I don't mean to centre out in a negative way, but being such a devout Christian, I was wondering if you would mind sharing an example of when you felt God's presence in your life.
Said1 said:I don't mean to centre out in a negative way, but being such a devout Christian, I was wondering if you would mind sharing an example of when you felt God's presence in your life.
FiveParadox said:Crusader, I would suggest that many (if not most) religions on this world of ours share many of the same core principles and characteristics. If one would read into some of the various texts of these varying religions, I think that one would find that each one has a way of expressing the same loving principles, in their own unique way. It can be refreshing, even for one's own faith, to read into others.
FiveParadox said:For further certainty, Crusader, take comfort in the opinion of a member of this place, that I don't think that interest, or intrigue in another religion, is necessarily any sign of confusion or weakening in one's own. Keep in mind, Crusader, that Muslims believe that the word of God is contained within both the Holy Bible, and the Qur'an. Take comfort in knowing that interest in provisions of the Qur'an is in no way indicative of any sort of derogation of your Christian faith.
There's my four or five cents, now.
FiveParadox said::!: Warning — This post may contain objectionable content.
Crusader, forgive me, but my faith in Christianity was shaken very badly in one of my earlier teenage years. The pastor at my Church brought me into his office (after discovering from someone that I was gay), and informed me that "fags" were not welcome at his Church, nor would I be welcome at the gates of Heaven, nor should I seek membership in any other Church. My faith was, so to speak, shattered.
It has never recovered to the point where I could, in good conscience, refer to myself as a "Christian". In terms of my beliefs: Yes, I do think that God exists; I think that God expressed his word through the Holy Bible, the Torah and the Qur'an, and I think that persons of either three faiths of the Book (being Christian, Muslim or Jewish) can gain a better insight into their own faith through understanding the other two.
FiveParadox said:Crusader, I would suggest to you (with respect to your beliefs, of course) that, in terms of the interpretation of the provisions of the Holy Bible that relate to homosexuality, that modern interpretation must sometimes be applied (whether in terms of the text of the Bible, the Qur'an, or the Torah). I don't think that God would have wanted the Earth to be static, and never to evolve or adapt according to its own needs. God granted unto us free will, and I would suggest that it is our right to exercise that will, where appropriate. Homosexuality is more accepted now than it once was, and I would suggest that God would not punish those who would choose to love each other (albeit in a different manner), given that, in modern times, God would observe (I would suggest) that homosexual relationships can be quite loving and healthy.