Why This Belief?

When imitating something, there must first be the real one.

In Acts, Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit. I believe I have experienced the Holy Spirit manifesting himself in me. He lives inside all of us. It is not activated until you accept Jesus, and start living his way, by his rules, which when done correctly can benefit all of us. It is when it is done incorrectly, that humankind suffers, and then blames religion.
As far as other religions go, I cannot say, and often wonder about it.The way I see it, nothing happens without the will of the father. Or if there is an all-knowing God who made the universe, then he knows just what he is doing, and the other religions serve some sort of purpose. Jesus tells us not to judge or condemn, so if there is other religions, then let it be. I am so confident in what I believe, that I feel no threat from other religions. It's my job to accept them, not condemn them.The only thing I wish to do is, #1: Love God with all my mind, heart, and soul. #2 Love others as I love myself. If whatever I'm doing doesn't follow those 2 rules, then I am not following God. Its funny, the second one for me, can be done better, when you start understanding God's love for us.
The day that I first really felt and noticed the Holy Spirit in me, is either the day I got baptized in the spirit (which Jesus tells us to do) or the day I went crazy. That --coupled with a pretty good understanding of the Bible, has led me to believe what I believe. What’s funny also, is after I had this experience with the Holy Spirit, I was then able to understand the bible, and life more clearly. Living in the Spirit of truth makes it hard to be lied to. But there is always room for more learning.This message has been edited by AdminPhat, 06-05-2005 07:44 AM

But there is only one original story, all others are imitations.
Whether or not the original story is true or not, is irrelevant.

That's absolutely right. He gave us the will to choose, so he is to blame for all the good, and all the bad that happens, he created it all.A truth in life is that good things happen out of bad events. It's all in the way we look at things.But, what we think is bad, he thinks is bad, may be entirely different, and beyond our comprehension. It would all have to do with the next life. If you don't even believe in that, then how could you even start to understand why everything happens.Just because you think its bad, doesn't make it bad, in the long run. I am sure that bad things have happened to you, that later explained themselves to you, and you then found out it was for the good. Like a child asking for candy, and the mother slapping him on the wrist. I am sure the child thinks its bad, but the father knows its good for him. But it is beyond the child’s comprehension. The child will maybe even cry, scream, rebel against his parents, etc.All things in life appear to me as relevant. We only need to look to the next thing to see why.

Anyone got time for a testimony?
It actually happen over the span of two weeks. I feel very fortunate, that God not only tapped me on the shoulder several times in my life, but eventually had to just about knock me over, call my name out in an audible voice, and speak to me through several people who I didn't even know.It was after that, I knew what the term born again means. God speaks to you right into your heart, and then you know. But there is no way to prove it. So either I went crazy, or there is a God.It's been over a year and a half, and I continue to witness God's promises in my life, as well as my screw ups and how they affect my walk with the Lord. I have found nothing to contradict what I went through, or explain it away. I continue to be blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit, through doing his works, and using my gifts to glorify god. I wish to remain humble, if I sound like I am not, I apologize.

The subject of our sidebar here is, that only one can be the original, the rest that follow are imitations. That is a truth.It is irrelevant if people are imitating something that is real or fake, that is a different subject.This probably also doesn't garauntee that all others are fakes, but maybe poor interpretations, leading to a sense of "fakeness".

Absolutly.
That is why I continue to test what I went through to this day.Out of all our conversations that we've had, and its been quite a few. Besides that I believe in God, have you found me to be any of those things in my words?Boredom is definatly out, I am into more things than you can count, always have been.Previous life's past? lmao, I am still on the same path, I just found God for myself.communal reinforcement? You mean I am lonely? I have to turn down freindships, and I have 5 kids, I am one busy dude, who is greatly accepted where ever I go. Plus I own my own heating, and plumbing business, which in its 5 year of business, just might gross out $500,000.Wishful thinking? We all experience that to a degree, some more than others, but that doesn't explain what happened to me.post-hoc reasoning? I think I am incapable of that due to my open mindedness. post-hoc seems more of a crutch for people who believe in evolution. Just because I believe in God, doesn't explain where he came from, and only creates more questions in my mind.Schizophrenia? I am not, yes I am, shut-up, no you shut-up, I apologize, no we don't.
Schizophrenia-the new cure for drugs, and alcohol addiction, also stop hurting people, start giving to charity, and basically change your life for the better, but be careful, you might give it to others.
Schizophrenia-the new path to forgiveness.
Schizophrenia-how to find true love
Schizophrenia-fixes you marraige
Schizophrenia-makes you love your kids better, and cures you of strongholds in your life. Can wipe out childhood pain.
Schizophrenia-$19.95, call now, and I'll send you 2 of them in a bottle, no it's one, shut-up its 2.Accept Jesus into your life, and enter the gates of, you guessed it-Schizophrenia! It's automatic, it's free, don't delay, better than being drunk.Ok, so either you won't get it, (but I know you will, because you love and understood the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) or you really think I am nutz. I believe you have a sense of humor, and understand.