So bad things happen to good (re: innocent) people. The reason I've always been given for this is because God doesn't force Himself on us. He gave us (the human race) free will.

Or did He?

I never asked to be born. It would have been so much better if I hadn't been. I wouldn't have had to endure the abuse. My abusers wouldn't have more sin heaped upon their heads. I wouldn't have hurt my wife and family with my infidelity. I wouldn't have had to struggle with homosexuality.

I swear I don't get it. Blessings? Bull. As far as I can tell, I was put on this Earth to be treated like shit and tossed aside. I didn't ask for this. Me being placed on this Earth was not MY free will.

not gonna argue with you
i have a lot of questions too
but somehow i just can't seem to totally give up on faith
not ready to quit yet
for me, there has to be the possibility of something better...
lee

Well it sounds like you still believe in a higher power. For me I've pretty much given up on that, and it has helped me put things in perspective.

.

Sadly there are A LOT of people out there who call themselves Christians, but sadly are not. How do I know this? Simple, Jesus Himself said that many will call out to Him "Lord, Lord", but He will tell them to depart because He never knew them.

God is love. Jesus said you would know His disciples BY their love. If someone professes Jesus, there will be evidence to either confirm that, or show them to be liars.

My experience has been that the understanding and perception many have is wrong, and their perception is based upon actions done by those who profess but by those actions can be clearly seen as liars.

I'm open to discuss and share, but I don't get involved in fights and quarrels, and yes, I actually have many agnostic and atheist friends. Truly i probably have more non-believers who are friends than those who are.

Free-will is one of those interesting topics that there are many viewpoints on. I personally believe that we HAD free will at one time.

Definitely an interesting topic. Not sure if this is a good place to get into such things though, as I'm not sure if it fits within the guidelines of the forum.

Any Mods about who could comment?

.

You're not in an uncommon place.

I recently started seeing a counselor at the local crisis center in my area. (She's admitted got next to no experience at all with males at all). One thing she said though, as we talked, was that she was very surprised that I still held strongly to my faith. I'm guessing with the things she talks about daily with people, that many struggle or give up on it entirely.

It's no easy task to deal with these issues and certainly faith is difficult in the face of great hardship, especially when we're experienced great evil at the hands of others.

I sat in a group last Wednesday night. In that group the topic was the Sovereignty of God. The issue of course came up about hardships and difficulties etc. And as I listened I heard all the old tried and true answers and as continued to listen, I thought to myself... these people haven't got a clue how to answer someone who has experienced the things I have, that we all here have. I thought briefly about bringing it up, but by the time I had gotten my resolve to do so, the class moved on to another issue and it didn't feel right dragging us back to something that had already been discussed.

Maybe sometime I'll have the chance again. We'll see.

I thought I had more to say but my mind has gone blank and I've sat here for quite some time with nothing else coming.

Heal well.

I dumped Christianity and never felt better. Still believe in the feminine God/Goddess. The more I looked at religion the more I found, God/Goddess is whomever or whatever you need him to be. Never felt any of that "love" Christians talked about endlessly about just oppression. They also hate transgender people like me, gays, lesbians and people who like casual sex. I think they all are right to a point then they use it to control people. God/Goddess made us, gave us a planet and has little to do it. Hard to trust the male version anyway. He/she just wants acknowledgement and judges nothing. That's it IMO.

Just updating on this topic. I am still questioning; still unsure. I want to believe something better will come. I have started attending the Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge in Roanoke, VA. MCC is a fully-inclusive denomination, accepting all LGBTQ people. It is a Christian church. Some of you will cry "foul" at that statement. However, if you take the time to read about MCC and the scriptures, and keep an open mind, you might be surprised. I'm still not 100% sold; I guess I'm a doubter by nature, but I feel it is keeping me in the church, keeping me thinking about God rather than just discounting Him, and it has provided me with a support network. I hope you all are doing well.

Peace,

John

I have heard great things about MCC and known some wonderful people that attended. The one here in Denver has a service that I'm not 100% comfortable with in how they do some things. I can worship there, and know I'm worshipping God - but that particular congregation is not a good fit for me.

But I'm thrilled you are connecting with a church that can keep you thinking about and communcating with God.

M

John, good to hear from you again.

do you know the story of Balaam and his donkey?
i love that one because it proves that if God wants to get through to us, he will - no matter what the mouthpiece - especially when we have an open heart - and Balaam didn't even have that going for him!

no disrespect intended to your choice of venue - even if you are not in a church, God can speak. in fact, may of my most clear messages have been outside of the hallowed walls! but since you are attending there, may God bless you where you are - and give you what you need!

Lee

God does not have to prove anything to us...He is the creator.. When you see a building you just understand that there was a creator, a builder..Same with me and my God.. We do have free will, to accept Him or not... Here is an example I like to use, If you watch a child and never correct them then they will usually do something wrong..Bad is born into us, it is because we are of the world.. Thru God,Jesus and ther Holy Spirit we are transformed out of worldly desires seek the right and true path. When you are in church and you feel that flutter in your heart and them eyes start to tear up, that my friends is God knocking at your heart.. You can never stray too far, He will always forgive you and guide you if you let him and give it all up to Him.. I did and it was the best experience of my life.. I stopped drinking cold turkey, I stopped cussing cold turkey, I actually have feelings now...I hope that me expressing this does not offend anyone as that is not my intent, I just want share what worked for me..

I had to get past the good vs bad crap i had been brainwashed into believing since a child.

Shit happens. Good stuff happens to bad people, good stuff happens to good people. Bad stuff happens to bad people, bad stuff happens to bad people. This happens to all of us. ALL OF US!

I have learned that I am not what has happened to me.
I have learned that I am not who people think I am (what they think is none of my business).
I have learned I am not the center of the universe and the world does not revolve around me (I got some humility).
And most important of all my discoveries is the fact that I have spent the last three years letting my Higher Power drive my life, things have NEVER been better (When I was in control I totally made a mess of things and it only took me 50 years to figure that out).

Now, I spend time with people who want the same thing as myself: Wanting a spiritual life filled with honesty, humility, openness and love.

lb