Lets make a deal

If god created man in his own image, then why are we so lustful, deceitful, thievish...Does God think about love making outside of the confines of premarital status? Does He lie to us as we lie to others, which makes you wonder what possible lies He could concoct? What faith can one man offer in a book where the only reason you are condemned is because someone has written rules down that are meant to be broken? ...and they are truly meant to be broken because otherwise millions of christians wouldn't break them or, let alone, demolish them into bits and pieces.
Someone walked with me today, not Jesus though, talking to me about the biggest gamble I could ever take...
So with a good pair for Texas Holdem' fabricated from flimsy newspaper material he had handed me in the beginning of his spiel (fit for a Heavenly Flush of sorts), he walked and inquired as to the biggest risk I would ever take. Long story short (and it was long), he told me about the fact that there is a hell and that I shouldn’t gamble on believing that I won’t go there if I don’t recognize Jesus for giving his life for us and God for giving his only son to pay for our sins. Also, reading me chapter 3 from the book of John (which he also gave me, skinned with army camouflage almost to act as a new age bible hiding under the truth of reality in everyday life) revealed God as a forgiving person, but also as the one who can condemn you to the gamble that you took, sailing Sun Cruz Casino style along the coasts of Inferno with Dante as your cheery, flamboyant yet damning cruise director.
I think we all recognize God for what He is and the part He plays in our lives. We see that everyday in the most abstract details of life, and we acknowledge Him if we believe in Him. If we don’t, we won’t be sent to Hell, because we have no knowledge of who “God” is. People like this Poker guru handing out fake hands really chooses to deal some people a 2-3 off suit with no chance for redemption on the flop. The idea of God is a comfort zone for many to believe in, from which to find comfort and solace, and ultimately to derive strength from. Everyone believes in something, hence freedom of speech via diverse human opinion. If there were only two paths to travel after death, then there wouldn’t be as many different religious underpinnings in American society that allows everyone to be who they are and think what they will.
And by no means am i knocking anyone's religion, including Byron's (which is the notorious card dealer's name). But if someone has chosen to believe in something, one person standing on the sidewalk waiting for someone to make eye contact with him is not going to make the difference in one person's beliefs. Maybe it could function for someone younger than I, because once you reach a certain age and must adhere to the responsibilities of social living, you kind of have to go your own way and consolidates your beliefs into your back pocket for safe keeping and reference. It makes you a stronger person to have your beliefs intertwined into your heart so that no one can rip them out, but by death only. A connection to christian belief? And there is also the function that death of a loved one plays in changing someone's beliefs...but many take advantage of the opportunity to bring them closer to their church, or the next persons church. When someone you love dies, you are better off stewing in your own thoughts of why it had to happen and who to blame, whether God's divine plan or the fates. It acts as a reconfirmation of your beliefs and strengthens your relationship with your Maker. No one else can give you that, only you and the one who made you.