Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm always amazed that people can look at all the tragedy and evil in the world and still believe in a kind and loving God.

I think it's totally plausible to believe in a vengeful, angry, and violent god. Those are the characteristics of the earliest forms of deities, and it makes a lot of sense why people would envision such beings to exist. But I agree with you concerning the amazement in believing in a kind and loving deity.

I find it amazing to believe we live in a world where people don't want to believe in God, hear from God, follow God, but then want to blame him for all the evil in the world.
I am not being sarcastic at all.
We cannot have it both ways, you cannot say God is not good because there are tragedies, yet not be willing to submit your free will to His perfect will.

Do you believe in things just because you "want" to? Sadly, many people can't do that. They use their brains. Just like I used my brain to come to the conclusion that the people who don't believe in a god are not the same people who blame a god for the evil in the world.

Anonymous wrote:Of course.

We will never understand the mechanics of it, just like we will never, ever scientifically know exactly how life was formed. We have "theories," which are guesses only and just say "bang" and there was life. Can somebody show me how they take some light or air or rocks and make an amoeba or bug or living plant or other life? Truly, the bible's answers to life questions such as these make more sense than scientific guesses like "bang."

I have zero conflict between my understanding of current science (big bang, evolution) and Christianity.

I believe I'll be reunited with loved ones I've lost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm always amazed that people can look at all the tragedy and evil in the world and still believe in a kind and loving God.

I think it's totally plausible to believe in a vengeful, angry, and violent god. Those are the characteristics of the earliest forms of deities, and it makes a lot of sense why people would envision such beings to exist. But I agree with you concerning the amazement in believing in a kind and loving deity.

I find it amazing to believe we live in a world where people don't want to believe in God, hear from God, follow God, but then want to blame him for all the evil in the world.
I am not being sarcastic at all.
We cannot have it both ways, you cannot say God is not good because there are tragedies, yet not be willing to submit your free will to His perfect will.

Which god are you talking about? There are several thousands of versions.

Furthermore, not everyone believes god is a "he."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm always amazed that people can look at all the tragedy and evil in the world and still believe in a kind and loving God.

I think it's totally plausible to believe in a vengeful, angry, and violent god. Those are the characteristics of the earliest forms of deities, and it makes a lot of sense why people would envision such beings to exist. But I agree with you concerning the amazement in believing in a kind and loving deity.

I find it amazing to believe we live in a world where people don't want to believe in God, hear from God, follow God, but then want to blame him for all the evil in the world.
I am not being sarcastic at all.
We cannot have it both ways, you cannot say God is not good because there are tragedies, yet not be willing to submit your free will to His perfect will.

Anonymous wrote:Of course.

We will never understand the mechanics of it, just like we will never, ever scientifically know exactly how life was formed. We have "theories," which are guesses only and just say "bang" and there was life. Can somebody show me how they take some light or air or rocks and make an amoeba or bug or living plant or other life? Truly, the bible's answers to life questions such as these make more sense than scientific guesses like "bang."

I believe in God and the Bible -- I believe God said 'let there be light' and there was a big bang.

My MIL "senses" or "feels" the spirits of deceased family members all the time. She believes they send her messages from time to time when she needs guidance. It's very, very comforting to her.

I wish I could believe that these feelings weren't just in her head. I wish it were possible to have some connection, any connection, other than memories, to my parent who died many years ago. I don't roll my eyes when my MIL talks about her connection to the deceased, I feel amazed and envious that she can cofort herself that way. I wish I could.

Anonymous wrote:I'm always amazed that people can look at all the tragedy and evil in the world and still believe in a kind and loving God.

I think it's totally plausible to believe in a vengeful, angry, and violent god. Those are the characteristics of the earliest forms of deities, and it makes a lot of sense why people would envision such beings to exist. But I agree with you concerning the amazement in believing in a kind and loving deity.

Yes. I do. I don't know if I believe it as "life" as we know it on another plane of existence or something. But, I do believe in an alternate existence after death, absolutely.

Yes.

I'm always amazed that people can look at all the tragedy and evil in the world and still believe in a kind and loving God.

Anonymous wrote:Of course.

We will never understand the mechanics of it, just like we will never, ever scientifically know exactly how life was formed. We have "theories," which are guesses only and just say "bang" and there was life. Can somebody show me how they take some light or air or rocks and make an amoeba or bug or living plant or other life? Truly, the bible's answers to life questions such as these make more sense than scientific guesses like "bang."

I agree a with this. The Bible makes way more sense than a big bang theory, though I feely admit that God could have used element if the big bang theory and evolution when He created the world. I am always mystified by people who can look at all the beauty in the world and deny the existence of a kind and loving God.

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe in life after death. I think it's something people made up to explain natural inequities in life, or hope for some semblance of justice, or cope with loss.

To me, there is only this life. This is where it matters and counts. I do good for my fellow members of humanity (and my own conscience), not for some reward or payoff when I die. It encourages me to make the most of now, as that's all I believe there is.

My thoughts, exactly.

I believe in the principle of conservation of energy, and I think our soul is energy that is dispersed upon death, scattered, and reanimated in various ways. That's why I think so many people tend not to move far from where they grew up -- their energy considers that place to be "home."

Of course.

We will never understand the mechanics of it, just like we will never, ever scientifically know exactly how life was formed. We have "theories," which are guesses only and just say "bang" and there was life. Can somebody show me how they take some light or air or rocks and make an amoeba or bug or living plant or other life? Truly, the bible's answers to life questions such as these make more sense than scientific guesses like "bang."