A challenge to christianity.

[Chase]

ANDYJ

I read something many years ago -- written by Plato-

He was ridicule by his peers for being a Christian and ask
on many occasions "Why do you waste your time on such beliefs?" His reply was,"If I have studied and worshipped and God is real, what have I gained?" and then "But is God is not real I have still gained much."

The exact wording excapes me completely -- but, it is similiar to the above.

[Celyn]

Originally posted by Chase
ANDYJ

I read something many years ago -- written by Plato-

He was ridicule by his peers for being a Christian ...

Let me just check - this is the Plato who lived c429-347B.C.E., is it? Well, I had not known that Plato was a Christian. How interesting.

[JoshMC]

I noticed you said it was hard to accept christianity because of hardships you've faced. I've faced them too. Everyone has. Those trials are what God puts in your way to either make you stronger spiritually or to bring you closer to him by giving you an obstacle you cannot face alone so you'll have to ask for his help. God doesn't force you to accept him as your savior or lord that is where free will comes in. God gives you obstacles for reasons unknown to anyone but him. Think about this. Everything Has A Greater Purpose!!!!! That's why kids die, christians are persecuted, and life is hard; not because God has turned his back on you or doesn't love you. One fo your earlier comments were you once was a christian and decided it wasn't for you because of science. In the Bible it states it is better to never have heard and accepted the word of God than to accept it and turn your back on it. I'll give you some scriptures on that tomorrow I don't have a bible handy.

[mcil]

So are you saying,Josh, that the obstacles and hardships e.g. death of children etc are sent by God and are part of a plan that God is keeping to himself?

[Elzpath]

I think you have a very valid point in your opening arguement. You have every right to say what you did. Why would anybody want Christianity to be the true religeon if it portrays God as a vicious tyrent and all? I know I sure wouldn't want it that way. There is one point that you need to consider just for a fleeting moment. Why did God want it to be portrayed like that? Did He really have a point? I think so. It shows us that at the ultimate end that Love is the answer to things. It is easier for an educated man to go to hell than a camel through the eye of an needle. Translated, you have to have child like faith to see the ultimate message He is sending to us. Love? What is it really? ELZPATH

[JoshMC]

I agree with you. I think people portray God as a tyrant simply because he isn't blessing them with what they want at that time. God has blessed me greatly. He hasn't given me a bunch of money or fame or a high education but god has made me humble where i once was proud; God has made me love when i once only could hate. god has blessed me in different ways with my health(which is greatly taken for granite) my two wonderful kids, and a loving wife which i feel was especially made for me. God does things with a certain purpose only he knows about and i like that. God has opened up the windows of heaven to pour out blessings on me and why i'm unworthy and hard hearted like most and i don't always do the right thing. God blesses me for my faith and out of his glorious,merciful, loving nature not because we deserve it. All mankind fall short of the glory of the Lord and he continues to put up with us even sent his only begotten son to die for our sins what can that be other than LOVE.

[JoshMC]

I agree with everything you're saying. I think some can't believe or follow god's instructions for life simply because they don't want to sacrifice and give up the things that are wrong in their lives or some just don't want to admit they aren't perfect or some can't believe there is someone like god that's more important than they really are.