Ok. I'm Christian. But I really want to ask a question for non-believers. IF you discovered that there is a

Question

GOD and IF you discovered, there is a heaven, and IF you discovered that ESSENTIALLY Christianity was right...Would you change your mind?

Stop dissecting and simply answer the question. I have no hidden agenda. None. I really wanted to know your true thoughts on the subject. And my reference to 'non-believers' is to any of you that don't believe in God and heaven. You can, if you want, make distinctions of who you believe in currently

Spooky - I have read many of your postings before. I can tell that you are an intelligent human being and that you really care. Even though you and I disagree on what to believe, I respect you. And I have a question that I've been meaning to ask of you. Knowing what you know, why would you let the mistakes of myself or others prevent you from seeking or finding the truth?

Elphaba - Well then Elphaba, please forgive me of my short-comings. And please forgive other Christians mistakes as well. But why let our mistakes stop you from seeking and finding the truth? I know that there are people(Christians) who judge when they have no right, including me. I know this is wrong. But what I don't know is why that would STOP you from seeking.

Spooky and Elphaba have inspired me to ask/post another question. Thank You and God Bless You for helping me to see my faults!

Answer 1

Bottles, at one time the answer to your question would have been yes. I would have apologized for being so skeptical, asked forgiveness and followed Christianity. At one time.

However, after 3 weeks in this forum, witnessing the hate war between atheists and Christians, I would have to say no, I would not join. Not that I have anything against Christianity.....I really don't.But I just cannot imagine trading one mind set for another when it's not going to do a bit of good to change things in the here and now.

EDIT: >>>>Knowing what you know, why would you let the mistakes of myself or others prevent from seeking or finding the truth?<<<<

That's a hard question, and I don't know if I can actually answer it. But I can give you some insight.

I was raised a Christian, have some knowledge of the church, and I have no problems with Christianity. I feel that everyone has the right to live their lives in whatever way they should choose, and to be happy. As long as the way they live their lives does no harm to others. This applies to everyone.

My problem with organized religion in general (and this does not apply exclusively to Christianity) are the fundamentalists who try to force their beliefs on others, or use their religion to cause harm. These people give everyone a bad name, and there are plenty of this sort to be found among the atheists also. It's embarrassing.

When my parents divorced, I lived with my father. He married a woman who sang in a gospel band. My stepbrother is a minister in Alabama.. My stepmother's stepfather worked with the televangelists, her father worked for Guideposts. There are other ministers scattered about the family also.

My family went from being lax Methodists, believing and attending church occasionally (which really seemed to be enough) to dedicating our lives to the church. Every waking moment was spent singing, praying, worshipping. I was 11 at the time, just entering that very difficult point in every preteen's life, and my life had been turned upside down.

This didn't sit well with me. So I began asking questions. Unbeknownst to me, in this family questions were forbidden. So my inquiries were met with violence. The more violent the confrontations, the more rebellious I became. I started to assert my opinions, and requested that I not be forced to attend so many church functions. Well, you can imagine where that got me. On more than one occasion, I attended church with my eyes bruised and swollen, the blood still wet on my lips. And NO ONE said anything. No one ever asked if I was ok. No one ever came to my defense.

I really had to sit back and ask myself if any God who would condone this type of violence deserved my praise. I came to the conclusion that, not only did he not deserve my praise, he didn't exist. That was a child's viewpoint, and as I grew older I studied evolution. I came to the same conclusion. No God.

Can I forgive the mistakes and seek the truth? I forgave those mistakes years ago. There's no hate in my heart, no animosity, no ill will. To this day I still love and respect my father and my stepfamily, although my father hasn't spoken to me for 28 years.

I have no interest in finding any truth, because I am quite content where I am in my life. I'm in this forum to learn the whys and hows of human nature. I could have done this just as easily in the Psych forum, but the emotion lies within this one. I am guaranteed very spirited, spiritual, and personal answers.

I have learned much. About others, and about myself.

I have become more cynical, and less patient than I used to be. I have become judgmental. I have become the very qualities that I don't like seeing in others. Occasionally, I will even go on the attack. That is how the constant battling in this forum has affected me in only 3 weeks. I don't know if I'll stay here much longer. I see no benefit, yet I find this forum intriguing.

Three weeks ago, had you posed your original question, I would have answered as I did, omitting the last paragraph. You saw how I answered today.

I would not join an organized religion, period.And with the behavior of many people in this forum, I am sometimes embarrassed to be an atheist. I am appalled at man's inhumanity to man, and I have yet to find a reason for the cruelty. People on all sides will dance around the issue and never really answer the questions asked. When the answers do come, they are sugar coated to hide the hate. Again, this goes across the board, I single no one out.

As I have said, I forgive the mistakes made by everyone in this forum. And the truth I have found is that each and every one of us needs to examine our own lives closely before we can even think of examining another's.

I know this didn't answer your question, but I hope it helped.

-SPOOKY

Answer 2

I'm not a Christian. In my religion we already believe there is a G-d. We don't dwell on death or what comes afterwards. Heaven or Hell may or may not exist. We live our lives as best we can each and every day. Some believe that you make your own heaven or hell with your time on earth. If I discovered that Christianity or any other religion was the only true one .. then I would ... but it would have to come from God telling me that . Not people. Good Luck! :)

Answer 3

I have changed my mind about a lot of spiritual questions when I have learned new information that convinces me. But I am merely not an adherent to strict Christianity but I do believe in a lot of things.

Answer 4

Spooky just spoke of everything that was about to be in my answer. I'd rather be part of a people that are indifferent to others' spirituality and are good all around than to a cult that damns anyone that is not of their faith.

Answer 5

If someone is not a fanatic one then that person should answer YES in his lifetime.But if not n he discovered the TRUTH After he die,I think that's the biggest regret that he'd ever have.... I personnaly answer YES.

Answer 6

Nope, because IF God is what Xianity says he is then he's a hateful,misogynistic, bigoted, indecisive screw up, and I want nothing to do with him--off to hell I go! I CHOOSE that over him and am resolute in that decision

Answer 7

Sure. Present me with enough logical evidence of anything and I'll believe it. I believed thirteen impossible things before breakfast today!

Answer 8

ummmmm... there's a problem with your question dude... 'Belief' in something is a belief by definition because there is no proof. So in your scenario, the 'non-believer' would still be a non-believer because they would only change their minds based on a fact. No belief needed at that point.

Answer 9

Sure but honestly I think it is far more likely that the next time I rub a lamp a genie will pop out and give me three wishes.

Answer 10

I do believe in god, just not your version of god! and I don't think god will send me to hell for not being a christian.