Here's your sign

A note from Kat: Some of my readers may be offended by today's post. I just want you to know, it's okay to disagree with me. I'm not trying to push anything on anyone. I only want people to understand the place from which I come.

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"People break down into two groups.

"When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them.

"Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way.

"For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good.

"But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear.

"Yeah, there are those people. But there's a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope.

"See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky?

"Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?" -- from the movie "Signs," written by M. Night Shyamalan

I don't consider myself a militant person. Generally, I'm pretty laid back and easy going, but there are certain things that raise my dander.

I don't want people to feel like they have to agree with me. I want people who understand the place from which I come. I figure, after yesterday's post about having the courage to be myself, it's time to explain the person I am.

I believe in God. Wholeheartedly. Without a doubt. I believe He exists.

I believe in Jesus Christ. Wholeheartedly. Without a doubt. I believe he died for me.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. Wholeheartedly. Without a doubt. I believe it lives in me, and my life became much easier after I took myself out of the driver's seat and put it in control of my destiny.

I don't believe everyone was meant to believe in God. Or Jesus. Or the Holy Spirit. And I believe that's okay . . . for them. (Remember? Some seed falls on the rocky ground and never sprouts. Some sprouts and little, but it withers under the elements of life. Some seeds blossom and grow and bear much fruit.)
But my dander stands on end when people assume I'm ignorant because I believe in something THEY have not experienced. They can believe I'm ignorant. That's fine. But then they need to be prepared for me to call them arrogant.

Writer JC Lamont posted an interesting video on her blog earlier this week featuring a 28-year-old girl -- Ariane Sherine -- who began an ad campaign in London that has paid for signs on the sides of buses that say: "There's probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

To me, that's an oxymoron. Read on and you'll understand why.

As Sherine explains her impetus for beginning the campaign, she giggles in a condescending manner. Sherine said: ". . .when you visited the Web site, it said among other things that all non-Christians would burn in hell for all eternity in a lake of fire." (giggle, giggle) "I thought that was really quite strong, and that in 2008, these ideas shouldn't be being spread from the side of a bus."

In the video, Richard Dawkins -- well-known atheist, author of "The God Delusion," -- says: "(Christians) got nothing really to stand up for....They take offense; it's the only weapon they've got." And, "Isn't it amazing, if you say the mildest thing against religion it's automatically strident."

In a word, Mr. Dawkins, no. I'm not going to be offended if someone says something bad about religion because religion is undoubtedly the most divisive topic out there.

But one should never be confused by the difference between faith and religion.

Religion was established by man. Faith is the seed with which each human is born, and either it is nurtured or stifled.

For some, myself included, faith is the very core of a person. It's what guides their soul and gives them hope.

When someone tries to take away another person's hope -- especially if it's the only thing they have left -- that's when the condescending attitude of non-believers becomes offensive.

As believers, Christians are encouraged to come to Christ with the innocence of a child. That's who we are, and we don't want to change because it makes us happy.

Jesus told us: "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Believers nurture the faith that such a place -- the kingdom of God -- exists because "deep down, we feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help us. And that fills us with hope."
And to me, Mr. Dawkins, Ms. Sherine, that's a helluva lot to stand up for.