i am a bit confused on this subject, i need some opinions on JESUS, god has had enough attenmtion, jesus is the one i need answers on.

Righto. Technically, that would be materialistic... Though in a different sense as I guess you're thinking. When I said materialistic I was talking about the difference between the material and the spiritual.

But hey, maybe you don't follow any of that.

I see what you are saying but would have to disagree. I don't think the person would have to ask for his love because we already have his love when he died on that cross. But I was also taught to believe as a Christian..if someone prays to God asking for something and that's either the only time they pray or don't do what God asks, then in a way why should God answer the prayer?

It's like saying - "I want you to give this to me but I will not give anything in return".

Once, you do things for God, he will bless your life and bless you with answering your prayers.



Because, we don't always do as he wishes or follow him. So, why would he answer someone's prayers who has done absolutely nothing for him? He is very loving, if he wasn't he wouldn't of died on the cross and secondly...all the bad stuff in our world is not God's doing but the Devil's work.

I actually had praying for "love for God" in mind, but I guess that's not what I ended up typing, was it.

God's grace, sure. But it's not a very good habit to ask for such things, and it's so common too.

Heres a small article type thing I found about why God doesn't answer our prayers sometimes. I think it says things pretty well. Here it is:

http://www.request.org.uk/issues/questions/question15.htm

Heres a better one:

http://www.anointedlinks.com/miracle_answer.html

Wait, I thought God was supposed to be all-powerful? If the Devil has the power to do things like that, then He can't be all-powerful.

Heres a good poem that kinda sums up why sometimes prayers are not answered in case everyone is too lazy to view the links I posted, here:

And God Said No
I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No".
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said "No".
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. And God said "No".
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No".
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No".
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No".
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said "Ah, finally you have the idea!"




Yes, God is all powerful but Satan has the control over a lot of people because what they believe is god like is not always that way but satan like. If you let satan control you he can but if you let God in instead that can defeat satan.

How would you say, exactly, who is and how Satan is described in Christianity?

Satan started out as an angel in Heaven who disobeyed God and was thrown from Heaven. That's who he is. As for how he's described? He's described as the Lord of Lies, he steers people away from God and causes death and suffering.

So Satan is just as powerful as God then. So God isnt all-powerful. Thats pretty much how that sounds.

If Satan has the power to keep people from God, then why doesnt God stop him? Or just *zap* him?

Yeah...

If you asked me, I would just say that Satan was another attempt at scaring people.

Free will, God doesn't force people to not follow the Devil but gives them the choice to not follow. God is more powerful because he can be in all places at once and the fact he can stop Satan from doing things to people but he doesn't because he wants people to come to him out of free will not forcefully.

Thats exactly what it is. And, at one point, it was a simple explanation of man's human nature. In my opinion, I think thats all the Bible is.


So, then God's allowing people to be tempted by the Devil? And in result, he's allowing them to burn in Hell? Interesting.

So he sits back and allows Satan to do whatever? Would a parent just sit back and let their child wander off with a bad person / stranger? No, they would want to protect their child. God is our Father, right? So wouldnt he want to do what's best for us?

Heather, I really wish you'd respond to my question in the Evangelism thread, instead of responding to every other topic around it. I thought you said you wanted to debate again?

In order for you to clearly understand why you must read the word of God and be a Christian. But I'll try to explain this to you as best I can.

If you are not with God he cannot protect you from Satan because you are "choosing" to follow evil meaning Satan. If you are with God he can protect you IF you allow him.

He does do whats best for us by telling of his word and in hopes that people will believe him when he says that you NEED him.

Ps: Oh you responded in the Evangelising thread? I didn't notice sorry.

Thanks, but I'm fully aware of what the Bible says and what it means to be a Christian. I've been going to a Christian school for the past 6 years... so I've taken a Bible class every single year (which at my school is of the same importance of say Math or Science), and I've listened to the Pastor preach hundreds of times. I know just as much as any Christian would.


Oh, its okay.

No you don't.

Oh yeah, and you would take "Satan" as an actual person?

Well, the Bible depicts that he was the most beautiful angel of all... but eventually was kicked out of Heaven.

The only words of "Jesus" I found on this page are on the topic title post and ads.

WRONG! Jews, Muslims, Athiests, etc. all follow the same God. And many historians/scientists are struggling to find out the history of Jesus/God. They may not neccessarily be Christian.

f**k you, you didn't know my uncle nor my grandfather (who went to church EVERY SINGLE f**king day and sang in the choir because he loved it so much). I was a devote Christian, don't you dare tell me the reason they died was because I didn't do anything for your stupid god.

Oh yeah, and that deal with the dying on the cross to save us is complete BULL - who in their right mind makes religion centered around SUFFERING? That makes absolutely no sense to me.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure she was talking in general when she said that...

True, but Angelina's still right. I didnt think of it that way until she said something.

Thats funny... my Grandmother died of terminal cancer a few years ago... and she was BY FAR the most religious, Christian woman i've ever met. She definately did something for God, but he obviously didnt answer her prayers. But then there's my Jewish grandmother, who's really non-religious... she's been through 3 different types of cancer, been on her death bed at least twice from it, and was hospitalized for six months after a major car accident and thought to surely die... but she's miraculously here, in perfect health. God obviously answered her prayers.

Doesnt make much sense now, does it.

=)

happykmd - that's interesting, and this point's been making christians shit bricks trying to give it a logical explanation. Except for the "god-doesn't-have-time-to-help-all" crap, which is obviously not true, since an almighty and all-powerful god should be able to do this, no?

in regards to the statements with God and how Christianity is watered down with soo many denominations it is really ridiculous . i believe you should read the bible in your own word and own understanding , this in a way , but wait . in order to have a common understanding with the grace of God there has to be some sort of common structered haven . which goes back with the making of a Church . lol i`ve been pretty agnostic lately since the past months......going on and off ......ehh ....

as of now i stay spiritual . in something .....and i`ve been looking back my past life history . probably looking back and forth what i did wrong past relationships . and i finally understand how everything intertwined with each other . if i could off done this and that ....the specific people meet , the relationships . there all somehow connected . But Not to get off topic .

you can call me co-religious, Gnostic new age religious . but if Jesus really had a great impact in history , then he must be of some sort of super Genius, in a realistic context , if Jesus was rather just human , he must`ve achieved something past the Human psyche .

i also say in order to understand if Jesus is legit too you , understand history , and recognize your true purpose and your past history . i Say looking at history deeply & differently and as Socrates say "know thyself" is the best knowledge you can get .


oo and im sorry angelina i don`t want to burst your bubble and kind of like . but i dont or can`t see anyone who can be atheist ? ... how can they not believe in something , when there are far greater things out there then now . its important to love the mysterious .If Atheists are defined as people who don`t believe in God or any other sentient being/s, then whats the point of living ? by instincts , but instincts are defined by humans ...im sure theres more too see in the near future if we have discovered other things outside of our galaxy , i also hate human stated knowledge too . im not one of those fundamental people . i like too look at things outside of the box and combine co-relate other religions together .


~ i just wanted to add my bit

Unless you provide me with a fact which could CLEARLY suggest that there might be a god, I will remain an atheist. I'm really better off knowing that life is what I make it.

i couldn`t disagree with you even more .

i believe in the statement that life is what you make of it . atitude can make a great impact .

That's ok.. we're different people =)