Posted by O.S. on July 12, 2001 at 21:57:00:
In Reply to: Re: Who really cares posted by Aslan on July 12, 2001 at 01:53:57:
Thanks Aslan -- that was nice.
: : Hi all! This is my first time to this site, and I figured I'd add my 2 cents. Why is this important anyways? Who believes in God or not? When a man or woman lives their life, why is God important? Some say that he is some supreme being with a heavy hand, ruling with an iron fist. Others say that he/she/it is everything and in everything. Others of us create our own picture of God to satisfy our own desires and needs. It seems that this topic of God is so important and always has been. Men have searched for God and still are. Even the athiest concerns himself with the topic, by searching and saying that he/she has not found anything. The agnostic, too scared to be either an atheist or believer in God, is torn between the two.
: : As a christian, there are several reasons why I believe there is a God. I don’t try to explain it all now, but give 2 main reasons. The first is an intellectual one. The second is an intuiative or emotional one. Intellectually, I have no choice to believe in God. From his name being written all over creation, to the bible’s historical reliability and validity, to the Bible’s power of prophecy, I can’t help but to shake my head in awe. Emotionally, God is made real by life’s experiences. Sometimes I think when we look too much at the “big picture,” or too much at small details, we often miss the surprise of God. Hey, if you believe, keep on believing. If you don’t, keep on searching. I’ve realized that patience is the key. Those who blast others for not believing should really sit down and take a long look at who God is. Jesus touched people with compassion, love, and caring. Those who were blasted were the religious zelets who professed to be “all that.”
: : Those who come down hard on Christians, relax… No one can be perfect. Look at your life, explore it, and search, examining yourself and life without defensiveness or stubbernness. I am willing to respectfully dialogue about this with serious minded intellectuals who have an open heart.
: : Take care
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: Wow, that's a really good point. However, I think we all go through our times of disbelief, feeling of abandonment,unworthiness to even utter a faith in God..etc. As far as I'm concerned, He is the 'Hound of Heaven', nothing will keep Him away, if you have an open heart.
: Many Christians I've spoken with have mentioned the Chronicles of Narnia as a door opening for them. No shameless plugs here, as this has been before they learned of my online nickname.
: One woman in particular was raised in a very strict family, almost too strict. When she ventured out into the world she turned to secular things, and friends. All the while she believed that God was an iron fisted One, One who would have a 'Big Brotheresque' watchful judgemental eye on everything she did. Then she reread the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. When she first read it, as a 4th grader, she didn't see the parallels and allegories. Reading it again, as an adult, she saw them clearly, and was astounded. Never before could she see God as the playful Lion, running around and having fun, or one so full of pain as to lay His life down to spare an errant,arrogant betrayer.
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: Personally, I think we are made with a void in our hearts, one that can only be filled by divine intervention. Perhaps that is why non-believers constantly feel the need to defend their position. However, that doesn't explain why Christians can become so hostile towards others who don't share the faith.
: It's a long path, and we all stumble at different times, as well as find the energy to trot faster at different times. No one said you had to be 'this tall' to continue at a crossroad. And those who would say such a thing are perhaps the motivation for the 'Footprints' story. (IE: 'That's when I carried you'.)