>Much respect to you and your faith. I didn't mean to come
>off as insulting or disrespectful. I am struggling to come
>to an understanding with regard to religion. I do respect
>you and your beliefs and I am glad we can share our
>thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.

I dont take you as being disrepectful or insulting, I havent met too many humble OKP's. I dont respond to post to be defensive nor are my replies intended to disrepect anyone. Im just standing strong in what I believe. Anytime you wanna talk about my "way of life", (because I dont see it as a religion) feel free to post or inbox me.

>Oh yeah, one other thing that I struggle with is that the
>Bible teaches that all non-believers go to Hell. Some of my
>best friends are Buddhist, and they are more moral,
>upstanding and altogether "good" people than most Christians
>I know. I can't believe they will go to Hell and suffer when
>they die, and it bothers me that a God would be so jealous,
>and not value the inherent goodness of people...

Let's discuss this also on an individual bases. One thing I would liek to say is that, it would be better if we stuck with one issue at a time. there's so much knowledge in the bible and if we jump all over, you will never get it. Little by little is how the knowledge is granted.

>And what about people who have never even be exposed to
>Christianity? I also find it somewhat disrespect of
>someone's culture and religion to try to spread God's word
>because that implies that their religion/culture is
>completely wrong...

There is only one God and one way to serve him.

>Like Com says in GOD (just from memory, so no one needs to
>correct me if this isn't the exact quote), "different
>branches of belief, all got truth in 'em,got to read them
>boys").

But that is not what God requires, Let me quote you the Shema:

Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: This is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. This is none other commandment greater than these.

peace and blessing okayplayer!