Why don't christians call their god by his name?

I bet most Christians don't even know what their God's name is. I'm just really curious why this is. I hear from christians calling all other gods names like lucifer, etc. but never mention or even know their own god's name and just use the term god.

import_fighter1

Lucifer is a fallen Angel. Jesus is the son of God.

btw: God called me, and told me to tell you that you can call him George. I hope you are happy now.

Because it gives the impression that it is "The God" not "a God" redwolf22

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. more individual thing than it is.

dog64

JW's believe they are the "true" Christians.

Also, the mormons

:V

God is simply an acronym for the 3 material objects that run the world.

Gold

Oil

Drugs

[QUOTE="dog64"]

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. more individual thing than it is.

flordeceres

JW's believe they are the "true" Christians.

Also, the mormons

:V

Well, every religion believes they are true. But speaking about Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they are the true branch of Christianity. One reason is because they use god's name, Jehovah, while all the other Christian faiths do not. They're told that all the other Christian faiths are "blind to the truth".

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

Perhaps that's what you believe, but its not what all Christians believe. Jehovas Witnesses, Adoptionists and Oneness Pentacostals (to name but a few Christian groups) don't believe in the Trinity.

RationalAtheist

:roll: I was only speaking for my beliefs. Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. Adoptionists are also not truely considered a branch of the christian faith either as their beliefs are too far removed from the basis that christianity is formed on. I for one don't subscribe to any denomenation as I have my own beliefs and refuse to have a denomenation tell me what is true and what is not. Christianity SHOULD, in my opinion, be a much more individual thing than it is.

JWs are a BIG cult! 12 million adherents (but only 144,000 will be saved, apparently)! Don't Adoptiopnists follow the works of Christ too? What about all the other Christian groups (or religions based on Christ)?

Are you a mix and match Christian, cherry picking all the best bits you like from your faith, while ignoring all those rhinos in the corner?

Mathew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me "Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My father in heaven."

Mathew 7:22 "Many will say to Me on that day [jugdement Day] "Lord, Lord" have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"

Mathew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.

umm...Yahweh is his name used in scripture, but I believe that GOD is suffice.

first we have to understand what it means to be a christian. Christians are those who follow Jesus / Christ hence the word Christian. 2nd, not all who calls themselves christians will go to heaven. In the Holy Bible, it states

Mathew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me "Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My father in heaven."

Mathew 7:22 "Many will say to Me on that day [jugdement Day] "Lord, Lord" have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"

Mathew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.

dark-warmachine

But Mormons, Jehovas Witnesses and Gnostics all do follow Jesus.

And who is the judge of what a "true" Christian is? All your quotes mean to me is actions rather than words will get you into heaven.

Also, Peter and Paul disagree, as Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 illustrate. They say that "Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved".

[QUOTE="dark-warmachine"]

first we have to understand what it means to be a christian. Christians are those who follow Jesus / Christ hence the word Christian. 2nd, not all who calls themselves christians will go to heaven. In the Holy Bible, it states

Mathew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me "Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My father in heaven."

Mathew 7:22 "Many will say to Me on that day [jugdement Day] "Lord, Lord" have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"

Mathew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.

But Mormons, Jehovas Witnesses and Gnostics all do follow Jesus.

And who is the judge of what a "true" Christian is? All your quotes mean to me is actions rather than words will get you into heaven.

Also, Peter and Paul disagree, as Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 illustrate. They say that "Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved".

[QUOTE="samuraiguns"][QUOTE="dog64"]

But many Christians believe that god's name is Jesus.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="dark-warmachine"]

first we have to understand what it means to be a christian. Christians are those who follow Jesus / Christ hence the word Christian. 2nd, not all who calls themselves christians will go to heaven. In the Holy Bible, it states

Mathew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me "Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My father in heaven."

Mathew 7:22 "Many will say to Me on that day [jugdement Day] "Lord, Lord" have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"

Mathew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.

RationalAtheist

But Mormons, Jehovas Witnesses and Gnostics all do follow Jesus.

And who is the judge of what a "true" Christian is? All your quotes mean to me is actions rather than words will get you into heaven.

Also, Peter and Paul disagree, as Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 illustrate. They say that "Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved".

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

Perhaps that's what you believe, but its not what all Christians believe. Jehovas Witnesses, Adoptionists and Oneness Pentacostals (to name but a few Christian groups) don't believe in the Trinity.

RationalAtheist

:roll: I was only speaking for my beliefs. Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. Adoptionists are also not truely considered a branch of the christian faith either as their beliefs are too far removed from the basis that christianity is formed on. I for one don't subscribe to any denomenation as I have my own beliefs and refuse to have a denomenation tell me what is true and what is not. Christianity SHOULD, in my opinion, be a much more individual thing than it is.

JWs are a BIG cult! 12 million adherents (but only 144,000 will be saved, apparently)! Don't Adoptiopnists follow the works of Christ too? What about all the other Christian groups (or religions based on Christ)?

Are you a mix and match Christian, cherry picking all the best bits you like from your faith, while ignoring all those rhinos in the corner?

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

But Mormons, Jehovas Witnesses and Gnostics all do follow Jesus.

And who is the judge of what a "true" Christian is? All your quotes mean to me is actions rather than words will get you into heaven.

Also, Peter and Paul disagree, as Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 illustrate. They say that "Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved".

dark-warmachine

This is all easily resolved with a bit of valid research - I suggest you do some. I note the way you categorise Gnostics; as if there aren't any different beliefs within Gnosticism itself. Their differences in belief to yours don't automatically make them wrong. Rather, it exposes the many different interpretations that can be made form the same book.

Those other faithful followers of Christ would dispute your position on being a "true" Christian. They assert it doesn't always follow that a belief in Christ requires a belief in the trinity, regardless of how you feel.

No I'm not a "mix and match" Christian. My beliefs are based upon what I believe to be true through reading of the Bible and talking to God. And in most situations that makes for some MUCH harder truths than most preachers put out there. I try my best to ignore nothing, no matter how difficult it may be to accept. The reason I say I don't subscribe to a denomination is because I don't agree with EVERYTHING that any one denomination puts forth as true. But my beliefs fall closest to the Baptist denomination, which is why I attend a Baptist church. Penguinchow

I'm glad you agree about the tremendous divisiveness in the Christian church today.

What are these hard truths you speak of?

Also, can you form a belief just by talking? Or is there some sort of "response"?

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

No I'm not a "mix and match" Christian. My beliefs are based upon what I believe to be true through reading of the Bible and talking to God. And in most situations that makes for some MUCH harder truths than most preachers put out there. I try my best to ignore nothing, no matter how difficult it may be to accept. The reason I say I don't subscribe to a denomination is because I don't agree with EVERYTHING that any one denomination puts forth as true. But my beliefs fall closest to the Baptist denomination, which is why I attend a Baptist church. RationalAtheist

I'm glad you agree about the tremendous divisiveness in the Christian church today.

What are these hard truths you speak of?

Also, can you form a belief just by talking? Or is there some sort of "response"?

For example. One hard truth that the Christians of today seem to ignore is a matter of salvation. Most preachers of today preach that if you say a prayer (in fact some even give you an outline of what they think you need to say) that God will save you. It's not a prayer that saves you. And it's not an easy thing. You are giving up your old self (the one totally concerned with your well being and getting pleasure on earth) in exchange for a new way of life and a new mindset. I'll use myself as an example. Before I made my decision (its really a decision NOT a prayer) I had not guilt when i did something wrong, I felt a kind of emptiness, I felt a sense if aloneness in the world, and I couldn't understand Christians mindsets or why in the world they would choose to not do something with no consequences whatsoever that felt great only because they thought it was wrong. Well I slowly started to understand what it was about (with a lot of help from reading C.S. Lewis' works). I started to feel this terribly strong pull on me to actually give up what i wanted in exchange for what God wanted. It got to the point where It was about to drive me up the wall it was so strong. So i finally, and reluctantly, gave in. Well that was a long painful day.. God showed me all I'd done wrong and how I was going to have to change. But it felt like an incredible weight had been lifted off my head. Since then its been one long, difficult, journey. Preachers don't give you this reality usually because it sound too "radical" or difficult. They give you a watered down, wimpy Christianity. But that's how it is. As for talking to God, yes there is always a response. Sometimes there is silence but silence is a response in its own way. Its something you would have to experience to understand.

Penguinchow

I think you misunderstand the use of prayer as a meditation and a chance to feel "close to" the divinity being prayed to.

I agree that beliefs do seem like a fundamental part of our psyches. We all have these strong "instincts" within us that motivate us to various different ends. But they are not interpreted in the same way in everyone. Much of religious adherence is bourne through promise, family and other influences, such as C.S. Lewis (a Christian apologist who wrote childrens novels). Its interesting to hear you say you had no guilt, but stilll were able to feel empty and alone when you did something wrong. Perhaps you simply misunderstood what guilt really is.

Perhaps your new mindset is just as illusory as your previous mindset. Isn't it dangerous to think that you are worthier than other people who have not or can not go through this process? What sort of a response is silence? How can I experience something you can't explain?

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

For example. One hard truth that the Christians of today seem to ignore is a matter of salvation. Most preachers of today preach that if you say a prayer (in fact some even give you an outline of what they think you need to say) that God will save you. It's not a prayer that saves you. And it's not an easy thing. You are giving up your old self (the one totally concerned with your well being and getting pleasure on earth) in exchange for a new way of life and a new mindset. I'll use myself as an example. Before I made my decision (its really a decision NOT a prayer) I had not guilt when i did something wrong, I felt a kind of emptiness, I felt a sense if aloneness in the world, and I couldn't understand Christians mindsets or why in the world they would choose to not do something with no consequences whatsoever that felt great only because they thought it was wrong. Well I slowly started to understand what it was about (with a lot of help from reading C.S. Lewis' works). I started to feel this terribly strong pull on me to actually give up what i wanted in exchange for what God wanted. It got to the point where It was about to drive me up the wall it was so strong. So i finally, and reluctantly, gave in. Well that was a long painful day.. God showed me all I'd done wrong and how I was going to have to change. But it felt like an incredible weight had been lifted off my head. Since then its been one long, difficult, journey. Preachers don't give you this reality usually because it sound too "radical" or difficult. They give you a watered down, wimpy Christianity. But that's how it is. As for talking to God, yes there is always a response. Sometimes there is silence but silence is a response in its own way. Its something you would have to experience to understand.

RationalAtheist

I think you misunderstand the use of prayer as a meditation and a chance to feel "close to" the divinity being prayed to.

I agree that beliefs do seem like a fundamental part of our psyches. We all have these strong "instincts" within us that motivate us to various different ends. But they are not interpreted in the same way in everyone. Much of religious adherence is bourne through promise, family and other influences, such as C.S. Lewis (a Christian apologist who wrote childrens novels). Its interesting to hear you say you had no guilt, but stilll were able to feel empty and alone when you did something wrong. Perhaps you simply misunderstood what guilt really is.

Perhaps your new mindset is just as illusory as your previous mindset. Isn't it dangerous to think that you are worthier than other people who have not or can not go through this process? What sort of a response is silence? How can I experience something you can't explain?

I usually avoid getting into these kinda topics because it always ends up being too big of a mess. But God's name is NOT Jesus, its his sons name.

Also, I noticed someone mention the Trinity Doctrine. That doctrine honestly doesnt make any sense and the bible itself doesnt back up that belief.

That is all.

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"] This. In the same way that water has three forms, solid, liquid, and gas. They are all God just in different forms.Penguinchow

Perhaps that's what you believe, but its not what all Christians believe. Jehovas Witnesses, Adoptionists and Oneness Pentacostals (to name but a few Christian groups) don't believe in the Trinity.

:roll: I was only speaking for my beliefs. Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. Adoptionists are also not truely considered a branch of the christian faith either as their beliefs are too far removed from the basis that christianity is formed on. I for one don't subscribe to any denomenation as I have my own beliefs and refuse to have a denomenation tell me what is true and what is not. Christianity SHOULD, in my opinion, be a much more individual thing than it is.

Everything Jehovah Witnesses believe comes strictly through study of the bible. If thats not Christian, I dont know what is.

This thread has gone waayyyyyy far than it should have.

I bet most Christians don't even know what their God's name is. I'm just really curious why this is. I hear from christians calling all other gods names like lucifer, etc. but never mention or even know their own god's name and just use the term god.

import_fighter1

1) Elohim: The plural form of EL, meaning "strong one." It is used of false gods, but when used of the true God, it is a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is especially used of God's sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7).

Compounds of El:

• El Shaddai:"God Almighty." The derivation is uncertain. Some think it stresses God's loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:31; Ps. 91:1, 2).
• El Elyon: "The Most High God." Stresses God's strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25).
• El Olam: "The Everlasting God." Emphasizes God's unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13).

2) Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means "to exist, be." This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Gen. 4:3; Ex. 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12).

Compounds of Yahweh: Strictly speaking, these compounds are designations or titles which reveal additional facts about God's character.

• Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): "The Lord will provide." Stresses God's provision for His people (Gen. 22:14).
• Yahweh Nissi:"The Lord is my Banner." Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).
• Yahweh Shalom:"The Lord is Peace." Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24).
• Yahweh Sabbaoth:"The Lord of Hosts." A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45).
• Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: "The Lord your Sanctifier." Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13).
• Yahweh Ro'i: "The Lord my Shepherd." Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1).
• Yahweh Tsidkenu: "The Lord our Righteousness." Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6).
• Yahweh Shammah: "The Lord is there." Portrays the Lord's personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:35).
• Yahweh Elohim Israel: "The Lord, the God of Israel." Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Jud. 5:3.; Isa. 17:6).

So i ask again, which one are you talking about? They all reveal different attributes of God.

-That was put together by J. Keathley III-

I usually avoid getting into these kinda topics because it always ends up being too big of a mess. But God's name is NOT Jesus, its his sons name.

Also, I noticed someone mention the Trinity Doctrine. That doctrine honestly doesnt make any sense and the bible itself doesnt back up that belief.

That is all.

MellowMight

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

Perhaps that's what you believe, but its not what all Christians believe. Jehovas Witnesses, Adoptionists and Oneness Pentacostals (to name but a few Christian groups) don't believe in the Trinity.

:roll: I was only speaking for my beliefs. Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. Adoptionists are also not truely considered a branch of the christian faith either as their beliefs are too far removed from the basis that christianity is formed on. I for one don't subscribe to any denomenation as I have my own beliefs and refuse to have a denomenation tell me what is true and what is not. Christianity SHOULD, in my opinion, be a much more individual thing than it is.

Everything Jehovah Witnesses believe comes strictly through study of the bible. If thats not Christian, I dont know what is.

What I have noticed in these posts is the amount of people who just don't get it. Even if you don't believe and are trying to sound off like you know what is going on you still need to have a very strong understanding of the christian faith to be credible. One of the things that I see that shows the biggest lack of understanding is that Jesus is not god's name, it is his sons. This demonstrates a great lack of understanding. The trinity shows that god is three entities while also being one entity. God the father in heaven, god the son on earth, and god the holy spirit which dwells in all of us and empowers us. And to those who say that Jesus was praying to himself this is also not true. The thing that you have to realise about god is that he is omnipresent - everywhere and anywhere at the same time. God is 3 entities as well as one entity at the same time. I know it is hard to wrap your heads around but this is what the christian faith believes. Secondly about gods name, God is refered to by several names in the bible. I believe a poster before me explaind this very well.

[QUOTE="Penguinchow"]

[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"]

Perhaps that's what you believe, but its not what all Christians believe. Jehovas Witnesses, Adoptionists and Oneness Pentacostals (to name but a few Christian groups) don't believe in the Trinity.

MellowMight

:roll: I was only speaking for my beliefs. Jehovas Witnesses, by the way, is not a branch of christianity, but a cult. Adoptionists are also not truely considered a branch of the christian faith either as their beliefs are too far removed from the basis that christianity is formed on. I for one don't subscribe to any denomenation as I have my own beliefs and refuse to have a denomenation tell me what is true and what is not. Christianity SHOULD, in my opinion, be a much more individual thing than it is.

Everything Jehovah Witnesses believe comes strictly through study of the bible. If thats not Christian, I dont know what is.

I mean no offense at all by this, but I don't expect an atheist (again I am not trying to be derogatory) to understand the concept of prayer and how meditation and prayer differ without having actually experienced it. Some people say prayer is when you talk to God, meditation is when you listen for his answer, and in a sense this is true. When I talk to God it's like an actual conversation. Just like I would have with someone sitting next to me. Call me crazy if you wish but it's probably the most "real" thing I've ever experienced. As to the issue with C.S. Lewis, I had no interest in reading his works until I began to feel the need to sort things out, so to speak. I can see how in my OP you would have misunderstood based on where I positioned each sentence and I apologize. It was the feeling that compelled me to read his works. They in no way fed the feeling but they helped to make sense of things. And yes, he was an apologist who wrote childrens novels but he is also considered by many to be one of the greatest theologians of our time. That is irrelevant. I was in particular referring to his work "Mere Christianity" which is a very deep and intellectual approach to Christianity, not a childrens book :) . To answer your other questions.For the sake of argument if my new mindset IS actually Illusory as you suggest then I am still infinitely better off than I was previously. But again, without experiencing it, it is difficult for me to convey how real this experience is. In fact, too me, it seems more real than the world in which I live. It rings true on a level not describable.I don't expect you to understand this at all or even to believe me, but I'm telling you what I've seen and felt. Secondly, I in no way consider myself superior to people who "don't get it". But as Christians we are not to ignore it when we see fellow Christians in the wrong. In fact the bible says to confront them. That's why I feel that I am not in the wrong by talking about the softening of Christianity and the preacher's of today distorting it. Thirdly, silence can be a test of faith. I've only once in my life had God go silent. It was, to say the least, unpleasant. It was during a very personal matter that I will not go into. I had to make my decision based on what I read in the Bible and what i knew in my heart to be true, and in the end I understood exactly why he had gone silent. Lastly, if you tried to explain (for lack of a better example) making love to someone who had never experienced it, they would not understand. They could get the gist of what you where saying but there is no way you could put into words all of the complex feelings, emotions, and experiences that go with it. While I am in no-way comparing my experience to that, it's the best metaphor I could come up with on the spot and I hope you understand what I'm trying to say with it.Penguinchow

I think you're trying to say that people who have not experienced how you feel cannot conceive of how it feels.

Personally, I've reached an atheist belief, despite a Christian upbringing and schooling, then a short Buddhist spiritual phase. I feel I can comment on the meaning of prayer, even if it does not match your own definition.

You make it seem like these experiences are special and personal to you, i.e more "real than real". It seems you can't image how anyone can feel like that without following your beliefs. I too have felt huge elation at times. I've also experienced great exceitement and extreme gratefullness myself, so I am familiar with the emotions you try and convey. I'm just letting you know they are part of the human psyche and are prevalent in all religions and in societies without religion too. So although you may associate your feelings with your faith, they are really part of you.

You interpreted silence as a response. Is that useful? I'd see it as abandonment. More worryingly, what sort of non-silent responses do you get?

Bob isn't a name?

Pirate700

I think you're trying to say that people who have not experienced how you feel cannot conceive of how it feels.

Personally, I've reached an atheist belief, despite a Christian upbringing and schooling, then a short Buddhist spiritual phase. I feel I can comment on the meaning of prayer, even if it does not match your own definition.

You make it seem like these experiences are special and personal to you, i.e more "real than real". It seems you can't image how anyone can feel like that without following your beliefs. I too have felt huge elation at times. I've also experienced great exceitement and extreme gratefullness myself, so I am familiar with the emotions you try and convey. I'm just letting you know they are part of the human psyche and are prevalent in all religions and in societies without religion too. So although you may associate your feelings with your faith, they are really part of you.

You interpreted silence as a response. Is that useful? I'd see it as abandonment. More worryingly, what sort of non-silent responses do you get?

RationalAtheist

Like I said, in my experience silence is rare. But when it happens there is always a reason. It doesn't mean that God isn't there and doesn't care, just that he has chosen not to answer your questions at the time. In my experience with it if God had chosen to answer me I would have missed learning a very valuable lesson. As for the "non-silent" responses, when God answers me while I pray it's just like a conversation. I don't audibly hear voices. But I can feel whats he's saying.Sometime it's an intense feeling that cannot be attributed to anything else. Sometimes it's a quiet nudging. The best descriptor of it I can find of that is a "still small voice". I've also been told things are going to happen before and lo and behold they did :| . I've been told to do things that make no sense at all at the time, but when I act on them, almost always things turn out in a way in which i can see the purpose of what I was told. Call me crazy if you wish but I assure you there is no dillusion involved. The reason I say I doubt you will believe my expriences is because, unless you have experienced it, it sounds like the babblings of a mad man. Believe me, I've been there, and I've thought the exact same thing. I appreciate that you are approaching this conversation with logic and questions instead of putting words in my mouth and making silly assumptions like so many do. That shows true intelligence.

Like I said, in my experience silence is rare. But when it happens there is always a reason. It doesn't mean that God isn't there and doesn't care, just that he has chosen not to answer your questions at the time. In my experience with it if God had chosen to answer me I would have missed learning a very valuable lesson. As for the "non-silent" responses, when God answers me while I pray it's just like a conversation. I don't audibly hear voices. But I can feel whats he's saying.Sometime it's an intense feeling that cannot be attributed to anything else. Sometimes it's a quiet nudging. The best descriptor of it I can find of that is a "still small voice". I've also been told things are going to happen before and lo and behold they did :| . I've been told to do things that make no sense at all at the time, but when I act on them, almost always things turn out in a way in which i can see the purpose of what I was told. Call me crazy if you wish but I assure you there is no dillusion involved. The reason I say I doubt you will believe my expriences is because, unless you have experienced it, it sounds like the babblings of a mad man. Believe me, I've been there, and I've thought the exact same thing. I appreciate that you are approaching this conversation with logic and questions instead of putting words in my mouth and making silly assumptions like so many do. That shows true intelligence.

Penguinchow

How do you know about what God's silence means, unless you inferred it all. You sound so scarily confident in your conclusions about this. I only say scarily as I see you have no real basis for these assumptions, aside from your own emotional state.

The feeling of precognition you get: Can that really be ascribed to Christianity? I thought the church frowned on the occult. Also, isn't a more rational explanation that its a common psychological perception activity experienced by all cultures?

I'm not saying you do this, but people also commonly re-enforce their decisions in establishing a purpose for their actions. I think it more productive to question, rather than accept stuff that sounds fishy.

Here comes the impasse - once again, I can't somehow understand, unless I experience this mystical elation of religion - specifically your own personal brand of Christianity.

The words "delusion" and "irrational" don't seem like "nice words, but I think they do accurately describe the basis for all faith based beliefs. I don't mean to insult though, since you have been kind, responsive and attentive in answering my questions and phrasing your own. You too are an intelligent Christian - or rather an intelligent person. Cheers.

Ahhh this is too funny. People and their imaginary friends. Lulz!

Because the God in the New Testament is a different one from the evil God in the Old Testament.Bourbons3

This website helps answer a lot of questions about different Religious groups and movements.

http://www.carm.org/

This website helps answer a lot of questions about different Religious groups and movements.

http://www.carm.org/

Stinger78

Great site, if you want a Chrisitan view on other faiths. I especially like the section on Mistakes Christians make when dialoging with atheists.

I'd start my own research on other faiths by visiting sites that actually believe in what's being discussed though.