Christians, an honest question?

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Question by Pirate Fish: Christians, an honest question?
I am an Atheist. I have broken many laws(mostly traffic laws and some stolen street signs). Not that I care, but I have broken many of the 10 Commandments. I laugh at the mere thought of Christianity and god. Yet, all the Christians I know(which is a big number, considering I got to private school) have had more suffering in their lives than me and my other godless friends have had. They also seem to be much more unhappy people. How do you explain this? Don’t you think that the quality of your earthly life could be greatly improved if you are given a lot more freedom by letting go of religion? I am not trying to convert, I am simply asking an honest question.

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Answer by Ryohei W
i agree

Give your answer to this question below!

Christians, Honest, question

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This entry was posted by All4U on September 8, 2011 at 11:34 pm, and is filed under Converting Traffic. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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Comments (49)

#1 written by intertransient
about 8 months ago

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Your obviously making them sick.
cut it out…and yes it is contagious.
#2 written by Dima G
about 8 months ago

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I totaly agree, my friend is FORCED to go to church 3 times a week because his parents are religious, imo religion is ruining alot of peoples lives, and its slowing down mankind to find out the real reason how we got here
#3 written by Audrey King
about 8 months ago

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well I believe that some suffering is necessary for growth. Also, you can learn from other people’s suffering. An example of this would be a young woman having sex and then getting pregnant and the man leaving her. She has suffered the loss of the man, but she has learned something about responsibility and life in general. Not only that but a beautfiul innocent child is the result of this. Even more suffering will continue, but even more growth will as well. That child can learn from her mother’s mistakes. Also, some religions are ridiculous. My cousin cant get her ears pierced because it is against her religion. However, not all religion is crazy and not all Christians are the same.
#4 written by T J M
about 8 months ago

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Some people are bound up by religion.
#5 written by i7nvd
about 8 months ago

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Go read the book of Job in the Bible. I think it might explain some of that. And I’m not trying to convert either, but when I was an atheist, I read some of the books in the Bible. They’re actually fairly neat stories. I might also recommend reading the book of Tobit. These aren’t preachy in-your-face books, but they’re a bit like novels. Go check them out!
#6 written by Simon C
about 8 months ago

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Expect lots of sheep replies, such as
You will pay in the future, it will come around to bite you in the ass, karma will get you etc.
#7 written by butch
about 8 months ago

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god wors in strange ways christians will suffer but more as a loveing sacrafice for jesus, our gift is eternal life.
#8 written by Dillicious
about 8 months ago

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there response will be, just wait till you die, then that is where your fun ends, and theirs(Christians) begins….at least that is what I would guess they would say
#9 written by Vile temptress' kitty Go Spu
about 8 months ago

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Yes, they would.

Living your life in fear of any imaginary place must not be good. I.e. common sense.
#10 written by pinkstealth
about 8 months ago

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MANY CHRISTIANS AREN’T REALLY CHRISTIANS!

Satan does not STOP the attack because you are Christian…
that is when he STARTS IT.
#11 written by slow_hand_78
about 8 months ago

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you go to a private school. no wonder people in your life are depressed. that has nothing to do with their religious affiliation. second, you are boasting that you have a good time because of no god exist in your life? interesting…
#12 written by Joseph C
about 8 months ago

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I don’t need a formal religion. I live by common sense and faith (or at least try), which is the essence of Christianity. The more a person is a lawbreaker or corrupt, the more he needs societal or religiouis laws and formality.

There are some instances, though, when the scriptures clarify things, such as this:

http://nuurl.us/d3808

This link is about divorce, but nevertheless, if people were really honest and sincere when they make their vows, they would rarely need that law, either.

Usually, when I make a sensible post such as this that should explain things and offend no one, some jokers give it thumbs down, and I don’t know why.
#13 written by RachelinKC
about 8 months ago

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It makes complete sense to think that the devil wouldn’t want to waste his time on those who don’t believe. He has his hands full trying to tear down those who have chosen God’s path.
#14 written by Liz
about 8 months ago

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What do you mean by suffering?
Like natural suffering-death, disease…?
or like, just sadness in general?
#15 written by mickey_doodle2
about 8 months ago

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The only true answer to your question is in the Bible. I recommend you read it. God is the only way to heaven. Please turn your life over to him, he is coming soon..
#16 written by angeliquieee
about 8 months ago

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It’s not that we are unhappy, but (no offense or anything) we look at our sins completely different than atheists or other non-religious people do. God is not the impact of our unhappiness but us, ourselves. We accept our sins and therefore know we must confess and repent.
#17 written by Lil Dreamer
about 8 months ago

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Well, I don’t think religion has anything to do with you having a better life than christians. Some people are just more negative about life, And it just so happens that you met alot of hopeless christians. Take into consideration though that there are many more christians in the world that are probably much happier than you are
#18 written by January
about 8 months ago

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How do you explain the fact that you can confuse you circle of friends with 2,000,000,000 Christians? I mean, that’s hardly a representative sample! If the entire United States were 100% Christians, they would still only comprise 10% of the Christian population. So it seems like a stretch to assume that your circle of friends are somehow representative of the religion as a whole…
#19 written by Kev
about 8 months ago

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All have broken the all 10 commandments, even murder (hatred in your heart). Being a Christian is miserable at times, but our reward is great. And I dont have a religion, I have a relationship with my and you Creator who loves me and you. Noone is forcing you to believe in Him, but He believes in you and loves you my friend. I have athiest friends who are changing, just by how I live and not what I say to them about God. Yes we suffer, only to make us stronger in our faith. With suffering comes faith and hope.
#20 written by jecrawford2010
about 8 months ago

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there is a HEAVEN to gain ; there is a HELL to shun;
#21 written by Bandaloop Doctor
about 8 months ago

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well I am also an Atheist, yet i believe in the flow of life and Karma, i’m just musing, but perhaps later in your life it will “come back to get you” or some strange thing like that while their lives may stay the same or improve. I don’t believe you can judge anyone’s quality of life without living it, just as you can’t judge drugs and alcohol until you’ve tried them. they also believe “god works in mysterious ways” i have often thought about what you are asking though…and the thought of some higher power other than things even-ing out in my life makes me giggle.
#22 written by Millie M
about 8 months ago

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as Christians we know that the in our earthly lives we will suffer and be persecuted for our faith and it will be hard. i cant understand the unhappy part. i also go to a private school, a religous private school and were all pretty happy, yet we all go through hard times and most of us have an inner peace telling us its all worth it and in the end it will pay off.
#23 written by JeZz1ca123
about 8 months ago

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Well, we all have problems, just like everyone else. In the Bible it says that we WILL have difficult times on this earth as Christians, but it will totally be woth it when we get to heaven. Honestly God is the one who gets me through all of this crap here on earth.

That is a great question though.
#24 written by mw
about 8 months ago

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The reason it seems like the “godly” people have more suffering is because it is based on what society thinks is living a rich life. What is it to you that makes you think they are unhappy? Is that based on your own opinion? And to the “godly” people, the earthly life does not matter because they will live a much more rich life when they go to heaven. The bible says that god has gone to prepare a place for them ( in heaven).
#25 written by southsider
about 8 months ago

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some folks learn from trials other take a while
some folks get closer to God, some walk away.
its a test of faith, and attitude
we get tested by everyone, even God.
but God is forgiving, folks not so much
#26 written by chanel
about 8 months ago

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Not a christian and this is the reason why.
Life is hard enough and challanging enough without the added guilt that leads to cancer and other illnesses. To err is human. To learn is to make mistakes. We are not brought into the world through no choice of our own only to be expected to be perfect. That is just ridiculous. Religion is ridiculous. God has nothing to do with Religion. Religion is mans idea.
#27 written by Jesus N
about 8 months ago

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You know I never wanted them to do all this crap…

Build huge churches, burn people for witchcraft, go on genocidal crusades. Sing bloody hymns about how great I am and and how great my father is.

Show me once where I said do any of that in the bible… Half the stories in there are a load of crap made up by the romans anyway.

All I said was try to love each other and respect all people… Christ man where did they get confused with that.

I don’t know why i bothered..

Jesus N.
#28 written by tracy211968
about 8 months ago

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God wants us to rely on Him.
My grandmother was dirt poor, but she always had faith in God and she was one of the richest people I’ve ever known. What we have on earth is just temporary. Eternal life is forever.
#29 written by Assoc. Prof. Judo Chop
about 8 months ago

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I don’t know that anyone can answer this, maybe you know some really low quality catholics.
#30 written by princessjamie2
about 8 months ago

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Whether you are a christian or not, we all have trials and tribulations in our lives. In the bible, it says that you will know by the fruit of the person if they belong to God.

It really sounds like the people who claim to be Christian could either be having a rough time, or maybe are not experiencing all the love that God gives.

Not trying to convert, but why does it matter… being an Atheist and all…?

I can tell you this much.. When I met my husband he did not believe in God. After 7 years, without my knowledge, he accepted God into his heart. He said that he has the burden of the world lifted off of him. He said before that he would be so mad at people, and it would just tire him out.

I’m not about being tired….

The other thing to consider is that Romans 10:9 says confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead… then you shall be saved.

While the ten commandments are a good rule of thumb to follow to make your life a little easier, Romans 10:9 shows you how to be saved. That’s it.. That easy…

I wish you well!
#31 written by Pam B
about 8 months ago

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First of all, I love your avatar. Secondly, there is not one person n earth that has not broken one of the Ten Commandment because they are impossible to keep. They are meant to help us understand what sin is. Only Jesus was able to keep them.

I doubt Christians have a whole lot more suffering than anyone else but I am concerned that the Christians you see look unhappy. There is a lot of joy in Christianity. The quality of my life is wonderful- but even if it wasn’t, Christians believe this life is very very short compared with eternity. So if my life were unhappy or difficult, I would just try to endure and “keep the faith” until God brought me home to heaven.

Keep asking questions. Maybe God is drawing you to Himself!
#32 written by 1sttimemom17
about 8 months ago

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Alright, I understand where you are coming from, I was never and atheist, but I was agnostic… I am Christian, but I am still in my agnostic thing, slightly… I don’t know how to explain where I am at in my beliefs. I do believe, but I don’t…
As for the 10 commandments, I have broken them. I am 18 and a single mother, I have been held up a gun point, and a week later my grandmother was in car accident. it wasn’t until I was held up at gun point that my beliefs started heading more towards God because that night, there were so many signs but I just wasn’t paying attention. The same friday of that week the women who mugged where caught…
well, what I am trying to say is that it doesn’t matter what you believe or follow. I have broken most all of the commandments and life isn’t wonderful. I am happy and I do believe in God.
#33 written by deepthough
about 8 months ago

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this life is the paradise for the disbeliever. God is speeding up the reward, so when the disbeliever return back to Him, he/she may find none.
#34 written by m s
about 8 months ago

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cool, i’ve stolen a street sign and also broken traffic laws, regularly….

we are to expect to be hated and have persecution, if its not happening we should wonder why.

who god loves he disciplines, my kids are not usually very happy when they are being disciplined.

the more we need the lord to change about us the more we should expect trials, and if we don’t learn the first time through, we get to learn it again….and again….

but underneath the troubled exterior is an assurance God is completely in control and is doing all for our good, and that gives us a great amount of joy that is not alway outwardly expressed.
#35 written by adrenaline rush = natural high
about 8 months ago

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i encourage people to let go of a religion that condemns those who seek to look beyond it and see what else is out there. but i leave it to the person to decide whether or not they want to let go of god. to each his own, so if you really want to stick with a religion that attempts to keep one from being open minded go ahead, its your loss not mine.
#36 written by ilfoxtrot
about 8 months ago

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A standard of happiness varies with any two individuals. You say they seem unhappy; and in a personal, notably untested, observation you state Christians have more suffering in their lives? This line of questioning is clearly aggressive and misdirected. As a fellow atheist, I say take a moment to digest your own motivations, as they seem primed to provoke. Your own questions concerning faith are interesting, but may be more conducive in a non-adversarial forum.
#37 written by seenotes
about 8 months ago

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The christians you know must be part time, because real chtistians- while they have their trials, are usually happy and not the draggin’ their lips kinda folks.
#38 written by claudiacake
about 8 months ago

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Suffering and unhappiness are not exclusive to Christians. Are you trying to make the statement that you know of NO atheists who have had suffering and/or unhappiness in their lives? For, if you are, then I think I would have to say this is not an honest question, at all. How do I explain that the Christians you know have suffering in their lives? I wouldn’t even try to explain it. I don’t have answers like that; neither does any other Christian. I don’t know the people you know, so I don’t know why they are unhappy. Do I think my life would be greatly improved by letting go of my religion? Not at all.
#39 written by Holy Cow
about 8 months ago

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It’s clear god loves atheists.
#40 written by hagaren otaku
about 8 months ago

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i think that would depend on what you mean by “freedom.” myself, i’ve never had any of the bad things in my life stem from my religion. most of it either i brought it on myself or it was inevitable (as with deaths, etc. actually, knowing where the person who died is going really helps with the grief).

i’ve never found any of the commandments hard to deal with. of course, i’ve stolen a street sign myself (i think everyone falls away once in a while, especially when young) but for the most part they’re really straightforward. don’t kill anyone, etc.

i think that maybe godless people (i’ve not really known many, so please don’t take this the wrong way) don’t worry so much about the consequences their actions have in the long run. i’m sure you don’t go around thinking “now if i watch this smutty show i’m going to have to explain myself to the Big Guy later on.” this sort of thing might account for why Christians seem to be unhappy. we (Christians) tend to consider whether we’ve followed God faithfully enough to be accepted into Heaven. or at least, i do.

i don’t think i answered your question very well. sorry about that…
#41 written by missmama
about 8 months ago

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I don’t care if I suffer here on earth anyway we follow Christ that is our identification with Him. We are looking forward to our future eternal life and this what matters most to us.
But personally I am happy here on earth , there are many believers that enjoy life even in hardship.
#42 written by Fish <><
about 8 months ago

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Personally I am just passing through and my happiness is not based on escaping suffering. Everybody suffers in one way or another. It is to be expected.
#43 written by connie
about 8 months ago

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Christians are not promised pain free lives, but are promised that Jesus is with us in the midst of our pain and suffering, to help, guide, encourage and comfort us along the way. We are not promised rainbows instead of storms, but have rainbows in the midst of the storms. Actually God tells us in His Word that if we follow Jesus, that we can expect trials and tribulations, but that we have hope and a future that will be painfree with eternal joy and peace. And because of our freedom from the bondage of sin, through Jesus Christ’s dying for us, we are set free forever. We don’t have religion, we have a relationship with Jesus Christ who died for all and saved all who believes. And this is an honest answer from the Book of Truth, God’s Holy Word. God bless
#44 written by jeffgetswild
about 8 months ago

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No I think it’s a great question and think the answer is sorta simple .. to whom much is given much is required // and those who are saved from much are more grateful for their salvation and take it more seriously ../// christ doesn’t like luke -warm he offers to spit them out ..some will say if you present no apperent threat to satan then he already has you and doesn’t need to work you over the coals …and i like that theory.. because in many cases it seems that satan overplays his hand and beats a guy down so hard ,,, he has no where except up to look and thereby finds forgiveness that everyone really needs in christ.. Your friend may just be being tested sorta like job in a milder way ..i watched the masters this weekend and watched Brandt Snedeker lose to himself and the golf course and the wind ..what amazed me was his attitude he smiled when he just barely missed a putt he grinned and joked with his caddy when he hit a ball into the water ..all the while losing the biggest tournament in the country and dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars ….i’ve seen alot of things//holes in ones amazing shots etc.. but his grace and thankfulness for the opprotunity to even be there will stay with me for a long time …10 minutes after he putted out he cried in an interview …. when you have hope and love in your heart …whats going on inside is ….changed forever
#45 written by rhoho102
about 8 months ago

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I just went to the store to buy groceries today. I had $ 10 to feed a family of 5 for 5 days. I have some deer meat in the freezer for emergencies, but that was all I had. I have 3 sons, all under the age of 10, to feed. This isn’t the first time it’s happened, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I may miss a few meals this week, but my kids won’t and neither will my husband.

But, you know what? I’m not worried. At least I had the $ 10, and at least I had the little bit of meat I did. And no, the internet bill hasn’t been paid yet. It was the $ 600 electric bill that chuffed us this week.

I love God, and I know that if it gets really bad that He’ll provide, just like He has before. It may be through some miracle, or could be that my church family will give us some money or food. All I have to do is ask, but we’re still floating.

And I’m sitting here with a smile on my face and a song on my lips. Why would I want to let go of peace like that?
#46 written by Edward H
about 8 months ago

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Firstly I want to acknowledge the sincerity of your question and thank you for the opportunity to answer it.

I would like to share a little of my life, before I became a Christian. I am the son of an evangelist but I can assure you that the role of an evangelists son is not a pretty or easy one. I grew to hate the very mention of the name of God and I decided that I knew better than my father and mother and at the age of 18 totally rejected the things of God, even after having given my life to Christ at the age of 9.
I became a drug addict, alcoholic, multiple adulterer, violent and totally vile individual.
I attempted suicide on two occasions, once with an overdose of drugs and once by slitting my wrists.
I was involved in a total of 7 major car wrecks, one in which I almost lost my life.
At every turn I was totally miserable in my sinful life and no matter where I sought to find peace and joy, all I found was misery and destruction.
I almost destroyed my own life and certainly had a devastating affect on the lives of many other individuals who had never done me any harm.
I was sitting alone and blind drunk and under the influence of drugs when I had a very real encounter with God.
It was so so real to me that I was very conscious of the presence of angelic beings surrounding me. I actually thought that I was going to die at that moment in time and that I was on my way to hell and that was why the angelic beings had come to get me.
In my desperation and despair I screamed at the top of my voice for God to save me.
INSTANTLY, I became 100% sober and literally saw and heard one angelic being speaking to me, saying:
“I have been with you all of your life and I have word from heaven for you that God holds you in the palm of His hand and He will not let you go”.

I fell on my face asking Gods forgiveness for the sinful life I had led and asked HIM to take complete Lordship of my life.

From that day to this, God has blessed my life in so many ways that I could not even sit here to recount the innumerable blessings HE has bestowed on me.
Today I serve HIM with all my heart and soul and will continue to do so as long as HE grants me breath.

What HE has done for me, HE can do for you.

I would NEVER LET GO of God and will always acknowledge the huge sacrifice which Jesus Christ gave for a useless mess such as me.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share this with you and I pray that you will one day soon make the same choice I made. Don’t opt for a lost eternity my friend, it is not worth it!!
You will never regret it when you acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done for you.

Edward
#47 written by Annie
about 8 months ago

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There are two sides to every story and each coin has a heads and tails…. You see what you want to see, and those who are Christian see it another….. I will simply lay it out for you, and remember this is coming from the Christian side of the story : satan does not have to change or mess with those whom he has already.. As Children of God, it is satan’s job to run interference in our lives, by making everything we do LOOK like a struggle or that we are so unhappy !!! I will admit, there are those who *claim* the tittle but do NOT run the race, all you hear from them are *poor me* or *woe is me* or some such thing, a *true* Child of God has a peace and a joy that NO worldly circumstance can take away…. It is called the Joy of God !!! and let me point out a few other ideas and thoughts in my head : We (Children of God) also see a lot of things as *sorrows* not sufferings, such as a child that strays from God, some things such as, abortions, not being able to pray in school, etc., we also see those things as *sorrows*…. we see divorce, seperation in marriage as *sorrows*…. and those are to just name a few, NOT that non-beleivers do not see those as sorrows !!! and I also want to say this : NOT all you are seeing in those young people would be considered *religion* based sufferings, I would just about guess that what you are talking about are things that go on and happen to 60% of the people…… and sense you also admit to going to a private school, and having contact with MANY Christians, and it sounds like a large majority of your class mates are, then don’t ya think that you are giving just a tad bit biased opinion of them ??????? And I have more freedom in God than any one who does not !!!!!!! A different kind of freedom I admit, but a much greater and meaningful one !! ohhhhh, and maybe the *sufferings* you notice could be due to age ???? I still remember my teen years !!!!! YUCK, would NOT do those years again for anything !!!!! go in peace…. God bless
#48 written by blessed1
about 8 months ago

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It sounds like you and your friends are still in high school and right now to them following God is following a set rules, don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t drink. don’t curse…..etc, but wait until they tap into the belief of what they are doing and why they are doing it and then you will see a transformation in their lives.

Then you will be asking, How may I be saved
#49 written by G C
about 8 months ago

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I know that it seems that it is easier to live by watching others war with their problems. But there is no reason for you to worry about anything. If you do not want to worship God with your life, then anything goes. Nothing is wrong for you.

But down deep you know that there is really a God. You know that the world can not hang on nothing. You know that things had to be created. God said in Romans 1 that we can look at creation and know that there is a God. You know. In the dark of night, you know.

One day, judgment will come and those who live a selfish life with no regard of what God has commanded must not expect to be given a reward of life with God. All that is left is a life without God. God is good and so all that is with God is good and all that is not with God will be evil.

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