Would You Vote for Same Sex Mariages?

No, I will not vote for same sex marriage. However, I would vote for civil unions.

Yes, absolutely.

I did find Thorn Daze in the dollar bin at the five and dime store.

If you say so. Though I doubt that, because there are no longer any "five and dimes" in business. You are merely showing your age.

However, if you did find it, thanks for your business, and I pray you enjoy it immensely, and that the Holy Ghost convicts your vindictive heart.

Some are still on Amazon, you ninny.

If you want to buy a book that is out of print, go for it. I would hope you can wait to get the Second Edition. I pulled the book, because that publisher did a bad job with editing the book, and I wanted to repair the many errors they allowed in the manuscript.

If you can wait, I'm sure the newest edition will be a mcuh better read.

God bless!

I did vote in favor of allowing same sex marriages.

I vote No to same sex marriage. I suggest that those in such relationships seek a "Legal Partnership" designation.

Good suggestion. But I don't see that happening. They want to call it marriage! :(

No. Who a person marries is none of the government's business and there should be no federal law. State need to settle that in their own state. I may go for some form of legal partnership or contract.

oppose same sex marriage but for civil unions

They can call it anything they want to call it as long as they don't call it marriage. Clifford's suggestion, legal partnership, sounds good to me.

No.

yes

No! I would not vote for it, but would not oppose any law allowing it.

Many thanks for posting it to Shepherds Voice. I will feature it.

You are welcome. Thanks for including it on your site! I hope we get a strong showing.

Worry about your own soul. You have no right to force your religious views upon others.

"Civil Unions" are just a rebirth of the "separate but equal" argument.

By voting yes, I am leaving it to the individual to decide who they want to marry. The NO's are still free to keep their opinions,

I would vote yes. Who are you to say who somebody can, or cannot marry? And for what legitimate reason should same sex couples be denied the right to marry?

"Civil partnerships" are merely a reincarnation of the "separate but equal" argument.

Nobody is interfering with your freedom of speech, or your freedom of religion. I merely wanted to know why you would vote to interfere with somebody's ability to marry whom they wished to marry.

I would appreciate less comment in the form of questioning anothers views, and a straight up or down vote. Let's not make this a religious debate. I have two other OP's for that debate. This is merely a post to say, "Yes" or "No!"

Z,

As Otelia said, "I thought this was a freedom of speech kinda thing."

In your last anti-gay marriage post you deleted several photographs of same-sex couples. There was nothing obscene about those pictures, you just didn't like them. You then claimed it was your right to delete any comment you objected to.

NOTE to all who comment. Please try not to get in the face of others votes or comments. I wanted to keep this more for a Yea or Nay vote, with minimal comments to avoid arguments...PLEASE!!!

In your post you said, "If you want to put in your comments, fine," but now you are doing the "Comment police" thing Otelia objected to.

Otelia,

Just answer one question for me:

If you are opposed to same-sex marriage for religious reasons, that is your right. But how can you justify forcing your religious beliefs upon others? That is what you would be trying to do if you voted no on same sex marriage.

I believe that to be a legitimate question.

Richard - everyone has the right to vote yes of no, and provide a comment. I fail to see ho a yes or no vote is "Forcing" that opinion on another. I hope to gain a general feeling of Gatherites on their being for or against. Please refrain from making this a debate forum. That is all I am asking of you or anyone else.

As for the photos on the other OP, it became a thing of defiance, not an issue of censorship. some of the photos were in fact objectionable, then that posted tried to push the envelope. Let's leave it at that.

Thanks for you input. Now let's move on!

Would You Vote for Same Sex Marriages?


No, I am a Christian and a normal person.

Keep in mind that being gay or lesbian does not make a person abnormal. Homosexuality is not considered a mental illness by either the American Psychiatric Association, or by the American Psychological Association. They are just as normal as you are.

You might be interested in knowing that the Washington National Cathedral announced that they are now hosting same-sex marriages. This is the same Cathedral which has been the site of several nationally significant memorial services, and which will host the official prayer service for the presidential inauguration later this month. A person can be a Christian and accept same-sex marriage.

It doesn't matter one bit to a born-again believer whether the DSMII, AMA or the USA accepts gay marriage and puts their stamp of approval on it. The Bible says it's a sin, and all the support from those not following the Bible as Gospel truth will one day reap the just rewards for their opinions, if in fact those opinions are not in line with God's Holy Word.

Sin is SIN, no matter what society may deem it to be. To tolerate a sin, not matter what that sin may be, will end in God's eventual judgment.

It does not matter one bit what you say, or what you think the Bible says. We have freedom of religion in this country. There are numerous competing and contradictory interpretations of Biblical passages. The public is free to chose whichever interpretation they please. You do not have a right to enforce your interpretation upon others.

However, as Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." You are subject to the laws of the United States.

"You are subject to the laws of the United States." This does not pertain to things that would call for a believer to ignore the laws and percepts of God regarding morality.

Your statement is out of context, as this applies only to paying taxes and following the laws. It does not, in one iota, suggest that believers do anything or support anything that is not in line with the teachings of God.

For example. Let's say the government says we should kill our neighbor if they turn their stereo up too loud. With that law, the promise not to bring criminal action against you is part of the package. Does that law over ride the law "Thou shalt no kill?" God forbid. Richard, you are grasping at straws. Stick to your flimsy understandings of the Word, and spinning the Gospel message to allow you to live as you want to live, and you will be in hell when this life is over.

I must admit that freedom of religion is not within "the laws and percepts of God regarding morality." However, I was of the faint hope that you accepted the principle of religious freedom. After all, that is what permits you to worship as you please.

Nobody is telling you that you must marry somebody of your own sex, but common decency says that you should at least respect the marriages of those that do. I assume that you already accept the marriages of Catholics, Jews, Muslims and even atheists.

You example reflects what happened in the Civil War. Neighbors were killing neighbors. Both the North and South believed that God was on their side, and invoked God's support in defeating the enemy.

Why are you threatening me with hell?

We, those who love the Lord and believe and follow Him are NOT threatening you with HELL!

The promise of hell for those who reject the only Son of God is directly coming from God.

The church [which is made up of those who believe and follow Him] can't send anyone to hell, so we surely can't threaten another with hell> BUT, if you go on living like hell in this life time, God will send you to hell =, and that is a fact!

Oh, by the way. There's no such thing as same sex marriage. There never was and there never will be.

Now you could tell people you are from the moon. That's possible. We may have space men and women there some day and things could happen.

There will never ever be same sex marriage. It cant be done. And that's a fact.

BTW: Besides the nine states which already permit same-sex marriage, the state legislatures of Rhode Island and Illinois have just this week introduced bills which would legalize same-sex marriage in those states. The bills are expected to pass.

The governments of France, the United Kingdom and New Zealand are considering bills to legalize same-sex marriage. That will make three more countries which accepts same-sex marriage.

And anyone who blindly ignores the Word of God and accepts this a way of life because their leaders say it is okay, will reap the rewards of sin, too!

Now, please back off and just let people vote YES or NO. Your input can be voiced on another post, preferred a post you put up on the topic where you allow folks to put in their two-cents. I've tried to be nice; any further dissertations on your behalf will result in those comments being censored OUT!

I think everyone knows by now that you don't oppose gay marriage. We don't need any more input on the subject. :(

Just a note on governments that accept gay marriage. There are some that behead the offenders.

BTW: Besides the nine states which already permit same-sex marriage


You seem, not to be able to understand English.


同性結婚のようなものはありません。あったことがないと存在しませんでした。

No hay tal cosa como el matrimonio del mismo sexo. Nunca fue y nunca lo
será.

Δεν υπάρχει τέτοιο πράγμα όπως το ίδιο γάμο φύλου. Δεν υπήρξε ποτέ και δεν θα υπάρξει ποτέ.

Again in English
There's no such thing as same sex marriage. There never was and there never will be.

If you can tell me what country you are in I will speak that language to you.

Larrry,

You must be from Nigeria or Mauritania where the death penalty is enforced for homosexual acts.

Z,
I am doing nothing which would prevent somebody from voting yes or no.

You might be interested in knowing that the Washington National Cathedral announced that they are now hosting same-sex


Are you really this uneducated? Get yourself a dictionary and look up apostate.
Do you not understand who the Episcopal Church are?

The Episcopal Church has a history of heading down the fast road of apostasy. Their acceptance of homosexuality, abortion, witchcraft, and its departure from biblical Christianity.
The Episcopal Church, they have come to a point to where they are no longer a Christian Church.

I'm sorry, but with your not being able to under the text on the computer screen.
I will end this here and remind you sir.

There's no such thing as same sex marriage. There never was and there never will be.

Good day sir and God Bless

That merely means that not all Christians see things the same way you do.

The Episcopal Church is one of the largest and oldest Christian denominations in the Country. The Church has an outstanding record when it comes to civil rights and the ordination of women.

If only you were merely ignorant.

I'm amazed at your ability not to understand.


Let me ask you a question Richard for the public and private record.

Thank you Richard.

Is Jesus the Christ the only way to Heaven this day and time?

Under the Constitution of the United States, that question is relevant only to the individual believer. The government itself takes no stand on the issue.

I hope you support the Constitution.

If you are trying to find out if I'm a Christian. I have often stated that I am an atheist. Being an atheist does not reduce my rights as a United States citizen.

I have often stated that I am an atheist.

I didn't know that but I knew something was wrong. It was plain to see you didn't know much about Christians.

Plus with you being a fan of Episcopal Church was another sign that something was wrong. Atheist humanist and New Agers seem to love them.


You will not see Atheist humanist and New Agers lining up to hug a Bible believing Christian Church.

But apostasy will bring hugs from the Atheist humanist and New Agers .

I do think there's a small remnant of Christians that are still part of the Episcopal Church.


Thank you Richard

It took me several years and a lot of thinking to become an atheist. I know quite a bit about the Bible, and some things about Christians. Most Christians are good people. But then there are those like you. You let your religion go to your head. However:

Neither you nor your church have the authority to tell others what the definition of "marriage" is, or to tell others who they can and cannot marry. "Marriage" is a legal term, determined by the country or state in which you live. Everybody should have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and marriage plays a big role in that pursuit.

Neither you nor your church has the authority to tell others what types of behavior is "normal". That is far out of your field.

Neither you nor your church has the authority to tell others who is or is not a "Christian". I am sure there are those who believe that you are not a Christian. It is something best left to the individual.

Neither you nor your church have the authority to tell others how the Bible should be interpreted. Christians used to burn witches at the stake, because the Bible said you should not allow a witch to live. The Bible was used to show that slavery was a part of God's way. Bigots used the Bible to prove that God disapproved of Jews. The Bible has been cited to deny equality and rights to women. And some go so far as to urge the use of a rod to beat children.

What you fail to realize is that there are other beliefs out there. Other ways of thinking. Some are not as good as yours, others are better. No church, religion or individual has a monopoly on the truth. Not even you.

Richard - The Episcopal Church, and any other who STRAY from the Scriptures are in danger of being judged. Try reading the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelations, chapters 1-4. In fact lets look at this one letter [Rev. 2:18-29] which can be said to be addressed to your Episcopal Church: "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, these things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: I know your works, love, service, faith,[b] and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow[c] that woman[d] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce[e] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.[f] Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their[g] deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Now to you I say, and[h] to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will[i] put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’[j]—as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

And then there's this letter to the "church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.[a] Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You[b] have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

Finally, church of the Laodiceans[f] write, these things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth."

Note, Richard, at the end of each letter, the Holy Spirit tells John to write, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ I know you have an ear. In fact I believe you have two functioning ears, so I'd warn you to pay close attention to what's been written to these churches.

Just because a major denomination says it is accpetable to ordain gays, and marry them, DOES not make it right with God's Word.

Values within society may change with time, but the one constant in life is that HIS Word does NOT change! AMEN!

Z,

Don't bring up the Book of Revelation. It was written to scare children. Look at the language: "I will vomit you out of My mouth." That is the type of vulgarity is for children. Not adults.

Chapter 4 depicts God sitting on a throne with angelic monstrosities singing "Holy Holy Holy," to him twenty four hours a day, day after day. Is that how you picture God?

Personally, I don't care what you or your cult believe. That is up to you. Other denominations can defend their beliefs better than I can.

I hope that you do believe in the principle of Freedom of Religion. You should, because that is what permits you to worship as you choose. However, freedom of religion also requires you to respect the rights of others to worship as they choose. You cannot impose your beliefs on others.

I assume that you accept Catholic marriages, Jewish marriages, Hindu marriages, even civil and atheist marriages. But when it comes to marriages between same-sex couples, even in cases where the church presiding over the marriage accepts them, you refuse to accept such marriages, and even seek to prevent them from being recognized.

As I have demonstrated above, the Bible does not always lead Christians in the right direction:

Women have been accused of witchcraft and execute by Christians who cited (Exo 22:18, Lev 20:27),

Christians supported slavery because the Bible condoned it (Lev 25:44-46, Eph 6:5)

Bigots used the Bible to prove that God disapproved of Jews (1 The 2:14-16).

The Bible has been cited to deny equality and rights to women (Col 3:18, 1 Tim 2:11-15).

Some Christians go so far as to urge the use of a rod to beat children (Pro 13:24).

These positions were all held by Christians who believed that they were following the word of God.

Your interpretation of the Bible can lead you into similar mistakes.

Richard W. Jan 11, 2013, 1:04pm EST


The Fate of the Unrighteous Dead


1/11/2013 Richard was warned of Hell.

Keep this in mind Richard. This is as good as it gets for you.

Isaiah 66:24 (NIV)
24 “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Whatever you do Richard, don't choke in your sleep. You will wake up to a nightmare that never ends.

Life in this age is short Richard. It's like the morning dew.

Matthew 24:44
American Standard Version
Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Richard, I do hope you seek Jesus and live.

I would love for you to be able to go to Heaven.

You say, "Personally, I don't care what you or your cult believe. That is up to you. Other denominations can defend their beliefs better than I can."

I say that you are melting down my friend. If anyone is a cultist, it is you. You have denied anything and everything in the Scriptures. You have taken verses out of context and used them to support things like:

*Women have been accused of witchcraft and execute by Christians who cited (Exo 22:18, Lev 20:27),
*Christians supported slavery because the Bible condoned it (Lev 25:44-46, Eph 6:5)
*Bigots used the Bible to prove that God disapproved of Jews (1 The 2:14-16).
*The Bible has been cited to deny equality and rights to women (Col 3:18, 1 Tim 2:11-15).
*Some Christians go so far as to urge the use of a rod to beat children (Pro 13:24).

If this is the best, you can do, I can understand why you are kicking and screaming. You have no argument to present, just anger. Anger that is withouut validity when it comes to the Word of God. Like Larry says, I too hope you seek and find Jesus, as it is evident that you need Him!

You do not understand the Scripture because you DO NOT KNOW THE God of the Bible. You are lost. And as for you saying that Christians do not do not respect your right to worship as you want, who you want and when you want, you are dead wrong. No one is saying anything about the right of another to worship their god. We are saying that marriage applies to something sacred between a man and a woman, not a man and a man, or a woman and a woman!

You have moved so far from the intent of this OP that I wonder how you are able to even find your way back to this post after going to other cyber places?? :)

Look, if a homosexual wants to worship a god, that is their right. IF they want to get together legally, that is also their right. JUST

However, you seem to forget that God wanted the very best for His children, which is why He taught us to live a certain way, and homosexuality is not "the very best" that God wanted for his children. If a person chooses to live in a way that is less than the best of what God wanted for them, so be it. But living in a manner that is "less than God's best!" still qualifies as SIN!

Being gay, or joining in a civil uniuon is their right. But the gay community want more than civil unions. They want to have "It ALL" and that means acceptance by forcing their sinful lifestyle upon the majority of people who hold "Marriage" as a sacred union between a man and a woman.

Christianity does infringe on anyone's rights. However, just as you or homosexuals may have rights, we [Christians] have the same rights. As I said in another post, let them be joined in civil ceremonies, just don't pretend that it is what we, who follow the teachings of God, have and hold dear to in MARRIAGE!

Your comments are worthless rants, and wild accusations [if your accusations were buckets, they'd hold NO water] that is simply the kind I'd expect to hear from an atheist or agnostic. If you were a true believer, a true man of God, you'd have no trouble believing what others have said in the comments above. INSTEAD, like a shot gun approach to replying to us, you blast away, with one-line accusations that are senseless and more like the ravings of a mad man, trying to hit anything and everything that you can with one round of shotgun pellets.

Like I said before, and as I did with another person on another thread. I have truly grown annoyed with your ridiculous accusations, and any further attempts to take this thread in a direction that is not in the direction it is headed will result in your future comments being RENMOVED! Sorry, but, even a Christian gets tired of the same old useless claims and attempts to be intelligent when it comes to the subject at hand.

Good day! :)

Z - Like I said before, and as I did with another person on another thread. I have truly grown annoyed with your ridiculous accusations, and any further attempts to take this thread in a direction that is not in the direction it is headed will result in your future comments being RENMOVED!

You write a post on a controversial subject. When somebody disagrees with you, you delete them. I shouldn't expect more from you.

The examples I gave of Christians using the Bible to justify the executions women for witchcraft, and of Christians using the Bible to support slavery are well known facts. You must be well aware that up the Southern Baptist Convention itself was formed in 1845 after a split with northern Baptist over the issue of slavery. You merely dismiss those facts without even attempting to defend the Bible.

Today there are Christian groups who quote Proverbs in advocating the use of a rod in punishing children. The very fact that Proverbs would advocate using a rod is evidence that the Bible can be wrong. Unlike a hand or a paddle, a rod concentrates the blow to a small surface area. Therefore a moderate blow can cause crippling damage to blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues although the damage is under the skin's surface and not visible.

Z - However, you seem to forget that God wanted the . . .

There are too many people in this world who speak as if they know what God wants. You don't speak for God. Don't blame God for your hate and prejudice.

Z - Being gay, or joining in a civil uniuon is their right. But the gay community want more than civil unions. They want to have "It ALL"

They want equality. Why should they get less? Separate but equal went out with school segregation. You call their lifestyle a sin, but "sin" is a religious concept. We are talking about rights. You merely confirm my statement that you are trying to force your cult's religious beliefs upon those who do not accept those beliefs.

R - They want equality.

They have equality with civil unions. They do not want equality! They want normalcy, and I'm afraid in the eyes of those who see marriage as a religious act, normalcy is impossible.

Gays want their lives choice to be accepted as normal, and it will never be accepted as normal for those who BELIEVE the Bible as the Word of God.

This is why they not only want their unions to be called marriages, but they want to adopt and have families through artificial insemination.

Their choice in life is not NORMAL, never will be NOSRMAL, because God created one man to join with one woman for the sole purpose to populate this earth.

When two people of the same sex together in a civil union, they have to resort to abnormal methods to procreate/populate the earth. Nothing about a man and mana and woman and woman is nrmal, or is it what God intended for His creation.

Therefore, gays will always be out of the norm for their choices and their choice to have sex with a member of their own sex becomes a SIN. And everything else they do to make what they do seem normal and accepted by society is still less than what God intended for his creation, making their choices, what for it...I promise you'll like what comes next...v
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Now, you can argue until you are blue in the face, Richard, but the Word of God has the final and last word when it comes to what God calls HOLY, and I can promise you; homosexuality is not HOLY, never was HOLY, never can be holy, and in the end, even your wanting it to be, and ignoring God's percepts and teachings, will not change a thing.

If you don't like what God's word says about how you think His world should be run, take that up with Him when you get to judgment. You will surely be giving your "fair share" of time to explain your case. But know this. The Bible says simply that if you know not Jesus, the Fathers does not know you. And that will cause you to spend your life in eternal damnation. A place where you can curse God all, you want, because you will have an infinite amount of time to re-site everything, you think you know. The sad thing is, you will miss out on heaven. For this, I feel badly for you. But, you seem to be pleased and assured that you are on the right road, the troulbe is Jesus said the road to hell is wide, and paved with "good intentions!" Jesus also said that there will be many who say [in the end] that we did this for God, and we did that for God, but God will say I know you not! Those will be the words someone like you hear if you don't get right with Him before your death. And you only have yourself to blame!

I have a great idea. Since you are not getting any attention with all your wise thoughts on this particular post, why don't you take out a ful page ad in the New York Times and let God know all the things you've sighted here as why God's way is not your way? At least you'll be preaching to the choir.

As far as myself, your thoughts make no difference in what I believe. Can't you see, that real believers are sold out to Him, and your words are wasted. It goes in one ear and out the other, or maybe I should say, it goes in ne eye and back out the other. If you can't influence me with your lack of wisdom when it comes to this, just what do you think God will do, after all HE wrote the book I am sharing from.

So you deleted my post. It doesn't matter. Next tuesday briefs for the two Supreme Court cases I mentioned are due. The cases will be argued on March 26 and the Court will publish their decision about June.

Recent Supreme Court decisions, such as Lawrence v. Texas, indicate the the court will support same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, public polls indicate that the idea of same-sex marriage is gaining popularity with the public, and at present a majority of voters now support it.

In a short time, you will be reconsidering your own position on same-sex marriage.

public polls indicate that the idea of same-sex marriage is gaining popularity with the public, and at present a majority of voters now support it.


Matthew 24:37-39 (NIV)

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Richard - In a short time, you will be reconsidering your own position on same-sex marriage.

It doesn't matter what some federal agency says, as a believer in Christ, my feelings about homosexuality being an abomination to God will not change one iota.

You cease to amaze [and amuse] me. You think that because the government says it's okay to live in sin, that the church will bow down and accept it as fact.

The government does not control the way we are told to live, according to the Bible, and when the laws of the land go against the Word of God, I will choose God every time.

And yes I deleted your long rant. I told you I would if you continued to post rants and raves that meant nothing and had little or no value to this post. And I will do it again, if I am led to do so.

So tread lightly where you walk. The "Delete" button is my best friend when it comes to people who same a lot of nothing that matters only to the foolish!

Great catch and post [Scripture] Larry. I doubt if it makes a difference to Richard and how he sees our side of this. He is sold on following the wide road which leads to destruction! :(

Richard believes it is the government and the multitudes of people that will save him. Little does he understand that it is the multitudes that will be going to hell. The old saying that there is safety in numbers does not apply to God.

Shalom!

In some religious viewpoints, people may go to hell. Looking at it from a more realistic viewpoint, we don't even know if there is a hell. It is certainly better to treat people with respect and fairness, than what you are doing. Who knows, you might be the one going to hell.

I know where I am going, Richard. However, I also know [according to the Word of God, where you are going if you were to die this very moment.

Your mistake is in believing that you can't be wrong. The chance of any known religion being correct is quite small because there are so many possible religions. Faith does not make it true. There are millions who have faith every bit as strong as yours, but see things differently than you.

You may claim that reason proves you are right, but your beliefs are ultimately based purely on faith, and faith is able to override reason.

I recall when Jerry Falwell came out with the statement that God does not listen to the prayers of Jews. Falwell was a strong supported of presidential candidate Ronald Reagan. When Reagan was asked if God listens to the prayers of Jews, he dodged around the question. Shortly afterwards, Falwell said he talked to a group of Jewish rabbis and came to the conclusion that God does listen to the prayers of Jews. See what happens when you mix religion with politics?

Why Richard, thanks for acknowledging my faith. Faith is something that we must have if we are to believe. But, on top of faith, I've had a few unrefrutible experiences that could have no other explanation than it being of and from God. So along with faith, personal experiences [some would call these supernatural in origin] has overridden reason.

Take a gander at the following:

Hebrews 11:1 NIV - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1 ASV - "Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1 BBE - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true."

Hebrews 11:1 CEB - "Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don't see."

Hebrews 11:1 CJB - "Trustingt is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1 RHE - "Now, faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not.'

Hebrews 11:1 ESV - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Without faith, you are lost, and nothing in the Scriptures make sense. This is where you are at this time in your life, Richard, and to me, a believer, that is sad. However, I recognize that this is your choice, and I can clearly see your mind is made up [to go to hell] to think God and all we believe about God to be nothing more than nonsense.

Please take a second to sheck out these comparative verses of what it is to be without faith [YOU].

Hebrews 11:6 NIV - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Hebrews 11:6 ASV - "And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing [unto him]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that seek after him."

Hebrews 11:6 BBE - "And without faith it is not possible to be well-pleasing to him, for it is necessary for anyone who comes to God to have the belief that God is, and that he is a rewarder of all those who make a serious search for him."

Hebrews 11:6 CEB - "It's impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him."

Hebrews 11:6 CJB - "And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he becomes a Rewarder to those who seek him out."

Hebrews 11:6 RHE - "But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is: and is a rewarder to them that seek him."

Hebrews 11:6 ESV - "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

As you can clearly see. We are on different sides of this fence, so why do you continue to argue? You are not changing my stand, or shaking my faith. And for sure, I know exactly where you stand, who you are, and where you will end up when you draw you last breath.

There is so little we can say to one another that will mean anything, so why not go to another OP and be your Atheist, Arrgoant/Agnostic/Ignorant self?
Shalom!

You did not say much.

There are practitioners of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Taoism, Confucianism, Gnosticism, Sufism, Bahai, Zoroastrianism, native American and African religions, and even Scientology who have faith which can match yours, and like you they cite "unrefrutible experiences" which confirms their faith.

All those religions mentioned worship a god. But my Bible tells me there is only one God, and no other God is above or before Him!

Take a look and see:

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one [echad] flesh. " Genesis 2:24
"There is no one like Yahweh our God." Exodus 8:10
"Yahweh, He is God; there is no other besides Him." Deuteronomy 4:35
"Yahweh, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other." Deuteronomy 4:39
"See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me" Deuteronomy 32:39
"Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one [echad]!" Deuteronomy 6:4
"You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You" 2 Samuel 7:22
"For who is God, besides Yahweh? And who is a rock, besides our God?" 2 Samuel 22:32
"Yahweh is God; there is no one else." 1 Kings 8:60
"You are the God, You alone [bad], of all the kingdoms of the earth." 2 Kings 19:15
"O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You" 1 Chronicles 17:20
"You alone [bad] are Yahweh." Nehemiah 9:6
"For who is God, but Yahweh? And who is a rock, except our God" Psalm 18:31
"You alone [bad], Lord, are God." Isaiah 37:20
"Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me." Isaiah 43:10
"I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me." Isaiah 44:6
"Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none." Isaiah 44:8
"I am Yahweh, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God." Isaiah 45:5
"Surely, God is with you, and there is none else, No other God." Isaiah 45:14
"I am Yahweh, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18
"Is it not I, Yahweh? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me." Isaiah 45:21
"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me" Isaiah 46:9
"And Yahweh will be king over all the earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one [echad], and His name the only one[echad]." Zechariah 14:9
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one [hen] and love the other, or he will be devoted to one [hen] and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:24
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one [hen] flesh"? " Matthew 19:5
"But do not be called Rabbi; for One [hen] is your Teacher, and you are all brothers." Matthew 23:8
"Do not be called leaders; for One [hen] is your Leader, that is, Christ." Matthew 23:10
""The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one [hen] Lord; " Mark 12:29
"you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only [monos] God?" John 5:44
"I and the Father are one [hen]." John 10:30
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only [monos] true God" John 17:3
"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one [hen], just as We are one [hen]" John 17:22
"since indeed God is one [hen]" Romans 3:30
"to the only [monos] wise God, Amen." Romans 16:27
"there is no God but one [hen]" 1 Corinthians 8:4
"yet for us there is but one [hen] God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one [hen] Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." 1 Corinthians 8:6
"Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one [hen]." Galatians 3:20
"There is one [hen] body and one [hen] Spirit, one [hen] hope, one [hen] Lord, one [hen] faith, one [hen] baptism, one [hen] God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6
"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only [monos] God" 1 Timothy 1:17
"which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only [monos] Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone [monos] possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." 1 Timothy 6:16
"For there is one [hen] God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5
"You believe that God is one [hen]. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." James 2:19
"For certain persons deny our only [monos] Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4
"the only [monos] God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Jude 25

There is no way that I could ever begin to recognize these others gods, if in fact my faith is anchored in the one and only Jehovah Jirah.

Try again Richard. My faith is not shaken by your ridiculous attempts to show me things I've already come to understand and denouce.

However, if you believe in all these gods from all these other relgions, I can see why you are so messed up, spiritually speaking!