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How did the universe get set into motion?

Big Bang. And before the Big Bag in all probability there was another universe, one that collapsed and compressed so much that it eventually exploded creating ours. This process will go on for ever.
We are not important, we are a tiny insignificant race, and the only thing that gives us importance is our self awarenes. Get over your insignificance. Human beings aren't transcendental on a universal scale.

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So its not your fault its your parent's fault? sounds like a scapegoat. You might as well say you were just following orders.

You taking that seriously leads me to two conclusions:
-you're just plain dumb
-you're just one more religious fanatic that will lengthen the list of irrational people on YN.

Going on the logic that if you can't prove it, you shouldn't believe it. Where does the rule apply that if you do not understand it, you should criticize it?

Like I said already, faith is not a matter of believing what you can't understand. And if you think so, then your confused about faith.

Faith is not always blind. You can know something is real, without ever having your senses themselves confirm it. I could say, "Prove to me Love is real. Catch it in your hand and paint it green if it exists." But that would be stupid. Love is word used to define an emotion or an action. It has no real physical presence. Reasoning is the only real proof of God. How about the fact that there is something instead of nothing? How did the universe get set into motion?

Like Drummergirl said, I am sorry for past experiences. Though that does not mean that God isn't real. It was just a bad experience.

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Does that mean I'll go to hell? although it's not my fault? will my parents go to hell for me because they turned me away from god? are they evil people for doing so?

So its not your fault its your parent's fault? sounds like a scapegoat. You might as well say you were just following orders.

You believe what you want. No one makes you. However you are persuaded in life, and from whomever, your beliefs are your own. You should accept responsibility for your own conclusions. Otherwise how are you any better then someone who, "Believes Blindly"

My loss? I've never been happier. I'm not beholden to silly rules made by someone I've never met. I am free to create my own moral guidelines without having to worry about going to hell, which I don't even believe in. Do I think I'm right? I really don't know. But since I don't know what is right, I think it doesn't really matter what I believe so long as I'm happy. I was never happy as a Christian, so why on Earth would I want to be one?

That's ok for clpo, being a former christian, but how could I walk away if I've never believed in him in the first place? I guess I'm just screwed because my parents brought me up a certain way, so that it's now impossible for me to believe in any sort of deity. Does that mean I'll go to hell? although it's not my fault? will my parents go to hell for me because they turned me away from god? are they evil people for doing so?

I know that I can't make anyone believe. I also knew what you meant the whole time I just don't think I have blind faith. I am sorry for your bad expirences and all but it is your lost for walking away from God. It sounds mean but it is the truth.

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I know God. I know Jesus. I talk to them. I believe in them and just because I wasn't born a couple thousand years ago doesn't mean I have blind faith.

That's great. But you can't expect other people to believe it quite like you do. As others have said, faith means believing in something you don't know is there, and not everyone can do that. Some, like myself, need proof. I can't believe in God without some sort of validation. I can't suspend my disbelief like you can. Is that a problem? No, I'm perfectly happy. But please, don't expect everyone to believe as readily as you do.

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but all faith is blind

Ah, that is more of what I was looking for. Thanks Shade.

Now you're using what someone else said and pretending I said it? Good God, man! Haha. Okay. Seriously, though. I understand having faith in something is somewhat blind. Well, because it's faith. I just can't see your side anymore. I was there once, for a long time, but I had the floor pulled out beneath me and when I fell no one was there to pick me up. My faith turned out to be my downfall. Since then, I can't have faith in Yahweh. Oh yes, I still believe he exists, as I believe the other gods exist, and the angels, and the fae, and the demons. But do I have faith in any of them? No. Why should I have faith if I'm going to get hurt again? I was unfair to say that you had blind faith, for I think that all faith is blind. Which is why I will walk with a God, but I will not walk behind him/her, or completely lean on him/her. It is not my way, not anymore. You have blind faith, Drummerlady, but all faith is blind, and flawed. There, that's it. If you want to twist those words, go ahead, just don't do it near me.

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I believe in them and just because I wasn't born a couple thousand years ago doesn't mean I have blind faith.

Okay, I don't think you understand our point. Could you define the term "faith" for me please?

I know God. I know Jesus. I talk to them. I believe in them and just because I wasn't born a couple thousand years ago doesn't mean I have blind faith.

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The Bible is a work of Fiction... now prove it.

That's how it works with everything else. ( Including other religons ) And how it should work with xianity.

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Faith isn't simply a matter a believing, and not understanding why. As most people without faith presume. But rather of through believing, you can gain understanding. To know the truth, you must first believe in truth. And to believe in truth, you learn to trust... even without the burden of "physical evidence".

I wish I could sound that smart.

"An' I says, 'Don't you love Jesus?' Well, I thought an' thought, an' finally I says, 'No, I don't know anyone named Jesus. I know a bunch of stories, but I only love people.'"

and im saying that is a terrible arbiture for the attention of divine bliss

As far as biblical proof goes, I suppose the lack of video capturing technology in the time of Christ, has crippled apologetics for years :-P Ok, let make this an even argument? What would be substantial "proof"?

Or better yet, how about I give you the benefit of the doubt. The Bible is a work of Fiction... now prove it.

Yes, faith is key in the belief of something that caanot be seen, or even "proven". Although, what is far fetched about the idea in faith?

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"Did ever man, Meletus, believe in the existence of human things, and not of human beings? ... I wish, men of Athens, that he would answer, and not be always trying to get up an interruption. Did ever any man believe in horsemanship, and not in horses? or in flute-playing, and not in flute-players? No, my friend; I will answer to you and to the court, as you refuse to answer for yourself. There is no man who ever did. But now please to answer the next question: Can a man believe in spiritual and divine agencies, and not in spirits or demigods? " -Plato in Apology

So then, how about belief intelligent design, and not believe in designing? Or in evolving, but not evolution for that matter?

Faith isn't simply a matter a believing, and not understanding why. As most people without faith presume. But rather of through believing, you can gain understanding. To know the truth, you must first believe in truth. And to believe in truth, you learn to trust... even without the burden of "physical evidence".

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the skull image at the garden tomb- the hillside with the tomb makes an image like a skull
garden tomb cross- a cross on a wall inside the garden tomb

Ha! You call that proof? Those could have easily been faked. Easily.

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I don't have blind faith Shade, God is all around

You are ignoring what I'm saying.

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The Bible is truth and doesn't need to be proven.

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I don't have blind faith Shade, God is all around

I'm sorry Lildrummergirl, but you do. And if you think about it faith itself is believing without ever having seen what you believe in. That should be pretty clear.

I don't have blind faith Shade, God is all around

well to northstar if it makes you feel any better some christians don't go to heaven. And by the way you have it all wrong it is not the belief of God that gets you into heaven it is the befief that Jesus died on the cross for your sins

the skull image at the garden tomb- the hillside with the tomb makes an image like a skull
garden tomb cross- a cross on a wall inside the garden tomb
the spear of longinus, the spear of destiny- are the same as the lancing spear just different names

In the name of Tanequitari...why do people have to believe in god to go to heaven, I know people who believe in God who don't deserve to go to a christian heaven, and I know non-christians who deserve that. It makes no sense that this smallest and least important of earthly actions would be so highly prized by an omnipresent and omnicient being...that the Seven Wise Men of Greece, the Buddha, and the many philospohers, scientists, and philanthropists who are not christian are denied heaven. If a god exists, you totally have the wrong picture of what this world is all about.