Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jrossi@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (The Electric Sol) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Why Does God Hate Me? Message-ID: Date: 15 Dec 89 06:37:46 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Jet Propelled Lab - Pasadena CA Lines: 42 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu > >[The question of why variation exists in the Church is an interesting >one. There is of course variation in people's answer to that question >as well... I can only conclude that God does not care as much about >doctrinal conformity as some Christians do. The main purpose of my All of which leads me to a place of "faith" wherein I trust God, and not the institutions. Your thoughts on this and other subjects, indeed, bring me warmth, and comfort, insomuch as you treat me with respect, and offer reasonable ways of approaching these questions. At least for the me central issue has become not what I believe about the doctrines, but what I believe about God. In fact, part of my dilemma is the apparent contradiction between what I believe about God, and what the religious writings teach. Some people seem willing to accept the "Word of God" regardless of what it says. The idea that it could be wrong, but still inspired, is unacceptable to them, but for me, I couldn't live with myself, if I didn't approach it in this manner. If one's father left for a faraway land, and he was known as a gentle loving man, wouldn't it be natural to contest reports that he was off in the faraway land butchering people. Wouldn't it be natural to supsect those reporting the details were perhaps confusing the matter. If I believe my Heavenly Father to be a kind, just, and merciful Being, can I doubt and give little credence to the notion that he really did approve of the genocide of the Caananites. >comments was to suggest that you look around the Church a bit more >carefully. I think there are many people whose position is similar to >yours. --clh] I agree...I am growing and changing, and the fact that there are people who agree with me here, is quite comforting. Thanks again. -- -jrossi@jato.jpl.nasa.gov "Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils -ames!elroy!jato!jrossi is still choosing evil." -Cptn. Trips **********************STANDARD DISCLAIMER******************************