[E-DOG]

rue2you, on Jul 15 2009, 03:08 PM, said:

.
It is a wonder to me that people can cuss, talk about crude things and talk about uselessly wasting your life with liquor and nobody ever says anything. But when someone openly tells you what has helped them - my faith in Jesus Christ - then Jesus gets slammed.
Slamming me is fine but let's leave God out of the slamfest.
I truly hope that you find peace.

rue2you, from here on I'm gonna try to quit gettin' so liquored up n' cussin' an' slammin' ol' jeesus 'n stuff.
And I fer one would love to hear about how your faith in the lord has helped you so.

thanx,
E

[rue2you]

Thank you E-Dog for your kind reply. There are so many things that you say on this forum that make me belly chuckle right out loud! You are quiet a talented writer. I would be happy to tell you about how my faith has helped me.

First of all, I think that faith is not a magic potion and I don't think it has to do with all this "TV-let-you-touch-my-hankie" and you will be healed stuff. Believe it or not, I don't get into that stuff. My faith is in Jesus Christ - not a man who says he can heal me if I touch the TV screen.

Secondly, it comes down to if you believe the Bible or not. I don't cram my beliefs down people's throats. That is one sure way of making them throw it right back up. I prefer to live an honest (though not perfect) life in front of them, and take any opportunities to share Jesus with them if they show an interest. So, I have chosen to have faith in the Bible - God's words that He has for man. If I can't have faith in this, then there is no reason to go any further because everything that I will learn about God and life is written in the Bible. For me, I have chosen that I do believe the Bible and therefore, have decided to find out what it says about God, about me, and about life.

Finally, how has my faith in the Lord helped me? Well, I believe that God created me for a purpose. I also believe He is my Heavenly Father who loves me as His child. I know that I would not do anything to hurt my children and I can't even love them with a perfect love like God loves me. I do not believe that God is waiting up in Heaven with lightning bolts ready to strike and hurt us. So...if something "bad" has come into my life (paralysis, poor health, a death in the family, etc.) then it is not because God hates me and is trying to jerk me around. It is because He is working a greater good in my life. Just like I would not let my children live on candy and pop. I make them eat their veggies - not because I don't like them and I enjoy flexing my mommy muscles, but because I am trying to work towards a greater good for them. Sometimes, that may even mean letting them go through a trial to help them. For example, would I let my child play in the street? No, because of the damage that could occur to them. If they get in the street, they will be punished so that they will learn not to play in the street. They will not like the punishment and will probably think I don't love them. But in reality, it is because I love them so very much that I am willing for them to go through something hard to help them down the road. I believe that when things happen in our lives, God takes those things - whether good or bad - and wants to use them to help us be better people and accomplish a greater work in our lives. I am afraid that many times we do not let Him because we get angry and cannot understand. This is a human emotion to question, but God is not human therefore we cannot try to think as He thinks. His ways our higher than our ways, so that is when it comes down to faith. I KNOW that God loves me, I KNOW that He created me for a special purpose, I KNOW that good and bad things happen to good and bad people, I KNOW that He has allowed this in my life for a reason, and I KNOW that I want to allow Him to use this to help me live to the greater purpose that I know that He has for me by allowing this to come into my life.

This is how my faith has helped me. The days I start to get frustrated (and I do), the days that are hard (and they exist), the days that I want to question why (and I have) are the days that I fall back on my faith in God - that He will help me get through it because He is using it somehow. I hold on to that and trust that. It helps me change my focus and attitude to a bigger picture than myself. God has become even more real to me through all of this. Because where before, I believed in Him and loved Him, but I am very independent and self-sufficient. This has shaken my world and I have needed God so desperately to be real to me and help me and He really has.

Some would say this is just a crutch but I don't think so . All the other crutches in life (alchohol, drugs, sex, etc) leave you still so empty inside. But having a relationship with God does not. I truly am so happy and full inside. I really don't know how people go through this without the Lord.

I have not written all of this to fuss or fight. I have just truly spoken from my heart and anyone can take it or leave it. Like I said before, I don't push this on anyone. It has just been a wonderful thing for me.

E-Dog, I really appreciate your response and whether you agree with me or not won't upset me. I still want to be your friend.

[E-DOG]

rue,
If you choose to cling to a theistic belief system then by golly you go for it! I know that christians do indeed derive benefits from their beliefs.
I also know that it is virtually impossible to change their minds about said beliefs. The benefits derived are too great.

Perfectly logical, straightforward people who use deductive reasoning to solve day to day problems will put aside logic and allow emotions to make decisions for them when it comes to spirituality. Why not. They see the beni's, and that's good enough for them.

BUT. All the cool stuff ya get from believing in some supernatural, invisible entity don't come from the entity itself. They come from the belief of said entity.
The act of believing. The act.

Which tells us what?

That god or jesus or whatever DOESN'T need to exist to derive said benefits.

That's all I would suggest.

If it works for you, then go for it! Believe all you want. Please keep it out of my kid's schools, my government.
I appreciate your not pushing it on me. Some here are more prone to proselytize than you. They are the one's who piss me off.
I've always been an agnostic. When I got out of rehab I moved in with a lady who tried to force christianity down my throat all day long for six months.
All she ended up doing was turn me into an atheist.

After doing a little research I made the decision to become a rather militant atheist at that. I do not like the people in my government who make the laws I must abide by use the bible to help them decide what I should do.

Anyway, gotta go, thanx for your time.

E

[Hikkakaru]

rue2you, on Jul 15 2009, 02:08 PM, said:

Dear Geek 1,
I don't want you to think that I was being callous in any way to your feelings. We all have had feelings and will continue to and sorting through them is part of the process.
It is a wonder to me that people can cuss, talk about crude things and talk about uselessly wasting your life with liquor and nobody ever says anything. But when someone openly tells you what has helped them - my faith in Jesus Christ - then Jesus gets slammed.
Slamming me is fine but let's leave God out of the slamfest.
I truly hope that you find peace.

I find this statement to ignore one of the simplest truths in life.

Of all the things Religion is, it's definitely never joking.


Maybe the reason behind the persecution of people whom preach the Lord is caused more by the fact that we all know E-DOG's a cynic, and at times a liar for the sake of comedic relief, whilst on the other hand we know that everything we read from you that has been typed is believed by you, one hundred percent wholeheartedly. It's much easier to tolerate someone who is using obvious satire as a comedic reference, than to tolerate the crusader in the room telling you that he knows right from wrong.

Personally, it's a wonder to me that people in modern day society can listen to the 'Celestial Teapot' analogy and refute every word of it.

This post has been edited by Hikkakaru: 22 July 2009 - 09:59 AM

[twisted_ophelia]

What's amazing to me is how many people become holy rollers AFTER their injuries.... suddenly they find God, Jesus, whoever, and start preaching to others how wonderful Jesus is, how they've been saved, and Jesus put them in the chair to spread some kind of special message. Um, ok. Whatever floats your boat, I suppose. I've always believed in to each his own. Believe in what you want, just don't shove it down my throat.

[Yasko]

twisted_ophelia, on Jul 22 2009, 10:36 AM, said:

What's amazing to me is how many people become holy rollers AFTER their injuries.... suddenly they find God, Jesus, whoever, and start preaching to others how wonderful Jesus is, how they've been saved, and Jesus put them in the chair to spread some kind of special message. Um, ok. Whatever floats your boat, I suppose. I've always believed in to each his own. Believe in what you want, just don't shove it down my throat.

P.S. "Too Stupid to Understand Science? Try Religion."

[E-DOG]

Yasko, on Jul 22 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

P.S. "Too Stupid to Understand Science? Try Religion."

OH Yasko.
Yasko, Yasko, Yasko.
Such a bad man. A very bad man!
C U N church, mi amigo!

E

[Illinois Boy]

E-DOG, on Jul 22 2009, 05:51 PM, said:

Yasko, on Jul 22 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

P.S. "Too Stupid to Understand Science? Try Religion."

OH Yasko.
Yasko, Yasko, Yasko.
Such a bad man. A very bad man!
C U N church, mi amigo!

E

Leave them Alter boys alone, E-DOG......
Jim

[twisted_ophelia]

E-DOG, on Jul 22 2009, 06:51 PM, said:

Yasko, on Jul 22 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

P.S. "Too Stupid to Understand Science? Try Religion."

OH Yasko.
Yasko, Yasko, Yasko.
Such a bad man. A very bad man!
C U N church, mi amigo!

E

I told you we have a date in church, E, right in the first pew. Me and you are going to be having a little chit chat with Suhweet Jeezus and the saints.

[Yasko]

E-DOG, on Jul 22 2009, 03:51 PM, said:

Yasko, on Jul 22 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

P.S. "Too Stupid to Understand Science? Try Religion."

OH Yasko.
Yasko, Yasko, Yasko.
Such a bad man. A very bad man!
C U N church, mi amigo!

E

Threesome?

[qbounce]

Religion helps addicts stay sober, helps once incarcerated men lead clean lives, and it also helps others find solice in an otherwise chaotic world.

We all believe in something. The right to choose. The right to pick my teetth on the bus. The right to put vodka in my morning coffee at work. Even the right to have an oligarical belief system.

No one here has, as far as I can see, pushed their beliefs on others. Although many find an oblgiation to incorporate their beliefs into their posts, which is also their right.

Tolerance is an exercise that needs practice, especially on a support site.

This post has been edited by qbounce: 23 July 2009 - 02:29 PM

[Yasko]

qbounce, on Jul 23 2009, 07:26 AM, said:

Religion helps addicts stay sober, helps once incarcerated men lead clean lives, and it also helps others find solice in an otherwise chaotic world.

We all believe in something. The right to choose. The right to pick my teetth on the bus. The right to put vodka in my morning coffee at work. Even the right to have an oligarical belief system.

No one here has, as far as I can see, pushed their beliefs on others. Although many find an oblgiation to incorporate their beliefs into their posts, which is also their right.

Tolerance is an exercise that needs practice, especially on a support site.

I respect your post and your opinion Q, and I wish I could have more tolerance for organised religion, but I don't have it anymore, since "some" are still pushing their beliefs on others on daily basic! I've had it and I refuse to stay quiet and ignorant! It my right to do so and I'll exercise it, whether others like or not!

[rue2you]

Like I said to E-Dog in my reply to him (which he asked me for), I do not want to fuss or fight. I don't need to. You either believe or you don't. It's that simple. For me, I believe and therefore I need no one to convince me of anything. Those on this forum that are also believers, will know exactly what I am talking about, and those who do not, then that is their call and they wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about anyway.

I, personally, don't criticize atheists or those who do not want anything to do with God on this forum. I thought this was a place for paralyzed people to find support. I am sure there are lots of forums where religion and politics can be disputed. I just think that if as a Christian, I don't give you a hard time when you expose your atheistic beliefs, then you should give me the same respect. Especially since I haven't been pushy with my beliefs.

I only originally mentioned anything on this thread because Geek1 mentioned the Bible and faith in his original question. Also, just for the record, I did not "find" God after this happened. I have been a Christian since I was a little girl and have always tried to live for the Lord and bring Him glory in my life. I only meant that since this has happened, my love has deepened for the Lord because this is the hardest thing I have ever been through and He has been through it with me. For that, I love Him even more because I have needed Him more and He has been there for me.

God is very real to me, and so is my faith. It is my choice and everyone is entitled to their own choices. But I will never be ashamed of what I believe in.

[Yasko]

rue2you, on Jul 23 2009, 08:09 AM, said:

Like I said to E-Dog in my reply to him (which he asked me for), I do not want to fuss or fight. I don't need to. You either believe or you don't. It's that simple. For me, I believe and therefore I need no one to convince me of anything. Those on this forum that are also believers, will know exactly what I am talking about, and those who do not, then that is their call and they wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about anyway.

I, personally, don't criticize atheists or those who do not want anything to do with God on this forum. I thought this was a place for paralyzed people to find support. I am sure there are lots of forums where religion and politics can be disputed. I just think that if as a Christian, I don't give you a hard time when you expose your atheistic beliefs, then you should give me the same respect. Especially since I haven't been pushy with my beliefs.

I only originally mentioned anything on this thread because Geek1 mentioned the Bible and faith in his original question. Also, just for the record, I did not "find" God after this happened. I have been a Christian since I was a little girl and have always tried to live for the Lord and bring Him glory in my life. I only meant that since this has happened, my love has deepened for the Lord because this is the hardest thing I have ever been through and He has been through it with me. For that, I love Him even more because I have needed Him more and He has been there for me.

God is very real to me, and so is my faith. It is my choice and everyone is entitled to their own choices. But I will never be ashamed of what I believe in.

Good for you! I respect your believe and I expect in return the same. As long as we understand each other there will be tolerance!

[rue2you]

Sounds good to me Yasko (and thank you!)

[E-DOG]

I will have NO TOLERANCE for intolerance of any kind.
Except for Christians and Atheists and those who will not tolerate either. Or both.
Do I make myself clear?

Now let's not obfuscate what is obviously perspicuous.
Nor shall we render recondite that which ain't.

Simple enough?
Thank you for your cooperation.

And Dave? Let's put that cigarette out before you hurt yourself. Think of those around you. And good talking to you earlier.

E

[Yasko]

E-DOG, on Jul 23 2009, 04:59 PM, said:

I will have NO TOLERANCE for intolerance of any kind.
Except for Christians and Atheists and those who will not tolerate either. Or both.
Do I make myself clear?

Now let's not obfuscate what is obviously perspicuous.
Nor shall we render recondite that which ain't.

Simple enough?
Thank you for your cooperation.

And Dave? Let's put that cigarette out before you hurt yourself. Think of those around you. And good talking to you earlier.

E

DAD-DIDDLY-DING-DANG-GUMMIT!