how do you "accept" forgivness? is it just like, you ask for it, and then just "know" youre forgiven? if thats the case, how can someone not be forgiven because they dont except it? this has always confused me.

also im curious as to what christians think of www.near-death.com. (http://www.near-death.com.) everything ive read on there basicly says that no one will ever "go to hell for eternity". some people do mention something like hell, but they all say that god forgives everyone no matter what and ultimitly everyone will be in heaven.

I'm not a christian, but I think the idea of 'accepting forgiveness' may have something to do with the condition of one's heart. For example, we may cross paths one day, and you commit some form of injustice against me... then we part ways, and we never see each other again... but in my own being, I have forgiven you and do not bear any grudge against you... whereas, for you, the feeling of guilt overcomes you, and this destroys you from inside. So unless you have some form of closure from me, you would always remain in that state of unease.

This does bring up some more questions, and how it would work when we are to meet God, which I cannot answer on behalf of Christianity.

-[Soofi]

[This message has been edited by Soofi (edited 01-13-2005).]

thanks soofi that was a good post. i wonder when a christian will reply though.. i think they all hate me because of my jesus bashing the truth is though im not really a christian basher. i think for the most part the religion is bogus but the basic ideas are very good and i dont have any problem with christians. except those pretentious bible pushin extremists. but i dont think anyone likes them anyway.

quote:Originally posted by Clifford the Big Red Bong:

thanks soofi that was a good post. i wonder when a christian will reply though.. i think they all hate me because of my jesus bashing the truth is though im not really a christian basher. i think for the most part the religion is bogus but the basic ideas are very good and i dont have any problem with christians. except those pretentious bible pushin extremists. but i dont think anyone likes them anyway.

I'm not a christian either. I don't believe in organized religion which I feel was made up by men. Ever notice how most religions hold women in low regard when it should be just the opposite?

I do believe in a supreme being for lack of a better term. I also believe we possess a soul.

[This message has been edited by Nemisis (edited 01-13-2005).]

quote:Originally posted by Clifford the Big Red Bong:

thanks soofi that was a good post. i wonder when a christian will reply though.. i think they all hate me because of my jesus bashing the truth is though im not really a christian basher. i think for the most part the religion is bogus but the basic ideas are very good and i dont have any problem with christians. except those pretentious bible pushin extremists. but i dont think anyone likes them anyway.

Clifford, we (Christians) do not all hate you, though we may disagree strongly on spiritual issues.

By the way, why is it such an extreme position to accept the Bible as inerrant truth from a perfect God?

quote:Originally posted by Nemisis:

I'm not a christian either. I don't believe in organized religion which I feel was made up by men. Ever notice how most religions hold women in low regard when it should be just the opposite?

I do believe in a supreme being for lack of a better term. I also believe we possess a soul.



I agree that most if not all organized religion has problems or is down-right false.

I also agree that women should be held in high esteem.

I am glad to hear that you believe in a supreme being and that we possess a soul, so that we have some common ground.

quote:Originally posted by Nemisis:

I do believe in a supreme being for lack of a better term.



Deism perhaps.

And accepting forgiveness is a personal thing between one and god. If someone is truely sorry for actions they have committed and they ask for forgiveness through praying, then they will feel alleviated. It's just a matter of having a good conscience by admitting to yourself what you did was wrong and asking god to forgive you for the actions that you performed.

but what if i don't want 4givness from god what if i want 4givness from the one i've wronged and i don't care if god 4give's me r not

quote:Originally posted by Shaokhano:

but what if i don't want 4givness from god what if i want 4givness from the one i've wronged and i don't care if god 4give's me r not

Then you have to find that person and ask them. If they're dead, unfindable, or refuse to forgive you then you have to move on knowing you tried.

quote:Originally posted by Shaokhano:

but what if i don't want 4givness from god what if i want 4givness from the one i've wronged and i don't care if god 4give's me r not

sin always wrongs God

quote:Originally posted by Nemisis:

I'm not a christian either. I don't believe in organized religion which I feel was made up by men. Ever notice how most religions hold women in low regard when it should be just the opposite?

I do believe in a supreme being for lack of a better term. I also believe we possess a soul.



i feel the same way

quote:Originally posted by cerebraldisorder:

By the way, why is it such an extreme position to accept the Bible as inerrant truth from a perfect God?

because the bible is a collection of stories that date back to about the dawn of man. according to the bible, it does date back to the time of man, when god just made us "appear". in order to believe the bible you have to say that science (specificly radio carbon dating) is wrong. also, the bible itself seems pretty arbitrary. like i said, its a collection of stories. but many of these stories about god and the dawn of man were left out of the actual bible. aparently they just seemed "too weird". so how do we know whats true then? if these stories were about the words of god, how can we just call them "too weird" to go into the bible? and again, these are some of the earliest stories ever writen. they very well could just be made up by people who ate some magic mushrooms or stories to help people deal with the fact that they have no idea where they came from. theres a million reasons man. i could go on and on but i think you get my point.