Nice one................and another groaning smiley needed.

Cheers

Not so, we are supposed to share our faith with those who are not of it, that's one of the reasons I keep talking about it on forums like this! Many churches also have special meetings for people seeking, such as the Alpha course. And my Pastor talks to everyone he meets, he even prayed with the lady giving him his burger in MacDonalds the other day. Also there are all sorts of ways to show your faith - you are supposed to walk the walk as well as talk the talk and it was in fact because of seeing Christ in the lives of two particular Christians that I came to faith thirty-odd years ago.

I did a couple of Alpha courses and it just didnt make sense. It seems that christianity is more of a mass belief that unites people who need to feel theres more???? My mother was very religious and when I was a kid I wasnt allowed to question it. So I'm making up for it now!

Jo xxx

Christianity is indeed a world religion, but to be a true Christian (as opposed to one in name only), then you must have come to a personal belief for yourself. It is not enough to read the book and go to church, you must have the 'heart knowledge' as well as the head knowledge.

And there is nothing wrong with good honest questioning. it is HOW some people come to faith (I asked LOADS of qustions!). I remember some famous preacher (may have been Billy Graham) saying years ago that all you needed to do initially was approach God with an honest heart.

When Thomas in the New Testament told Jesus that unless he saw evidence he would not believe in the Resurrection, Jesus didn't tell him to go away and never darken his doors again, he showed him that evidence. I truly believe that God speaks to us all in language we can understand, all we have to do is listen and be aware of his voice

I dont have either. I cant see the point, I cant understand the need, I've yet to see it work and it seems to emanate from nonsense - especially when you then see other religions that come from the same source but are totally different, with different rules, different values - Allah and the so called holy trinity are meant to be the same thing........ Nah, its all manmade control by fear IMO

Jo xxx

I am sure many people from Bradford would rather they didnt have Muslims living there - but that is a personal matter.

Granada 2nd January 1492 is relevent

OK. But can I just say, don't close your mind, always be aware that there MIGHT be something else that you haven't experienced yet, always be prepared to seek. You never know what might happen! No-one was more amazed than me when it began to dawn.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. xx

I think you have hit upon the reason why (it seems to you that) Christianity is alone in being vilified. It is because there are only Christians on here - no Muslims, Jews or Zoroastrians. I quite happily argue my stuff with anyone who talks unevidenced rubbish - I don't make any difference between Homeopaths, Christians or crystal ball gazers.

Also, the difference should be made between attacking the person and attacking the idea. Believers sometimes perceive the questioning of a belief as an attack upon them which it isn't (I realise of course that sometimes the attacker does attack the person.)

Another thing to consider is that it is not all one way - a non-believer may well be offended that a believer is talking rubbish to them and expecting them to believe it. It happens to me. When a Reiki artist (or whatever they are called) said something to me like - it realigns vital energy paths and I can't possibly know whether it works or not unless I've tried it - the stupidity of that statement brings out a bad reaction in me - I find it offensive that anyone would think I would ever agree with such twaddle.

I would willingly change my mind on this issue if there was good evidence that god existed. My mind is open to the fact that I could be wrong.

Can you say the same?

Yes, I am aware of that and hope I have been sensitive in my statements.

I have also in the past advised a member of my church that many unbelievers would find it offensive to be asked if they would like to be prayed for and that she needed to be more sensitive in her dealings with people. I can still remember how I felt when I was an unbeliever!

As I say, I believe that God communicates in ways we understand, but human beings quite often get it wrong

Well obviously. I changed my mind when I was 30 and realised I was wrong and I am still learning all the time. The more I get to know, the more I realise there is so much more I DON'T know.

for once I have to disagree with you JL.
The muslim moderates sit there wringing their hands and bemoaning their more radical brothers (last year one did that on Sunday television) BUT they have it in their own hands to actually do something about it. In fact, by knowing of the activities and preaching of radicals they may well be breaking the UK's anti-terrorism law which requires anyone knowing of such activity to report it to the police.

The UK is essentially a Christian country - as is Spain, France, Italy etc.
But it should be remembered that Muslims are followers of the prophet Mohamed who is not a God. They believe in the one and same God as Christians, revering Abraham and Jesus as prophets on whom their religion is also based.

That an individual or group should have a faith and believe in a God is their personal business, if they wish to tell others of their belief they should be free to do so.

it is ridiculous to allow clothing and attitude of one religion whilst members of another religion are unable to overtly wear a sign of their faith on the grounds that it will upset that religion.

And in response to the denier or two here, Christians have been ripped apart on this forum when defending their faith, irrespective of their level of belief.

Of course theres stuff we dont know, but I've yet to see any religion or group of followers who seem to know anything other than a belief in something that has no meaning or proof. All these beliefs do is cause wars and hatred with rival religions whose beliefs are different. I tried religion and it did nothing. I look around the world and it does nothing but cause wars. The religious doctrins and rules change depending on what man says - not god. Its a multi million pound controlling industry - an ancient police force

Jo xxx

Now there you are questioning my intelligence by insinuating that I don't know about anything else other than religion.

Please, I thought we could have a good debate without resorting to this type of talk.