God gives us the free will to either choose the right path or the wrong path. My family and I said the 54 day Novena to the BVM but the election didn't turn out as we had prayed it would. That doesn't mean that God didn't hear our prayers, it just means that he's going to let man decide his fate. I believe that God has blessed my family with his graces and will guide us correctly if we keep our hearts open and continue to serve him. I pray that others in this country will open their hearts to God and recognize what is truly right and what is ultimately wrong.

I know that there are a lot of good people in this country. Hopefully we can reach out to those who have gone astray and help guide them back to God's flock. I would hope someone would do that for me if I needed it.

They were great responses and hopefully helped him to ponder it more; it's good to engage him in a dialogue - maybe that will get the Holy Spirit working in his mind & heart. We can only hope maybe one day he will realize what he's missing.

One thing I try to remember is that we as human's could never grasp the magnitude of God's perfect plan...though I know I am always trying to and then reminding myself it's not for me to understand but to be obedient and faithful. (course that doesn't stop me from trying anyway) :happy: That's what you eluded to Patti which I agree with wholeheartedly. God's plan is perfect and we humans just don't have the intellectual capacity that God does to even comprehend it; no matter what we're just not smart enough when it comes to the things of God...we are what we are by the openness we have to God's grace.

I remember in 1 Corinthians 1:25 it says - "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (I often have to remind myself of this)

So what do you think motivates others or drives them to think that there is no God? I've never read the entire Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas but have read the Five Ways...have you ever thought of presenting any of that or is it a bit too heady - probably if the thinking isn't logical anyway?

I guess you're talking about politics, right? I don't know about you guys but I pray for every politician to turn to God and do their best. I think politicians need prayers more than most people. They have so much more responsibility for people's suffering than regular people do, even if in reality they can't change much. I pray that their spiritual journeys go well more than anything else. Spiritual matters are more important in the end than earthly ones.

In regards to atheism, it's an extremely easy position to hold in this modern day, far easier than trusting in God. I encourage any atheists who ask me what to do to "find God", so to speak, to do what I did (I'm a recent convert): first think on your sins, and repent of them humbly and honestly. All people know in their hearts what is right and what is wrong, and all people sin, so even an atheist can do this, though the "humbling yourself before God" part would take a lot of courage. Then pray, and read the Bible, and maybe start going to Mass, preferably with a friend who can explain the theology behind it. (Otherwise, they'll just go away thinking how strange Catholics are for being so reverent towards the Host and Precious Blood, even if they've had success with prayer!) I think the Mass is really what brings everything together. Until you take time out of this secular world to surround yourself with others who have shared your experiences with prayer, and have also put their trust in God, it doesn't necessarily feel "real", even though God is the most real thing in the world.