God on the Brain

[V-G]

There is no absolute truth, I agree with that statement. But being a Christian requires a certain amount of absolutism (which we just agreed to reject). If you consider this clash in logic you will see that being a Christian does not make sense, it is an absolutist position, one where you claim there is a God and describe him in detail. There is no room for interpretation, yet everyone seems to interpret religion to their own liking. Your posts lead to one conclusion - you have doubts. Yet, to be a good Christian you cannot doubt religion, you cannot question God, you have to take it at face value - you have to have blind faith.

I hope that you see my argument is simple, it is not about claiming to know something no one else does, it is not about preventing you from doing good - it is about having an open mind. Generally speaking, Christians are not open minded, as soon as they hear my words they close their ears! Just look at StormUA, Andrewblow and a few others.

Let me briefly revisit the bribe/charity work. If I convince you that there is no God, will you stop helping people? If yes, then it is a bribe, you want to go to heaven and you pay the price, like a good seats tickets for the show. The more good you do the more likely it is that you will get to be in that heaven. You should see by now that it is no different from a regular purchase you do every day. Your view and my view on this matter differs, I give to charity because I believe in their work, I help friends/neighbors etc. because this is how a civilized society should live. No matter what I believe in, none of the things I do will change. Can you see the benefit of viewing the world the way I do over the way you do?

In the end, none of us know how we came to be on this planet, none of us will know about afterlife. But I do know that Christianity is just a well run business, every rule incorporated is there to just make it work, everything is more than a coincidence - explanations are always too convenient. If you read my thread on Atheism VS Christianity debate you would see clearly that Christianity should be rejected.

[andrewblow]

V-G< let me first of all say that I appreciate your 3rd para - notwithstanding my disappointment with your 2nd para. Let me explain: I do not think I have ever "closed my mind" to your comments - in fact I have appreciated your ideas and intellect on many occasions. I totally disagree with some of your beliefs and sometimes feel frustrated in my inability to help you see the vital spiritual-ness of who you really are.....but this is not 'closing my mind', but rather showing a desire not to either blind you with religeosity, or use Scriptures from a book you don't believe in !! I trust that you will receive this as a sign of respect.

So: Regarding 'charity work'. People in all walks of life will - and will continue - to give to those in 'society' less well of than themselves, or in foreign countries suffering preventable diseases, etc. Great. The world needs more of this. And your assessment of the results of this are quite correct.....no-one will 'get to heaven' by buying their ticket with 'good works'. You and I both know that there are millions who are trying - both in and out of the recognised churches, but that will be their loss. It goes deeper than this. There are some (says Jesus) who will even be calling him 'Lord...Lord - we did this and that IN YOUR NAME' signifying an assumed specific relationship with Christ BY GOOD WORKS, to whom He will reply "Depart from me- I never knew you".

Christians should give (if this is the subject) not to gain, but to copy, to obey and to follow in the footsteps of their Master. He came and gave all - everything, unconditionally - and simply says to His disciples "FOLLOW ME".
In Christs' entire life, he <gained> nothing for himself, but showed others how to give - by giving. How to love - by loving. How to live a discipled life by obedience to His own Father.

Some christians live with an attitude of 'sacrificial giving / living' etc. There is more to it than that. Christ said "I came to give LIFE - and give it ABUNDANTLY" !! In other words - 'better than you have now' - however good that might be considered to be. Jesus Christ did all the hard sacrificing - we can live and revel in the love and gifts and abundance of what he achieved on our behalf.

Mind still open, V-G.
Best wishes
Andrew

[dobko]

Originally Posted by V-G

Therefore he exists, right? Wow, that is a very clever argument, you should join a debate team .

Why? For lack of words does not make my statement any less meaningful. God has done so much for me that I would be a fool to not to aknowledge this. Im sorry that I can not debate with you using complicated statements and confusing words. All I can say is that yes He is very alive and has shown me His hand in my life. He answers prayers and talks to us when we learn to listen for His voice. Would you like to hear some of the things He has done for me?

[V-G]

Originally Posted by dobko

Why? For lack of words does not make my statement any less meaningful. God has done so much for me that I would be a fool to not to aknowledge this. Im sorry that I can not debate with you using complicated statements and confusing words. All I can say is that yes He is very alive and has shown me His hand in my life. He answers prayers and talks to us when we learn to listen for His voice. Would you like to hear some of the things He has done for me?

Feel free to share your stories Clay, but keep in mind that I expect to see an better explanation for whatever happened in your life than "work of God"...

[dobko]

2 1/2 years ago my mother was sent to Regina hospital in critical condition. They have no idea what was wrong with her other than her immune system was attacking her major organs. She was bleeding internally (lungs) and they said the only way to keep her alive was to put her into a comma. They gave her little chance of survival and were preparing us for the worse. She was surounded by prayer and miraculously came out of the comma after 2 months. The bad news was that her kidneys were destroyed and that she would now be on dialysis for the rest of her life. She was in a palative care home in Regina for another three months because she couldn't walk and also needed all the proceedures reqired for dialysis. She prayed and believed every day that God would heal her kidneys but was prepared to be patient and accept what she had at the time, after all she was alive and considered that to be a blessing. She eventually returned home to Yorton but needed to ride the bus to Regina (2 hour ride each way) 3 times a week for her dialysis. Eventually she was fitted with a shunt in her abdomen and taught how to do home dialysis, which was also a blessing because she felt more freedom was welcome and another answered prayer answered.

[dobko]

She was still certain, even after a year of dialysis, that God would heal her. Her doctors told her and us, that this was no longer possible. Her kidneys were not working and showing no signs of recovering. 0%! Over the next few visits to her specialist in Regina, they suddenly were showing signs of minimal function. Wow, they could neither explain nor deny this (She attended church faithfully throughout all of this). She asked Jesus to heal her and was prayed for on several occasions, with faith she believed it was going to happen. After going to see Max Solbrechen (faith healer) and one of her sons laying hands on her. She said that it burned when her son touched her and was praying for her. She was healed and is now no longer on dialysis. She is a testament to God's love and healing for His children.

[dobko]

This is only one testamony of many that I personally know is true Volodya. A miracle that still has the doctors and staff baffled at the renal unit. We know that it was Him and always give praise to Him for what he has done for her and all that witnessed this.


There is no explanation offered by the staff at the Regina General, but they do keep saying; "No one, never, you just don't come off of dialysis unless it is to be buried." They smile and hug her in disbelief.

Say what you will Volodya but we know the Truth, God is alive and well and wants more than anything for us all to be reconcilled with Him. Jesus made this possible.