Do you belive in God? why?

[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.

[Pam]

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

The Trinity is composed of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All are separate but all are God. The way that is easiest for me to understand the Trinity is that it is like the three parts of an egg - the shell, the yolk and the white. They are all the egg, but have three parts. Hope this helps.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Can I go for the "not sure" option? Would like to think that there may be something but not necessarily God

[JenBKR]

The Trinity is composed of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All are separate but all are God. The way that is easiest for me to understand the Trinity is that it is like the three parts of an egg - the shell, the yolk and the white. They are all the egg, but have three parts. Hope this helps.

Ooh great analagy - I have tried to explain the Trinity before but it's hard to do...I will certainly remember the egg now!

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.

Slick that's awesome, God has certainly touched your life and you are blessed. Your post brought tears to my eyes

[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.

[Christiansmommy]

I believe in God, absolutely. I have not read thru the other posts, but wanted to just give my answer as to why, or the best way I know how to explain why.

I have faith in Him. He has given me this faith. I have faith that He lives, that He died on the cross, that He will return one day, and that I will meet Him and live with Him in eternity. Those are some pretty big statements, and you may probably wonder how I can feel so absolutely sure that they did/will happen someday... it is b/c He has given me this faith... how did He give me this faith and how do I know it is coming from Him? B/c of all of the times that I have had messes going on in my life and I have been at my absolute wits end, and I call out to Him, and I am comforted and I know, out of my faith for Him, that it was He who heard my cries and comforted me. He is the only answer to giving me peace....in every trial that I have encountered, He makes Himself known to me...prayer has brought me close to Him and helps me to feel Him so strongly in my life, everyday. He says in the Bible, "Knock and the door shall open"... All you have to do is call upon His name and He will hear you and comfort you. I am truely blessed to have the growing relationship that I do have with him, unfortunate trials that have happened in my life have brought me closer to Him, and for that reason, I wouldn't change a thing...even the tears that I have cried...they all had purpose and He brought me through it, just how and when is for His deciding...that is where I rely on Him thru faith. If you ever feel absolutely like you can't go on and you can't find answers as to how to cope with your daily trials, try it, just pray to Him, cry out to Him, and wait, He will bring you out of the situation in HIs good timing, and you will feel your burdons lesson. He will NEVER leave me or forsake me, NEVER...and to know a God and a religion that can say that, why would I want to look anywhere else or question it, ya know? He is my answer.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

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.

your faith is enviable and wonderful

[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.

[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!

[Christiansmommy]

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!

I beleive that for sure! I have a quote on my fridge that says,

"Trials are not enemies of faith, but are opportunities to prove God's faithfulness."

Your son is living proof that God was faithful and brought him through.

[popcornbird]

I just want to clarify one thing...

I believe in God. ONE God. Almighty God. One God. One Creator. I do not, by any means, believe in trinity. So...my belief in God would be different than the belief some of you here have. I believe God is ONE, supreme, far above having a son or any associates. My religion (Islam)'s main teachings are about the One-ness of God. In our faith, God has no partners, and no associates. When we pray to God, we pray directly to HIM, without going through anyone else.

I have a question about those who believe in trinity. This is out of complete curiosity, as trinity has always been something far from my understanding.

If you believe God is 3 in 1, and you believe all 3 parts (God, Jesus, Holy Ghost) are a part of God...and you believe God is supreme and exalted, yet, at the same time, you believe Jesus died on the cross...........Are you saying its possible for a part of God to DIE??? God cannot die. WE die. Not God. Not any part of God. I really need someone to explain this to me.

As to saying Christianity is THE way.....

I know that Christianity has MANY sects, and MANY different versions of the Bible which are very different. Which one is THE word of God, and which one is altered? How can you know? I have 3 different Bibles at home, and each one is different.

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?

[My Peanuts]

I just wanted to say one other thing. I don't care what anyone's religion is or lack of religion, but I do have one strong opinion. If ANYTHING in ANY religion makes ANYONE hurt or feel bad it should just be taken out. It seems simple enough, but obviously it's not. 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. I know it would never happen, but think if it did. There would be so much more peace on earth.

I had a teacher in HS say that religion is not a buffet; you can’t pick and choose what you want. I don’t buy into that at all. There are a lot of rules and situations made by man and we all know that mankind has screwed a lot of stuff up in the world. Also, think about it. When certain words of Christ or whoever you believe in were actually written down there was like one guy in the village that could read and write. That guy could have added anything he wanted and most people wouldn’t have known until it had gotten passed on. I know it sounds silly, but I’m not ready to believe what that one guy added. It’s kind of like playing the telephone game, information gets changed.

Region should make you feel good and make you want to be good and not make others feel bad. I guess that would be called the ultimate utopia.

[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.

[My Peanuts]

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.

I respect your opinion, but I don't see being gay as a sin and I don't think anyone should have to ask forgiveness for it. To me it's like saying I have to ask forgiveness for being born with brown eyes. Stealing is a choice, being gay isn’t. I don't want to get off the subject too much though. I also don't want to cause an arguement about this. Just trying to keep this thread lite