Do you believe in God/a higher power?

[CuriousAboutWhatYouThink]

Not religion. I have no time for organised religion and the associated man made rules.

But do you believe in 'something'?

For context, my grandad was a CofE vicar but my parent rebelled against it and we were brought up broadly l in the religion (eg we celebrated main religious festivals like Easter and Christmas) but not as practising Christians and without a particular belief in God.

As an adult, I have friends of different faiths and none and it's something we have discussed from time to time. It's also something I used to discuss with my grandma who had a very strong belief in God but also believed the Bible until she became older when she still had a strong faith but admitted she thought the Bible was largely nonsense!

I suppose I've always felt that there is 'something' but I refer to it as the universe. I don't know, I always feel that there has been 'something' looking out for me.

That doesn't mean bad things have never happened because they have and religion/belief doesn't protect anyone from that. And it doesn't mean my life is anywhere near perfect because it's not. But the universe has always seemed to 'step in' when needed.

I don't know. I'm going through a tough time at the moment but I have a feeling everything will turn out to be OK because it always does.

Brilliant 😂

Hmmmm….. what about the ‘Christians’ who believe all this but behave in contradiction to what you’ve written and the atheists who behave really well purely because they’re decent people. What happens to them on judgement day?

Eh?

Quite. So many "Christians" don't see the irony in their comments, though.

Yeah, it's far more likely that a sky man did it.

Yes

Yes

And dogs. Iirc the Bible is not always very nice re dogs. Otoh what happens to Bad Dogs?

Matthew chapter 7 contains the often quoted “Judge not, lest you be judged.” It means that we should expect to be judged in the same manner as any judgement we pass on others - condemn someone else we should expect condemnation on us, for instance. It also contains the verse “remove the plank from your own eye”, so understand and treat our own faults before correcting anyone else’s faults. So Christians should not judge others by telling them they are condemned because they do not hold the same belief.
Instead, Christians should be compassionate towards everyone and live lives that are examples of Christian faith and teaching. Not judging others does not mean Christians should be blind to others’ faults and I take that to mean tell others what the Christian teaching is and let them make up their own minds, praying, of course, they become Christians, but not forcing them to do so.

As to what happens to the recipients of Christian teaching, read the parable of the sower (Mark chapter 4, verses 1-20; Matthew 13,1-23; Luke 8, 4-15) and the parable of the wheat and tares, Matthew 13, 24-30, where the wheat, those who satisfied God, go to Heaven and the tares, who did not satisfy God, go to Hell. That is God’s prerogative, not ours, certainly not mine. Obviously Christians want everyone to go to Heaven, so will pray everyone who hears Christian teaching becomes Christian and lives Christian lives, but we cannot, should not force them to. We are also free to decide whether to remain Christian or not, again an individual decision. Mine is to continue to try to be a good Christian.

Well indeed - dogs get a bad rap. Worse in Islam though I think.

And, back to cats, what happens if a virtuous owner has a bad cat? Maybe the cat killed another cat? Would that still end up in heaven to keep it's owner company?

Do hamsters get to go? Pet fish? My son had a pet Roman snail for a while. Will
he be in heaven? Is there a cut off? Mice yes, frogs no?

Do people really believe this stuff?

Yes. No. Maybe.

I’m happy with the Big Bang rather than creationism, but where did the stuff come from for the Big Bang? What was there before, where did it come from… ad infinitum. So a god-figure would fill that nicely- but then where did god come from, and what was there before…?

I’m not a smart enough bear to work it out, but I’m not plumping for ghosties as an easy way out. On balance I’m more of a no than a maybe.

eta recently had a significant, painful death in the family and not once considered my person is in heaven, they’re just gone. So I think I am a no.

😂

Well why not ? They're here aren't they ?

Apparently so.

Bonkers, really.

Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Mark 16:16 - "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

I'm not interested in nasty replies from minions of the devil, but these are the words in the bible. I haven't written them, they are there for all of us to obey and follow. I do not make the call on judgement day whether you up to heaven or down to hell. I try to follow the teachings and say my prayers nightly although am flawed like all sinners.

In Numbers 22:28-30, a donkey, enabled by God to speak, says to Balaam: “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” When Balaam responds that the donkey has made a fool of him, the donkey replies, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”

Balaam was a prophet motivated by greed who failed to see the angel of the Lord, while the donkey perceives the divine presence. This as a warning against spiritual blindness, pride, or disobedience. It suggests that humans can be so consumed by their own desires or agendas that they miss God’s clear guidance.
This is why attending church regularly is important as is reading your bible regularly. That is why I know I will see my dead family members again in heaven

I think though the teaching is aimed at actual sinners. Christians seem to have this idea though everyone is a sinner- this isn't true

I thought you were leaving 😂

Or couldn't you resist coming back to tell us how we'd all rot in hell? 👹

I strongly believe in a higher power and that death is not the end. I feel this deep in my bones.

however I don’t know why this higher power would let me suffer so at certain times in my life, and others.

I also despise the sanctimonious morality, repression, shame and guilt of organised religion.

but the universe, consciousness, life, nature, art, are all so beautiful and powerful and awe-inspiring that I find it impossible that everything is just random.

Whereas I love the fact that it's all random. Nature is a fantastic thing - we don't need to explain it away with random religions.

I’m not a sinner, have nothing to do with the devil (although is a good fancy dress outfit), don’t believe in heaven or hell, only go to church for weddings and funerals, am not baptised, won’t be following or obeying the bible - I’ve nothing to worry about, life is good!

Biblical teachings can only be understood by people of a higher intelligence. You wouldn't understand and I shall not be responding to you any further.

I’ve a 1st class honours degree and post grad qualifications . Am I not intelligent enough to understand?

Earthly qualifications don't mean much in the afterlife - spiritual intelligence matters.

I don’t believe in the afterlife.