As far as I have been able to determine, no other religious leader, prophet, or founder has claimed to be the only way to God. I don't claim to know all truth, but I know some. I am not looking for "God-points," and there is no such thing. I don't think anyone knows whether other parts of the universe are inhabited. It seems to me that y…
As far as I have been able to determine, no other religious leader, prophet, or founder has claimed to be the only way to God. I don't claim to know all truth, but I know some. I am not looking for "God-points," and there is no such thing. I don't think anyone knows whether other parts of the universe are inhabited. It seems to me that you are taking the worst human characteristics and attributing them to God. If people refuse to acknowledge God or do even one thing he tells us to do, how can they blame God that the world's a mess? What we know about God has been revealed: in our physical universe, all of creation; in Jesus, who was God in the flesh, and in the Bible. If you are dead set against all of that, you won't ever know. If you want to be brave, just throw out a prayer to God, tell him you don't think he exists, and ask him to let you know if you're wrong. There's a book written by an English college professor in 1943 and he answers some of the basic questions you ask. If you want to read it, there's a pdf here: https://tinyurl.com/35n4rr8f
As for Heaven, I'll find out when I get there. God has all knowledge, and we don't. We are created, but God has always existed. He is what the philosophers would call "The Unmoved Mover." There is evidence of God's existence everywhere I look. There's a documentary that addresses this, and I think it's relaxing to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAH8suospuc
I can't look at the complexity and beauty of creation without seeing God's intelligent design, power, artistry, creativity, sense of humor, kindness, generosity, and extravagant provision for the people he created. It requires some kind of magical thinking to believe all of this just "happened."
Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life." So, yes, that's the truth I know. This is not something I made up; it's what God said. But you don't acknowledge God's existence, and your choice is something God will not override. Best to you, friend.
Does that mean you will not read Biglino? Not a big surprise... is your faith so much weaker than your words? Why not see if "God" really said that? And no, you do not "know".
I don't acknowledge YOUR "God's" existence... you follow one of so many mythologies... and yet, despite the billions of good, faithful people who do not believe as YOU do... you again expose your arrogance (and fear) in trying to convince yourself that YOUR "truth" is the ONLY "truth".
But I don't wish to continue poking holes in your weak faith... I just don't KNOW what form the "Creator" or "Creation" takes... I cannot force myself as you do, to believe in something I know is not THE truth. You can. If that makes you happy, who am I to try to awaken you to our birthright: Ignorance. We do not see through the glass darkly, though YOU claim to see everything so clearly... we actually can't see at all.
I do sometimes ponder... what if I had the power of your "God", as you claim that "Jesus" had... would I heal some... change some water into wine at a party... even raise one or two dead?
Or would I transform the entire world... bringing health, happiness and peace and, if necessary, forgiveness... to all... I would banish death and fear, turmoil and war... I would turn all of humanity into blissful, loving brothers and sisters and let them live for eternity in serenity and love. But, of course, that is a child's dream... no?
I can hope... I can even pray to whatever it is that has made myself and the universe... do I think that this may be a personal and loving "God"? Looking at the corrupt, hateful mess the world is in today, with so many innocents dying, crime, betrayal and evil rampaging... sickness throughout the globe... and this may be a small thing, compared to what may be coming:
As far as I have been able to determine, no other religious leader, prophet, or founder has claimed to be the only way to God. I don't claim to know all truth, but I know some. I am not looking for "God-points," and there is no such thing. I don't think anyone knows whether other parts of the universe are inhabited. It seems to me that you are taking the worst human characteristics and attributing them to God. If people refuse to acknowledge God or do even one thing he tells us to do, how can they blame God that the world's a mess? What we know about God has been revealed: in our physical universe, all of creation; in Jesus, who was God in the flesh, and in the Bible. If you are dead set against all of that, you won't ever know. If you want to be brave, just throw out a prayer to God, tell him you don't think he exists, and ask him to let you know if you're wrong. There's a book written by an English college professor in 1943 and he answers some of the basic questions you ask. If you want to read it, there's a pdf here: https://tinyurl.com/35n4rr8f
As for Heaven, I'll find out when I get there. God has all knowledge, and we don't. We are created, but God has always existed. He is what the philosophers would call "The Unmoved Mover." There is evidence of God's existence everywhere I look. There's a documentary that addresses this, and I think it's relaxing to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAH8suospuc
I can't look at the complexity and beauty of creation without seeing God's intelligent design, power, artistry, creativity, sense of humor, kindness, generosity, and extravagant provision for the people he created. It requires some kind of magical thinking to believe all of this just "happened."
You are dancing around the obvious... your insistence that YOU know the TRUTH... the ONLY truth...
But I would think we both tire of this, so lets leave it at this... Let me know when you have completed reading the Biglino book I sent a link to...
Then I'll be happy to read the link you just sent.
Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life." So, yes, that's the truth I know. This is not something I made up; it's what God said. But you don't acknowledge God's existence, and your choice is something God will not override. Best to you, friend.
Does that mean you will not read Biglino? Not a big surprise... is your faith so much weaker than your words? Why not see if "God" really said that? And no, you do not "know".
I don't acknowledge YOUR "God's" existence... you follow one of so many mythologies... and yet, despite the billions of good, faithful people who do not believe as YOU do... you again expose your arrogance (and fear) in trying to convince yourself that YOUR "truth" is the ONLY "truth".
But I don't wish to continue poking holes in your weak faith... I just don't KNOW what form the "Creator" or "Creation" takes... I cannot force myself as you do, to believe in something I know is not THE truth. You can. If that makes you happy, who am I to try to awaken you to our birthright: Ignorance. We do not see through the glass darkly, though YOU claim to see everything so clearly... we actually can't see at all.
I do sometimes ponder... what if I had the power of your "God", as you claim that "Jesus" had... would I heal some... change some water into wine at a party... even raise one or two dead?
Or would I transform the entire world... bringing health, happiness and peace and, if necessary, forgiveness... to all... I would banish death and fear, turmoil and war... I would turn all of humanity into blissful, loving brothers and sisters and let them live for eternity in serenity and love. But, of course, that is a child's dream... no?
I can hope... I can even pray to whatever it is that has made myself and the universe... do I think that this may be a personal and loving "God"? Looking at the corrupt, hateful mess the world is in today, with so many innocents dying, crime, betrayal and evil rampaging... sickness throughout the globe... and this may be a small thing, compared to what may be coming:
https://slaynews.com/news/renowned-scientist-all-covid-vaxxed-will-die-3-5-years/
What will you say to your merciful, loving "God" if this comes to pass?
So long, Pal... I hope you find happiness.