jay_a2j wrote:Well that post certainly settles it. Your faith is built on sand. You are very "shaky" in what you believe.
I believe in a Creative Entity, I mean, I believe in the Sun. I can see it, I can bask in its light. It gives me warmth and it helps things grow. If it wasn't for the Sun the world wouldn't exist, the same goes for all the Stars in the Universe. If it wasn't for the Stars, none of us would be around, because without the formation of Stars would mean that the principles of thermodynamics are moot.
I don't need a preacher to tell me stories about a flood, or some long haired hippy getting nailed to a telephone pole. They are nice myths and legends, but the reality is that those things are not the real issues in life. The real issues in life are what we are dealing with as a world civilization right now! So as Jesus said: "Leave the dead for the dead..." start worrying about the problems and situations you have at hand today, instead of those that have already passed away into history.
jay_a2j wrote:If you are interested in truth, read the Bible. For what is says not trying to find "hidden meaning". I have been a Christian for over 20 years. Its not "a bad dream".
Listen, jay, I have read the Bible and I still do read the Bible. And as far as "hidden meaning" goes, what do you think Jesus was doing with his parables. Surely, you don't think he told those parables to be taken literally, do you? Jesus supplanted "hidden meanings" in the forms of metaphors as a teaching guide for his disciples. And how would you know that it isn't a "bad dream" as you have yet to experience death in all its glory?
jay_a2j wrote:23 minutes? Maybe he looked at a clock before the event and then, looked at it again when it was over? Or maybe he just knew how much time had elapsed. You are analyzing this through human logic, which is your first mistake.
I guess he could have glanced at a clock or his watch before he grabbed his heart and hit the floor, or perhaps 23 minutes was what he estimated, but why 23? I think the guy just picked the number 23 to make the title of his book sound cooler. I mean who would buy a book that was titled "20 minutes in Hell"? Or "I Estimate I Spent Approximately 25 Minutes In Hell, Give Or Take A Few Minutes"?
And how do you know what that guy is telling you is the truth? Just because the guy says he is a Christian now? The guy had a hallucination when his body shut down and his brain was still firing, it is as simple as that. There is no metaphysical/esoteric other worldly realm of which his soul traveled.
And how else am I supposed to analyze things? I am human after all. However, you must not be human as apparently you can analyze things using some form of Hyperdimensional Understanding of the true nature of the Universe.
jay_a2j wrote:There is NO AMOUNT of suffering on this Earth that can hold a candle to the suffering in hell. You will hate God or you already do? Sorry that God doesn't shape eternity to suit what WE would like.
Hmmm? Well, I would say that there are many instances of suffering on this planet in which we could rightly compare to being hellish in nature. And I do not hate God, as it is silly to hate something that really doesn't give a shit about any of us. But if there is a God that has created a pit of eternal despair and torment, then yes, I hate that God...that is an evil God as far as I am concerned, and I will hate it with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind. But my concept of God doesn't have a Hell to toss us into when we die, but He is like a big recycling plant and poops us out as new aluminum cans to be filled with beer or soda pop. So the recycling process might be a little painful at first, but the end product will be okay. Is this making any sense? But I would still kick Jesus in the nutsack if I met him.
jay_a2j wrote:On a side note, if reincarnation was an option, the population of the world would remain CONSTANT. But it doesn't, it grows.
Jay, have you ever heard of the term
quantum tunneling? Don't you think there is other life forms out in the Universe? Those energies can cross over instantaneously and remanifest themselves as other beings, in addition, human populace may be growing, but perhaps there are other entities on the planet that are dwindling. It is known as the process of enlightenment of which Buddha taught. Where one life form evolves enough in its current form and manifests into another higher form of consciousness.
jay_a2j wrote:You have to make a choice, get serious about wanting to know God or not.
I did, and I have known It, and It has a great sense of humor. It loves all of creation and places each living being where it needs to be to evolve and to grow, so as those living beings can pass on the concept of enlightenment to others, so those too can evolve and grow.
Perhaps it is you, Jay, that needs to get to know God? Perhaps your point of view (as well as billions of Christians) are wrong? Perhaps Jesus is just a myth? Myths are fun! I really do think I would have gotten along great with Jesus back in the day, however, he's dead now, and ain't coming back. So can we just learn and live and carry on now?