David,
I'm really sorry you feel this way. I took the time to
read your thoughts. All I ask is that you read mine.
It's obvious that I do not agree with your opinion on
religion. But does that really matter?? Of course
not...when it's all said and done and you're standing
in front of God on the day of judgement...that's when
it is going to matter. Use the brain that God gave
you, think for a minute, what if there is the offset
chance that a higher being (I'll suggest, God) created
this world. Now we know that Jesus walked the earth,
there are loads of documents proving his existence.
Let's just suppose that God sent Jesus into the world
so that he can make his (God's) love known to us in a
way that we could undertstand, through Jesus. What
exactly did Jesus do when on earth...let's see, he
loved people. You cannot tell me that love is
something we can live without or something that we can
get enough of in todays society. He went to the
unloveable...imagine some of your enemies or people
you've been in contact with that are not loveable.
Everyone has a desire to be accepted (you're no
exception) Jesus made certain that everyone would feel
this way and he asks us to do the same with the people
around them. Because he loved people and proclaimed
that God was his father, he was put to death. We're
not talking a simple shot from a 9mm. He suffered
humiliation, backstabbing from people who were
praising him for all the miracles he performed, and of
course physical torture. And he did this willingly?
Why? He knew that when he came into the earth, all of
this was going to transpire. I'll tell you, he did
this so as to conquer death and sin so that we (his
children) could receive his mercy and salvation. What
if it's possible that Jesus undergone all of this for
us? This means that he did it for me a believer and
for you an atheist. What's more? He was aware that you
were going to be an atheist but he did it for you
nonetheless. Is that so bad...being loved? While he
was on the earth, he told us how we are to live and
how we are treat one another. In any of his lessons of
treating one another, would any of them be a negative
thing for society? God knew that by giving us a free
will, we would certainly get ourselves into trouble.
There has to be some order otherwise we would go
around killing one another. what I'm trying to say
here is that religion is important and the morals and
values that can be found within religion are not
negative...you would have to agree that if everyone
shared these morals and values, the world would be a
better place to live in! Now where was I...oh yes, so
you're faced with God on the throne and he's recalling
what you did on earth to see if you're worthy of
eternal life in heaven. Again I ask you, what if it's
possible that Christianity is a reality and that you
are going to have to pay for your wrongs when you die?
I pray that you'll ponder what that means. Forget
about the negative stories you have heard about
Christianity and people acting as hypocrits...I agree
those examples can be found. But that doesn't mean
that God doesn't exist or that Jesus didn't come into
this world to release the sinners. Don't you get it?
Imagine while you're lying in bed tonight and Jesus
comes down and reveals himself to you, you're not
going to be as strong as you were when you're bad
mouthing Christianity, what is little old David going
to do agaist the all mighty creator?
Please don't misunderstand what I'm trying to say. I'm
not trying to use Hell as a threat to you. I'm just
trying to get you to open your eyes for a second to
play with the idea that it actually may be true. I
realize it's true, it's only time until you do, I hope
you realize before you're on your death bed. This is
important for you to hear as well, God has mercy for
you and will forgive you of whatever wrong doing you
have done. Don't sit back thinking you're not worthy
of receiving his mercy and forgiveness. First off,
you're not, neither is anyone else, BUT he's going to
grant it to those who ask for it and who truly are
sorry for their sins. Jesus has already paid the price
for your salvation, just take it.
Your question for me is why do I believe, did someone
force it upon me? It's not like that at all. I know
you're feeling a void in your life or your heart (be
honest with yourself, this is your life we're talking
about) Sometimes your material goods and friends or
job or whatever are not giving you the fulfillment you
desire. Sex sure as heck isn't either. Have you ever
asked yourself why that is? I love cars as most guys
do. I could go out and buy my dream car, the NSX
Acura. I can guarantee that after I've had it for a
while, I'm going to realize that someone else has a
nicer car them me or that I want something faster. And
I'm sure there will be days when going for a drive in
my car won't make me feel better about the terrible
day I had (fired, fight with friend, death in family)
material goods are not going to fill that void.
One thing I pray for you to do is to ask God to prove
himself to you. You're a smart guy and you're willing
to admit you're wrong if someone can prove it..right?
Ask God to prove himself to you. When you're lying in
bed tonight, look out your window and say, "I have
been wrong before, if there is a God out there, prove
yourself to me. I am open to accepting that you desire
me to be more righteous. I am willing to be 100% open
to stepping out, being a fool at this moment and
asking God to prove himself to me. If that happens, I
will change."
That's all. Wait and realize that there is something
missing. The fact that I spent this much time from
work to plead with you means that I have discovered a
reason for living and who I'm living for.
__________________________________________________