But a Disciple

Atheists,

I'm a Christian, and I just want to know. Can we at least agree that ->logical<- absolutes exist? Such as the law of non-contradiction (that something cannot be A and non-A at the same time).

This was a question that someone asked and question was deleted. I typed out a big response and I didn't want it to go to waste so here it is if you wanna read it. :)

The question was:

I don't believe in God. My mother and her brother and sisters went to church at least 5 times a week while they were growing up because my grandfather was a pastor. But I just can't find a reason to believe in him.

Why do little beautiful children have to die in horrible ways?

Why are there murderers and rapists strike without getting caught?

Isn't God supposed to "always be there be your side" ??

If he's "by your side and keeping you safe", why do innocent people die everyday for no reason?

Give me your insight, I like to hear from people that are in the same position as me, but I would be glad to hear what anyone has to say.

My Answer:

That's a really really complex question, but it all stems from a misconception of who we are. All of us are born as sinners. Because of the fall, we are hopelessly desperately wicked and from the moment we are born, we rebel against God, and ignore Him. Also, you have to realize that we are sinning against an infinitely holy and perfect God, and therefore our punishment should be equally severe. Here's an analogy that might help show you what I mean:

What happens if I squish a bug on the sidewalk in the eyes of the law?

Pretty much nothing

What happens if I kill a cat in the eyes of the law?

Some jail time maybe, and fines or something like that

What happens if I kill a homeless man downtown somewhere?

Definitely jail time, maybe 15-20 years or something like that.

What happens if I fly to Washington and assassinate the president of the United States?

Life in prison if not the death penalty.

What changed in all these situations? It was who the crime was commited against. The greater the stature of the person against who you commit the crime, the greater the punishment, so when we sin against God we have an incredibly great punishment in store for us.

However, God is completely loving as well as completely just. So He took that fine of death and the wrath of God for us by dieing on the cross for us in Jesus. So now, if we choose to believe and accept him and repent of our sins, we are promised a place in heaven, so we go to heaven not because we were good enough, but because we were hopeless and God forgave us.

So all of us deserve death and Hell and every breath we take is an undeserved gift from God. If you understand our condition this way, you can cope with what happens to people, though it doesn't make it any easier on ourselves. Now to answer your questions:

Why do little beautiful children have to die in horrible ways?

They don't have to, but this is the result of a fallen world. People are murdered because the person that murdered them was a result of the fall, and they are desperately wicked. God does not kill these people, but it is allowed as a result of our choice, and our free will. If God never let anything bad happen we would have no free will.

Why are there murderers and rapists strike without getting caught?

You are assuming that the ultimate judgement has to come on this Earth. No matter whether they are caught and punished here on Earth, every sin must be paid for. If they are never caught on this Earth, and go to the grave without repenting and trusting in God, then they will pay for what they did eternally in Hell.

Isn't God supposed to "always be there by your side"?

If you are a Christian, then yes, that is His promise to us, but if you are not, then no He does not promise this. However, Him being by our side does not mean we wont have trials and hardships. It simply means that He will be there through our hard times. The Bible says that "God only chastens those He loves", so the Christian walk is not an easy one.

If He's "by your side and keeping you safe", why do innocent people die everyday for no reason?

This is kind of encapsulated in my answer to 1 and 3. It's a result of the fall, and God does not promise physical safety, only spiritual salvation. Think of all the Christians around the world being tortured and murdered for believing in Christ. God is with them, and they are faithful to Him, but that does not mean they will be physically safe.

We’re thinking of doing this song for our first dance:

1,000 Miles – Mark Schultz

Lyrics:

I would walk 1,000 miles

1,000 miles it’s true

I would walk 1,000 miles

Just to be with you

Cause you’ve got my heart and you’ve got my soul

Now you’ve got this promise too

I would walk 1,000 miles

Just to be with you

If I write 10,000 songs

10,000 songs it’s true

If I write 10,000 songs

I’ll sing them all for you

Cause you’ve got my heart and you’ve got my soul

Now you’ve got this promise too

If I could write 10,000 songs

I’ll sing them all for you

If I live 100 years

Before my life is through

If I live 100 years

I’ll spend them loving you

Cause you’ve got my heart and you’ve got my soul

Now you’ve got this promise too

If I could live 100 years

I’ll spend them loving you

What do you think about this as a first dance song? The only problem I see is that it makes me cry (haha)!

Any other suggestions? We want something sort of classy, so no rap or rock or anything like that.

I'm really wondering what kind of sound it has (dream trance obviously but more specific). I'm thinking about buying it but don't want to wasted my money. Anyone out there heard this? How is it?

Matthew 10:22 (NIV) "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

I can't believe how much hate has been put on Christians in this forum alone! Thank you Jesus! You were right!

because someone else took on their punishment for them, and they repented completely of their crimes?

Question for Christians:

Does anyone know why Matthew is referenced as "Levi" in Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:29. I'm merely curious since I know he is reference as "Matthew" in Mark 3:18 but not 2:14.

I just saw someone post something saying that the Bible says the Earth is flat. Can someone explain to me why people think that?

The only thing I can think of is the passages that talk about the 'corners of the Earth.' But that's ridiculous because everyone uses that metaphor (or whatever it is), and that's all it is in the Bible.

I'm looking to start a plan with T-Mobile, and I would really like a Sidekick. I've heard that you can get some amazing deals from online dealers and such.

Anyone have any suggestions?

There's a couple different questions here:

What's the difference between these in the context of a CD:

EP

LP

12"

And what's the difference between these in the context of an individual song:

Remix

Mix

Rework

Respray

Edit

First off, this is not one of those questions that just says "See atheists are wrong!"

I am very very curious as to how genders could have evolved.

It would have to be two seperate and very major mutations in the same generation for the new *ahem* appendages to have any advantage over others without these....things....

Wouldn't the different sexes have to have evolved at the exact same time with all the inner workings to make it all work together?

There seems to be 5 labels that DJ's (or others) use when they collaborate with another artist:

And

With

Vs.

Featuring

Presents

What is the difference between these?

For my honeymoon we're going to go to a place called Anniversary Inn, which has several different themed rooms available. We'll be there for a week and we want to go to a new room every night. Do you know if they normally will allow you to do this?

I'm looking for anything produced by DJ Phynn, but I can't find it on any mixes that I know of and I don't wanna use limewire or anything like that. I know he has an artist album out called metamorphasis but anything else would be much appreciated.

10 points to the first person that lets me know what I can find Lucid by Phynn on?

Whether you believe in God or not, and whether you believe that a hope is needed...Outside of the cross of Christ, is there any hope for any of us or mankind as one?

I'm looking for some kind of turned based strategy game for XBOX 360. I loved Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea...something like that preferably. I'm not looking for any regular RPG's though, just some sort of strategy game. :)

Just need the url...I know I could get it on Itunes, but I use Zune, so I need the actual url for it. Thanks! :)

I'm looking for some new trance to fill my collection! I'm only looking for some stuff that is easy to get in the US. So stuff like Anjunabeats, AVB, Tiesto, etc. So no obscure DJ's please!

I only like trance stuff. Techno and house are no good. Progressive is pretty good though. Anyways any suggestions are appreciated!

I always hear people say the evolution is a 100% proven fact. Where is this evidence that proves it?

I'm trying to get tickets to Above & Beyond's gig at Saltair Pavillion on Feb 27, and I cannot find anywhere that will give me any info!! I've tried many online sites, and I even tried calling Saltair, but they like don't exist! The number was wrong and I was transfered to a non working number. I'm so dang frustrated! Does anyone have any idea where I may be able to find tickets????