Why does anyone else care if I believe in God or not?

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   IDONOposted 10 years ago

   Why does anyone else care if I believe in God or not?
   
   If God is in your heart, you will live his will. If he is not, you will live your own will. Isn't what is in ones heart that matters; not what's in someone else's heart? If you are honest with yourself and true to your heart, you are correct with no proof needed whether you believe or not. Right? Your take.

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   PoeticFailosophyposted 10 years ago

   Some proselytizing faiths believe it is their mission from their god to convert others.   They can't be saved unless they try to convince others of a salvation.  So when they get in your face about belief, they're trying to save their own souls.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Does that mean that the more dogmatic they are, the more desperate they are to become worthy of salvation? Someone that feels they are right with God wouldn't find it necessary to push "their truth" quite so hard would they? Interesting comment.

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      tbHistorianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Love abounds for those who spread the word of God. Those who choose to join us find that love very righteous and fulfilling. Your example appears to be a personal opinion of the needs of others. Maybe it is tainted by disbelief. Maybe it lacks love.

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   Ericdierkerposted 10 years ago

   Now IDONO, you do know that I am a preacher man, at least that is what "my" people call me. 99.9% under thirty. I do not want others to think of me as sneaking up on them. I also go by Doctor Dierker, because I do not want people thinking I practice law. Though I have a doctorate there and in Theology.
   
   Nope, people should care about your soul. But I do not know how those proselytizers do it. It must be hard wired like being a salesperson. My wife is a great salesperson and it is in her, and she is a marvelous Christian though you would only know it if you asked. So maybe that is not it.
   
   I truly hope that someone answers here without the "spiritual" dogma dog food rhetoric spewed by so many evangelicals. "Truth" as they see it is good for them and not for us.
   
   I also want to hear from someone who bought this horse pucky stuff. God is in you. No one gets to put God there. And rejecting that is your choice. I believe God made us that way. And that he made us in his image --- funny that because that means God also has rejection in God. God did not just make believers God also made unbelievers. So God has that too.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I know. I'm preaching to the choir but I believe God is always there. But God can only be inside of a person if they let him in. He can't be pushed in. You're not only wanting them to accept your belief. You're telling them to let go of theirs.

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Love is already in you. Folks who try to bring it, well walk away. Buddy how can someone make happen what has already happened?

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      Harishprasadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Ericdierker, nicely said- love is already in us. I believe that love is already in all living beings, humans, animals, plants and other alive creatures. In other words, God is already revealed before books of religions were written. Is it right ?

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   Tusitala Tomposted 10 years ago

   Do other people care what you believe as far as believing in a God or not?  I expect that some do not care at all.  Some claim to care because they want to 'save you.' and others, like myself, care - but probably not as strongly as I feel I should - because people who believe they are more than a bag of bones and skin, probably behave better towards others, thus making for a happier world.
   
   So if a person is of a belief that they are a spirit, and even better, that that spirit is a part of The Whole, or God, or whatever this indiscrible thing (or quality or value of whatever is) then they're liable to lead not only happier but more productive and moral lives.  Such a life philosophy has to result in an overall good.   If people feel they have spiritual meaning in their life, it is likely to make for a better world.
   
   It is when people put a man-made requisite on WHAT GOD SHOULD BE according to their own conditioned beliefs we get into trouble.  "My God is the real one: yours is false."   and "My God is the only way."   Well, we know the result of that sort of thinking.   It leads to holy wars.   The Christian Crusades might have occured way back but holy wars still continue to this day.   The reason: ideas that have congealed in the minds of many as to what God would or would not want.
   
   I suspect Neale Donald Walsch is right in his book, "What God Wants."   The answer being "Absolutely nothing!"    This is a tenet most religious people find hard to stomach.   "Absolutely nothing" seems almost like abandonment, a not caring.   However, it could be interpreted as us having absolute freedom and to find out through natural laws what is good for us and what is not; how we should behave towards one another and how we should not.
   
   So to this degree I do care whether you believe in God or not.

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Wow Tom that is really well written. Of all the things claimed, I really have not met a person who can claim a "religion" set by God. Catholics try but seldom persuade. I would like Weasey to be Christian, but not at the risk of losing a great mind.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      So, people want to mold my spirit for the purpose of making a more comfortable world for themselves? That doesn't sound like a pure motive to me. Sounds pretty selfish. True caring is unconditional, right? Dr. Eric: help me out here! Am I confused?

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      With you IDONO. Do not be confused. Leave that to me. You are right. Strange, don't you think. And when you see them, lay down your gun and walk away. Peoples who mold you, or try are not really "together". We pray for them, best you avoid them.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Eric. I'll probably call on you again sometime up the road. Why? I trust that you'll tell me what I need to hear; not what I want to hear. Isn't it amazing how the more we learn, the more questions we have?

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      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have absolutely no "spiritual meaning in my life" and I feel I am extremely moral and productive. My friends find me kind and highly ethical. It seems to me one does not have to be spiritual to "do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

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      Harishprasadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Billie Kelpin, what is in a name, you eat a fruit but don't know it's name, it tastes the same. Your over all demeanor and conduct is so sweet that you have assigned no name to it but other people name it, call it, GOD's grace, spirituality and so on

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Billie- You confirm my thoughts. Not believing in God does not make you evil. Spiritually, we are different. As people we are close to the same. That's where some people can't seem to separate. Seems like dogmatic people only accept their own belief.

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   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   You are absolutely right. If you choose that believing in a god is the right thing for you that is all that matters. It is not my responsibility as an atheist to ask you for proof. Really it's none of my business. We are all entitled to believe as we wish. The only time it becomes my business is when pushed on me in a radical manner. Outside of that we should all live and let live!

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I like it peeples. I hope others listen. But not to a point of apathy. Not caring leads to airport, theatre and school shootings.
      Personally my favorite radicals are atheists. I love them.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Belief has to be by attraction; not promotion. Shoving something down someone's throat only pushes them further away; no matter what it is. If you see me happy and serene, you'll ask how. Then I'll tell. And not until then.

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      IDONO, I just do not get this need and obsession to force. If you do not like what I got, so be it.  folks walk down the street. Well walking is good. But really slow walking not.

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      Harishprasadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Peeples, it is said that when one goes beyond man made assumptions and conceptions whether good or bad and understands himself as different from body,truth  reveals itself. You name it religion or  whatever, it does not matter.

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6. 71

   Harishprasadposted 10 years ago

   My dear Idono, you are perfectly right. Salvation, freedom, enlightenment and liberation whatever you like it to call is in our own hands. The burden on your shoulders can be taken over by another man, son, friend, servant etc. And the loan taken by you can be repaid by  any of your well-wisher but the essence of life be it belief or disbelief is to be decided by you alone and nobody else can do it for yourself. Emulation and copying is like to halt your mind to think independently and become dependent on others. This kind of slavery spreads ignorance and nothing but despair comes to us and real knowledge eludes us throughout our life. A real seeker does not force anyone to toe a particular path, rather he/she chooses one's own path after a thorough discrimination and also advises the same to other seekers. Self chosen belief or disbelief is to be respected by all. Just think it over, this edifice of whole creation erected all around within our eyesight and beyond it is so wonderful and marvelous. Can this be accomplished without use of intellect ? I believe not, so much intelligence could have gone into all this and this cannot be a sheer chance. So what is wrong with it if we use our finite intellect to think and choose a sane course to proceed with  our life. Though we should hear, learn and read all kinds of stuff needed to awaken our minds but ultimately the real essence will be extracted by us only and nobody can tell it to us and we cannot buy it from a market place with our whole wealth. It is in our own mind individually and one cannot borrow it  from anybody else and this  is the beauty of it. So your question is quite correct and it is generally seen that people act like herds and a very rare number of them behave independently. Those who act independently can be able to see the real light and spread it all around but the irony is that what they want to convey is forgotten within a course of time and the people build religions, sects, sub sects in the name of such enlightened beings and fight and hate instead of spreading the truth revealed by them. We believe or disbelieve, the moot point is that we should not hate mutually and assign respect to the different course adopted by us. Discarding something arrogantly is also ignorance, it is only the real essence that matters. If it is in the hands of believer or atheist, nobody can be ever sure of. So we must remain firm in our own path and this is the only sane way and forcing somebody is vain.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      With all that, one thing stood out to me. You mentioned " see THE light". I see MY light. MY light symbolizes MY understanding and relationship with God. I've been taught God has a unique purpose for me. So, I will follow his instructions, for me.

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      Harishprasadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Idono, you are right. Just follow your conscience and discrimination that are like great filters and produce the real essence of all your thoughts based on whatever you read religious or whatever similar stuff and all your actions good as well as bad

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   JThomp42posted 10 years ago

   Absolutely IDONO, I will live God's will. His will is for us to "love one another." Also God's will is for us to spread the "good news" to everyone who will "listen." God does not want anyone to go to hell. As children of God, we are the vessels that are chosen to spread the good news of Christ.
   
   Of course, not everyone will accept Christ into their hearts. But, our savior has been presented to them and it is their choice and their's alone whether to accept him into their hearts. Saying this, as children of God saved by his wonderful grace it is our choice whether we will witness to others.
   
   It is a "choice" in which is pleasing to God. As I said earlier, God does not want anyone to be lost. The Bible tells us to spread the way of salvation to all. Will this answer be controversial? Yes, but this is what I believe. Salvation is freely given. Thank God for his grace!

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      JT- You confuse me. You say you live God's will, but it's your choice to witness. Is that not your will if you make that choice? If that's the case, then the person you witness to should have the same choice whether to believe you or not. Right?

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      IDONO.... As I said... choose those you believe are ready to listen. Loved ones, friends, etc. I said it is my choice to do so because it is God's will.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Then will those that are ready to listen seek you out rather than broadcasting your belief? I mean broadcast as in spread, not loud. Are Evangelicals preaching the true message or doctrine and interpretations. The "lost" person can be easily led u no

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      IDONO, you are making an issue where there is not one. I love you. If I care that you eat right. Why would you be bothered. If I care that you get an education. What is the problem? If I care for your soul. Why does that bug you?

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Eric- It's not the caring that bothers me. It's the way that caring is presented. You're different. But some people here aren't willing to let others find their own path or their own hearts. If " I care" isn't followed by " you should" I'm OK with it

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   tbHistorianposted 10 years ago

   IDONO - You obviously believe in your own mind that I care if you believe in God or not.  But that is a huge misconception.  With this thought in your mind, it appears that you are more concerned with what others think, not what you think for yourself.  Through this thought pattern, you have placed a stronghold in your mind that keeps you from accepting your destiny.  With your self-focused burden you probably have chosen to invoke conflict within yourself that appears to you to be an external slavery based on what others think.  However, this means that wisdom is still not achieved for the freedom to release yourself from this self-imposed burden.  God is love and so this is what is desired within the heart.  But based on the burdens of the mind, the heart is sometimes bounded by depression and so cannot reach the love.  Through the burdened mind, an individual lacking wisdom will always walk the negative path seeking approval of others.  But the wise individual that walks the righteous path of the Lord will continue to walk a positive path to their destiny.  When a person enslaves themselves in the desire of approval of others, they miss the path of righteousness because they cannot find the path in the fog.  When on calls themselves an atheist but walks the path of righteousness, they are simply using the word atheist to provoke argument discussion.  This envelope of arguing then encloses the individual in a closet of despair because they fear that others will not accept them.   If you are honest with yourself, you will recognize God already knows your needs and will always accept anyone who reaches him through the heart.  But just as he will accept, he will reject those that reject him.  It is not your neighbors who must be right with the Lord, but you, yourself.  Therefore, I do not need proof of your heart. 
   But, I do believe that those who come to me and declare themselves atheists are questioning their belief because they know that I am a man of God.  Therefore, I simply continue to follow the righteous path and announce my rebuking of evil.  I will never rebuke the individual, but the evil immoral that they try to declare moral.  I boldly stand for the Lord and so many who want to remain immoral do not seek refuge with me.  But those who have wisdom of the Lord seek refuge with me because together we can achieve so much more.  The Lord has provided me a destiny that I never dreamed of, but one that spreads his word to those who are lost.

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      Harishprasadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      With utmost respect, tbHistorian, the wisdom you sprinkled is in fact divine and worthy to ponder over. It touched my soul, heart and mind and wish it touched all beings. To rise above good and bad is a real perfection and all saints achieved that.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My beliefs are solid. I don't carry the burden of feeling as though my purpose is to save the whole world. Jesus did that. God does not accept people. People accept God. I am here to love believers and non-believers alike. Not  make them live my way

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      tbHistorianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Respect returned is respect earned. God blesses the wise and so provides them with a righteous path. I do not "make them" live my way, but many choose to follow a righteous path because they become wiser through insight. Love is boundless.

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Look below at my comment. You can just say no. If that is too hard, just get over it. Christians can care about your soul and hunger. If you do not want them to just say no. But stop being "persecuted" because someone wants to help you. Stop acting.

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   M. T. Dremerposted 10 years ago

   In an ideal world, no one would care. Being true to ones heart, whether it leads to god, atheism or something else, is of paramount importance in this life. But, unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. That's why many theists feel attacked by atheists, and vice versa. And neither of them are wrong, because there will always be those personalities that ruin it for the rest of us. I think what's important is to distance the person from the belief. If someone attacks you then it's indicative of that person being a jerk, not that any one aspect of them is a guide to finding other jerks. Like, if I go to a store and the cashier treats me poorly, it would not be fair for me to assume that all cashiers are bad people.
   
   So, in answer to your question, it is the individual that cares whether or not you believe in god. Why they care is a complete mystery, but it's exclusive to that person. Because any number of other people you meet don't care at all, even if they have many things in common with the person who did care.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I love it when people care about me. But I've had people in my face before telling me I'd burn in hell if I didn't find my way. Or their way. This happened before they knew I already believed in God. I can't imagine what a real Atheist would think.

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Come on IDONO ---- really? People destroy your bliss by trying to convert you??? Are you that weak and feeble? Invite them into your life, they care. Or would you rather fight with your neighbor about his dog??? Hurry get on the freeway, care!

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    elenipissa25posted 10 years ago

    Nobody,cares if you believe or not.But its good, to help the poor people,the prisoners,every person.That nobody does,except the people who follow Jesus.
    You can't smell nice,away of God...

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       Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Let me try this again. I am homeless. I go to church to eat. I choose to. I am not property. I am human. I chose my church. I do not want a stinking atheist to serve me. I am Christian and I am homeless. Leave me alone. I want the church to feed me.

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    MysticMoonlightposted 10 years ago

    IDONO, it does not matter who or what you believe in, it makes not one difference to me. We are all equal, no matter what religion or belief, or lack there of, we have. Yes, it is what is in ones heart that matters. If you believe in God and you are content and happy, do not worry with what others think of you or your beliefs. Live your life and make it as happy and wonderful as possible. Be a good person to everyone, treat others as you wish to be treated, be honorable and worthy of respect, slow to anger and quick to move on. It is basic and simple, to any walk of man, religion, belief, or non-belief. From what I have seen in many of your posts, you are all of these great things and so, you are blessed my friend

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       Harishprasadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       You call yourself MysticMoonlight but your words are entirely bereft of any mystery, complexity and vagueness in them. Your words are so simple yet so meaningful that I cannot but appreciate them with all my heart. Love reading your comments.

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       MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you very much, Harishprasad, you are always so kind and thoughtful. Your sentiments are greatly appreciated, friend

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       Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Knock it off.  If you do not care what someone believes, - You do not care about them. Mystic, get over it. A Yogi who feeds his priests but not his followers is wrong. Stand up for something.

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       MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       If you feel that way, Eric, so be it. I, however do not. That is my right and attacking me for having an opinion outside of mainstream society speaks negatively of your character not mine, in my opinion. Thanks, and have a great day

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       Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Mystic, I apologize if that was personally harsh. I was just trying to make the point that you and I do in fact care about people. And I care what you think. And I was rude and I apologize. And I just noticed I failed to vote up for you comment.

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       MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you very much, Eric. I appreciate that. Yes indeed we both care about people Care and concern for others may not always be shown in the same way or form and that is ok, it doesn't have to be the same for it to be helpful and heartfelt.

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       IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       You guys sound like an episode of Kung Fu, grasshoppers. I will link this to my ex-wife and see if she agrees with you,Harishprasad.  Odds are she looks at me somewhat different.

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    Sojourner1234posted 10 years ago

    Great question IDONO. The simple answer is that people may care about you. If someone is interested in your belief in God (especially the true God) they probably want you to believe in Him too. Why??? It's so very simple: as a Christian I want other people to know God, to believe in Him, to trust in Him because they get the benefits of knowing Him. Eternal life... not just length of time (because everyone gets the benefit of life after death), but of quality of life lived with God forever (also a quality of life now).
    Perhaps people care if you believe because they care for you.

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       IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, but are you stating that the God in your heart is the "true God" and the one in mine isn't? Why does God know you better than me? He created us both. Right?

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       tbHistorianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       IDONO - you appear to be very confused about God and his blessed covenant with our ancestors. God did not say that he would create us, but that he would be with us through faithfulness shown by all generations. Each one must follow righteousness.

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       Sojourner1234posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       There does not seem to be so much contemplation (after you wrote 'Thanks') about the idea that perhaps people share their belief because they care about you (main point). Also, couldn't it be possible that there is a 'true God' and I could know Him?

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       IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Soujourner: Sure. But your truth may not be the same as my truth. That makes us no closer or further than the other. My relationship with God is personal. I follow the path he sets for me because in his eyes, I am unique with a unique purpose. So R U

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       Sojourner1234posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Everyone is unique and everyone can know God, but not everyone does though God made us all. The situation is truth is not relative to what you or I believe about something, either it's true or it isn't. One is not close to God based upon perception.

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    Corolla98posted 10 years ago

    People are insecure. They worry about how much money you make, what clothes you have on, your family, religion, your mate, everything,

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    swilliamsposted 10 years ago

    The reason why people care if you believe in God or not is because perhaps they see something in you, that makes them wonder about your faith. However if you were a crude person they would avoid you altogether. I think caring is a positive reaction.  Judging rather you believe or not is negative reaction.

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