Al wrote:
Dear Mike
I have no idea how I got to his site. At first I felt a glimmer of hope that just maybe here was a possibility of truth. However, I should tell you that I am 65 and have spent most of my life searching. I have had times when I thought I had found the truth spent 20 years with J'Ws only to realize that it was not it. I went to various other denominations; Muslims, Hindus, 7th Day Adventists, Jews, etc., etc. including a 6 month period with Armstrong's lot. All I am left with is anger and a strong inclination to reject it all in the hope I might get some peace. It's very rude of me to ask you to listen to my rantings because they are no doubt offensive, but if it's any consolation to you, I can tell you that I have never dumped this on anyone - ever. But you are miles away, we have never met and I feel able for the first time to unleash my anger as to what I feel. I apologize in advance.
1. Why did Jesus have to die? God makes the rules, he could have done things differently.
2. It is said he suffered like us, so that he could show he understands what we go through.Well, he didn't even come close to what we go through. For a start, he was not born in sin. He didn't suffer illness. He didn't see his family murdered as many have. He hasn't lived through the horror of war or borne with illness or infirmities or cancer or any of the dreadful diseases we suffer. Yes,he did die on the cross, but that was a common form of death penalty, and the two on either side of him were in the same boat. And while I do not belittle the agony of his death, the fact is that many faithful men and women have suffered far greater, not for just a day but years and years in prison for their faith; beaten, tortured, starved to death, murdered--and this is still going on as we speak! And these are sinners!
His birth was announced by angels as peace on earth and goodwill to all men, but what actually happened? His birth was directly responsible for the death of all innocent babies two years old and under. Do you think the jews ever forgot that.
And now the teaching that God could not possibly burn people in an everlasting fire because God is love and would not do such a thing. Yet apparently he can let all mankind suffer for thousands of years, wars, sickness, torture, corruption, etc., etc. The list goes on, and I weep for my fellow man. I feel the pain of the hungry, anger at injustice, compassion for the sick, but along with all that the awful awful feeling of helplessness to do anything. WHERE IS MY GOD?
In the revelation Jesus said "I am coming quickly". Yeah, Right. 2000 years is quick, is it?
Well, there you go, friend. Some of it anyway. Do I believe in the bible? I don't know-I did once. Do I believe in Jesus as my savior? I don't know-I did once. Do I believe in God? Absolutely; always have,always will. My current thinking is to hell with all of it. God is not to blame, we are; so he has not failed us, it is we who has failed him-me especially-so maybe he has just written us off and started off again in another galaxy somewhere.
And yet, and yet, I want so much to know the truth. I want to sleep without all this going round in my head. God does not need me or anyone else to defend him, but I want to so much. If only I knew the truth.
Sincerely
Al
Wow, Al!
I feel honored that you have seen fit to unburden yourself on me. There is not one word of your "ranting" that has not crossed my own mind in the past. Were it not for the fact that God will redeem all of His creation, then I, too, would agree that He should have found a better way. I don't kid myself that I can give you an answer that will make God appear to be a God of love. I have accepted His sovereignty on the faith that He has given me. I have not been given the power to "drag people to God" and give them faith. I pray for you that God will do just that. If there is anything in the meantime that I can help you with in the way of answering any particular question, I will be more than glad to do so. But I cannot and will not attempt to apologize for the way God has chosen to "work all things after the counsel of His own will."
I hope to hear from you again.
Mike
