I don't know about that after life,theirs been a lot of people that have died in the last 100 of thousands of years,We probability want be able to find in one we know.

Mick

Let me answer a couple of your questions.  Adam had other sons and daughters (Genesis 5:3).  While it might seem odd for us to marry our sisters, things were not always like they are now.  In the beginning, with a limited population, that was necessary for the population of the earth.  Later, God did forbid close relatives marrying, Leviticus 18.

What form do we take in the afterlife?  I honestly do not understand all about it.  Paul writes about the resurrection body in I Corinthians 15:35 and following.  He tells us there that we will be changed, that what is now is not what will be.  He uses the illustration of planting a seed, that seed dies and a plant comes forth, not another seed.  He points out that different flesh is different; animals, birds and fish.  Heavenly bodies are different from earthly bodies.  He tells us the bodies we have now are perishable, the bodies we have then will be imperishable.  After his resurrection, Jesus as able to enter a room with the doors locked, John 20:19.  He also ate broiled fish, Luke 24:42.  I guess we will have bodies like Jesus did, but I do not know or understand it all.

Which wife will you have?  Jesus was asked that very same question in Matthew 22:23-33.  He said that in the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, they will be like the angels.  This goes back to the answer above.

Others have mentioned the Crusades and other atrocities done in the name of Christianity.  I agree many evil things have been done in the name of God by people claiming to act for him.  However, much evil has been done by atheists as well.  That just shows that people are people, we are all capable of perverting anything to our own ends.  Maybe there is something to the fact we expect more for Christians.  I am appalled and shamed by some of the things done in the name of God.  It was Gandhi who said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”  Shame on us as followers of Christ, we need to live lives worthy of our calling, Ephesians 4:1.

I cannot say I have read the books you mention, but I have read others like them, as well as books examining the evidence and reaching other conclusions.  I am certain you are as convinced of your beliefs as I am of mine.  I see the world around me and conclude this did not just happen, there had to be a creator behind it.  That is one of the reasons for my faith.  I will gladly continue this conversation in personal messages with anyone who is interested.  The offer for devotions is still open, just give me an email and I will gladly add you to the list.  If you later want to be taken off, just let me know and it will be no problem.  

And Serowbot, I am not a Christian because I am a preacher.  I am a preacher because I am a Christian.  

forrest wrote on 09/02/10 at 18:08:20:

Cantakerous,lots of time to read and become more and more convinced that I am right.   I know you don't need it but I truly feel sorry for you,you must spen alot of time praying and going to church,all wasted ,what do you think when you die you will turn to me and say "
na na na na naaa na. I was right,it's not going to happen.
When you die you just close your eyes and go to sleep,no more no less.
Here is a little stat for you ,Of all US voters (no children) 17.1% are atheist.  Of all the members of the National Academy of sciences,
93% are atheist,what does that tell you ?  that 93% of scienctist are stupid ? I don't think so.

Aside from the scientific trend towards the adoption of the "theory of Intelligent Design" I would ask: "What's the downside of believing in eternal life by salvation through Jesus Christ?" Death and decay in the ground like Mick believes is man's ultimate demise anyway? The UPSIDE is a promise of eternal life! Now, if one chooses to believe and Mick is right, well, we end up as Mick predicts anyway. HOWEVER, if you choose NOT TO BELIEVE, and there IS salvation and life-eternal by accepting that Christ died for our sins, then you're doomed to eternal regret because you would not believe. Personally, I'd rather gamble on the rewards of eternal life and be right, than gamble against it and be wrong. No one has ever been able to articulate an explanation to me of the benefits of gambling AGAINST God's promise as written in John 3:16.

the golden rule "he who has the gold rules"
Are Cathlics against incineration ,why ?
So where is heaven ? and what size is it ?   who will feed all these dead people that have become alive again,? who will quench there thirst ? I sure hope we all don't have to start work again,another 75 years in another hell ?
And the biggie ,who will be making motor cycles ?
And if we cant have a nice woman,a decent bike,and some very old scotch whisky,I really don't want to go

the same book that was not even started until 600 years after JC died

Corection :  the books were started befor the ones who walked with Crist died,

So did thay live 600 years ?

And the fella who started the most churches , then wrote letters to them was a bigger atheist before God brought him down   than you are my friend.

Sometimes I think there are way to many of those letters recorded in the collection called the Bible.    And it seem like Paul's personality show through way too much.   I tend to think some of Paul's letter turn people off with some of his ideas.

But a personal relationship with the Holy Sprit , and reading Paul's letters are two different things  without compair.

I suppect everyone has experenced the Sprit of God moving in their life at some time or another.   Question is did you reconize it ?

The only day of the year I pray is Halloween because of scared of the HOLY GHOST.

I went to Sunday school from 4 years old,Was in the Junior choir when I got older,Went to Bible camp for a week two years in a row,Had free movies at the church every Saturday afternoon,Had Youth fellowship every Sunday night from 6th grade on,When I was 45 my wife had the Mormon people come to our house once a week for a little over a year,The more I learned the less I believed,Sorry but I cannot lie I don't believe in the it at all.