God

Jessie - posted on 02/09/2013

I don't believe in God.

I think its sort of like a fairy tale.

This is what I was thinking when I was discovering I was an Athiest: 'If he's an almighty person, why wasn't I one, too? This is all stupid. It's bullshit!'

Hey, I wrote that in my diary as a 17 year old, don't judge.
Of course, I'm only 24, beliefs could change. :)

Cynthia - posted on 06/08/2011

i think the bible is an awesome story book. but just that. some of it may be true but because it was written by so many different men and translated so many times, today it is fiction. i don't believe in god. i do believe in a higher power but not the god of the bible or the Jesus story. the why is because it doesnt add up to me. i cant wrap my head around the idea of a magic man.

Isobel - posted on 06/08/2011

as for the person who said that Jesus commanded that the old testament be followed...why do we not stone people to death as God demanded that we should? why do Christians eat ham for Easter? There are so many questions.

Most Christians seem to post that the Old testament is just as important as the new when discussing the right to hit your child or deny gay people the right to marry...but then say that the New Testament trumps the old when it comes to areas where the two books contradict each other.

I is confused.

Nancy - posted on 06/08/2011

6) Jesus has a punishment even worse than his father concerning adultery: God said the act of adultery was punishable by death. Jesus says looking with lust is the same thing and you should gouge your eye out, better a part, than the whole. The punishment under Jesus is an eternity in Hell. (Matthew 5:27)

This would be a good one for my ex...LOL

Kate CP - posted on 06/08/2011

"Kate, to all but the last bit, my honest, sincere question, is: So?"

That's usually my question when some one starts telling me all about Jesus. I know about Jesus and many other religions and I don't really need or want to be proselytized to every time some one starts in with it. (Not saying you are or any body else is, just a general observation here.)

Nancy - posted on 06/08/2011

God has opened my eyes in many different ways...He has been there with me through all my struggles and has been there when I felt alone! I totally love God!

C A - posted on 06/08/2011

Of course I believe in God!

Cindy - posted on 06/08/2011

I do believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible. It's been a long road to that decision. I went through my share of questions about it. But, I remember clearly, the day I felt I had been touched by Christ. That moment has stayed with me, and has caused me to maintain my faith. I believe that there are a great many inconsistant teachings within the Bible and amongst organized religious sects. It is a fact that the Bible has been interpreted by man. The books of the Bible weren't originally written in English! So, I feel it is best for me to read and interpret it for myself, and not by minister/reverend/priest, etc... The Roman Catholic church has admittedly chosen to leave out certain books written by the disciples and followers of Christ. I believe that the Bible is a guide for how we should live. The laws that were given to us are pretty basic for living in a civilized society. Don't kill, don't steal, don't commit adultery, etc... Again, this is my faith and how I choose to live. I don't attend "church." I believe that wherever 2 or more are gathered in His name is a church. I don't have to be in a particular building on a certain day. But, again, this is my own personal faith. I share it whenever anyone wants to talk about God, but I don't believe in ramming it down other's throats. And, I don't believe it's my place to say that if you live a certain way that you won't go to heaven. I'm not the judge. I believe that everyone will face God one day & he will judge. So, I make sure my heart is right with God, & I ask forgiveness for my sins. I have taught my boys that as well. They may do things that I don't know about and get away with it, but one day they will face God so they better make sure that they are right with Him.
Nothing bothers me more than when people who claim to be Christians pass judgement on other people because it says in the Bible that something is a sin. Again, only God can judge, and if I'm not dead then I don't know how God will judge anyone. I believe I'll get to find out all that when I die.

Tara - posted on 06/08/2011

If we are going to talk about paganism I would like to suggest that Christianity has stolen many pagan rituals and adapted them to better suit Christianities purposes.
Paganism existed before Christianity, before Roman times. It was one of the original structured religions.
There is a wealth of information out there regarding the true origins, systems, and demise of paganism in favour of Christianity, not willing demise but a slow methodical destruction of all the things that connected them to the earth.

Jen - posted on 06/08/2011

Kate, excellent post.

Jen - posted on 06/08/2011

Jody, very interesting ideas.

Jenni - posted on 06/08/2011

That IS interesting Amanda. I'm just not too familar with the practice of speaking in tongues and was curious about your beliefs on it.

I do know quite a bit about various pagan religions as I use to be a practicing Wiccan. Or as much as we can know from the limited records.

I just believe a lot of the teachings and practices of Christianity was adopted from the 'Old Religions'. I would believe that this practice of speaking in tongues originated from a predated religion.

Charlie - posted on 06/08/2011

Jody that is a pretty cool take on it !

OhJessie - posted on 06/08/2011

Kate, to all but the last bit, my honest, sincere question, is: So?

To the end, if anyone is genuinely beating you about the head with bible stories, they should stop. A Christian's job is to be ready to give an answer to unbelievers (i.e. wait for the question) and exhort believers. The only exception I make is simple exegesis.

Kate CP - posted on 06/07/2011

*cracks knuckles* Okay, here we go.

So, Jesus was the messiah and sacrificed his life so we would know the kingdom of heaven. At least, that's how the story goes. But, how many other gods have the same story of mystical birth, an unknown childhood, returning to minister in their adult years, persecution, martyrdom, and resurrection? Answer: A lot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Chris...

This isn't something that the Christians have all to their own. The concept of a holy man who dies for his people and is resurrected has been played over and over in history. Somewhere around 44% of adults in the US alone believe Jesus will return within their lifetime.

If God and Jesus make you happy, go for it. I think everyone should be happy. But part of ME being happy is to not be beaten about the head with a bible and it's stories.

Isobel - posted on 06/07/2011

I may need to convert

Isobel - posted on 06/07/2011

now that...is a pretty cool philosophy

Jody - posted on 06/07/2011

I believe in a Goddess and a God, who take myriad names and forms, and the union of the Two as a single, androgynous Divinity that is both immanent and transcendent; the Male and Female represent the balanced halves of the united whole, and harmony is represented in balance, while imbalance results in discord, sorrow and what is commonly termed 'evil'.



The God and Goddess appear in different ways throughout human history, either as lovers, or as mother and child, or more rarely as brother and sister; they are Cernunnos and Aradia, Shiva and Shakti, Isis and Horus, Frey and Freya, Mary and Jesus, Cybele and Attis, Yahweh and Asherah, Diana and Apollo, Damballa and Ayida Wedo, Jehovah and Sophia, and are known by many other names; their interaction produce/represent the turning of the Wheel of the Year, which is the cycles of nature, of the changing of seasons, the movement of heavenly bodies, the cycles life and death, and basically the motions of the universe from the orbits of the planets around stars down to the orbits of electrons around the nucleus of an atom.



In more scientific terms, the Goddess is matter, and the God is energy. United, they are what creates the substance and motion of the universe and everything in it. Everything in the universe is part this joined, androgynous God, hence everything IN the universe IS God. Thus, pantheism and animism factor into the equation, as well as concepts such as Gnostic 'awakening', (pre-Catholic) Christian 'salvation' and Buddhist 'enlightenment'. But that's a tangent for another day.



So in short, yeah, I believe in God. God is everywhere, in every thing and thought and action.

Lotte - posted on 06/07/2011

i dont shove it down my kids throats, nor am I totally closeminded. I even took my daughter to see inside a church one day just for the sake of experience and she said it looked 'weird'. we never went back, as I got the impression it made her uncomfortable. she was three at the time. I leave it up to them what they want to believe, just like if they want to be gay then so what. I back my kids 100% as long as they are good caring loving and balanced people. all the power to them as long as they are who they want to be and not for anyone else, I believe in self empowerment first and foremost, but not to be pompous...I believe in righteousness and many of the same values but not the cultist following part of religion.

Lissa - posted on 06/07/2011

I believe in God as a in there is a greater power out there.
I think the bible is a book of exaggerated stories about trying to be a better person and introducing us to a man who I do think existed, who was good and kind.
I also believe in the spirituality of everything around us, that we are all connected. I am open to ideas but also see the similarities of many things who is to say reincarnation is not just a variation on purgatory or vice versa.
I believe faith is an excellent thing but religion causes problems. I also think if heaven exists you aren't going to be excluded from it when you have lived a good and kind life just because you didn't believe God existed.
I say all this having been brought up by an Italian Catholic father with deep faith.

Amanda - posted on 06/07/2011

to Jennifer

Paganism – How does it compare with Christianity?
It is difficult to compare paganism with Christianity since the term pagan can be used to identify many different sects and beliefs.

These are the major differences, out of many:

Biblical Christianity professes one God, where paganism often teaches many or no god.

Biblical Christianity teaches that the Bible contains God’s words and message to mankind. It is infallible and inerrant. Paganism does not have one main religious text or set of beliefs to follow.

Biblical Christianity teaches that Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth as a baby, died on the cross as an adult for the sin of the whole world, and rose to life again. Some pagans believe in Jesus as one of the gods, but do not put significance in Him as Christians do.

Due to these differences and many more, a person cannot be a follower of Jesus Christ (a Christian) and a pagan at the same time.

http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/paga...

Jen - posted on 06/07/2011

Seriously? This idea of faith in a god comes down to whether speaking in tongues is cited in a bible verse?

Amanda - posted on 06/07/2011

Jennifer - I Corinthians chapter 14 vs 27 & 28 mki9
27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and then in turn, and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

From these two verses, the Bible talks about there being an interpreter of the person speaking in tongues. If there is no interpreter then the person speaking in tongues is talking to God. (at least that's what I see out of it)

I can only say that I don't understand everything in the Bible and don't think that everything will ever be understood by us(man) but I guess we just have to research and try to learn and understand what it means for our self. However there are many false "tongue talking" practices that are involved with witch craft and evil spirits and that's not at all what I am involved in. As for Pagan ppl speaking in tongues, Type in a search for "do Pagans talk in tongues" there are a lot of links and maybe we can understand why or what kind of tongue talking the Pagan were involved in...


28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Shelley - posted on 06/07/2011

Ok, I got lazy though, and copied this from a site I peruse when I am bored (i.e. hardly ever since the kids!). I will paste the goodies, but if you are interested in the link here it is (there really are whoppers of all sorts taken directly from the bible if you are curious). http://www.evilbible.com/

1) “For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19 RSV) Clearly the Old Testament is to be abided by until the end of human existence itself. None other then Jesus said so.

2) All of the vicious Old Testament laws will be binding forever. "It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid." (Luke 16:17 NAB)

3) Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn’t the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place." (Matthew 5:17 NAB)

3b) "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness..." (2 Timothy 3:16 NAB)

3c) "Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God." (2 Peter 20-21 NAB)

4) Jesus criticizes the Jews for not killing their disobedient children according to Old Testament law. Mark.7:9-13 "Whoever curses father or mother shall die" (Mark 7:10 NAB)

5) Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees for not washing his hands before eating. He defends himself by attacking them for not killing disobedient children according to the commandment: “He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” (Matthew 15:4-7)

6) Jesus has a punishment even worse than his father concerning adultery: God said the act of adultery was punishable by death. Jesus says looking with lust is the same thing and you should gouge your eye out, better a part, than the whole. The punishment under Jesus is an eternity in Hell. (Matthew 5:27)

7) Peter says that all slaves should “be subject to [their] masters with all fear,” to the bad and cruel as well as the “good and gentle.” This is merely an echo of the same slavery commands in the Old Testament. 1 Peter 2:18

8) “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law" (John7:19) and “For the law was given by Moses,..." (John 1:17).

9) “...the scripture cannot be broken.” --Jesus Christ, John 10:35

Jen - posted on 06/06/2011

I don't believe in any superior/super natural/all knowing/all good being. Not for one second. The reason? I don't see any god at work in the world. I see a whole lot of misery, and people putting their faith in something to comfort them.

Good Day! - posted on 06/06/2011

me three.

Tawny - posted on 06/06/2011

Me to !!

Dana - posted on 06/06/2011

I'd like to see those passages where Jesus said that.

Shelley - posted on 06/06/2011

Just a mention - havent read all the posts so it might have been mentioned before. But Jesus said that you can't exclude anything from the bible and you have to follow the rules of the old testament. So any Christians that disclaim all those crazy old testament rules are going against what Jesus said. Actually alot of what the guy said and did was pretty horrible. If you want me to elaborate and dredge some passages up I'll be happy to oblige :)

Jenni - posted on 06/04/2011

And how do you explain that people of Pagan religions also have the ability to speak in tongues if it is a gift from the Holy Spirit... or the Christian god?

Jenni - posted on 06/04/2011

Amanda, just curious but what are your thoughts on this:

""What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?" (1 Corinthians 14:15-16)

Evidently, in the Corinthian church people were praying in tongues. Paul points out that praying in tongues was fruitless because one did not understand what they were praying. Nowhere in God's word is there an example of one praying and not understanding what they praying. 1 Timothy 2:1 explains biblical prayer, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." Jesus said, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22) The question is how can one believe when they do not know what they are praying? Never in the Bible is prayer ever presented as being done without one's understanding. When Paul mentions praying in the "spirit" it is an admonishment against the practice. Note the word "spirit" is not capitalized and refers to praying in our thoughts, not through the Holy Spirit.

Paul uses a double illustration saying if he prays in the spirit he prayers with his understanding and that in the same way he sings in the spirit it is with his understanding. Nothing in the verse is saying a person should pray and not understand what they are praying. Therefore the verses are not establishing praying in tongues, but reproving those that were doing it."

http://www.bible-truth.org/TonguesWhatis...

Amanda - posted on 06/04/2011

Jennifer - Thanks. I know I am not even close to what i need to be and don't do every single thing the Bible says, but i try to do the best i can and let the teachings of the Bible help me.

Amanda - posted on 06/04/2011

Tawny- When you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking it is an unknown language to you. I don't have any idea what language i was speaking but i know that for me, it was a real experience from God.

Jenni - posted on 06/02/2011

lol Amanda, I love that; " I guess you could say that i am like the Duggers,except I believe in birth control. and i Don't care for attention." That's encouraging and funny. :)

Anyways, I think I'm starting to understand you Amanda, I wasn't sure how to take you at first. But I think you do sound like a lovely woman with just rather unconvential beliefs. Ones I can appreciate because so many twist the Good Book at a whim and although (I think it would be impossible to follow it to a "T") you don't follow it 100% you seem to be doing a good job of following its teachings at about 90%. Which I think it's safe to say is about 40% more than a lot of followers. Anyways, I respect that... you are true to what you believe.

Charlie - posted on 06/01/2011

"Why does a wedding band get a jewelery exemption? Isn't it still jewelery? "



Didnt you know , some read the bible as a choose your own adventure book.



Amanda I posted earlier the passage from which ALL jewellery is a sin .

Tawny - posted on 06/01/2011

So you say you talk in tongues what languages do you speak? Spanish, dutch, german, french etc

Tasha - posted on 06/01/2011

Im not sure that i belive in god but i belive in being a good, honest, happy, helpful, genuine person, whatever you believe. I think that it is hard to take litterally something that was written so long ago. I know somethings do not change, but i also understand that somethings do. If we never changed opinion or rights women couldnt even vote. I think there are core fundementals that are taught through many avenues, including religion, but there is not one way that is correct for all people. Something that has always bothered me about most very religious people that maybe you can help explain to me amanda, maybe i have it totally wrong, and i may, that we are not to judge. But if i dont live the way you expect me to then i am judged, i am not as good as you, or as loved by "god". Ill admit i dont know a tom about religion and have always been up for learning more, i guess i just havent been impressed by what ive seen. I hope i havnt been rude, i respect you and your choices, as you should others. Great debate!

Chris - posted on 06/01/2011

seen way to much of his work to deny it! :)

Amanda - posted on 06/01/2011

Jenny - This is just my opinion on jewelry...I personally don't know where ,or even if the Bible says it is wrong to wear jewelry but i don't think that a woman should wear a ring on every finger, 2 or 3 pairs of earrings, and weigh her neck down with necklaces. I think that a small amount of jewelry is ok to wear if you choose to, but I only choose to wear my wedding band. Other than that, I dont know what to say about wearing rings and necklaces right now.

Amanda - posted on 06/01/2011

Dana - Yes, I have spoke in tongues when I received the Holy Ghost.

Amanda - posted on 06/01/2011

Jennifer - God is the only perfect man that ever walked this earth. Yes, each man is born in sin, but can repent and accept Christ as their savior. (and you do not have to sin every day) but if you do there is forgiveness (except for blasphemy according to the Bible)

Amanda - posted on 06/01/2011

Laura - Yes to the link you posted. I would be more of the oneness Pentecostalism that is under the relation & reaction article. :)

Amanda - posted on 06/01/2011

Tawny - Deut 22:5 teaches that women should not wear that which pertains unto a man;The Bible teaches separation of the sexes and since there is so little distinction between men’s and women’s pants, they are essentially unisex.I have always worn skirts or dresses since I can remember,even as a child. I Corinthians 11:15 talks about a woman's hair is her glory. (I agree with this scripture but another reason for me not cutting my hair is b/c I promised God that if He let my hair grow back,after my cousin cut it shoulder length, I would not ever cut my hair again. That was about 7 years ago and i haven't put scissors to my hair yet and don't plan on it) I really don't do the things i posted earlier. I guess you could say that i am like the Duggers,except I believe in birth control. and i Don't care for attention. I guess i can say that i have always been sort of an outcast because of the way i dress/don't dress but that's o.k. I don't wear make up and the only jewelery i wear is my wedding band. (i don't know where it is in the Bible right now but it says not to mark your body and if you put holes in your ears or markings (tattoos)on your body, then you are marking your body.)

Tawny - posted on 06/01/2011

What is this about not cutting hair and not wearing jewelry and not wear pants.....I mean seriously so are you like the Duggers? Im a christian and I cut my hair where makeup wear pants dont have a tattoo but thinking of it!! :) Dont drink or do drugs so am I not a true Christian then... I dont understand why you have to make such a statement just say your a Christian. I think you like the attention by saying all those things and do you really not do all those things...

Dana - posted on 06/01/2011

Amanda, so you speak in tongues?

Jenny - posted on 06/01/2011

Why does a wedding band get a jewelery exemption? Isn't it still jewelery?

Amanda - posted on 06/01/2011

ok then. I am an Apostolic Holiness gal :) I believe that Jesus is God. I believe that the plan of salvation is stated in Acts 2:38. We have to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and we shall receive the Holy ghost with the evidence of speaking in tounges. I believe in the kind of holiness that comes from the Bible. I don't cut my hair, wear pants or make up. The only jewelry i wear is my wedding band. Don't smoke,drink,or do any drug of any kind (and don't want to)

Isobel - posted on 06/01/2011

This Holiness?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiness_mo...

Jenni - posted on 06/01/2011

I thought only God was holiness. I thought mankind are sinners.

Isobel - posted on 06/01/2011

Is Holiness a religion?...I must say I've never heard of that one