Signs of God

[twinkle]

Imagine if you had a kid, Dwoing: wouldn't you let him go out and play, even though you knew he could get hurt, get dirty etc? Would you not let him make friends, even if you knew some of them will dissapoint him? will you ask him to love you or will you give him enough freedome so that he feels your love and return it back?

It's very easy. Free will is the most incredible gift of all and in my book, the greatest proof of love that God made to human kind .

[Dwoing]

true enough, but why would he give us the ability and the "free will" to kill people, and do drugs etc.?

[twinkle]

because being free means you have the right to do bad things as well as good things, otherwise it would not be freedom. Doing bad things is the only way some people learn. And in the end, all of us have a lot of lessons to learn and as long as we do, that's the main important thing.

[Dwoing]

But then he lets people kill other people... So does that mean if I had a very strong belief in him and I asked him to protect me (from harm) He wouldn't be able to do that because we all have free will? And if he can't control what people do, then what's the point in believing in him? What do we get out of it? I might seem greedy but I just don't want to give my life up on Sunday's (church) and my free time (praying) if I am not getting anything out of it (protection, company etc). Not to mention questioning all of my decisions with "what would god want me to do?". That's not being free, in my opinion being free is being able to think on your own and not have to worry about your religion. Ex. I know someone that doesn't eat pork because of her religion. To me that's not free will, it's being forced to NOT do something because of her religion.

Again I just don't see the point of believing in something that could very well be in the same category as a mermaid or a vampire. Can you imagine if your life was ruled by a little vampire on your shoulder always telling you what the best possible decision would be? It's the same thing with god only he's in your head (or heaven). To me that's not free will either...

Sorry if I sound harsh but these are questions that you may know answers to...

[twinkle]

hahaha, my darling, feel free to do exactly as you wish, but remember what Pascale said:

If you believe in God and God doesn't exist, you do not loose anything; if however you believe in God and God exists, you gain eternity.

People do not get anything for believing in god, protection or anything else. sh!t happens, life happens, but their belief in God makes them get through and keep faith. This is not a trade off. You do not get anything for loving your mom and your dad. You do not get anything by deciding to have a baby and love him. You do that for yourself or because you respond to love with love, etc.

Basically, when it comes to God and everyday life I have this saying that works for me:
hope for the best(God), but expect the worst (life stuff).

Maybe ... it would be an interesting idea to read the Bible - it might answer some questions? Knowing the "official" story might help ! I don't mean to turn all religious and study it 3 times a day, but have a read at it, it's interesting.

One of my good friends back in Paris was hindi and she gave up meat altogether. It did not seem such a big effort to her. Her parents were like that, her Indian friends too, it simply is a different culture, so what it appears as a huge effort to us may be the norm in another place.

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by Dwoing

Again I just don't see the point of believing in something that could very well be in the same category as a mermaid or a vampire. Can you imagine if your life was ruled by a little vampire on your shoulder always telling you what the best possible decision would be? It's the same thing with god only he's in your head (or heaven). To me that's not free will either...

For me a little vampire on my shoulder is just as far fetched as some omnipotent being creating all and sundry. The difference is Christianity is very ingrained in some cultures. Just like the Romans belived in Roman Gods and the ancient Egyptians belived in all manner of crazy stuff.

[Vautrin]

Originally Posted by Mondo

...and the ancient Egyptians belived in all manner of crazy stuff.

Hey they were not crazy. They at least knew how to appreciate cats.

[twinkle]

hum.... speaking of cats... there's this yummy lovely orange cat that I keep seeing on the premises of my residence ... really lovely, furry wth green eyes... I'm thinking of stealing it!

Not like forever, but like... make it have a bath and sleep over for a few days !!!!

I know it'd appreciate the freedome more than tuna everyday, but I'd still love to have a cat for a few days, if it likes it or not ... I'm mean, hihihi!!!

[twinkle]

that would not make me a very good Egyptian, or Christian, for that matter, would it, Vautrin?

[Vautrin]

It would make you a very good Egyptian. Cats had a very high status. Feed them, worship them, and they will exercise their freedom as they see fit.

Speaking of orange and green eyes; that describes the cat that succesfully adopted my gf!

[twinkle]

lucky her! Does she even get the priviledge of sharing the same bed and table with the above named cat?

[Vautrin]

Yup. Apparently it seems to have cured her from her allergy of cat hair.

[Dwoing]

Originally Posted by twinkle

hahaha, my darling, feel free to do exactly as you wish, but remember what Pascale said:

If you believe in God and God doesn't exist, you do not loose anything; if however you believe in God and God exists, you gain eternity.

How would I gain eternity?

[Duke]

Seems kinda childish or spiteful to me that God would not welcome me with open arms just because of my muddy beliefs. I don't think God can fault me if I'm hazy in my belief of an intangible being. I think God should look more closely at the life I've tried to live and judge me based off that.