arrows.... again, seems a bit much to sacrifice simply to maintain a joke, don't you think?

It seems totally illogical to presume that the very eyewitnesses to everything that happened 2000 years ago would give their lives simply to pull the greatest hoax humanity has ever seen -- knowing full well that the only profit they'd get would be suffering a horrible death. Would you do that?
They ALL did this. No one backed out. What is so much more logical is that these early Christians willingly died for what they knew to be the truth.

You are extremely skeptical of anything religious. Can't say as I blame you at all. You seem to be a student of human behavior and human nature. Apply these same insights to Jesus and his associates. Do you really believe they would willingly give up their lives for absolutely nothing? Would you? I'd go back to earning an honest living as a fisherman or a carpenter in a second rather than become a part of the carpentry (i.e., nailed to a cross).

I think that by far the most likely conclusion is that Christianity began in Jerusalem because of facts that skeptics could not dispute (despite their considerable efforts). The logical evidence and the bloodly testimony of Jesus and his early followers gives great credence to the teachings of Christianity, which has withstood the challenges of critics for centuries. Critics come and go. Christianity is still here.

weekapaug05:

Maybe it would help if you go back to the age old question that all kids want to know: Where do babies come from?
Only put this in the perspective of the VERY beginning. Where did the FIRST baby come from?

I am curious as to your beliefs on creation.

Well the babies’ part is easy. We started as a primordial mold that when the perfect conditions were there bacterial life was formed. Cells evolved and we go through the whole theory of evolution. With more and more scientific evidence being found it's hard to deny adaptation and evolution, it's not concrete yet but pretty darn solid if you ask me. Now I assume we're now going to move on to the question of how was the earth formed and the universe and what caused the big bang so forth and so on. I will now direct you to the writings of Steven Hawking. Pick up his book A Brief History of Time, it's an interesting look into our universe and Steve does an amazing job in writing it in a way that the average person can understand. It's a question that we really don't think we'll ever 100% know the answer to, but based on the what we've gained from advances in science we're able to make a more educated guess as to how our world and we came about, instead of writing it off as God willed it. It's the same thing that ancient people did to make sense of the world (i.e. The seas were rough and stormy because someone made Poseidon mad.)

No, actually my next line of questioning is: when we "evolved" closer to mammal form, how did the first mammal survive without being able to feed and nurture itself?

And if we have gotten so much smarter, how come WE can't make humans from mold?

Sorry, can't resist jumping in on this either....

When and from what did the mold spring to life? Science cannot explain how life evolved from dead stuff. We can put all the necessary building blocks of life (amino acids, nucleotides, etc. ) in a tube, give it a charge, and shake it. But, guess what -- no life. Nada. You still just have dead stuff in a tube. For sure, natural adaption and selection happens all around us. Darwin did not have it all wrong. But, there is still no "proof" (not theory) for macroevolution.

One of the main theses of Hawking's book is that the universe (i.e., our dimensionality and matter) had a beginning -- despite the prevailing scientific theories to the contrary before the Big Bang was proven (You see, scientific theories have to be revised, and can be proven to be just WRONG despite years of being taught as truth). What happened 1 nanosecond before the BB? No way to tell. It would take something/someone outside our own dimensionality to pull this off; a transcendent energy existing beyond the limitations of our universe. Science simply can't go there. We don't know how. What's really cool is that Hawking states that the recent discovery that the universe did indeed have a "begining" may be the greatest scientific discovery of all time. Interesting that it's taken man all these thousands of years to finally admit that it all had a beginning. Actually, all we had to do was consult Genesis 1:1, "In THE BEGINNING". Score one for the Bible over science. Given enough time, science usually catches up.

We don't even know what holds atomic nuclei together. By our understanding, nuclei should fly apart (can you say atomic bomb?), yet elements form and matter exist because of this mysterious "strong nuclear force". Did you know the Bible says very clearly that it is in Jesus Christ that all things hold together (1st Chapter of Colossians), that is, he is the nuclear glue that keeps everything working. Science can't explain it. The Bible doesn't explain it (it's not a science text, nor does it claim to be), yet it does say that Jesus is the "Force" (apologies to George Lucas) that permeates all things and holds all things together. In a physical sense, it is Christ's nuclear glue that makes life possible.

If you want to read something chilling, check out 2 Peter chapter 3. Here is the prediction that one day all the elements of matter will fly apart in a great conflagration and great noise. What has happened here? Simply, Jesus finally lets go. No more nuclear force. All matter and elements as we know them split apart releasing intense, fiery heat. Unimaginable destruction. Pretty accurate description of an atomic nuclear fission scenario from an uneducated fisherman from the 1st century, huh?

Now, I realize that we'll never prove scientifically that it is Jesus Christ that holds all matter together, but you have to admit that the Bible's words are pretty amazing on this subject.

I'd suggest reading some of Dr. Hugh Ross' work on cosmology. Ross is an Astrophysicist who became a Christian after he studied the accuracy of the Bible in terms of creation, etc. He was amazed at the scientific accuracy of those ancient passages. I believe his website is www.reasons.org. Fascinating stuff.

I converted to Buddhism this week and have found inner peace. I no longer care about the outside world ... my only concern now is to achieve enough karma to come back as Lindsey Lohan's lap dog. As for creationism ... ah who cares, we're hear right? Thats good enough for me. I still "blindly" (apparently) believe in evolution as you blindly believe in creationism so I feel we can have a mutual respect there, and I can't wait 'til there's another topic we can hash it out over. I've enjoyed this debate, it's made me have to go back and re-read a lot and get some new info.

Finally someone that gets it! Amazing.

Why can't everyone understand the basic fact is that THEY WANT TO KILL US? I know we don't really understand why, but why does "why" matter? And we're supposed to just sit back and let them?

You are exactly right...they don't respect us. They don't understand us any more than we understand them. They only thing they will understand is playing by their rules, not our own "politically correct" ones. Saddest part is that we have the ability to not only play by their rules, but win by their rules. But, our little humanitarian government doesn't want to make waves. What a pity for non-muslims.

Well, I've been answered, and the older I get, the smarter I get...
and you shall one day, too, be old
Fulton Sheen said, "An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support."
quite clever, that guy...
hope you try again... the signs do get easier to read

Invisible means of support = false belief in a god to chase away fear when scared or to ask for help. Meaning an Atheist relies on himself rather than something that is not there. Exactly.

well, that does seem to work out for some people...
hope it works out for you
you are indeed free to choose

imdstuf:

Sometimes God gives you signs that you overlook. Answers to prayer are not always as us humans think they should be.

If I die into nothingness, what is there to be afraid of? I don't get that theory. Granted, it is nice to know that one day I will be in a perfect place in the presence of God.

My suggestion to you is to look for the obvious, sometimes people think themselves past the obvious and look for something more complex. Just the fact that the sun rises and sets everyday is evidence for me. But, I can definitely give you examples of answered prayers. Things that could not have been coincidences.

Maybe He has not yet answered and is waiting for the right time. Remember, we are on God's time. He is the one that made time, after all.