Interesting thing is, if a Christian really has his head screwed on straight, he isn't concerned with religion. In regards to religion, Jesus Christ was an outlaw and a law breaker (referring to the Jewish laws, not His own laws) and furthermore I can't see why a follower of Christ is focusing on religion and works and what not. In fact, to me to be a Christian is not about telling others that their going to hell. Rather, I like to focus on the part that God actually told me to focus on, which is not to condemn but to love. Simply love. Love God and love people. Love them like they are important, like they are God's creation. To be a Christian who is close to God is also to be a humble man. I'm sorry that so many are hateful towards Christians and towards Christ.
Two more things:
1) I find it interesting that the only controversial beliefs on this board seems to be Christianity. To give you atheist a tip: don't get defensive when you approach a believer. Don't challenge it. The more you go out of your way, the more you confirm the Word of God to us. We are very warned about atheism, idolaters, pagans, etc. and every time someone goes out of their way to attack Jesus Christ, and therefore us as believers, it only causes us to believe even more and to resist even more since you have effectively fulfilled various scriptures regarding "the nonbelievers".
2) Also, for those who have been attacking Christianity and just in general have been controversial - read the thread topic! It doesn't ask for you to interpret or tell us of what others believe. Rather, its says, what do YOU believe in..I've seen quite a few posts of people attempting to tell others of what they believe in or who they are - and those comments haven't been nice at all I might add. In fact, there are two on this very page just a few posts above (no names).
I'd like to also add that when you attack someone else's beliefs (and by attack I mean challenge, reprimand, belittle, etc) you actually look like you are getting defensive. And from what I've understood in life, people belittle others in attempt to protect an insecurity of their own. You see this from the time you are very little such as bullies in grade school, and you see it in adulthood too when people are harshly critical, gossiping, or just flat out slandering and such to others).
So when you start attacking me, or the atheist, or the Buddhist or the Islamist, just know that while everything may sound like complete sense to your own ears when you talk, text or type - others have a different perspective. And even more so, a perspective that reveals your insecurities. Perhaps the reason you bullied folks in grade school is for the same exact reasons you attack anothers beliefs - you are defending your insecurity. For an antheist, he might be protecting his belief in a life of scientific chance, where the survival of the fittest is all that matters. Or for someone like myself, who, when challenged to consider that God does not exist I fear the possibility of having a meaningless and short-lived, and painful life. Or for the Islamist, that his radical beliefs are over-the-top and in fact more evil than good. All of us have insecurities, let's not try and bring those out of each other because it doesn't help keep a fair, educated and loving conversation.
Finally, I'll say specifically to the atheist: you believe what you will and I will live by what I believe. I'll show you love and if after witnessing what Christ has done for me that you still decide to reject that belief, then so be it. One thing is for sure about this world: in the end everyone is going to get 1) what they deserve and 2) what they want
If you decide that you do not want Christ, my thought is..you'll get a life without Christ for all eternity. You also be getting what you deserve as well! Call it good, call it bad. You have your opinion. And ultimately, I believe that I'll get what I want, which is a life with Christ because quite honestly I like the idea of being in a perfect place where things would make sense and where I'd be royalty for all eternity and in the presence of a perfect and holy God. I dont see how anyone calls me crazy for wanting that...
Something else to chew on as well. Yes, you are right - I cannot prove that God does in fact exist. I wouldn't even try. It altogether goes against the idea of believing in the unseen and having faith (which is another word for trust). But get this..you can't prove that He doesn't exist, either.
