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Under Christian Attack! First let me say, that when I say "Christian" I mean the hardcore Christians like Christian Fundamentalists and Born Again Christians. Earlier this week a born again Christian person emailed me about my review of the movie Signs and I responded, and then it kept going like that. He cannot comprehend that I don't see how the Bible can be proof of God's existence, and he's all like, "you need to read the Bible, because it proves that it is in fact the word of God." And then I'm like, "but that's like me saying I'm president, and my telling you that is proof enough." So, then, it appears this guy got his whole Christian crusade congregation organization or something, to write in to me protesting my review of Signs and my questioning of Christianity. Yesterday and today I've gotten about a dozen or so emails.
From: "Tim S" Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 08:06:52 -0800 To: Subject: I read your review!! Hi I read your review on the movie, and to some degree, I do agree with you about how simple it was made. Hey they make movies to make money! and I know they made alot of money !! Between me and you, most movies will push towards a higher power (YHWY) the creator! without direct connections ! I believe when someone is committed to our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus the messiah, there will be an out pouring of the Holy Spirit! But who in this world today is really serving GOD ! we as human beings are conformed to the world and its ways, and Jesus says, do not be conformed to this world or to the things in it ! I am not judging anyone, but you see these preachers running for office or even president, what are they thinking? they are of this world and preach with a worldly spirit. I really liked the movie "Jesus of Nazareth" and by reading the bible and also watching the movie, they really characterised Christ, and by seeing this, we should try to pattern our lives this way !! I know by your writing you belive in GOD and understand His Purpose! You are looking into movies seeking His truth, and bringing out the flaws of the movie and there is nothing wrong with that !! Thank you for reading this and allowing me to respond !! Shangri-La
River Flyfishing Adventures GOD Bless America !! From:
Sharalee Worms Hi, Ted I was awake last night trying to think of some way to get you to see what I'm trying to tell you. Because I don't actually know you it's hard to figure out what to say that you can relate to, thus the try at Gretzky, but last night it came to me. Obviously you're a movie guy. What I am trying to say about the Bible is relative to a movie like the Matrix or Thirteenth Floor. A vast majority of the people in the US and Canada think that what you see is what you get, but reality is more like that of the Matrix, except reality isn't like the reality of that movie. If you accept Jesus Christ, reality which I'm using here as a word for eternity, is far better than anything you ever could dream of, and if you don't accept Jesus reality will be far worse than the disturbing reality of the Matrix. Now for you to choose to just write off what I'm saying as nonsense without exploring it further and making an informed decision you'd be like the guy in the Matrix that sold out his friends to go back into the system. Hope this helps to give you a bit of an idea what I'm talking about. Ted's response: "If you accept Jesus Christ, reality which I'm using here as a word for eternity, is far better than anything you ever could dream of, and if you don't accept Jesus reality will be far worse than the disturbing reality of the Matrix." But just because you, and an old book, say this, doesn't make it so. I don't believe that a good person who isn't Christian is going to go to Hell. As far as what is reality, you can get so into that intangible world, that who knows if thoughts or actions are even "yours" anymore. People who try to change the world, this world, not some make believe after-world, a better place, and people who search for the truth are the people who are doing the right thing. Not people who sit around dissecting the Bible to find out what God really meant by this or that verse. And most of these people love to judge other people, gays are bad, sex for pleasure is bad, pride is bad. I think pride is good. I hope this helps to give you a bit of an idea what I'm talking about. From:
Melodyttrhd i love mel gibson and all his movies i have yet to see this one but never say anything wrong about him for he is a great actor Ted's response: Yeah, well, did you see Conspiracy Theory? Ted PS Here's a list of the films Mel Gibson's had starring roles in, how many have you actually seen?
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Melodyttrhd i have only seen 14 of his movies and haven't seen the one you talk of but plan to rent it at blockbuster can't wait thanks for writing. From: "Rick Bevard" Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 To: tedstrong@tedstrong.com Dude, You are a total loser. How can you sit through the entire movie of "Signs," and still not know anything about it? Mel didn't throw the water glasses, his brother hit them with the baseball bat. The exact words were "swing away," which in baseball language means go for whatever they throw at you, but do it to get on base. "Hit away slugger" or whatever it is you thought you heard in your retarded sense of audio interpretation means go for the fences. That might have been appropriate had he not been the strikeout king of his league, but obviously you missed that little detail also. We all have signs that God sends us. They teach us, and lead us into whatever we direction we decide to take. Mel decided to use his to better himself at the end of the movie, so he wouldn't have to sit around at pretend to be like you. Like Bill Engval said, "here's your sign." It's time for you to give up on your life as a journalist, or critic, or junkie, or whatever it is that you claim to ! be good at. Also, a bit of advice for you, after you kill yourself by overdosing on drugs since you don't have any friends, I wouldn't be planning on facing the Lord God Almighty with your religious psycho atheistic babble, and smiling. He'll probably tell you to smile in Hell. Look for me. I'll be waving at you from above. How do you think you got here anyway? God's Peace - Rick From:
Sharalee Worms Interesting point. So what is the right thing? How do people decide whether they are doing the right thing or not. And the one thing you just keep going over as though I haven't said anything about it is that the Bible is just some old book. If you haven't studied the Bible, you cannot make any assessment as to whether what it says is true or not true. What would you need, personally to know that the Bible says, in order for you to take it seriously enough to at least look into it and see if it is the truth. You have to at least admit that the truth is out there. It's either your truth (the Bible is just an old book) or it's my truth (the Bible is the very Word of God). So wouldn't you want to know which is the actual truth? Maybe it's yours. Can you prove to me that the Bible is not the word of God? I mean actual proof. Not just saying because you don't believe it. Cause I can prove to you that it is the Word of God if you are interested in finding out why I say that it is. By the way it's not 'these people' judging other people. It's God judging these people's behavior. I noticed some italics in your closing line. I hope this doesn't mean you're getting angry. That's not my intent. I thought we were having a friendly discussion here about different points of view. If you wish to discontinue the discussion please tell me. I'm only continuing because I can see something very clearly, that you can't seem to see because you lack information. The only way any person can write the Bible off as a dusty old book is if they haven't looked into it. Most people don't because they are afraid. They are afraid that someone will tell them what to do, and they are concerned that they might have to change. Do you know that most of the people that Jesus dealt with were the 'scum of the earth' The whores, the beggars, the thieves, etc. Did you know that Jesus told off the 'religious' people of His day? Did you know that Jesus wants people to come to Him as they are? He doesn't want them to change all their bad behavior first and then come looking for Him. He wants them to come to Him first. Do you think he kicks out those same people if they don't immediately become sparkling clean? Of course not. Do you also know that there are many people in this world that claim to be Christians but are not? What do you think those people are doing as far as setting an example for people like yourself? That's right. They're making you run further, cause you don't want to be like them. Do you know that the Bible was written over 2000 years ago, by 40 different guys (who didn't know each other)over hundreds of years and yet everything ties together. There are over a thousand direct prophecies that have been fulfilled in detail. The Bible tells to the day when Israel would get back into Jerusalem again and hundreds of others. If you are interested I can show you some of the prophecies and their specifics. It would be wise to realize that the only way some one could write prophecy is if they knew waht was going to happen before it happened. Anyway. Remember I'm not trying to make you mad, just trying to have a discussion. Ted's response: You keep saying this, but without actually offering anything: "Cause I can prove to you that it is the Word of God if you are interested in finding out why I say that it is." "By the way it's not 'these people' judging other people. It's God judging these people's behavior." But isn't it really "these people" judging others and just saying that they're just judging for God in his absence? "I'm only continuing because I can see something very clearly, that you can't seem to see because you lack information." Okay, I'm sure you know more about the Bible than I do, and you can quote more passages. But you lack just as much information about religions or ideas that show that the Bible is not the Word of God. "Do you know that most of the people that Jesus dealt with were the 'scum of the earth' The whores, the beggars, the thieves, etc." Yes. "Did you know that Jesus told off the 'religious' people of His day?" Yes. "Do you also know that there are many people in this world that claim to be Christians but are not?" You mean that many people consider themselves to be Christians, and you do not, don't you? I mean you're just dealing with what your own definition of the word is, right? "What do you think those people are doing as far as setting an example for people like yourself? That's right. They're making you run further, cause you don't want to be like them." No, I don't mind those people so much, it exactly you, Christian fundamentalist/Born Again types that I have the biggest problem with. "Do you know that the Bible was written over 2000 years ago, by 40 different guys (who didn't know each other)over hundreds of years and yet everything ties together. There are over a thousand direct prophecies that have been fulfilled in detail. The Bible tells to the day when Israel would get back into Jerusalem again and hundreds of others. If you are interested I can show you some of the prophecies and their specifics. It would be wise to realize that the only way some one could write prophecy is if they knew waht was going to happen before it happened." Yes I've heard all this. But there is no modern evidence of any of this. It's all about prophecies that were made and then came true and then put in the Bible. Or they're very vague foretellings like Nostradamus type stuff. But I want to know -- you say that non-Christians (your version of a Christian only) will go to Hell? Is that right? There's no way around that? So, all Jews are going to Hell. What about Catholics? You don't consider them to be Christians, right? They are going to Hell, though? What about homosexuals? What about severely mentally retarded people who cannot claim Jesus as their savior because they just don't have the mental strength to do it? What about babies? There's no way that what we are supposed to be doing is sitting around talking about how dumb we are and how all we have to do is sit tight til we die and then we can go to Heaven. Ted From:
Sharalee Worms Ted, I haven't offered you any proof because you haven't seemed open to hearing it. If you are willing to listen, and then if you like you can attempt to disprove it, I will show you some of the things which prove that the Bible is true. Knowing the Bible isn't about quoting passages. You can not show me any other religion that can prove that the Bible is false. Why? Because you don't know them well? No, because there aren't any that can prove it as false. I have studied other religions as well, they all have holes in them and they all point toward dead men. Christianity is the only religion that points toward someone who died and then came back to life again, just as he said he would through prophecies for many generations before he was even born. Many people in this world consider themselves to be Christians, but it is not my definition that says they're not. It's the Bible's definition. What in your mind is the definition of a Christian? Many people look at people who go to church every Sunday and say they are Christians. Many people look at someone who has been baptized and say they are Christians. MAny people look at someone who reads the Bible and say they are Christians. And there are many other things that someone like yourself might think is the definition of a Christian. There is only one definition of a Christian and it is very clear in the Bible. What do you think being a Christian means? You are flat out wrong when you say there is no evidence of the Bible being true. The evidence is all around you. Anywhere you care to look if you indeed actually want to find out. Science used to be the biggest downfall to the Bible. Science used to prove that the Bible wasn't true, until many new discoveries have been made that the scientists from earlier generations were faulty in their theories. This isn't my idea. These are the facts. Archaeologists used to be the downfall of the Bible, saying there was no proof that things had happened as the Bible said. They are now finding daily discoveries that not only disprove the Bible being false, but prove that it is right down to minor details. Again this is not my idea. Study it for yourself. You say the Bible is full of prophecies as though events happened and then people wrote them down and then called them prophecies? All this shows is that you have not studied any history. The old testament was translated into greek 300 years before Jesus was born. This is an undisputed fact. No scientist, archaeologist or educated person of any race or religion, even staunch atheists, would dispute this fact. If you dispute it your just saying that you choose to ignore fact and history. The old testament gives over 300 prophecies about Jesus's birth, and life alone. Remember this was written 300 years and as many as 2 thousand years before he was born. If you are interested I'll gladly give you some of these undisputable prophecies so you can check them for yourself. These prophecies are not vague. They predict to the precise day, events that happen 100's of years later. If you like I can give you information about a couple that happened in the latter part of the 1900's. My version of a Christian is the Bibles version of a Christian, and anyone who studies the Bible version of a Christian, which is also God's version of a Christian. Jesus is very clear about what it takes to become a Christian. It's easy, it's simple and it's free. The Bible teaches that to go to heaven you must accept Jesus Christ. As for other religions, there are Christian Catholics, who usually, once they realize the freedom of Christianity forget the Catholic part. (Catholics tend to teach that your forgiveness comes through the priest and the saying of special sayings over and over, teaching that you get saved or lost by the things you do or don't do. In effect that you have to earn your way to heaven by the things you do) Christianity teaches that there is only one thing you need to do, then you are saved. You cannot be lost after you are saved. You can commit all kinds of sin and not be lost. And you are able to talk to God directly by going through His son Jesus. Not that you have to have a Catholic priest do your praying for you. Jews are an entire different story all together. Much of the Bible talks about the Jews. Their History and their future. The Jews are God's chosen people. There has never been a more rebellious nation, but God made a one sided promise to them 4000 years ago. He promised them their land and it doesn't matter that they have screwed up over and over and over again. He will keep His promise to them. As for their position in Hell, the Jews that believe in Jesus Christ will be saved from Hell, just as they were saved by believing in His coming before He was born. The Jews are also the ones that put Jesus on the cross. And with the start of Jesus's church, the Jews have been blinded to the truth by God until the church is taken from the earth. Then God will open their eyes, he's also going to pour His wrath out on the earth. The Jews that at that time trust Him and His power will go to Heaven, the others will be lost, but ultimately Jesus was a Jewish King and much of the Bible is focused on Jewish customs, Jewish timetables and Jewish prophecy. What about homosexuals, what about retarded people, what about babies? People reach an age of accountability. That is when they know right from wrong. God knows when that is. We do not. For some it's younger than others. He also knows the mental capacity of people and those that never progress beyond an infants mentality are treated the same as babies. They will go to heaven. They will not be the same as we are in heaven, but they will not be going to hell. Homosexuals? Depends on the individual homosexual. If he has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal saviour he will go to heaven. Jesus hates homosexuality, but he doesn't hate the person that commits the sin. A homosexual that truly believes in Jesus and accepts His gift of eternal life will find that as he progresses in his Christian life he will want to leave the homosexual life behind. And if he doesn't, he's no different than me. I have a few things that I really struggle with, it doesn't mean I've lost my salvation. It doesn't mean that Jesus has given up on me. The only difference is that there is one sin where Jesus draws the line, and that is homosexuality. He has destroyed entire cities because they regressed into homosexuality. Every great nation has been allowed to carry on with all kinds of things. Murder, lying, cheating stealing, but when they openly condone homosexuality, he destroys them. So likely in the life of the homosexual if he has turned his heart to Jesus, but stubbornly refuses to give any ground on the homosexual sin, Jesus will send things into his life to try to get him to see that He does not want the person to stay in the sin of homosexuality. He'll do this with any sin that you try to stay in when you know better. It doesn't mean that you are lost. It means that he's trying to do what's best for you, even if you don't see it that way. I don't understand the last line of your letter, but what we are supposed to be doing with our life is getting the truth out to as many people as we can. Why am I writing you? IS it to judge you as you seem to be thinking I'm being judgemental. I'm not judging you. I don't know you. I'm sure the sin in my life is probably much worse than the sin in your life. I'm sure whatever you've done, I've probably done something worse. I am no better than you, nor do I for one minute think I am. I know something that you don't know and I'm trying to reveal it to you. It's not like I don't have other things to do. I'm not one of these computer geeks that sits at my computer all day with nothing better to do. I have no care in the world to win an argument with you. It would mean nothing to me. To me you are nobody. I haven't a face for you, I don't know anything about your life, I don't know if you're a mass murderer. To me you are no one. But to Jesus you are someone special and for some reason he has brought us together. It's only through His love for you that I keep up this conversation. And the thought that without this knowledge, you are doomed to a fate that you can't even comprehend. That is enough for me to keep going with this as long as you seem even remotely interested in what I have to say. If this comes across as harsh, it's not my intent. I just so despreately want you to open your eyes to the facts. If you're willing to listen to some of the facts, I will put them together for you. However, if you're just going to say no to everything because you don't want to hear the facts, I won't bother. By the way. If you do want me to give you some of the evidence, every single thing I give you, you can verify by studying a bit of History. Secular History. The internet gives you unlimited resources for studying stuff, so if you choose to ignore the facts it won't be because it's not true, just cause you decide you don't want to. So if you're interested in some facts, let me know. Ted's Reply: Please do.
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Geannie42 I haven't seen the movie, I don't know who you are. One thing that was painfully apparent to me when reading your scathing review, however, is that you are a bitter and sad person. Did you ever wonder what it is that you are missing in this life? Think about it -- that big, empty, black hole in your life. Ted's Reply: Is everyone who isn't a born again christian a bitter and sad person to you? From:
Sharalee Worms Thanks Ted. I won't let you down. If you can just give me a bit of time to get the info written out for you, I'll email it to you. I'm just in the middle of a frantic deadline for book work - Income tax you know. I'll get the info to you shortly. From:
Geannie42 You are correct, I am a born-again Christian. If ever you would like to see first-hand what it is like to have perfect peace, though nothing you have ever said or done in this life has earned that for you (as nothing I ever said or did earned it for me), Christ is your answer. BUT, it is a choice you must make for yourself. Choose carefully, it is without a doubt the most important decision you will ever make. :) Ted's Reply: Right, you decided to believe that, and so you have perfect peace, but that doesn't mean it's true or at all based in fact. But if you want to delude yourself like this, it's your right. Ted From:
Geannie42 Ted, By the way, I am not one of the preacher's followers about whom I read on your website, and I do not agree with the tone of the e-mails you posted from those people. I happened upon your review of "Signs" when I did a search for information about Mel Gibson's upcoming movie about the crucifixion of Christ. My e-mail to you was a reaction to the comments you made, and is something the likes of which I have never done before. Now, my belief is based on faith, not on facts. It comes from my heart and not my head. It is all about grace rather than justice, or there would be no hope for anyone. And how do you live without faith? Without hope? What makes you get up in the morning and plod through weary day after weary day? How do you tell yourself that anything you say or do matters? Isn't that real delusion? A truly born-again Christian believes in loving others, not judging others. Your mind could never understand the kind of love I am representing (as a believer of Christ on Earth), it can only be felt by your heart. I believe that man is a spirit inhabiting a body, given free will from birth with regard to spiritual choices. There's that word again -- choice. Who knows when the last opportunity might come to be able to make that choice of all choices? I also don't believe there is much that happens coincidentally, why did I find your website and why did I send that e-mail, so totally out of character for me? Maybe to plant a tiny seed in your heart on behalf of the Lord I try earnestly to serve. God bless, Linda From:
Bill Artemik I was not overcome by the movie but I found it entertaining. I was not looking for a hidden meaning (I don't usually go to the movies for spiritual epiphanies) What interested me most about your review was your lack of understanding about what the majority of the world believes as GOD. I was raised Roman Catholic (until I was 10 anyway) and took quite a departure from any religious belief, being totally atheist for some 16 years. I am a logical person (a computer programmer) and many questions remained unanswered so I felt the whole GOD thing was ludicrous. I cannot explain how one becomes enamored with faith but I can confess that once it does happen it's an overwhelming event. There is a great deal of personal peace and a longing for understanding about GOD. For what it's worth I'll share these ideas. You chose whether to doubt or delete after them. 1) GOD is an unknown entity to us (humans.) Because we cannot fathom an understanding infinite time it's impossible to discuss what was before GOD (explaining to a fly, who's lifespan is < 7 days what a year is is difficult. To a fly, we have been around since the beginning of time.) 2) Faith is something we have and lose. It is my sincere belief that every human born has a degree of faith and understanding of right and wrong (good and evil if you will.) Its strength is dependant on our desire to understand our creator. To go into WHY this is important to that which created mankind to begin with is far beyond the scope of this e-mail. If you are truly interested in understanding this I"ll be happy to explain. 3) Why things happened? Well, we are human. Not angelic. We have no concept of what existence is like outside of our bodies except of that which Jesus spoke about (I'm paraphrasing here as I'm not one to be able to quote book and verse in the Bible...) "In heaven GOD has prepared a perfect body for you." We are NOT the same being on earth that we will be (again?) in heaven. "The father knew you before you were born" implies that our spirit existed long before it is placed in a human body. 4) Amusement of GOD? I don't think GOD needs us for amusement (although I personally know many who I'm SURE are amusing to GOD and any other beings out there.) The bible does not speak of other beings, partly, I believe, because we have enough to worry about just in keeping ourselves in line. There is no "time" in the bible. We are told that there are other beings "out there" when the bible speaks of angels. Perhaps a reason that we cannot find other life forms is because we have not reached an intelligence level to handle that experience yet. Although, the book of Revelation (to John) talks about the anti-Christ coming as a being from the heavens that many will be captivated by... I have no answers as to WHY we are on this planet in these bodies but I do believe that there is a purpose behind everything that happens. This movie was one person's attempt to convey that thought. What science feebly calls "chaos theory" is most likely a very complex set of natural, logical chains of events that we are WAY too weak to understand. Paths are placed before us and people beside us to assist us in our experience here on earth. How we choose decides our path. As chaotic as this might seem, it is finite in scope. Good luck on your search (if you so choose.) Bill "He who procrastinates Ted then thought: "Fucking morons." When I saw this email from Bill that's exactly what ran through my mind. These people are so caught up in their cult that there is no room for reason, logic (despite what Bill claims), questioning, thinking -- that it's pointless to frustrate myself by trying to have a reasonable discussion with them. From:
Dan McWhorter Thanks for replying. I apologize for my sarcasm in the response I wrote. I guess certain things about your reply struck a note, and I can't comment on everything right now, so I would like to at least share a few brief thoughts on your comments regarding other religions... When religions contradict each other, they cannot all be true. And so we're left with either parts of religions being true or one being true. I don't believe it makes sense to decide the parts of a religion that are true, because in doing so I would violate the teachings of the particular religion I am seeking to follow. If I know it all without seeking the teachings of the particular religion (enough to evaluate which parts of it are true or false apart from any concrete standard), then I do not need what it has to offer. I may as well make up my own religion which would have no basis in fact. And so I decide to try to see what the one true religion is. Perhaps it takes faith to even believe there is such a thing. But in seeking the true religion I try to see which is founded in history and truth (fact), inasmuch as I can determine the truth behind the religion. I have come to have faith in God, -- as he is presented in the Christian Bible. I believe the Christian Bible is based in history and fact, and I believe that even if you have problems with Christianity or any exclusivist religion, you yourself would exclude some religions upon further study of their origins and teachings. In the end, many people will have doubt. Many people are convinced that my faith is not "enlightened", but this is because they have accepted doubt as a foundation for truth. Many even BELIEVE there is no truth. Doubt is natural enough that Descartes used it as the basis for all knowledge. I however, have resolved to focus on faith. It is no more difficult a starting point than doubt. It is not dependent on doubt. It is no less logical and no more presumptuous. It requires no more knowledge than doubt. But it is a more profitable way to live a life, and it is all that the God of Christianity asks for. I wish I were more eloquent. Thanks for giving me your time. Dan Ted's Says: This next one came in between two heavy Christian ones, it's not Christian related, but makes a couple of interesting points about the film. This is from "Rick B." and I don't know if that's the same Rick Bevard as above; it is a different email address: From:
"baamonde" Ted, The whole plot is moronic. Why would planet hopping aliens be running around naked on a planet that is 70% water, and where it could rain at any time? Why would they run through cornfields, which I'm certain would have irrigation systems, and which would be covered in dew every morning. The water vapor in the air would theoretically harm them if the inhaled it. It would be somewhat like us running around on Venus without suits. I'm willing to suspend disbelief to a degree, but this is simply nuts. Rick B. From:
Karl Hankin Ted, Your review of the movie "Signs" including your discussion of what God (if there is a God?) would do, or would not do, seemed a bit short sighted to me. The good news is that with a little research into the subject you may actually revise your point of view. Or not. My belief (Christianity) is that eternal live (going to Heaven) is not for everyone. The ways of this world are easy to submit to causing many to be spiritually short changed. True, the movie is simple and I commend you for seeing through the space alien plot to realize that the movie was really about whether there are signs from God or not. Hey, you probably beat 80% of the rest of the audience who walked out disappointed mumbling something about "Aliens" being more action packed. This should not be hard to believe considering a garbage movie about a rapping kangaroo recently nabbed the big bucks at the box office! Based on my research into the matter (as a nonbeliever for many years) I've concluded that Jesus is God. But before you can get to that conclusion you have to believe that "there is a God". To believe that there is a God you have to understand that since most scientist believe the universe was created (big bang, etc.) then the question of "where did the raw materials come from" must be answered. If you study this through you may come to the same conclusion I did. God exists. To walk through this question and others check out my website at: http://members.aol.com/karlhankin/myhomepage/faith.html To teach us how to live in a way to give us eternal life God came down to earth in the form of a man, Jesus Christ. The way I see it God could have done this lots of different ways and they all would have served the same purpose, but he did it this way. Not the way I would have done it, but hey, I'm not God. Does it make complete sense to me? Not really. Even the disciples that were with Jesus had their doubts...and they lived with him! In summary, "Signs" certainly not a great movie, but I like the way it shows that everything has a reason.....and, Ted, we don't necessarily need to know exactly why things happen the way the do. I don't know God's plans but one day soon I hope to stand in front of him and ask him a question or two. Ted, I hope that you will immerse yourself into studying the pros and cons of the existence of God, Darwin's theory of evolution, and especially reading the New Testament. We all need to read the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE). I welcome all questions and comments on the matter. May our Heavenly Father begin his work on your heart Ted. Peace and Grace, Karl PS - You mentioned that space aliens may go against Christian teachings. Aliens are cool with the Bible by the way. There is no mention of them which only means that if they do exist God did believe it important enough to write about. For all I know they may exist but the distance may be great enough to prevent contact.... Dear Mr. Strong, I ask that you not believe everything people tell you, and I beg your forebearance on the part of those who have written you. With the harshness many of them exhibited, it's no wonder you don't consider our religion workable. Yet at the same time I ask that perhaps sometime in the future you take our faith into serious consideration. There is far more evidence out there than you may think, far more proof that, for instance, the Bible is a reliable source and is in fact the inerrant word of God. I know I sound like a fanatic, but I have done my homework. I know whereof I speak. I am not claiming that you have not thought about this seriously. I know people who have been thoughtful in their evaluation of Christianity, and have concluded what you have. I also understand that what evidence exists may not be enough to persuade you. So please don't think I am slamming you. I certainly don't intend to. I intend instead to entreat you to take a second look at this. And finally, please remember that, flawed as we are, Christians are people too. And you may live far more honestly from what you believe than some Christians do. I respect that. This is not a statement that intends to excuse unkind words and judgemental attitudes; I merely intend to explain that you are right to hold us accountable - you may very well be a much "better person" than those with whom you have been corresponding. And though I think you unjust in your harsh response to Christians as a whole in light of your contacts with a few of them, I clearly understand that some of the opinions about Christians you voice are well deserved criticisms. Remember that being a "better person" than anyone else is no life-line; it is a mercy. It is not comparative goodness that is called for; it is perfection. And no one can claim that. I hope that you have a successful search. Regards, Lauren Ted's Says: Hi Lauren, Thanks for writing. I know that most people who call themselves Christians aren't as fanatical and close-minded as those who wrote to me. But it does seem that most of the hardcore Born Again/Fundamentalist types are. In a way, I understand it; it's inherent within their beliefs. There is nothing more important than the Bible and trying read into it everything that you want and studying it and stretching it like saltwater taffy until it reads how you want it to. And the stakes are very, very high. They're fighting for people's souls. Everything here on earth is completely unimportant -- just so long as you believe in Jesus and the Bible. These people rejoice about the coming destruction of the world when only they will be saved, and all the Catholics, Jews, Agnostics, Atheists, Homosexuals, Hindus, etc will be destroyed and then sent to Hell to spend all eternity there. So, I understand the fanaticism. I mean, if I knew that someone down the block was going to get run over by a car in 1 minute, I'd run down there as fast as I could to try to change events to save him. I'd appear a fanatic. But of course, there is no proof or logic or reason in these people's insane beliefs and so it seems laughable. Most Christians admit that no religious doctrine is certain or factual. They are afraid of no longer existing, so they want to believe in an afterlife. It's nonsense, but understandable. They can just say, "oh it's my Faith -- you just gotta have Faith." Of course, this is Faith based in nothing. Based in old stories. Why are other religions' old stories and books wrong, but the Bible is right? Why does almost everyone remain the religion they were born into, or the one that is prevalent in the geographic region where they live? Because it's old stories and myths and wives' tales handed down from generation to generation. You see, I don't consider myself to be immoral or amoral or evil. And as much as you wish that I would see your light and believe -- it's just as much that I want you to see my light. It's not like I'm apathetic and don't care -- I do care. But I believe we need to make this world a better place; to idealize and realize those ideals here. Not in some (what I consider to be) fantasy camp of afterlife. I think religion breeds non-thinking, restriction and suffering for the point of restriction and suffering, bigotry, hate, censorship, close-mindedness -- obviously wars and great death and pain and suffering (and I know: but that that doesn't mean that "God" or religion is bad, but that people's reaction to it can be). I believe that a moral society can exist in a deity-less, free-thinking, open-minded world. Without meaning to sound mocking, I intend instead to entreat you to take a second look at this. Regardless, I appreciate your letter and your mien. Ted Ted
Strong
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