Jack,

My understanding/belief doesn't depend upon the intervention of a deity.
I don't come from the viewpoint of religion or a saviour.  My understanding comes more from real-estate.... knowing what is underneath one's feet, where one stands.
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I do not engage in debates on such issues with the hope of "winning."  Of course, I hope to expand the horizons of spiritual quests.  After all, I am now a pastor.  So you can teach me and others like me how to engage in dialogue with someone like you.  In my church I lead a small group discussion dominated by skeptics and I let them set the agenda and take the lead in the controversial issues we discuss.  I recently wrote an article in the local paper on NDEs.  New Agers and new skeptics have expressed an interest in starting a discussion of New Age issues with me.  I'm convinced that Jesus was right: He taught that true spirituality is better caught than taught.  True spiritual transformation is most likely to occur when seekers make the logical connections by themselves and have their own experiences of God's presence, guidance, and power.  Second-hand or vicarious spirituality just inoculates seekers against the real thing.  The loving way to engage in spiritual dialogue or even debate is to fit oneself within the presuppositional framework of your dialogue partners and empathize with the reasons why certain options are off the table for them.  Real change only comes from revolutionary and unexpected spiritual experiences.  

"Of course, my experiences are useless to you. They cannot change how you think."
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Actually, your experience ARE useful to me and really might change how I think.

Don