Greetings

[Cleansed Doors]

No, you haven't been drafted, at least not into the armed services. Please understand, I'm not here to dissuade anyone from believing whatever it is you believe, because that faith is your reality, but likely not mine. And that is the gist of what I believe. Your faith is derived from your mind, and your upbringing, as mine once was. Problem for me was, my old faith simply was too painful for my heart to accept. Then I read a quote (can't remember from whom) that said something like: if something insults your heart, then reject it.
God has no name.
God has no ego.
God has no personality.
God does not judge or condemn.
Because the true God can only love, and God is incapable of ceasing to love, as is the case with the condemned (obviously).
Evil is the result of bad brain chemistry. This is why dementia or a brain tumor can drive a good and loving person to murder their own family.
It is also brain chemistry that prevents me from believing in the god of your faith. If I locked myself in a closet and prayed for a month, I would come out the same person because of a simple truth, and that is: YOU CANNOT WILL FAITH. If I die and realize that I was wrong, and therefore am condemned, it will only be due to my unique brain chemistry. It is impossible for me to believe, for instance, in the god of Abraham.
I once had, not a vision but a thought, where Christians die and meet God, who chastises them with these words: "did you really believe I would do those horrible things to people?" and "why didn't you listen to your heart?"
So why don't you? Unite your mind with your heart, and know that God is pure love and creative energy, nothing more. See you in the forums.

 

[David Hunter]

Welcome!

What was your old faith? Why is it impossible for you to believe in the God of Abraham?

Do you believe in Heaven or Hell?

 

[Aussie Pete]

No, you haven't been drafted, at least not into the armed services. Please understand, I'm not here to dissuade anyone from believing whatever it is you believe, because that faith is your reality, but likely not mine. And that is the gist of what I believe. Your faith is derived from your mind, and your upbringing, as mine once was. Problem for me was, my old faith simply was too painful for my heart to accept. Then I read a quote (can't remember from whom) that said something like: if something insults your heart, then reject it.
God has no name.
God has no ego.
God has no personality.
God does not judge or condemn.
Because the true God can only love, and God is incapable of ceasing to love, as is the case with the condemned (obviously).
Evil is the result of bad brain chemistry. This is why dementia or a brain tumor can drive a good and loving person to murder their own family.
It is also brain chemistry that prevents me from believing in the god of your faith. If I locked myself in a closet and prayed for a month, I would come out the same person because of a simple truth, and that is: YOU CANNOT WILL FAITH. If I die and realize that I was wrong, and therefore am condemned, it will only be due to my unique brain chemistry. It is impossible for me to believe, for instance, in the god of Abraham.
I once had, not a vision but a thought, where Christians die and meet God, who chastises them with these words: "did you really believe I would do those horrible things to people?" and "why didn't you listen to your heart?"
So why don't you? Unite your mind with your heart, and know that God is pure love and creative energy, nothing more. See you in the forums.

Why don't I? Because I know God and He is not what you imagine Him to be. My faith is founded on truth. Truth is the only solid foundation. Truth is absolute and concrete. Feel free to believe as you wish, but you won't persuade me to follow you down your broad path. I know where it leads. No thanks.

 

[Cleansed Doors]

Why don't I? Because I know God and He is not what you imagine Him to be. My faith is founded on truth. Truth is the only solid foundation. Truth is absolute and concrete. Feel free to believe as you wish, but you won't persuade me to follow you down your broad path. I know where it leads. No thanks.

Oh brother, I knew I'd get a dose of the usual road to perdition nonsense, including bible verses. First of all, I'm not asking anyone to "follow" me, I'm neither a leader, nor a follower--I walk arm in arm with whomever I walk with. My guess is you were raised a Christian, whether you always believed or not--the faith of your fathers (as usual). When I posed the last question, it was only to ask if you've ever considered the possibility that you may be wrong? Buddha said 'question everything, even me'. If your faith is strong it can take a little scrutiny. And if you choose not to question, then go on and keep believing in a nasty god who drowns children, instructs others to carry out genocide, sends his angels to commit adultery with a married woman, and many other evil deeds we're not suppose to do.

 

[Cleansed Doors]

Welcome!

What was your old faith? Why is it impossible for you to believe in the God of Abraham?

Do you believe in Heaven or Hell?
I wish people could respond without quoting bible verse. If I believed in the bible, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place.
For now, it's not important what my old faith was. I will tip my hand enough to say it was one of the Abrahamic religions, of which I find all three equally absurd. I'm tempted to tell you which one it was so you won't think that if I would only try yours, I'd realize some kind of amazing grace. Trust me, been there , done that. When I found my reality, which is also my truth as your reality is your truth, it was as a planet breaking from its orbit and spinning off into space. It was exhilarating. I was finally happy knowing that I would someday be reunited with all of my loved ones. regardless of what their faith was, or lack of it.
To answer your other questions, of course I don't believe in hell, therefore it is not real to me. If you choose to believe in hell, then naturally for you it's a real place, where no doubt folks you've known are probably residing in now. How can anyone, including God, ever be happy or truly enjoy the next life, knowing that? That's what I mean about hurting my heart, and that's why it is impossible for me to accept that concept. I choose to believe in the goodness and sweetness of the real eternal loving God and Creator. And I'm a better person for it.

 

[David Hunter]

HI! I never responded with a Bible verse... I have one in my signature, that's on every post, but never responded with a Bible verse.

So, if in my reality I believe murder to be okay, it's my truth, you'd be okay with that... because it's my reality? If in my reality I say 2+2=5, then that makes it true??

 

[Cleansed Doors]

HI! I never responded with a Bible verse... I have one in my signature, that's on every post, but never responded with a Bible verse.

So, if in my reality I believe murder to be okay, it's my truth, you'd be okay with that... because it's my reality? If in my reality I say 2+2=5, then that makes it true??

I apologize for griping about your bible verse, I shouldn't do that regardless if it's in your signature or not. This a free forum, and I celebrate that.

You're two examples are a mathematical truth and a universally accepted moral truth, unlike your faith which is subject to your opinion and the sensory input of your rearing. BTW, thank you for responding, it is not my intention to offend but I'm just as passionate about my faith as I'm sure you are about yours. My last statement applies to all who respond(ed).

Obviously, I don't believe in a personal god. With that thought, I will ask this: are you an Atheist? Allow me to presume your answer to be a resounding NO! Next questions: do you believe in Zeus? Thor? Allah? These are all personal gods and so you see we are all Atheists, at least where some gods are concerned.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Oh brother, I knew I'd get a dose of the usual road to perdition nonsense, including bible verses. First of all, I'm not asking anyone to "follow" me, I'm neither a leader, nor a follower--I walk arm in arm with whomever I walk with. My guess is you were raised a Christian, whether you always believed or not--the faith of your fathers (as usual). When I posed the last question, it was only to ask if you've ever considered the possibility that you may be wrong? Buddha said 'question everything, even me'. If your faith is strong it can take a little scrutiny. And if you choose not to question, then go on and keep believing in a nasty god who drowns children, instructs others to carry out genocide, sends his angels to commit adultery with a married woman, and many other evil deeds we're not suppose to do.

And I get from you the usual mishmash of confusion, misunderstanding, half truths and ignorance. I guess that makes us about even.

Oh, and I was raised by an atheist father and a non churchgoing Anglican mother. I despised everything to do with what I knew of church. Especially as I was compelled to go for 3 years while I was in boarding school. You can question any aspect of my faith that you like. I've had nearly 50 years answering questions from atheists and other doubters. I don't have all the answers but I do know He who has.

 

[Andrewn]

Welcome to the CF. Hope you enjoy the fellowship and discussions.

 

[David Hunter]

I apologize for griping about your bible verse, I shouldn't do that regardless if it's in your signature or not. This a free forum, and I celebrate that.

You're two examples are a mathematical truth and a universally accepted moral truth, unlike your faith which is subject to your opinion and the sensory input of your rearing. BTW, thank you for responding, it is not my intention to offend but I'm just as passionate about my faith as I'm sure you are about yours. My last statement applies to all who respond(ed).

Obviously, I don't believe in a personal god. With that thought, I will ask this: are you an Atheist? Allow me to presume your answer to be a resounding NO! Next questions: do you believe in Zeus? Thor? Allah? These are all personal gods and so you see we are all Atheists, at least where some gods are concerned.

No worries!

For the universally accepted moral truth... if the majority of people believed murder/rape/stealing was okay, then you're saying it would make it a truth?

Ah... and I guess you're right, I am an atheist to the likes of Zeus and the many others. But with those there's no actually evidence. With the God of Abraham, we have evidence that the people who wrote scripture truly believed what they were writing and were willing to die for their belief. And, sure, people will die for what they believe in, but will they die for something they know to be a lie? Plus we have lots of archeological evidence that supports the Bible and the places/people that the Bible talks about.

And, for how I grew up... I should either be an atheist (Mom's side) or a Catholic (Dad's side) and I'm neither of those.

 

[kingsdaughter85]

Welcome to CF and have a great time ❤️

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Hi and welcome here.

 

[Cleansed Doors]

Welcome to the CF. Hope you enjoy the fellowship and discussions.

Thanks Andrewn, I appreciate that. Love your signature quote !

 

[Cleansed Doors]

Welcome to CF and have a great time ❤️

Thank you Kingsdaughter. A Christian in Albania? A bit of a minority I'd say. Stay strong and bless you!

 

[Cleansed Doors]

Hi and welcome here.

Thank you Sunshinefor Jesus. And I love Jesus, honestly---and all other rebels against authority.

 

[Deade]

Hello Cleansed Doors,
welcome to CF.

I hope you'll enjoy your stay here.

View attachment 295211

 

[Cleansed Doors]

Hello Cleansed Doors,
welcome to CF.

I hope you'll enjoy your stay here.

View attachment 295211

Thank you Deade! And thanks to all who responded or will respond in this thread, just in case I'm slack to include everyone.

 

[Utagawa Aki]

I respect your opinion because there is proof that there was no such thing but it does not hurt to believe in something for a change. There are so many uncertain aspects of life because there are just some problems that we can't get hold of an answer to. Hopefully, there are some people who are talking about this aspect as they are positive in their belief. There is nothing bad about it as long as they do not take it up to the extreme because disagreement and violence may occur.

 

[Cleansed Doors]

I respect your opinion because there is proof that there was no such thing but it does not hurt to believe in something for a change. There are so many uncertain aspects of life because there are just some problems that we can't get hold of an answer to. Hopefully, there are some people who are talking about this aspect as they are positive in their belief. There is nothing bad about it as long as they do not take it up to the extreme because disagreement and violence may occur.

I agree with you, believing is a god thing, which is why I'm a believer. I believe in the god of love and creation. Humanist? Cool. Me too !