Christianity and Suicide

[Jesster]

In all of this, you never once told me what I should do, nor did you provide a path toward any form of truth. I'll listen, but only if you give me something of substance.

As I explained it's hard to give you a path when I do not know what it is that troubles you. I asked you to ask questions and/or tell me what it is you seek. To give you random advice would be of little use when I do not know what is bothering you, you do not understand or what you seek. I'm more than willing to help in what ever way I can. It's too bad we live on opposite sides of the country. I will suggest this, find a good Bible teaching Southern Baptist church in your area and start attending Bible studies especially those studies lead by the pastor. Smaller church can have their advantages if lead by a pastor who is seminary trained in the inerrancy of scriptures. Larger churches are less personal in many ways but usually have well trained pastors. Attending Bible studies is a great first step especially if you use them as a learning experience and not so much questioning the teaching. Questioning can come later when you've started to learn about the scriptures and how to study them. Studying the Bible is no easy task because so much of the scriptures from OT to NT are related. A good Christian book store is another place to start if you know what you are looking for, the stores carry books from different denominations and can confuse you as to what the Bible teaches. I'm not saying that different denominations teach different paths to salvation, most protestant churches agree on the way to salvation. Again ask me questions or tell me what's going on with you that keeps you from God.

GC

When did I say that anything troubles me? I am perfectly content without religion. If anything is troubling me right now at all, it is government paperwork that I am trying to deal with, but that's not related to this concern at all. That doesn't mean I am not in a position to listen, since listening is how we learn anything from others. All I am doing is offering an ear if anyone wants to convince me of anything. You seem to want to convince people of something, so I am giving you that chance. However, my past is behind me, so I don't see how that is relevant at all. I'm looking to the future now. If you want anything to do with that, it's entirely up to you at this point.

If you want to know what I seek, it is the truth. If anything you believe involves the truth, I would like to know why it is true. That would be important to me.

As for the Southern Baptist idea though, I've studied the bible with people of that denomination (and other denominations) before back when I believed. I also still have a good friend who belongs to that denomination who was working his way up to leadership in his church before we met in the military. We keep in touch often and still occasionally discuss religion. He knows his stuff, but I remain unconvinced. I will say that I've had nothing but good experiences with this specific group of people, though.

I'm not going to start sifting through a Christian book store, though. I'll leave it to people who remain convinced of a belief to present that belief to me. I'm surrounded by Christians every day, so it's not like I'm avoiding this. Everyone is being given their fair shot and I will hear them out as long as they remain civil about it. You are a civil person, so the door is also wide open for you as well.