Dragan,

I'm off to a lunch so I'll make this brief (is that actually possible?? <g>)

>>Well, I do see a difference between the words 'religion' and 'relationship'. Personally I think that 'religion' is exactly what Karl Marx said it was; the opiate of the people.
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>Agreed. Further iteration: the churches are mostly trading with people's feelings. Show me a church which never accepts donations, doesn't try to impose rules on its members and doesn't try to expand, and I may change my mind.

Indeed. I can't stand most of the TV evangelists. Ugh..

God's not poor and anyone representing Him that way ought to be horsewhipped IMO. In Christian love mind you... *rof'l*

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>>However, if anyone has chosen to close their mind to the obvious connections I'm sure not going to waste my time trying to open that closed mind.
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>Now this may be understood the other way round; what "if anyone has chosen to close their mind to the rest of the world and has chosen belief instead of logic and common sense"... I am maybe wasting my time, but it's a Saturday and I have the time.

Sure, that happens far more than most would want to admit. My faith instructs me to be thoughtful and reasoable and rational. I, too, do not 'get it' when people say "Don't think, just believe." I do believe that faith transcends logic but it surely does not obviate it.

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>>I stand by my assertion: This country will dissolve unless we turn back to God in a real sense. You're not obligated to accept my assertion and I accept that.
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>Works for me, this is not my country :)

<g>


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>>What always puzzles me is this: Why do those people who profess that there is no God seem to be the ones who get so worked up by those who do? If God really doesn't exist why even bother? Pretty dumb if you ask me to try and force those who believe in something you do.
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>It also puzzles me why all the religions keep trying to expand, and keep trying to prove all other religions are wrong.

Well, Islam is higely 'expansionist' as well as Christianity. I suppose there are many reasons. Perhaps we can have a soda or whatever some day and discuss these..

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>I actually don't deny the existence of God. I really don't think it's worth the effort. What would change if once this existence was proven to be true or proven to be false? Real believers don't need any proof. Atheists would just say they were right from the beginning, and maybe have a celebration. But nothing would really change.

Well, I suppose we'd disagree here. Again, love to discuss this F2F.


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>>I guess I'll just have to continue with my peace, real joy and overflowing heart while those around me have no peace and are empty inside. *shrug*
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>I'm at peace, and having no problems with my lack of religion. I don't need an external reason for moral.
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>(OK, so you see what you get if you get me started... and believe me, I could write like this for days. Gotta go now, bye)

Well, I think I'd enjoy listening to you..