** OFFICIAL: "Do You Believe in God and an Afterlife?" Thread**

[Mr. Kotter]

Simple question.

I'm just curious how representative this place is, compared with mainstream America on the question. A few threads of late, just got me wondering....

Please feel free to discuss.

[bogie]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

That's kinda my thought too. If "this" is it.....what's the point, eh?

What's the point? Seeing my child laugh out loud at something. Hearing my wife tell me she loves me. Sitting on a deer stand early in the morning and watching and hearing nature wake up around me. When I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Having drinks with dear friends. Sitting around and singing with my family while my nephew plays his guitar. Life is full of good points to live for.

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

I'm not saying it has to have a point; but it sure helps explain a helluva lot that goes on, IMHO.

Why do you need it explained?

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by bogie

What's the point? Seeing my child laugh out loud at something. Hearing my wife tell me she loves me. Sitting on a deer stand early in the morning and watching and hearing nature wake up around me. When I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Having drinks with dear friends. Sitting around and singing with my family while my nephew plays his guitar. Life is full of good points to live for.

Oh, I understand. I'm just thinking in a metaphysical sense: what's the point, in the scheme of the universe?

I mean, so many things could have/should have "ended" this whole thing long ago, if it were all merely a "chance" happening, IMO. Why hasn't it "ended?"

Just thinking out loud....

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Why do you need it explained?

Basic human curriosity, I suppose. It's just the way I'm wired.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

I said "other myths".... deists, would fall into one of the first two categories, IMO.

God = Creator

Because in no way did I intend to limit "God" to a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim God...so I guess, technically, I shoulda made it "god" I suppose.



Sorry. Guess I missed the recent ones......the make-up of the place seems to be shifting. Hence my curriosity. I could be wrong though.

To my way of thinking any organized religion is based on myths, does not preclude me from belieiving in a Creator. That is why I felt that was the best option.

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by Logical

That option does not preclude believing in a Creator or an afterlife, it only says a person does not believe in the Bible as the absolute word of God.

I may have misread your post, but the poll and question do not state that the bible is the absolute word of God

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Basic human curriosity, I suppose. It's just the way I'm wired.

I've been working on changing my basic human responses to those things. I try to appreciate them for what they are, at that moment, rather than desire things they aren't. I still struggle with it, but I'm getting better and I'm already far more relaxed and happy with my life.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

You don't think an omniscient being can sort through folks who only believe out of fear from being wrong?

Yup, I believe that God knows our motivations. But, the motivations of others are not up to me to judge, so whatever reason they have for believing is their own.

FWIW, I believe and because I believe, I feel compelled to live a better life for my wife and my kids, and anyone else around me. Unfortunately, I still suck at it. But that's what makes me human, and I do try to improve all the time.

[DaFace]

100% Grade A atheist here.

[Ugly Duck]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Do you believe in God out of love? I doubt seriously you fall in this category, but so many Christians I know do it because they're afraid of being wrong.

Can one really choose to believe in something? Seems like you either believe something or you don't.

Some book makes an offer of everlasting life a guy sez, "Wow! I think I'll just believe that I'll live forever because it sure beats fading away into nothingness!"

If there is a God, He would know if the guy actually believes or if he's merely hedging his bets just in case.

[Braincase]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

You don't think an omniscient being can sort through folks who only believe out of fear from being wrong?

I was making a point to my brother, and being as much a smartass as possible at the time. I believe for the right reasons. I just don't believe my brother made his decision for the right reasons.

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

FWIW, I believe and because I believe, I feel compelled to live a better life for my wife and my kids, and anyone else around me. Unfortunately, I still suck at it. But that's what makes me human, and I do try to improve all the time.

Are you trying to improve yourself for God or for yourself and your family?

[ct]

I should read more carefully...voted for option1, most definitely should have selected option2 instead.

[Nightfyre]

I believe in Gaz, even tho he let me down in a post today using "to" in the place of "too." That is loyalty.

[BIG_DADDY]

As far as the after life is concerned OBE's had me believing I was more than my body a long time ago. I struggeled with Christianity as a kid. I couldn't get past the creating everything to worship you or else you cast them off to hell thing. I was very angry at god at that time and it was also the worst part of my life. Later I just came to realize my relationship with god was going to be what I made it. One thing I notice even now is the more I pray the happier I seem to be in general. lil momma started praying as well some time back. The more we seem to discuss god and have him as a part of our life the better our relationship seems to be as well. More loving.