Yes mass determines it, but still does not tell us what makes it. Spin a normal ball and put paint on it, I don't care how big the ball is, the paint will fly off of the mass, not be drawn to it. And it doesn't seem to matter what the mass is made of, the sun is suppose to be all gas, and yet it has gravity. It's OK, the greatest minds in the world can't explain it either. It's a God thing.
I think I know what you mean .. but what is wrong with identifying with the Catholic church?
All I am trying to state is that there is truth even when it comes to religion (I so dislike that word). I have been dealing with this for the last 39 years. Do I believe the Bible to be truth expounded to mankind from God. I have lived two different lives, the life before the Bible and God and the life after the Bible and God. I found every answer to life in the pages of the Bible. I had lived 35 years without this. It opened my eyes to truth. Yes, this is my story. If I am wrong, I just die like everyone else and rot in the dirt. But if I am correct in believing the Bible, then life just gets so much better after this world. Seems like a simple answer to me. Wait, there is a book called Pascal's Wager written by Blase Pascal, interesting concept. Every religion says that man (or women) (man meaning mankind) can be good enough to please God and be with Him one day, only Christianity says that mankind can do nothing to please God.
No offence. Going to church just for "hatches, matches and dispatches" is I think typical in this country for many people who self-identify as Christian. They probably haven't read anything from the Bible since they left high school. When asked about their religious beliefs on the national census, or on a form, they will without hesitation tick the box "Christian."
The Catholic church has a lot of problems, including a Pope. It's also a works based religion, which Martin Luther just about lost his life over. I don't know who is or is not a "Christian". I prefer using Christ follower. There could be some Christians in the Catholic Church, but I don't know how they could stay there once they understood the Bible. The Church that Christ brought about was never meant to be an institution, each believer is the Church. Each believer has a personal relationship with God and needs no one to "intercede" for them. We have direct access to God through Jesus.
Never took physics. Still, can you stand on gas, don't think so or that means I should be able to walk on helium. "The Sun is a huge ball of hydrogen and helium held together by its own gravity." From a NASA site. Yes, everything is made up of atoms except space, which is void. Mass still does not explain how the "mass" creates gravity. I read one article that states that gravity comes from "gravitons".
I thought that way just because I was an American, you know, apple pie, 4th of July and all that stuff. Checked the Christian box when I was drafted.
Don't think that, I desire and like to be challenged. I go back, reread, restudy and so forth. This is a matter of great importance to me. BTW, I lived in Germany for a year and a half, really liked the German people.
I believe that the Truth that Jesus is talking about here is who He is. "I am the way, the Truth and the life." (my paraphrase) Eternal life exists only in Jesus. The Truth about God. It all comes down to; how can I love my neighbor or even my enemy. How can I love mankind. The truth is that I can not, God gives me the ability to do this and it's not always easy. I have to get rid of my selfish motives.
That's nice! Have you been to Berlin?
I agree that living up to such simple standards as "be nice to each other" is a challenge. That's certainly true.
Never did get to Berlin.
Truth is for me all that can be proven, not an arbitraty standard at all. There is no "alternative truth". Those who deny facts and replace them by gossip are liars.
I agree, I believe Pilate might have believed there was no truth, that could have been why he responded the way he did. Living in the world that he was living in could not have been easy. Everyone answered to Rome. When I was in the Army, my truth did not matter, only what the military wanted.
But what do you do with what can't be "proven", yet still might be true?
Maybe I am not understanding here, but should Faith be based on something?