Whoa, I'd avoid lightning storms and open spaces after a statement like that.
Yeah, OK. I'll just ignore the fact that I've said things like that for years now, and haven't had any incredible and deadly incidents with the elements. Besides, who's to say that God would use the lightning and not, say, you with a gun?
Fortunately, nothing you nor I or anyone else believes about God changes who He actually is and what He has freely offered to every person at great personal cost. Truly did you say that "God . . . is made out to be . . ." because He has not presented Himself that way, either in Word or deed, but has been presented in all manner of negative ways by those who choose to keep him out of their lives.
He is a good and fair judge, demanding that the nation of Israel completely wipe out certain people groups who tended to sacrifice their infants to flaming idols and sexually degrade themselves in the name of worship. If only they had obeyed. He knew what was coming, after all, and what was best for his chosen people, so don't get "capricious, egotistical, overbearing, and generally crappy ruler" out of that part of the historical biblical record; get wise sovereign.
Wise sovereign? Perfect in every way is the official definition, right? Read your religious texts again, and this time remember that God is omniscient and omnipotent. As the ultimate
Chessmaster, bloodshed should be entirely unnecessary for God to further his methods. Where you see a wise sovereign, I see an excuse for people to be jerks to each other. The Judgement of Solomon VS The Crusades. Unfortunately, there are very few tales like the former in the Bible, while most of the Old Testament is similar to the latter. The New Testament reads more like a philosophy text.
He is compassionate, not willing any to come to destruction. He is longsuffering, patient, kind, joyful and inestimably loving. I'm sorry that you have imagined him any other way and I'm sorry for the unpleasant experiences you have had with religion and certain religious people. Jesus himself had issues with ridiculous religious practices, as I remember, and so have I. I bet you remember what he said about "true religion."
I don't remember that, no. I am glad to hear that he's so kind, as I was getting ready to spend my life in a bunker avoiding everything that isn't yet fully understood by science.
There is a part of you that craves union with and submission to this most-amazing of all beings in the universe. It is the eternal part of you, your soul . . . otherwise you would not waste time on this thread. (Ring a bell, Kaz, Writerainge and mtlhddoc2?)
Uh... I what? What if I said that that sounds like a somewhat silly proposition, and that I'd rather buy into the Mormon view and believe that I'll become a God than be absorbed into some multi-consciousness. Though if we were originally all parts of God and we were scattered, that would explain why God (or at least portrayals of him) has gotten a lot more intelligent over the years. Rudeness aside, I'm not here because I feel that way. I merely find religion interesting, even if I do find much of it silly at the same time. It's like martial arts; I'm not drawn to them because of the mystical BS many of them contain, but because of the physical and mental benefits they often give. Expanding your awareness can be done in many different ways, and believing that a supreme being is giving you answers is one of them.
You did not answer my question, Sortitus. Come on, what are you afraid of? A little old mom like me?
How many lies do you think you may have told in your life? It is not a trick question, but there is a purpose to it other than the obvious.
I know what you're trying to do, but it's an impossible question for me to answer. Especially since you didn't specify the type of lie. Try the
Wikipedia page on Lies to define what you're talking about. It may be worth noting that the statement you quoted in the previous post was (I thought quite obviously) a joke. Maybe not. *shrugs* My sister and her husband are visiting from overseas, so I'm having a bit of a hard time finding time to keep up with this thread.
Jade, thanks for the direct response. I understand that inter-religious marriages are statistically unsound, but I suppose I'm somewhat of a romantic deep down and think that people could make it work if they stopped being so... human.