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This is a conversation I had with a friend of mine, known here as E…, that was willing to debate in a friendly manner. E…’s comments are in black and mine are in red.

· Do you think God wants to be known?

o I don't know. I think someone wants him to be known. I have varying degrees of faith on this topic. I believe that people who believe in something specific have manipulated what we have come to know as religion.

§ Putting aside what other people think, what do you think? Also, for those that believe in something specific, do you think that there is nothing specific to believe in? Obviously, many have manipulated the truth, but does anybody have the truth? Actually, a better question is, can the truth be had? Again, I'm looking for your opinion, not what everybody else thinks.

· No Response from E…

· If yes, then how do you think he will let you know? (“If yes” is referring back to my above question: Do you think God wants to be known?)

o I am not sure about this either. I think that people can interpret things that happen to them to fit there need at that time. (using you as an example.....) Asking for some divine intervention to direct you down the path you should choose and then finding an answer in a coincidence. (I'm not saying your choice of schools was a coincidence, only using it for argument's sake)

§ That's a good point; I've gotten this reply before. It shows critical thinking on your part. It's true; it could have all been a coincidence.

· Let me be more specific on these two questions. Does he want you to know Him? Or even better, do you want to know Him? If he doesn't want to be know, then why not?

o This relates to your previous question, so I am not sure how to answer it......it will require a little more thought.

§ I'll leave this one be.

· Do you think that God makes mistakes?

o No. I think there is a plan for everyone. As a person, you have a choice to make. Based on that choice, your path is defined. In very simple terms, if you take a left at the light you live to make another choice. If you take a right at the light, you don't.

§ Good. I too believe that we have free will to make choices. Do you think that our choices here make a difference in the afterlife? For example, let's take two extremes...Hitler and Gandhi. One was very bad and the other very good by the worlds standards. What happened to each of them? Remember, in your opinion please, not what others think.

· No Response for E….

· Is God human in nature? In other words, can He do something that contradicts something He did in the past? Can He lie; cheat, still, etc. like us?

o No. I feel it's like a chess game. Everyone plays a part and there are two sides competing. People live on this "board" and there is influence one way or another. At the end of whatever, someone is holding more pieces.

§ Okay, I understand the "No" part, but I'm not sure what you mean by the rest.

· Do you think its okay with him that we have so many different and often times contradictory views about him? In other words, is he the hater of the Jews if you're a Muslim, but a lover of the Jews when you're a Christian? Obviously both can't be true. This goes back again to the first question. Can we really know God?

o Here in lies one of my biggest issues which relates to your first question......I feel that a group of people that have common beliefs and circumstances have manipulated/influenced others based on what they feel is "religion and God" A perfect example is terrorism. A group of devout followers believe they will earn their way to "heaven" by killing people that are not as devout as they are. This group of people have common beliefs and circumstances.....environment, lifestyle, etc. They make choices based on what a group of people have taught them to be true. This leads to interpretation....I'm sure they can quote a scripture that, to them, relates to what they are doing, feeling, etc. Christians can quote scripture to contradict.

§ You did indicate from a couple of the above responses that you do believe that God doesn't make mistakes and he cannot lie, cheat, or do any of the other bad things that humans do. Therefore, if I may say then, in your opinion, there is no contradiction within God. Meaning, he is the highest of all moral beings. Am I right on that statement? Therefore if there is no contradiction in God, then do you think he wants us to know his ways? If he sets the bar on what is truly right and good, then what are those standards? And do we have to meet them all the way, part of the way, or any at all? This leads into the question of, will we be judged by Him?

· No Response from E….

· Can we know the truth, or do we just hope for the best when we die?

o I keep going back to this being interpretation. The truth is subjective. My truth is not the same as yours.

§ I need to break this up to ask a few questions. Are you implying by your statement that there is no absolute truth; it's only relative? If that's the case then what about the Grand Canyon? Odd question, but what I mean is, does the Grand Canyon exist? The obvious answer is duh...why of course it does. Therefore, you wouldn't say that it's only a relative truth that the Grand Canyon exists. Find me an idiot that says it's only relevant to me and I'll show them a mile long free fall. Therefore, if there are absolute proofs then could there be an absolute proof about God?

· No Response from E…

o I don't know what will happen when I die, but I'm sure I will deserve whatever I get.

§ That's an interesting statement. What will you get? By your response you seem to be indicating that there we be some type of judgment that will await you. If there is a judgment, then obviously God will be the one doing the judging, or it will be based upon a standard that he has set. Obviously, you feel that you deserve something, but what? And by whose standards will you be judged? That's the big one there. Will it be our standard or God's? If it's his, then what is it? I like it that the highway department puts up speed limit signs so that I know what is expected of me. Do you think God has a standard for us; has he given us a moral speed limit?

· No Response from E…

· People fall into so many different categories. Am I a Christian. I don't know. I believe in something, but I have yet to assign a name to it. Do I go to church on Sundays? NO....does that mean I am not a good person?

o Just as a side note, I have meet more hypocrites in the church then I have outside. No church is perfect.

· I'm not committing acts of violence against others, I help people in need, I am a good mother, I work, and I care for others that I feel are deserving of my love. Have I done things that would typically be called "sins?" Yes, of course I have. Did I learn from those mistakes? Some of them, some of them have been repeaters. In comparison to the other things going on in the world, I am "pure."

o I would say that if I were to measure you up with the world I would agree that you are good and pure. But, when you die and get what you deserve, what will that be? By using the word "deserve" you seem to imply that whatever you do here will merit what you get over there. If that's so, then again, what's the standard? Where has the bar been set? Have you fallen short, or exceeded it?

o You have made a good assessment of sin. Everybody has done it. Nobody is perfect...ever. That brings up another question. What do we do with sin? Do we erase it with good deeds? I asked my friend this question who is a Sikh and he was not sure how to deal with the sin question. He said that he just had to think about God, but he wasn't sure if that took care of it. Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged the inability of his religion to atone for sin. Despite his moral lifestyle and good works, he admitted; "It is a constant torture to me that I am still so far from Him whom I know to be my very life and being. I know it is my own wretchedness and wickedness that keeps me from Him." He acknowledge his sin, but wasn't sure how to deal with it. Most religions, other than orthodox Christianity, have a works based salvation. In other words, the good should outweigh the bad. But all of these religions have no guarantee to heaven (except for Islam which is through blowing up people....and that's only the men, not the woman).

§ No Response from E…

· I don't wake up everyday and thank anyone to be alive. I don't say prayers before I go to bed. I don't ask for anything either. I do say happy thoughts for people (my version of prayer) when I know someone is struggling or in need of assistance. I also get off my butt and help. It's a tricky world Jeff and I am not sure where I fit in yet...........

o Do you think God wants a relationship with you...he made you?

§ No Response from E…

· I don't mind you referring to my thoughts as objections. I thought it was quite comical actually. I enjoy having these discussions with you and I don't mind being a guinea pig at all........ You're welcome, E….