Are you - Religious - ??

[B_RoysToy]

I've read most of this thread's postings; I've encountered many thoughts, ideas, and beliefs which I feel merit replies, some presenting opposing positions and some extending a type of 'amen'.

I am religious, in that my spirituality demands the association with other believers, presenting to the world our stance on the side of God. I believe that can best be shown through participation in the church.

I do not believe God sent his son to earth to be crucified. I believe God sent his son to be an example to mankind and to show the way He intends us to live. I think had it not been for Adam and Eve giving into sin, there would have been no need for Jesus to be an example for us to follow. I do believe God knew that man's sinful nature would crucify His son, but I do not believe His knowing caused it to happen. I believe He permitted it to happen, as He permits hardships in our lives.

This permission was necessary because God gave humanity freedom to choose. Freedom of choice is necessary because we learn by trial and error. Often, we have to learn the hard way. If there were no choosing there would be no spiritual growth, which should be learned by making choices.

Ultimately God's will will prevail in all matters. Since sin interfered with God's intensions for the first humans, He sent Jesus so His ultimate will will be done, just in a different manner.

I believe all souls have the ability to love and I believe this love is God. I believe each soul has a purpose and this purpose can become known by each person who keeps a two-way communication through prayer with God and is open to God's directions.

I'm unaware of any other site on the internet which permits an expression of faith like this thread. Are you ready for another "I believe"? Well, I believe it speaks well of LPSG. My thanks to Mark and other moderators for a job well done! We love you.

Luke

 

[B_DoubleMeatWhopper]

[quote author=Tender link=board=99;num=1057179521;start=40#59 date=11/30/03 at 22:36:58]i try to live by the Book's words, not so and so's idea of the Book...
[/quote]

But that's all there is. When you try to live by the 'Book's words', you by necessity can only go by your idea of the Book. Or to be more precise, your idea of the idea of a translator of it, unless you can read Hebrew and Greek. Even the most devout literalists will disagree about what the Bible says because we all harbour interpretations based on personal views. That's part of being human. What you see in a Scriptural verse and what I see in the same verse is written in similar words, but it can mean something totally different to both of us.