Among Friends

[seaBreeze]

Plaid Pants,

You're right .... but look at the consequence if you're "wrong."  

[IamMrsG]

@Plaid Pants2

@goldensrbest

I believe God grants man free will.  We all have choice; however, our choices inevitably bring consequences.  

Goldensrbest, I extend sincere condolence, as much for a mother's pain as you watched your son endure such hardships, as for your losses.  I cannot offer reasons why your son was so affected in an accident caused by someone else's poor choices,  but commend you for your continued faith, trust and hope.  May God bless you for it.    --Mrs. G.

Edited to add: 

@sea breeze  It seems we were thinking alike.  

[goldensrbest]

Plaid pants, i think we as christains need to try,to bring others to the LORD.

[Puppy Lips]

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@SHIRAZ wrote:

I too am a non-believer.  I also keep this fact concealed from most people these days.  When I was young I was more vocal about it, but it only brought me grief from people judging me and trying to "save" me.  People argued with me endlessly because they could not comprehend that I am okay with not "knowing" what will happen to me after I die.  This seems to be the crux of the argument for religion - people want to be reassured that they will go someplace nice after they are dead.  While I may worry about the moments leading up to becoming dead, I don't worry at all about being dead.

Years ago I heard a wise person say "You don't worry about what you were before you were born, so why would you worry about what you will be after you die?"  This makes so much sense to me. I wish I could credit the source, but I don't know who said it. 

I would just reassure your dad that there is nothing to be anxious about.  Tell him that if he has lived a good life and is content with who he is, that he has done all that he can do.  Everything will be fine.  He does not need to embrace anyone else's "truth." 

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Our 26 year old son recently decided that he was an athiest. I am fine with that, because he is thinking about it and making up his own mind.  He had people tell him that he will then go to H*ll.  His response was, "Well I don't believe in H*ll."  That made me chuckle, because there is no comeback for that one!

[NoelSeven]

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@goldensrbest wrote:

Plaid pants, i think we as christains need to try,to bring others to the LORD.

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The way we have handled that for years has been a huge turnoff to people.  Our churches are declining in number.  It doesn't work when we try to force Christianity on others.  How we do it is simply to live our lives the best we can and to be there for others as Christ led by example.

That means first and foremost, taking care of the sick and the poor.

[NoelSeven]

Information on the sharp decline here.  Keep in mind, there is a reason this is happening.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/05/12/christianity-faces-sharp-decline-as-...

[chickenbutt]

Hi Noel!  You are sooooo right!  There is nothing that will push people away from religion more than being preached at.   

Puppy Lips - Yeah, I've been told that I'm going there, too.  I also have just said that I don't believe in it so I don't suppose I could be going  somewhere that doesn't exist.    I make every attempt to refrain from saying more. 

The thing is, we are good people too.   I hate how SOME decide that everybody who isn't just like them, or doesn't believe exactly what they believe is messed up or less than, or just plain evil and no good.   That's just so awful and wrong. 

How about we all just take our own path and leave others to take theirs, without judgment. 

[NoelSeven]

The worst thing IMO is to try to force others to live by our doctrine.  There has been a tremendous backlash against that.

Hi CB

[chickenbutt]

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NoelSeven wrote:

The worst thing IMO is to try to force others to live by our doctrine.  There has been a tremendous backlash against that.

Hi CB

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  You're one of the good ones. 

[GingerPeach]

chickenbutt wrote:

Hi Noel!  You are sooooo right!  There is nothing that will push people away from religion more than being preached at.   

Puppy Lips - Yeah, I've been told that I'm going there, too.  I also have just said that I don't believe in it so I don't suppose I could be going  somewhere that doesn't exist.    I make every attempt to refrain from saying more. 

The thing is, we are good people too.   I hate how SOME decide that everybody who isn't just like them, or doesn't believe exactly what they believe is messed up or less than, or just plain evil and no good.   That's just so awful and wrong. 

How about we all just take our own path and leave others to take theirs, without judgment. 

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                                       Exactly!