I have some deep question about God, help!

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Trailblazer said:
Can you explain what that means?

Gladly

Once, Christ enjoyed a visit to the home of Mary and her sister, Martha. While Martha rushed about making ready a good meal, Mary decided to remain at Jesus’ feet and tune in to him. When Martha complained that Mary was not helping, Jesus explained to Martha: “Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) Christ was teaching Martha a vital lesson. To prevent being sidetracked by secular issues and to demonstrate our love for Christ, we need to always opt for “the good portion,” to give top priority to spiritual matters.

Later, after his resurrection, Christ inquired of Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” To what was Jesus referring? Peter was quite fond of sea fishing. Therefore, it would seem that Christ was wondering exactly where his true devotion lay. Did he have a stronger passion for the fish and the fishing enterprise than for Christ along with the things that he instructed about? In response, Peter declared: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” (John 21:15) Peter unquestionably lived up to his word. From that moment onward, he showed his love for Christ by busying himself in the disciple-making effort, growing to be a pillar in the first-century Christian congregation.

So you see, Jesus was keenly mindful of the stresses tied to the anxieties of this system of things. In his depiction of the sower, Christ revealed that a number would embrace “the word of the Kingdom” thereby making preliminary progress but that “the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches” would “choke the word.” (Matthew 13:19-22; Mark 4:19)

Undeniably, then, if we are not mindful, the day-to-day challenges of life might entrap our heart and then induce us to weaken spiritually. And so, Christ cautioned his disciples : “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with . . . anxieties of life.”—Luke 21:34.

Fool · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:
Titles are not names, they're titles.

Also, "Wikipedia is not a reliable source." -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Academic_use

NAMES OF GOD - JewishEncyclopedia.com

In some instances titles are names. Like Baker came from the baker who made the bread.

I found great synonyms for "title" on the new Thesaurus.com!

Title = name

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Trailblazer said:
As I explained in the post to which you are replying.

Can you take some time to clarify your meaning perhaps with some concrete examples?

JChnsc19 · Feb 25, 2019

@nPeace we're just going to see free will differently. I mean so take a schizophrenic for example. If he commits a crime during a psychotic break, you may be saying god will make a concession for that. But what if it's only a small psychotic break, like he's insane for only 5 minutes then snaps out of it while committing the crime. What if someone is prescribed medical marijuana and they're end stage cancer on hospice. They go to smoke the marijuana their Dr prescribed but some evil employee laced it with- I have no clue.,,, bath salts? Can you lace anything with bath salts?? Anyway they chose a drug that was legal in that setting but took another drug they didn't intend to then went on a murder spree. Basically I just see this issue different from you.

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Fool said:
NAMES OF GOD - JewishEncyclopedia.com

In some instances titles are names. Like Baker came from the baker who made the bread.

I found great synonyms for "title" on the new Thesaurus.com!

Title = name

Fool · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:

exodus 3:14 is the name everyone is to be baptized in. God is ever present. This is why colossians 3:11 emphasizes. God is not a man that he should lie nor the son of man that he should repent.

FYI Ezekiel was called the son of Man.

SON OF MAN - JewishEncyclopedia.com

JChnsc19 · Feb 25, 2019

nPeace said:
I did try to explain in a simple way, by using examples you could relate to. Let me try another...
A person has severe bowel incontinence, caused by muscle and nerve damage. Can that person control their bowel movements?
Likewise, if the mind is used to make free choice, or free will decisions, and that part of the mind is severely damaged, will the person be able to make a free will decision?

free will
noun

the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion.

adjective

(especially of a donation) given readily; voluntary.

In both cases, neither are voluntary, or according to the person's will. How then can it be free will?
The person's circumstances have change to hinder them functioning normally.

What I gather from the Bible, is that God does not judge someone for something they have no control over. He understands a situation better than we do, and takes all the facts into consideration, and deals fairly with everyone. The Bible says of him,
"The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he." (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Is that any better explained?
I hope it is, since I am trying to be as clear as I can be.

It appears you were raised by person(s) in a religion labeled Christian.
I think it is normal to have doubts. At 10 years old, that's a good time to have doubts imo, especially if things appear a bit strange to you. Children are always asking questions, and they like to understand things clearly. I believe that's why Jesus said we should be like children.

You said you mistakenly got a book about religion, but I don't consider that a mistake. Obviously you were looking for answers, which you probably felt you weren't getting.
Personally, I think the more exposed, to different views you are, at an early age, the better, because then you can discuss these with those bringing you up, and you can then weight the different views. As you grow older, you would be in a better position to make an informed choice - exercise your free will.

Having doubts for 43 years though.... That's as long as my sister on these forums has been baptized. That's a long time to have doubts about something you are involved with.
If I were in a gang for 1 year, and had doubts, I don't think I would be sticking around the next year, unless I felt forced to - either I feared for my safety, or my family's... or I felt the quick cash was worth going along.
Were you by any chance taught that dreaded teaching about Hellfire, and were too terrified to leave?

So, it seems to me, having doubts for so many years must be related to the question I asked earlier - Why don't you think the Bible is valid, and what investigation did you carry out to determine if it is?

I can give you my answer if you like, although I would like to hear yours first.
I am so confident that the Bible is as it claims at 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, that I am quite sure of the resurrection promise, and that we will see our dead loved ones again,,, under one condition though - we make the right free willed decision, and are not deemed wicked and destroyed at Armageddon.

I kept going because my whole family was in church as well as everyone I knew. I was a believer but had many doubts. I also kept going because of Pascals wager basically. And it wasn't just one denomination. It was Baptist, Church of Christ and Methodist.

I did tell you a couple of my issues with the Bible in my post 263,

You can tell me whatever you want about the Bible, you and your friends, family whatever. I suspect you would like to tell me in a way that would look convincing to me. I can help you out with that if you like, give you tips of what I may consider evidence.

I've been studying religion intently these last 2 years because this is a decision I didn't want to be wrong about. I've binged watched the Atheist Experience on YouTube. Theists call in, they ask them what do you believe and why. So I've heard hundreds upon hundreds of arguments for Jesus, Buddha, Allah, the Deist god, etc. If you think you have anything new, lay it on me.

These are tips I think might be helpful. If you had planned on typing something extensive, I don't want to waste your time, unless you don't mind and just want to tell me anyway.

For religion in general it would need to be something falsifiable, you would need actual evidence- philosophy, faith, supernatural don't count. I would need evidence outside of the holy book. Because for example if you’re arguing Christianity through the Bible alone, I can argue Harry Potter through Harry Potter and Allah through the Quran. And a religion that says no where in its text that women are to be or ever to have been second class citizens to men.

For me to accept Christianity you would need a hmmm, not sure how to say this, a Bible 2.0 I guess. That has all the inconsistencies cleared up (see the skepticsannotatedbible.com), a Bible that's so crystal clear and concise that the now 41,000 Christian denominations (Center for the Study for Global Christianity) will be gone and there will only be one Christianity, one viewpoint, not all these conflicting interpretations. You would have to get rid of these religions that predate Christianity yet sound curiously just like it namely Dionysus, Attis, Zoroaster, Horus
http://listverse.com/2009/04/13/10-christ-like-figures-who-pre-date-jesus/.

Believing Christianity is 1 thing, worshiping is another. For me to worship, chapters like Exodus 21 and Numbers 31 and all mentions of women marrying their rapists, etc would have to disappear from the Bible.

Furthermore, I can't say 100% that I know what it would take to convince me, but any god that exists would know. Like I open the door one night and the stars say 'Hey (my name) I'm real", that would rock.

Now if you want to tell me your personal experience that'd be great, won't do anything for me but it's great for you.

Trailblazer · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:
Anybody can say anything, sure. But what do their actions reveal? After all, "Actions prove why words mean nothing." -Anonymous

I fully agree, and so did Baha'u'llah:

5. O Son of Dust!
Verily I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say: O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.

31. O Son of Being!
Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.

35. O My Friends!
Quench ye the lamp of error, and kindle within your hearts the everlasting torch of divine guidance. For ere long the assayers of mankind shall, in the holy presence of the Adored, accept naught but purest virtue and deeds of stainless holiness.

69. O Children of Adam!
Holy words and pure and goodly deeds ascend unto the heaven of celestial glory. Strive that your deeds may be cleansed from the dust of self and hypocrisy and find favor at the court of glory; for ere long the assayers of mankind shall, in the holy presence of the Adored One, accept naught but absolute virtue and deeds of stainless purity. This is the daystar of wisdom and of divine mystery that hath shone above the horizon of the divine will. Blessed are they that turn thereunto.

The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah

Trailblazer · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:
Undeniably, then, if we are not mindful, the day-to-day challenges of life might entrap our heart and then induce us to weaken spiritually. And so, Christ cautioned his disciples : “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with . . . anxieties of life.”—Luke 21:34.

That is good advice. We have similar injunctions in the Baha'i Faith.

“You see all around you proofs of the inadequacy of material things—how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world. Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these treasures where they may be found? The doors of the spiritual Kingdom are open to all, and without is absolute darkness.....

Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God’s gifts, and ‘Life Everlasting’ means ‘Turning to God’. May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you,” Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

Trailblazer · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:
Can you take some time to clarify your meaning perhaps with some concrete examples?

What I meant is that verses can have more than one meaning depending upon who is interpreting them.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Christians believe that the Comforter was the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent at Pentecost but Baha'is believe that the Comforter was Baha'u'llah who God sent from heaven.

We believe Jesus was a Comforter, and Baha'u'llah was another Comforter.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Trailblazer said:
That is good advice. We have similar injunctions in the Baha'i Faith.

“You see all around you proofs of the inadequacy of material things—how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world. Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these treasures where they may be found? The doors of the spiritual Kingdom are open to all, and without is absolute darkness.....

Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God’s gifts, and ‘Life Everlasting’ means ‘Turning to God’. May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you,” Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

Does this mean you're going to give some serous thought to simplifying your life?

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Trailblazer said:
What I meant is that verses can have more than one meaning depending upon who is interpreting them.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Christians believe that the Comforter was the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent at Pentecost but Baha'is believe that the Comforter was Baha'u'llah who God sent from heaven.

We believe Jesus was a Comforter, and Baha'u'llah was another Comforter.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

That is quite the pickle

So, how can this be resolved? Who is right and who is wrong?

nPeace · Feb 25, 2019

JChnsc19 said:
@nPeace we're just going to see free will differently. I mean so take a schizophrenic for example. If he commits a crime during a psychotic break, you may be saying god will make a concession for that. But what if it's only a small psychotic break, like he's insane for only 5 minutes then snaps out of it while committing the crime. What if someone is prescribed medical marijuana and they're end stage cancer on hospice. They go to smoke the marijuana their Dr prescribed but some evil employee laced it with- I have no clue.,,, bath salts? Can you lace anything with bath salts?? Anyway they chose a drug that was legal in that setting but took another drug they didn't intend to then went on a murder spree. Basically I just see this issue different from you.

Hasn't a person who chose to use drugs, made a free willed decision, despite the consequences.
Hasn't a person who attends a wild party, and drinks themselves silly, then gets in a vehicle, and plows into an innocent driver made a free willed decision?
I get the feeling you are not understanding me, and I get the feeling it's one of those communication problems that occur when we have our own worldview, that may differ from another.
In my view, a person who knowingly abuses a substance that impairs their judgment, is different to a person who has damaged nerve and muscle tissue, that prevents them making a free willed decision.
The difference is, the former was able to make a free willed decision before the substance affected their actions.
We do not excuse the free willed decision, based on the consequences.
Persons addicted to substance abuse need help, they can make a free willed decision to get that help.
A person with Alzheimer disease, is at the mercy of the disease. Bipolar diseased individuals may have a similar problem.
I'm glad however that at least my answer was clear enough for you to understand.

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Fool said:
exodus 3:14 is the name everyone is to be baptized in. God is ever present. This is why colossians 3:11 emphasizes. God is not a man that he should lie nor the son of man that he should repent.

FYI Ezekiel was called the son of Man.

SON OF MAN - JewishEncyclopedia.com

God glorified his name in the ancient past during his dealings with the Pharaoh of Egypt. He said, "the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them." -Exodus 7:5

Even to this day we remember how Jehovah God freed Israel from the clutches of the evil Egyptians!

Jesus prayed to God: “Father, glorify your name.” In response, God spoke from heaven, saying: “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” (John 12:28)

Yes, there truly is no name, no God like Jehovah!

Trailblazer · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:
Does this mean you're going to give some serous thought to simplifying your life?

Funny thing, all my atheist friends tell me the same thing....
I only wish it was that easy.

Mostly it is the three houses that make my life difficult but I cannot just sell them all. I have to face reality and deal with them. It does not help that I do not have time because I am always on forums.

All I want to do is what God wants me to do but I do not know what that is so I just do what I think is right and live one day at a time. I detest the material world of dust, as we Baha'is refer to it.

nPeace · Feb 25, 2019

JChnsc19 said:
I kept going because my whole family was in church as well as everyone I knew. I was a believer but had many doubts. I also kept going because of Pascals wager basically. And it wasn't just one denomination. It was Baptist, Church of Christ and Methodist.

I did tell you a couple of my issues with the Bible in my post 263,

You can tell me whatever you want about the Bible, you and your friends, family whatever. I suspect you would like to tell me in a way that would look convincing to me. I can help you out with that if you like, give you tips of what I may consider evidence.

I've been studying religion intently these last 2 years because this is a decision I didn't want to be wrong about. I've binged watched the Atheist Experience on YouTube. Theists call in, they ask them what do you believe and why. So I've heard hundreds upon hundreds of arguments for Jesus, Buddha, Allah, the Deist god, etc. If you think you have anything new, lay it on me.

These are tips I think might be helpful. If you had planned on typing something extensive, I don't want to waste your time, unless you don't mind and just want to tell me anyway.

For religion in general it would need to be something falsifiable, you would need actual evidence- philosophy, faith, supernatural don't count. I would need evidence outside of the holy book. Because for example if you’re arguing Christianity through the Bible alone, I can argue Harry Potter through Harry Potter and Allah through the Quran. And a religion that says no where in its text that women are to be or ever to have been second class citizens to men.

For me to accept Christianity you would need a hmmm, not sure how to say this, a Bible 2.0 I guess. That has all the inconsistencies cleared up (see the skepticsannotatedbible.com), a Bible that's so crystal clear and concise that the now 41,000 Christian denominations (Center for the Study for Global Christianity) will be gone and there will only be one Christianity, one viewpoint, not all these conflicting interpretations. You would have to get rid of these religions that predate Christianity yet sound curiously just like it namely Dionysus, Attis, Zoroaster, Horus
http://listverse.com/2009/04/13/10-christ-like-figures-who-pre-date-jesus/.

Believing Christianity is 1 thing, worshiping is another. For me to worship, chapters like Exodus 21 and Numbers 31 and all mentions of women marrying their rapists, etc would have to disappear from the Bible.

Furthermore, I can't say 100% that I know what it would take to convince me, but any god that exists would know. Like I open the door one night and the stars say 'Hey (my name) I'm real", that would rock.

Now if you want to tell me your personal experience that'd be great, won't do anything for me but it's great for you.

Well, it looks like you are covered, so that's fine.
Thanks for letting me know, although I had already sensed it.

Trailblazer · Feb 25, 2019

Maximilian said:
So, how can this be resolved? Who is right and who is wrong?

That is the hundred-dollar question and a pretty important one, don't you think?

We both think we are right but we cannot both be right because some of our beliefs are incompatible.

I guess one would want to look at all the evidence for the Baha'i Faith if they wanted to know if it is the truth.

JChnsc19 · Feb 25, 2019

nPeace said:
Hasn't a person who chose to use drugs, made a free willed decision, despite the consequences.
Hasn't a person who attends a wild party, and drinks themselves silly, then gets in a vehicle, and plows into an innocent driver made a free willed decision?
I get the feeling you are not understanding me, and I get the feeling it's one of those communication problems that occur when we have our own worldview, that may differ from another.
In my view, a person who knowingly abuses a substance that impairs their judgment, is different to a person who has damaged nerve and muscle tissue, that prevents them making a free willed decision.
The difference is, the former was able to make a free willed decision before the substance affected their actions.
We do not excuse the free willed decision, based on the consequences.
Persons addicted to substance abuse need help, they can make a free willed decision to get that help.
A person with Alzheimer disease, is at the mercy of the disease. Bipolar diseased individuals may have a similar problem.
I'm glad however that at least my answer was clear enough for you to understand.

I understand what you are saying, I do not agree. But we don’t have to agree, that’s cool

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Trailblazer said:
All I want to do is what God wants me to do but I do not know what that is so I just do what I think is right and live one day at a time.

Why not just learn this from Christ?

Maximilian · Feb 25, 2019

Trailblazer said:
That is the hundred-dollar question and a pretty important one, don't you think?

We both think we are right but we cannot both be right because some of our beliefs are incompatible.

I guess one would want to look at all the evidence for the Baha'i Faith if they wanted to know if it is the truth.

Since the Bible is much, much, much older and the Baha'i faith claims to be its derivative, why not look for and examine all of the evidence for the Bible's claim as the Word of God Almighty, Jehovah?

I have some deep question about God, help!

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