Please Can someone advise me and help me

[Hikage]

what exactly could u show me

People whose lives have been transformed. People who were on a path to destruction, both spiritually and physically. My own pastor ran the streets of Philly performing the most heinous of crimes and offenses. Explain why, if not for the power of Christ would he fall to his knees one day as a 16 year-old on the corner of one of the roughest streets and declare his life in God's hands? Why would apostles such as Paul and Peter risk death and worse, severe torture to proclaim the gospel if not for the transforming power of Christ?

Just look at what happened to Paul ...

2Corithinians 11:
22What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

Why would he put himself through all these things? He was a leader in the Sanhedrin (the church leaders of the day). He had everything. He was born in the correct lineage, performed the correct rituals, was even a roman citizen. He threw it all away.

These transformations of character continue today. I can show you, including myself, people who have taken the mess they have done their lives and turned it around through Christ and their devotion to him.



Here's my story... (it's not as drastic as some)

I grew up in a church, a Lutheran church. Unfortunately I never heard the gospel, and therefore never had the chance to accept it. I was taught that if you beieved in God, were baptized, and led a good life, you would be accepted into heaven. This is simply untrue. My parents raised me with basic Christian morals, and I always managed to avoid drugs and excessive alcohol.

However, I lost my virginity at age 15. She and I had been dating for 6 months at the time. I feel into a relationship where in order to feel "loved" I needed to be sleeping with her. I masturbated almost everyday, sometimes multiple times. We had sex almost every day after school at her place before her mom came home.

To make matters worse, I was a Sunday school teacher at my church, being the youth group leader. Many times however, no one attended, so she and I were left in a room away from all other alone. I would sleep with her right on the church grounds. I'll spare you the details but from then time I was 15-18 we slept together in almost every imaginable place on the church grounds, save for the altar itself.

Around a year and a half into the relationship, she became addicted to sleeping with other people as well. This turned my already dependant self into an obsessive leech. I allowed her to run around with whomever she wanted, and I always took her back. Eventually, I grew a pair and broke up with her, returning from time to time for more sex.

Through college my sexual activity continued as much as your imagines might expect. However, I slept with no one until I met my wife. Several months into the relationship we started sleeping together. A full year and a half went by and I might the person through whom I accepted Christ. I had always known of Him, went to church, etc., but I never really dedicated myself to following him. My friend Todd brought me to the realization that this is what needed to happen.

That night, I went back to my dorm and told my wife to be what had happened and she said "I want that." and was thusly saved as well. From that day on, we became as spiritual virgins. Never again, until the day of our union did we sleep together. I stopped masturbation all together. In fact, I have been able to, through the power of Christ, eliminate all (excepting a few weak moments) aspects of sexual impurity. This includes lustful thoughts, looking at women, and masturbation. I have learned to "bounce my eyes" from things that would lead to lust, i.e. steamy TV shows (yes, even most commercials I cannot watch), magazine ads, ANYTHING that could even remotely lead me to fall.

Many of you might say "so what." Understand though, that sexual impurity had come to rule my thoughts and ultimately my life.

I am focusing on only the sexual aspect around my salvation. There are also the matters of foul language, deceit, pride (which I still stuggle with big time), and countless other aspects that have changed in me. And this has been only 5 years that I have been a believer.

Remember...
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Now, you show me. Show me someone who's live has been improved drastically through the wonderful power of atheism?


-Hikage

[EmptyneSs]

People whose lives have been transformed. People who were on a path to destruction, both spiritually and physically. My own pastor ran the streets of Philly performing the most heinous of crimes and offenses. Explain why, if not for the power of Christ would he fall to his knees one day as a 16 year-old on the corner of one of the roughest streets and declare his life in God's hands? Why would apostles such as Paul and Peter risk death and worse, severe torture to proclaim the gospel if not for the transforming power of Christ?

Just look at what happened to Paul ...

2Corithinians 11:
22What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

Why would he put himself through all these things? He was a leader in the Sanhedrin (the church leaders of the day). He had everything. He was born in the correct lineage, performed the correct rituals, was even a roman citizen. He threw it all away.

These transformations of character continue today. I can show you, including myself, people who have taken the mess they have done their lives and turned it around through Christ and their devotion to him.



Here's my story... (it's not as drastic as some)

I grew up in a church, a Lutheran church. Unfortunately I never heard the gospel, and therefore never had the chance to accept it. I was taught that if you beieved in God, were baptized, and led a good life, you would be accepted into heaven. This is simply untrue. My parents raised me with basic Christian morals, and I always managed to avoid drugs and excessive alcohol.

However, I lost my virginity at age 15. She and I had been dating for 6 months at the time. I feel into a relationship where in order to feel "loved" I needed to be sleeping with her. I masturbated almost everyday, sometimes multiple times. We had sex almost every day after school at her place before her mom came home.

To make matters worse, I was a Sunday school teacher at my church, being the youth group leader. Many times however, no one attended, so she and I were left in a room away from all other alone. I would sleep with her right on the church grounds. I'll spare you the details but from then time I was 15-18 we slept together in almost every imaginable place on the church grounds, save for the altar itself.

Around a year and a half into the relationship, she became addicted to sleeping with other people as well. This turned my already dependant self into an obsessive leech. I allowed her to run around with whomever she wanted, and I always took her back. Eventually, I grew a pair and broke up with her, returning from time to time for more sex.

Through college my sexual activity continued as much as your imagines might expect. However, I slept with no one until I met my wife. Several months into the relationship we started sleeping together. A full year and a half went by and I might the person through whom I accepted Christ. I had always known of Him, went to church, etc., but I never really dedicated myself to following him. My friend Todd brought me to the realization that this is what needed to happen.

That night, I went back to my dorm and told my wife to be what had happened and she said "I want that." and was thusly saved as well. From that day on, we became as spiritual virgins. Never again, until the day of our union did we sleep together. I stopped masturbation all together. In fact, I have been able to, through the power of Christ, eliminate all (excepting a few weak moments) aspects of sexual impurity. This includes lustful thoughts, looking at women, and masturbation. I have learned to "bounce my eyes" from things that would lead to lust, i.e. steamy TV shows (yes, even most commercials I cannot watch), magazine ads, ANYTHING that could even remotely lead me to fall.

Many of you might say "so what." Understand though, that sexual impurity had come to rule my thoughts and ultimately my life.

I am focusing on only the sexual aspect around my salvation. There are also the matters of foul language, deceit, pride (which I still stuggle with big time), and countless other aspects that have changed in me. And this has been only 5 years that I have been a believer.

Remember...
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Now, you show me. Show me someone who's live has been improved drastically through the wonderful power of atheism?


-Hikage

so like, u guys do a bunch of not cool shit, then say hey lets be religious and everything will be ok. we can do whatever shit we want, then as long as we say we beleive in god and ask for forgiveness it will be ok. yeah thats awesome bro. what ur telling me is how most religious peopel are just weak and bad people who need to latch on to this idea of being taken care of and being loved by some person or thing that isnt tangible in anyway, and may not even exist to feel better. hey if u need to latch on to some vague idea and let it run your life so u can feel better about yourself, thats cool. enjoy.

also about ur sex addiction problems, u didnt need christ for that, u needed some counceling and some therapy. hiding away those issues and trying to fight those urges really isnt a way of dealing with them. thats what all these priests do, they cannot come to terms with their sexuality so they become priests so they can hide their problems and they let it all build up inside and eventually they end up losing control and doing kids. btw, masturbation is normal. u saying that u have stopped masturbation completely makes me worry.i was in a sociology class and the professor was telling us how the only people who truly dont masturbate are serial killers. masturbation is such a normal part of life, u must be mentally fuked up if u have that much of a problem with it. instead of dealing with ur issues properly, u just hide them away and try to hold back ur urges, and then accept christ and assume everything is ok.

btw, i never said i was atheist. i have my own personal beliefs. i dont really know whats out there, so ima keep my options open. everyone lives and thinks differently and sees the world from a different perspective. thats why its rediculous for people to all worship the same way. why not just have ur own personal relationship with whatever greater power u beleive in. organized religion is some cult behavior shit, and its just so old school its time to move on, especially in this day in age. its like ma, the old way was fine for a while, but now theres a need to progress and move on.

the point i was trying to make was, we dont truly know whats out there, or what isnt. instead of having to rely on something that is or isnt there to make u feel better, and fix ur problems, u need to put more faith in yourself and your own abilities.

" faith alone wont sustain us anymore"

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

alright, yea, therapy, and help, thats all nesessary, cause theres no magic cure. but you need a foundation. and that is faith.

Jesus died so you dont have to suffer. theres no one who can do it on your own. your life can end in a second. and God is the only one that keeps you alive.

everybody needs somthing to stand on, and nobody is good enough to do it themselves. God is the one who gives us peace

emptyness, i dont expect you to get on your knees right now and repent, but do keep an open mind. maybe your screen name wouldnt be so true if you opened yourself up to God. theres no reason to be empty.

Holyman, talk to me or hikage if you think your ready. honestly man, i think a personal relationship with God would do you well. as it does everyone well.

hikage, i liked how you used scripture, and i think it was brave of you. God bless you bro'.

[EmptyneSs]

alright, yea, therapy, and help, thats all nesessary, cause theres no magic cure. but you need a foundation. and that is faith.

Jesus died so you dont have to suffer. theres no one who can do it on your own. your life can end in a second. and God is the only one that keeps you alive.

everybody needs somthing to stand on, and nobody is good enough to do it themselves. God is the one who gives us peace

emptyness, i dont expect you to get on your knees right now and repent, but do keep an open mind. maybe your screen name wouldnt be so true if you opened yourself up to God. theres no reason to be empty.

Holyman, talk to me or hikage if you think your ready. honestly man, i think a personal relationship with God would do you well. as it does everyone well.

hikage, i liked how you used scripture, and i think it was brave of you. God bless you bro'.

its not that i dont have an open mind bro. i went to catholic school all my life , ive seen both sides.

u say jesus died so we dont have to suffer? what exactly does that mean? people suffer everyday all over the world. i dont understand how u can say u love jesus when u dont even know him. its just a word, an idea thats been forced on u again and again. how can u truly love somoene u have never met, talked to, or gotten to know?

btw, its called "faith" because u dont really know if its there or not.

[Hikage]

its not that i dont have an open mind bro. i went to catholic school all my life , ive seen both sides.

Don't take this personally, but I've known too many people who went to catholic school. Who do you think encouraged me to start a sexual relationship with that girl?

u say jesus died so we dont have to suffer? what exactly does that mean? people suffer everyday all over the world. i dont understand how u can say u love jesus when u dont even know him. its just a word, an idea thats been forced on u again and again. how can u truly love somoene u have never met, talked to, or gotten to know?

btw, its called "faith" because u dont really know if its there or not.

Extremely good questions. I must apologize that I used terms like "suffering" w/o explaining myself. They are words that Christians typically use with each other because we know what we mean and too often forget that others aren't in on the lingo...

Issue on Suffering:
Jesus suffered. You'd have a hard time disproving that. He did it so that I do not have to suffer ETERNALLY.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[ 6:23 Or through] Christ Jesus our Lord.

I will not doubt that there is suffering on this planet. That is a result of the fall of man and how we have let sin creep into our lives. Before sin, there was no suffering. Read the result that has occured from sin:

Genesis 3
16 To the woman he said,

"I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;
with pain you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."

17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'

"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

Now, let's analyze this. The woman now will experience pain in childbearing. Of all the species, ours is by far the worse. A woman is laid up for hours, some times days before she gives birth. This is just not the case with any other animals. Furthermore, God sets forth the standard that men shall rule over women. (Ladies, you're not going to like this.) But women are to submit to their husbands...


Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Now the men...
Until this time, Adam could grow almost anything w/o problems. According to this passage we see the entrance of weeds and the promise that men will struggle to grow food for the table.

Furthermore, in other passages we see the entrance of diseases, Adam and Eve's own son will kill his brother, and the whole range of sins soon emerge. But, this was not God's origonal design. His plan involved us walking through the garden with him for all eterenity, never experiencing disease, hardship, or death.

Issue on Knowing Jesus:
You are absolutely correct. You do not know him, and therefore cannot love him.

John 10
26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

This is an interesting passage and requries some knowledge of the local culture. In most places around the world, shepherds follow the herds and boot the straglers into line. In Jerusalem, the shepherds actually lead the sheep, and call out to them. Unlike the hired hands who run when wolves come, the sheep trust these shepherds and will follow their voices.

Christians have an opportunity to know Jesus through prayer. Of course he does not answer us with a booming voice from heaven, but with practice you learn to understand what he is telling you. You begin to recognize how opportunities present themselves in ways that they would not normally. Also, you become aware of changes that happen in your heart.

For example, my wife and I have been praying for guidance on what to do about child care. We have been to several places around us, and turned them all down. We even went to one place that is the best in the county, has one several awards, has NAENCY certification (I think I spelled that right) and has a waiting list a mile long. We turned them down as well because we felt in our hearts that God did not want us there for whatever reason. We need daycare in less than a month and at this point have no leads. However, I'm not worried because He's never let us down before.

Every night before I go to bed, I open the Bible and I spend "time with God", as I call it. I read for an indefinite while, meditate on what I've read and learned, and then I spend time in prayer with God. I talk to him as I do a friend or even a spouse. I tell him what's happening in my life, and what's worrying me, even though I know he already knows and knows what I need. It is this quality time, coupled with the changes for good that I see He does for me in my life that increase my love for him. I was not brainwashed in Catholic school. Even though my parents are "Christians," I did not have a good model as a child when it comes to "time with God". You know what I did during Sunday School. This is something that I have learned since becoming a Christian. It is also a discipline that all believers should follow.

Issue on Faith:
Right. The origonal step is faith. Just like Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail, when he takes that step out over the huge pit inside the cavern. It's purely faith that something will stop his fall. But when he looks back, he can see that it's been there all the time.

Just to reiterate, that first step is faith, when you decide that you want God in your life and accept him as Lord. From there, God will prove himself to you and you will understand it as truth.

-Hikage

PS> All passages provided by bible.com and I encourage you to read the full context of each quote.

[Tom Yum]

the point i was trying to make was, we dont truly know whats out there, or what isnt. instead of having to rely on something that is or isnt there to make u feel better, and fix ur problems, u need to put more faith in yourself and your own abilities.

" faith alone wont sustain us anymore"

There's a difference between putting faith in something and working hard at something.

People take on their responsibilities. The bible talks about using your talents to earn a living, being rewarded for your labor, paying taxes. But this is not putting faith in yourself.

BTW, we're all guilty of sin, yes all of us. You shouldn't think that just because someone has acknowledged their sin, confessed and has taken up the Lord that they are suddenly free of temptation. We're imperfect.

Being righteous doesn't mean throwing insults at non-Chrisitians either, allthough some people seem to act this way. I'm not as good as a bible scholar as Hikeage, so I may need to search on the bible's definition of righteousness.

[jubaji]

i dont really know whats out there, so ima keep my options open. everyone lives and thinks differently and sees the world from a different perspective. thats why its rediculous for people to all worship the same way. why not just have ur own personal relationship with whatever greater power u beleive in. organized religion is some cult behavior shit, and its just so old school its time to move on, especially in this day in age. its like ma, the old way was fine for a while, but now theres a need to progress and move on.
"

...................................
Coward

[GrayGhost]

Hikage this is a forum about improving one's self. Not making one's self dependent on the man in the sky. You think by coming in here and running your mouth about something that probably only 50% of us believe in is going to convert us? (Black Baptist Preacher Voice) Gonna convert you sinners from your sinner ways. Gonna take you to heaven cause even if you're good person who does well you going to hell cause you gotta believe in jesus. Don't matter how good you are boy, gonna go to hell without jesus. If yo bad and believe, then we're sending you to heaven.

I don't like christian or religous people because they're afraid of death. They belong a cult who's whole purpose is to do good and act well so when they die, they go to a magical place in the sky. Everything they believe in leads up till the end, to death. But they're afraid of death. They fear death and what it might bring. By their logic, if you believe in jesus and follow his teaches then when you die you go to heaven (supposively a good place, don't know never been) and will eventually be reunite with your love ones as longs as they believe too. So what's the big deal about death? To you, death is your end, your purpose, your big pay off, death leads to heaven, the place you're working so hard to go. Why are you so chicken shit afraid of death? It's kinda paradox. I've never met a christian who wasn't afraid of death. But you arguement is you don't want to leave this place and all your love ones. Well you already know they'll be there when you die and if heaven is so great why care about this place. But no you're still afraid of death. You afraid of body hair to? Cause that's a natural process to. How about reproduction?

And yet here I sit, an agnostic, who has no fear of death, who accepts death. I don't ponder what will happen after death because it's impossible. Socrates wrote about that, read him and you'll know that it's impossible to know anything about something you don't know. I'd go on but I'm sure I'd only confuse.

The Bible? Please don't make me laugh. There are books that have been left out you know. You do know that right? The word of god transcribed by man, and some of the chapters purposely left out? Sounds kinda iffy to me. Man edited the word of his creator? Kinda sounds like those who wrote the bible only wanted you to know, what they wanted you to know. Sounds like, evenly logically, that you're only getting the half truth and only believe what they want you to believe. But it's still the bible, right? It's still has good verses and passages and truths right? It's still good, even if it's the half truth and has been edited and passed down and translated and ohh have you ever played that game telephone where at the end, your message sounds pretty f*cked up? I've learn more from reading Fight club, then I've ever learned from the bible. I've learned more about thinking about like and coming up with my oen conclusions then what others have told me. Think for yourself. Not about someone else.

[EmptyneSs]

Hikage this is a forum about improving one's self. Not making one's self dependent on the man in the sky. You think by coming in here and running your mouth about something that probably only 50% of us believe in is going to convert us? (Black Baptist Preacher Voice) Gonna convert you sinners from your sinner ways. Gonna take you to heaven cause even if you're good person who does well you going to hell cause you gotta believe in jesus. Don't matter how good you are boy, gonna go to hell without jesus. If yo bad and believe, then we're sending you to heaven.

I don't like christian or religous people because they're afraid of death. They belong a cult who's whole purpose is to do good and act well so when they die, they go to a magical place in the sky. Everything they believe in leads up till the end, to death. But they're afraid of death. They fear death and what it might bring. By their logic, if you believe in jesus and follow his teaches then when you die you go to heaven (supposively a good place, don't know never been) and will eventually be reunite with your love ones as longs as they believe too. So what's the big deal about death? To you, death is your end, your purpose, your big pay off, death leads to heaven, the place you're working so hard to go. Why are you so chicken shit afraid of death? It's kinda paradox. I've never met a christian who wasn't afraid of death. But you arguement is you don't want to leave this place and all your love ones. Well you already know they'll be there when you die and if heaven is so great why care about this place. But no you're still afraid of death. You afraid of body hair to? Cause that's a natural process to. How about reproduction?

And yet here I sit, an agnostic, who has no fear of death, who accepts death. I don't ponder what will happen after death because it's impossible. Socrates wrote about that, read him and you'll know that it's impossible to know anything about something you don't know. I'd go on but I'm sure I'd only confuse.

The Bible? Please don't make me laugh. There are books that have been left out you know. You do know that right? The word of god transcribed by man, and some of the chapters purposely left out? Sounds kinda iffy to me. Man edited the word of his creator? Kinda sounds like those who wrote the bible only wanted you to know, what they wanted you to know. Sounds like, evenly logically, that you're only getting the half truth and only believe what they want you to believe. But it's still the bible, right? It's still has good verses and passages and truths right? It's still good, even if it's the half truth and has been edited and passed down and translated and ohh have you ever played that game telephone where at the end, your message sounds pretty f*cked up? I've learn more from reading Fight club, then I've ever learned from the bible. I've learned more about thinking about like and coming up with my oen conclusions then what others have told me. Think for yourself. Not about someone else.

i agree with all that 100%.

[jubaji]

Hikage this is a forum about improving one's self. Not making one's self dependent on the man in the sky. You think by coming in here and running your mouth about something that probably only 50% of us believe in is going to convert us? .

But it's ok for damn fools like you to impose your beliefs (and randomly selected %s) on everyone? Why don't you keep your nonsense to yourself and serve as an example

[jubaji]

I don't like christian or religous people because they're afraid of death.

Don't kid yourself. Your fear is very clear in your own words. stfu

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

im not afraid of death, but i do believe theres somthing better out there for after i die. theres no problem with that.

anyway, this is getting to be really uncivil, and i dont think that was hikage's purpose for posting. i dont expect you emptyness or you grayghost to fall on your face right now and repent, but i do believe that if you took more time and examined christianity, you might find some things you agree with. and i wouldnt count catholic schools as exposure to christianity, my brother, and several friends of mine go to catholic school, and i will say that the majority of people there are not representative of christians.

[Hikage]

Well... pleased to meet you. I'm apparently the first Christian that does not fear death. And the salvation of those whom you have previously met is seriously suspect.

You're looking at it completely backwards. I do not fear death as the end, rather I look forward to it as a new beginning. Heaven is not about meeting up with loved ones. Actually, in heaven we won't even really care about our spouses when compared with that fact that we will be in God's presence. Instead, it will be about getting to know God and fellowshipping with him. His glory is so great that we will barely notice our loved ones. I cannot wait until this time but I know that I still have more to do here.

As far as the Bible goes. Are you aware that there are 80 early copies of the Socrates work to which you refer. There are over 4,000 copies of the Bible, plus the ones that have been taken out for very plausible reasons. The accuracy of the Bible cannot possibly be called into question by you since you have based your life philosophy on part of a book that is proved to be sooo far less reliable in terms of accuracy. And don't tell me you didn't, because you already stated you have.

-Hikage

[Tom Yum]

I don't like christian or religous people because they're afraid of death. They belong a cult who's whole purpose is to do good and act well so when they die, they go to a magical place in the sky. Everything they believe in leads up till the end, to death. But they're afraid of death. They fear death and what it might bring. By their logic, if you believe in jesus and follow his teaches then when you die you go to heaven (supposively a good place, don't know never been) and will eventually be reunite with your love ones as longs as they believe too. So what's the big deal about death? To you, death is your end, your purpose, your big pay off, death leads to heaven, the place you're working so hard to go. Why are you so chicken shit afraid of death? It's kinda paradox. I've never met a christian who wasn't afraid of death. But you arguement is you don't want to leave this place and all your love ones. Well you already know they'll be there when you die and if heaven is so great why care about this place. But no you're still afraid of death. You afraid of body hair to? Cause that's a natural process to. How about reproduction?

And yet here I sit, an agnostic, who has no fear of death, who accepts death. I don't ponder what will happen after death because it's impossible. Socrates wrote about that, read him and you'll know that it's impossible to know anything about something you don't know. I'd go on but I'm sure I'd only confuse.

The Bible? Please don't make me laugh. There are books that have been left out you know. You do know that right? The word of god transcribed by man, and some of the chapters purposely left out? Sounds kinda iffy to me. Man edited the word of his creator? Kinda sounds like those who wrote the bible only wanted you to know, what they wanted you to know. Sounds like, evenly logically, that you're only getting the half truth and only believe what they want you to believe. But it's still the bible, right? It's still has good verses and passages and truths right? It's still good, even if it's the half truth and has been edited and passed down and translated and ohh have you ever played that game telephone where at the end, your message sounds pretty f*cked up? I've learn more from reading Fight club, then I've ever learned from the bible. I've learned more about thinking about like and coming up with my oen conclusions then what others have told me. Think for yourself. Not about someone else.

Remember the story of David & Goliath? David was aware that Goliath could crush him with his brute strength and end his life. He put his faith in the Lord, picked up a rock and launched it really hard at Goliath's head. I don't know how often David practiced, but he must have been handy at launching rocks. He was calm minded when he approached Goliath and was confident that his faith wouldn't let him down. It didn't.

Remember "Saving Private Ryan"? Sure it was fiction. The sniper prayed each time before the Lord to give him the strength to use his skills. Anyone fighting in war faces the possibility of death, whatever the religion. There are probably thousands of veterans who survived that can talk about how their faith kept them going as bullets buzzed by their heads. There are probably thousands of soldiers today whom are stationed in very dangerous places, who keep a stronghold on their faith, but know that the next second could be the end of their life and accept that.

I've been told that Evander Hollyfield and his camp prayed very thoroughly before each bout. George Foreman too. Both men certainly had talent, but they had strong faith too. Both men lead successfull careers in the ring.

Just thought I'd chime in for what its worth. Faith in the Lord isn't about praying loudly in the streets so that others can see how glorious you are (again this is mentioned in the bible); its not about verbally attacking those who are non-believers (also mentioned); its not about naively thinking that if you don't ever pick up a ball, that faith will let you shoot 3 pointers.

Its about putting your life and trust in God. This doesn't mean you should just stop playing sports and expect yourself to get better because of faith. You get better because you practice; the bible says you reap what you sow, but you put your spiritual ownership in God's hands. This doesn't mean life will be easy (read Job - a faultless, millionaire who looses it all and develops cancer) but his faith and servitude helps him survive and thrive. For a non-biblical example, read about Lance Armstrong, the Olympic cyclist. Through faith in the Lord all things are possible.

OK, time to change subjects....

Hey Gray Ghost, have you started training in muaythai yet? How do you like it so far?

[EmptyneSs]

damn it must suck to be brainshwashed like u guys are, but mabye its not so bad since u guys dont even realize it.