What Is Your Belief or Non-belief in God?

[Cap'n]

Dyslexics of the World Untie!



Invigor, interesting subtopic, re differing views from parental influences. My parents beliefs are similar to mine, though I am more ambivelant.

My wife, however, comes from a background more like yours. Her entire family for generations have been a deeply religious group, except her. By the time she was 14 she was blocking her door with a chair so she could avoid being dragged along to her parents church. She was just not satisfied with the answers to her numerous questions about what she was being taught. It still does not make sense to her, and because of this there will always be a rift between her and her closest relatives, no matter how much they love and care for one another.

So, though I can't understand from a personal level how that feels, I can easily see why that would be paramount in any discussion of religious and life beliefs.

Which I thoroughly enjoy, BTW! As long as the people involved are mature and understanding enough to know that it is untrue to say someone else is wrong when it comes to such a topic.

Thanks for the thread and the guidelines, Bev. Disappointed I can't vote, however.

[Willow]

Originally Posted by CptCleverer

Dyslexics of the World Untie!

better yet..

Do dyslexics worship a dog?

[Beverly]

I want to publically apologize to trilinearmipmap for over-reacting to his post on page two of this thread yesterday, and requesting his comments be removed. Unfortunately, at the time, I was stressed that the thread would be closed by mods worried about flame wars erupting over such a controversial topic. This stress led to my request.

For the most part, everyone is behaving very well. Thank you, everyone However, please keep to the topic of your personal beliefs or non-beliefs of God.

To trilinearmipmap, please restate your comments if you feel you'd like to. Again, my most sincere apology for my over-reaction to your post.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Willow

better yet..

Do dyslexics worship a dog?

No we don't. if we did it would be a dgo, or a odg not a dog.

Steve

[Willow]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

No we don't. if we did it would be a dgo, or a odg not a dog.

Steve

blame ellen, it's her joke.

[ron101]

I went with door #4 though it wouldnt be my exact answer.

I'm just too scientifically minded to be convinced of something as significant as God without (scientific) proof.

[Snappy]

Interesting topic on an Hobby Aquarist website. I am a Christian so I selected #1. I believe in God and Christ without a doubt. They are alive and well in my life. IMHO all these amazing life forms we enjoy collecting in this hobby can't be just the result of some cosmic accident or solely evolution. For me the diversity in this world testifies of God. Of course I am in no way trying to have a debate with anyone about their beliefs as I feel strongly that people have the right to worship who, how or what they may, or of course not at all.

Greg

[hockey nut]

Wow!!!

This is very intense.

I respect other peoples beliefs and opinions as I hope they will respect mine.

I am sure I have been most everything a non Christian should be at some point or another. Lots of Drugs , Rock-n-Roll, Pre marital sex ,( Sorry Honey... ) Long Hair wannabe, rebelious tendancies etc etc. BUT.... even in those days I felt I was somewhat looked after or guarded by some higher being. Or maybe I was just fortunate enough not to get caught. .... One thing I've learned about life is you can't blame GOD for your misfortunes. He does not cause disasters, He does not cause hardship or grief. Earthquakes and Tidelwaves are not his doing............."It is always easier to blame a person when they are not in the room". Humans in general are like God. We have the power to create life and take it away. And we do both disrespectfully. We can live longer by having the choice to eat better and get more exercise or not etc. We have a choice in many things with the time we are given on this planet. It is up to us to decide the fate of our own lives. Why blame God? . All he did was give us life. What happens to our own induvidual lives are just in the plans and the will to survive. ( We all have hardships of some sort . i.e. lost loved ones for many reasons) But most of us have a choice. Life is a gift. What we do with it is up to ourselves for the most part.

So in general. What I'm trying to say is.... it is easier to be mad at someone than forgive them. ..... It is easier to be bitter about life than actually trying to change it for the better.............. it is easier to be misreable than happy or understanding when things don't go our way....... it is easier to take the easy way out than to fight to good fight...........life is worth fighting for....WE have the power to change what happens but sadly most of us including myself don't know how or are too scared to try it........LIFE IS A GIFT.... IT SHOULDN"T BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED!!!!. So that is why I belive in GOD. I choose to belive in something healthy and spiritual. I think most people are good and yet I have met lots that are mean and disrespectful. I think most people have a good heart but I know lots who cheat and steal. Those people choose to live their lives that way. I do my best ( and it is difficult belive me ) to fight the good fight. That is the challenge I gave myself.

I belive in having God in my corner makes me stronger and more confident to deal with life in these hectic times.
As Life gets tougher I find myself needing more of Gods strength and my own to get through tough times. From things I've seen and felt I know he is real. And belive me... I have had my own can of suffer, yet I still have faith. It is what keeps me going and I'm thankful for everyday I'm alive.

Just to let you know about me personally.

I drink Beer. ( probly too much ) ...... I swear alot....... I have Tattoo's....... and I look mean I get mad at SH**Y drivers and don't always get along with everybody I know and I think I have Pis**d a few people off in my time as well, not sure why .. ????? .......... But I am Human.... And at the end of the day, I still respect my gift of life and others and the choices I have..........

I love this hobby and enjoy all who share it with me. I respect everyones opinions and Ideas. This is a tough topic for many including myself and I think this may have been more of a confession than a actual comment .... EH!!!!

SO thank you all who shared.

JMHO

Cheers

[Snappy]

I don't think Bev has actually answered this question herself?

[Beverly]

I voted, but did not feel the desire to explain my personal belief in God.

Keep the votes coming, though