Zaleramancer wrote
I'm arguing against the argument stated in the video.
Which is God doesn't make life better because he can't interfere with our decisions.
Which is bunk.
It's more like: God is too nice to make you do the right thing.
No. He's wise, and just, and has obviously deemed it unwise and unjust to do so. He's not a wimp by any means. The fact is, rather than simply forcing us to do it, or coercing us by subversive and deceptive practices, He gave us commandments. And He tells us the consequence of those commandments.
What..
I sometimes forget that our experiences with Christianity were somewhat different.
My church was more similar to
this.
That is, DO SOMETHING WRONG? GO TO HELL NOW. GOODBYE.
And that is bullshit.
How the hell are they supposed to know the consequences? God doesn't exactly descend from on high to explain the rules before it's to late. He wants you to rely on the interpretations of two thousand years of authors.
This punishes people for choosing anything but desperately throw themselves at some denomination of Christianity in hopes that they
might be right.
Might.
Well, that's the part with faith. Numerous sects of Christianity teach slight variations of the teachings of God. Though, ultimately, it's up to the individual person to decipher what things we do and don't do, to be pleasing to God. And God isn't concerned with traditions like celebrating holidays or whatever, but certain things are staples in the Christian faith: Jesus Christ is the son of God; He lived the perfect life, and taught perfect teachings; His teachings were to SHOW LOVE, follow God's commandments and leave a positive impact on the world in the name of Father God, so that others are perhaps encouraged to follow your example (ie Jesus' example); ergo, TRY to live your life like Jesus lived His (as best as our frail human capacity allows); ask forgiveness and guidance where you fall short; try to gather together with other believers, to help strengthen you on your Christian walk, and for you to help others on their Christian walk.
That's a cop out. I don't know, but I'm sure it works out in the end.
Well, what more do you want me to say? I believe in God as being Good, and I believe in the Devil as being Evil. I believe I have felt the presence of both, at points in my life, and I believe I have received divine inspiration at some points in my life to know and experience things I otherwise would not have known or experienced. I've received blessings, and seen miracles. I'm convinced.
However, I can't hope to convince others with the same, because it comes from a relationship with God. People say they want to see a manifestation of God, but if you actually physically saw God, and you thought from that point on, that God's over your shoulder, would you really follow Him out of loving obedience? Or would you follow Him out of a sense of loveless (maybe-resentful) duty? If and how we come to him, it should be UNFORCED, and it should be a personal thing between us and God. So, I apologize for being unable to give you anything concrete on that end; I can't offer you a DNA profile, or a birth certificate, or an accurate picture of Jesus; I can only offer you what I've gained from the Bible, and what I've seen in my life. Aside from that, as science will tell you, the universe works, by its very nature, to reach equilibrium. I can only assume that God, having ingeniously designed those laws of nature, works toward the same medium (for nature, equilibrium; for law and philosophy, justice).
I suggest you enjoy slowly decomposing in the ground.
I understand what you meant to do, but I don't know why that should be equivalent. Aside from the fact that my dead mortal body can't hope to enjoy ANYTHING as it's reduced slowly to fertilizer, I'm only suggesting that you ask, to have your questions answered. Why would it be more intellectually satisfying to ask mere mortals, who don't understand all the essence of the universe, rather than the Creator, who made everything, and remembers it just as well now, as when He made it, so long ago?
Whatever answer you receive, would satisfy you wholly, and completely, while my answers may only leave you with more questions.
Despite how it may sound, I am not implying Heaven or Hell for you (and certainly not Limbo; being Protestant, I don't believe in it). I suggest only that you ask Him, during a time when you will have the opportunity to see Him face to face. Where you end up after this life is entirely between you and God, no matter what good or evil I observe from you.
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And I'm sorry if this seems like a rant. It isn't meant to be; if it comes across that way, I apologize. Though, as a Christian, I believe that the things of God are very serious, and are matters that need to be dealt with as soon as possible. And one-liners simply don't do it. God is complex. Some think that they can't understand Him at all, no matter how much they try. Though, I believe some parts of Him CAN be understood, and the part that could be understood, God provided to us to pour over, throughout our lives. And some, we only achieve through deep meditation on what He's given us.
“…Judge not what a man has done, but judge what he could have done if he was a different bloke altogether. For art thou a leper? And a leper can changeth his spots…” --Rudy Wade, Misfits (Series 4, Episode 8)
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