Stuart,This thread was started by seek to get to know one another. I know Nick has reservations about sharing anything personal and I respect that. How about you? I would be interested to take a peek into your background and life.

Nick,While I agree with you that the concept of trinity is flawed, do you think those believing such, all other things being the same, will not be saved?

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 19 2008,12:17)Hi KJ,Certainly. Just as soon as you assure me of your faith in both, and in God and His Son. Otherwise it would be a useless waste of time for both of us.Nick,Did you really mean this statement or was it just sent out, without thought, in a moment of irritation?  I could certainly understand if you did.…[Read more]

Nick,Do you think what is portrayed as God's plan is fair, especially considering the ultimate ends awaiting our short and vastly different lives?  I know you think it is God's, but can you comment on the plan itself.  Have you no pity for those poor souls born in the dominion of Islam where their chances of being “born again” are almost nil c…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 18 2008,05:57)Hi cato, Our opinions on judgement are not particularly relevant. All men believe they are righteous.It has nothing to do with righteousness.  It is about cause and effect, and the Almighty setting up a logical, fair, system where all reap the results of their actions in measure to those actions and the…[Read more]

Nick,God, according to the OT, has many characteristics similar to both pagan gods and humans which I find troubling.  A God capable of creating the entire universe would be above the petty emotions and concerns attributed to the Almighty in the OT.  For reasons stated, I can not accept the descriptions, for it limits God and makes him less then h…[Read more]

Kj,As you know many religions have their exoteric and esoteric forms.  If you view Kabbalah as an esoteric form of jewish thought (and by Kabbalah the older traditional form not the Madonna pop culture cult form) they have quite a different take on God then the OT, he is more of a force then an anthropomorphic superman.  Most of the more m…[Read more]

All of our threads tend to get off topic rather quickly.  Back to subject, can any justify what is commonly taught as how salvation is dispensed, other then to say that its according to scripture so don't question it.  If anything in the universe should be fair it it should be our judgement, and as described in scripture it is not.  The results th…[Read more]

Quote (Stu @ Mar. 15 2008,18:25)Cato and seek and you will find , you have each had an experience that was inexplicable and you have then made a causal link to the Judeo-christian god.  My further question to each of you is how do you know that it is that god and not another one that is signifying its presence to you?  After all if you had been b…[Read more]

Hello Stuart,To answer your questions:I did go through in my late childhood, an athiest phase, stemming from my reaction to the incredulous stories I was told in Lutheran confirmation classes that I just could not accept.  I also looked at with disdain, my peers in these classes who I viewed as weak in will and intellectual capacity.  So it led m…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 14 2008,07:59)Hi mandy, One sin is unforgiveable.Abhor the attitudes of those who do not fear our God.Nick to disagree is not to have a lack of fear for the Almighty.  I certainly do, what I question is how God's will is portrayed in what we call scripture.  No one, yourself included, can support how salvation is s…[Read more]

Quote (Mandy @ Mar. 13 2008,15:34)Quote (kejonn @ Mar. 13 2008,13:19)In other words, have “blind faith”. No thanks, see my tagline.Abe knew with his mind that taking the life of his only son made no sense.  But he had faith in God and went ahead to obey.  Whether or not the story is true, it's a good example of “blind faith” in action.Mandy you r…[Read more]

So God creates our souls at physical conception, throws us into the world at birth with vastly different circumstances thereof and gives us all the same test of faith with the same ultimate results. For what purpose then are we created? Most of us then fall in the cosmic wasteheap, the dross separated from the few remaining souls of purity? Woe…[Read more]

Greetings,Since others here have shared something of themselves, in the interest of fraternity I will do likewise.  I am on the cusp of my 50s, divorced once and a single father for many years.  I remarried a couple of years ago to a remarkable, young woman and now have 2 girls (baby and preschooler) to go along with my teenage son.  I also ke…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 12 2008,05:21)Quote (Cato @ Mar. 11 2008,23:18)Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 11 2008,12:16)Hi cato, Has heaven any other cause for us than we believe and obey scripture?I believe the goal of heaven, at least as far as humanity is concerned, is our spiritual advancement and evolution.  To become better men and women and when…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 11 2008,09:33)Hi cato, The only lesson we have time enough to learn while we sojourn here is that we need to be able to relate to God if we discover the rather alarming future we face without him after death.That is a sorry comment on the meaning of life and God's purpose for humanity; relate to God or be damned, your…[Read more]

Quote (t8 @ Mar. 11 2008,13:53)Quote (Cato @ Mar. 11 2008,10:37)Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 11 2008,08:39)Hi cato, There is no worse supporter than a lukewarm one.Rev3Nick,I firmly support The Almighty, and Lord Jesus, what I don't firmly support is writings of men, that other men compile, declare holy and say is the direct word of the creator. I…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 11 2008,12:16)Hi cato, Has heaven any other cause for us than we believe and obey scripture?I believe the goal of heaven, at least as far as humanity is concerned, is our spiritual advancement and evolution.  To become better men and women and when we become such we will be better servants of the Almighty and stewarts of…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 11 2008,08:39)Hi cato, There is no worse supporter than a lukewarm one.Rev3Nick,I firmly support The Almighty, and Lord Jesus, what I don't firmly support is writings of men, that other men compile, declare holy and say is the direct word of the creator. I think strict belief in such, does more harm to heaven's cause then…[Read more]

Quote (Mandy @ Mar. 10 2008,16:29)Thanks, Irene.  I know you have been praying for me and I truly appreciate those prayers right now!It's funny, I've been a believer all my life and yet now I feel as though I need to have the gospel told to me all over again.  I guess I never graduated from the milk feeding although I thought I was so w…[Read more]