What you have to decide is are we an ant farm, a computer simulation, or are we made in the image of God and are His children. Also, is God love or h**e. Each person has to decide what they believe.

Are you an ant living in an ant farm and when you've built your tunnels and nest, does God take delight in shaking it all up so you have to start over again?

Are you a computer simulation and are we living in a hologram? It's all make believe except for the pain and the love.

Are we God's children created in His image? It doesn't say angels were created in His image. Some of those guys are freaky and have four faces, wings, shine, and can shapeshift. You should know there is a spiritual unseen war going on in the heavens. There is also a real war being waged on Earth for the souls of mankind.

You have a limited amount of power you can access if you're obedient to God. You also have a limited amount of power if you are obedient to Lucifer. God promises that one day He will wipe away every tear and you will agree with how and why He did things the way He did. As a bonus for trusting Him, you get to see Him face to face and abide with Him forever. God makes eternal promises.

Lucifer can give you temporary powers that have an expiration date because he has already been judged and he is bound for the pit.

I don't know why the game is scheduled to last six thousand years plus a one thousand year millennium reign. But God does love that number seven for some reason. Maybe because that was the day He got to rest and everything was perfect for a little while.

Doubt all you want, but blame the bad stuff on Lucifer and give God credit for the good stuff. Your job whether you want it or not is to trust and obey. Do you want or need some joy? Help others without expecting anything in return.

We have only discovered one blue marble in the universe we can observe. We are the only game there is.
Eventually, this Earth will perish. By wars, pestilence, comet, or fire. If we're not living in a new heaven and a new Earth we are toast and you will never see your loved ones again much less Jesus or God. If God is real and can be trusted you don't want to be here after the rapture. Your choice. I believe there is only one safe space and that's in the loving arms of my creator and His begotten son, not Lucifer.

What you have to decide is are we an ant farm, a computer simulation, or are we made in the image of God and are His children. Also, is God love or h**e. Each person has to decide what they believe.

Are you an ant living in an ant farm and when you've built your tunnels and nest, does God take delight in shaking it all up so you have to start over again?

Are you a computer simulation and are we living in a hologram? It's all make believe except for the pain and the love.

Are we God's children created in His image? It doesn't say angels were created in His image. Some of those guys are freaky and have four faces, wings, shine, and can shapeshift. You should know there is a spiritual unseen war going on in the heavens. There is also a real war being waged on Earth for the souls of mankind.

You have a limited amount of power you can access if you're obedient to God. You also have a limited amount of power if you are obedient to Lucifer. God promises that one day He will wipe away every tear and you will agree with how and why He did things the way He did. As a bonus for trusting Him, you get to see Him face to face and abide with Him forever. God makes eternal promises.

Lucifer can give you temporary powers that have an expiration date because he has already been judged and he is bound for the pit.

I don't know why the game is scheduled to last six thousand years plus a one thousand year millennium reign. But God does love that number seven for some reason. Maybe because that was the day He got to rest and everything was perfect for a little while.

Doubt all you want, but blame the bad stuff on Lucifer and give God credit for the good stuff. Your job whether you want it or not is to trust and obey. Do you want or need some joy? Help others without expecting anything in return.

We have only discovered one blue marble in the universe we can observe. We are the only game there is.
Eventually, this Earth will perish. By wars, pestilence, comet, or fire. If we're not living in a new heaven and a new Earth we are toast and you will never see your loved ones again much less Jesus or God. If God is real and can be trusted you don't want to be here after the rapture. Your choice. I believe there is only one safe space and that's in the loving arms of my creator and His begotten son, not Lucifer.

The position you espouse is not enviable, JW, nor is it realistic.

May I assume you are writing on your modern technological wonder known as a computer in relative comfort in a location of your choice?

May I also assume you are at least moderately well clothed and well fed?

As you do not reference the Bible, nor do you quote one Scripture, may I inquire as to your frame of reference at either the Catholic or Baptist church... Surely, you did not learn about the God you reject solely by word of mouth or your own subjective, i.e., personal experience?

Personally, I find the refrain of "It's all God's fault." to be a cop-out, as you assume no responsibility whatsoever for your inability to find any beauty, joy or satisfaction in anything under the sun.

In this still free country, where you are able to find a Bible in almost any bookstore, or one free at the Salvation Army, if at sometime during your tedious existence, you had availed yourself of the Word of God, and read the book, beginning with Genesis, you might be better positioned to condemn God wholesale, for "His Creation, His initial plan for humanity, man's r*******n. God's subsequent plan for our redemption, His prophetic unveiling of the conditions we may expect in the future, and what the final outcome will be have all been made clear.

God has spelled it all out, with few surprises. He has also given us options. We were not created to be puppets. We have choices to make in life, of which some will be beneficial to us, others not so much.

I see that it is only the rest of mankind who are to keep their "personal belief's private," while you exercise your freedom to post yours here on the internet where, theoretically, the entire world can view them.

This "standard of open-mindedness" you believe you are displaying and which you demand of the rest of us requires further clarification

It is precisely a matter of personal conviction that leads to any degree of belief, i.e. reaching
a conclusion in any matter.

The "mere difference in point of view, or of information possessed, or of t***sient uncertainties" you list as
alternatives to conviction in reaching conclusions are variables dealt with every day in every individual's life.

Our point of view on a matter, for instance, our world view, adjusts to any input of new information, and is temporarily suspended only until we acquire answers that resolve our "t***sient uncertainties."

As the only reality you name in your past life is Christianity, you might examine the fact that there are millions of Christians in the United States, and it is possible their members possess an understanding you have lost, as their loyalty would presumably be short lived were they not being mentally, emotionally and/or spiritually rewarded.

My own profound faith in the Triune Creator God of Israel, God the Father, God the Son - Jesus Christ, and God, the Holy Spirit has never been shaken, for throughout a lifetime that has never been easy, God has never forsaken me.

"Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

This does not mean God will allow you to win the Lottery, or provide you a chauffeured Limousine, but
he will listen. He is God. We are not. God is not running a democracy.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."(Isaiah 1:18-20)

Being sincere availeth a man little, if sincerely wrong.

You can continue to rail against God, or you can make your peace with Him though Jesus Christ, our advocate with God the Father.

Excellent! That's one of the best summaries I could come up with myself. But people will still argue with you. One question I have is how long do we sleep in the earth before the day of judgement? All those Souls under the altar of God? The souls that believe in God who were tortured in life on this Earth. I guess we will find out with time. What I really look forward to is God's secrets on how he created the universe. He is the greatest creator, scientist, and supreme ruler. Using supernovas to create elements to be used in other worlds for specific purposes. Like Water for instance. Both water and gold are created side-by-side in a supernova during the explosion. Our scientists already found this one out.

The position you espouse is not enviable, JW, nor is it realistic.

May I assume you are writing on your modern technological wonder known as a computer in relative comfort in a location of your choice?

May I also assume you are at least moderately well clothed and well fed?

As you do not reference the Bible, nor do you quote one Scripture, may I inquire as to your frame of reference at either the Catholic or Baptist church... Surely, you did not learn about the God you reject solely by word of mouth or your own subjective, i.e., personal experience?

Personally, I find the refrain of "It's all God's fault." to be a cop-out, as you assume no responsibility whatsoever for your inability to find any beauty, joy or satisfaction in anything under the sun.

In this still free country, where you are able to find a Bible in almost any bookstore, or one free at the Salvation Army, if at sometime during your tedious existence, you had availed yourself of the Word of God, and read the book, beginning with Genesis, you might be better positioned to condemn God wholesale, for "His Creation, His initial plan for humanity, man's r*******n. God's subsequent plan for our redemption, His prophetic unveiling of the conditions we may expect in the future, and what the final outcome will be have all been made clear.

God has spelled it all out, with few surprises. He has also given us options. We were not created to be puppets. We have choices to make in life, of which some will be beneficial to us, others not so much.

I see that it is only the rest of mankind who are to keep their "personal belief's private," while you exercise your freedom to post yours here on the internet where, theoretically, the entire world can view them.

This "standard of open-mindedness" you believe you are displaying and which you demand of the rest of us requires further clarification

It is precisely a matter of personal conviction that leads to any degree of belief, i.e. reaching
a conclusion in any matter.

The "mere difference in point of view, or of information possessed, or of t***sient uncertainties" you list as
alternatives to conviction in reaching conclusions are variables dealt with every day in every individual's life.

Our point of view on a matter, for instance, our world view, adjusts to any input of new information, and is temporarily suspended only until we acquire answers that resolve our "t***sient uncertainties."

As the only reality you name in your past life is Christianity, you might examine the fact that there are millions of Christians in the United States, and it is possible their members possess an understanding you have lost, as their loyalty would presumably be short lived were they not being mentally, emotionally and/or spiritually rewarded.

My own profound faith in the Triune Creator God of Israel, God the Father, God the Son - Jesus Christ, and God, the Holy Spirit has never been shaken, for throughout a lifetime that has never been easy, God has never forsaken me.

"Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

This does not mean God will allow you to win the Lottery, or provide you a chauffeured Limousine, but
he will listen. He is God. We are not. God is not running a democracy.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."(Isaiah 1:18-20)

Being sincere availeth a man little, if sincerely wrong.

You can continue to rail against God, or you can make your peace with Him though Jesus Christ, our advocate with God the Father.

What you have to decide is are we an ant farm, a computer simulation, or are we made in the image of God and are His children.
Why do I have to decide any of it, does it keep me warm at night or put food on the table for my family…or is it nonsense that you came with after being on life longer drug induced bender?
Also, is God love or h**e. Each person has to decide what they believe.
Again why, what if I believe in Vishnu? What if I don’t believe in any kind of a supernatural being. The choice is simple: I don’t believe in anything but me.

Are you an ant living in an ant farm and when you've built your tunnels and nest, does God take delight in shaking it all up so you have to start over again?
See my remarks above, but is this some kind intellectual argument that relates to a sociological experiment? Life is all about starting over, once it ends, you’re dead.

Are you a computer simulation and are we living in a hologram? It's all make believe except for the pain and the love.
WHAT????

Are we God's children created in His image? It doesn't say angels were created in His image. Some of those guys are freaky and have four faces, wings, shine, and can shapeshift. You should know there is a spiritual unseen war going on in the heavens. There is also a real war being waged on Earth for the souls of mankind.
This is gonna get kind of rhetorical: but provide your scriptural basis for this crystal meth induced gibberish

You have a limited amount of power you can access if you're obedient to God.
John 14:14
King James Version:
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Darby Bible T***slation:
If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
World English Bible:
If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Young's Literal T***slation:
if ye ask anything in my name I will do it. NOPE
You also have a limited amount of power if you are obedient to Lucifer.
…you were a Satanist for a while, until you came back to Christ, LOL. At this point how do I choose?

God promises that one day He will wipe away every tear and you will agree with how and why He did things the way He did. As a bonus for trusting Him, you get to see Him face to face and abide with Him forever. God makes eternal promises.
This is gonna get kind of rhetorical: but provide your scriptural basis for this hippy induced gibberish

Lucifer can give you temporary powers that have an expiration date because he has already been judged and he is bound for the pit.
Life is temporary, so again it’s a toss-up LOL

I don't know why the game is scheduled to last six thousand years plus a one thousand year millennium reign. But God does love that number seven for some reason. Maybe because that was the day He got to rest and everything was perfect for a little while.
This is gonna get kind of rhetorical: but provide your scriptural basis for this crystal meth induced gibberish

Doubt all you want, but blame the bad stuff on Lucifer and give God credit for the good stuff. Your job whether you want it or not is to trust and obey. Do you want or need some joy? Help others without expecting anything in return.
You haven’t made any compelling arguments and your other Kristian buddies definitely need to work on their delivery. I have no reason to fear the unknown, I can only work on aspects of my character by being confrontational. Fear mongering isn’t going to fix the unknown or unknowable.

We have only discovered one blue marble in the universe we can observe. We are the only game there is.
….and bearing that in mind, since hoping and praying hasn’t fixed anything. Why don’t WE THE PEOPLE sit down and put our heads together instead hiding behind the bible, belief, faith, theology, mysteries…

Eventually, this Earth will perish. By wars, pestilence, comet, or fire. If we're not living in a new heaven and a new Earth we are toast and you will never see your loved ones again much less Jesus or God.
Instead of trusting in the unknowable... Why don’t WE THE PEOPLE sit down and put our heads together instead hiding behind the bible, belief, faith, theology, mysteries…
If God is real and can be trusted you don't want to be here after the rapture. Your choice. I believe there is only one safe space and that's in the loving arms of my creator and His begotten son, not Lucifer.
Your final argument is the same argument people make when choosing to buy a lottery ticket-Some body has to win-Funny, if you buy one ticket or no tickets the odds of winning are about the same. The reason I say that is because YOU SAID: IF God is REAL. Wow that ruined it. You were almost on to something.

I was born Catholic, raised Baptist and grew up devoutly religious; saved, born again, and a frequent leader of the Sunday evening service at our church. Today, I am agnostic.

Former church-mates of mine are quite certain that I could not have been sincere if I am truly agnostic today. I have assured them, and now you, that I was as sincere then as I am now and I am as sincere as I can possibly be.

There may be a God, I don’t know, but the characterizations of God currently celebrated on planet Earth are pure fiction in my view.

Why do I say such a thing? Firstly, if God can truly do anything, why would He design a universe that cannibalizes itself at every level. Why would any omnipotent being create a system in which His greatest creations can only exist by destroying His other creations? The sadism in that design says nothing positive about a universal creator.

Secondly, if God is truly omniscient, knows all, past, present, future, He would have known from the very beginning of the pain and terror felt by every prey species and every mistreated child throughout the history of His Creations. Once again, the sadism in that behavior says nothing positive about such a universal creator.

Thirdly, if God really is omnipresent as advertised, He is an ever-present witness to all of the pain and agony, torture and death, loss and grief that He has designed into His creations. Finally, the sadism in that voyeuristic proposition says nothing positive about such a universal creator.

I do not object to anyone’s personal beliefs so long as they remain personal. I do not discourage any from their beliefs. I don’t know if it is possible to exist as a society without some omnipotent father figure somewhere in the mix. The current devaluation of the strong father archetype is having some very unfortunate and profound impacts on our ability to maintain and operate a civilized society. That is another of what I view as failures in the design.

It is not my goal here to attack or promote any belief. It is my intention to present an argument for open-mindedness. I know that is a difficult standard to maintain. It requires a constant review of one’s own feelings and information bases. It is not always a matter of conviction that leads us to separate conclusions. Sometimes it is merely a difference in point of view, or of information possessed, or of t***sient uncertainties.