Jesus was provoked and said unto him, "Thou shalt not finish thy course." And immediately he fell down and died.
-- Infancy Gospel of Thomas 4:1

The alternative is a life of suffering in ignorance

I've spent eight years arriving to this point. From what I've witnessed so far things will only get better from here on out

I was referring to the Gospel of Didymos Judas Thomas that was discovered in the Nag Hammadi Library in 1945.

Anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus will have to search their heart and make a decision for themselves

He's everywhere, you just need to let him in.

Why "let him in"? If he's everywhere, he's already there, no?

will you raise your children this way with respect to religion?

He's already there chastising you, but if you haven't let him come in willingly then that is all he can give you.

Yes.

Imagine how this sounds to someone who isn't mad.

Okay

royce, I respect you for making this thread and answering the questions that have been posed. Or maybe it's the intention that I respect, not quite sure yet =)

As we as a species/mankind move forward, do you see religion becoming more at odds with scientific progress, or do you think that's not a necessary/the only outcome? What is science's role in mankind's existence, from your perspective?

From my perspective science has been a much more honest endeavor than religion has been to me, it's intentions and goals clearer and the paths in between much more enjoyable and rewarding so I have a hard time convincing myself that it's not inevitable that religion and science are to be at odds with each other.

Could it be that people experience the subjective experience you describe as god from a multitude of sources including but not limited to scientific discovery? If so wouldn't that substantially water down the actual importance of any one human written book such as the Christian bible?

So, is it more like a decision needs to be made to let God inside your heart?

Or, perhaps, is it more like....

.....an internal realization of what has been within you all along?

(Like you say in the OP, God has been in relationship with you whether you want it or not, or as Jesus phrased it when he said to some people who never accepted God into their heart, "the kingdom of God is within you")

Thanks man

I think mankind can benefit a lot with science

The role of science should be to enhance the quality of life of the people on this planet.

What are your thoughts on the afterlife for someone like myself, who doesn't believe in the christian god?

Having said that, I did feel I was "saved" at the age of twelve or thirteen, and in my particular sect, Missionary Baptist, they believe once saved always saved, so I may still have an out, but ... if I was wrong then, will I be tortured for eternity for my decision?

It's a lot of things. The most important thing is to want him there.

I don't know what happens when you die, but I have reason to believe that if your name is in the book of life, then you're going to keep living after death.

Is it more like you have a choice whether God is in your heart or not in your heart? (ie. you are born without him within you, and then you choose to let him in)

Or, is it more like you have a choice whether or not to engage in interaction with the God, who, because he is everywhere, has been there all along?

I believe people can do a lot of good for themselves, but if they don't accept God then they're really just hanging out at the door without going in.

There's only so much you can learn by looking outwards and once you plateau sin is there waiting to use it against you.

Like I said in my OP I believe God was always in my life. The longer I avoided him the harder he made it for me until I had to make a decision to either accept him or...

You definitely have a choice.

The creation of man:

1. We start with a pile of dirt
2. ??????????????????????????
3. A living breathing sentient human being.

What happened in step #2? In #2, God gave of himself and breathed of his Life into the pile of dirt, and a conscious man was made.

Given that you are currently alive, do you have a choice whether or not #2, the Life that makes you alive, is within you?

Well, God is the living father and we have a choice whether or not we let him live in us

I can't really relate, but I can see how monumental this is for you. I can understand that you feel that something was missing before, and you've found Jesus so now you're complete... or however you want to phrase it. What bugs me is how quick you are to generalise this. You have hardly had time to digest the "fact" that faith in Jesus is the way for you, and you already want to tell everybody else that it is the only way for them.

I've been thinking about Jesus on and off for eight years and am only answering questions that have been addressed to me in this thread.

this always makes me laugh when religious people say they believe in science but only certain aspects of science.

anyway from what ive noticed about religious people there is always a reason that they need god in their life. for example my friend is scared to go to hell. my dad wants to see his father again. my coach wants to see his son again that died at a young age. or their life sucks. need to feel special. have done bad things and wants to be saved. need answers to why they exist. im prolly missing a few however i wouldnt be surprised if the op falls into one of these even tho he might deny it publicly