I thought I was able to answer your question without looking at the internet. For myself, I think I did answer your question.




I never considered that it might "hurt" to watch or that there would be any "danger" in doing so. After reading my post, I think someone would realize that about me. Maybe I was not clear about that. So as not to have you feel as if I discounted you, I went back and clicked on the links. The first one seemed to be a trailer for some longer video debunking the idea of evolution. I didn't hear any mention of Jesus, per se. The second link made no sense to me as to what exactly I was supposed to be looking at. Just at that point, we lost power.



I have mulled it over and I feel like you jumped to a conclusion about me. This is a common human reaction. This is something, that in my practice, I struggle very hard with. It is so easy to judge people, especially these days when there seems socially and politically to be no compromise, no grey areas. Everything is black or white, my way or the highway, for me or against me. I believe that the part of us that makes us judge is our ego, which fights for us to feel superior, as a matter of self-preservation. It is hard to look at someone who has totally different beliefs, or maybe even has committed some evil crime, and realize that the essence of that person, the thing that animates them (call it God, spirit, energy, whatever it is) is the same thing that animates me. Scientists seem to be so very close to finding out exactly what that "thing" is. They have recently discovered a new particle which has been nicknamed the "God particle". How extraordinary and exciting are the times we live in.



I am glad that your faith gives you happiness and comfort. Whether or not people with faith are "correct" in their beliefs, doesn't really matter to me. In other words, if you believe in God, but it turns out in fact that there is no God, what difference does it make as long as you are happy, comforted, compassionate, kind and just trying to be a benefit in some way to your fellow human beings? As long as you are not being a pain in the butt about pushing your religious agenda (and you say you are not here to convince anyone), then I'm cool with that!

this ^^^



God bless us, everyone. Whatever that looks like to you, may you be blessed in abundance.

Because he cares about me.<3

"How extraordinary and exciting are the times we live in."

And again, Screamin', beautifully said. The more that Science progresses, the more Mystery is revealed, until finally they come together into the vast Wonderment of our human experience. The grand theme of conscious Creation is a marvel so bright we can only bear it by viewing from a great distance.

Way to go.
We should care who Jesus is, because He first cared for us.

I watch Way of the Master on the TBN [I think] station. Unfortunately, it's on a 2:00 am, but
I record it.

Ray Comfort is such a wiz at having the right answer when he talks to these people.

Another good one is Evolution vs God. We watched it Tuesday at our regular Bible
study. The people that say they are atheists don't exactly know why they are - they just are.

Someone commented that we should "broaden" our views on religon to understand our
fellow man. That is all well and good, but God is not a religon - He is a
relationship. Also, the Bible tells us that Narrow is the way to Heaven
because we can ONLY get there by Jesus' sacrafice on the cross.

I know, you say this is my opinion. It's not. I didn't make this up.
It comes from God. So to not believe is your choice, as Jesuscares says.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, NO man comes to the
Father, but by Me". that's pretty straight forward.

I DO NOT INTEND TO OFFEND ANYONE. Our mission, from God, is to tell as many as we can, in love
and compassion, then let them decide.

I think there's a major different between what Christianity has become and what Christianity was and was meant to be. A lot of pain an dejection exists as a result of the ways it's been misused and abused in the world, but this in no way takes away from its original worth.

I agree with all who mentioned the benefit of studying multiple belief systems. I knew I wanted to be a pastor before I enrolled for undergraduate studies in college, and decided to major in World Religions before going to seminary, in order to widen my view before the sharp focus. So many beautiful thoughts and lives have shaped the way we see and experience the world, and all are very much worth looking into if you hope to intensify your human experience while you've got it.

I was raised Unitarian and learned about a variety of belief systems, then my own relationship (which I do think is a good word) evolved. The only precepts of the Fellowship are a consistency of belief throughout one's experience, and that one's belief (whatever it is) be of benefit to humankind. I applaud everyone who benefits society as an outcome of their faith! including those who believe it's important to announce it to others.

It truly amazes me how the very mention of "Christianity" makes some folk's neck hairs stand on end. I sit and listen to the tired retorts of "what it is now" or rekindling of all the bad things that have happened over the centuries. You know what - if your hurting or in need of assistance, go find a Muslim charity organization offering help to anyone with no strings attached. If you want to actually see what nations value women's rights and equality among all people, you will never find it in a Muslim, or Hindu, or any other nation except those founded on Christian values. If you want to find a point where our once great country started its descending spiral into the chaos we see today, look to when it resolved to remove Jesus from every aspect of public life. If there are no absolute values for right and wrong there is no way to define morality or administer justice. The Bible warns "and everyone did according to their own heart."

Jesus taught us to love one another, regardless if the love is returned or not. I find few non-Christians willing to say excuse me, let alone turn the other cheek. Jesus' hand is extended to every one of us, if we choose to reject it we have no one but ourselves to blame for the results. Pride can cause us to redefine what the Bible truly says to fit what we want to believe, but the truth is the truth is the truth. God's Word remains above and beyond everything we may choose to say or do to remove it from its proper place of prominence. Not a day goes by I do not get on my knees and thank Him for salvation, and rebuilding my life for the good.

Blessings,

Warren, I generally and broadly agree, but historically Christianity has not exactly been an exemplar of minority or women's rights and continues to struggle to figure out how to redemptively speak to these issues even in this country. A stronger argument can be made for the influence of pluralism to bring about the benefits you describe.

And it saddens me to so comment, being a Christian. But honesty compels me.

I have to generally and broadly (but respectfully) disagree, since the advent of charity was not upon the entry of Christianity. That's to suggest that mankind didn't already have the Old Testament upon which the New was constructed, not to mention other writings just as sacred and profound, and the ancient societies that went along with them.
Man's Inhumanity to Man is very, very old -- so is Man's attempt to reach Upward and assist his fellow Man along the way.