Posted by Mels on September 04, 2003 at 21:15:23:
In Reply to: Re: MY oops posted by Amy K on September 04, 2003 at 19:28:32:
Amy, thanks for taking the time to clarify all that.
If all you say is true, then I guess in the Christian estimation, I'm going to hell. But I honestly don't believe I am. As close to the original time period as the books were written, they still weren't copied right then & there in shorthand...or recorded...they were written years later. If I were to go to a seminar today and then asked to write down everything the teacher said word-for-word, even if it were directly after the seminar, I'd get some of it wrong. I just don't trust anything written by man 100%. We are fallible; we make mistakes.
If knowledge, understanding, opening my body for my baby's soul to try to come through again, raising two children without abuse and with love, working hard, being fair and honest WON'T get me to heaven, but memorizing a book will, well then, I say again...that's not a god I want to know.
Amy, I know you feel you're trying to do a good thing. But trying to change someone's beliefs isn't always a good thing, even if you think it is. That's why I'm not trying to change you over to mine. I'm explaining myself (though not very well, it seems!). In fact, I have already read one of the books you mentioned: Evidence That Demands a Verdict. I've read the Bible (including the Old Testament...that is god's word, too...so how come Christians don't practice the method of worship in the Old Testament? But I won't even go there). Have you read any books on Buddhism? How about The Prophet by Gibran? He's a little full of himself and overly-flowery, but his view seems right-on to me: Describing a prophet not as other people would like him to have been, but as he would really be during his time on earth.
We all need our ideas of the perfect person to follow. You have yours. I don't have one, because I don't think any one thing is perfect. All differences are beautiful in their own way. And all are necessary to make the world spin.
But again...I don't want to convince you. It won't help my beliefs any to have other people believe them. That's another major difference I've always found between Christians and non-Christians. Non-Christians are never so anxious to convert people. We're satisfied in our own beliefs...we don't need other people to confirm anything for us. :)
Ah well. Long, long day. My husband hit my sister's car in the driveway today, we had a huge fight, work was tough, Colin cried a lot. Off I go to try to pick up the pieces. I'll keep trying...even if I am going to go to Hell, at least I'll be able to tell all the other devils there about my adorable kids and about how much I tried to accomplish during my time on earth. It will at least make for interesting burning-session conversation! Help while away the time and all that...
Still your friend,
Mels
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