This may be my last response to Elijah (@DoYouExistYet). I posted it in his forum: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/feedback-requested-1

He appreciated that I gave him feedback, or so he said.

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To understand how to relate to things requires a solid foundation, a foundation built on truth. So where can we find truth? Is it in the physical universe? Is it in our minds? On our planet? What about a spiritual universe?

We must recognize basic facts based on the evidence. We can trust our senses, but only to a certain point. Our senses are essential for us to relate to the physical universe and the people in it. Science is generally reliable, but it has been known to be wrong. At one time, the scientific community believed the earth was flat as did just about everybody else. At another time, the scientific community and just about everybody else believed the sun revolved around the earth instead of vice versa. They had formulas based on experiments, etc.

The uniqueness of each human being is universally accepted as fact. Each has their own DNA. Each has their own fingerprints, etc. The value of each human being is disputed, but most laws have the most protection around human life, then human health, then property rights. These laws acknowledge the intrinsic worth of a human being. You and I have intrinsic worth and each of us is unique -- irreplaceable.

People with a basic measure of common sense avoid things that they know will hurt them. Most people, and even animals, have a desire to survive and seek to preserve their lives. Most people fear death. They do not know what happens after they die.

Looking throughout history, we see many religions. Most of these religions believe there is something out there that is superior to them and their capacity. Many religions call this superior something "God" (if they believe there is only one) or "gods," if they believe there are more than one.

People die, as do animals and all physical life forms. That is the order of our universe. Scientific evidence establishes scientific laws based on scientific experiments which yield predictable results when the key conditions are repeated.

Logic is an important component for rational beings to communicate intelligibly with each other. They also need well-defined symbols which are interpreted to mean basically the same thing in order for these beings to communicate. This is the nature of language. Even animals have basic language, but very basic.

Men (and women) use their scientific knowledge to build all kinds of things. They discovered mathematics, scientific laws, etc. Yet they all die.

The Holy Bible means "the Set-apart Book." It is set apart from all other books, religious books or otherwise. In it is a history of the earth and the people in it. Archaeology establishes the trustworthiness of the biblical record such as the universal flood and where the beginnings of civilization were. The Bible reveals one God in Three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the Supreme Being that created all other beings and non-life forms.

God created man to have a relationship with Him. He gave us this beautiful planet, but he also gave the first man (and woman) a choice. They could trust Him or not trust Him. If they didn't trust Him and disobeyed Him, they would die. He only gave them one restriction. They were free to do everything else that they wanted to do. Yet they chose to rely on their reasoning, their senses, and the subtle deception of another being that was not human (Satan), It resulted in death -- immediate separation from God (spiritual death) and eventual death of their physical beings.

God worked through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to establish a nation set apart from all others -- a nation that would be made of His people. He established a covenant with Abraham, and renewed it with Isaac, and with Jacob. Yet God's people broke His covenant, resulting in all kinds of problems for them. God chastised them, and they were under a curse because of their disobedience. Yet God always had a plan to redeem them and the rest of mankind.

In the fullness of time, God sent His Son Who was conceived in Mary, the mother of Jesus. He lived a perfect life and died for the sins of all those who would trust in Him. Three days later, He was resurrected from the dead. He promises eternal life to those who put their trust in Him and turn away from trying to live their own lives apart from God.

The historic evidence validates the resurrection of Jesus. He is unique among all men in many ways such as fulfilling ancient and detailed prophecy from the Old Testament, living a holy life where even his adversaries could find no sin or fault in him, and being resurrected from the dead after being nailed to a cross even though he did no wrong.

Your worth and value are a gift from God, as is your uniqueness. If you want to find your purpose and be set free from the mental maze and confusion, it is best to look to the One Who loves you. He loved you enough to send His Son to die for you.

PLEASE READ THE HOLY BIBLE WITH AN OPEN MIND AND HEART. ASK GOD TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU, AND SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART. HE PROMISES THAT, IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL FIND HIM. HE IS THE GREATEST TREASURE THERE IS. TO PERSONALLY KNOW HIM IS THE GREATEST JOY. HE WILL GIVE MEANING AND PURPOSE TO YOUR LIFE.

I am a limited finite human being with limited time and resources. I hope you will seriously consider what I have written. With many demands on my time, I may not be able to respond to further questions. I wrote this because I believe God wanted me to. He wants you to know that He really does love you, and that He is not a figment of someone's imagination.

Respectfully,

John

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