Do you Believe in God ?
Don't cut/pasta from google just your personal thoughts Please
31-35, F
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4meAndyou 路 F
I had an interesting conversation with my occupational therapist two weeks ago while she was working on my hand and wrist.
I was telling her about this site, and telling her about a friend of mine who blocked me because I told her there are about a hundred versions of the Bible...and earlier she had actually hounded me or trolled me a bit because I would not come out and say definitively that ONLY those who believe in Jesus Christ can come before the Father, God.
My therapist said to me, "You sound like a Universalist." I explained to her that I WAS a Universalist, (Unitarian), at one time, both in my teens and briefly again, as an adult, and that I believe God really loves ALL his children SO much that he will not cast any of them aside because of their religion or their beliefs. I explained that I had to leave that church because I am not capable of the infinite forgiveness which God shows to us.
One day, I sat there during service and listened to the young teenagers come forward and speak about their coming of age in the Universalist church...and this young boy got up and spoke about the fact that he was an atheist...and that in no church of his imagining except this one could he find acceptance...and I felt as though I was in the wrong place, immediately. I never went back.
One thing I found I could NOT accept in my own church was a denial that God or some sort of higher being exists at all. In my heart of hearts, no matter how loving and accepting I wish to be, I can NOT accept a person who would deny that God exists...or that a higher being exists. And I could not accept a church which would allow its young to be so taught.
I also feel that the Democrats whom I saw briefly on television last night, who sickened me, were just the same. They were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and quite deliberately removed the word, "UNDER GOD". I do not forgive that. And I hope God will forgive ME for that attitude. I know that He even loves THEM. 馃槣
I was telling her about this site, and telling her about a friend of mine who blocked me because I told her there are about a hundred versions of the Bible...and earlier she had actually hounded me or trolled me a bit because I would not come out and say definitively that ONLY those who believe in Jesus Christ can come before the Father, God.
My therapist said to me, "You sound like a Universalist." I explained to her that I WAS a Universalist, (Unitarian), at one time, both in my teens and briefly again, as an adult, and that I believe God really loves ALL his children SO much that he will not cast any of them aside because of their religion or their beliefs. I explained that I had to leave that church because I am not capable of the infinite forgiveness which God shows to us.
One day, I sat there during service and listened to the young teenagers come forward and speak about their coming of age in the Universalist church...and this young boy got up and spoke about the fact that he was an atheist...and that in no church of his imagining except this one could he find acceptance...and I felt as though I was in the wrong place, immediately. I never went back.
One thing I found I could NOT accept in my own church was a denial that God or some sort of higher being exists at all. In my heart of hearts, no matter how loving and accepting I wish to be, I can NOT accept a person who would deny that God exists...or that a higher being exists. And I could not accept a church which would allow its young to be so taught.
I also feel that the Democrats whom I saw briefly on television last night, who sickened me, were just the same. They were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and quite deliberately removed the word, "UNDER GOD". I do not forgive that. And I hope God will forgive ME for that attitude. I know that He even loves THEM. 馃槣
leowander 路 M
@4meAndyou The Unitarian Universalists are a cult I have read about in reference books. They are a body of unbelievers who have various beliefs. God has provided only one means of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. You can find a church where the congregation is united in that belief and find fellowship among true believers in the Messiah.
4meAndyou 路 F
@leowander The Jews ostracized the early Christians, as did the Emperors of Rome, claiming they were a [b]cult[/b].
NO where did I mention my personal beliefs, above, other than to state that at one time I felt that God's love and forgiveness was SO infinite...SO massive...that He could forgive anything. I still do.
The Catholic church believes that...now. Saint Faustina had a vision, and wrote about it in her journal. Basically she said that God can forgive anyone...for anything...if they have a contrite heart. The Catholics have a feast day now, where those who wish to come back may go to confession, and then attend Mass and receive communion the following day.
One of my cousins told me that my other cousin, whom I love very much, belonged to a [b]cult[/b]. It was said with such contempt and hatred in her tone...and probably in her mind...that I knew whatever was coming forth from her...(possibly from you as well?)...had absolutely nothing to do with the loving nature of God.
The mind of God is huge...so is His love...and His capacity for understanding His children, their cultures, and their societies is tremendous. He can't be encompassed by one book. He can't be contained in a box, and He can't be explained.
NO where did I mention my personal beliefs, above, other than to state that at one time I felt that God's love and forgiveness was SO infinite...SO massive...that He could forgive anything. I still do.
The Catholic church believes that...now. Saint Faustina had a vision, and wrote about it in her journal. Basically she said that God can forgive anyone...for anything...if they have a contrite heart. The Catholics have a feast day now, where those who wish to come back may go to confession, and then attend Mass and receive communion the following day.
One of my cousins told me that my other cousin, whom I love very much, belonged to a [b]cult[/b]. It was said with such contempt and hatred in her tone...and probably in her mind...that I knew whatever was coming forth from her...(possibly from you as well?)...had absolutely nothing to do with the loving nature of God.
The mind of God is huge...so is His love...and His capacity for understanding His children, their cultures, and their societies is tremendous. He can't be encompassed by one book. He can't be contained in a box, and He can't be explained.
leowander 路 M
@4meAndyou The contempt you heard in her voice was likely due to the false teachings which cults use to indoctrinate members. There is a whole chapter in the Kingdom of the Cults book by Walter Martin about the Unitarian Universalists. I just looked it up on Amazon. There are several editions and they don't all include a chapter on the Unitarian Universalists, but I had read an edition years ago which did have a chapter for them. Now I am looking at an Appendix on Unitarianism in a more recent edition. Another edition I found for sale does have a chapter on the Unitarian Universalists. The author has gone to extensive research to educate readers about the cults and that information is there for anyone who wants to take the time to learn it. I have spoken to cult members on several occasions and sometimes it's like talking to people from another world as the cults have controlled their minds. There is only one true path to salvation and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. There is good reason why sections of Christian bookstores are devoted to cults as it's important to be educated about the vast numbers of people who become involved in them and many are looking to recruit new members. I would never attend a Unitarian Universalist church as their beliefs don't come from the scriptures and all beliefs are considered acceptable. This is not the type of church that Jesus Christ and his disciples would have approved of. Jesus Christ clearly stated that he was the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. None of his teachings would indicate that there was any other way to be saved and a church which allows members to believe anything they want is one which I would avoid and warn others to stay away from. Anyone teaching that there is universal salvation for everyone does not have a good understanding of how the enemy works to deceive people and keep them from knowing the truth. All paths don't lead to God and there are eternal consequences for being deluded by false teachings. Search the scriptures and you won't find anything to indicate that anyone can be saved through any means and people are welcome to form cults and teach false things and let their members believe anything they want. The enemy is working to deceive the world and true Christians will speak out against false teachings.