[Cal]

Originally Posted by zeek

Y'all may be surprised to hear that I agree with the direction this thread has taken. I see unity in the diversity of opinions. God is Being itself. If God didn't care I wouldn't exist this very moment. The presence of God sustains the universe. God is at the center of every being including you and me. That's faith talking. I hope Trapped is getting help from this discussion.

Good to hear, zeek.

To me, it's simple.

• Clearly there must be Something that came before everything, that was there in the beginning.
  
• Sound reasoning says that must have been something like God.
  
• God created us to value love and caring, so he must also.
  
• All that is needed is for us to live in loving relationship with God, and to allow our lives and destinies to flow from this.
  
• But wait, God is perfect, and we have done many things to offend him. What do we do about that?
  
• God wants to forgive us, but cannot just forgive without some consequence, otherwise it would be like saying sin isn't really sin.
  
• So God came himself as a human being and took the consequence for us.
  
• All we have to do is receive this gift and continue in relationship with God.
  
• Who would not appreciate and want such a gift? People reject it ultimately simply because they choose darkness over light.
  
• Unbelief then, is anti-life.