Jedi Ninja

Everyone has sinned. Even small sins are still sin. In order to have eternal life, you must be sinless. Think about it - eternal life is an infinitely great reward, you would need to be perfect in order to deserve it. Since we have all sinned, none of us deserve it. But we don't deserve hell either - only the devil is so evil that he deserves to be tortured for eternity. We only deserve to die for our sins and remain dead, for the Bible says, "the wages of sin is death". The Bible does not actually teach that the unrighteous will be tortured forever in hell. See here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/3478788/ We don't deserve eternal life, but God loves us so much that he gave His Son as a sin offering for us. This means that Jesus took the punishment for our sins, so that we would not have to be punished. Imagine that you are found guilty in a court, and are sentenced to death. But Jesus enters and offers to take your place and die for you, so that you can live. In order to be saved from death, all you would need to do is accept Jesus's offer. And all Jesus asks in return is that you make him your lord and follow his teachings. This is why belief in Jesus is so necessary for salvation. If we follow Jesus as lord, we will still die, for our bodies are only mortal - but we will not perish and be gone forever. There will come a time when Jesus will return, and all the righteous in Jesus will be resurrected from the dead and given eternal life on a new and perfect earth. There are many different beliefs about God, and clearly they can't all be correct. While I respect those who believe differently, I know that only Jesus can take away my sin. Throughout history there have been many great religious leaders who have taught many great things, but only Jesus has taken the punishment for my sins. That is why I follow him. He died for me, and now I will live for him.

mbhusal

I totally agree with you that God should be experienced then only we know, that is why I am really open minded. What bothers me is the division between different people. I am an agnostic though was born in a religious Hindu/Buddhist society. Now I am having an unprecedented opportunity to see how people stick to their beliefs and see their belief as being the only truth. I have Christian as well as Muslim friends and it is sometimes enjoying to see their feuds. The both sides strongly believe that their God is the only God. I know they are not just pretending, they have faith from the bottom of their heart. I wonder, we have one earth, one sun and one human race. Our natural laws are also valid all over the world. We have one physics, and one biology which is applicable for all. But unfortunately, not one God. I really don't know but based on my observations I can just guess those people who think that they know God is just an illusion. Our mind is so complex that in the long run people even see Jesus, Ram, Mohammad etc being in physical form as well. I also ask with my Christian friends, if Jesus teaches forgiveness why he can not forgive me for just not believing him? Why is he so biased and will send me to Hell? I don't think that unfaith is not the greatest sin. May be you can answer!!

Jedi Ninja

If someone tells you God exists and you say, "Okay, sounds good to me" that is a blind belief. But if you believe in God because you experience God, that is not a blind belief. We know there is a sun because we experience the sun. I know there is a God because I experience God. Ask God to reveal himself to you and He will. All you need is an open mind and heart that is open to receive God, and not hardened against Him. He who has an ear, let him hear.

mbhusal

sorry..it was twenty reasons, not regions:)

mbhusal

I know that belief is an illusion unless it is backed by any scientific evidence...we know there is sun, so we don't believe it,we know it!! But there is no point in believing in God unless we really know it. I don't want to comment on your twenty regions,but I think only one reason is enough to abandon all religions- they are based on blind belief and always promote superstitions.