Not Your Average Coffee Conversation.
I remember having this conversation with a friend a few weeks ago at Starbucks.
The topic of religion came up, and this conversation took place between him, a free-thinker; and I, a Christian.
Ah, not many people know that I am a Christian. I may not be devout, I may not go to Church anymore, I may not pray every morning and every night like I used to,
but I do believe in God. I may not be religious, but I am spiritual.
The conversation started when my friend made a light joke about God and Christianity,
which got me feeling sensitive, and a tad annoyed. And I think he saw my change in facial expression and he immediately took it back, hehe, but it didn’t stop me from giving him a quick sounding.
I don’t blame him though, many people in our generation often speak of God very lightly, often sarcastic but only joking. Especially when they think I am not religious, and wrongly assume that I will appreciate that sort of humour.
So this will be the first time in my entire “career” of writing and public blogging, that I touch on the matter of religion and spirituality.
We can even take this out of the context of Christianity, and I think it should still apply to the context of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc.
My friend apologized for his lack of sensitivity, and I later discovered that he does not believe in God, or any religion for that matter. Reason being, as for most free-thinkers I’ve known,
I don’t see God. I don’t see his works, or his miracles, I have been in trouble before and there was no God to save me. So I don’t see the point in believing in such a thing.
Why do YOU believe in God?
Such a subjective question, and I pondered over the many different answers I could give.
“When a husband suddenly dies, and leaves his wife all alone to take care of their 3 young children, how will she cope? If she doesn’t believe in God or a Higher Being, if she believes in only what she sees, and that is she’s all alone in this cruel vicious world and there’s nothing more to save her, how will she cope?”
I believe, that we may not “see” God in the flesh. We may not “smell” or “hear” or experience God in any way with our 5 physical senses.
But I do believe there is something there. Something higher, something bigger, more powerful, which transcends our best attempts to figure Him out.
I also believe that there has never been one hard and fast rule.
If we look at the Ten Commandments,
We must honor our Father and Mother. We’ve all had our fair share of arguments with them, does that mean we’re all condemned to hell?
We must not murder. We’ve clapped at mosquitoes and stepped on ants before. Does that mean we’re all condemned to hell?
What about Repention? We hear so often that chronic patients repent and accept God on their deathbeds, does that immediately give them a free pass for their life’s worth of sins and guarantee them a place in Heaven?
I don’t have all the answers. Heck, I don’t think even the pastors and priests have all the answers.
There is only the question of faith.
:+:+:
I encourage the healthy discussion, feedback and comments from all my readers.
Mind you, a HEALTHY discussion, please be civil minded enough not to diss each other’s religion as you know it is a very sensitive issue. And I will try my best to reply your comments :)
I am not forcing anyone to convert into any specific religion, as this honest post applies to all religions. I don’t know everything, I don’t have all the answers. I only have my beliefs, which I’ve tried to objectively share with you today.
But these are MY beliefs.
In our current generation and the new age of the 21st century, where the topic of tradition and religion is slowly dissipating and becoming irrelevant,
What are YOUR beliefs?
:+:+:
There are a lot of things going on in my mind, and if you let me procrastinate more in the future days of studying for finals, 
I might just let you pick at it.
Currently listening to: Lifehouse - Storm
November 21st, 2008 at 8:29 am
I like this post. Although was quite surprised coming from you. I was born into a Christian Family. So, growing up, it’s not like I was given a choice but to adhere to Christianity Believes. But as I grow older, I remember thinking of the whole idea of Christianity. Because, it’s true that all we have is the Bible. Of course, there’re always sermons and testimonials from people. But I remember having this closure as well, that I might not see Him (Referring to the Almight One Up There),but I believe. I believe that God miracles happen every single day. You see, they say God works in mysterious way in our lives. It’s just that we’re too busy paying attention on other things; materials, instant gratifications, et cetera. I am guilty of these too…all the time. All i want to say is, all you have to do is Believe and have faith in Him… :)
November 21st, 2008 at 8:47 am
haha well said.
I believe that God is amongst us every single day and its up to us whether to “tune” in or not.
I believe that there is someone bigger out there that just lifts our spirits up whenever we need too.
I know ;) because I’m going through a phase where I am totally dependent on Him because His peace just falls upon me and nothing can beat that feeling :)
Its just my belief. hehe
but I do have faith. and thats all it takes! :)
November 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
Your one and only post about religion and you didn’t save it for Christmas? :)
November 21st, 2008 at 10:13 am
In reply to your question, that person is only believing in “God” during her weak moments and that is equivalent to cheating yourself as you cannot prove his existence. She is cheating herself to believe in something as she has no where else to turn to just to make herself feel better. Like how some people embrace Christianity after committing a lifetime of sins as it can so call erase their sins.
If God exists, why does he permit evil to happen then? Why does he allow a mother to lose her baby during childbirth? The holocaust where thousands of people died? Wars? Some people say that the presence of evil in the world is justified because it leads to greater moral good. However, the degree and extend of sufferings are far greater; like trying to justify the agony of a young child dying of an incurable disease or the horrific deaths of several million people in Nazi concentration camps….
November 21st, 2008 at 11:00 am
i don't think any one of us holds the answers to all those questions. why do bad things happen to good people? especially in such trying times as what we, this generation can see. however i believe that His thoughts & ways are far higher than ours and if we could justify every act of His then He wouldn't be God anymore, would He? The sovereign one. The Creator of all.
& i thank God every single day. not just because He provides comfort and peace during the 'bad' days and difficult times but also when things are going well and all's good. somehow we see God working 'more' when we are in difficult times, probably because we are more dependent then. but God is there when we are laughing & having fun as well .. :)
am encouraged by your thoughts babe :)
November 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
i believe in the higher power - that we are a system governed by not ‘ONE’ God, but there are many kinds…hence the dif religion;)
interesting though…im coerced into going Christian but now, im a closeted Buddhist (from my family!!they gonna so kill me if they ever found out!)
my view of religion changed dramatically in these 2 years, hence the ‘conversion’…sorta. it comes down to, yes its good u find comfort in a God u believe in, u do have to continue to BELIEVE tru thick n thin. most importantly, the God is not ur genie,u pray for gods help, but u gotta HELP URSELF too.(its about the FAITH)
nonetheless, all gods teach good values. tats the best thing.thus, do good all the time,is doing His good;)even when u dont believe in one!
November 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I once heard someone put it this way which I thought was quite interesting.
Ask your friend ( who doesnt think there is a God) how much knowledge he thinks he has about the universe. That knowledge is only a speck of the immense amount of knowledge available in this world ( I am NOT implying that he is stupid but that we as humans are not capable of knowing all the knowledge there is in the world). Therefore, with his small speck of knowledge - he thinks there is no God, but WHAT IF, God is there, in the whole amount of knowledge that he has not understood yet??
Also, because God allows us to have free choice, that’s why evil exists - because man makes a wrong choice and God cannot stop them or else we would be puppets.
For example, Hitler himself chose to kill the Jews, therefore, it was Hitler’s choice to kill and not God’s
=). God is real, if you are skeptical, challenge Him, ask Him to show himself real to you and He will :)
November 21st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
i don’t understand why people leave comments as anonymous! don’t la shy all.
and i couldn’t resist putting in my two cents - i was so excited when i read this post, hahah!
i really and truly believe that God is a Creator, who gave us life and created us out of love - and so, He’s a personal God =) i love that so much. that is probably one of the biggest reasons why i choose to believe in God the way i do, because He’s not just a God of justice, he is also a God of grace.
and about the ten commandments, i believe there is no way on earth we can ever live according to those rules. whoever can do that is perfect, therefore it’s impossible - God’s standards are too high. and that’s why we have Jesus Christ who bridged the gap! i believe it’s only through Jesus that we have access to God, not by human effort because there is no way we can ever work our way to perfection. present right does not correct a past wrong.
that is pretty much all i have to say today. but i’m really glad you decided to share this thought! =) i’m very inspired!
November 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.
He asks one of his new students to stand and …..
Prof: So, you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn’t. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)
Prof: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, young fellow! Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From… God…
Prof: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son… Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir. Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
November 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold.
Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light…. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I was just blog-surfing and just when i thought of sleeping right after yours, i saw this post and now lots of things are going thru’ my mind and i’m already made alert though it’s close to 3am now in the land down under.
My mind’s going thru’ this bottleneck effect now. Lots of thoughts but uncertain of where to start, wat’s appropriate to be said etc. So without going too broad and far off the topic, I’ll just comment on whatever that’s been raised in the post and comments added by others.
Whether if i believed that there’s a God, yes. Why? Well, for those who don’t believe in a Higher Being coz they can’t see/ feel/ touch Him and all the ‘just have faith!’ talk is just a bunch of nonsense, how about we take a LOGICAL approach to this question?
Look around you now, wherever you are- your room/ comp lab/ school/ office/ mall/ cafe/ toilet/ you get the idea, name ONE item you see around you that HASN’T been made for a purpose. The chair you’re sitting on, for you to rest on. Your pen, check. Your wonderful laptop, definitely. Bricks of your house, not only does it give you shelter, bricks have the ability of absorb heat on hot days and release it on cooler nights. Simple things like sweet wrappers do too, to protect the cleanliness of the confectionary we consume. Heck, even toilet papers have a purpose.
All these things and those we see around us are MADE with a PURPOSE and by SOMEONE. Before anything came into being, the maker already saw it as an idea conceived in his/her mind before ANYONE sees it. The lovely heels we girls love for eg, certainly didn’t appear outta nowhere. Look inside yourself. Eyes are made to see, mouth taste, ears hear, stomach digest food, intestines to absorb food etc. If the organs and cells inside of us have such a specific purpose, made to equip and complete us to be called as human beings, not to mention other simpler things like toilet paper as said, how much more certained are we made with a PURPOSE and by SOMEONE, you wonderful creature who lives, breathes, has the ability to feel, love, communicate with another human and the list goes on to what humans can do.
Our parents contribute in making us but they’re not our ultimate maker. They’re just a means of how we are created. Think about it. If we say that our parents are our ultimate maker, or even for those ppl who believe we come from chimps, it’ll come to a point where we question: who made the first human/ chimp/ anything??
November 21st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
(con’t)
Another thought. The existence of God can be likened to electricity. Do we agree that electricity exist? of course, though we cannot see, hold, touch it. Boy if we really made contact with electricity, err….well sayonara. We see the EFFECTS of it however- as we switch on the light, toast our bread, straighten our hair etc. Just as those who truly believe in God and that He’s a miraculous Guy, they see the effects and transformation in their lives and others. Miracles might not have come your path yet, but you can’t say that it doesn’t exist all together coz many out there experience it. So before you say that God’s not your thing, I challenge us to think beyond our OWN lives and circumstances. If you wanna look logically, then your argument that God doesn’t exist because He’s not evident in your life is already illogical as you’re just concentrating on ONE person amongst the other billions of ppl in this planet and many more creatures and creations that exist IN this world only, don’t even mention OUT and beyond this planet.
I’ve been a Christian for 5 years and I’m unashamed of it. I’m not into religion but I’m into relationship. Everyone is- tell me someone who doesn’t like to be cared for, loved and live a life filled with purpose. It is for this relationship that God sent His own son Jesus to atone for the sins of all mankind. No other gods would die for you or me as far as I know. He paid the hefty price of His own son and we got it for free. My life’s never been better though I still have my ups and downs. Life’s not a bunch of roses when one becomes a Christian. But to have the Creator of the universe, the God who loves and cares holding my hand as i go thru’ this life, I know that every obstacles can be overcomed and this life is well worth it as I live out the purpose He has for me.
Salvation is free of charge and God loves us all the same, there’s no favourites. Then why don’t ppl just accept it? Pride. We love to be in control of our own lives and we think that we can manage life fine without God. But when we face certain hardship that’s beyond our ability to fix, some of us take the suicidal route. But when you’re in relationship with this supernatural God, if He’s for u nothing can be against you. That’s how we get testimonies and miracles. Miracles are more prevalent in countries that live in extreme needs like China and Africa because many families have no one to call to but God, and He responds to the cry of those that want Him in their lives.
‘So what if you get to the end of this life and find that there’s none of this God and heaven you believe in?’ All I gotta say is that at least I lived my life purposeful and surrounded by ppl that I love and love me. I’m not caught in rehab/ feel used by my boyfriend/ doing drugs/ drinking myself to sleep every night trying to figure out the meaning of my life.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:48 pm
(con’t part 3)
But then what if there is a God and a heaven/ afterlife at the end? Those who believe and have this relationship will pass on to heaven just fine whereas those who remained skeptical would lose on on this.
There’s nothing at all to lose but so much more to gain when one believes in Jesus.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
defragment: why i’ve left my comments as anonymous is coz somehow i can’t publish any comments unless its anonymous from my comp
- a.m.y (3 part comments)
November 21st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
a.m.y = FUCKTARD
How are people like you allowed to live?
Go right the gospel of retardedness.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
i don’t want to sound prude la, but faith is something that’s very personal to everyone - so to the last anonymous above this comment, you would stand better in life being able to hold respect for a person’s faith. the world is screwed up enough without any more additional and unnecessary bitterness.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and you may not even believe in anything ,which is a belief on its own, then alrite?? I’m not gonna knife u and say repent or burn and by the way no one should ever say that to u or anyone. That’s the worse thing ever.
Calling others f*cktards in this regard just shows that one’s got nothing better to say and has to resort to this best that one can come up with, with not even an ounce of common courtesy displayed. Heaps of ppl of different religions have been dissed for ages by some of those who hold different beliefs like yourself and this tactic is getting old so I suggest that unless there’s something of substance to be said, it’s wiser to just keep your silence.
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 am
To anonymous who
Quoted
“You wanna know what I believe? I believe you are a complete and utter fucktard.
“We must not murder. We’ve clapped at mosquitoes and stepped on ants before. Does that mean we’re all condemned to hell?”
Seriously, are you this retarded?” Unquote
and
Quoted
a.m.y = FUCKTARD
How are people like you allowed to live?
Go right the gospel of retardedness.
Unquote
Sometimes, I could not understand such mentality. To diss people who are just stating their opinions and believes by calling them “F***tard”. This people who display such angsty and bitterness. Makes me think, what kind of upbringing or believes (even if they do not believe in anything) that they had. Yes, he/she have the rights to say anything that he/she wants, but why choose to diss. It could be a personal issue with Cynthia (the author), it could be an issue he/she had with God (or the lack of it) or maybe there is just something wrong with this person, that he/or she might or might not realized it or maybe in denial. I mean, seriously, to this anonymous, what is wrong with you? why do you have to resort to calling ‘names’? It saddens me to see you do such thing. So, I hope you find that happiness/assurance that you’re looking for and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be a better person, reality wise as well as virtual.
Peace out.
-jm-
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 am
Hey Cynthia,
I have written a short paper on to defend the love and sovereignty of God in the midst of suffering. you can find it at madfc.blogspot.com
you can also find some notes about God and life on my facebook, under the notes section.
I’m in bible college now by the way haha, so i would gladly help you out on any matter that you would like to know bout.
Bless ya,
Jon Ngan
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 am
I’m a buddhist, or taoist to be precise. Tho’ I have a religion, it was inherited.
Religion is not my thingy actually, but till one day that people tried to convert me, not just one religion but there are other as well, questions somehow pop into my mind.
Let’s see, let me point out some of the questions.
-Why in the first place there are religion?
-Why are there so many God’s’ around?
-Why do people are devoted?
-Why people tend to convert when they are in need of help?
These are like…just SOME of the question that i’ve pondered. Of course, I have my own explanation of each of it, but it would eat up alot of place if i state it out.
I would rather say that I believe in existence of god, but it wasn’t one of the one that everyone believes in. I believe there are ONE and only ONE God that are truly there.
Thus, religion is just a part of life to let people find courage, guidance, and hope to live, and live on.
Hmmm…sentimental post…
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:42 am
P/s - I forgot to say, the post with Prof, student(later on being the president) talking about faith to god. It was good, the first time I read it, it was indisputable.
In the end it all goes back to where your faith lies. Have faith in what you believe, whether you are free-thinker like me, christian, buddhist or whatever, and be a good person. That’s what important in the end of the day.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
faith, religion.
It’s about how you live your life, and influence those around you who live it.
So you’re a christian who doesn’t go to church, doesn’t pray morning and nite etc etc. That doesn’t make you any less spiritual cos the real Church of God is within your heart. By your actions, deeds throughout your life.
The real hypocrites who fling religion left and right are those who attend church regularly, preach about the gospel, and then go and download all the mp3’s via bittorent :P
just my 1/2 cents
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Just my 2 cents,
I've had my fair share of arguments about the case of faith with people i know and even with complete strangers.
I believe that everyone is entitled to their own faith and beliefs.
There's no need to PROVE that God exists or doesn't exist. Just because there isn't proof that there's a God doesn't means that there's proof that there ISN'T one either.
Sometimes you just dont need proof to believe in something you can't see.
btw, Che, I'm glad you wrote this post. I hope that book is really helping you out. <3
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
OH and I’m also super happy that you’re listening to Lifehouse’s Storm woooot :D How appropriate!
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
just a thought.
think about how you love someone, trusting and having FAITH that he does too in return?
its the same thing.
believing in something you can’t see, only to have faith that it is there :)
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
well, i believe that it is MAN that created GOD with his own image.
If a person bow down to authority, his version of GOD often a commanding figure.
If a person believes in punishing / rewarding type, he or she will always reward or punish one self or another.
It all in the end falls back on how you percepts you GOD.
or which is the real one? if GOD that everyone percept is real, wouldnt it make it personal GOD? or rather, everyone is his/her own GOD?
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Debbie:
couldnt agree more. you dont have to prove something you have faith on to anyone. its for yourself.
btw, people always see that science is to debunk religion or rights and rituals. but fact is, the real spirit of science is to find the TRUTH. and religion is another way of doing it. Science and Religion can be coexist. you need both to be enlighten.
without Science or Logic, a faith will gone blind. without Religion, Science or Logic will fall into wrong hands and brought on destruction.
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
With religion, its anything but 100% confirmed.
Try telling a Muslim that Jesus is the Son of GOd and he will start telling you that Muhammad was the last prophet and Jesus was merely a prophet and not the Son of God.
How are you going to debunk this? You have the bible. He/she has the Quran. It is just too hard to debate it to a satifactory answer.
Then you have the whole schism between the ORthodox church and the Catholic church.
Leading on you have the reformation that created the protestant movement.
Then you have those evangelicals who had separate ideas from the mainstream protestant churches.
THen with the Muslims you have the great schism as well when they split into Shite/SUnni.
And moving on you have more and more denominations with different intepretations.
It’s too difficult to determine which religion is the one TRUE one. ITs been debated since the dawn of mankind and it will go on as long as mankind exists.
Therefore, let each to his own and live in peace.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:44 am
Hi Thia,
I like this particular quote, the kind that makes me ponder…
What we are is God’s gift to us, what we become is our gift to God.
-Eleanor Powell-
…but then again… you know how i am.. always up for laughs =) so i prefer this one!
I fear one day I’ll meet God, he’ll sneeze and I won’t know what to say.
-Ronnie Shakes-
peas. ;)
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
lol my biggest problem with people generaly is they keep thinking of god as a person, maybe a wise old man with a long beard up in the clouds for example. if people started thinking about the creator as the energy that runs through the cosmos, binding all things together, then there wouldnt be much ” why does god permit the holocaust or disease and death etc”.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
agp: well said.
November 26th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I understand the rationale of your argument though I feel it lacks substance. Your example of a widow having to cope with life is a weak stand. You see, people go on with life with or without any spiritual beliefs. On top of that, your example itself opens up the very argument that atheists often use; people who have fallen on hard times often use religion as a life saver, not necessarily because they believe in God or in any other organized religion.
I do think that you should be entitled to your beliefs, and I think that faith is a beautiful thing to have. You have to understand though, that you have your beliefs, and your friend does too, hence I do not think that it was fair of you to have given him a sounding for not believing. It is after all what the Christian faith is no? To love each other? Did it say in the bible to love only believers?
Lastly the bible was written in Hebrew, and Aramaic. The new testament was written in Greek. Logically speaking, there are tons of room for misinterpretations, or what is called “Lost in Translation” because Aramaic is quick becoming a loss culture. Also, there were the numerous inquisitions; Spanish, Holy Tribunal, and the Salem Witch Hunt. So before you go on and sound someone off for making fun of Christianity, I believe as an agnostic, that you should first reflect on the religion that you hold, recognize its flaws, and form a sound argument. Really darling, “feeling” God with your 5 senses is too poetic to be taken seriously, and an ignorant answer to give someone. Please form something intellectual.
November 27th, 2008 at 1:17 am
A “WHY ME?” story:
Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player got AIDS due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery.
He received letters from fans, one of which conveyed: “Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease?”
Arthur Ashe replied:
The world over — 50,000,000 children start playing tennis, 5,000,000 learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit,
5,000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon,
4 to the semi final,
2 to the finals.
When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD “Why me?”
And today in pain I should not be asking God “Why me?”
A quote from one episode of House, M.D. goes something like this:
“I realize a long time ago you don’t have the right to blame God if you don’t believe in Him.”
Atheist is a person who believes there is no god. If then, they cannot blame God for the sufferings in this world since there is no god (according to their beliefs).
November 27th, 2008 at 4:54 am
last anonymous: No dear, i did not sound my friend for “not believing”, i gave him that quick sounding for “making fun of” a religion. But like i said, in this day and age people take the God very lightly, and making jokes even if there was no harm intended.
And you’re right! my post lacks substance, even i admit that :) which was the very point of my opening up to everyone for discussion, there are many people out there far more intellectual on the topic of religion than i am. Including you, i can see :) With your talks on atheists, bible translation issues, you are far wiser than i am on the matter, and i appreciate your input.
shun: Interesting. Thank you :)