Hell, (heh) I grew up in church my entire adolescent life and most of what you're saying, Boozin, sounds like standard pulpit fare almost verbatim. I have no problem with someone's beliefs, but I do think they should be personalized and examined, and it seems to me that you haven't really given us anything but a memorized story. I noticed because I had the same story stuck in my head long before I even knew what it all supposedly meant.

I'm just saying, what are YOUR thoughts on the subject?
If you don't have any, and just subscribe, I understand. I was just wondering.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you can't understand your own belief system, you might want reconsider your reasons for hanging onto it in the first place. Just sayin'.

My own personal thoughts I dont beleive are of any significance really. You hit the nail on the head cause most of my answers for the questions at hand were what I was taught through the years. Personally even though I dont have all the answers and have my own questions. I accepct it for what it is. I dont always live by the standards that are a part of acceptable Christian behavior. As you can probally tell from my name. I like to beleive that being good natured and having old fashioned morals and values will get me to heaven. Im not here to put it on anyone else or claim any other belief is wrong. To each their own. Those would be my thoughts.

No offense taken.

I understand.
Personally, though, I try to do what's right simply because it has a positive effect on myself and others. I don't view morality and ethics as a price to pay in order to achieve or evade something. I don't believe in heaven or hell, but if I did, I would think there wouldn't be a reward for someone who only has good in his heart due to a fear of eternal punishment, or want of a heavenly prize. There's no integrity there.
Seems to me, the point should be the actions and not the results.

Dont mistake my motivations foundation. The Heaven would be a perk as would be avoiding hell. As humans we naturally know right from wrong..well most of us. Yes the desire to do good things is for good of humanity. Im not trying to compromise my integrity here with whats promised and consequence. I hope thats not how that came across.

Another thought(possibly theory?) i've come across is that religion was designed to keep humanity in order, as to not have complete chaos. What do you guys think? I, myself think this theory holds quite a bit of ground.

I think you could make make a strong case with that theory. Ive wondered the same thing as well.

Designed by who? God?

Must...resist...feeding...trolls...