Itzomi

It was probably a mistake for me to come here. I don't know where I fit in anymore. I'm not a Christian (but still feel like one in some ways) yet posting on an Ex-Christian board is even worse. They're very hostile towards Christians and the atmosphere feels poisonous. The New Age believers are too whacked out for me. Anyway, thanks to everyone who was nice enough to answer my questions. God bless!

To be honest, if I don't respond specifically to something, I'm usually thinking, "Holy crap, what the -? I can't believe this person actually believes this!" By ignoring it altogether I am trying to be polite, or I'm just too baffled by the logic that I'm rendered speechless. I appreciate the responses, but sometimes I just think it's better if I don't comment. I'm not saying these responses sound stupid or whatever, but they pretty much satisfy those who are already inclined to believe. What do you mean by "trolling"? That I am lying about everything? If a troll is someone who tries to post where they don't belong, then maybe you're right. Even so, is it Christlike to turn someone away or to question their integrity when you don't even know the person?

Are you saying that I'm lying when I say I once (years ago) truly desired to believe in the Bible? And were you under the impression I came here in the beginning to "seek God" and now I'm not? I've explained why I'm here - not to come back to "the fold" but to discuss things we do have in common but, as I said, I see that Undecideds aren't allowed to add to the discussions except in the Outer Court. I'm not sure what you want from me, either. If it's supposed to be "accept Christ or shut up" then I guess I'll keep quiet.

Thank you for your detailed post, BlindSeeker. It pretty much went over my head, plus I am getting sleepy so that might not help matters any, but I appreciate the time and thought put into it. Yeeeah, must say it didn't answer my question, but at this point I don't really need it answered anymore. I still have the question, but I'm pooped out on it. I need something else to gnaw on. LOL. Have a good evening!

Thanks! Sleep well!

No, no, go to sleep! Thanks so much for offering to stay up. Get some rest!

I'm thinking it means God might be offering me a safe place to land... Like, "If things get rough, you know where you can find safety." That is, if the dreaming is any sort of message. It was probably just a regular ol' dream. Still, it was very interesting. I rarely remember dreams and this one was pretty vivid, so it was pretty cool.

Thanks. I will have to do some praying tonight. Not like to "accept Jesus" but to ask God to reveal Himself to me somehow.

Oh, hey, let me tell you about a dream I had about a week ago or so. Sort of has to do with God. I dreamed I was walking down the street, decided to run, then suddenly took off flying. It' a cool, crisp night, the air feels so good, and it's so peaceful. I'm flying over the neighborhood, looking down at everything, and I do flips - I feel so free. Then, I start to get a little too high up, and I sort of get scared. So as I'm flying, I want to grab onto something...which happens to be a church steeple. I grab hold of it, then slide down to safetly. Then I believe this part oif the dream repeats, where I'm wanting to get down, and grab onto a steeple again, and get back down to safety. Any interpretations?

*sigh* Nobody's around... I am sort of feeling the need to get closer to God right now. Not closer to Christianity or religion or anything, just...God. Wish He would reveal Himself to me somehow.

I like the way you look at it. If the Bible wasn't meant to be "written by God," then it would be a lot easier to let the inconsistencies slide. I wouldn't have a problem, in that case, if two accounts of the same event differed. Everybody sees things differently. Gosh, how much easier that would have made my Christian life if that were the case! Yeah, I don't really understand it myself. Supposedly, living all these lives is supposed to help you 'learn lessons" and elevate your spirit or something. My problem with that is: If that's the case, why are people getting worse with each passing generation?

Argh! I see a thread in the Inner Court I'd sure like to comment on about Mormons. I'm an ex-Mormon. How frustrating that I can't add my two cents. Oh well...

Hell existed before Jesus went to the cross. It is mention many times in the OT. example: Isa 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. 15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: 16 But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. Oh yes, that's right. The OT doesn't mention hell much, though (at least in comparison to the NT), so it doesn't seem like they had the threat of "everlasting torment" hanging over their heads like in the NT. Seemed like the punishments in the OT for the Jews were more immediate - famines, etc. - as well as the blessings. I don't remember seeing any verses offhand that suggest, "Obey my commandments or go to Hell." Anyway, back to the plan of salvation, were people thrown in Hell only after Jesus died for everyone's sins?

Well, there's the whole issue of Jesus saying He'll be returning "soon," and Paul saying "soon," etc. Of course, I can predict everyone's answer: "A day is but a thousand years with God." That doesn't really answer why Jesus said those standing there sll not taste death 'til He comes again. Just flipping through the Bible right now, I came upon the verse, "Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died." Luke 21:32

From reading about NDEs and a bit of New Age stuff, though I do not like the New Age movement generally speaking. And not that I am taking their word for it just because they say so, but just from the different things I've heard/read. I don't know, it's just kind of looking that way, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong!! Like I said before, I'm not sure of anything and not settled in any particular belief. Just trying to figure it all out and ending up even more confused. LOL.