rcharlton said:
Cyberhart - I know you did not mean to offend anyone - but how could you not?
So Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc are pretty much out of luck
Isn't this spiritual blackmail? "I'll help you - but only if you abandon any other belief system"
And if everything is according to God's plan - by praying for some specific outcome aren't you questioning God's plan? - and doesn't that show a lack of faith in God's wisdom? It may make sense to pray for wisdom and understanding - but to pray for a specific outcome that only benefits you is also pretty selfish - there are a lot of people worse off than us - why don't you pray for the 11 year old Thai girl who was kidnapped, chained to a bed and forced into prostitution for fat Western tourists
I know this woman who is the kindest woman I've ever encountered - she is always taking in people, helping homeless people, getting people medical help - whenever prayer is mentioned to her she says she has no time for prayer - she is too busy trying to do as much as she can to help others.
This world might be a better place if people spend less time praying and more time doing - and helping others.
Maybe topics like this are best kept to PMs or church groups.
Personally, I don't see any problem with a person of ANY faith coming here and stating what gives him/her the strength to carry on.
If you don't believe, then you don't. No big deal. But why respond in an adversial manner...why then, respond at all to this thread? Perhaps, as you said, you should have pmed.
Religion is a hot topic. I found it interesting, when reading the thread, that a few people felt it was proper to state that 'they hope they didn't offend anyone'. We live in such a PC world, don't we? (I'm not being critical, just pointing to something I thought was a little funny...in my mind anyway)
I'm of a belief that there is one God. Jesus was so in touch with God that he was the Christ. We should live according to how Jesus lived, how he demonstrated and taught, just as we should follow the examples of Mohammed the prophet, Buddha the awakened one and other leaders that taught love and the way of God.
My beliefs make me comfortable and at peace, some don't believe what I do and that's fine.
Cyberhart, thanks for starting this thread! It made me think and thank God for the day!
Cheers!