Linear:
The God you believe in already knows the outcome of the dice roll, but He may roll the dice all the same.

Jeanie: This allows for freedom of choice. Sure, His perspective is beyond our understanding because he is an eternal being. We are, too, (eternal), actually, but these bodies and minds are not. He can see things in time including the future because its all present with him. Tricky to understand....

Linear: He rolls the dice by allowing you to determine where your very soul will reside in eternity.

Jeanie: Yep, he does. He leaves it up to us. lucifer's idea was that he would get us all back and force us to believe. Would you have it that way?

Linear: He doesn't make Himself visible to everyone nor does He manipulate things so everyone will believe in His existence.

Jeanie: God will reveal himself to anyone who seeks him out. He WANTS us to know him, the true and living God. In saying that, I'm referring to Jesus Christ even though I believe our Father in Heaven and He are distinct beings. But God the Father has also appeared a few times in the history of the earth. Since Christ's time, though, he has only appeared or been heard to introduce Jesus as His son. He is not going to reveal him to someone who is pretty much daring him, however. He gives people what they can handle in my opinion.

Linear: We are told we are the pinacle of His creation, in His image yet He does less to turn us to the right belief than you do to your child to guide them to right behavior. Would you allow your 2-year-old to run out into a busy street? Probably not...but God allows us to effectively do just that.

Jeanie: I have to admit, there have been times in my life I have thought that if God were as portrayed by some Christian religions, I would want no part. Example: My father died an alcoholic at 38 years old. He lost his father when he was only 9 and his mother when he was 11. He was raised the rest of that time by older siblings (he was youngest of 11) who pretty much treated him as a nuisance. They signed him up (or agreed to let him) in the Army when he was 17. By the time he was 19 he was dealing with things in Korea that only those who have been in combat can comprehend. In fact, he was in the famous Pork Chop Hill battle and earned 2 bronze stars for going behind enemy lines to try to get help when they were surrounded. When he died he was a fireman. He was a hero. But he was also an alcoholic. My sister and brother had both been mad at him before he died. No one expected it. He was only 38.... He had a massive coronary occlusion right at home. We lived across the street from the hospital (small town) but when the orderlies ran over and tried to save him he was too far gone. I was standing in the doorway at 12 watching it all. My mother and I during this period had made the conscious decision to forgive him..... I was younger. I don't hold myself above my siblings for that because they were typical teenagers and I wasn't quite there yet with the adolscent attitude. I was still as sweet as I look in the picture : ) However.... lol. Anyway, I entered those years with no help. No guidance. My mom worked the 2 pm to 10 pm shift. So I understand your point. When my dad died, my sister actually believed he was going to burn in hell because he had not been saved before dying. Does this sound fair to you? It didn't to me. My dad was a good man. Since then my sister has become a little more "progressive" and has realized it is not her place to judge or condemn or decide how my dad will be judged. We parted ways for years due to that disagreement and the fact that I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This is the only church that has all the answers, though. All the puzzle pieces fit. My experience with other churches was very similar to the song by Mott the Hoople, (a British band - one of the bass players, I think, (Mick Ralphs) was also in Bad Company a GREAT band), "Hymn for the Dudes." Please forgive the corn, but its a great song from the Vietnam era. Vietnam is, actually, a bit before my time, but it was over the year my dad died or right after. I did grow up with it. My husband had a draft card, too, but never went cause he was the sole surviving son. Allow me to quote:

God ain't jive
For I can see his love
As it runs, alive
One by one
through fields of rusted wire
the war has just begun

Oh - cross over shame
like the wise dove
who cares not for fame
just for shy love
and rejoice, for the king
ain't lost his throne, oh, no
He's still here,
You are not alone.

Correct your heads
For theres a new song rising
High above the waves
Go write your time
Go sing it on the streets
Go tell the world that you go brave

Oh my, sweet instant Christian
You're such a...sly clown
too many questions, no replies, now
Uh rejoice, for the King aint lost his throne
oh no - he's still here - and you are not alone

Got an idea, go tell the superstar
all his hairs are turning gray
star spangled fear
as all the people disappear
the limelight fades away
cause if you think you are a star
for so long, they'll come from near and far
and you'll forget just who you are
You ain't the nazz
You're just a buzz, some kind of temporary

AWESOME GUITAR SOLO

CROSS OVER SHAME LIKE THE WHITE DOVE
WHO CARES NOT FOR FAME
JUST FOR SHY LOVE
OH MY - MY SWEET INSTANT CHRISTIAN
YOU ARE SUCH A SLY CLOWN
TOO MANY QUESTIONS
NO REPLIES NOW
AND REJOICE FOR THE KING AIN'T LOST HIS THRONE
HE'S STILL HERE
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Sorry, got kind of passionate there : ) LOL (You tube them....can't find Hymn for the Dudes, but love them). My husband is an old rocker.... He's had all manner of experiences in the music business of which I've experienced only a taste. I kind of helped him transition from that life.... He's as good as Jeff Beck...or any of the greats, actually. He's known as a great within some circles or by anyone who knew him then. He was in the big time. He's actually better than ever. Its a shame, but probably saved his life getting out of that business. Still frustrating for him, though... He's SO GOOD. (I miss him right now, he's touring in FL).