For My Friend!!!

Actually, I think we learn a great deal from debating important issues. I am open to hearing anything and everything you want to say. As long as we promise to respect each other.

Ok, my dear Rozie, I'll take you up on this, in the spirit of sharing ideas in friendship. I do respect your deep Christian beliefs and your absolute right to worship the way you want to. I do not worship as you do. What I think is that the Bible is a written tribal code of a Middle Eastern tribe that was started to be compiled 6,000 years ago. It may or may not have been inspired by God, but it was certainly written by men. As was the New Testament part, and the Quran, as well. I go WAY back in my faith before that. Before the Hindus and Buddhists, as well. Christianity adopted many of the concepts from the Ancient beliefs such as the Christmas tree and the Easter bunny and Easter eggs. In this kind of Old faith women are equals of men and there is no leader that tells everyone what to believe and what rituals to practice. There is no danger of dogma running over your karma because it is do-it-yourself without one gender being subservient. So while I understand being Christian, I believe -- with all due respect--that it is an upstart sect of Judaism, which itself is a relatively recent belief compared to the Ancient beliefs. Hinduism and Buddhism are also both older than the Judeo-Christian/Islamic religions and haven't changed their beliefs in many more centuries than there have been since Christ's birth. So I guess since I believe in going ALL the way back to the basics of belief, I'm in some sense a fundamentalist? LOL

Thanks for BR, Rozie. It's nice to be able to discuss such things on a high level without any rancor at all. :-)

everybody does have their own opinion but its a way to share then be rude about it.ya know.Some people can be down right nasty and thats not called for.

I know what you mean girl. No one can change that. But, I wish that they would attack some of those other religions and leave us alone. But, I know in reality that will never happen. The devil does not want people to know the truth, he hast to fight against it or the people will be set free.

People have different opinion about everything. It is okey to argue but don't stay mad.

I understand what you are saying. But they are no different from us. They have to read the Bible and accept Jesus by faith, just as we did. God is waiting to prove himself real to everyone. Any scientist will tell you that the only way you will find out whether or not sometime truly works is to try it. These people think that they are so smart that they don't have to try it to know that it does not work. I believe that this is what the Bible means when it says that they became wise in their own eyes.

This is the point that I am trying to make. God is a loving God. He does not want us trying to force our religion on anyone. He gave us the right to choose who we want to serve and no one on earth can take away that right.

Kitty, I agree. Religion shouldn't cause such animosity.

I found your response to be so enlightening! It is true many people canot accept what others believe but it is all an opinion. The extremist carry their religion to the point of hatred for the world and I do not believe any god would want this!

Well, that is not the method I use, but I have been attacked many times by unbelievers. God woos people through love and not fear. I don't serve God because I am afraid of going to hell. I serve him because I love him. I do not believe that I could genuinely love a god whom I was afraid of. People reject God because they want to live their lives the way that they see fit. That is why the law is for them. Christians don't need the law, because we obey God. But, there is coming and soon will be a time when the law will be our enemy. They are already trying to make it illegal to teach your children about God. They are also trying to make it illegal to speak against homosexuality.

The Bible says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentence. God gives everyone the opportunity to know of him and choose who they want to serve. He gave us free will. There have been countless millions who have converted from their religion to Christainity. I have a friend who was Catholic and is now Christian. Now, I am not saying that there is anything or nothing wrong with the Catholic church, I am simply giving an example. There have also been atheist who have accepted Jesus as their Savior while in the process of trying to discredit the Bible. I believe the Bible says that there will not be any excuse on that day.

Hi Rozie37, You are right, love not fear is the answer. The problem as I see it is that we don't put ourselves in the other persons place. If you had been born into a strict Muslim family and raised in that faith, you would be equally sure that your religion was right. The same is true for other faiths. I have friends who are Buddhists,and while respecting Christianity, have no desire to become Christians. I know one Christian who converted to Buddhism, but it was completely of his own accord.