Originally Posted By MissCandice No. I think religion and God help people cope with life in general. It's a cruel world out there and it makes people feel better to think that something or someone created the world and is watching out for them. I don't believe there is any sort of higher power. I have studied religion in general and live my life to some Christian, Taoist, and Buddhist principles (or at least I try). I don't do it because I believe it comes from a higher power but because its a good way to live life. Like Ursula, I would love to be proven wrong though!
Originally Posted By BigJim89 Yes to god and heaven. I guess we'll know for sure when we die though. The good thing is if I am wrong there will be no one to rub it in my face if I'm dead.
Originally Posted By johnno52 NO, but if there is? I'll be happy to go where the strippers and table dancers are going for their pergatory.
Originally Posted By BoyStory Yes I believe in God! For every Creation there is a Creator. And Yes, I believe in Salvation through the precious blood of Jesus Christ that was shed at Calvary. I know God as my Father, my Redeemer, my Confidant, my Rock, the Truth, my Provider, and my BEST friend. He IS the Alpha and Omega and the "Great I AM". But is sometimes best recognised by those don't really know Him ....as LOVE.
Originally Posted By -em Do I believe there is a god? Yes. I have to.. I have angels Do I like the guy? Not to much.. -em
Originally Posted By Elderp Yes for me. "Do I like the guy? Not to much.. -em" That has got to be one of the most interesting answers I have heard in a long time. So you say you believe there is a God but you don't like him.
Originally Posted By Elderp Sorry hit my enter key too fast. Meant to continue to say that has got to be like a kid not liking his parents.
Originally Posted By -em Ive buried 5 of my kids. Though I know they are in a better place, I wish I couldve kept atleast one of them (or atleast have another one to keep) That is one reason why I dont like him much. -em
Originally Posted By Ursula <While I know that some people want to take everything in the Bible very literally, but if it's looked at in a more metaphorical way, it all makes a lot more sense. While a lot of people say that science disagrees with the Bible, most of things that science is just now "discovering" has been documented in the Bible for a couple Millenia.> This is one of my favorite topics in religion. People way back when did not take the Bible metaphorically, but literally. If one said that there was no was the Earth was created in a day, they'd be killed or shunned. It seems to me, an agnostic, that religious people mold the bible to the situation, and not the other way around. So, in 1900 years when (if) we have intergallactic space travel and relations with other planets, are people now going to say that the Bible talks about this by the travels of Moses in the desert? And please note, I am in no way trying to pick a fight. I find these type of discussions very educational for there is a lot I don't understand.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I haven't read anything else in this thread... but my answer is Yes. <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MSGBOARD-T-94975-P-1.ASP" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/MS GBOARD-T-94975-P-1.ASP</a>
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Ive buried 5 of my kids. Though I know they are in a better place, I wish I couldve kept atleast one of them (or atleast have another one to keep)*** OMG, I am so sorry to hear that! Just so you know, it is not uncommon for a person to resent or even hate god when terrible things happen in their lives as in your case. Especially people who've been very strong believers only to have bad things happen anyway. The same thing happened to my grandmother for a time, after she lost two of her children. So, to answer ElderP's comments as well, that's not as uncommon as you might think.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "That is one reason why I dont like him much." So does that mean that you believe but don't follow? I'm kind of curious how you may not be a fan, because most people who don't follow also don't believe.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Firstly, Em, I'm so sorry for your loss. That has to be the hardest thing to have happen in your life. The answer for me is yes. Partly because that's the faith I grew up with, and partly for other, more meaningful reasons that I can't really put into words. I'd just like to add I love how civil and rational this thread has been!
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer >>I'd just like to add I love how civil and rational this thread has been!<< I seem to remember a similar thread about a year ago and had the same thought. Not to say there weren't a few heated moments but I do think LP is one of the few places where we do accept our differences and can be civil on such a controversial subject, probably because there is an honest respect and affection between so many of us. I think that's one of the things that makes LP special.
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Yes, absolutely. I see and feel God's love and majesty and presence every day of my life.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I'm kind of curious how you may not be a fan, because most people who don't follow also don't believe.*** Why do people keep saying this? Lot's of people blame/resent/hate god when horrible things happen to them. To me it's extremely understandable. Is this really so hard to see?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Do I believe in God - Yes, I believe God started all of this - I do not believe however he has a hand in our everyday lives - I do believe by acknowledging His presence gives us great comfort. But I believe once He created us He gave us the ability to reproduce or not - He gave us the ability to think for ourselves. He also gave us just enough knowledge as to develope into the society that we are today - with all things from clothes to this web site. I do not believe God was the reason that we are where we are in the world but more the reason why we are in the world. Man has taken what God gave and done with it what he or she wants. Some of what we have done with the gift of life has been wonderful - some has been dreadful. I believe God gave us life and then decided to see what we would do with it. I think if God was all controlling then he would strike down all the bad in the world and never let anything bad happen to anyone - especially the loss of a child - But I don't think He plays that part - I think that part is out of His hands and He is at that point there to welcome those we have lost back to His loving arms. I do believe God cries with us when we are sad. He rejoices with us when we are happy. Other than that I am not sure what he can do...
