God

[Exquisition]

Stepping away from Bible passages... For now.


There are literally thousands of religions being practiced today. Here are 20 of the most popular, along with an estimate of the number of followers:

Christianity: 2.1 billion
Islam: 1.3 billion
Hinduism: 900 million
Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
Buddhism: 376 million
African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
Sikhism: 23 million
Juche: 19 million
Spiritism: 15 million
Judaism: 14 million
Baha'i: 7 million
Jainism: 4.2 million
Shinto: 4 million
Cao Dai: 4 million
Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million
Tenrikyo: 2 million
Neo-Paganism: 1 million
Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
Rastafarianism: 600 thousand
Scientology: 500 thousand
[Source: Encyclopedia Britannica]

If you believe in God, you have chosen to reject Allah, Vishnu, Budda, Waheguru and all of the thousands of other gods that other people worship today. It is quite likely that you rejected these other gods without ever looking into their religions or reading their books. You simply absorbed the dominant faith in your home or in the society you grew up in.

In the same way, the followers of all these other religions have chosen to reject God. You think their gods are imaginary, and they think your God is imaginary.

In other words, each religious person on earth today arbitrarily rejects thousands of gods as imaginary, many of which he/she has never even heard of, and arbitrarily chooses to "believe" in one of them.

The following quote from Stephen F. Roberts sums up the situation very nicely:

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

A rational person rejects all human gods equally, because all of them are equally imaginary. How do we know that they are imaginary? Simply imagine that one of them is real. If one of these thousands of gods were actually real, then his followers would be experiencing real, undeniable benefits. These benefits would be obvious to everyone. The followers of a true god would pray, and their prayers would be answered. The followers of a true god would therefore live longer, have fewer diseases, have lots more money, etc. There would be thousands of statistical markers surrounding the followers of a true god.

Everyone would notice all of these benefits, and they would gravitate toward this true god. And thus, over the course of several centuries, everyone would be aligned on the one true god. All the other false gods would have fallen by the wayside long ago, and there would be only one religion under the one true god.

When we look at our world today, we see nothing like that. There are two billion Christians AND there are more than one billion Muslims, and their religions are mutually exclusive. There are thousands of other religions. When you analyse any of them, they all show a remarkable similarity -- there is zero evidence that any of these gods exist. That is how we know that they are all imaginary.

Scientology - that's a pyramid selling scheme isn't it? 500,000 follow that and utterly believe like July does that their way is the true way.

 

[Oo_Bugsy]

There is only one way for Jesus to prove that he rose from the dead. He had to appear to people. Therefore, several different places in the Bible describe Jesus' appearances after his death:

Matthew chapter 28
Mark chapter 16
Luke chapter 24
John Chapter 20 and 21
1 Corinthians 15:3-6 provides a nice summary of those passages, as written by Paul:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
As you can see in this passage, Jesus appeared to hundreds of people a number of different times.

When we look at these Bible passages, there is a question that comes to mind -- why did Jesus stop making these appearances? Why isn't Jesus appearing today?

It really is odd. Obviously Paul benefitted from a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ. Because of the personal visit, Paul could see for himself the truth of the resurrection, and he could ask Jesus questions.

So... Why doesn't Jesus appear to everyone and prove that he is resurrected, just like he appeared to Paul? There is nothing to stop Jesus from materializing in your kitchen tonight to have a personal chat with you. And if you think about it, Jesus really does need to appear to each of us. If Paul needed a personal visit from Jesus to know that Jesus was resurrected, then why wouldn't you?

 

[Rolando2]

is haysoos a zombie?

 

[julybaby04]

Matthew 27:52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
Matthew 27:53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

What about these people? Were religions started because of them? Did they end up dying a second time, did they fly up to Heaven, or are they still among us?

Our LibraryCommentariesCommentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole BibleMatthewMatthew 27
Matthew 27

CHAPTER 27

Matthew 27:1-10 . JESUS LED AWAY TO PILATE--REMORSE AND SUICIDE OF JUDAS. ( = 15:1 , Luke 23:1 , John 18:28 ).

Jesus Led Away to Pilate ( Matthew 27:1 Matthew 27:2 ).

For the exposition of this portion,

Remorse and Suicide of Judas ( Matthew 27:3-10 ).

This portion is peculiar to Matthew. On the progress of guilt in the

3. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned--The condemnation, even though not unexpected, might well fill him with horror. But perhaps this unhappy man expected, that, while he got the bribe, the Lord would miraculously escape, as He had once and again done before, out of His enemies power: and if so, his remorse would come upon him with all the greater keenness.
repented himself--but, as the issue too sadly showed, it was "the sorrow of the world, which worketh death" ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 ).
and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders--A remarkable illustration of the power of an awakened conscience. A short time before, the promise of this sordid pelf was temptation enough to his covetous heart to outweigh the most overwhelming obligations of duty and love; now, the possession of it so lashes him that he cannot use it, cannot even keep it!

4. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood--What a testimony this to Jesus! Judas had been with Him in all circumstances for three years; his post, as treasurer to Him and the Twelve ( John 12:6 ), gave him peculiar opportunity of watching the spirit, disposition, and habits of his Master; while his covetous nature and thievish practices would incline him to dark and suspicious, rather than frank and generous, interpretations of all that He said and did. If, then, he could have fastened on one questionable feature in all that he had so long witnessed, we may be sure that no such speech as this would ever have escaped his lips, nor would he have been so stung with remorse as not to be able to keep the money and survive his crime.
And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that--"Guilty or innocent is nothing to us: We have Him now--begone!" Was ever speech more hellish uttered?

5. And he cast down the pieces of silver--The sarcastic, diabolical reply which he had got, in place of the sympathy which perhaps he expected, would deepen his remorse into an agony.
in the temple--the temple proper, commonly called "the sanctuary," or "the holy place," into which only the priests might enter. How is this to be explained? Perhaps he flung the money in after them. But thus were fulfilled the words of the prophet--"I cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord" ( Zechariah 11:13 ).
and departed, and went and hanged himself--For the details,

6. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury--"the Corban," or chest containing the money dedicated to sacred purposes
because it is the price of blood--How scrupulous now! But those punctilious scruples made them unconsciously fulfil the Scripture.

9. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying--( Zechariah 11:12 Zechariah 11:13 ). Never was a complicated prophecy, otherwise hopelessly dark, more marvellously fulfilled. Various conjectures have been formed to account for Matthew's ascribing to Jeremiah a prophecy found in the book of Zechariah. But since with this book he was plainly familiar, having quoted one of its most remarkable prophecies of Christ but a few chapters before ( Matthew 21:4 Matthew 21:5 ), the question is one more of critical interest than real importance. Perhaps the true explanation is the following, from LIGHTFOOT: "Jeremiah of old had the first place among the prophets, and hereby he comes to be mentioned above all the rest in Matthew 16:14 ; because he stood first in the volume of the prophets [as he proves from the learned DAVID KIMCHI] therefore he is first named. When, therefore, Matthew produceth a text of Zechariah under the name of JEREMY, he only cites the words of the volume of the prophets under his name who stood first in the volume of the prophets. Of which sort is that also of our Saviour ( Luke 24:41 ), "All things must be fulfilled which are written of Me in the Law, and the Prophets, and the Psalms," or the Book of Hagiographa, in which the Psalms were placed first."

Matthew 27:11-26 . JESUS AGAIN BEFORE PILATE--HE SEEKS TO RELEASE HIM BUT AT LENGTH DELIVERS HIM TO BE CRUCIFIED. ( = 15:1-15 Luke 23:1-25 John 18:28-40 ).

For the exposition,

Matthew 27:27-33 . JESUS SCORNFULLY AND CRUELLY ENTREATED OF THE SOLDIERS, IS LED AWAY TO BE CRUCIFIED. ( = 15:16-22 Luke 23:26-31 John 19:2 John 19:17 ).

For the exposition,

Matthew 27:34-50 . CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF THE LORD JESUS. ( = 15:25-37 Luke 23:33-46 John 19:18-30 ).

For the exposition,

Matthew 27:51-66 . SIGNS AND CIRCUMSTANCES FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE LORD JESUS--HE IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS, AND BURIED--THE SEPULCHRE IS GUARDED. ( = 15:38-47 , Luke 23:47-56 , John 19:31-42 ).

The Veil Rent ( Matthew 27:51 ).

51. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom--This was the thick and gorgeously wrought veil which was hung between the "holy place" and the "holiest of all," shutting out all access to the presence of God as manifested "from above the mercy seat and from between the cherubim"--"the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest" ( Hebrews 9:8 ). Into this holiest of all none might enter, not even the high priest, save once a year, on the great day of atonement, and then only with the blood of atonement in his hands, which he sprinkled "upon and before the mercy seat seven times" ( Leviticus 16:14 )--to signify that access for sinners to a holy God is only through atoning blood. But as they had only the blood of bulls and of goats, which could not take away sins ( Hebrews 10:4 ), during all the long ages that preceded the death of Christ the thick veil remained; the blood of bulls and of goats continued to be shed and sprinkled; and once a year access to God through an atoning sacrifice was vouchsafed--in a picture, or rather, was dramatically represented, in those symbolical actions--nothing more. But now, the one atoning Sacrifice being provided in the precious blood of Christ, access to this holy God could no longer be denied; and so the moment the Victim expired on the altar, that thick veil which for so many ages had been the dread symbol of separation between God and guilty men was, without a hand touching it, mysteriously "rent in twain from top to bottom"--"the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was NOW made manifest!" How emphatic the statement, from top to bottom; as if to say, Come boldly now to the Throne of Grace; the veil is clean gone; the mercy seat stands open to the gaze of sinners, and the way to it is sprinkled with the blood of Him--"who through the eternal Spirit hath offered Himself without spot to God!" Before, it was death to go in, now it is death to stay out. See more on this glorious subject on Hebrews 10:19-22 .

An Earthquake--The Rocks Rent--The Graves Opened, that the Saints Which Slept in Them Might Come Forth after Their Lord's Resurrection ( Matthew 27:51-53 ).

51. and the earth did quake--From what follows it would seem that this earthquake was local, having for its object the rending of the rocks and the opening of the graves.
and the rocks rent--"were rent"--the physical creation thus sublimely proclaiming, at the bidding of its Maker, the concussion which at that moment was taking place in the moral world at the most critical moment of its history. Extraordinary rents and fissures have been observed in the rocks near this spot.

52. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose--These sleeping saints Old Testament believers, who--according to the usual punctuation in our version--were quickened into resurrection life at the moment of their Lord's death, but lay in their graves till His resurrection, when they came forth. But it is far more natural, as we think, and consonant with other Scriptures, to understand that only the graves were opened, probably by the earthquake, at our Lord's death, and this only in preparation for the subsequent exit of those who slept in them, when the Spirit of life should enter into them from their risen Lord, and along with Him they should come forth, trophies of His victory over the grave. Thus, in the opening of the graves at the moment of the Redeemer's expiring, there was a glorious symbolical proclamation that the death which had just taken place had "swallowed up death in victory"; and whereas the saints that slept in them were awakened only by their risen Lord, to accompany Him out of the tomb, it was fitting that "the Prince of Life . . . should be the First that should rise from the dead" ( Acts 26:23 , 1 Corinthians 15:20 1 Corinthians 15:23 , Colossians 1:18 , Revelation 1:5 ).
and went into the holy city--that city where He, in virtue of whose resurrection they were now alive, had been condemned.
and appeared unto many--that there might be undeniable evidence of their own resurrection first, and through it of their Lord's. Thus, while it was not deemed fitting that He Himself should appear again in Jerusalem, save to the disciples, provision was made that the fact of His resurrection should be left in no doubt. It must be observed, however, that the resurrection of these sleeping saints was not like those of the widow of Nain's son, of Jairus' daughter, of Lazarus, and of the man who "revived and stood upon his feet," on his dead body touching the bones of Elisha ( 2 Kings 13:21 )--which were mere temporary recallings of the departed spirit to the mortal body, to be followed by a final departure of it "till the trumpet shall sound." But this was a resurrection once for all, to life everlasting; and so there is no room to doubt that they went to glory with their Lord, as bright trophies of His victory over death.

 

[julybaby04]

I was fine until you made the mistake that most zealots make, applying your personal belief to others.



I believe I am no more saved than you because there is no 'saving' to be done. There is no great magic wand that explains the inexplicable it just is.

A book of supersitions and inaccuracies further accentuated by the inaccuracies and interpetration of 'scholars' isn;t the basis for a belief system IMO.

No-one is attacking you for your beliefs (certainly not I) but I am curious to know how you can trust a book full of inaccuracies, inconsistencies and myths and choose to live your life accordingly.

I am not trying to "save" you.

You can;t save me, there is nothing to save.

I only share who God - nope you share your interpretation of God based upon a fatally floored set of 2000 year old superstitions.

I think sharing is what everyone on this board does. I put "save you" in quotations for a reason. That reason being is that no one can do that....and I know many people try. I know there are many who are considered "bible thumpers" to think it is their personal job to save every single person on this earth.

I am not one of those. I HOPE everyone on this earth is saved.......but God and the person involved does that.....not me. I only share who God is, through my beliefs and studies.

....and I seriously doubt your were ever "fine" with me.

 

[julybaby04]

But according to the Bible, there is only ONE true God

And according to the BIBLE THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE BIBLE, ACCORDING TO ALL THE GUYS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO IT! like that commercial on TV says, it must be true,'cause they can't put anything in there there that ain't true,according to the bible.

Glad you understand that God is the one true God!!!

 

[julybaby04]

....double post

 

[julybaby04]

Scientology - that's a pyramid selling scheme isn't it? 500,000 follow that and utterly believe like July does that their way is the true way.

....and those 500,000 would be wrong.

...by the way.....it is God's way!

 

[julybaby04]

There is only one way for Jesus to prove that he rose from the dead. He had to appear to people. Therefore, several different places in the Bible describe Jesus' appearances after his death:

Matthew chapter 28
Mark chapter 16
Luke chapter 24
John Chapter 20 and 21
1 Corinthians 15:3-6 provides a nice summary of those passages, as written by Paul:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
As you can see in this passage, Jesus appeared to hundreds of people a number of different times.

When we look at these Bible passages, there is a question that comes to mind -- why did Jesus stop making these appearances? Why isn't Jesus appearing today?

It really is odd. Obviously Paul benefitted from a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ. Because of the personal visit, Paul could see for himself the truth of the resurrection, and he could ask Jesus questions.

So... Why doesn't Jesus appear to everyone and prove that he is resurrected, just like he appeared to Paul? There is nothing to stop Jesus from materializing in your kitchen tonight to have a personal chat with you. And if you think about it, Jesus really does need to appear to each of us. If Paul needed a personal visit from Jesus to know that Jesus was resurrected, then why wouldn't you?

Jesus could do exactly as you said. The Holy Spirit was left after His ascension to heaven. The Holy Spirit is also God. That is what we have everyday (believers) instead of Jesus walking with us on the earth. Faith is what makes Him real...and the belief that God is who He is and Jesus is who He is....and died on the cross for each of us.

 

[Exquisition]

Our LibraryCommentariesCommentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole BibleMatthewMatthew 27
Matthew 27

CHAPTER 27

Matthew 27:1-10 . JESUS LED AWAY TO PILATE--REMORSE AND SUICIDE OF JUDAS. ( = 15:1 , Luke 23:1 , John 18:28 ).

So you're basing your interpretation of the good book on the interpretation of the good book by particular branch of Christianity you follow and on the interpetration of someone who sat down and came up with their interpretation for something which can;t be truly explained.

So, an interpretation of an interpretation with added side-interpretation on a book that's been translated, mis translated, interpreted in a gazillion ways by a gazillion people and you think that's the basis for a belief system if I've got you right?

Tell, me, would you apply such blind faith to any other part of your life - say driving for instance.

You get in a car, don't know where you're going, get directions from someone you don't know, try and fathom out if the town you're trying to get to is in Ohio or New Mexico because they share the same name, then, close your eyes while you drive because you have faith.

Isn't that conducting business in the same way?

 

[Exquisition]

....and those 500,000 would be wrong.

...by the way.....it is God's way!

And now like a good zealot you're disparaging the faith of others while you're being self-sanctimonious about yours.

Contrary to what you wrote earlier about not being smug.

This is one of the dark sides of religion - such thought processes lead to wars and suffering.

 

[Exquisition]

....and I seriously doubt your were ever "fine" with me.

Well, you did say you would pray for me to get laid and I;ve seen no miracles occur on that front.

Are you losing your power of prayer?

 

[cjh]

....and those 500,000 would be wrong.

...by the way.....it is God's way!

I don't know whether you intend to be, but you're a bit sanctimonious and condescending in your faith. It's offputting, and does not encourage an outsider to explore your faith.

My best friend, by the way, is an ordained minister. He does not wear his religion on his sleeve, though. The unassuming sincerity of his faith causes me to explore it through him. As far as I can tell, though, he has never belittled another's faith for differing from his.

 

[julybaby04]

So you're basing your interpretation of the good book on the interpretation of the good book by particular branch of Christianity you follow and on the interpetration of someone who sat down and came up with their interpretation for something which can;t be truly explained.

So, an interpretation of an interpretation with added side-interpretation on a book that's been translated, mis translated, interpreted in a gazillion ways by a gazillion people and you think that's the basis for a belief system if I've got you right?

Tell, me, would you apply such blind faith to any other part of your life - say driving for instance.

You get in a car, don't know where you're going, get directions from someone you don't know, try and fathom out if the town you're trying to get to is in Ohio or New Mexico because they share the same name, then, close your eyes while you drive because you have faith.

Isn't that conducting business in the same way?

As I have been criticized here for only using my beliefs and opinions....I use other opinions to state things I agree with....yes.

I believe you did the same thing when you quoted that atheist guy.

We all tend to read and quote those things that we agree with. I would NEVER quote anyone here who said something about God I did not agree with....especially if it were to say that God was not the one true God. That is blasphemy and I will never do that.

 

[julybaby04]

I don't know whether you intend to be, but you're a bit sanctimonious and condescending in your faith. It's offputting, and does not encourage an outsider to explore your faith.

My best friend, by the way, is an ordained minister. He does not wear his religion on his sleeve, though. The unassuming sincerity of his faith causes me to explore it through him. As far as I can tell, though, he has never belittled another's faith for differing from his.

I don't recall belittling anyone's faith. I think I have mentioned here....many times before....that we all can choose to believe whatever we want to believe. I have my reasons why I am a follower of Christ....and others have their reasons why they choose to believe whatever religion they follow...or even none at all.

If you want me to be an all-inclusive person when it comes to God, and if I am not you deem that as sanctimonious and condescending, then that, my friend is you judging me. I will not ever say that there are many ways to God when Jesus Himself says there is only one way and that is Him. To do so would be to turn my back on my faith and God and that is blasphemy. I will not do that.

I do apologize if you are offended....but I will not apologize for my faith. You are only reading words on a page....you have no idea who I am and why my faith is so incredibly important to me. You have no idea how I spend my time and who I serve in my community. You are making judgements on me for the simple fact that you do not agree with my firm stance on God.

 

[julybaby04]

And now like a good zealot you're disparaging the faith of others while you're being self-sanctimonious about yours.

Contrary to what you wrote earlier about not being smug.

This is one of the dark sides of religion - such thought processes lead to wars and suffering.

I am not smug...just believing what Jesus said about Him being the only way. Anyone has that same freedom to believe as I do. I am no better than anyone else.....I just believe God.

 

[Lorilei]

I don't know whether you intend to be, but you're a bit sanctimonious and condescending in your faith. It's offputting, and does not encourage an outsider to explore your faith.

My best friend, by the way, is an ordained minister. He does not wear his religion on his sleeve, though. The unassuming sincerity of his faith causes me to explore it through him. As far as I can tell, though, he has never belittled another's faith for differing from his.

http://gotgame.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/applause.gif

 

[julybaby04]

Well, you did say you would pray for me to get laid and I;ve seen no miracles occur on that front.

Are you losing your power of prayer?

I have prayed for you....prayed that God will answer that specific prayer as He sees fit. Apparently the answer is no.

 

[Exquisition]

As I have been criticized here for only using my beliefs and opinions....I use other opinions to state things I agree with....yes.

I believe you did the same thing when you quoted that atheist guy.

We all tend to read and quote those things that we agree with. I would NEVER quote anyone here who said something about God I did not agree with....especially if it were to say that God was not the one true God. That is blasphemy and I will never do that.

But you're happy to denigrate the faith of others who don't fit in with your beliefs?

 

[Exquisition]

I am not smug...just believing what Jesus said about Him being the only way. Anyone has that same freedom to believe as I do. I am no better than anyone else.....I just believe God.

Your post was 100% smug:

....and those 500,000 would be wrong.

...by the way.....it is God's way!

Almost flippant, no?

 

[Exquisition]

I have prayed for you....prayed that God will answer that specific prayer as He sees fit. Apparently the answer is no.

But doesn;t say in the Bible "ask and ye shall receive?"

What happened?

I was expecting a lovely, nubile raven-haired beauty to have at least put in an appearance.

 

[julybaby04]

But you're happy to denigrate the faith of others who don't fit in with your beliefs?

I do not think I have denigrated anyone. I just do not believe their faiths are true....just like many on here do not believe the Christian faith is true.

As a matter of fact....I believe the words used described MY faith have included....myth, faitytale, zombie worship, lie.....just to name a few. I believe those who are so "tolerant" are the ones who have felt the need to denigrate the Christian faith.

I believe you have more on your side who are smug and condescending than those on this board who are followers of Christ.

 

[phrodeau]

Matthew 27:52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
Matthew 27:53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

What about these people? Were religions started because of them? Did they end up dying a second time, did they fly up to Heaven, or are they still among us?

(edited)

But this was a resurrection once for all, to life everlasting; and so there is no room to doubt that they went to glory with their Lord, as bright trophies of His victory over death.

Gee, trophies. That's absolutely clear.

 

[julybaby04]

Gee, trophies. That's absolutely clear.

.....I did not type that. I copied that.

Are you now only able to edit my posts because you do not like my responses?

 

[cjh]

I don't recall belittling anyone's faith. I think I have mentioned here....many times before....that we all can choose to believe whatever we want to believe. I have my reasons why I am a follower of Christ....and others have their reasons why they choose to believe whatever religion they follow...or even none at all.

If you want me to be an all-inclusive person when it comes to God, and if I am not you deem that as sanctimonious and condescending, then that, my friend is you judging me. I will not ever say that there are many ways to God when Jesus Himself says there is only one way and that is Him. To do so would be to turn my back on my faith and God and that is blasphemy. I will not do that.

I do apologize if you are offended....but I will not apologize for my faith. You are only reading words on a page....you have no idea who I am and why my faith is so incredibly important to me. You have no idea how I spend my time and who I serve in my community. You are making judgements on me for the simple fact that you do not agree with my firm stance on God.

I am not asking for you to apologize for your faith.

I don't think you'll find one instance where I've belittled anybody's faith. I think that is a very important, and very personal, belief.

But if you'll step back, you'll see that you wield your faith in such a heavy-handed way so as to alienate many, including some who have an unshakeable faith in Christ.

No one knows what the right answer is. The most you can have is faith. And others can have a faith different from yours that is just as strong and just as sincere. Your inability to respect that makes it easy for others to not respect you, and to not respect the faith in which you believe.