What are you willing to give up to really know God?
356251
Very, very good question. \n\nScripture tells us that we are to give up even our own lives for Christ. There is nothing we should hold before God. But life in this world is plagued with commercialism forever taunting us to "please self" and do away with God and His will. We, as Christians, NEED to get back to that place where NOTHING in this life interests us. That's a hard saying, but I think it's true.
479244
I think God/Nature protects most of us from knowing the things we cannot handle, but I seek all the answers I can find. Tell me! Show me! Teach me!
1001555
Apologize profusely for not believing, but I would plead my case and explain that all that I have done in my life would add up to the same. And that in all cases I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone who stands by their religion. I learned a long time ago that nothing should change the way you feel about your convictions, not even angels, because the evil one can disguise himself as an angel of light.
200839
I don't believe in god . . . but if I did . . . I would give up unbiblical requirements . . . . such as lent, tithe, the cross, trinity . . .etc.
242494
I can't tell if you really want an answer or not.  \n\nIf you really are ready to hear the answer, here it is:\n\nLet's get back to basics.  There is no "her" as a god.  There is only one God, and He has come to us in three ways to have three functions.  God is the Creator, and Jesus is the Savior, and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter.  \n\nWhat is the point of this life on earth?  We are put here to make a choice.  Are we going to choose God or not?  God has a mass amount of love for each one of His creation- even if they are not in love with Him, even if they ignore His creation as a witness that He exists, even if they try to analyze their life away without just admitting they can't make it on thier own.  That is how Satan fell.  Pride.  It is a great barrier.  The meaning of life is to become Christlike.  \n\nGod is not controlled by time because He is not in the physical realm.  He knows what our choice will be.  Think about that- He knows that He is going to have His own Son die just so that a person's sins can be covered, and that person says "no, thanks".  He still goes through with it.  He still creates that person.  It is amazing to ponder.  \n\nOur own choice takes us away from God.  In this life, it means that we will live a life that always has an empty spot in it.  We choose not to turn to God even when we are alone and He is there, with His arms open just wanting to carry us through our trials.  In the life after death, choosing to say "no" to God means an eternity without God- out of His presence.  Nashing of teeth, etc.  Hell doesn't sound very hospitable.  \n\nHowever, God is still there.  No matter how many times we reject Him.  If this is you, you can always start now.  No matter what you have done, God has passion for you.  He is on your side.  I encourage you to call out to Him now.  "God- I've been totally denying your being.  I'm so sorry.  Please reveal yourself and your love to me.  I want to run to you.  Open my heart to see your amazing creation.  Help me to meet people who can guide me to you.  Open my heart and eyes to the price that Jesus paid so that you throw my confessed sins away as far as the east is from the west.  Thank you."  Get a Bible, or check one out from a library.  It doesn't have to be the King James Version (although that is a fine version).  Find a biblical church in your area where you feel like you can ask the pastor all of your questions.  Church is not only for the already saved Christian.  \n\nI've already been praying for you.
882257
God wants us to be knowledgable.  He wants us to read His Word and really study it.  This way we can feel confident and then help pass it on to others.  A preacher might help clarify some things to you or give you new persepectives but you definitely should study yourself.  In instances of uncertainty, then you should take God's word for it, pray, and trust that He knows exactly what He's doing.\n\nIn response to a comment made above that said that Christians are taught to believe eveything in the Bible and, therefore, can't think for themselves - not true.  Most Christians I know including myself choose to believe everything in the Bible because we feel inside ourselves (from the Holy Spirit) that it is the absolute truth.  You can be taught anything, it doesn't mean you have to believe in it.  It's your own choice to do that.
133137
WoW! Interesting and deep questions...\nI would get on my knees and pray, but not just on my last day; praying everyday is a good thing.\nI would accept it being my last day, because what ever is God's will is fine...and I do believe there is a better life after this earthly, physical life. As for fearing death, I'm pretty sure I would, but again, there is something greater to look forward to, and God says that this life is nothing compared to the afterlife. So...I do believe in Heaven, but not the "mythical" sitting around on a cloud thing that some of us learned in some churches. I believe Heaven to be as you said, "to see the face of God" and Jesus Christ"...and much more than that. Those chosen to be in God's government, ( as opposed to these corrupt, worldly governments that exist now, will be wiped away, along with all the misery and suffering!) will help set up a fair and right government, which keeps God's laws, ( not all these man made B.S. laws!) This new system of living will allow people to learn to live God's way, with peace and happiness. (I'm sure there will be opposition on this!) Many more wrongs of this messed up world, will be corrected...Lots of work to do! No time to just sit on a cloud!\nAs for HELL!!! I believe that, as the Bible says, it is a consuming fire, and that it serves the purpose of burning up those who will not accept God's law, after they have been taught in the future. It will be as if they never existed; so basically, we are all given the chance to learn God's ways, either in this lifetime, or in the next...amd hopefully, we'll accept it, and not be destroyed in hell! There is also the mythical "Dantes Inferno" which influences us to think of hell as an ever burning punishment...I don't believe this is true at all...God is loving and merciful, and will give us another chance to learn how to live, how to love, how to obey, how to be happy, how to live harmoniously with one another, no wars, how to worship etc.....and IF we continue to want to live, as we do now, with Satan's influence dominating this messed up world, that's it! Stick us with a fork! We're done!!!
496849
Why would you want to force yourself to be a nonbeliever?Is there something that you feel Guilty about in your Life that you feel you need to find a way of not being accoiuntable to God for?The Thing is you cannot Hide From God!!!wether you believe in God or not you will still be answerable to him!
259525
Curiosity and a desire to become GOD!
378291
"How did you get to be so knowledgeable?"\n\n\nPS Ricky - are you assuming something else (and tinged with Christianity) about this hypothetical omniscient being?
1174281
I believe in god by going to church, reading bibles, and praying! Maybe you should try them.
464591
God bless...I'm so glad you keep being so curious about God, keep it up and someday you may finally come to him and believe....God bless
600798
I once was a religious person but something in my faith wasn't right so i decided to give up on God. I ve started rading phylosophy and got to the idea that God doesn't help us and religion is for the ones that are weak. But let me tell you something. It isn't all about believing. YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. And you have to work hard to achieve the real faith.If you have a Bible open it and read something. You will find out that only weak persons give up faith not the strong ones.
170403
I will try to answer as practical as I can. I believe in him for many reasons. Number one is that I have a personal relationship with him, not some superficial crap. And that, my friend, is simply awesome. Also, he has given meaning to my life, I feel complete with him. \n\nFor a more scientific reason, I think the universe is too perfect to not be the product of an idea. There would be too much left unexplained if God didn’t exist. He’s just too evident for me, his presence is just there. \n\nFinally, I think it’s impossible with make an ABSOLUTE statement about God not existing. Even scientists have to admit we know very little. Read this…\n\nBear in mind that one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, Thomas Edison, said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." Let me repeat: Let's say that you have an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. Would it be possible, in the ninety-nine percent of the knowledge that you haven't yet come across, that there might be ample evidence to prove the existence of God? If you are reasonable, you will be forced to admit that it is possible. Somewhere, in the knowledge you haven't yet discovered, there could be enough evidence to prove that God does exist.
1102151
YES YOU HAVE FREEWILL... You can ether accept or reject Jesus Christ.  The choice is yours.\n\nWhat God did...\n\nThink of it this way... Imagine you're in a courtroom again, you're guilty of many serious crimes. The judge says, "It's a fine of $500,000, or prison." You don't have anywhere near that amount of money, so the bailiff begins to walk you out of the courtroom when someone you don't even know appears. He runs up to the judge with a check and says, "I've paid the fine for you." Now that the fine has been paid, the law no longer has any hold on you. You're free -- because of the gift you were given.\n\nThis is what God did for you by sending Jesus to die on the cross in your place. So that you wouldn't have to go to Hell, God sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross -- suffering the punishment that justice demands. Then He rose from the grave, forever defeating death! The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) If you will repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus, God says he will forgive all your sins and grant you the gift of everlasting life. Just like the court case we just talked about, if you repent (that means to confess and forsake your sins) and put your trust in Jesus, then you will not have to suffer God's justice in Hell because the payment for your crimes was made by Jesus on the cross.\n\nIf you're not sure what to pray, read Psalm 51, and make it a model for your prayer. The words are not "magical," what God cares about is the attitude of your heart. When you pray, it should sound something like this, "Dear God, I repent of all my sins, such as (name them). I put my trust in Jesus Christ as Lord (to say Jesus is your Lord means you are now making Jesus the master over your life) and Savior. Forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."\n\nNow read your Bible daily, and obey what you read. God will never let you down.\n\nWhat should you read? We suggest that you start in the book named "John," and then read the one named "Romans." Whatever you decide to read, make sure you read every day.
745216
Hi, I am Rational Spirituality,\n\nI have totally given up sin.  But I did not need the bible for that.  My own conscience and the support by My Divine Spirit Guide, Lysseus, were more than enough.\n\nI know far too many people who wave around the bible in all directions, and have their minds and hearts filled with hate.\n\nWhat does make you to believe that bible may be the only way to giving up sin?
808966
I believed in god very much.  Bible camp counsellor.  On the bible quiz team.  Memorized books of the bible.  I went to a Baptist Bible College to study the bible in depth.  Imagine my surprise when the "small little holes" in the bible became huge GAPING holes when studied in the original languages.  It was the last thing I expected to happen at bible college.\n\nAfter a few years of trying to hold onto my faith, it vanished all together.  I tried shutting myself in a closet and praying every night.  To stop "thinking" and just will myself to believe.  Nothing worked.\n\nBasically, the first thing to go was "the bible isn't correct."  After that it was the morality of god (eternal punishment for a finite sin?  All of humanity being punished for a chick munching on fruit?)\n\nEventually, getting a degree from a "secular" university in history helped me think my way out of religion.  \n\nHope that is what you were lookin for.