HoosierGuy28

Cheetah,

I like that question, and I can definitely understand where you're coming from when you asked it.
Okay, I grew up in a Christian family, and I also went to church about every Sunday. Now, I would say that in itself, that had little to do with my decision of becoming a Christian. I actually did not understand Christianity growing up, and I didn't really care to at that time in my life. My brother and I used to sneak out of Sunday school and church services. We would run around the halls in the church, hide under cars, and go to the supermarket across the street.

Now, the change occurred later on in my life. Actually, I believed that I knew right from wrong and I considered myself to be a good person, so I figured that was good enough. Eventually, while serving time in the U.S. Army, I was on a deployment and I just had this feeling inside that I was missing something. I began searching for truth, and I began actually sitting down and reading the Bible. I read in its context and was willing to give it a chance. What I found was just astonishing to me. I realized that there was more to Christianity than just trying to be a good person. I slowly began to open myself up. But this was just the beginning.

Eventually, I got out of the U.S. Army, and at that time in my life, I would say I was somewhat of a cold person. The Army has a way of doing that to a person. Anyway, I felt a calling in my life to work with people. I felt that people need to be motivated and my experience from the Army gave me a good lesson on motivation. Eventually, I began attending Tri-State University in Indiana while working as a supervisor at a local homeless shelter. This began to open me up even more. I began finding more meaning in things around me, and this shell I had myself wrapped in began to dissolve. I was working with people and I was making a difference. Now this was just another step towards God in my life, but my desire to know God was much greater than before.

Now I was staying with my parents temporarily after leaving the Army, and the school I was attending didn't offer a social work program, it was more of a school for science and engineering. So I ended up moving down to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and then began attending school at Taylor University. This sparked my interest in Christianity and various religions even more. I began studying various worldviews, and or course, comparing them with Christianity. I know you asked for evidence of why I chose Christianity over these other beliefs, but this is really a matter a would rather not comment on. My reasoning is that my intention is not to attack various religions. I think a lot of these religions have very good practices, but from my experience, I feel they fall short. For instance, Buddhists have a very good message pertaining to love, and I find this very similiar to the First and Second greatest commandments in the Bible, which I mentioned in a previous post. (You may notice I have a tendency to use Buddhism in my posts. It is one of my favorite religions to study) I wouldn't be as bold as to try to discredit any belief fully.

Now as far as your last comment concerning finding discordance in my own belief system:

The foundation for my belief is, of course, God and the Bible. When I read the Bible, I read it in its context and with the intention of harmonizing my life with it, rather than searching for discrepancies. The Bible was written many years ago, it was not originally written in English, and as I'm sure you know, there were many authors. This does cause some difficulties, but when I run into these, I look for the answers. So far, I can honestly say, I have not run into any difficulties in the Bible in which I have not been able to find resolve to. Sometimes it's just a matter of the choice of words which was used in place of the word(s) in the original language. Also, another key thing is realizing that the Bible wasn't originally broken up into thousands of verses within chapters and books. Sometimes stopping with just one verse and analyzing it doesn't bring clarity of all which is being said. Also, in reading the Bible, I am most definitely amazed more than I am confused.

I hope this answered your question. I apologize for not trying to show you the things I find wrong within various religions, but I really would rather spend time pointing out what is right within them. On that same note, I would also say I could name discrepancies within various denominations in Christianity, but I don't feel it is my place to do so unless someone with a particular belief agrees to have an open-minded heart-to-heart discussion about their belief system.

Thanks for the questions,

Joel

Ronin

The foundation for my belief is, of course, God and the Bible. When I read the Bible, I read it in its context and with the intention of harmonizing my life with it, rather than searching for discrepancies.

Then you are hopelessly ensnared and not honestly evaluating its message ~ which is not of love at all, rather of horrendous torment and savage vanity.

Using your methodology, one could read the ingredients on a box of cat food and render its context somehow meaningful and harmonizing. Yet, this would not make it so in reality.

Perhaps, you require more context ~

<a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/apocrypha.html" target="_blank">apocrypha</a>

PS ~ will you answer my listed question?

HoosierGuy28

The Naked Mage,

I'm assuming he died on the cross that he was nailed to and I'm also assuming that his conversion took place on that cross when he acknowledged Christ's innocence and that he (himself) had done things which were wrong.

Personally, I don't see how it could be tied in, but if you can find someone who would want to respond to it in that thread, then I see no reason not to ask.

Thanks for the questions,

Joel

Ronin

To be considered ~ in context, of course:

Gospel of Thomas ~ Infancy ~

4:1 After that again he went through the village, and a child ran and dashed against his shoulder. And Jesus was provoked and said unto him: Thou shalt not finish thy course (lit. go all thy way). And immediately he fell down and died. But certain when they saw what was done said: Whence was this young child born, for that every word of his is an accomplished work? And the parents of him that was dead came unto Joseph, and blamed him, saying: Thou that hast such a child canst not dwell with us in the village: or do thou teach him to bless and not to curse: for he slayeth our children.

5:1 And Joseph called the young child apart and admonished him, saying: Wherefore doest thou such things, that these suffer and hate us and persecute us? But Jesus said: I know that these thy words are not thine: nevertheless for thy sake I will hold my peace: but they shall bear their punishment. And straightway they that accused him were smitten with blindness.

This be the word of the Lord ~

HelenM

Sounds like a valuable skill to have, to me

I think it would, to the one who read it there.

Helen

Ronin

Yes, HelenM, and quite delusional ~ you would agree ~ unless you buy the same catfood.

HoosierGuy28

Ronin,

Thanks for your response and your honesty concerning your impression of what I had to write.

I would say I am evaluating it's message honestly, because I am reading its intended message. Now maybe you don't see what I see when I read it, and I guess the best thing to do in this situation would be to agree to disagree. At least that would be my preferred solution.

Also, I do keep on a lot of the criticism that the Bible/Christians receive. In fact, I wouldn't dare have posted in this forum if I was not prepared to deal with criticism of God, the Bible, and myself.

Thanks again,

Joel

[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: HoosierGuy28 ]</p>

HelenM

No, I don't agree with that, actually.

Many things are subjective and personal. I don't think you are delusional because you write in italics and I don't.

I say, more power to someone who can read the ingredients on cat food and go out and be nice to people as a result.

If they always see good messages there, that is.

It's the people who read the cat food box and then go out filled with prejudice, hatred and violence that concern me.

Helen

HelenM

Hi Joel

That's good that you came here with realistic expectations. I hope that you don't find yourself overwhelmed...be careful. This is not an easy environment for Christians!

Helen

Ronin

Ah, HelenM, then dispose of the catfood and the christianity ~ and find the good and harmonious found within simple reality free from those things that risks filling one with prejudice, hatred and violence

Beware christianity ~ for it corrupts humanity with messages of separation, inferiority and shame ~ and only presents a cure for an imaginary disease of its own creation.

I am not your enemy, regardless of how you perceive my 'voice' ~ I seek only to release those that are near to removing their own snare by providing the helping hand of concern and alternative perspective.