Jeremy Loc: America

Yeah that is the example he uses but the lyrics are also about not understanding unanswered prayers.

Does it matter what the prayers or the misunderstanding by humans are? It’s in synch with the Segway.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I have read with interest with all the varied answers. I personally do not have a clear answer either. I do believe there are satanical forces at loose in the World to try men's lives. That was plenty clear in Job, and it is still present. it takes faith like that of Job to persevere and win. Just Sayin...RJS

Jeremy Loc: America

I think stating anyone understands is bogus.

Having faith as a Vice to trust god doesn’t mean anyone really understands. Many believe all the faith and writings are to try and come up with answers for what we really don’t understand but humans can’t just accept that there is no answers to it all.

Star gazing sitting by fires and proclaiming things went on for a long long time. Because a human said this is WHY etc doesn’t make it all factual.

Karma for instance. I see the most crooked people end up living a lush life. Reminder of the fact nice guys finish last.

I don’t always finish last but I try to remain a nice guy and do the right things.

I will never be able to answer what the original questions were no matter what I read or what I do in life. God may of breathed but plain ol simple humans proclaimed it all and wrote it down. I get disgusted by the give me your money part… give it to me… or you don’t get the ultimate prize. So give me the thing you earned and should not horde it but by golly I want it and I’m not going to be punished for wanting it but you will.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Not sure who you’re listening to, but I would encourage you to
“change channels” if that’s really what you are hearing. I’m guessing you may not be one who tithes on your earnings/increase. It IS taught throughout the Bible, but never says what you quoted above. If a
“preacher” says something that does not line up with the Bible, you should just ignore it. There ARE bad preachers, just like there are bad people in any other occupation, or hypocrites in most churches. That doesn’t mean they are all bad or that all church-goers are hypocrites. At least they are in church, which would seem to imply they are trying to improve their lives. Many people use that as an excuse for not attending church. Church-goers are not perfect; nor are Christians. They are just forgiven.
If you are interested in finding out why Christians tithe (besides all the teachings in the Bible and God says to do it) , there is a guy named Robert Morris, who pastors a church in the DFW area in Texas, who has a complete series on “stewardship”. Look it up on the internet; it is excellent.

Jeremy Loc: America

I have many people around me that do all of it. I still get disgusted by a lot of it all. Just my 2 cents. Many seem pretty arrogant too. Like the superiority complex that they have about the whole topic. Showing off what they do constantly to prove to other humans their faith seems more like a show than anything. I seen it in every religious group I ever affiliated with. More power to everyone that spends every day they can doing it all.

Just like the topic of this whole string of posts says

WHY etc. the people that think they have all the answers to it are exactly what some of the stuff I’m talking about.

I Appreciate your honesty about it all Randy. Bunch of the people are not good let alone perfect including the leadership.

My grandma gave everything she had to Jimmy Swaggart. She also gave us kids grief at a young age for playing fish with playing cards. Told me we were as bad as ( my parents and uncles / aunts in other room) the rest of the people in this house.

The only good thing for her heart is she passed away before Jimmy got busted.

My dad and uncle got to deal with the fact of what she did. I know any organization would gladly accept people riches and never think twice. Then tax exemption etc that goes on but the rest of us get to pay them. It makes no sense to me when someone goes to get educated and can have income in certain things but exempt up to $200,000 a year etc. The rest of us get 10% of what we give them OFF our taxes. I know this for a fact because I do our taxes. $5000. Given will reduce tax burden by $500. Not $5000.

I’m glad your happy with it all but I would rather talk fishing because there is some of why ( about fishing) that I don’t and may never understand but as far as the topic I will never claim to understand much about it all. Like I stated before I think mankind wants answers that is why all of it has been written down. A lot of it was to control people too… but it was people writing it and using it as a this is why you must etc.

Thanks for being honest Randy at least it is something most religions emphasize on. I just wish everyone that is would do it.

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

It happened in the Garden of Eden when sin entered the world by Satans suggestion and Eves action.

Anybass Loc: Pa.

Ghaynes1, All good questions, no good answers. Something to consider though. If believe Jesus Christ came down as a human, not as a ruler on a white horse or living in an elaborate castle, and since all powerful, He could have forced everyone to live the way he wanted them to live? So why allow Himself to be humiliated, tortured and suffer a most agonizing death, nailed to a cross? He certainly took away anyone saying he didn't know what it was like to be poor; didn't know humiliation; didn't know severe, harsh punishment. He gave 10 Commandments but then simplified it for some by saying, "do unto others, as you would have them do unto you". Free will was a big part of his message. We make choices. God didn't make sure the drunk driver was going to run into the family driving off to a picnic. He gave free will to the drunken driver who chose getting behind the wheel. The murderer chooses the act, an innocent victim becomes the target, and it goes on and on. With seeing how fleeting life can be with no guarantees, maybe we need to consider how we live that life so when we get to the end of the line, quick or slow, eternity can be either "up" or "down".

Papacon357 Loc: West Texas (Permian Basin)

All I know is that God cast Satan down out of heaven and instead of k*****g him he let him reign on the earth “for a time”. Satan doesn’t handle it all himself. He has minions and evil spirits to help him. That is why there is “so much” wrong in this world. When Satan’s reign is over Jesus himself will come down to earth and take all the good ones, dead and alive, to live with him in heaven before he destroys this world. All he asks is for us to believe and to fellowship with others of like mind and with him. As you attempt this you will come more to understand it. The Bible is a hard book to understand because, for one thing, it isn’t written chronologically, and for another, it has been t***slated over and over from its original manuscripts. In my personal opinion, the best man to help explain God and the Bible to you and others is Sam Soleyn from Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can find him on the internet. If you ever hear of him being close to your area, go listen to him. Ask him for help and he will deliver. Sorry to be so long on the post but our second most important calling on this earth is to help our fellow man. I hope I have. May God bless you and yours, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jeremy Loc: America

I help fellow men and women on a regular basis. Some may just suck it up and I know they do. Some think we are required to. I feel like expecting the help or free ride by some is kinda wrong. I have helped some and they are right there without fail the next time. Give them good advice after helping them but never take it. Right there the next time over and over. Isn’t that an enabler?

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Your reference about Swaggart is exactly why people should not put more faith in ANY man, than they do God. All men are fallible; God is not. Not sure if I understood what you said about being taxed on contributions, but I believe contributions, like tithes to the church, are still 100% deductible. Maybe I misunderstood what you said....
For those who don’t tithe, they will never understand how God blesses those who do. God doesn’t NEED our money; He created everything and owns it all already. We tithe out of obedience to His word and in turn, He blesses us for it. I don’t expect everyone to believe or understand this; I just know from experience that it works. Not just for me, but for anyone who does it. I guess it’s just one more thing that defies explanation or science, but in reality, actually works. Like a “God thing”.

Jeremy Loc: America

Yeah I am saying what I know. If you give 10 bucks you get 1 buck off your taxes. Federally. State gives a little.
We have never gotten all of it off the taxes. Faith Based businesses get to make huge amounts before taxes even start. This is a fact. I understand the theory of it all. I get it. Many ask why I am so blessed. Well one more time I gotta say I don't understand. It probably is exactly why your saying.

Jeremy Loc: America

Non profits are good but many are simply a s**m to not pay taxes.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

What’s your idea of how you came to be Greg?

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Greg if you want an atheist's perspective on your question, pm me and I'll be happy to discuss it. I don't want to get everyone all riled up on here.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Wow.... perfect example of the dismissive "holier than thou" answer..... certainly eliminates YOU as being a source for spreading that "understanding", doesn't it ?

Interesting posts on this thread, both "sides". I won't weigh in too awful much, other than to reiterate the premise offered by Randy and others..... FAITH is the (your) watchword.
Perhaps that was Barnacles' basic thought pattern, but expressed as dismissively as one lacking a physics degree, asking a renowned professor about "String Theory".
"Oh, you wouldn't understand" is a cop-out, and merely means you either don't have the ability to teach me or you don't care if I learn.
Not exactly "Christian behavior", imo.

"Don't show (share) your cards" or "Spread the Good News"...... make up your mind already.





PS...."God" (assuming "He" is truly "universal") certainly has a lot of disparate books related to enjoining and practicing that "faith" one must have to be a "believer"..... the Torah, the Quran, the "Holy Bible"(Christians have 115+ versions !.....as Jewish comedian Lewis Black says..."Hey Christians ! You do know, don't you, that 2/3 of YOUR book is made up of MY BOOK ! What ?.... couldn't round up a few more apostles that could write, so your followers wouldn't have just a pamphlet ?"), the Talmud (a form of Judaism... same "one God") the Tipitaka (Buddhist canons... NOT a "bible" per say, but lessons on honoring "the One").....an inordinate number of "guides" that, if followed, "lead to salvation".

Begins to be much like the sentiment on a favorite button I have........"Being Cool just sounds like so very much work"