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07-05-2009, 11:42 AM
| #1 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: 5 (oh!) 3 I Ride: Mostly naked, and an '06 CBR | Ever had doubts? How did you cope with them? Hey guys. I'm very new to this site, I made a post in the Portland section that was a brief intro. of myself. Anyway just got out of church with my Grandma today and honestly for the last year or so I've been struggling with quite a bit of doubt. Anyone else had doubt? What did you do to overcome (if you were able to). Any good reading you can suggest? Sorry, just wanted to get this off my chest. Haven't really talked to anyone about it and I thought it was very cool that this forum had a Christ Riders section...... |
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07-05-2009, 12:00 PM
| #2 |
| Superbiker | Just keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the only example worth following. Know that He loves you like no one can. He gave His life for you, after all. No one ever promised that there would be no tough times, but the Lord has promised that there will be redemtion for the faithful. |
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07-05-2009, 12:42 PM
| #3 |
| Endorsed Joined: Jun 2008 From: Wenatchee, WA I Ride: 2003 Honda RC51 | Doubt is good it means you are thinking rationally about god. Your task now is to seek out the information that will help you decided. Do not get focused only on the reading that you think will bring back to a place where you no longer doubt, but read everything you can from every different angle of the argument. That will lead to a more fulfilling conclusion for you. It may not bring you back to the path you started from but it will help you make the right decision for you. Personally I believe that an individual can have a fulfilling and satisfying life with or without the church but it is up to you to make the decision for yourself. Later Matt |
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07-10-2009, 04:00 AM
| #4 | |
| Superbiker Joined: Mar 2007 From: Greenacres Washington I Ride: 1991 Honda CBR1000f | 
 ....Everyone has doubt from time to time, its when we have doubt that we find our faith. Its when we stand up and say where are you and its when we find the answer for ourselves. For me that answer didn't come from a church I didn't want a mortal telling me how I was supposed to act, pray, believe and that there were rules where God and Jesus were concerned. I needed to find this out on my own. My Grandma used to tell me when in doubt pray. I fasted, I prayed and what I learned was that what I was looking for was always there, I just needed to listen. God communicates with us all in the way that is best for us personally. Keep your heart open and pray you will find the answer to your questions and doubts. Its a personal journey that only you can take the answers are only for you and you are the only one that will hear them. When you find your answer you will carry it in your heart forever. Good Luck on your journey, my prayers are with you....MrsD | |
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07-10-2009, 09:58 PM
| #5 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: 5 (oh!) 3 I Ride: Mostly naked, and an '06 CBR | I appreciate these replies. Def. opened up my mind a little more ...I have not been open in seeking and listening....I'm gonna open up and give it a shot. I think some of the issues I have are logical issues. Is it really logical to believe that God has just "always been?" Is it logical to believe that a man lived inside the stomach of a whale? You see what I'm saying...I guess if I can't see it today it's hard for me to believe it happened how ever many years ago....I hope I'm making sense... |
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07-10-2009, 10:10 PM
| #6 | |
| Superbiker Joined: Mar 2007 From: Greenacres Washington I Ride: 1991 Honda CBR1000f |
If you have to see to believe, then you don't believe but if you believe you will see...MrsD | |
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07-10-2009, 10:36 PM
| #7 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: 5 (oh!) 3 I Ride: Mostly naked, and an '06 CBR | good quote! I like it! This is really the first time my doubt has really startin creepin' in a lot and the first time i've really thought of it. Ironically enough it was a co-worker who started my doubt...he said "You know that Science is going to eventually prove there is no God." For some reason that really got me thinkin |
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07-10-2009, 11:05 PM
| #8 |
| vrrooom636 Joined: Jul 2005 From: Spokane Washington I Ride: 2006 Black Neenja 636, 2006 KTM 625 SMC | Hey man, I'm only 21 years old and I can tell you right now that the big fella upstairs has more than once proved to me that he is real. I've had some crazy hair raising experiences, and can see that everything has happened for a reason in my life. Just keep living with your faith and forget what other people say. God created science so if our stupid race can turn it against him let em. Doesn't mean I'll ever believe it! |
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07-10-2009, 11:16 PM
| #9 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Feb 2007 From: Seattle, WA I Ride: '06 GSX-R 600 blue/wht | Science won't prove the existence or non-existence of God. It's up to us to have faith and believe. It may be hard to believe that God simply "always was", but the flip side is that the universe also "always was". But ask yourself, where did the infinitesimally small point containing all of the universe at the beginning of time originate? How did the life of the first single celled organism form against the laws of thermodynamics? Why did organisms evolve into todays humans? What is the point of a conscience and emotions? We'll never know the true answer to a lot of questions. We can only assume based on our very limited understanding of the world. I choose to have faith that God exists, but I still look for answers to hard questions. I just realize that sometimes the answer isn't the one I want to hear. "We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangements of the books, but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God." -Albert Einstein |
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07-10-2009, 11:22 PM
| #10 | |
| Pit Crew Joined: Apr 2009 From: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho I Ride: 2006 R6 |
I find the more I doubt the more I learn and the more I become more sure of my faith and ability to share it. It's part of growing. | |
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07-11-2009, 09:31 AM
| #11 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: 5 (oh!) 3 I Ride: Mostly naked, and an '06 CBR | FuN- I agree with that. It is also hard for me to imagine a universe that has always been, especially with all the evidence that that universe had a beginning. Basic philosophy would say that: 1. everything that begins to exist has a cause. 2. The universe began to exist. 3. Therefor, the universe has a cause. I am trying to understand that that cause is God. And yes your right about the morals. If there is no God I often ask myself then why is rape wrong? If I kill someone tomorrow why does that matter? Why do we know what right and wrong is? Believe me I've dived deep into these questions and at times it helps my confidence in God. How about this: Psychological emotions...people WANT to believe in God so they do. We as humans want to have a meaning to life. I heard a quote from an atheist once : "Man created God in his own image." That's kinda how I feel sometimes. Like we created God to establish rules and laws and to try to keep the world somewhat livable by establishing rules and saying you will burn in hell forever if not. (Which sometimes is a whole other problem for me...a "loving" God sending people to hell. This was another problem I have. Having majored in Psychology in college I know how powerful the mind is....could we all just be fooled by very smart Priests 3000 years ago? |
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07-15-2009, 04:54 PM
| #13 |
| MotoGP Champion Joined: Apr 2007 From: soap lake wa. I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe | Majored in "NO GOD 101" DUDE... Your listening to the LIES of those that don't KNOW JESUS.. what are you do'n???????? You think they HAVE the truth?... you been watching too many show's explaining the truth away on the history channle Do YOU KNOW him????... I don't believe you can get into this spot if you DO... Are you questioning "left" and right"... "up and down" too????? Snappy cliches by the heathens are worth ZERO... makes a great headline.. and to help apease there conscience of self idolitry... but dung on the pile in ACTUAL WORTH. Your questions don't diminish GODS EXISTANCE,AUTHORITY or ALOVE AND ABILITY... Your WASTING & YOUR TIME, seeking in the court of FOOLS. Back to the TRUTH OF IT... DO YOU KNOW HIM???? YOU ARE IN THE DANGEROUS TERRITORY OF EASY PICKENS FOR THE LIER...HE WANTS YOU HEAD ON A STICK... YOU GONNA HAND IT TOO HIM????...YOU ARE... QUIT LISTENING TO THE LIES OF THE WORLD... GET INTO THE WORD AND WALK IN THE TRUTH... OF REAL TRUTH. GET ON W/ IT... TODAY...NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Find someone into proper scriptual warfare to get this straightend out...Jersus's AUTHORITY is PLENTY... Start hang'n w/ believers... find a bible based fellowship... GET IN THE WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! This is serious stuff... feed LIFE... NOT THE LIE.... FREE (get it?)and clean, Ripp'n |
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07-15-2009, 05:13 PM
| #14 |
| WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Jul 2009 From: oregon | umm what the hell is Rippin saying i have not been able to make any sence of his posts but i don't belive in god and if there really is a god then more power to ya i guess |
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07-15-2009, 05:30 PM
| #15 | |
| Endorsed Joined: Jun 2008 From: pdx - st johns I Ride: 02 yamaha fz1, 03 ducati monster 620ie, 86 honda ch150d elite deluxe |
googled doubt bible for you: james 1:6 "...the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." if you are feeling weak, feeling full of doubts, feeling like you can be easily persuaded, you need the help of someone wise in the word, ask your/a pastor or someone who has led bible study for a long time, etc the questions that are in your head, if you feel confident in the person you ask you will have that weight off your shoulders when you get your answers, so commingle with christians that know their stuff and soon dont let the world/satan bring you down bro edit: you could go to bible study with my roomie and I..hit me up 503*539*1397 | |
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07-15-2009, 05:33 PM
| #16 | |
| Endorsed Joined: Jun 2008 From: Wenatchee, WA I Ride: 2003 Honda RC51 |
Most classic Philosophy is at least in part devoted to establishing what created the universe. The one I like most is kind of a extension of Anaxamanders idea of the "indeffinent boundless" He was looking for the single particle that make up all of matter, and what he thought is that as soon as you can define what you think the most basic particle of matter is, that is no longer the most basic part because that also must be made up of something. I look at the creation of the universe the same way. As soon as you can define what you think the source of all creation is, you know that is not the source. There will always be a cause of the thing you think created the universe. If you think it is God you have to think about what caused/created god, if you think it was the big bang then you have to think about what caused the big bang. Just stopping at "God did it" and leaving it there is a big fucking cop out, there has to be more, and on the other hand stopping at the big bang is a big cop out as well. Right now I'm kind of in the middle of my own exploration to find out what I believe, so we'll see where that leads. I think the right path is continuing the process of learning all you can and trying to understand everything you can. If there was one true answer out there that explained everything you'd know about it because everybody would believe in that one thing, but that is not the case. Next don't get hung up trying to take the Bible literally. I don't think it is the one true work of God by any means, and many reputable religious scholars feel the same. The bible is a collection of stories that may help you determen the right path for your life, not a blue print that must be followed to the letter or else you'll be punished. Also the bible was written by men and we have know idea what their intentions were when they wrote their pieces. I think many of the ideas in the Bible have been "massaged" to fit the needs of those in power. I also don't believe in a literal Heaven and Hell, I just don't think there is an existence beyond this one. I think that heaven and hell are contained within our own minds, and the process of finding Heaven and Hell is the process of finding the path that lets your mind rest easy when you're alone thinking back over your life, and hell is the torment that your own mind creates when you have done things you think are wrong. I know many of the people in this section of the forum are not going to like what I've just said but I have spent a lot of time looking at this and this is what I have come to believe, it works for me but I don't expect it to work for everyone. I also know this is kind of a big ass rant, but I just spent the 3 hour motorcycle trip from Wenatchee to Seattle thinking about this, so its all been kinda ready to just blurt out, hope it helps someone. Later Matt | |
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07-15-2009, 05:36 PM
| #17 |
| MotoGP Champion | OK If you want to believe in such malarky, that is well and good. Really it is, I won't try to stop you. Although to say anyone should stop listening is so out there it sounds like a democrat suggesting we all stop listening to anyone whom doesn't agree with their ideology. If God is so powerful how are the likes of the weak detractors causing harm? Unless he is so powerless he isn't the real god, but a false hope. Jus say'n.......... |
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07-15-2009, 05:56 PM
| #18 |
| Endorsed Joined: Jun 2008 From: Spanaway:(, WA I Ride: '02 Triumph Speed Triple, Triumph TT600, Derbi, Aprilia RSV Mille, 2 YSRs, 2 FZRs | I've never believed in god and always thought of religion as something to make people feel more secure. When I was 13 I wanted to be jewish as a lot of my friends got bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs. People used to believe a lot of things.. eventually we might all come around. (Or maybe I'm wrong and science is bs?) |
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07-15-2009, 06:46 PM
| #21 | |
| MotoGP Champion |
But the real question after re-reading your past post, who is your god? | |
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07-15-2009, 06:54 PM
| #22 | |
| WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Jul 2009 From: oregon |
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07-15-2009, 07:00 PM
| #23 | |
| Superbiker Joined: Jul 2007 From: Kennewick, WA I Ride: slow |
.... | |
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07-15-2009, 07:01 PM
| #24 |
| WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Jul 2009 From: oregon | but to be serious if you belive in god that is just fine and i will not come to your door or church and tell you that you are worng but what makes you think you guys can come to my home or stop me on the street and tell me how i need to belive in god and you are right and i am worng |
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07-15-2009, 10:21 PM
| #25 | |
| Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: 5 (oh!) 3 I Ride: Mostly naked, and an '06 CBR |
I appreciate all the other replies you guys. This has become a good thread in my opinion. Thank you | |
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07-24-2009, 08:57 AM
| #26 |
| Newbie Joined: Mar 2009 From: Echo, OR I Ride: Duc 848, Monster S2R1000 | Don't let doubt discourage you. Even Paul struggled with doubt and he saw the Lord! Think about the things that you have seen God do in your life and the lives of others. I have doubt sometimes too but I know that Christ saved me from a destructive lifestyle which was a miracle. I think doubt comes from the enemy so shrugg it off like a dirty old jacket on to the floor. Pray about it, my friend, and I beleive that God will help make your faith stronger. I will pray for you and I bet some others that read this will too... Joe |
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07-24-2009, 09:19 AM
| #27 |
| Moderator  Joined: Dec 2007 From: Ten-nine-o, Washington I Ride: When ever possible and usually on 2 wheels. | Dark Pony - you sound like an intelligent guy with rational thoughts. I took some great psychology courses in college, along with a few ethics and philosophy classes. One of the most intellectually stimulating books on faith, that looks at it from a logical and philosophical view was written by C.S. Lewis and is called Mere Christianity. It is actually taken from a radio program that he did. http://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christian.../dp/0060652926 Another book I would suggest is Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. http://www.amazon.com/Searching-Know...8452084&sr=8-1 Very easy style to read and quite enjoyable. I am glad that you are questioning things. It means that you are growing and not falling into the stale dogma that religiosity can bring. When I look at my life, there are too many things that have occurred for me to doubt the existence of God, a loving and caring father. There is no Captain Coincidence flying around making things happen. Stay up and just remember that you are only responsible for your actions and reactions. |
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07-24-2009, 10:32 AM
| #28 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Jul 2009 From: South Everette Washington I Ride: my girlfriend, but she doesn't keep up in the twisties | Here's the way I feel about it Dark, 1. Every religion regardless of which one it is, has some form of God (or higher power) to believe in, because it gives you hope when you need it the most. 2. When facing doubt, take time to yourself to put your life in perspective, i.e. are you healthy, happy and fulfilled? 3. Don't stress on going to "church." so much as focusing on making yourself a church. The traditional "church" is nothing more than a simple man-made building for people to gather. And that doesn't have anything to do with God or Christ. BUT.... once you accept Christ and become born again, Christ resides in your heart and spirit making YOU his CHURCH. The rest is just details. You don't have to be front pew every sunday just to be a believer. 4. Clear your mind. Take a step back, and try to see the big picture from the outside, instead of from the middle. Hope some of this helped. Best of luck to you. |
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07-24-2009, 11:12 AM
| #29 |
| Newbie Joined: Jun 2009 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: 2009 FZ6R, 2005 Ninja 500R | Dark, your question on how you deal with doubt is a good one. I must say I am so in that same boat. I have sinned my life away for years and just recently in the last couple years have confessed that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Now with doing that not all of my doubts and questions have gone away. If I have doubts I just ask questions through prayer and then start reading the bible. It is through the Holy Spirit that speaks to us and our questions and doubts will be addressed. My wife and I have just started our own bible study with just the two of us and I must say it is helping our relationship and my understanding of how God is. You have doubts all you can really do is just listen to real sermons and books. When I say real I mean people who speak the word of God and not their idea of what it means. If you would like I have cd's of sermons and I started with and helped me grow my faith. A lot of these peole here are right, we all have doubt and that is one of those times where we grow our faith with our heavenly Father. Ever wanta go for a ride and chat I am up for a ride and I enjoy talking about my faith. Best of luck in your future walk, have a wonderful day. |
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07-24-2009, 12:18 PM
| #30 |
| Superbiker Joined: Apr 2006 From: Tri-Cities, WA I Ride: Hither, Thither and Yon ... mostly day rides | <Kind-of off your topic, but maybe read Angela's Ashes by McCourt. Pulitzer prize novel, author just died this week from melanoma. He's not on a religious pro or con hunt, but he shows life as a poor Irish boy and mentions religion's impact on the side ... If you're looking for a fun not-very-heavy read ...?> good luck $.02 Last edited by UhOh; 07-24-2009 at 12:28 PM.. |
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07-26-2009, 01:16 AM
| #31 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: 5 (oh!) 3 I Ride: Mostly naked, and an '06 CBR | Guys I can't stress enough how much your replies and input have began to help me. Ironically enough I found "Mere Christianity" at an old book store near my house... (coincedence?) I seriously appreciate all your replies you guys from both believers and non believers..there has been no bashing on me but good replies...I thank you all so much...and if you feel like giving input please keep it coming.... |
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07-26-2009, 04:49 AM
| #32 |
| MotoGP Champion Joined: Apr 2007 From: soap lake wa. I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe | Interestingly, CS Lewis set out to DISPROVE Christianity, already a incrediably learned man... "Mere Christianity"...awe, yes... "Screwtape letters"...fasinatingly entertaining and SO insightfull... Up4 is right... the word of God ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and "cleans house" FREE and clean, Ripp'n |
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07-26-2009, 05:21 AM
| #33 |
| WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Oct 2008 From: Dry Shiddies I Ride: 2008 Hayabusa, 2005 Hayabusa, 2000 GSXR 750 Track Bike | Search your soul, listen to your heart and understand that what ever faith you follow there is no right or wrong way to believe. The way "YOU" believe is your way, and your way only. No one has the right to tell you your doing anything wrong in how you believe. If your having doubts...are they doubts based on the words of other people or your own heart? Are you confusing doubt for questioning? That is, are you being pushed one way because of things you heard at church/work/friends verses what you feel you either believe in or are experiencing internally? If it is based on the words of others then you are going through what all of us go through as this is just normal life. You can not shut out everyday experiences (unless you live isolated from everyone) and expect to be free from people, their lives and their views. The wonderful thing about life is you don't have to make a rush decision on anything. You will experience doubts and questions your whole life and how you choose to act/react and incorporate your choices is what makes you the unique person that you are. Take the advise of everyone around you, bin it in to what I call buckets, draw from each of those buckets the things that make the most sense to you and nurture you both spiritually and emotionally and apply them to your life. Those things that do not do this either discard or store away the others that don't. In the end you will begin to find out how God is reveling himself to you as you mature and grow as a person. My final thoughts to you today...Did you ever think that maybe God helped you in reaching out and asking the question that you did on this forum, not for yourself... but maybe for someone who is reading this post and some of the books/advice/words spoken here today maybe the exact thing they need for their own life and these words only reached them because of your courage to ask your question? You may never know, but it is like kind words and simple actions you do each day, the wake you leave as you pass through others lives have profound impact on them. I wish for you the best, never stop asking...you will get there! |
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09-09-2009, 10:29 PM
| #34 |
| Zone Head Joined: Feb 2008 From: Portland, Oregon I Ride: '07 GSXR-750 | life is a never ending journey of self discovery. IMO focus less on God and more on his teachings and how he is working through you. Constantly evaluate how the lessons in the bible cna how you can apply them to your life. Did Jonah really live in a whale? Who cares! What does the story teach and how can you use it to better yourself? The Bible was written by an eastern culture. One of their many ways to convey truth is by telling stories like Jonah. Some may be true and some may not, but they all tell an important truth. |
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11-02-2009, 04:55 PM
| #35 |
| Zone Head Joined: Aug 2007 From: Ellensburg,WA I Ride: street:2007 gixxer 6 track:2006 gsxr 600 | You know I've had my doubts, mainly stemming from the fact that every religion seems to think theirs is the right one. One thing I've noticed is most major religions have the same underlying principles and the same "characters" in each of their holy texts. I also started questioning how much of the written word could be misinterpreted or lost in translation over the years. There's honestly no way to know how close to the truth each text is. I took what I've learned about the similarities in the three monotheistic religions and compared them to draw my own conclusions. After praying A LOT I came to understand that even if I don't know exactly what the truth is, one thing I could rely on is there is a God that cares (even when it seems like he doesn't). And as far as science can't prove that God exists... After all the chemistry and biology along with the psychology I've studied, I've come to the conclusion that things are too complicated on a cellular level to not have been designed by someone. I won't say one way of believing is right or wrong, but this where I stand. I still question what I believe every day. The only thing you can do is pray. If you ever want to talk PM me, I've got a lot to say. |
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11-02-2009, 05:47 PM
| #36 |
| Mr. 500,000  Joined: Dec 2006 From: Portland I Ride: VTX | An interesting thread... I think we all doubt, thats normal. To me it comes to the basics 1) logical reasoning 2) physiology 3) physics 4) emotions - love. if we were to stay within the three dimensional confines that people try to put on existence, it is easy to understand doubt. Also remove any emotion and a soul, and we come to a basic puddle of water and chemicals and its rediclious. but thats not existence, reality is much more than three dimensions and we are much more than the existence of a few chemicals. But even so, in this day of worshiping money and possessions, when its fun to put people down and try to tease them on the intertubes, there is still question that can come into mind. When that happens... I ask God to help me.. and then I have that moment where I stop and say... "Ok... I get the message, thanks!"  I am probably not what someone would paint if they were told to paint a Christian, but I have thought about these things and come across these issues as has everyone. A discussion on the internet probably wont help to much, but if you want to sit and chat some... give me a shout. |
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11-03-2009, 05:23 AM
| #37 | |
| Superbiker Joined: Mar 2007 From: Greenacres Washington I Ride: 1991 Honda CBR1000f |
 Sometimes he has to hit me over the head but the message is loud and clear and I'm pretty sure the big guy has a sense of humor. I'm not called Christian by anyone, I was raised in a strict religion one that demands perfection I'm far from perfect. I am a spiritual things are clearer to me as a spiritual, its whats in your heart that counts, its whats there that you will be judged by.There are a ton of religions all with good points. All claiming to be the one if you listen with an open heart you will find whats right for you. We are supposed to doubt at one time or another its part of the test. Do you have what it takes to with stand the doubts of the world, to make it back home. Pretty much as simple as that.....MrsD | |
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11-03-2009, 06:12 PM
| #38 | |
| WMRRA Qualifier |
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11-03-2009, 06:27 PM
| #39 | |
| Endorsed Joined: Jun 2008 From: Wenatchee, WA I Ride: 2003 Honda RC51 |
Later Matt | |
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11-03-2009, 07:09 PM
| #40 |
| Pit Crew Joined: Mar 2008 From: Seattle, Wa I Ride: '07 R6 | Doubt is one of the best things, because if what you believe in is correct it will reinforce your ideas, and if you have some misconceptions it will correct them. I used to go to catholic church and the priest told us that if you aren't doubting what he's saying then you aren't listening. I took a philosophy class last quarter that blew my mind, specifically one book. Confessions by St. Augustine. Its an amazing, rational, philosophical exploration of God, his existence, and the implicationss of it. One of the most powerful things he talked about was the existence of evil. Because how can evil exist if God is the definition of what is all good and loving, but everything came from God? It would make no sense that some part of God could be evil, or at least corruptible to evil. Then he would no longer be omnipotent. It also ties into the question of how can bad things happen (ie. evil things) and he concludes that there is no such thing as evil, just the choice of lesser goods in the world. For instance, a man chosing sexual pleasures over the eternal goodness: the sexual pleasures aren't evil, but they are a lesser good than God and therefore it is a sin. Chosing any lesser good over God is a sin. That was one of my favorite conclusions. Maybe it can help you too Also you mentioned initially your stupification about God existing through time. But God does not exist THROUGH time, he exists IN ALL OF TIME. We anthropomorphize God entirely too much and I think that's why we get so confused alot. God doesn't exist in time as we do, nor was there any time before God created it for man. There was no time before the existence of man (or the universe if you are an atheist, its the same thing). Just my .02 |
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