does god only cross your mind when you NEED something?\n\nor is he there for YOU all the time?\n\ni have MY views, what are YOURS? (please don't "thump")
204061
I suppose I am guilty of the desperation prayers: "Please, please, please save my wretched *ss THIS time, and I'll never do this again! Never, never, never!"  :-))\n\nBut That Which Is always...IS. Throughout the day, my heart rises spontaneously in thanksgiving and gratitude, for my luck (Oh! No, no, no! That is ANOTHER question!)  :-)) For what I have been given, for all that I have, for the very good people who love me, for the incredible, sustaining beauty of the natural world.\n\nSometimes I am not sure to Whom I am praying, but my heart rises, anyway!\n\nThe only serious (the save-my-butt stuff isn't really serious, in my opinion) prayers I say are to ask for knowledge of God's will, and the power to carry it out.\n\nSometimes I toss in a request for strength, and understanding.
440909
More importantly, and I suspect this is what you're getting at, why would a god who wants worship set himself up to be totally illogical and irrational? I think that if there was a god controlling it all, we'd be somehow predispositioned to believing in him, rather than having to ignore all logic and reason just to get into heaven.
571217
Why does a woman not put her TRUST in JESUS CHRIST and let GOD find her a man?\n\n\never consider this?\n\nhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.\n\na New theory?  nah. \n\nwanna popcicle?  I have Cherry
653852
There is a perspective that I've adopted that allows me to put things in focus. Look at it this way; negativity exists to define the good and vice versa. \n\nThat reminds me of a "Six Feet Under" preview. In it, one of the characters asks, "Why do people have to die"? The other character responds, "To make life have worth". \n\nTo say that God allows some thing like rape, suggests that you have insight into how God works. Many people may feel, "as you believe, so it shall be". However, not one person on the planet could give you a confirmation on God and God's intentions. It's left to each individual's interpretation and belief.\n\nI understand where you are coming from, though. You're thinking, 'If God is so powerful, why doesn't God intervene'? I don't have a difinitve answer for that. But think of it this way; if God intervened all the time, how would any one learn any thing? \n\nOf course, it's not as if we're learning much as it is. However, most of us know better. We make our own decisions and whether we know it or not, our decisions affect every one around us.\n\nPeople get raped but also, some thing good happens. Not necessarily some thing equally and oppisite, though. However, down the line things will balance out.\n\nLife is full of in justices. You must know that, every thing moves in cycles and as the old saying goes, "what goes around, comes around". A rapist may not be punished today but one day his sins will be punished.
559868
You have an interesting view. I think I would agree with a lot of it. Ultimately anything about God comes down to relationships. Our relationship with God and how we treat those around us.
620367
Hmm...interesting. If you believe in It, the work of God is absolutely everywhere. Certainly makes sense, if "He" is hungry to show us what He's done. Guess we just have to look with the right focus.\nCommiserations on the funeral. Never good.
663163
Depending upon your opinion about what God can and cannot do for you--depending on your "religion and beliefs" you can answer that question any way you want. \n\nI would say, with what I have heard about what God does and doesn't DO for us, would be that God has given us free will.  He doesn't make things happen.   He has set out a path for us or possibly we have chosen it before we even came to Earth.  You could pray and wish all day, but if God gave the other person free will, they have the chance to choose whether or not to like you or not.  \n\nEver hear the song, "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks? look up the lyrics....  www.letssingit.com \n\nAlso, and not to be rude or anything, but don't you think, with your strong religious belief and being a religious person, that God, has better things to "solve" than making someone "like you"? \n\nNot that your needs are any less than those of the less fortuneate.  That is not what I am saying... but think about it.  If God would do that for you, that would help just one, possibly two, people.  If He would help solve some overseas issue, then He could help an entire community.  \n\nWhich is more sensible?  which makes more Godly sense?
126992
I have grown up in a Baptist church all of my life. I believe 100% in our God. I have the same question as you. It actually all came about this last week that I have been doing a lot of research on religion. I could not help myself from thinking your same question yesterday while in church. I felt quilty myself for even thinking this but it just puzzles me to no end. \n\nMy question is where did God come from. I agree there had to have been a beginning with him. Who put him here. Who sent him to Heaven & made Heaven for him to live? He was here on Earth so did he create all the disciples & the ones that crucified his son? \n\nI will keep a watch on this question b/c I would like to see the answer or an idea of where to look for it.
606488
I often feel as you do. Confused and hurt, by a God who was supposed to be there for me. I also agree with you that the bible is no more relevant than greek mythology, or even the eastern relgions. I still conteplate the existence of a God period, yet the fact that all these religions exist, might lead us to a God.
249206
What you say just isn't true for many people.  People don't refuse faith; faith just doesn't exist for many people, especially thoughtful, rational-type people.  And you already know that it's not true that God always gives when asked; lots of times He doesn't.\n\nRE: Your Email (Yahoo wouln't let me respond directly):\n\nThanks Jenny.  I've read lots of the Bible growing up.  I have not decided "he doesn't exist."  But if He exists, he has not given me Faith.  To the contrary, He has given me a brain and a heart that do not lead me to Faith, even reading the Bible.  Who knows why, but that's the situation.  I can act like I have Faith, I can pretend I have Faith, but it would be a lie, and I can't just manufacture real Faith.  I'm sure it's very comforting to have Faith (regardless of whether it's well placed).
242736
Yes, God is in control of his design and plan. Something in my life has happened or will happen which is beyond my control. This is part of living. Therefore, it is up to me to find the good in everything and for me to look for the joys only God can give. God has a plan and I trust him for he is in control. I will go forward doing all that I can to make my world a better place and to give my family things that I want to bless them with. However, in all things I realize that God is God and I am not. \n\nIt is so cool knowing that my counciousness and your conciousness were created as an individual and distinct entities. We don't fully know or understand the plan but we do have hope for the here and now, and for the there and thereafter.
609089
Why do you think that people have that kind of power over God?\n\nIf God loves you, do you think that you can really keep him from you, do you think that is within your power?\n\nIf God loves all people – do you really think that he will condemn them to hell just because they are Jewish?\n\nIs that the action of a loving God?\n\nDo you really think that people have so much power that they can keep God at arms length, just by having a different faith?\n\nI think God is more powerful than that.\n\nRemember, Christ died for everyone’s sins.
56618
I think you are partially right.  For a purely human standpoint, everything you say is true.  But to me, as a Christian, I see a very real definition of where to find GOD.  Thank you for a beautiful easy way to describe his omnipresent facet.
605711
Did it ever occur  to you that people don't do everything to gain something for themselves but only out of love?\nPeople who are interested in helping you believe in God only want to share what they have found with you. \nYou are still free to reject it and they should respect your choice.
196292
Good Question, although you got a little lost in your typing there. \n\nI have to agree with your premise though. All in all, I think, and remember this is just my opinion, that you're on the right track. I think it's how a person lives and treats him/her self and others, that really matters. \nIf God really wants everyone to be one religion or another, there has to be some wiggle room in the end for those who just didn't know the difference or who were simply confused over the enormity of it all. \nPersonally I'm a God fearing Agnostic. Meaning I believe in God, but I don't believe in any one specific religious view of God. I know my actions towards others is a reflection of Gods' plan and if I'm cruel then I'm doing evil. \nIf I help someone out of my own kindness then I'm doing God's work.\nI don't believe God watches each of us individually, that's why He gave us free will. \nWe as individuals must look inward to find peace, love and goodness. Each of us must reach that place to pull out the goodness and extend it to our neighbors.
578742
I believe that God made us in His image and why would he do that if he didn't want us to live on in heaven with him. Then just to make sure he sent His only Son to redeem our sins!  I almost died during childbirth 2 years ago and I don't think that was all there would have been to my life.  We don't only get life after death in heaven but our loved ones here on earth make sure we live every day!  We recall them and they are with us in our hearts.
524069
We are human and cannot possibly know what God knows.  Do I believe things he has done?  Yes.  Can I with certainty explain how it was done? No.  I don't necessarily think it's doubt, I just think it's being unaware.  The longer you have a relationship with God, the more you will come to understand.  He will make some things clearer so that His will can be done.  We are his servants.  So in some ways I agree with you but I don't like the use of the word doubt, that makes me think of being unfaithful.  I see it more as being in the dark, not able to understand.  He is God, our Creator.  We are merely human.