Lonestar:<P>Where is Myra when ya need her? Huh?<P>I agree with you, Lonestar. Works without faith is meaningless.<P>

Faith without works is dead as well as works without faith is dead.<P>Lonestar, the works are not something one seeks to do. The works are a manifestation of Christ living His life through you. When one truly believes that Jesus is the Son of God who humbled Himself to die for our sins. He was sinless. <P>Everyone:<BR>He, Jesus, is the One who will judge on judgement day. There are only two camps: with God or not with God which means that you will be with Satan. Satan wants us to think that we are right. Yet, GOd is the definer of what is right and wrong. Wrong being defined as we are outside His will. <P>We have free will to chose to do or not do His will. But chosing to not do His will is chosing to do Satan's will though Satan would have us to think that we are doing our own thing when is reality we are not.<P>Just as my parents and many other elders told me when I was a child: with enough passage of time you too shall understand. However, when we get to that point in time, hopefully it will not be to late to have eternal joy and happiness being in God's presence.<P><B>The answer is NO if you are aware that they are an unbeliever per scripture. However, it is possible for it to work because the believer through their unconditional love, which only comes from God, can win the unbeliever with love.</B><P>------------------<BR><B><I>God Bless,<BR>Rob</I></B><BR> regilmor@swbell.net <p>[This message has been edited by professorg (edited March 03, 2000).]

I think too many people have gone WAY off topic here. It always amazes me how religious discussions always seem to turn into a huge debate!<BR> Cotthebull, my thoughts on this go something like this. If you really love someone, religious differences can be easily overcome. As long as both of you respect each other's beliefs, you can make it. I wouldn't worry too much about what the bible says. There are so many different versions of the bible, which one do you go by? One common belief of all religions though is that God loves everyone and he is forgiving. Don't you think he would understand you falling in love with someone who does not believe? Do you think he would rather have you be miserable your entire life? I think he would understand. Most atheists do not push their beliefs on anyone else, and they respect other's beliefs. As long is there is respect, I don't think there's a problem.

professorg,<P>So, care to explain to me about people living in remote parts of the world who have never heard of Christianity? Ones who don't have a choice on whether to believe or not. Are they going to hell, too?<P>You are only a Christian because your parents <B>taught</B> you to be. What about the children born into other faiths who are taught only about that religion? Are you saying they're going to Hell? They know no differently. They did as their parents did, just as you! You chose Christianity by "default." Just as most do. <BR> <BR>Again, I will stand by my beliefs, <B>NOBODY</B>, and I mean nobody, knows whether Christianity is the <B>ONLY</B> way. Just because your "Bible" says so, does not make it so. No matter how much you want to <B>believe</B> it does!<P>Ok, I'm done now. I won't allow anybody to tell me that I'm doing Satan's work, and that I'm absolutely, positively, beyond a shadow of a doubt, going to Hell.....I've never seen such narrow-mindedness in my life! And I thought Christianity taught "acceptance."<P>------------------<BR><I>The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.<BR>Helen Keller</I><BR><p>[This message has been edited by Distrusting (edited March 03, 2000).]

Distrusting,<BR>I am not saying it. God has said it is this way. You are saying that I am wrong by strongly accerting that you are right. You contradict yourself with your own statements. Please look at it from where I am looking at it from.<P>Everyone who goes to hell goes there because the individual chooses to go to hell. Everyone who goes to heaven chooses to go to heaven. The CHOICE is ours. I used to believe as you do but have come into the light. I wouldn't be saying this if it were not true (concerning believing as you do.)<P>When you can say that you have truly been where I am now then you can say that I am wrong. I can say that I have been where you are now because until He showed me the truth I too thought I was right. I now know that I was wrong when I thought as you think now.<P>------------------<BR><B><I>God Bless,<BR>Rob</I></B><BR> regilmor@swbell.net <P>[This message has been edited by professorg (edited March 03, 2000).]<P>[This message has been edited by professorg (edited March 03, 2000).]<P>One last thing, there are Christians every where they are needed to spread the word. God is going to take care of that situation for those who have not been formally introduced to His word. Besides many are going to be saved during the tribulation period. The baby that doesn't get to accept Him is already saved because after Jesus died on the cross, He wrote His will in our hearts. It is the flesh that is sinful not the soul. We rely to much on the senses He gave us rather than on what He put in our souls.<P>As far as my parents being Christians: my mother finally became a true Christian about 4 years ago. My father still has hang ups that show that he is not saved. God has led me all along. Just because you call yourself a Christian does not make you one. You will have the fruit of the Spirit and the works to show that your faith is real.<P>[This message has been edited by professorg (edited March 03, 2000).]<p>[This message has been edited by professorg (edited March 03, 2000).]

Cot, (are you still here?)<P>I think that if two people love one another, they can compromise upon their views regarding their individual faiths (meaning that you don't have to give up a wonderful relationship because of a difference in this area). My husband and I were very nonchalant regarding our faiths when we first met, yet we knew God existed. We have grown in that faith, and it's strengthened our marriage considerably; it's really something that starts in the heart, and grows daily. Like TNT said, so many times we seek God when something goes wrong in our lives but we really need to foster this relationship with Him all of the time. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think that if a husband/wife have enough in common and are on common ground regarding beliefs (this doesn't just pertain to religious beliefs) that they can grow together. Pinholing someone as a "believer" or "non-believer" just doesn't seem fair. We all have our different views and beliefs, and we can all learn from one another. If you love someone deeply, you can both work through these issues together.<P>Distrusting, why so defensive?<P><BR>

Connor,<P>I know I said that I'm done, but I had to respond to your question.<P>Since when did not following become defensive? It's ok that the Christians here are telling me that I'm going to hell, but when I oppose that view, I am becoming defensive? Everyone is defending their beliefs, am I not allowed to defend mine? Nice one-way street.<P>Funny how I wasn't pushing my beliefs down anyone's throat, but some of you find it necessary to do exactly that with yours. <P>All I wanted were answers to how you know your religion is the only correct way. Nobody was able to give me these answers, instead they talk about how people like me are going to hell. Apparently, I can't get an honest answer to an honest question. <P>I can't say that I'm surprised.<P>Now, I'm done. If anyone wants to answer my questions in a non-judgemental way, please do so by emailing me. I was seriously looking for answers.<BR>distrusting1@hotmail.com<P>------------------<BR>The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.<BR>Helen Keller<BR>

Distrusting,<P>Actually, I was trying to relate what I felt. I wasn't a Christian before, I am now. I don't feel as if anyone has any oneupsmanship against another, this is truly an individuals belief. I asked why you were defensive because it's apparent that you are very angry about something. I don't think there is any reason for anger, it's just that I believe deeply in my faith. What's wrong with that, and what did anyone say that made you get so angry? You have said many times that you will not respond again, and you have. And have been very angry about it, I'm not trying to put down, only to state what I believe.

Distrusting,<BR>I did not say that you were going to hell. You made that accertion. You immediately jumped to the conclusion that we were saying that you are gonig to hell. Only God knows for certain if you are goingto hell. <P>When you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are saved you will know that you are going to heaven.<P>I agree with Connor about you being abgry about something. Your responses are those of someone who has been hurt deeply at some point which shows up as defensiveness. My W does this. She is a professed Christian who would fall into the category of hypocrit that was discussed earlier. She had enough nerve to tell me that I was not acting as a Christian should. How would she know when she is the one who has had 8 affairs in the past 7 years.<P>------------------<BR><B><I>God Bless,<BR>Rob</I></B><BR> regilmor@swbell.net

I am a new Christian, since discovery of my now x's affair. She was a borne again Christian from way back in Jr Hi. While I always believed in Christ, that was about the extent of my religion.<P>My x had always wanted me to be the religious head of the household, but I just didn't get it and didn't know how to accomplish it.<P>Now my x no longer goes to church and says she doesn't feel guilty about it, has changed her outlook on God.<P>The funny(?) part is when we were married, a friend of hers siad we shouldn't marry because we were unevenly yoked. He pointed out that when I stumbled over our vows that that was a sign I was an unbeliever.<P>I would really like to call him know and tell him about his perfect Christian.<P>As for marrying an unbeliever, I think it comes down to how devout you are in your religion. If it is extremely important in your life I would say no. If you do not mind your spouse not attending/worshipping with you and you have no plans on getting them into your religion then I would have to say no.<P>But from the Christian bible, it says no to marrying nonbelievers.

I am locking this thread, and any others which are along this vein. There is a Prayer Request Forum and the Women's Bible Study Forum here. The Infidelity Forum group is designed for the support of people suffering from the devastation of infidelity, regardless of their belief systems. If you would like a discussion forum begun for the discussion of religion and marriage, please write to the Forum Administrator and request that one be created.<P>Thank you.<P>------------------<BR>Tempest, Moderator<BR>Marriage Builders<BR>Infidelity Forum<P>