Why do people believe in astrology?

[badger6]

Define already.  Who's timeline are you talking about yours or his because they aren't the same.  His already is not the same as your already.

Sorry, I am typing how I talk. Lets try a different way.

If I could ask god right now this second, and he could answer me. Are you saying that he could tell me where I was going when I die, what my decisions will be, and everything else about the future with 100% accuracy ?

[StL FinFan]

Why do you keep asking questions about something you don't believe exists?

[badger6]

Why do you keep asking questions about something you don't believe exists?

Do my questions bother you ?

[StL FinFan]

Not in the least, I just wonder what your motivation is.

[Dave Gray]

Why do you keep asking questions about something you don't believe exists?

I think it's reasonable to try to understand more about people and beliefs in the world around you.  Sometimes it's to debate, but other times it's just to realize how other people think.

[StL FinFan]

Curiosity is a good thing.  I was not asking the question as a challenge, I honestly wanted to know if you are curious as to beliefs of Christians or are you just mocking them.  You either have faith or you don't.  I think it's very difficult to change minds on that issue.

[Dave Gray]

You either have faith or you don't.  I think it's very difficult to change minds on that issue.

I get this.  I still think the debate is important.  Though I don't expect CF to become an atheist or me to find Jesus, I think that having a good understanding can help us express our positions better, as well as meet in the middle as to what is an appropriate way to interact.

[badger6]

I think it's reasonable to try to understand more about people and beliefs in the world around you.  Sometimes it's to debate, but other times it's just to realize how other people think.

Well it's kinda both. Trying to figure out how people are seeing it and also let my point of view be known, especially if something doesn't make sense or is in conflict with itself. Two conflicting point of views is basically a debate anyways. Definitely not trying to change anyone or their views. And definitely ain't mocking anyone.

[StL FinFan]

Fair enough.

[Pappy13]

If I could ask god right now this second, and he could answer me. Are you saying that he could tell me where I was going when I die, what my decisions will be, and everything else about the future with 100% accuracy?

I'm not sure.  What you just described is something like a "calling".  Some people have basically said they believed that God talked to them and told them he had a plan for them and what it was and they followed it.  That kinda sounds like what you're talking about if in fact God told you that were going to heaven.  But the question remains then did God really tell them what the plan was or did those people just make a choice to follow God and the part about God talking to them was just their way of understanding the decision they made?  Perhaps the decision was so clear in their minds, that it was like someone was telling them what to do when if fact that wasn't the case at all.  And perhaps if you were told you were going to Hell and there was nothing you could do about it, it's not God talking to you then, but rather someone else?  And if you choose not to listen and make a choice to change your ways and end up in Heaven was that someone who was talking to you lieing?  Perhaps we make our choice when we decide who we choose to listen to?

Good questions.  Wish I had the answers for you, but I don't.

[CF DolFan]

Sorry, I am typing how I talk. Lets try a different way.

If I could ask god right now this second, and he could answer me. Are you saying that he could tell me where I was going when I die, what my decisions will be, and everything else about the future with 100% accuracy ?

Yes ... and He knew it before you were ever born.

Jerimiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart"

Prior to birth God knows who will not only be saved but all the mistakes they will make along the way.

[Pappy13]

Yes ... and He knew it before you were ever born.

Jerimiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart"

Prior to birth God knows who will not only be saved but all the mistakes they will make along the way.

That's NOT the question he asked.  He didn't ask whether God knew it, he asked if God could TELL him.  Those are 2 different questions.

Probably a better question would be if he did tell us, would we recognize it and understand it?

[CF DolFan]

I get this.  I still think the debate is important.  Though I don't expect CF to become an atheist or me to find Jesus, I think that having a good understanding can help us express our positions better, as well as meet in the middle as to what is an appropriate way to interact.

I used to work with an Arab Muslim and we discussd God all the time. He was very, very, devout even facing Mecca 5 times a day to pray. He gave me a Quaran in English to read which helped me understand him but it also confused me. Prior to that I had no idea that they held Jesus in very high regard. They do not deny any of His miracles but they also don't think Jesus, a great prophet of Allah, died. They think God placed another sacrifice on the cross and that's how Christians got confused in the ressurection.

Form the Quran ...
[61:6] And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!"

[badger6]

That's NOT the question he asked.  He didn't ask whether God knew it, he asked if God could TELL him.  Those are 2 different questions.

Probably a better question would be if he did tell us, would we recognize it and understand it?

No CF got it right. My point was, that if god supposedly knows the future and knows what will happen. Is that 100% set in stone to happen ?

[CF DolFan]

That's NOT the question he asked.  He didn't ask whether God knew it, he asked if God could TELL him.  Those are 2 different questions.

Probably a better question would be if he did tell us, would we recognize it and understand it?

OK sorry.

If you have a relationship with God you will know when He is speaking to you. He speaks through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the church, through prayer, through circumstances and even divine intervention. If you do not have one all you have to do is humble yourself and ask Him for one and He will do it.

I have taught this to my kids. If they have a genuine question they can pray about it and put it before God. In some way He will give them an answer and they will know it when he does. For each of us is different but God knows what each of us needs to be moved by Him so it isn't really a problem. It also isn't a formula so how He does it with me and someone else could be quite different. The end result is it will be a personal experience with God that each oif us can relate to.