Do you belive in God? why?

[JenBKR]

Lots of questions - I don't really have the time to answer all of them because I am *supposed* to be working but I'll try a little here:

Also...if Jesus died for our sins...what about the people before Jesus? They had no one to die for their sins, so what happened to them? What about the people of Noah, Abraham, Jonah, Moses? They were believers...but Jesus didn't die for their sins. He wasn't even born then. What happened to the believers who existed for centuries before Jesus?

The people before Jesus, such as those in the Old Testament, made sacrifices to God. Jesus sacrificed Himself, so we don't need to make the sacrifices to God anymore. The believers who followed God's word before Jesus were still able to go to heaven, it was just a lot more difficult. Jesus made it a lot easier.

If your religion tells you being gay is wrong and gays should die or be shunned, take it out. If your religion has hatred for Jews, take it out, and so on.

Just want to address this real quick. NOt sure what religion you are talking about, or just religion in general, so I am just answering for Christianity. There *should be* NO hatred in Christianity. Jesus taught us to love everyone. Is homosexuality considered a sin? Yes. But then again, so is stealing a tube of lipstick from Wal Mart. Both are on the same level in God's eyes. All sins are equal. I know plenty of gay people that are Christians. If they ask God for forgiveness, just as the person who stole paper clips from work or murdered someone, they can be forgiven. I know that's a tough concept, because here we classify those 'sins' as completely different, but they are not in God's eyes. We are to love our neighbors, and not hate anyone. A favorite quote of mine: "Love the sinner, hate the Sin." We are ALL sinners, every one of us. No one is 'above' anyone else, not in the least.

[Pam]

Some answers for PCB. I hope this helps.

Pops, God, in the form of Christ, died on the cross (remember the three parts to His Diety). He did this to satisfy His own demands, set forth in the Old Testament that *without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins.* As JenBKR said, blood offerings were offered before this time and God *counted it for righteousness* (remember the Passover?) After Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin there was no longer a need for a blood sacrifice. Jesus is referred to as the *Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.* We accept His sacrifice and apply it to our lives and out of gratitude to Him we follow Him.

Over the ages many denominations have come into being. People approach Christianity from many differing backgrounds and many different cultural ideas. Denomination is not the issue here. What someone does in their heart is. The place that Christ has in one's own heart is more important than the denomination or church where they worship. God is able to sort it all out. If we have accepted Jesus into our lives as our Lord and have accepted His grace which allows us to become partakers of his atonement that is all that matters. We worship Him and live for Him out of gratitude and a thankful heart.

When I have surrounded certain phrases by * & * they are direct quotes from the Bible.

[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?????