Larry the Legend wrote:
Never 'argue' religion. There's no real 'proof' either way. There's no way to win an argument you can't prove empirically, so why bother?
I have to disagree with that. That's like saying the Constitution isn't worth defending.
People twist scriptures just like they twist the law. To suit themselves. I can't know every law on the books because they are always making new laws and I'm not a judge or a lawyer. That's why I always vote for who I believe is the most sincere and honest person with a backbone, but you can never really know or understand another person fully even when you're married to them or sired them.
People you've known and loved all your life can suddenly and completely turn on you for legit or frivolous reasons. The only thing that gives me comfort is the scriptures. One day all will be set right. My job is to put God first and love others as myself. All the law hangs on these two Commandments. The Ten Commandments are not suggestions, no one has kept them all their lives except one person. That's why Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for the world's sin problem. He came as the suffering Messiah and will return as the Lion of Judah with an iron rod.
I don't care what the Pope, rabbi's, or any pastor says that is different. They are just mere men like me and my opinion is just as valid as theirs. I think that makes me who I am. Each person is responsible for their own actions. I can't atone for their sins and they can't atone for mine. Evil leaders and people suffer. Righteous leaders and they are blessed.
I won't murder to get my land back but I will go to my death before I give the government another dollar that murders a baby. That's a personal decision and on me. Break into my home, let me catch you raping a person and I'll kill you graveyard dead. That's just me and I'll face the repercussions with my head up and unashamed.
The bottom line is life is all about the choices you make and don't make. I chose Jesus. If I'm wrong I'm wrong but I don't think I'm wrong and that's not going to change. Torture me and I may say I deny Him but in my heart, I never will. I've never been tested that severely, so I don't know if I'm that strong. But He who lives within me promises to be with me. I trust that promise.
I don't force anyone to believe as I do. Persuade yes, force no. If you have to use force, you have already lost the battle for hearts and minds. I'm not a bully and I'm not a wimp, I'm a Christian and an American and I'll never be perfect on this side of eternity.
Creation proves there is a God even without the Bible. It also proves He loves us all. I sometimes wish I was never born. Heaven or hell, it doesn't get heavier than that. But, if I make it to Heaven it's worth all the pain and suffering. Death is just a door that says times up, turn in your test papers for grading. Just my opinion.