Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some atheists here criticize religion, but when it comes down to it they have their doubts and therefore hope that in the end they will have a chance to see for themselves that God is real and choose differently.

Doubt is a natural part of faith. People of faith are very open about that. Sometimes it's hard to believe some of the miracles of Christianity, but God rewards those who do. Atheists, who by definition have rejected (or never accepted) religion, don't have to work at taking things on faith.

How self centered.

I have faith in the ultimate good of man. I have faith every morning that I live in a society where I won't get murdered the moment I set foot out my door. I don't know this for sure. People do get murdered on a daily basis, yet I have faith that on the whole, people are good to each other.

It's hard to believe the miracles of Christianity because there is no evidence for it. There is no evidence for God, and no evidence that there will be a reward to believe. Religion is a collection of baseless assertions hiding behind "faith".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Of course it is. Do you actually think the path of following Christ is supposed to be "easy?" Is that what you're looking for? A simple answer?

It's not just following the path that is hard -- it's believing in Christianity. Mark 9:24New King James Version (NKJV) -- “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Some of the most devout Christians through history have struggled with unbelief -- Mother Teresa experienced a long "dark night of the soul" but continued her work with the dying poor.

Christians who are going through periods of doubt are encouraged to act as if they believe, in the hopes that belief will return. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, but it's important to keep trying to believe. The stakes are so high.

If makes you wonder why god makes it so hard for some people to believe the one thing that will bring them salvation, but God's ways are not our ways. There are mysteries we won't understand until after we die.

Absolutely.

I also think often about John 6: 66 - 68 where Jesus is realizing that a lot of followers are starting to leave Him. I'm paraphrasing here, but he basically asks Simon Peter, "are you going to take off, too?" SP responds -- "Where else would I go? You have the answer to eternal life." In other words, sometimes it's OK to simply say I believe because nothing else makes sense. You can search long and wide but if you are searching for the Truth, you will always come back to Christ.

St Peter, like people of faith today, was being very pragmatic in choosing the path the leads to eternal salvation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Of course it is. Do you actually think the path of following Christ is supposed to be "easy?" Is that what you're looking for? A simple answer?

It's important to differentiate between faith and works. It can be hard to have faith when there is so much about religion is illogical or unscientific. But people with faith will say "That's why it's called faith" You don't use logic when it comes to faith issues. That is very hard for some people to pull off.

Works are different. Works have tangible results. Working can be hard, too, but in a different way. You don't have to try to convince yourself to believe that miracles and ancient stories really happened. You just have to use your time and skills to help other people here on earth.

The doctors without borders are doing good works that are appreciated here on earth, but those doctors who don't also have faith will not receive a heavenly reward. It's their choice. God gives them free will - both to choose to dedicate their earthly lives to helping the poor and to choose to reject god.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Of course it is. Do you actually think the path of following Christ is supposed to be "easy?" Is that what you're looking for? A simple answer?

It's not just following the path that is hard -- it's believing in Christianity. Mark 9:24New King James Version (NKJV) -- “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Some of the most devout Christians through history have struggled with unbelief -- Mother Teresa experienced a long "dark night of the soul" but continued her work with the dying poor.

Christians who are going through periods of doubt are encouraged to act as if they believe, in the hopes that belief will return. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, but it's important to keep trying to believe. The stakes are so high.

If makes you wonder why god makes it so hard for some people to believe the one thing that will bring them salvation, but God's ways are not our ways. There are mysteries we won't understand until after we die.

Absolutely.

I also think often about John 6: 66 - 68 where Jesus is realizing that a lot of followers are starting to leave Him. I'm paraphrasing here, but he basically asks Simon Peter, "are you going to take off, too?" SP responds -- "Where else would I go? You have the answer to eternal life." In other words, sometimes it's OK to simply say I believe because nothing else makes sense. You can search long and wide but if you are searching for the Truth, you will always come back to Christ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Of course it is. Do you actually think the path of following Christ is supposed to be "easy?" Is that what you're looking for? A simple answer?

It's not just following the path that is hard -- it's believing in Christianity. Mark 9:24New King James Version (NKJV) -- “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Some of the most devout Christians through history have struggled with unbelief -- Mother Teresa experienced a long "dark night of the soul" but continued her work with the dying poor.

Christians who are going through periods of doubt are encouraged to act as if they believe, in the hopes that belief will return. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, but it's important to keep trying to believe. The stakes are so high.

If makes you wonder why god makes it so hard for some people to believe the one thing that will bring them salvation, but God's ways are not our ways. There are mysteries we won't understand until after we die.

Anonymous wrote:If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Of course it is. Do you actually think the path of following Christ is supposed to be "easy?" Is that what you're looking for? A simple answer?

Anonymous wrote:If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Oh Yes. Working to overcome doubt is is quite common among people of faith and is discussed freely. It happens over and over again. But it's nothing to worry about or be ashamed of or to deny, as long as the doubt returns to faith.

If it's "work" is it really belief? Are you truly faithful?

Anonymous wrote:I think some atheists here criticize religion, but when it comes down to it they have their doubts and therefore hope that in the end they will have a chance to see for themselves that God is real and choose differently.

Doubt is a natural part of faith. People of faith are very open about that. Sometimes it's hard to believe some of the miracles of Christianity, but God rewards those who do. Atheists, who by definition have rejected (or never accepted) religion, don't have to work at taking things on faith.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some atheists here criticize religion, but when it comes down to it they have their doubts and therefore hope that in the end they will have a chance to see for themselves that God is real and choose differently.

I've said this many times. For all of the so-called"atheists on DCUM, they sure do spend a lot of time in the religion forum.

I prefer this forum to reading fantasy.

^ Is this the only place you can retreat when your "logic" wears out?

Anonymous wrote:I think some atheists here criticize religion, but when it comes down to it they have their doubts and therefore hope that in the end they will have a chance to see for themselves that God is real and choose differently.

I've said this many times. For all of the so-called"atheists on DCUM, they sure do spend a lot of time in the religion forum.

Zeus will judge PPs harshly for their folly - petulant mortals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Atheist here - DH asked me to type: "Salvation does not depend on you, but rather on God, who is right to save."


Why is it that you believe in the Christian God when Allah, and Vishnu exist?

...what if you got it wrong?

It boggles my mind that your God, your loving, all powerful, all forgiving God, would give a crap if salvation occurred 30 seconds before death instead of the 30 seconds after. WHY does that matter?

It's part of Christian teaching. Everyone who goes to sunday school learns it. Maybe it's easier to accept when you're young and the adults in your life tell you about it.

Missionaries have gone around the world to spread the word in order to help people receive God's saving grace.

Kids believe in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny -- the fucking Hamburglur! They're gullible little sponges what the hell do you want from them?!

OP - if you're still reading this, you have the responsibility not to fill your DD's head with LIES. Particularly this BS of the DWB Dr. being sent to hell after a perfectly beautiful life in srvice to others. Don't spread this virus of insanity.

If PPs believe, truly BELIEVE every word, then I wonder if they can enter the kingdom of heaven over that camel and needle. She's so literal, she should shut off her laptop, pawn it, and go DO some service already.

I think some atheists here criticize religion, but when it comes down to it they have their doubts and therefore hope that in the end they will have a chance to see for themselves that God is real and choose differently.