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OK, I'll discuss. I haven't watched Christopher Hitchens. As you can see by my signature I am a practising Christian - a Methodist who "found" God after a near nervous breakdown in 2003. I don't even know - maybe I was in the process of having one. I just kept breaking down all the time and became hyper emotional for absolutely no reason but T.G. that's all in the past. Since my "conversion" my life has never been the same. To me, my Saviour is as alive to me as you are. He is in my heart 24/365 (366th - leap year? I rebel on that day! 
).
One of my great loves has been, and still is, astronomy. I love watching programmes on the universe, and also about ouw own planet. The universe is a truly massive expanse. Scientists/astronomers think they have discovered a star on the very edge of the universe - a distance of 14 BILLION light years. To put it into it's right perspective, if you could travel at the speed of light - 187,000 miles per second, it would take you 14,000,000,000 years to get there! And what lies beyond? That is why I personally believe in God.
Got to go to the shops - more to follow.
(With apologies to Fred).
(And now something for Fred).
OK I'm back from the shops. Follow on from my earlier thread.
There is absolutely reason for science/geology or whatever one's chosen subject not to work hand in hand. Some of the world's most eminent scientists have been firm believers in God and personally I cannot see anything hypocritical in that. The sheer size of the universe is something that is way, way beyond my comprehension. The more I look into it, the more I realise just how small and insignificant I am in relation to the universe. In the book of Genesis concerning the story of creation God makes no reference to the creation of other worlds - only that "...He made the stars also..." A star is a sun with it's own set of planets. There is no earthly reason why He has not created tens of thousands of other lifeforms on other planets. We are at the very earliest stage of space exploration. We haven't even explored our own constellation yet, without worrying about life further a field. It is a fascinating subject.
On the subject of the Creation, the Bible tells us that He created it in six days - on the seventh He did rest -and rightly so!
. There again, I don't see why this should be such a stumbling block to so many people. What is a day? How long does a day last? As the words of the hymn O God our hope in ages past go a thousand year within they sight is just an evening gone, Even man with all his clever science hasn't got this one right, that's why we have a leap year every four years to round things up. As each new discovery is made, it goes only to reinforce my personal beliefs that there MUST be a controlling force out there keeping everything perfectly in balance we call this force God for want of a better word. Scientists the world over are merely DIAGNOSING what God has given us. Just our own small little world so too finely balanced to have "just happened" by chance. Do you realise if the world was put out of orbit by just ten miles from it's present position, we'd fry or freeze if it went the other way.
In conclusion, I'm not worried whether there is life on other planets or not. I just thank Him from the bottom of my humble heart for what He has done for me. If God made the universe and us, He is within all of us every second of the day.
No apologies necessary 
I never watched The Life of Brian, but I am well versed on Monty Python & Co. You can mock anything you like. As I've said to people in the past, will you still mock on the day of Judgement? Brave man if you do. I profess my faith in Jesus Christ, and yet on the day I meet Him I will be prostrate with terror. I used to watch John Cleese & Friends sometimes.
Concerning the Universe Song, I think it is brilliant as a very rough guide to the size of the universe. A few of the mathematics don't tally, but I feel it have been very cleverly put together. If you Google it - the Universal Song, it tells you where the dimensions are slightly askew but there again it's not meant to be taken that seriously.
I will never critisize or condemn another for their beliefs, as long as those beliefs aren't at the expense of others. So whatever works for you, then that's fine..........it just doesn't work for me; but I will also make sure you are not personally harmed by what works for me.
@evoman3957 wrote:I will never critisize or condemn another for their beliefs, as long as those beliefs aren't at the expense of others. So whatever works for you, then that's fine..........it just doesn't work for me; but I will also make sure you are not personally harmed by what works for me.
If we have something at our finger tips that would benifit others in a big way, what right have we to keep it to ourselves?
Likewise, providing it is not a fanatical faith that encourages one to martyr themselves in the name of their God - 'nuff said). Some of the bloodiest wars in history have been fought "in the name of God" starting off with the annhilation of the Incas and the Spanish Inquisitio, so we are not above reproach ourselves in that area. Then you have the Catholics and Protestants, and everything inbetween - Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Jehova Witnesses, Pentecostal - ye gods, the list goes on and on! In Sittingbourne alone there are about eight different churches, all claiming to be "The right one". So apart from the fanatical ones, which is the "right" way to worship God? In my opinion - and it is only an opinion, it is surely down to the individual to find a method with which he/she is most at peace with his God, and worship Him accordingly. After all, had it not been for Henry VIII, we'd ALL HAVE BEEN CATHOLICS!
Especially if it wasn't even thirsty in the first place, that would even make the trip to the watering hole a waste of time and energy.
@evoman3957 wrote:Especially if it wasn't even thirsty in the first place, that would even make the trip to the watering hole a waste of time and energy.
mmmmm, yes lol, point taken where horses and drinking are concerned - literally that is, but in the case of JW's passing on their knowlege it is exactly what I explained, that we are just sharing a wonderful thing with others, who then can make their own choices and decisions. How can anyone do that if they do not know what is on offer first, they cannot know if it is something worth even considering until it is passed on to them. Yes you will always get some who don't want you to bother anyway but it is never forced.
We do go by the thought that situations can change and that perhaps someone who didn't want to be approached may have something change their way of thinking or needs and then be approachable.
