Society & Culture - 30 July 2007

I grew up a Christian and was always tought that if I did not accept Christ as my savior that I would be doomed to hell after my passing. After speaking with a close Buddhist friend of mine (who thinks very highly of Jesus Christ) she insisted that if I were to embrace differering beliefs, as long as my heart was pure and focused on good deeds that I would enter a "different" heaven than that of Christianity. Can anyone (a practicing Buddhist or Christian) please help shed some light on how to live as a good person, following my heart to bring good deeds to the world without the fear of going to an eternal place of suffering because I did not embrace the teachings of Christ? Shouldn't my good deeds, delivered with pure intent from my heart dictate how and where I end up after this life? Any input from practicing Buddhists and/or Christians would be greatly appreciated!!

2007-07-30 04:01:05 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I ask this question because I read many answers here where people claim to have "made the choice" to believe in God or Jesus or Allah and the such like.

This makes me wonder whether belief is something that is arrived at through understanding and contemplation...or if it is something that one can just "adopt" out of convenience.

How for instance could I just "choose" to believe that I am the sexiest guy on Earth, (because that would be nice).

By the way I do believe in God, but it took years of being a curious questioning non-believer before I could make the transition. Is there another true path?

2007-07-30 04:00:05 · 37 answers · asked by Amon Ra 3 in Religion & Spirituality

Again, no offense...

2007-07-30 03:59:43 · 15 answers · asked by nom de paix 4 in Religion & Spirituality

Jesus loves you, and so do I.

2007-07-30 03:58:53 · 20 answers · asked by Joel 2 5 in Religion & Spirituality

or should I be at all?
I think I am but should I not?

2007-07-30 03:58:09 · 31 answers · asked by Dan 3 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

I sort of have an answer formulated on this, but thought I would ask out of interest and see what your opinions are. Aside from the usual hate-mogering "Islam abuses women" thing.

The reason I ask this question is because I can't find ANYWHERE in the Qu'ran where it determines that women are less worthy to lead prayer or be scholars of faith. Even in Hadith, Aisha taught much of Islam and Mohammed would refer people to her to learn much of what is considered practical. Also, Fatima (his daughter) had a fair hand (pun intended) in the teachings and practices of Islam as well.

Should women be allowed to be Imam? Should a woman be allowed to make the Azan? Why or why not?

2007-07-30 03:52:58 · 18 answers · asked by lystrayel 3 in Religion & Spirituality

The Minister told me how to do it. (God is helping me personally, of course. I am not doing it all by myself.)

2007-07-30 03:50:19 · 31 answers · asked by americanhero_aa 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Check out this article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=471324&in_page_id=1770

Comments?

2007-07-30 03:49:47 · 8 answers · asked by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 in Other - Society & Culture

What do you think the meaning of life is. I think that god put on this earth to learn a listen so we can go back to heavan.

2007-07-30 03:48:25 · 37 answers · asked by xXVernonXx 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Every since I was young I would have dreams of someone who has died and like a week later someone I know has died. Or I have dreams of babies or being pregnant and months later someone in my family comes up pregnant. I'm good at tarot cards but I had to stop b/c my mom said that it's the devil. Am I a psychic or is just deja vu like my mom says.

2007-07-30 03:48:23 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Hello, my name is Marissa and I am 22 years old. My ethnicity is Cantanese and Italian. I currently live in Staten Island, New York, but you can also find me in the Los Angeles or Miami area. I am very excited to meet new photographers, makeup artist and models to work with. I am interested in high fashion style, fashion, editorial, editorial style, swimwear, fitness, lingerie, casual, glamour,FHM/Maxim style, commercial print assignments. and maybe artistic nude. This is my job, so not only do I take this seriously but I am extremely passionate about my work. I am fun, creative, and need little to no direction, but am always willing to work with the photographers point of view. I strive to be very professional not only during a shoot but in all aspects of it, as I expect the same treatment from others.

2007-07-30 03:47:08 · 7 answers · asked by mbw m 2 in Languages

2007-07-30 03:47:00 · 39 answers · asked by Googly 3 in Religion & Spirituality

It just won't stop!!!!

2007-07-30 03:46:28 · 16 answers · asked by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 in Religion & Spirituality

house and started living in sin, doing drugs, and (GASP!) having kinky sex - would burn them and their children, born and unborn, to death? And then condemn them to an eternity of torment?

2007-07-30 03:45:36 · 17 answers · asked by Jack 5 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-07-30 03:44:28 · 10 answers · asked by $Sun King$ 7 in Etiquette

2007-07-30 03:44:27 · 2 answers · asked by ann ticali t 1 in Other - Cultures & Groups

I have heard that organ donation should be thought about deeply before signing an organ donation card. Jesus said "If the right eye makes you sin, then cut it off." "It is better you you to live in heaven without a right eye than to burn in Hell." So does that mean if I donate my heart to science after I die, I will not have a heart in heaven? Please, if you can, give Biblical references!

2007-07-30 03:44:26 · 6 answers · asked by KillaKrane 1 in Religion & Spirituality

Do you believe that the 'Muslim' extremists are actually muslim? I mean, just because they call themselves muslim, and use the religion as a base for their actions, doesnt mean that they are actually of that religion. I think, to be of a religion, you have to follow the rules given in its book.

If a guy bombed a building, and then when he was caught he said he did it for christianity, would you hate his entire religion because of him? I've had prejudice thrown at me because of my religion, and i'm just wondering why some people think like that.

FYI (i think...not really sure)- muslims are only allowed to fight a war (self defence or not) and kill in a war if God gives his permission. I don't think God sent down his divine permission form to the terrorists who claim to be religious.

2007-07-30 03:43:45 · 17 answers · asked by Rastafarianhobo 4 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-07-30 03:42:10 · 4 answers · asked by Fers 2 in Languages

a) drinks with Deke

or

b) dinner and a movie with Rachel - oops, I mean our very own Vile Temptress?

2007-07-30 03:41:31 · 12 answers · asked by Marvelissa VT 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Explain and give proof even if its your opinions

2007-07-30 03:40:18 · 8 answers · asked by ? 2 in Religion & Spirituality

or even for honest disbelief?
Please explain?

2007-07-30 03:39:04 · 17 answers · asked by Samurai Jack 6 in Religion & Spirituality

either phone or online

2007-07-30 03:37:18 · 4 answers · asked by DangerVonCoken 2 in Mythology & Folklore

I get really annoyed with people who mumble! I often wish I could say to them, "Either speak up or don't speak at all!"

2007-07-30 03:37:00 · 13 answers · asked by tangerine 7 in Etiquette

then why did Lumbergh take Milton's stapler?

Lots of people here seem to have a case of the Mondays...round of drinks are on me!

2007-07-30 03:36:15 · 31 answers · asked by Southpaw 7 in Religion & Spirituality

Yesterday, my Pastor told us that the theory of evolution (or as he calls it, "evil-ution") is just a tool, used by the liberal media, to push it's anti-Christian agenda.

2007-07-30 03:35:23 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I'm Japanese, and one of my English teachers talks about another teacher who is American "he has a cute Irish looking son." What's Irish looking? How do you discribe Irish looking people? Are there British looking, French looking, or German looking people, too?

2007-07-30 03:34:40 · 4 answers · asked by ayakofeminine 2 in Other - Cultures & Groups

Fellows,

Many people outside of serious discussion will interject "flames" regarding molestation of children by Catholic Priests and I just want to know why. Granted, they are the most publicized cases, but why feed into the media frenzy and roll with the thought that "every priest is a pedophile"?

Note this: According to Dr. Gene Abel in "Thieves of Childhood," up to 5% of the American population are child molesters.(CNN Specials Transcript #454)
Also, take into consideration that 6.7% of all teachers participate in child molestation- as much as 50.3% in some schools. (via PPSS: "Educator Sexual misconduct")
Compare this with the 4% of total priests. (via the John Jay Report)
Due to these numbers, isn't it ridiculously faulty to generalize priests? By the same logic, I can deduce that ALL Americans are pedophiles or that ALL teachers are pedophiles.

Your thoughts?

2007-07-30 03:34:10 · 16 answers · asked by Brandon H 2 in Religion & Spirituality

A) The return to Earth of Jesus Christ, fulfilling biblical prophecy,

OR

B) A bag of sand.

2007-07-30 03:33:02 · 21 answers · asked by Deke 5 in Religion & Spirituality

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55627 )

Is this the kind of message Starbucks needs to send? They say they want to cause discussion, but isn't it really just their one-sided viewpoint? True discussion includes other viewpoints. But, it seems to me the only purpose of Starbuck’s new cups is to stir up anti-God feelings and showcase their corporate atheistic views. Was this a wise decision for Starbucks? How many times have church groups and God-believers met at this coffee bar? It seems that Starbucks is trying to offend all religious people. At least 75 to 80% of Americans believe there is a God.

If burnt coffee isn’t bad enough already, here’s another reason go elsewhere---

These are just two messages, Starbucks decided we all need to hear and printed on their cups:

"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."

“Heaven is totally overrated. It seems boring. Clouds, listening to people play the harp. It should be somewhere you can’t wait to go, like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies and soft music were enough to keep people in line in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit. They're basically getting by because they only have to be better than Hell”. -- Joel Stein, columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

2007-07-30 03:32:28 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality