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Post by FightingFalcon on Jan 14, 2007 20:21:56 GMT -8
Well I started explaining my philosophy on THC but I'll continue here. You're right - I'm not someone who easily gives up their convictions. I mean what I say and the way I act is the way I feel. I don't lie, act phony or try to hide what I truly feel to anyone.
Starting several years ago, I started to question many things in my religion. Started with simple things before becoming major things. Major things like the similarities between Christ and Mithras. How both of them died and were placed in a rock tomb, rose three days after their death, shared a final dinner with 12 Apostles, died for the salvation of mankind, etc. Or major things like my example on THC of free will versus the intervention of God. I've never been a real believer in divine intervention but about a year ago I completely rejected it. I saw divine intervention as a cheap way out. As a tool by the weak to explain their misfortune. Or a tool by the lazy to justify their doing nothing. Everytime I heard the phrase "everything happens for a reason" I got extremely angry. No, it doesn't. Why do certain actions become the free will of man and others become the divine intervention of God?
So a few months ago I became a Deist after completely rejecting all mysticism. There was no tragic event in my life that caused this. No death in the family or misfortune that affected me. No "How could God allow this" arguments from me. It was the simple realizaton of the fact that miracles do not exist and neither does divine intervention.
Then I read Atlas Shrugged. It was like Ayn Rand had read my mind before writing this book. For years I had doubted my faith and questioned significant parts of it. But like she writes, people forget about their doubts by surrounding themselves with people of faith. By going to church, my faith was restored because I saw others believing. Even though I had my doubts about God's existance (and I've had them for many years now), I quickly forgot about them by seeing other believers. As Rand says in her book, believers feed off of each other and restore each other's faith while refusing to admit thier innermost beliefs - that none of them completely believe. That is what I had been doing my whole life. That, despite my doubts, I restored my faith by the actions of others. I was just afraid to admit it.
Everything had been in place for a long time. My doubts of God's existance, my rejection of the Christian ideal of self-sacrifice, my rejection of undeserved love, my belief in hero-worship and the individual, my love of human accomplishment, my rejection of mysticism, etc. It finally took Rand's conviction to push me over the edge and openly admit what I had been afraid to admit for a long time.
Say a prayer for me if you wish but I have never been so completely certain of anything in my life. The only absolute I believe in anymore is Reason. Does God exist? I have no proof of his existance or his non-existance so I do not care. Ultimately it is inconsequential because I completely reject all mysticism. Mysticism of God or mysticism of Society. I refuse to subjugate my Mind to a being who offers no proof of his existance and yet requires our unquestioning devotion. I subjugate my Mind to nothing and no one. What kind of religion preaches the impossible? Why preach about the imperfection of Man and then criticize us for failing to achieve perfection? What kind of society can we possibly acquire when we start out with the axiom that Man is evil and can never hope to become good?
Do not think that I have become one of those anti-Christianity ex-Christians. Ultimately I don't care. I have the same feeling towards all religion. I respect the beliefs of others and I do not care what they think. So long as they don't ask for my subjugation of self-sacrifice. I live my life for me and no one else. Everything that I earn is mine and no one else's. I am proud of it and I will never let anyone make me feel guilty for it again.
Next time you're in the library, pick up a copy of Atlas Shrugged. Read John Galt's speech to the people towards the end of the book...its 60 pages long but its the complete summation of my philosophy. I'm not a "Randian" in that I accept her Word as Truth - rather she's simply saying what I've believed (and been afraid to admit) for my entire life.
edit: Wow that was longer than I thought it would be. I've never been much of a missionary for Christianity but I definitely feel like one for Objectivism. It's refreshing to finally be part of a school of thought that you truly believe in.
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Post by jfree on Jan 15, 2007 0:03:51 GMT -8
Do not be so easily swayed by puffed up supposed intellectuals. How do we know God exists? Because we exist as do millions of species of life, all different supposedly risen out of primordial soup yet all form a perfect eco-system, each depends on all others, and we are suppose to believe that could ever be an example of an accident of nature?
Only Catholic dogma added to Christ's teachings say man is born evil, man is not born evil nor does God ask the impossible, if he did, he wouldn't have bothered sending his son to redeem us. Man is born rather w/free-will the ability to choose freely his actions, which also means we may choose to do evil or wrong, it does not for one second mean we are inherently evil, only that we are free.
The legends of Mithras are many as to his birth :Various stories survive to account for Mithras's birth. Often he is depicted springing from the living rock or from a tree; at Housesteads on Hadrian's Wall, however, there was a tradition that he was born from the Cosmic Egg. This sculpture shows Mithras bursting from the Egg whilst holding in his upraised hands the Sword of Truth and Torch of Light. Around him in an egg-shaped frame is the Cosmos containing the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac. This is an unique representation in Britain and is thought to be the earliest surviving representation of the Signs of the Zodiac in the north-west provinces of the Roman Empire.
And let us not forget, the Old Testament and its prophecy of the coming Messiah existed long long long before Mithraesm.
He was often depicted w/the Zodiac, hint, there were 12, not having to do w/Christ and his Apostles, but w/the loved Pagan past time of future telling w/the cosmos. The Virgin story is believed to have developed later, but as the cult did not keep writings, they instead used iconography to teach of their God.
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Post by FightingFalcon on Jan 15, 2007 6:15:27 GMT -8
Jfree - Do you understand the enormity of the universe? Have you ever looked at up at the stars and realized just how many other galaxies there are out there? Yes, I do believe its entirely possible that we were an "accident" just as I believe that there is other life in the universe. I cannot believe that God created the entire universe and then decided to put life on only ONE planet.
God does not ask the impossible? How about Christ's commandment that we act perfect, like our Father in Heaven? Sorry, but Christ himself admitted that that is not possible. So it's either possible or it isn't but we will never know.
Well I'm glad to see that someone else out there knows about Mithras - I've always been fascinated by pagan religions and I became drawn to Mithras after learning about his similarities to Christ. True, there are many variations about his birth but there are also different variations about Christ's death - where exactly he went after death, how long it took before he came back to earth, etc. True, the OT prophecy of the Messiah predates Mithras but the story of Mithras' death predates Christ. No where in the Bible is the Last Supper, 12 Apostles, etc. mentioned before Christ.
What ultimately gets me though is not the lack of proof - even if there was proof of God's existance, I couldn't follow the Christian god. You know why? Because the fact that Adam and Eve were punished for eating the apple from the Tree of Knowledge. The story of Adam and Eve is a perfect example of what religion seeks to do to the Mind. Subjugate it to God and ask no questions. Don't trouble your Mind with questions because God has a plan and you have no right to question him. Your feeble human Mind could never hope to understand what Goes has in plan. And should you try - you get banished.
I'm sorry - I'm not ready to become a zombie.
edit: Forgot to mention the disgusting code of Altruism that all religions preach. Even if God appeared before me and asked for my loyalty, I'd refuse. I do not sacrifice what I've worked hard to earn to anything or anyone.
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Post by dustdevil28 on Jan 15, 2007 6:44:13 GMT -8
Hey James,
I've read your post and I will respond. I'd like to keep it here since we know the posts will at least stick around.
Enjoy MLK day.
-Zach
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Post by FightingFalcon on Jan 15, 2007 8:14:42 GMT -8
FF, Your life here on earth is temporary, but eternity never ends. Where do you want to spend eternity? Interesting - I wonder how many Christians believe simply because they do not want to end up in Hell. Don't you think that an all knowing God would be able to determine who truly believed and who believed simply for the "benefits"? A just God would certainly value someone who honestly disbelieves over someone who lies to himself and believes simply for the reward. Not like I care either way because I am only concerned with life in this world and not the supposed next one. Zach - sure thing. I'll enjoy my MLK Day by gettin ready for my last semester EVER ;D |
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Post by dustdevil28 on Jan 16, 2007 15:06:33 GMT -8
Starting several years ago, I started to question many things in my religion. Started with simple things before becoming major things. Major things like the similarities between Christ and Mithras. How both of them died and were placed in a rock tomb, rose three days after their death, shared a final dinner with 12 Apostles, died for the salvation of mankind, etc. Or major things like my example on THC of free will versus the intervention of God. I've never been a real believer in divine intervention but about a year ago I completely rejected it. There's a story I heard once. It starts with a horrible storm that starts a flood in a town. A devout Christian gets on his roof and watches as the water rises and rises. He is calm because in his belief Got will save him. Later his nieghbors in a boat come by and ask if he'd like to get in, the man is still convinced that God will help him that he confidently rejects the ride. Later a resue helicopter comes by and again the man waves them because he knows that God will save him. After enough hours pass the man sees that the waters are about to overcome the house and take him under. In shock he asks God why he hasn't helped him. It is than that he hears a voice that says "I sent your neighbors, I sent a helicopter... what else did you want?" God gave us free will. He will not come down and make decisions for us, rather he'll give us a path to to follow and than ask us to make the decision. There have been momments of my life where it feels like I was siezed by some outside force and that force prevented me from being in bad accident. Even than though, it required me to make a choice to listen to that force. A long time ago my father told me of a story my great grandmother had confided to him. She was a strict woman and not the type at all to go flying off the handle because of any religion, but there was a time that my uncle had lost his wallet in the house. He had been working hard for some time and had just been paid for that hard work and now his wallet was gone from his room. He was very upset and this caused some tension at the home. She was home alone during the day and decided to say a prayer for a resolution. Suddenly she stopped praying got up and marched into my other uncles room and pulled out a middle drawer. She than pulled up his shirts and saw my uncles mission wallet. The experience was a shock for her. These like this convince me of God's existance and nothing will ever change that. Ayn Rand. One of my older friends who became a athiest read this book as well. He never mentioned it though and I never considered reading the book. Maybe somewhat similar to you, he says that he prayed and begged God to just give him a sign of his existance. When no sign came he eventually had to admit to himself that there was noone there. I've spoken with him and I believe some day that he'll come back to his church. As far as drawing faith from other believers. Now here is a interesting concept. If we had known nothing of Christianity or any religion and someone came to us with the Bible, would we accept it outright and immediatly? Probably not, but once again I've had too many instances in my life that prove to me his existance. Many times when I go to church I hear similar stories there. Was there noone in your life with such an experience? Everybody has to make that decision in their life. Life for most of us continues for a long time. I believe that as you travel the world and see many things one of two things will happen. Either your current convictions will only become stronger, or you will be pushed back towards the belief in God. Only time will tell though, Take it easy -Zach |
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Post by FightingFalcon on Jan 16, 2007 17:53:04 GMT -8
I've heard that same story before. People like that man in the story are the kinds of people that I have no patience for. Those are the types of people who use divine intervention as justification for being lazy and/or weak. It's one of the major reasons why I rejected divine intervention of any kind. Because people sit around waiting for God to help them instead of accepting the truth - we are alone in this world and we can only help ourselves. Maybe they're afraid of accepting that truth. Maybe they just can't. Either way its of no consequence to me. My life is what I make of it and I am not waiting around for some divine being to do every thing for me.
My brother's best friend was diagnosed with cancer probably four or five years ago. It was a rare form of cancer that very few people get and no cure exists. Every single day for five years his mother went to Church and prayed to God. Every single day. In September, my brother's friend died. His mother no longer goes to Church.
Sure, there are examples where you think God intervened in your life. But there are also plenty of examples where he doesn't. The fact of the matter is that he never does and people can't accept the truth because they don't want to. They feel safe in knowing that God is watching them and protecting them. People say stuff like "it was his time to go" because they don't want be responsible. "My time will come" is what people say when they want to be reckless. The truth is that there is no "time" for everyone. Your life is what you make of it and to a large extent so is your death. Some people just get unlucky - God has nothing to do with it.
Ha - sounds like me two years ago. I can't tell you how many times I begged for any kind of sign. I know the arguments against it - that if God simply showed himself, that there would be no such thing as faith. But what kind of being expects unquestionable loyalty without offering any proof of his existence? Especially since most "miracles" happened 2000 years ago during a time of religious hysteria. When divine intervention was the norm and not the exception. Eventually I had to accept the fact that A is A. I do not believe in anything that mankind cannot perceive with his senses.
But as I also stated - proof is of no consequence anymore. God could show himself tomorrow and I wouldn't care. The morality that he preaches is more along the lines of Lucifer than an all-loving God. What do you think of when you think of an all-powerful being who demands unquestionable loyalty and otherwise threatens torture? I think of a dictator.
Those stories are all the same - it's what people WANT to hear rather than what actually happened. Rationality means nothing to people when they already believe in immaculate conceptions. Take a look at Cataracts here - his belief is based on tradition, membership, time, etc. Christianity is right because its the most popular and its been around for 2000 years. That's been his justification to me. Not because its Rational, good for the individual or most importantly - True. Sorry but those arguments have no impact on me. I care not for how many people believe or for how long that belief has been around for. The reaction I get from most people is not a logical defense against my beliefs but rather something along the lines of: "Atheism? How could you not believe in God? Everyone else does!" As if that means anything...
Truly ask yourself something - do those experiences of yours proof God to you? Or do you WANT them to prove God's existence to you?
Since we're sharing stories, how about one more? My friend is a Catholic and his family is pretty devout. So devout in fact that they have to approve of any book he reads beforehand. When I asked why, he told me that they had to check the banned books list first. Banned books list? Since when should knowledge be a threat to anyone (well, other than it being the reason that Adam and Eve were banished and forever cursed humanity)? If you're so sure about your beliefs, what would a few questions do? Personally, I think its impossible for anyone to openly study religion and remain true to their faith. They're either lying to themselves or studying with a closed mind. I don't understand how anyone could notice the patterns of all religion (and its desire to control information) and still believe in theirs. I just don't get it.
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Post by tits on Jan 17, 2007 10:04:23 GMT -8
Here are some Parallel Translations of what this discussion is all about.
The key is that most of us confuse knowing scripture with knowing why. What FF is discussing is where almost all of us of faith have been. Many people throughout American's history have made the same confessions (I don't want to be a zombie). I walked away from the Church for a while because I was tired of the rich acting one way and then back-biting the poor.
Cadet, I had my "come to Jesus moment" years ago and then again six years ago. I could offer those events as the why for my faith. We people of faith often confuse Paul's statement Heb 11:1 (KJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." as an acceptable answer for the non-believer.
(NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Faith is believing in what is true. Faith has two elements: 1) being convinced of the truth, being certain of reality, having evidence of unseen things, and 2) believing, hoping in, embracing, seizing the truth.
We all have faith and practice that faith. Politics is a form of faith. We are Republican or Democrat by faith that they are something different. We join the armed services because we have a faith in our country. FF how would you answer the question: "Why did you join the service?" Doesn't being a member of the armed forces make you a zombie? (after 18 years of military I know the answer, but it is how most of Americans view the people in the military. Look at Hollywood, they often depict the soldier or Secret Service man as a ruthless killer ready to do anything their superior orders.)
No, faith is a very private and personal thing. People like FF and 101 want to know our why and not the what. "Why" are those personal events that shaped us and are not found in quoted scripture. Quoting scripture as I have done below is of little meaning to the non-believer. It is like the suicide bomber quoting from the Qur'an as he murders hundreds of his fellow Muslims. Why has little to do with the ability to quote scripture.
Great discussion you two.
2 Timothy 4:2
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NASB: preach the word; be ready in season [and] out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (NASB ©1995)
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GWT: Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach. (GOD'S WORD®)
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KJV: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
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ASV: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
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BBE: Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;
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DBY: proclaim the word; be urgent in season and out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage, with all long suffering and doctrine.
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WEY: proclaim God's message, be zealous in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, encourage, with the utmost patience as a teacher.
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WBS: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
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WEB: preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
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YLT: preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching,
Preaching the Word is different from quoting scripture. The Word is Christ alive in us.
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Post by MrDoublel on Jan 17, 2007 10:23:38 GMT -8
James, I think you got to involved in catholic dogma. Instead of studying the bible you got all caught up in the teachings of the catholic church. I stopped being a catholic decades ago (Holy Crap! I'm actually old enough to say that!) but I never stopped being a christian. Christianity does not discourage questions and accepts the fact that God created man with the ability to exercise his free will. The Catholic church is seriously flawed and in desperate need of change. To seek answers within it's tenents was a mistake. As for Banned Book Lists, that's just foolishness, plane and simple.
Edit: I just read through the entire post for the first time...wow, I missed a lot! Perhaps if you had read Purpose Driven Life or, better yet, sought a priest or clergyman instead of jumping on the first thing that made you feel better about your misplaced feelings of guilt...but, I hope that over time you will see the truth and come back. Mostly I see a misguided and misinformed man.
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Post by dustdevil28 on Jan 17, 2007 15:30:02 GMT -8
I've heard that same story before. People like that man in the story are the kinds of people that I have no patience for. Those are the types of people who use divine intervention as justification for being lazy and/or weak. It's one of the major reasons why I rejected divine intervention of any kind. Because people sit around waiting for God to help them instead of accepting the truth - we are alone in this world and we can only help ourselves. Maybe they're afraid of accepting that truth. Maybe they just can't. Either way its of no consequence to me. My life is what I make of it and I am not waiting around for some divine being to do every thing for me. I think you got the wrong impression from the story James. Yes, there are those who can be called lazy and who sake their entire lives to the belief that God will provide. The man in the story just needed to accept the help of others and he would have been safe and thanked God for them arriving. God gave us free will to decide our fates in this world. He will provide guidance, but the path we follow is self guided, you have to make the choice to follow and keep following. Just as you've made your decision today for your beliefs, you'll be able to change it in the future depending on your circumstances. Do you agree that this is a good reason not to go to church? The rain falls on the just and unjust alike. I am sorry to hear of their loss and I can't imagine their grief, but does she not feel that her son is with God now and in no pain? In my example God once again provided guidance, but it still required my decision and my Grandmother's decision to follow it. That really depends on what you call a miracle James. Does a drug addict who is able to use faith to overcome their addiction, does that qualify as a miracle or is it just another person "under the influence" of other people? People have been able to use their faith in God to overcome overwelming odds, do you think they would do the same by believing that A is A? Also, does the Virgin of Guadelupe(sp?) qualify as a miracle from 2000 years ago? As SFC pointed out, I think the tenants of Catholicism have steered you towards this view. When I think of Lucifer, I think of the angel who conspired to overthrow God and who wanted to enslave mankind to take away our free will. James, the definition in faith is a belief in the irrational and what can not be confirmed. I believe that it was Mark Twain that said "The difference between real life and fiction, is that fiction has to be plausible." There have been acts and humans throughout history that shock us when we hear of their deeds and indeed if it had been in a book it wouldn't be believable as a story. |
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Post by FightingFalcon on Jan 17, 2007 16:33:36 GMT -8
There is something that all three of you are missing and it's my fault because I've been concentrating on the wrong thing - I reject the religious lifestyle. The whole thing. Every thing about it. Not just subjecting yourself to God but the complete culture of religion. The idea that you have to sacrifice yourself for others. That you have to give the shirt off your back to a total and complete stranger. That you should love everyone, even people you've never met before. Love - our greatest and most powerful emotion should be treated like a holiday greeting card. I want none of that. The whole culture of religion (as Rand puts it, the Morality of Death) preaches statism and laziness. You aren't worth anything unless you live for others. Do you know what kind of society we would have if everyone truly followed that? The only reason why Christianity's twisted view of society has been allowed to survive for so long is because of the productive members of society who refuse to believe. By industrialists, thinkers, philosophers, etc. who refuse to live for others. Who are motivated by nothing more than personal greed and selfish desires. Religion (all religion) teaches you that these people are evil. That they will be sent to Hell and the lazy shall inherit the Earth. Are you serious?! The weak and lazy rather than the productive and strong?
I want no part of a society like that.
I will answer one thing that Zach said specifically because it stuck out.
It would be a miracle if the person accepted the fact that there was no divine help. Nothing is more disastrous to the human spirit than God. People think that they cannot do anything without God's help. That if they lose his favor, they are doomed. The ancients would repeat an entire religious ceremony if one little thing went wrong just so that they didn't offend someone. Sparta wouldn't go to war on certain holidays so that they didn't offend their gods. Nothing has the ability to destroy morale and will than thinking that you've lost the help of God.
On the contrary, God also "helps" the human spirit when people believe that they have God's protection. But it hurts in the long run because they give credit to the wrong source. When the Crusaders found the Holy Lance in Antioch during the First Crusade, they believed it was a miracle. They sallied forth from the city and defeated the Moslems, even though they were heavily outnumbered and had a severe shortage of supplies. They believed that God protected them and wouldn't let them lose. Later on, during the siege of Jerusalem, a priest came to the leaders of the Crusade (Raymond et al) and told them that since God favored them, they couldn't lose. They directly assaulted the city, despite once again being heavily outnumbered. They were slaughtered and the entire Crusade was nearly wiped out.
When people give credit to the wrong source, the human spirit dies. When a great scientist discovers something new, who does he thank? God? No - he thanks himself because he is the only person responsible for that miracle. As it should be. When people start believing that God helps them, they think that they are invincible and that they can do anything. Reason begins to die and mysticism takes over. Nothing is more disastrous to a human being than being taken over by mysticism.
SFC - thank you for your concern but I am not misguided. As I said to Zach, I've never been so certain of anything before.
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Post by 101ABN on Jan 17, 2007 18:37:59 GMT -8
All you've done is renounce your old God and replaced Him with Ayn Rand's selfism
A piss-poor substitute, IMO but it's new to you and you are seeing it as a revelation.
I do foresee a powerful, even an earth-shaking spiritual awakening in your future, if you live long enough to experience it. It may be difficult to see at first since it will be hidden in great pain and anguish. I hope you will have sufficient wisdom to accept it when it happens. It will be miraculous.
Of course, I'll probably be gone then so please just remember me kindly when it occurs.
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Post by tits on Jan 17, 2007 20:24:51 GMT -8
I have deep faith that the principle of the universe will be beautiful and simple.
FF, don't confuse religion with faith.
Scientists often have a naive faith that if only they could discover enough facts about a problem, these facts would somehow arrange themselves in a compelling and true solution.
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
You are correct to reject religion. Humans have mistaken religion with faith for millenia. James, the brother of Jesus and the author of the book that bares his name wrote that "pure religion" is to care for the orphans and widows. Organized religion around the world has confused religion with statements of faith and ignored those we were instructed to care for. As such we appear to be hypocrites to many, especially among the young. However, the rejection of religion does not mean that you reject faith. I support your stance, but I know that it will be challenged from within in God's time.
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Post by FightingFalcon on Jan 18, 2007 2:24:42 GMT -8
All you've done is renounce your old God and replaced Him with Ayn Rand's selfism For a while I was worried about that. I was agreeing with so much of Rand's philosophy that I was afraid of becoming a close-minded slave to Objectivism. But the truth is that there isn't a single part of Objectivism where I have to betray my ideals to agree with. When I was a Christian, there were plenty of things that I felt obligated to believe despite hating them. For example, feeling sorry for Adam and Eve and Lot's Wife. Or hating Jesus' idea of self-sacrifice. But I felt coerced to believe these things or else I'd end up in Hell. There is no such coercion with Ms. Rand. Ultimately she does not care if you agree with her so long as you just get out of her way. There is no coercion involved - she simply asks that you do not call yourself an Objectivist unless you agree with the majority of her beliefs. There are still things that I disagree with her on - I believe in science simply for the sake of science/knowledge while she only believes in using it for a practical aspect. That's just one example but it shows that I don't always agree with her. But it's not so much me being a convert to Objectivism as much as it is Rand pointing out what I've always truly believed in. I've been afraid to admit it but she's given me the courage. But trust me - there is nothing worse (in her mind and mine) than a blind follower. It would be a mockery to everything she stands for. Of course I do not believe in such miracles and I will rely on my own strength to get through any obstacles in life, as I have done for the past 21 years. But if the impossible does happen, I will be sure to think of you. |
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Post by MrDoublel on Jan 18, 2007 8:06:45 GMT -8
Life is a test James. An education and a test. I think you were misguided in searching for answers in catholic doctrine instead of seeking counsel with a clergyman or an informed layperson. But, that's all water under the bridge now.
Like the others I feel you will have an experience in life that opens your eyes. As time goes by you will have experiences in your life that in hindsight you will see that they were tests and you took from them a valuable lesson. I know I have, as my wife has and others I know.
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