but there are lots of mean people that keep telling them they are going to hell.
That's because they are going to Hell. It's not hate, it's just being truthful, and as we all know, the truth can hurt. But, I respect their right to make that choice...just as I expect them to respect MY right to be a Christian.
So, you are saying that your god would not accept someone who didn't believe in him/her/it but who still chose to live a good life because they believed it was right, but, would accept someone who did believe in him/her/it and who lived a good life out of some fear of punishment or the promise of reward? Saying "you must believe in me, love me, worship me" etc. sounds very narcissistic, which is a human failing. I think there is far more evidence that we created our gods than the other way around.
I'm not going to argue religion, or as to whether or not there is a God, because I'm not a Bible scholar, I'm just an ordinary Christian. You are free to believe as you so choose. I happen to believe there is indeed a God, and that he sent his son Jesus Christ to come and die on the cross, in order that I (and you too if you wish) might be forgiven of my sins and enter into the Kingdom of God (Heaven), after I die. It's just that simple. If you choose not to believe that, all I can say is that's it's your loss. I would sincerely hope that you would come to the same conclusion I have, and find everlasting life.
Jim,
I'll take this as you concession that you have no substantial evidence supporting your faith. Most people become Christian because they are born into Christian families. Many of those families tell their kids they can only be good if they are Christian, and they will suffer greatly if they are not, so the kids become Christian without any deeper thought.
Yea, you are Christian, but you see no reason people unfairly just because they are different, mostly want to be left alone, and would rather spend you Sunday morning hunting, then listening to some preacher. I think this describes a lot of "Christians".
At a function level, many Christians act more in as modified humanist then they realize (there's some stupid lefty stuff in the Humanist Manifesto, that really has no place it in, and I would delete). If someone is in need, they don't sit around and pray, they get up and do something. In this world, few Campfire Christians really wait around for God to solve their problems, they work to fix it themselves, and improve things for others were they can.....kind of like an atheist would...
it's Thanksgiving, yet again. and i don't have a turkey in the house. so, please god, give me the strength, courage, energy, and desire to go procure a turkey for our family's Thanksgiving Dinner. ..and if i come into two turkeys, let me have them both so i can share one with my neighbor..... it appears those turkeys are coming under the gun.
