Do you belive in God? why?

[CathyBogart]

that's why many people think pagans are polytheistic. We aren't.

I disagree with making blanket statements like this since the word Pagan covers so many different religions all over the world.

[ylrebmik]

There is so much that nobody can explain.. and i don't think we should be able to. If we knew everything- life wouldn't be as exciting to me. I like not knowing what is going to happen to me when i die. I just tell myself that I only live once and when i die- i just rot. It keeps me moving. When i think of "heaven".. it makes me feel like i can do anythign in this life and makeup for it in the "afterlife". I prefer not to know about "God"..if there is one. I believe more in spirits than anything, I guess. But i try not to think about everything like that and just LIVE. I believe every human makes their own decisions and that we should deal with our mistakes.

[mugsy]

Yes, I believe in the Higher Power. There is too much beauty and symetry in the world for it just to be happen stance. I also believe that we were given free will, but, we have to accept the consequenses for our actions.

Personally, I think the Native Americans have it right...everything in Nature deserves respect and reverance.

Mike and I have been delving into the metaphysical and it's quite enlightening.

I had one of my fundamentalist co-workers tell me that my beliefs were wrong and that our good financial fortune at the store had nothing to do with the crystals that Mike has out and about in the store, but rather it was God that gave us the good fortune....my response to him..."Who created the crystals?" He shut up!

[CathyBogart]

..."Who created the crystals?" He shut up!

That made me LoL! Excellent point.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Somewhat yes, and somewhat undecided. I used to go to church from the time I was 1- the occasional time nowadays, but I somewhat believe and somewhat just don't know. I just live life the way it is now and hope for the best.

[lbaker]

I think it's pretty darn egotistical for someone to declare to know "The Truth" or "The Way". I believe one should rather say they know "A Truth" or "A Way". If how you are living works for you without harming others you are lucky. Perhaps at a different time you may live differently. Not better. Not worse... just different than how you did. So be it.

[Pam]

Laurie, the words *The Truth* and *The Way* came from the lips of Jesus. In John's Gospel chapter 14 verse 6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Look it up for yourself ) If us Christians sound narrowminded that is why. Jesus himself claims He and He alone is the way. It is for everyone to chose for themselves of course, however I choose Him.

What always baffles me is that other religions refer to him as a great man. This is a man who claimed to be God. If He isn't God then he must be, as C.S. Lewis once said when trying to explain his conversion to Christianity, a raving lunatic. You can't have it both ways. He is either who he said He is or He is crazy. I believe Him and He is my Lord.

[slick]

My parents are Athiests. My Mom doesn't believe in Heaven or Hell or some Supreme Being....she says when you die, you just die. That's the way I was brought up, but I've been talking to God since I was a little girl. Yes I believe, yes He's been with me through thick and thin and yes He will be with me when I leave this world and yes, I can hardly wait to the see the Kingdom of Heaven, that is, if I'm worthy of going to Heaven. "No pain in Heaven."

I don't need to see proof. I feel Him around me every day and He gives me the strength to beat any challenges that cross my path. He blesses me every day and not a day goes by that I don't thank Him for His love and the love of my friends and family.

...and that's all I've got to say about that.

[CathyBogart]

What always baffles me is that other religions refer to him as a great man. This is a man who claimed to be God. If He isn't God then he must be, as C.S. Lewis once said when trying to explain his conversion to Christianity, a raving lunatic. You can't have it both ways. He is either who he said He is or He is crazy. I believe Him and He is my Lord.

I thought he claimed to be the son of god, not actually god?

Anywho, I was taught, and I believe, that his powers are the same ones that pagans use when practicing magic. We (or at least, some pagans) use the laying of the hands and many of the same energy-focusing magic that Jesus, and other christians use in the name of their one god. At least, I think it's the same magic, I could be completely wrong.

[CathyBogart]

I think it's pretty darn egotistical for someone to declare to know "The Truth" or "The Way". I believe one should rather say they know "A Truth" or "A Way". If how you are living works for you without harming others you are lucky. Perhaps at a different time you may live differently. Not better. Not worse... just different than how you did. So be it.

I couldn't agree with you more.

[Laura's Babies]

Yes, I do believe because He has always taken care of me and blessed me in so many ways. I also believe that it was the power of prayer that saved my sons life when he was burned on 82% of his body, he should have died from those burns. God brought him through!

[JenBKR]

I think it's pretty darn egotistical for someone to declare to know "The Truth" or "The Way". I believe one should rather say they know "A Truth" or "A Way". If how you are living works for you without harming others you are lucky. Perhaps at a different time you may live differently. Not better. Not worse... just different than how you did. So be it.

I am sorry that you feel that way - but, as Pam said, those are the words straight from Jesus. Claiming to know The Truth and The Way is simply stating that one knows Jesus - it is not saying that you are 'better' than anyone else.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I think it's pretty darn egotistical for someone to declare to know "The Truth" or "The Way". I believe one should rather say they know "A Truth" or "A Way".

I have the same problem Laurie when people here in Cali talk about the highways....THE5....THE 91.....like there isn't another 5 anywhere?????

[VTJess03]

I came to believe when I was 18. I had never been to church until I was 13, and we lived a life like a lot of people around us (we celebrated the 'Christian' holidays, but more in the commercial style). I came to believe in God through a Protestant Christian style, and have maintained that. Like I said in a previous post, I don't worship Christianity, I worship Christ (and the Father and Spirit -- I like to think of it as a delegation of responsibilities to 3 alternate personalities...if you study in depth, you will see that each of the three falls into different roles in their interactions with us).

For me, the reason I believe is that I was granted a vision at the time of my conversion, and actually, tangibly, felt the arms of God (Christ) holding on to me in the embrace I needed so badly at the time. (And, no, I wasn't high or drunk, or whatever -- I have never dabbled in drugs). Since I have seen with my own eyes and felt with my own nerve endings, how can I not believe?

If I had come to another religion before Christianity when I was at the point in my life that I was searching for something, I may have believed more along the lines of Islam, or Pagan, or whatever; however, since I believe in Christianity, I have to believe that's the right way to believe, or I wouldn't believe it. For me, it's 'the' way, because, if I acknowledge other ways, I would be going against Christ's teachings, and then would not really be a Christian after all, would I? For me, it's about admitting my shortcomings, and seeking forgiveness when I screw up.

I also believe God forgives all sins, which include the more controversial ones in the news recently. In God's eyes, all sins are equal (that includes asking for a divorce (yes, I know, that's me), homosexual behavior, white lies, gluttony, greed, etc.) and are all forgiven equally when we ask for it. Analogy: once you're in prison, you're a criminal, regardless of why you're there. It doesn't matter if you shoplifted or mass murdered...you're still labeled a criminal in the eyes of the law. That's how I see us sinners in this world; when I admit I did wrong and seek forgiveness, I have served my term and can be free again.

I also don't believe in taking a sermon at face value. If I think something doesn't sound quite right, I will research the Scripture and the background of the original language, etc. If it turns out that a sermon prompts me to change my behavior, then I will, but if it is unfounded rhetoric that cannot be backed up or it is from something taken out of context, I refuse to adopt that into my lifestyle. I want to please God, not the people around me.

[*iluvskipper*]

yep. a lutheran christian... there are many things that i don't understand yet but im learning a lot in church and confirmation