ax

If this needs moving then so be it.
I am in a dumb situation at the moment,hell, I'll just tell the story.
I grew up in a xian home.Went to church, did all the xian things I could do, until one day when I was on the web, I visited a satanic site (xian kids like to do that), on that site was a list of bible discrepenties, most were easily solved, but the main idea of the bible suddenly just didn't add up. On the bottom of the list was a link to a strange place called "the secular web".
You can probably figure out the rest of the story. SO, after heaps of research and no answers I've become very doubtful of what I've believed in. It now seems that: Any body out there relating to this? going through what I am? Gone through what I am?( I know of a few...)Would like to hear

Terracotta

Ax, I'm right there with you. Xian home, Xian schools, degree from Xian university. I'm not even sure how I found this site, but reading around here made me realize that it was OK to have doubt about something that never made absolute sense to me, anyway.

It hasn't been easy, but the mental and emotional freedom I now have makes it all worth it. I figured, if God made me, then he made my brain, and he's sure an asshole if he's going to torture me forever for using it.

Many of us have been/are in your shoes.

ax

YES! YES! YES! I believe the same with the whole "god made my brain", I also rekon that if I'm predestined, surely he'll help me out with my quires!! The main thing on my mind is, what if your all wrong, I mean, what if after all this, you die and face God and he's like " well well well, you really stuffed things up, now didn't you." I dont want to face that!! Its funny how its the anger of God thats keeping where I am, not the love.....

ManM

ax,
Why would anyone fear a good God unless they desired evil? Hell has not always been equated with Dante's Inferno you know.

ax

I'm not sure what your saying, you sticking up for god? or sticking it up god?

ax

YES!! what if I read a dodgy translation and it disproves the bible totaly, and I go out logicaly knowing that the statement 1+1=3 is wrong, get hit by a truck and die, all without checking that the original hebrew says 1+1=2, God will punish me for that!! anyway.. any more stories by x's and ex-x's??

Pensee

My story is <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=55&t=000384" target="_blank">here</a>.

ax

Wow, thanks stardust, still though, what if you're all wrong? are you willing to face hellfire? But I guess the whole God determining our logic thing comes in. but great story, I was encouraged and frightened and scared and happy and confussed and depressed and interested all at the same time.

Pensee

Hi, ax. Not sure if you know this, but the concept you are referring to is called Pascal's Wager. Let me tell you why it doesn't work for me and many others. What if it's the Muslims who are right? What if it's the Jehovah's Witnesses who are right? What if it's some other religion found deep in the heart of Africa that is right? You might wake up in their gods' hell.

So instead of worrying about something I have no reason to believe in, I follow my heart and my brain.

IMNSHO, the hell concept is nothing more than a means of control. Can't get people to do what you want, so threaten them with eternal torment to keep 'em in line. Overall, it works pretty well. It takes much courage to even ask these questions because the fear instilled in you and countless others is very real, although there is not a real basis for that fear.

ax

hmmmm, But what if, just what if its true? but yes, what if, just what if the muslims are right also...surely this can't be, I've been through lots with god!! I'm reminded of a poem that trent wrote: I'm so frusterated!!