Society & Culture - 16 November 2007

Ever notice how in the Religion section.....many questions are sooo often answered by People who seem to have this great Hate for Jesus and His exsistence? seems odd to me that all these Non- Believers are "hanging out" on such a section......
just wondered if anyone else noticed this?

2007-11-16 04:22:30 · 31 answers · asked by craftsmanunltd 3 in Religion & Spirituality

Question: "If the Orthodox faith is the only true faith, can Christians of other confessions be saved? May a person who has led a perfectly righteous life on earth be saved on the strength of his ancestry, while not being baptized as Christian?

Answer: "For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth [struggleth], but of God that showeth mercy" (Rom. 9:15-16). In the Orthodox Church we have the path of salvation indicated to us and we are given the means by which a person maybe morally purified and have a direct promise of salvation. In this sense St. Cyprian of Carthage says that "outside the Church there is no salvation." In the Church is given that of which Apostle Peter writes to Christians (and only Christians): "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:3-8). And what should one say of those outside the Church, who do not belong to her? Another apostle provides us with an idea: "For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth" (1 Cor. 5:12-13). God "will have mercy on whom He will have mercy" (Rom 9:18). It is necessary to mention only one thing: that to "lead a perfectly righteous life," as the questioner expressed it, means to live according to the commandments of the Beatitudes—which is beyond the power of one, outside the Orthodox Church, without the help of grace which is concealed within it.

The question: Can the heterodox, i.e. those who do, not belong to Orthodoxy—the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church—be saved, has become particularly painful and acute in our days.

In attempting to answer this question, it is necessary, first of all, to recall that in His Gospel the Lord Jesus Christ Himself mentions but one state of the human soul which unfailingly leads to perdition—i.e. blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:1-32). The Holy Spirit is, above all, the Spirit of Truth, as the Saviour loved to refer to Him. Accordingly, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is blasphemy against the Truth, conscious and persistent opposition to it. The same text makes it clear that even blasphemy against the Son of Man—i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God Himself may be forgiven men, as it may be uttered in error or in ignorance and, subsequently may be covered by conversion and repentance (an example of such a converted and repentant blasphemer is the Apostle Paul. (See Acts 26:11 and I Tim. 1:13.) If, however, a man opposes the Truth which he clearly apprehends by his reason and, conscience, he becomes blind and commits spiritual suicide, for he thereby likens himself to the devil, who believes in God and dreads Him, yet hates, blasphemes, and opposes Him.

Thus, man's refusal to accept the Divine Truth and his opposition thereto makes him a son of damnation. Accordingly, in sending His disciples to preach, the Lord told them: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:16), for the latter heard the Lord's Truth and was called upon to accept it, yet refused, thereby inheriting the damnation of those who "believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thes. 2:12).

The Holy Orthodox Church is the repository of the divinely revealed Truth in all its fullness and fidelity to apostolic Tradition. Hence, he who leaves the Church, who intentionally and consciously falls away from it, joins the ranks of its opponents and becomes a renegade as regards apostolic Tradition. The Church dreadfully anathematized such renegades, in accordance with the words of the Saviour Himself (Matt. 18:17) and of the Apostle Paul (Gal. 1:8-9), threatening them with e ternal damnation and calling them to return to the Orthodox fold. It is self evident, however, that sincere Christians who are Roman Catholics, or Lutherans, or members, of other non-Orthodox confessions, cannot be termed renegades or heretics—i.e. those who knowingly pervert the truth...* They have been born and raised and are living according to the creed which they have inherited, just as do the majority of you who are Orthodox; in their lives there has not been a moment of personal and conscious renunciation of Orthodoxy. The Lord, "Who will have all men to be saved" (I Tim. 2:4) and "Who enlightens every man born into the world" (Jn. 1.43), undoubtedly is leading them also towards salvation In His own way.

With reference to the above question, it is particularly instructive to recall the answer once given to an inquirer by the Blessed Theophan the Recluse. The blessed one replied more or less thus: "You ask, will the heterodox be saved... Why do you worry about them? They have a Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human being. He will take care of them. You and I should not be burdened with such a concern. Study yourself and your own sins... I will tell you one thing, however: should you, being Orthodox and possessing the Truth in its fullness, betray Orthodoxy, and enter a different faith, you will lose your soul forever."

We believe the foregoing answer by the saintly ascetic to be the best that can be given in this matter.

* The Greek word for "heresy" is derived from the word for "choice" and hence inherently implies conscious, willful rejection or opposition to the Divine Truth manifest in the Orthodox Church.
From Orthodox Life, Vol. 34, No. 6 (Nov.-Dec., 1984), pp. 33-36.

2007-11-16 04:20:56 · 12 answers · asked by Jacob Dahlen 3 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-11-16 04:19:58 · 13 answers · asked by VGpugs 5 in Religion & Spirituality

what is your value structure, what gives your life meaning and what values do you want to pass down to others.

we are all teachers to someone, what do you want to pass down as a gift of love to others to carry out with them

2007-11-16 04:19:24 · 19 answers · asked by magnetic_azimuth 6 in Religion & Spirituality

I have read questions about "What would the 11th Commandment be?" And I believe I have found the answer.
Directions
While Kellogg's Pop-Tarts are fully baked and ready-to-eat right from the pouch, if you prefer them warmed, Please Follow these Instructions: Toasting appliance and microwave capabilities differ by manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for safe use. Be sure your appliance is clean and functioning correctly. Children should always be closely supervised when operating toasting appliances and microwaves. No refrigeration needed. Pop-Tarts Toasting Instructions: 1. Remove pastry from pouch. 2. Warm pastry in toasting appliance at lowest or lightest heat setting for one heating cycle only. 3. Cool briefly before carefully removing pastry from toasting appliance. Pop-Tarts Microwave Instructions: 1. Remove pastry from pouch. Place pastry on a microwave-safe plate. 2. Microwave on High setting for 3 seconds. 3. Cool briefly before handling.

What do you think?

2007-11-16 04:18:44 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Haven't Christians figured out yet that Christmas is a PAGAN celebration, and the pagans tricked them into celebrating pagan god-men/saviors? Don't they know they are bowing to Appolo, Attis, Baal, Dionysus, Helios, Hercules, Horus, Mithra, Osiris, Perseus, and Theseus in a festival called the "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun" on DEC-25, many years before the birth of Christ? Christians can re-name it "Christmas" if it makes them feel better -- I'm sure the pagans don't mind -- but I can't find where it's written in the Bible that Jesus was born on Dec 25.

2007-11-16 04:18:38 · 18 answers · asked by unconcerned but not indifferent 3 in Religion & Spirituality

Never having experienced company of angels or humans he would not have had anything to define his lonliness. So why would he have created anything?

2007-11-16 04:17:09 · 7 answers · asked by Murazor 6 in Religion & Spirituality

to hate Manheim Steamroller?
(please excuse me if I spelled it wrong, but I so dislike them that I don't really care...)

2007-11-16 04:16:36 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

"There's no more scientific basis for intelligent design than there is for the idea an omniscient creature made of pasta created the universe. If intelligent design supporters could demand equal time in a science class, why not anyone else? The only reasonable solution is to put nothing into sciences classes but the best available science."

2007-11-16 04:16:16 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

For myself I think crime and violence, sickness and death top the list. I believe that God will step in and help us, and do away with these things and that is coming in the very near future. What do you think?

2007-11-16 04:16:09 · 13 answers · asked by RF57 1 in Religion & Spirituality

Check this out:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/personal/11/16/flying.spaghettimonster.ap/index.html

Your thoughts?

2007-11-16 04:16:01 · 2 answers · asked by Char 7 in Religion & Spirituality

*I'm looking to spend around $20. (I already gave him a big gift on his birthday party. But I want to give him something on his actual birthday; along with a cake.)
*He's a mechanic
*He has lots of clothes
*He says he doesn't need/want anything

So what should I get?

2007-11-16 04:13:49 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Holidays

Then why have nothing bad has occurred to the majority of non-muslims that eat pork. If God has created animals for human enjoyment or use, then why was the pig created?

2007-11-16 04:10:58 · 26 answers · asked by Green kryptonite 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-11-16 04:09:05 · 6 answers · asked by yang 1 in Other - Cultures & Groups

Ever try to communicate with anyone under 21 these days? With instant messageing, texting and email so popular as primary communication, are the kids growing up without the neccessary social skill to make it in the world? Are we breeding a generation of socially inept kids?

2007-11-16 04:07:59 · 16 answers · asked by BrianMichaels 1 in Other - Society & Culture

2007-11-16 04:07:00 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Senior Citizens

(If you like them, of course...)

"Little Drummer Boy", by Bing Crosby and David Bowie...=0)

2007-11-16 04:06:33 · 39 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I am meeting a friend I have not seen in a while for dinner. I have a good job and she is still in school. But I would like to have separate checks - do you think it is rude of me and I should pay the whole bill becuase I obviously have more money? The friends is visiting in town for a while.

2007-11-16 04:06:31 · 16 answers · asked by mishkin 5 in Etiquette

Here is my question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjZ1Tdzzn6qU4g2JHTYZg0Lsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071116081921AAAqdfN

After 13 responses, I really didn't get a believer who answered the question.

I'm not trying to make fun of anyone. I just want to know.

2007-11-16 04:04:48 · 14 answers · asked by skeptic 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-11-16 04:04:32 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

To block them simply move the cusor to their avatar, and a red ball will apear click on the red ball, and they are blocked.

2007-11-16 04:04:03 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I'm gonna go with shenanigans. I declare shenanigans. You tell me what it is.

2007-11-16 04:03:21 · 25 answers · asked by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Do u think that the women who can't have kids, it's that way for a reason, or do you think it's helping out to donate? If you have any scriptures on this that'd be great:)

2007-11-16 04:03:19 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

What was the reason for leaving?

2007-11-16 04:01:28 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

my thought is maybe the biblical definition of "works" is not as defined and understood by works-based religions

2007-11-16 04:01:18 · 27 answers · asked by PediC 5 in Religion & Spirituality

I assume that since Sunday is your day of worship, you all go to work on Saturday?

I mean, you think that atheists should go to work on Christmas, even though our employers give us the day off. So I think theists should also go to work on Saturday, even if their employers give them that day off.

Also, some religions call Saturday a day of worship, so I assume you go to work on Sunday.

2007-11-16 03:59:33 · 5 answers · asked by Take it from Toby 7 in Religion & Spirituality

My grandmother is about 80 years old, and I want to get her something different and unique. She usually gets clothes or stuff for her garden or stuff with birds on it. She's your typical old lady...she adores her grandchildren, she does embroidery, cooks, loves birds and gardening. Any ideas??

2007-11-16 03:58:47 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Christmas

2007-11-16 03:58:35 · 23 answers · asked by . 7 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-11-16 03:56:42 · 12 answers · asked by ChuckDeucez 6 in Religion & Spirituality

meteors and found them all to be around the same age..approx 4.6 billion years old. Why did they not consult the Creationists? They could have saved themselves from looking so foolish, since you cannot date something to be older than about 60,000 years! Duh!

2007-11-16 03:56:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality