I apologize if anyone got offened by my last thread the reason why we suffer I posted yesterday, but I don't apologize for my reasoning. The original question from a thread I read was asked, if there is a God, then why do we suffer? The only thing I could think of to answer the question was the first temptation (the fall of men)In the book of gensis, which took place in the beginning of time. I am in no way trying to force my own beliefs on others, because it's your choice rather you choose to believe or not, however. I was taught not to lead unto my own understanding, but to trust the understanding of God. I know this statement could easily lead into once again another debate of God exsistence,but this is what I was taught. I've been doing alot of research on the bible and I could easliy see why some may choose not to believe.
I myself do believe in God, but I don't nesscarily consider myself a religous person. Religion was a concept created by men to help control a people. Religion is a set of rules and tradtions to help maintain moral responsibilty. Anything can be your religion and it doesn't nesscarily have to be about God, but religion is anything you focous on daily through out the day, believing of in its internal exsistence. If I can say anything I will that religion seperates people, while God brings us all together.
And no matter how many times man alone tried to re write the bible, or destroy its material the message has always stayed the same. which is God's love will last forever, God is unconditional. God's love is always there. No matter what you do, where you from, what you did, how did it and who you did it with

Once again, I'm not in no way at all trying to put my own beliefs on anybody elses. I'm just saying think about your life before questioning the exsistence in God or any form of High Power^ that maybe. We shouldn't bash each other for different beliefs. Cuz really when it comes down to it, we can all learn from each other rather we believe or don't believe. I love everybody. I only wish the best for everybody. The question of does God really exsist isn't anything new. I myself at some point in my life didn't believe or even questioned it, but I look at this world, and all the way it has become and say to myself there's gotta be something more to it then this. It depresses me to think that once your born unto the world, your only true destination is to die, you turn to dust and that's it.
Well, I guess to each its own until then peace.

One more question. before I go

Do You believe in Miracles?

EVERYBODY

Well, yesterday, I talked to a co-worker that is a very devout catholic and that I usually cannot hear, because she has a certain voice and a heavy accent. She asked me how it was going with my cochlear implant, and I could hear every word. She said "You can hear everything, and I'm whispering! It's a MIRACLE!" I smiled and nodded. She has little figurines of the Virgin Mary all over her desk, and I like her a lot, so I let her give a religious spin to what happened to me, no problemo... but to me, this ain't no miracle. I worked my ass off. I let them cut my ear open and drill a hole in my skull, then endured staples, headaches and surgery-related vertigo for weeks. Once I got the processor, I had to do exercises every night to "train" my new bionic ear, etc. Maybe miracles are like artistic success : 90 % perspiration, and 10 % inspiration... No divine intervention here, though...

AERO! that's great news! i'm glad it's working congratulations and hang in there

Aerogram said:

First: I am so fucking glad that things are going so well with your hearing!

Second: Devout religious people look at medical issues this way most of the time:

A) A man goes to the hospital after a horrible car accident, he is near death, bleeding horribly and his heart is completely ruined along with many broken bones. The doctors call the donor network and find a matching heart for transplant... the heart is flown in and the doctors work frantically to replace it... they also do surgery to repair his crushed bones and set them into place with many pins and plates.

The man makes a full recovery and lives. The family thanks god, not the doctors.

B) A man goes to the hospital for a heart-attack. The doctors give him the best care possible, yet the man dies in the emergency room... the family sues for malpractice and blames the doctors.

I know that these examples do not apply to all cases, but I have seen this kind of thing happen a LOT.

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[This message was edited Fri Oct 25 5:05:28 PDT 2002 by IceNine]

When my belly began to grow, and I felt this fluttering in
my tummy, I felt like a miracle was underway. Then the
fluttering turned into kicks and punches.There was a
living person growing, as I went about my daily routine.
Then, one Thursday evening, I felt this spreading pain that
was my signal that it was "time" for this new person to
come into the world.
When the doctor placed the tiny little girl on my tummy,
I knew that indeed there are miracles!

The human brain...another testimony!

May Jehovah be praised. His glorious works abound!


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[This message was edited Fri Oct 25 5:48:39 PDT 2002 by SensualMelody]

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[This message was edited Fri Oct 25 6:44:59 PDT 2002 by MrBliss]

SensualMelody said:

That's wonderful, but from a purely religious perspective, isn't it strange that this supreme being allows us atheists to get just as pregnant or impregnating? You'd think we'd all be sterile...

XxAxX said:

Thanks... It's doing really well. One of the things that throws a curve is the reprogramming I go through every two weeks or so. They change the settings, use different electrodes in the implant, and I end up with a week of relearning. This will go on until January, but I'm glad my brain seems to adjust within days. I wish they'd leave it alone, but eh... they are the experts.

I'm also glad to report music is sounding more natural with every passing day. I love listening to all these songs that I heard a certain way for years, and finding more detail.

Life is good..
[This message was edited Fri Oct 25 5:24:03 PDT 2002 by Aerogram]

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[This message was edited Wed Oct 30 10:01:19 PST 2002 by katt]

Aerogram said:

Well, I agree with you and don't think that the cochlear implant genie appeared and gave you your wishes...but, it IS quite a miraculous thing that this jumble of metal and wires is allowing you to hear Maybe it was just her way of expressing happiness for you.
And, it is such a wonderful thing. You're our 12 Million Dollar Bionic Man! (Inflation, you know )