From: ae642@yfn.ysu.edu (Kelley Miller)
Subject: Re: You're Invited!
Reply-To: ae642@yfn.ysu.edu (Kelley Miller)
Organization: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 03:54:51 GMT


(Oh, dear, it's fall, and the freshmen are coming out of the woodwork!!)

In a previous article, scott@bigwpi.WPI.EDU (Scott G Goddard) says:

>
>    To all Atheists, reading these comments made by you are very upsetting to 
>me.

There's a very easy solution to that, Scott.  Stop reading them.

  There shouldn't be a discussion of whether or not God exists, it's not
>about that.  It is a fact that God exists, I don't have to prove that because 
>when you are a Christian,like me, you know I in you're heart(without a doubt).
>

That's fine, Scott, YOU have no doubt that there is a god, and no one
has to prove it to you.

But when people, in the name of their god, wish to restrict the rights and
freedoms of others, I think first these persons have to prove there is a god.
I do not want my freedoms abridged in the name of a god the proponents of that
god are either unable or unwilling to prove the existence of.


>     That's why you are all cordially invited to enjoy the blessing of God and 
>his family for eternity!R.S.V.P.
>

RSVP??  Where?  Do you have an address?  And what would the postage be?

>     Did you know that God has a special invitation for you?  He doesn't 
>require that you dress up to approach Him or turn over a new leaf to impress
>Him.  You can come just as you are.  This is the most important invitation you
>will ever recieve.

You know, I have been told that God is not "come as you are".  I was told he
would reject me because I am gay, because I am pro-choice, because I am
politically liberal, because I am atheist.
]
That means I would have to get "dressed up" (ie, embrace beliefs I do not 
believe, deny to myself who I am, ect.).  It's not worth the effort unless
"god" can be proven to me, and even if it could, I'm still not sure it
would be worth it.

>     The Bible is God's open invitation:"Seek ye the Lord while He may be 
>found, call ye upon Him while He is near."  Jesus invites you, "Come unto Me,
>all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

You forget to add, "Only if you will deny yourself, and live by an archaic
set of questionably moral rules, and by the way, you have to do it all on
faith, because my existence is such that I cannot be proven, so you're
taking your chances."

>     Don't be afraid to come to Him.  He knows each of us inside-out, our 
>strengths and potential and our fears and weaknesses.  He knows too all the 
>things that we would like to hide from Him and the rest of the world.  God, who
>is totally pure and holy, hates our sins, but He loves us.  He wants us to turn
>from our sins to the forgiveness He offers:"Let the wicked forsake his way, and
>the unrighteous man and his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He
>will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

Indeed?  Then, according to this statement, it doesn't matter how we act,
we will be forgiven.  Sorry, that's inconsistent from all teachings I've
heard...

So what IS the truth?

>     Jesus Christ died in our place, so that we no longer have to suffer 
>punishment for our sins.  He promises, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
>sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is 
>passed from death unto life."
>     He invites you to enjoy new life in God's family, beginning the moment you
>trust Him as our Lord and Savior.  Will you recieve Him into your life now-or 
>will you risk missing all He offers you for eternity?
>     God calls.  How will you respond?  "As many as recieve Him, to them gave 
>He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His sons 
>name."
>

I respond in this way:

When God comes to me and presents himself, when He stops hiding behind the
convenient, but suspicious word "faith", when he proves to me that he is
the one and only god, then maybe, MAYBE, I'll follow him.

Until then, I will follow my own path, that of tolerance, and of compassion,
and of acting out of concern for MY values, and those of my loved ones, instead
of out of fear for a punishment after death if I'm not a mindless sheep and
follow some mythical being's edicts concerning responsibility to him.

>   Get your heads out of the darkness, there is so much that can be offered to
>you through Jeses.  Just look.
>

Sorry, my friend.  My head came out of the darkness when I looked at the
world the way it really is, and began living according to what _I_ think is
right.

>Bible references: Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 11:28, Isaiah 55:7, John 5:24, John 1:12
>
>Please believe me, everyone needs Jesus in their life, it is incomplete without
>Him. Please respond. (I hope in a positive way)

That's fine for you.  But don't make judgments about others.  I've been 
getting along fine for the past 16 years without the smothering influence
of Jesus.  My life is very full, very fulfilling, and very complete, and
I'm sure that I will continue to do so.

I wish you the same peace of mind, while worrying about your salvation.
It's a shame that you probably won't have it...

>                                      Love:  Scott Goddard
>
PS...

Please read the FAQ.  It would explain that this type of post is not
welcome here, and that we would be greatful if you would kindly take
your concern for the soul we do not possess and shove it.

Sincerely,
-- 
*...your Friendly Neighborhood Atheist // "Assembly of God???  Strange.. *
*      the KelleyMan:Kelley L. Miller // I was not aware that the diety  *    
*                  ae642@yfn.ysu.edu // was available in source form..." *
****************Know God...No peace.  No God...Know peace.****************