I was asked this and here was my answer

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

Todd,

I've never been one to participate in an organized religion. Well, when I was a little girl I did because it was what my family did. That's not to say that I don't believe in a God or a Creator, as some might prefer to call him/her. I do believe though, there is someone or some being that is way ahead of us in knowledge and understands everything that happens. But, the last several weeks, I've been rethinking my stand on this. Many things have happened in my life recently that have caused me to question my existence and the reason I'm here. I've not felt particularly good about myself and have wondered if it's because I'm empty inside when it comes to accepting religion and the benefits it can have when one is a true believer. I'm not sure if this is coming across exactly how I'm meaning it, but I hope you can understand what it is I'm trying to say.

I have been reading about studies that suggest people who pray and believe all of the time have a greater chance for happiness and a more positive outlook on life. They are much healthier people and when life is not quite the way they would have hoped for…they tend to be able to accept the outcome rather than dwell on what's at hand and constantly think about the "what if".

What is your opinion on this, Todd? I'd really like to hear what you have to say.

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

Now I know this is going to sound whacked but here me out. This is totally opposed to likely anything you have read or heard, well it is to me anyways.

I believe in a creator, I believe that Creator is God of the Bible New and Old Testament. I believe were are created or born as empty vessels to be filled as we grow through life. I believe that there will always be an emptiness without God. No matter how much stuff we fill the vessel with {Sex, music, drugs, hugs, food, things, property, religion (yep I said religion), activities, friends, family, etc.} I believe the only thing that can truely fill that is a relationship with the Living God. {What did he just say a relationship?}

I believe the Creator God created us in his image so that we could have fellowship with him. I believe of our own pride with a little coaxing of our adversary we severed that fellowship. God Always wanted the fellowship, that what we were created for, not mindless automitoms/robots but to have fellowship to walk hand in hand so to speak.

When we broke the fellowship, God was grieved but he did not give up on us, he put into a plan of action a way to restore that fellowship. There is nothing we the creation could do to repair the damage it was to great. The only it could be restored is for God himself to die and bridge the gap. By accepting His sacrifice we restore the fellowship realationship.

And I think it is that realtionship that gives people a better healthier outlook when things are grimest and darkest and have a more positive and happier outlook on life. Religion is merely a form of repetition of something that is comfortable and comforting but in the end can do nothing. However, a relationship with the creator of everything can put things in persepcetive and give an assurance that things will work out in the end regardless of what the pain is in the present.

As for church church isn't something that is required for God to get brownie points or bonuses or heaven perks. The reason for church from God's persepctive is to gather with a body of like minded people to celebrate, to grow in knowledge and to worhsip and fellowship and have a better realtionship with Him.

Did any of that make sense?

Or did I try to hard?

 

[daedalos]

At least you did not reply to the question with one of your theological manifestos.

The questioner may have run for cover if you had done that!

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

At least you did not reply to the question with one of your theological manifestos.

The questioner may have run for cover if you had done that!

 

[Zedd]

I felt that it was answered very well, I too am a christian and believer of God.

I would like to point out your argument of church. I feel you missed a very important point. Church is a state of mind not a building.

 

[paganangel]

if there's a god, he's got his feet up.
oh yeah...he can suck my dick too.

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

I felt that it was answered very well, I too am a christian and believer of God.

I would like to point out your argument of church. I feel you missed a very important point. Church is a state of mind not a building.

That is true for a believer but to those outside of faith church is merely a building filled with form and void

 

[fgarvb1]

Todd

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

Todd

Thankyou