<p>Sorry, I wasn't on the other thread at all, so I don't know how it turned out before.</p>
<p>And I won't argue with what others have said; I'll just answer the OP's questions.</p>
<p>1) I believe in God!</p>
<p>2) There are many reasons that I believe in the saving power of the blood of Jesus Christ. I have experienced God and felt His Spirit move in my life. I have read, heard, and seen a lot of evidence that backs up the Bible and Christianity. I have heard the testimonies of many people in whose lives God has done amazing things.</p>
<p>Just today a neat thing happened in church. We're leaving for a mission trip to the Rosebud reservation on Saturday, and a pastor out there incurred $2,000 in debt to fix up a tent and his plumbing so that one of our groups could stay at his church. Our youth pastor asked the congregation to write "Gus" in the memo of their offering checks if they were willing to help out with his need.</p>
<p>A total of $1,995 came in from a bunch of different people. Someone else donated the last $5 after counting it.</p>
<p>I'm so excited for what God will do in my life! My faith has been tested and will continue to be, but nothing can separate me from the eternal love of the Living God.</p>
<p>I don't believe in God in the conventional sense put forth by religion, but since we can't prove or deny his existence I'm just sitting on the fence.</p>
<p>I enjoy exploring Zen and Buddhism, and I believe in karma. that is, for now. </p>
<p>I dislike the church. I've gotten a first-hand look at hypocrisy form the pews of my own church. I hate it when people merely use the church as a front and for their own material benefit. I would much rather be a non-believer than be a hypocrite. I don't just want to pray that I win a race or do well in a test, if I do pray and actually believe in God I want it to be because I feel it.</p>
<p>So far, this has not happened and I view the universe as wondrous, but without the God that religion so lovingly forces down our throats.</p>
<p>Xe<em>Ln</em>Ag_A: By that logic, every single person or group who has ever advocated a single political position is "pushing their beliefs upon moderate Americans". What about the converse of those beliefs you state? Are they not doing the exact same thing? What about liberals funding arts and sciences and attempting to bloat the size of government? Aren't they pushing their beliefs? Your definition is so inclusive as to be meaningless. And also you seem to have no idea what a neocon actually is.</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, I believe in God, but I would say my faith is more peronal and unconventional than anything. I am not that uptight(IMO) with beliefs...</p>
<p>^What? The Bible saith, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, SHALL BE SAVED." Shaddix, as long as you have a personal relationship with God and accepted that he died for your sins, you HAVE everlasting life.</p>
<pre><code>Do you know what the Bible says,"In my house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you." Right now, God is preparing a mansion for you in heaven. Amen?
</code></pre>
<p>This is the day that the Lord hath made, Shaddix. Its nice to know you believe in Him.</p>
<p>According to popular belief where I live, it has been implied that you must go to church every sunday and spend 4 hours there...to me it is just a building...where a man with a ton of bling likes to hear himself talk. (Just my church).</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but I think actions of people are represented through what they do with their life and the imapct they leave. Me sitting in a building for hours doesn't exactly accomplish that.</p>
<p>
[quote]
According to popular belief where I live, it has been implied that you must go to church every sunday and spend 4 hours there...to me it is just a building...where a man with a ton of bling likes to hear himself talk.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Shaddix, this is completely not true. In the book of Ephesians, it saith," For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that none of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." Shaddix, as long as you have accepted Christ as your saviour, you will not be entering hell, but to heaven for eternity. May I ask which denomination you participate? I ask because I would highly recommend seeking a different church, especially I Bible believing church.</p>
<pre><code>But by all means, what those people told you is completely untrue.
</code></pre>
<p>I already knew the info I recieved was false...hence why I hardly go.</p>
<p>I probably wouldn't go to church to tell you the truth...but if you want to know I went to a Baptist church...and it wasn't just any Baptist church...it was Southern Baptist.</p>
<p>Exactly right. That seems strange for a Baptist church to make such claims, most hold to the salvation by grace idea, not to works.</p>
<pre><code> The one unfortunate aspect of a church is the high amount of man made doctrine and beurocracy. That is the only part of the church in which I disapprove.
</code></pre>
<p>I realize that you had a poor experience with that particular church, but there are so many outstanding churches around which will help you grow spiritually and help you meet fellow Christians who hold to the same beliefs as you.</p>
<pre><code> But certainly, the Bible never tells us that we should be in church for four hours on Sunday; that is ridiculous!
</code></pre>
<p>damn im just saddened to think that i won't be alive when the breakthrough occurs....when either religion or science or even both are verified to be valid...so as of now..i dont know what to believe...</p>
<p>Religion and science aren't exactly in opposition to each other. People interpret science and history from the perspective of their presuppositions. I don't know how you expect either to be "verified" (science is obviously a valid discipline, and religions are all across the board).</p>
<p>Edit: By all across the board, I mean religions are all over the place and believe all sorts of different things.</p>
<p>I think all the little rituals are tiresome. For exaple, I am Methodist, and, as such, was "sprinkled" at baptism (actually, the sign of the cross was drawn on my forehead with water, but I digress), and I often get told that, since I wasn't immersed, I am not a true Christian, was never baptised, and/or a going to burn in hell.</p>
<p>I agree as well. The point of baptism is not to get drenched with water, but realize that now your sins are washed away. Being drenched or submersed is not the only way to be baptized.</p>