Hallelujah.  It is like talking to a wall, so my question is why can't people just believe in the God they believe in and left alone to believe.  I have a sister and brother in law that I love dearly.  They attend church.  Has anyone ever tried to have a casual conversation about religion with someone who goes to church?  They have a way of making you feel as if you are going to Hell because you don't.  Doesn't matter that you believe in God.  They don't seem to hear that part.  Doesn't matter if you pray, you are still going to Hell.  The fact that I even have the "Gall" to mention that the God I believe in isn't harsh in judgement, knows how I feel and knows who I am.  Seems to send certain people over the edge.  Their little faces that I love so much, gets this angry twisted look and I'm thinking "oh crap, I shouldn't be having this conversation".   Why do they assume that we don't believe in the same God? 

My God is kind and loving and generous to all,      & nbsp;    if, of course, you have lived a good life full of  good intentions and actual good deeds. Based, of course, on the general definition of "good."

Church goers insist that you worship in their fashion, in their methods and according to their very specific traditions and rituals (baptism, catechism, confession, and other sacraments per each individual faith).  I find it interesting that they actually believe that God will only accept into heaven those who have followed these specific rituals.  I can only say .... Really?  Because, these are man made rituals.  Can you honestly believe that God really prefers you (whoever you are) to others who have followed their rituals and sacraments down to the last tiny detail?  Really?   Really, it is ridiculous and totally nonsensical. 

But they MUST believe or their church and its' policies would become a joke.  I don't want that for them.  If they live a good life - I'll gladly share my heaven.

Live my life in the best way possible.  That's my ritual.  And I'm sticking to it.

Not only are my brother and his wife church goers, they are "born-agains". In other words, anyone who hasn't accepted Christ into their hearts doesn't stand a chance. Funny thing is, they can't answer my question about all the people born and died before Christ- did they all go to hell? Or all the unknown tribes deep in jungles who've never heard of Christ, are they doomed too?

I personally don't believe in heaven or hell. It is what it is here on earth and how you live. I prefer to think that my life energy will be re-absorbed by Mother Earth.

I don't begrudge anyone their beliefs and faith, all I ask is that it not be forced on me. 

I grew up very religious.  I don't follow those "ways" now, but I do believe in God.  I do have faith, but I don't go to "church" or "congregate" every Sunday.  Does that mean I'm going to rot in Sheol, death in hades.  Maybe, I don't know.  But I do pray and have a relationship with God.  I feel that its between me and him.  I don't feel like I have the right to judge and neither should anyone else.  Just because some one has a certain outlook on religion doesn't mean every one else is wrong.  I always felt that if a person just HAS FAITH that is a good enough start for me.  They don't have to have the same beliefs as I do.  And as far as praying for peace between Christians, Jews and Muslims, and for our children to grow up in safety, I would feel like I'm prayin to a f*#kin wall too!  C'mon now. Gotta pick you battles, might as well start small.  I know I'm all f*%#ed up according to a "christian lifestyle" and definitely don't live by "bible standards".  So when I feel those things get smoothed out, then I'll shoot higher!

you are right madkow one should use discretion when handing out money. Leaving baker field I always get my gas on weed patch highway.Just about all the time there is someone with a sign asking for money on the off ramp &weed patch. Most of the time it is a different person standing there. I think most are transits that bum enough money then they move on. Its the ones that I see every day bumming money that bother me.They look terrible,skinny ,dirty unkepted.They look lost. and if your like me most of the time you try not to make eye contact with them. I often wonder what lead them to that corner.Was it one or many bad decision that they made. I also wonder if i through a series of bad decision could also end up standing on a street corner with a sign that read will work for food or why lie I need a drink. I am pretty sure none of them said when they where growing up that they wanted to be a alcoholic and bum money on a street corner.What can I say but for the grace of god there go I.

Sweetiepie, I agree with your outlook. A relationship with god or goddess or whomever you choose to pray to is very personal, and no one has the right to tell you you're wrong or doomed.

I used to work in downtown LA. One day I thought I was actually going to make it into the building without getting hit up for money. As I was getting ready to cross the street, here comes a woman, nicely dressed with a baby in what back then was considered a cadillac of strollers so I didn't really pay attention. Damned if she didn't approach me! I wasn't rude, but I told her I had a family to support to and worked hard for my money. She just nodded and went her way.

My brother had a homeless man in Frisco yell at him because my brother only gave him $1.00.

Thank you Ronald Reagan!!

Isn't it funny about eye contact? I'm guilty too and trying to work on it even if I refuse them money. But it must make those people feel less than human that we don't even look at them, ya know?