Hi Ms Mioux, Sorry this is a scroller,
I understand what you are saying. The only way I can explain it, is what I believe as a Christian, and I guess as is the case with many religions, there are various beliefs IFKYM and I think you probably do. I don't claim to be a theological expert in any way, and I'm not what some people call a fundamental Christian (really hate all the label that keep being added) ie, I don’t believe God created the world in 6 days but I believed he created it – how I don’t know. Whether it was by some form of evolution, big bang, or whatever else scientists and others may come up with in the future, I don’t know. I do know there are things being discovered all the time, but guess there are some things I will never know, and maybe none of us will ever know.
I was reared in a Christian home as a child, and wnet to Sunday School & Church, but was free to make my own decisions. I accepted Jesus as my Saviour and this has never changed. I believe God created the Universe but is not the Universe - he is the creator not the Created. I'm not sure why he created some things such as cockroaches :^O, but do understand they have their place in the big scheme of things. Once when. my BIL was visiting I was chasing a fly that was hovering around, with the fly spray and my BIL told me not to kill it as Buddha was in it. I said I didn't believe that and continued to chase the fly - he just laughed and I'm sure wasn't really offended by my action, as we are very close spiritually and can talk about lots of things. He was the one who told me he felt we were spiritually close, as he is, with his only brother, my husband.
He knows where my OH and I are coming from, as he was once a Christian and even started study to enter the Christian Ministry. I know one of the reasons he didn't go ahead was because he is gay, and his partner at the time wasn't happy, and after a lot of thought my BIL didn't think it was the right thing to - he has very good morals. I'm not sure what sort of Buddhism he follows but he gets up about 4am to mediate for a couple of hours - I must ask him more about it, as I don't know if he chants. He also has lots of Christian friend who he visits regularly.
Back to God being the Creator. It is a fine line at times, I can look at a sunset, and although I don't see God in it, I can connect to God being the creator of the sunset and see his hand at work in it - the same with a flower and all of nature.. Now, saying that, I guess trying to kill a fly, (or seeing a cockroach), is not admiring the fly or the cockroach and seeing God's hand in their creation, but I know he created them. Hope I am making some sense.
As to your explanation about the knife. I know that a man created the knife, but I believe it was God who gave him the gift to be able to make the knife, and so yes in that sense, can see God's hand in the making of the knife. Like all things, the knife can be used for good or evil.
There are certain Christians who I admire and can see God at work in them, and tha they are connected to God, but are not God. Men fail - in the Bible we read that we are all sinners and only Jesus was perfect. It is difficult sometimes, when people know you are a Christian and then discover you aren't perfect - you are then labelled a hypocrite by some.
There are many people who are of other religions that I admire also, our different beliefs are not a problem to me. I also know they are not perfect – at the end of the day we are all human and came into this world the same way and one day we will die. The fact that some religions believe in reincarnation doesn’t bother me – it’s not my belief, but who knows I may well be wrong.
As to Karma - as Christians we read in the Bible and taught, that we reap what we sow which is a similar belief to Karma. I don't believe in reincarnation but do believe in an afterlife and I will spend it with God - do I understand it - no, but I believe it.
One thing I hate doing, is arguing about religion as I don’t see the point. I believe that those of us, who have some belief, are better off than those who have no belief in any supreme being. I have learnt over my 66 years that there have been many times when, if I had no belief, or Christian friends, I would not have got through the things I have, wouldn’t have had the deep love and compassion for other people that I have (even people I don’t particularly like), and the ability to forgive – not easy at times, as many on this thread would know. Sometime we may never fully forgive, but I'm sure God understands.
I’m not saying that those who have no belief at all are bad people and cannot love, have compassion etc. – I just know that for me I have learnt to love more and have more compassion because of what I have learnt in my Christian journey, and hope I will grow more and more. I also know there are many Christians who do not have love, compassion for others, can’t forgive, and have committed terrible crimes. The things I do not understand, I try and learn more about, and if I can’t find an answer, leave it to God to sort out – I figure He knows more than me and He is the judge, not me.
I pray to God for people on this thread and others – I’m sure God hears my prayers, whatever the person’s belief.
I hope I have made some sense, and helped you to understand where I am coming from and haven’t come across as one of those “crazy Christian fanatics”. I promise I’m just an ordinary Wife, Mum and Grandmother who tries to do my best in life – sometime I make it – others I fall flat on my face!!!!
Congratulations if you have got to the end in one sitting – may take 2 or 3
Hi to everybody else and hope your visit with your Mum went OK CJ and you had a safe trip with enough petrol!!!
Just saw the time - must get to bed!!!
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