I would like very much for there to be no God, no Jesus, no afterlife.

However, as much as I would like these things not to exist (often bitterly) I believe in them. It would be extremely convenient for me if I could choose to not believe, but my own life experiences make this impossible. I am very sure of these things, despite how unappealing the ideas of Christianity are to me.

I have a strong distaste for the majority of "christians" and structured religion. That said I don't think the actions of christians and the church reflect Jesus and God. I think the church has often been horribly misguided.

I don't think Jesus would have yelled at camera crews to get out of His home or valued to company of none christians any less then christians. I don't think these types of fanatics are good representations of Jesus because I'm sure He would have been a nice smelly hippy who cooked with nutritional yeast and played with a drum circle.

I'm the opposite - I would dearly love to have the comfort of believing in God and Jesus again but I just can't believe. I lost that a long time ago.

I would say you're quite unusual Tanya (in a good way) because I don't think many people unwillingly believe!

There are also a lot of archeologist findings of things that are in the bible. One good book I read was The Stones Cry Out. It was interesting on all the things they found that where like the bible said. There have been some pretty good shows on Discovery about the archeologist findings of things that would go along with the events that took place in the bible.. Of course this doesn’t mean just because the discovery channel or a person writing a book said it, makes it true. I guess it comes back to what you want to believe.

There is a type of writing called historical fiction. Heck, even in fiction itself... real places and real events can be mentioned, but, the part that makes it fiction is some of the characters and events that happen. Think of Moby Dick. Boats and whales are certainly real. The port the boat leaves from is a real port in the UK. But the great white whale and the hunter Ahab were not real. That doesn't make whales and boats fake too, just because they are in a fictional story.

Get it? The Bible obviously lists real places, real people (on occasion) and real events (sometimes). That doesn't necessarily mean that all of it is true however! The Illiad and the Oddessey mention many real places and events... but they have a cast of fake characters who do fake things. That doesn't make the Peloponesian war fake.

So... Jerusalem is obviously a real city. So are the many other places you mention milletics. And, perhaps a person named Jesus was born there. But, just like in the Illiad, when reality and fantasy start to separate, you know that those parts of the story are fictional. I don't see anyone swearing by the Illiad that Cyclopses and Witches exist. So why is it so hard to believe that the more fantastical parts of the Bible could simply be made up for the same reason ancient people wrote other amazing stories? It was done to inspire. To teach lessons. It was done to explain the unknown and the frightening aspects of the world that the ancient people didn't understand.

That's what I personally believe. I think it's a belief that is in no way degrading towards christians, because I'm not saying they're wrong, and I'm not denying the existence of Jesus. Am I questioning his divinity? Yes, of course, and for logical reasons.

No other reliable sources account the fantastical acts of a man named Jesus.

So despite all logic, fact, and history, you choose to believe in, basically, a purple unicorn.

*shakes head*

Why? It is completely illogical.

And it has nothing to do with accountability. It's fairly insulting to insinuate that one who does not believe in Christ is because one "do[esn't] want to be accountable", but I expect little else from Christians.

Imagine this; someone can be moral, good, and kind, and have an absense of Christ in their life. Someone can be judgemental, racist, and selfish, and claim an abundant faith in Christ.

What would Jesus want?



Mr. Darwin in 1881

There are multiple accounts of Charles Darwin's life written during his life by both sources who disliked and appreciated his works. Regardless, if any of them reported mystical happenings I wouldn't believe them anyways.

Darwin is one scary A** looking man! Never seen his picture before.. Reminds me of my X..

MOST scholars (Not christians) believe that Jesus existed. Very few dont.
Those are scholars mind you. They studied history. You didnt.
How bout Galileo? Do you believe he existed? Why.

You don't know what I've studied. Clearly, I'm more knowledgeable than you about your own religion, and pretty much everything else. You can keep throwing historic names out there and asking me if I believe they existed, but that has nothing to do with Jesus' existence. Your logic is faulty, just like your religious beliefs.

Do you believe in Santa? Ronald McDonald? The Lucky Charm Leprechaun? Horus the sun god? Lots of stuff written about him, and what is written about him is quite similar to Jesus.

Do you believe in addressing posts?

If he did, look where we are now.
What conclusions can be drawn from that.
Does it matter if he did or not?
If he did, then when in the hell is he going to help us?
If he did, what good did it do?
If he didn't, well that is nothing but lame and pointless and stupid isn't it?
If he didn't, this is even more hopeless than if he did.

What a predicament.

birch- what do you mean?!??!!! santa isnt real?!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heh, Santa is as real as Jesus. There's the concept that St. Nick was a real man, but he doesn't live at the North Pole riding a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. Just like Jesus may have been a real man, but he wasn't resurrected or turned water into wine or miraculously healed the ill.

but he did part the red sea, right?...
i mean everyone can do that.. heh

heh heh
this reminds me
i saw a clever bumper sticker yesterday

it read

"i have nothing against god...its his fan club i cant stand"

That would be Moses, darlin'

lol
i just remember it from Bruce Almighty..

I feel so bad for all of you, that you do not have Jesus Christ as Your personal Lord and Savior. There are 37 verses in the Bible that explain the miracles of Jesus Christ. Has anyone ever read the book of Revalation? The last book in the Bible. It talks about the end times, and things that will be happening in the world when Jesus will be coming back to take his SAVED people with Him, also known as the rapture. Everything that is happening in the world right now, Jesus said would happen. The world is falling apart and there is only one person who can save us from it, Jesus.

John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned;but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Revalation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

It is very easy to become saved, and have complete assurance that you will go to heaven when you die. Because, YES, there is a heaven and there is a hell, whether you believe that or not does not change the fact of their existance or that one of those will be the destination of your spirit when you die. To become saved, all you have to do is pray this prayer,

Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of the world. I believe that You died and rose again on the third day. Jesus please come into my heart and be my Savior. Forgive me of my sins. Amen.

And that's it. Alot of times people will think that just because it's easy it can't be true, that's so wrong. I would happy to just lead 1 person to the Lord through this. I wish you all hope.

I would be happy to answer any questions.

Its nice to see I am not alone here.
It is sad to see so many mock and blaspheme Jesus.
And the fact that they dont know him personally like I do literallly brings a tear to my eye.
I will indeed pray for you all.



You just better hope you are right. Are you sure???

I guess you do not like to address posts. It is difficult to face reality, I suppose, and much easier to whine about the mockery of your superhero than prove his existence.




Why do you believe in Jesus?

uh, you don't need to feel sorry for me. I've gone to church for 17 years of my life, it's not like I'm not educated about these things, but i choose not to believe. These are our opinions, you don't need to feel sorry for us.

I realize that there is nothing but truth in Jesus' words. Jesus has changed my life (in a good way of course!) so dramatically. I love living for Jesus now, and how he keeps on challenging me to love others unselfishly the way he loved us, for making me want to become a better person not for man's sake, but because I want to please him. I believe in Jesus because even the "bad times" are not that bad only because I know Jesus is there and is providing, Matthew 11:28- "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." And of course, because of the bible verse John 3:16, words that came out of the mouth of the Savior Himself, "Whoesoever believes in Me shall not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE."