Howdo Bear:)

I my dear sir am but the messenger.

Each of us, has the power of decision.

Each of us, believe(&/or disbelieve) all sorts of things that we couldn't swear to without factually perjuring ourselves(most of what we think we know, is at best merely acceptance of 2nd hand information, rather than of personal experience(& even those can be suspect)).

I would happily believe what you do, or Mick does, or Big@l does, but that is not what rang true to me in the portion of my journey when, "I gave my heart ... to know madness and folly: ..."

If, what the scripture teaches(apart from prophecy, there's not that much room for interpretation) is the greater reality, the truth ... then I am 'better off' than those who do not put their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of God's son, Jesus Christ.

If, what the scripture teaches is the truth, we probably won't be having that reunion you mention(100 Years, Blues Traveler), and I'd sure like to make a dbis reunion.

If, what the scripture teaches is the greater reality, then the scripture does in fact say Christians are not only on a separate spiritual level, but we can and 'should! expect' a different spiritual future.

I didn't mention fire and brimstone, but I will tell you Jesus unmistakenly references it, when teaching of a certain beggar named Lazuras and a certain rich man, in the latter half of Luke 16(in just 13 verses, 19-31). You should study it, in the Kings English, where the nuances are in full flower.

Do you note? that gentiles do not have the same urge to quote Jesus quoting Abraham's commentary to that certain rich man(especially vs 29-31), as they do 'judge not', or 'God is love', or other scripture they do not believe is holy writ.

The difference between the Christian and the gentile in such an occurence, is that a Christian worth his salt will be able, and willing, to elaborate from the text. While the gentiles position is meant to stop conversation; as their interpretation from such snippets of scripture, are designed to exonerate them from further examination, because, they mistakenly believe something along the lines that God is saying 'there will be no Judgement' here or later. My bet is most are just exhibiting their degree of vanity, as based upon the level of their indignance.

My God wrote me, we're all spiritual free agents Bear. He says he is going to hold us individually accoutable to his standards, not Will's(mine).

Like I explained to Ed some time back, I know lots of bettern average souls who are going to lift up their eyes in Hell. Do you think I'm happy about that? But what can I do, if they choose to believe the words of God will not apply to them?

What say the other Christians of this group?

So yeah Bear, if the scriptures, and thus God's, version of reality is accurate, I am way better off than any and all non-believers. Am I a better person? Probably not, but I guarantee ya, I'm a better person than I would have been otherwise(there's not a doubt in my mind about that either). Do you really think, a hundred years hench, I'd want to miss a sitdown with you, Alan, that compassionate hairy knuckled nutter Mick, or any of these other folks with whom I've become familiar, and fond of to one degree or another? What of the other people I know &/or love? Don't you think I would have greater hopes for them and strangers alike, knowing what I believe I know.

Besides, what do I have to be uppity about, that I accepted something that God offers everyone, without merit.

So you see, it's not up to me what you decide. And one of the biggest traps that individuals snare themself in, is looking at the imperfections of the messenger, rather than the holiness and mercy of the messengers master.

And another is, not differentiating between sects, that is, lumping everybody with a bible into the same category. I assure you, we are not. Look at my family, they all identify with some sort of religion that uses the bible as the excuse for their church buildings existence but only two of my blood relatives are not offended by Jesus Christ, even though he's the star of their book and church(well supposedly, it's pretty weird really).

Anyhow, Peace Be Unto Y'all and Yours

I'll leave you with some more words from and about Jesus, since some say those are the only ones that carry any weight:

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. :24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [do reference the passage in my previous reply in this thread as it is related]

You like a good story, finish with John the baptist(paying particular attention to the last verse):

25* Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26* And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27* John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28* Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29* He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30* He must increase, but I must decrease. 31* He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32* And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33* He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34* For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35* The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36* He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.