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And I always wondered why you could learn more about the Bible in a secular public school than at church...

Isn't that the darndest thing??

Good deal, NickJ. It's always best to know your opponents' greatest resource. This is slightly off topic, but it was actually studying Christianity that made me realize how fake it all seemed. And I always wondered why you could learn more about the Bible in a secular public school than at church...

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I'm sticking with it mostly because of this whole undeniable faith in God that I have. But also because I want there to be more Christians like me and others like me in the future.

I admire you for that... I've been thinking about it more, and I think I'm going to research the bible more so that I can argue better, you know using the same fire fighting fire...

It's so easy to blame God...

Your daughter was kidnapped. You blame God. I think that's acceptable, not in the sense that it's right, but that it's an extreme situation in which a person likely feels desperate and very confused.

But in other cases, such as if, say, you got cancer and you were a smoker, don't blame God. You were very aware that smoking caused cancer, it didn't spurt out of nowhere.

I'm sticking with it mostly because of this whole undeniable faith in God that I have. But also because I want there to be more Christians like me and others like me in the future.

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I'm a very abnormal Christan, as you will come to see. I'm the kind clpo likes! So I can't see how those people who are very decent people but have never heard the word of God are going to go to Hell. That doesn't make sense to me.

So I have come up with a whole thing about how every religion follows his own path. Christians who are truly Christian go to Heave, Hindus reach Nirvana, etc. But, according to many a person, that doesn't make me a Christian. Apparently I have to follow a certain set of rules to be a real Christian or something...

I completely agree with you! When I was Christian, other Christians were obsessing about how I didn't read the bible and how I didn't believe in a lot of the bible, and I'm like "I am doing good for others and in the community and leading a good life in Christ's image, so it doesn't really matter..." And they kept bugging me about it, so I said screw it, I'm going to a more accepting religion...hehe

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Originally posted by NickJ:

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By works, I mean helping others. You can go to soup kitchens all you like and you can do other thinks for others and for yourself that is helpful...but if you're only doing it because you think God wants you to, then your works aren't going to get you very far. You have to truly believe in him and ask for forgiveness of your sins and the rest will follow. But by simply doing good deeds, you're not going to get anywhere.

I would have to say that I disagree... But then again, I don't believe in a lot Christianity stuff, because in the end in most Christian religions, the only thing getting you into heaven is acceptance of Christ. But what if you lived in a country where there were very little Christians, so they were never exposed...but they led a life to help people and do good deeds...I can't see them going to Hell... of course, then again, I don't believe in hell anyway...

The only thing I don't like about newbies (even ones that are okay like you) is that I have to repeat stuff:

I'm a very abnormal Christan, as you will come to see. I'm the kind clpo likes! So I can't see how those people who are very decent people but have never heard the word of God are going to go to Hell. That doesn't make sense to me.

So I have come up with a whole thing about how every religion follows his own path. Christians who are truly Christian go to Heave, Hindus reach Nirvana, etc. But, according to many a person, that doesn't make me a Christian. Apparently I have to follow a certain set of rules to be a real Christian or something...

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By works, I mean helping others. You can go to soup kitchens all you like and you can do other thinks for others and for yourself that is helpful...but if you're only doing it because you think God wants you to, then your works aren't going to get you very far. You have to truly believe in him and ask for forgiveness of your sins and the rest will follow. But by simply doing good deeds, you're not going to get anywhere.

I would have to say that I disagree... But then again, I don't believe in a lot Christianity stuff, because in the end in most Christian religions, the only thing getting you into heaven is acceptance of Christ. But what if you lived in a country where there were very little Christians, so they were never exposed...but they led a life to help people and do good deeds...I can't see them going to Hell... of course, then again, I don't believe in hell anyway...

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I would have to say that your works determine if you get into heaven. Because it is just like when people are hippocrits, they say one thing, but they do another. You could say your a Christian, but really not act like one...

By works, I mean helping others. You can go to soup kitchens all you like and you can do other thinks for others and for yourself that is helpful...but if you're only doing it because you think God wants you to, then your works aren't going to get you very far. You have to truly believe in him and ask for forgiveness of your sins and the rest will follow. But by simply doing good deeds, you're not going to get anywhere.

Have you ever read the prayers of Peter Marshall, nixy? From your post,I think you'd enjoy it. Especially a specific quote. IF ONLY I COULD REMEMBER IT EXACTLY!

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Yes it is just believing. Your faith, not your works get you to Heaven if you accept Christ into your heart and ask for forgiveness.

I would have to say that your works determine if you get into heaven. Because it is just like when people are hippocrits, they say one thing, but they do another. You could say your a Christian, but really not act like one...

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what do you mean by "God's plan?" I think you mean well, but it sounds like you know exactly what God's plan for everyone is when no one truly does...

You know, ilovebush, I think this is the first time that you and I agree. And let me tell you, it's a wonderful feeling to agree with you!

And to answer your question Charlie, God is all-powerful, right? So he would have the power to make someone not-die. And what about natural disaster (i.e. the recent tsunami) no human could have caused that...why would god, if he loves us so much why would he kill off so many?? There are just so many loopholes in Christianity that why shouldn't God get the blame???

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Its more then believing though WorthWaitingFor because "even the demons believe and they shudder"

Good discernment nixy, I stand by this verse with great intensity, for it seems to be the pinacle of false conversions, no one is afraid of being a sinner in the hands of an angry God, they just want a nicer life, not to avoid eternal flames and judgement.

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Originally posted by nixy_charlz:
Its more then believing though WorthWaitingFor because "even the demons believe and they shudder"

And your point is....?

Yes it is just believing. Your faith, not your works get you to Heaven if you accept Christ into your heart and ask for forgiveness.

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Why wouldn't god want dealth? Doesn't that mean his christians would join him in heaven?

Allow me to explain:

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God does not want anyone to go to hell, so He is patient, waiting for men to come to Him.

Why wouldn't god want dealth? Doesn't that mean his christians would join him in heaven?

Its more then believing though WorthWaitingFor because "even the demons believe and they shudder"

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Originally posted by depressedwavemaster:
Because God is all-powerful?

Just because he doesn't take pleasure in it doesn't mean that he won't do it.

I agree. And, if you believe in God, death is a gift. You receive eternal peace in Heaven.

It's not so much blame as the fact that Christians believe He is the reason for everything, He creates and destroys, and He causes everything, including death. It may have not been in His original plan but now everyone will die at some point in time.

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what do you mean by "God's plan?" I think you mean well, but it sounds like you know exactly what God's plan for everyone is when no one truly does...

Have you read any of the Bible?

If you had you would understand his point exactly.

Read Genisis, it explains the fact that death was not God's plan for man, but Adam chose it through sin.

I definitely agree with what everyone else has said on here. No one will take personal responsibility for their actions anymore.

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Does anyone remember these days that death was never in God's plan in the first place?

what do you mean by "God's plan?" I think you mean well, but it sounds like you know exactly what God's plan for everyone is when no one truly does...

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Originally posted by CelticNewAger:
Because people will blame anyone, but themselves.

Indeed.