I'm sorry. I mistook you for another person who wrote a reply to me. As for making a decision, I don't think like that. I choose what I believe to be right until I learn evidence to the contrary. I do not make a "decision" and then close my eyes and ignore the rest of the world or progressing knowledge. I see no reason to believe in a book written thousands of years ago by MEN. It is no different than any other myths of Gods. History has shown that parts of it are contradictory, parts have changed, parts don't match with known history, and parts have been weeded-out to make the present book. Believe in it if you want; you will be happier that way. I just can't believe in something that I cannot SEE and fell to be true. IF there IS a God, I have no wish to meet him. All that I see in this world is cruelty and misery. The Bible's whole concept of sin is ridiculous. I will not blame myself for the feelings that I was born with. Original sin is just more gobble-de-gook that comes from ancient people who tried to explain a world that they could not comprehend. People fear death and they want to know there is something after. People see injustice and they want to believe justice will be given. Why do you think religion is so strong with the poor? It's because THEY are the ones suffering the most and it is to they that Christianity promises the most. It's an incideous belief, but I guess it does give comfort to those without hope. I'll quit here before I bore you too much. I'm different than you: you appear to have found your answers; I'm still looking. I want to believe that there is some "good" end in Life and why things happen the way they do.
"I do not make a "decision" and then close my eyes and ignore the rest of the world or progressing knowledge. I see no reason to believe in a book written thousands of years ago by MEN. It is no different than any other myths of Gods" I'm not trying to sell you on God. You keep bringing that up.
What skin is it off of your teeth if someone else does. I'm asking why you are so passionate about trying to knowingly destroy someone elses faith, and collapsing their world.
"I want to believe that there is some "good" end in Life"
Life itself is good, and far more than we deserve.
After food, shelter, & clothing; happiness is just a decision we make. Unless you are starving, frozen, or running around naked; you are disappointed because you want to be.
Why is it imperative, to you, that everyone else shares your disappointment. On the face of it, it seems the height of selfishness. Please correct me on this.
To what end do you weaken another man's faith?
I see no reason to believe in a book written thousands of years ago by MEN. It is no different than any other myths of Gods. And yet Christianity is the only faith that has resulted in a culture that values freedom and is wealthy enough to have held it for over 200 years.
No other faith is even close.