In Reply to: Re: Your reactions are understandable posted by QE on August 02, 2010 at 17:27:59:
For starters, allow me to say that I appreciate and admire your stamina at questioning things. Keep that up, if I may offer dangerous advise.
I will offer, along those posts above, yet a different perspective. I am a believer. I believe the Bible is the Word of God. Among those things I readily accept is what Psalms 19. In other words, everything is God's creation thus it is God's Word and one can read it, if one knows the language.
So, what if the story written in the Bible are stories, if the man Jesus never lived? I think that was one of your earlier questions, right? Well, you also need faith to believe that Berg was a real person also. Did you ever meet him? I never met Maria. There is a rumor that says she is a person, I have my doubts.
So, in this world of skepticism questions are important, even more important than to simply believe.
But I do believe the story just like I believe in what my Physics book tells me because it is based on some things that my Calculus book demonstrates as true, which are based on things I learned in elementary school that 2+5=7, and so on.
Everything is based on something and even if the Gospels are only stories, there is a God, there is a son of God and there are the teachings of a son of God and of God.
Part of that story says to try those things to see if they are of God. I did it, and they work out. That is why I believe.
Try them also, you may find out that they work and may be you will also believe. I wish you well in your walk towards the well, and that your thirst is quenched.
Peace.