Satan

[Godsservant]

I have no doubt that there is a wicked spirt called Satan who was once an angel in heaven but cast out by God. And most of all I have no doubt that my God reins in heaven and is the King of both heaven and earth. Question is:  Can any soul on this earth afford to not believe in God, or are they so arrogant and ignorant that they think Satan can save them from God's mighty wrath.

[Godsservant]

The question is not whether I would be able to go on living? I have had no choice but to go on living without my earthly Dad. Nothing in my life has been harder than the unexpected death of my Dad last year. How lost I feel without him and my heart breaks for my Mom who was married to him for 43 years, and for my brother who had the best friend of his life in our Dad. I was his baby girl and you know how Daddy's girls are!  :) But my loss and grief  is the human, wordly part of my mind that has had to deal with that. All of God's greatness can not be defined by our mortal minds. But I would be most sad if I knew I had no hope for heaven one day and the chance to see both my Heavenly and earthly Father.There is no guarantee I will make it. I am human and have to work hard to stay on a straight path like everyone else. But I have hope and faith and know my God is everywhere and for that reason, I thank him for every day I open my eyes. Thanks for your question Kaz!  :)

[Oneeyedvic]

Hi Godsservant

First let me put my position: I must confess to be agnostic.  I follow Voltairism - I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

 

I do find it disappointing that many attacks have been personal against you. You are obviously very religious and cannot understand why people would not believe in God, just as they can't understand your belief.

 

In answer to your question "Can any soul on this earth afford to not believe in God" then the answer is an obvious Yes (and by adding the last bit to your question you are obviously loading it).

 

The God that I read about when a child at school was a God that loved everyone and was full of forgiveness. There are many religions in this world and we can either accept other peoples point of view and learn to accept it or we can (and have done on many occassions) disagree with people either verbally or with violence. I will never say to somebody who is religious that they are stupid / ignorant, but I would also be expected to be treated in the same vain.

 

We could go on for hours / days /weeks / years about the pros and cons about any particular religion (and how a lot of them seem to have a common thread) but I am not knowledgeable enough and really do not have the inclanation to learn enough to counter your arguments.

 

What I will say though, is relax. breath. let everyone live their own life any way they see fit. In The Bible there is mention of "do not cast the stone". Can you honestly say that you have not committed a single sin. If so, well done. I would assume you are the new Messiah.

[Godsservant]

Onee;  Some of your points are well noted, and I appreciate your honesty that you are not well versed in the study of the bible. Evenso, you are right in your reference of casting the first stone. If you have fully read my comments you will see that I only admit humility in my service to God and also have stated there is no guarantee I will make it to heaven myself as the way is narrow and few who find it.  I am human and have to work hard to stay on a straight path like everyone else everyday of my lif with many prayers. I am neither above or below anyone. God is above all. The God you studied about as a child is the same. He has not changed, we have. As a child you learned of his love and forgiveness, but at the age of accountability (when you know right from wrong and know what is required to be a christian) then you would have learned of his wrath as well.   I shudder at the comments that someone would reference anyone thinking they are the Messiah and grateful that God knows those words did not come from my mind and mouth. In closing, no one is without sin. Hence, repentance is also taught in God's word. God Bless and thanks for your comments. :)

[2nosey]

hi, my friend sent me a picture of a tree in the shape of a man praying found in sydey australia, i don't know if it's true but it's worth looking at. (since your talking about religion godsservant) 

http://coolyaar.com/holyquran/images_1/miracle_of_allah/ruku.jpg

[2nosey]

http://coolyaar.com/holyquran/images_1/miracle_of_allah/ruku.jpg

 

[Oneeyedvic]

If you do not believ in God then are you enternally d@mned? And if so, what was the point in Him giving you a choice (free will) - doesn't sound like a choice to me - believe or be d@mned.

 

I do not say this in an attempt to be sarcastic but out of curiosity. I did study religions when I was younger, but stopped as I found far too many inconsistancies.

 

If repentance is taught in God's words, can you live a life of sin only to repent just before you die? will this allow you to enter the Kingdom og Heaven?

 

Do you believe in all the Old Testament stories (like Noah's Ark and The Garden of Eden and the like). Always struck me as strange that God asked for a human sacrifice (Elijah's (?) son, but then said it was just a test)

 

I would love to believe that there was a God, but then that would also imply no free will. That is why I say I am agnostic as opposed to Atheist. I would like to believe but due to a multitude of inconsistancies I cannot.

 

I am also curious as to your motives for putting such an emotive question on answerbank. Did you expect the replies you got. Are you hoping other people will support you? Ar you hoping to convert people to Christianity?

 

[Godsservant]

Miss:  Thanks for that picture. Strange but interesting. I guess it's like my Dad once told me when I asked him what he thought about something weird. He paused and then said " Honey, I guess there are some things we just can't explain. When God's ready for us to know we will"  Thanks for the picture, and thanks for bringing to mind a sweet memory. :)

[kaz35]

Godsservant - my heart goes out to you over the death of your father, I know what it's like to lose a parent.  Whatever your beliefs i hope that you can deal with your loss and move forward,  and that you are able to enjoy your life without wishing it away. It takes time.  Can I ask you if you found your faith after the death of your father? x

[2nosey]

you seem like a nice person, i think you got off at a wrong start and the way you approached people was strange i have to admit.

 

i have recently converted to a different religion (not going to say which) and found that it made a lot of sense to me and helped me so much in my life. however i don't expect people to see things like i do not everyone will agree with me when i talk about my faith and some will probably give me abuse me like they have done to you so bringing up religion on the answer bank is not a good idea. 

hope you take my views in to consideration!   

[Godsservant]

Onee:  God gives you the choice of free will such as in the case of Abraham offering his son Issaac. This is how he tested Abraham and how he tests our faith when we are going through hard times etc.
 I can understand that one may think there are too many inconsistancies but God is never inconsistant. But to understand how the old testament which was the old law before Christ, ties into the NT which was the fulfillment of the prophecy you must study. I do everyday.  No, God does not give a free for all ticket to do what we want.  The NT law teaches the steps to becoming part of God's family:  Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess and be baptized. I've been baptized since I was 10 and still struggle with temptation as we all do. Therefore I pray each day for strength, guidance and forgivness. You can't cheat God. He knows the truth of each of our hearts.  Of course I believe in the people in the old testament and I think about and study them often when I think I've had a stressful day!  :) If you gave yourself to God as he has commanded then no one would have to prove God to you. You would know. It's a wonderful feeling. I was just amazed at those on the site who  asked if there was Satan. God is always hoping people will turn to him so if someone does, then it's worth all the critical comments I received!  :)  Your sweet. Thanks and God Bless
 

[Oneeyedvic]

Me - sweet????

 

Blimey!!! (okay I go along with everyone else - you must be nuts)

 

This is a joke (just in case)

[Godsservant]

Kaz, thanks for your replies and I don't ask for your type faith. I'm just glad if you believe in our Lord. I've always had faith Kaz, but yes I think it has gotten stronger since Dad's death. Both he and Mom have always been faithful Christians and was at church every time the door opened (except work or sickness) You know what I mean :) Anyway, I guess that is the one good comforting thing about losing him. I am growing older and trying to be the christian I should. Weird things have happened. For instance, the past few weeks I have been studying repentance and discussing it and although I know what is required I was struggling and I prayed about it. I never discussed it with anyone in my church but at work. When I walked into church last Sunday guess what the topic of the Sunday morning lesson was:  Repentance!  :)  What a surprise!  LOL :)

[kaz35]

You are mixing up free will and choice.  You can only have choice if you have free will. (If free will exists, which is the basis of another debate, i think!).  Hope that you find whatever it is that you are looking for.

[Godsservant]

Kaz:  Free will is what God gave man to make a choice. However, he gave us commandments to live by. It is our choice to obey or not. That is what I meant. Long drive home and hopefully will talk with you tomorrow. Have a safe and good night. Thanks for your conversation today. You are very nice.

[bobbobley]

are you American, Godsservant?

[Godsservant]

Would it matter my friend? 

[WaldoMcFroog]

Since American Christians are acknowledged as being a key group for voting in a complete git of a president, yes.

[Godsservant]

Waldo, I am proud of being a christian although it is sometimes a hard road to travel.  I do admire a president though who states he consults God on his knees as it is God that he consults to guide his way as he continues his presidency of the U.S. The Americans rest more peacefully at night I presume than the rest of the world. I wish everyone could sleep peacefully and walk the streets without fear.  Thanks for your message. :)

[WaldoMcFroog]

Hmmm... George Bush *says* he's a Christian, but on the other hand he's signed the death warrants mentally handicapped people and bombed two countries back into the stone age. I wonder what Jesus would think?

[Godsservant]

I only know that Jesus instructs us to abide by the laws of the land. Murder is a crime, hence the laws we have in place dictate what must be done according to our legal system. Also, war was a part of our history in ancient times and war is how we won our freedom in America. God is a loving God but there is also the wrath of God which I have mentioned before. Bottom line is that God will judge one day all that we have done. That is why christians pray for guidance and forgiveness for sins we may be aware of and those we may not be aware of.  In closing, all we can do in the cases of murder (such as what I think you were talking about) is just put ourselves in the victims shoes. If someone killed my son, then I know I would not want their life to be spared. But I can't speak on each situation as they are all different. Sorry I have not been able to respond earlier.  I have been with my brother who is in ICU for 10 days now. He's only 42 and not doing well. Hope you are doing fine.