Christians

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
Don't get me wrong, I am a follower of Jesus, have been since I was very little. But, there's nothing inherently wrong with Santa or the Easter bunny, they're just a bit of fun.

@ The Pies Endure

You're not getting what I'm sayin though. No one ever does.

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
Okay, then explain to me. Do you mean that some people actually believe, believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny and that's the only thing they know about Christmas and Easter? Because, unfortunately, that happens.

@ The Pies Endure
No... It's too difficult for many to understand, and even for me to explain.

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
Please try? Otherwise people will just think you're being defensive. Was it what you said before about kids wanting them and not wanting Jesus?

@ The Pies Endure
I'm being defensive about my beliefs obviously. It's IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
There's no need to get upset. I get defensive about my beliefs too.

@ The Pies Endure
no I'm not upset, I'm frustrated!!

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
This is a discussion forum, I'm just trying to have an interesting and informed discussion. I personally think there is no harm in the Easter Bunny and Santa, as long as it is explained to children as they grow older that they are not real, especially when raising Christian children. When I have children I will take my kids to see Santa and then I will lovingly wait up until they fall asleep to leave their presents in their stockings so as to say that "Santa" has come. At the same time I will teach them about God and bring them up as any good Christian would want to bring up their children.

When I was 13. I loved God with all my heart. But, I still got excited for the presents under the tree from Santa. I knew he wasn't real, even from really young. And I always loved Jesus more. And, now. My faith is very strong.

Of course, kids who grow up only associating Santa with Christmas, or the Bunny with Easter...makes me a little sad, but it doesn't frustrate me.

@ The Pies Endure
As if I didn't know that? ( 1 sentence) Now there is emotional harm, because I know it's heartbreaking to find out they aren't real, since I experienced it myself! I would still probably do the same, but I don't want them 'counting' on them, like the toothfairy!

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
I understand what you mean, so I think it's important to teach them that they're not real. Though, I think many kids are really cluey and figure it out for themselves :). I wasn't heartbroken when my parents told me they weren't real. I just went 'no der...' kinda figured it was mum and dad because they were always super tired on Christmas day. And, the um...writing on the present was always Mum's handwriting...lol

@ The Pies Endure
Unless Santa is real but he doesn't have time to write names and stuff... O.o

@ XandraIsAZombieSlaya
There's no big man in a red suit living in the North Pole. The North Pole is not a solid land mass :) Anyway, I thinking we're getting way off topic now lol. :D

Lol yep

Anyone read any of Lee Strobel's books? I read his book, Case For Christ when I was in Year 11, in 2001 and it really opened my eyes as a Christian who had been one since I was a child. It resonated with me as I have a very different view to many Christians I know

- I think the Theory of Evolution is real and that scientific evidence points strongly to it. I believe the Big Bang was real, but that it was Created and spoken out by a living God, I think science and God can go hand in hand, but not in the idea of Creation science, I believe we can be intelligent and that being a Christian and believing in a God that can't be seen by the naked eye is not a blind faith. I believe Faith is not blind.

I am also intrigued in the testimonies of aggressive atheists that actively sought to debunk Christianity by studying the Bible...and ended up becoming Christians. Lee Strobel is one. And Dale Stephenson, who is a great friend of our Minister at my church, is another.

So, long story short, for anyone who has actually read anything of Strobel's at length? What did you think? [I don't agree with everything he says, but that's okay, after all we can't all agree with each other].

@ The Pies Endure
I haven't, but I wanted to touch on what you said about science.

I have major issues with the fact that no major religion really discusses the universe. It's all Earth based. Having knowledge that there is more than Earth there, I feel obligated to go to science to further my spiritual beliefs. Why? Because it's the only think talking about the universe.

(I have heard of the book, but I never read a lot of Christian literature as I was always given very conservative Christians books that angered me.)

I just kind of wanted to throw my two cents in here. I'm a Christian and I have been for my whole life but I'm not overly religious whatsoever. I do believe in God, and I like having a higher being to sort of look up to, talk to and believe is watching over me to make sure that I stay safe but I don't agree with a lot of what the church teaches. I feel that the church's teachings are so ancient and they need to adapt to modern times. I get so angry when super religious Christian people disown gay people and other modernized factors in our society. I love having spirituality and faith, but I don't agree with the majority of the church's teachings. That's just me. You are by all means entitled to your opinion and are free to disagree with me.

@ kafka.

kafka.:

:think:
I think I'm starting to lose my faith in Christianity.
Not necessarily in [the Christian?] God, but generally in our ability to follow His word. The Church is full of useless absurd social norms and ceremonies that are just so absurd and archaic they cannot be of godly nature, they were created by society to keep society under control, not by God.

Doubts happen. Still, I always will remember when my mom told me when I was 10 or 11, that's why you have FAITH. Still, it's your opinion and people should respect you whether you are Agnostic, Atheist, or Christian.
Hope that helped.

Just heard a really great quote that said something along the lines of 'perhaps we will discover God is unfolding in our consciousness and unconsciousness and not a man in the sky'.

@ dru is on fire.
You know, I think that's one of the best quotes I've heard in a really long time.