Quote from: BitChick on February 26, 2014, 05:00:42 PM

Wow. So much here to comment on.

I too have questioned why God even gave man a choice to choose to disobey in the garden of Eden. I think our gift of "free will" is a powerful thing though. I like to think that God wanted to know if we would choose to have a relationship with him by our own choice, not because we are being forced to love him. If we could force our spouse or children to love us how would we really know if they loved us or not?

As for God allowing Jesus to die for our sins, the point is that our sins are a serious thing. It is something that is taken so lightly in our world now though. But most people are not grateful for what Jesus has done for them.

As for the priest going to heaven for abusing children, the only way that a priest that abused children could go to heaven is if he truly repented and asked forgiveness for that. If he was covering up his sins, and even acting like he was "holy" he would be sent to Hell just like anyone else that did not repent. And many Christian churches have no issue with anyone being married outside of the church. Those are man's rules, not God's. Men keep adding their own rules to the Bible and that causes problems. In fact, the Catholic church requiring priests not to marry is not in the Bible and it might be why there is so many problems with abuse in the Catholic church too. I have other issues with the Catholic church but those are a couple. This is why it is important to read the Bible for ourselves.

I think that many people today, like you it appears, are what appears to be "good people." Based on comparing yourself to others you are probably living a pretty moral life. Because of that you are reaping the rewards of what making good choices brings such as healthy loving relationships and trying to make the world a better place. This is great but the problem is that it does not change the fact that no matter how good we are there is a standard that is higher. God's standard is one we can never live up to, and He knows this. That is why out of mercy He has provided a way for us to have a relationship with Him and eternal life. In fact, the Bible says that "those who are forgiven of much love much." In a weird sort of way those that really have a deep appreciation and love of Jesus are those that screwed up more than others and have come to realize that Jesus loves them just like they are. It is not about earning our way to God. It is about understanding His deep love for us and then allowing Him to change us because of that.

You can question my relationship with God but I know what my relationship is. It is one in which He has brought tremendous healing. I have much gratitude of what He has done for me. He has helped me make choices that have kept me from many problems in my life and I know that regardless of what difficulties I will have to go through in this hard life I am not alone.

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I like to think that God wanted to know if we would choose to have a relationship with him by our own choice, not because we are being forced to love him. If we could force our spouse or children to love us how would we really know if they loved us or not?

I thought he knew everything. He would've known what we'd do anyway. And God is forcing us according to you. It's believe in me or I'll burn you for eternity. There is no choice there. It's either give in to bullying or die. Abusive relationship.

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As for God allowing Jesus to die for our sins, the point is that our sins are a serious thing. It is something that is taken so lightly in our world now though. But most people are not grateful for what Jesus has done for them.

How did Jesus getting murdered save anyone? I don't get it. There's no logic to it. Am I going to hell since Jesus died for my sins or not?

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As for the priest going to heaven for abusing children, the only way that a priest that abused children could go to heaven is if he truly repented and asked forgiveness for that.

Great. Fucking kids is fine as long as you're really sorry. Brilliant. People who are good their entire lives but question god? Nope, you'll burn in hell.

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In fact, the Bible says that "those who are forgiven of much love much."

Again, the Bible says. If the bible said to stone adulterers & homosexuals and to not work on Sundays would you believe it? Oh, wait...

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It is one in which He has brought tremendous healing.

Muslims say that about Allah. Some people say even positive thoughts can cure cancer, but those people usually don't believe their own bullshit when it comes down to it.

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I have much gratitude of what He has done for me. He has helped me make choices that have kept me from many problems in my life and I know that regardless of what difficulties I will have to go through in this hard life I am not alone.

Those were all choices you made. Nobody else or any mystical beings, just you. I think you underestimate the power of the human mind or spirit (I don't use that word literally). I once heard an argument from a junkie that he got clean by the power of god. Nah, it wasn't god, it was your own determination and self-will. You can do a lot of things if you put your mind to it. You can also get people to believe in anything by brainwashing them.