Let me ask you this. So, god speaks to them but not you? Why is that?

Okay...this won't be as short and sweet, but I will try!

First I want to tell you in all sincerity that I don't think, nor did I ever, that you are close-minded. In fact, that you have continued to dialog with me considering from where you have come is proof otherwise. I'll try to address each of the points you raised, but forgive me if memory at this point is not as clear (and I can no longer see the bottom of your posting!)...

You claim that you understand where I am coming from because you have been where I am. But honestly, I think that you have fallen into the trap of believing that everyone who claims to be a Christian believes the same thing. Not the case. (probably not in any formal religion - there are peaceful Muslims who reject all violence and those that believe terrorism is not only permitted but encouraged and admonished; and many of the former would not agree that the latter are Muslims at all just to name one example)

That being said, what you shared doesn't sound like you did come from a solid church in my opinion and certainly not one that teaches anything that I believe is sound, and I would agree there's "no going back" -- not what I suggested in any portion of my answer to your initial question. In fact, I personally share your opinion to never consider returning to the "christian" church I experienced initially either! Remember, I already said earlier how this title of "christian" has become so loosely applied to basically the broadest range of people who simply don't claim Judaism or Atheism (or some other mainstream American religious group) and unfortunately lost the ability to be a defining term. This has led to much misinformation among those who have had an experience or two in a denomination and then believe they know what "Christianity" is all about, never realizing that, like the Muslim example, there's North and South poles and everything in between! I spent years visiting different churches and being left with the feeling that while there was truth there, it wasn't complete and there seemed a lack of "real" Christians. That doesn't mean that you throw the baby out with the bath water though and assume they are all the same...in fact, several visits to other churches will prove quickly that they aren't, as well as prove God's promise of "seek and you will find" if we are earnestly seeking His truth. While referencing that metaphorical kid, you said that there are different teachers with different styles, and I let that go at the time, but you are right; but in the example this kid didn't just leave your class, but the school - citing the foolishness of the whole, presuming what had neither been suggested, experienced or proven through an experience of a part - a bit exteme, right?

Next, I believe you asked me where did I believe God's rules, laws, precepts/teachings etc were laid down...to which I replied His word, both spoken and written. But somehow you turned that into a defense that no where else can some good teachings be found, when that was neither asked, stated or even implied. There are some good teachings in Buddhism, but they are not from God, but rather Buddha; and that is not what you asked me. (I thought you might be trying to bait me I just wasn't sure where you were headed!) But remember, you asked why God spoke to some and not others. I answered, in short, that He spoke to His own; and, that if you sought Him earnestly (not quit after a bad experience in a less than ideal church) He promised you would find Him. You questioned His character and called Him insecure for not doing things the way you believe they should be done; And, I pointed out that His ways are not ours but loftier than we can fully know, and that as The Divine Creator, He alone holds all the rights to set the rules for His creation. Furthermore, that He not only told us the rules, but the result of not following them and then graciously provided the Way to allow us to continue to follow them even after sin entered and we could not longer on our own...remember? Then you asked me where His rules were found. I answered pretty succinctly (for which I should get some serious props!) HIS rules are found in HIS Word - written and spoken. Never said no one else had any sound teaching...that's another topic having nothing to do with the previous questions, right?! ;)

There are some good teachings all over...be kind, be loving, be tolerant and peacefull...all good things that no one in a right mind could find fault with. But, Buddha is not The Creator, and never claimed to be! These teachings may help you to "be good" but that falls short of following the only rules that were set by The Creator for His creation, and it makes little sense to blame not hearing God when you've left His class room for another and their rule book!

(This is the arrogance of man...to presume that they know better how to gain entry into God's eternal kingdom by any and every other way than those He has provided! Some even demand it be their way over His! Some go even further and critize and put Him down for not seeing it their way, because, we all know the creation knows more than The One who made it, right? It's such madness, but it doesn't seem to be recognized by enough people as such...saw that last night in Matthew 7:13-14, right? Oh, praise Him for His mercy!)

Then I think you asked something about God being so small and using the idea of all of creation to support that? (other planets and stuff?) ...I hate when I read answers from people on YA when they tell the asker to go read something...I know they're trying to be helpful and they mean well, but it just leaves you hanging without any clue what their point is or know if you even want to put the effort into what they're asking, you know?! BUT, we've been talking for a bit and I haven't done that to you yet (except for the dare I issued early on) ...but I want to ask you to do something, okay? I recently watched two 40 minute dvd's that are basically a trip through our galaxy and neighboring galaxies...pictures from the Hubble telescope, data from NASA and an actual Hubble photo at this man's request to see inside the black hole of a neighboring galaxy...this guy is high energy but informal as he lectures in Universities across the Country sharing what they've learned (he's not a preacher and it's not church, okay?!) Would you be willing to get them and watch them? His name is Louie Giglio...his first dvd was called Indescribable and the second How Great Is Our God, but because I've gotten to know you a bit I'd suggest starting with the second - would you? These recent scientific photos and the scientific and medical data answer your question so much better than I can, and knowing your background, I promise you that it will be a wild ride if you're willing to take it. Hey, if you want to hear Him, you've gotta stay in the classroom and listen - it is worth it, are you willing?

In response to your question, Martin Luther said, "Let the man who would hear God speak, read holy scripture."

So, I've got a few final earnest answers for you (not my words, but His)

Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have each turned to his own way; and the Lord laid on Him the sin of us all.

Isaiah 55:8-11 - My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven to water the earth and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 12:48 - He that rejects me, and does not receive my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

And again, Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Search carefully, Malley. It may be narrow, but it's the only one guaranteed!

4th EDIT:

LOL - I love you!

I didn't see this coming! It's after 2:00 AM where I am and with an early morning appointment, I'm off to bed in a minute but I will take a crack at this before I go...

I believe His laws/rules/precepts are found in His Word.

Yes, the Bible is His written word; and creation is His spoken word.

They do not contradict each other, but both support and are strengthened by each other.

(short and sweet - I really can do it!)

3rd EDIT:

Well, this is obviously where the example falls short because, as you stated earlier, you are their teacher rather than their creator...you're right, you have no right to condemn them...however, in the example of a kid who walks out of your classroom forever and out of your ear-shot and is not interested in accepting the offer of knowledge that you hold out to them daily, YOU did not condemn him, but rather he condemns himself...this is where your example (while I agree not perfect) holds true...as Creator, God has the sole right to lay down His rules for His creation. There are as many reasons why someone chooses not to listen as there are people who do so...I am not able or interested in passing judgement on them as people or their reasons for the choices that they have made, nor do I condemn them for doing so...like you, I am not God.

But He

God speaks to everyone they need to listen and recognize Him by His love that is poured out on those who believe in Him.

Cuz turns out God doesn't talk to Atheists.

Because i say no to drugs.