Society & Culture - 8 December 2007

How come if we don't do what he says we burn in hell forever?
Don't you think that's a little harsh? Who wants to be a huge control freak like that?

And on another note - why is god so insecure? Why does he need us to worship him?

In the words of Jerry Seinfeld: Who is this god-person anyway?

2007-12-08 09:59:35 · 13 answers · asked by Jerse 3 in Religion & Spirituality

??

2007-12-08 09:58:42 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

set foot in either Mecca or Medina?

Can you imagine if, for instance, Muslims were excluded in this way from any area of historical or religious significance/culture/interest?

And before anyone screams 'Islamophobe': I have not said anything offensive, it's just a reasonable question :)

2007-12-08 09:57:39 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Hypothetical situation:

I accepted Christ, was baptized, then fell away. Then I believed and accepted Christ again.

If the first baptism wasn't associated with the "real" belief...

Why not baptize infants? Same thing, just get it out of the way early...

Or should I get baptized each time I sin? Am I not forfeiting my salvation by walking away from God?

2007-12-08 09:57:26 · 17 answers · asked by ccrider 7 in Religion & Spirituality

Is religion what makes us happy? I don't think so

2007-12-08 09:55:25 · 13 answers · asked by Kj 4 in Religion & Spirituality

All the greetings I've had from my American friends seem to say "Happy Holidays" whereas all the British ones say "Merry Christmas". What has happened to Christmas in America? You're supposed to be a Christian country - who are you trying not to offend? Why are you leaving Christ out of Christmas? (Apparently Bahrain airport is covered with Christmas decorations, and it's a Muslim country!)

2007-12-08 09:53:55 · 30 answers · asked by sunnyannie 5 in Religion & Spirituality

No, this is not one of those bating questions. I am believer, but I think this question offers something to reflect on.

A big criticism of the Bible is that it is seen as its own first, last, and only arbiter of the truth. What I mean by this is that when asked why the Bible is thought to be inspired by God, some might answer with "Because it says so in the Bible".

This is not logical. Its like saying to someone "you know I am telling you the truth because I am telling you that I am being truthful". This is obviously where faith comes into play.

But I am wondering what you see as proof of the Bible's authenticity which is external to the Bible?

God Bless.

2007-12-08 09:51:47 · 11 answers · asked by Zezo Zeze Zadfrack 1 in Religion & Spirituality

How is it different from just plain having an opinion about them.

2007-12-08 09:51:21 · 6 answers · asked by Shep H 2 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:49:16 · 11 answers · asked by cas311 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:45:26 · 5 answers · asked by AquariusPrincess 1 in Other - Holidays

maybe thats how god created us, through evolution. what if this would be true but they are against teaching it?

2007-12-08 09:45:15 · 50 answers · asked by baywatch 3 in Religion & Spirituality

> y: A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
> >
> > "You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"
> >
> > "Yes sir," the student says.
> >
> > "So you believe in God?"
> >
> > "Absolutely."
> >
> > "Is God good?"
> >
> > "Sure! God's good."
> >
> > "Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"
> >
> > "Yes."
> >
> > "Are you good or evil?"
> >
> > "The Bible says I'm evil."
> >
> > The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"
> >
> > "Yes sir, I would."
> >
> > "So you're good...!"
> >
> > "I wouldn't say that."
> >
> > "But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."
> >
> > The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"
> >
> > The student remains silent.
> >
> > "No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
> >
> > "Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"
> >
> > "Er...yes," the student says.
> >
> > "Is Satan good?"
> >
> > The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."
> >
> > "Then where does Satan come from?"
> >
> > The student falters. "From God"
> >
> > "That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"
> >
> > "Yes, sir."
> >
> > "Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"
> >
> > "Yes."
> >
> > "So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."
> >
> > Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"
> >
> > The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."
> >
> > "So who created them?"
> >
> > The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"
> >
> > The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."
> >
> > The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"
> >
> > "No sir. I've never seen Him."
> >
> > "Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"
> >
> > "No, sir, I have not."
> >
> > "Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"
> >
> > "No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."
> >
> > "Yet you still believe in him?"
> >
> > "Yes."
> >
> > "According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"
> >
> > "Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."
> >
> > "Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."
> >
> > The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"
> >
> > "Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."
> >
> > "And is there such a thing as cold?"
> >
> > "Yes, son, there's cold too."
> >
> > "No sir, there isn't."
> >
> > The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."
> >
> > "Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."
> >
> > Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
> >
> > "What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"
> >
> > "Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"
> >
> > "You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."
> >
> > "In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"
> >
> > The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"
> >
> > "Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."
> >
> > The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"
> >
> > "You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."
> >
> > "It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."
> >
> > "Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"
> >
> > "If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."
> >
> > "Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"
> >
> > The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
> >
> > "Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"
> >
> > The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
> >
> > "To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."
> >
> > The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.
> >
> > "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."
> >
> > "So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"
> >
> > Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
> >
> > Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."
> >
> > "Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"
> >
> > Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
> >
> > To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
> >
> > The professor sat down.

2007-12-08 09:44:39 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Taking my cue from my Christian neighbors, I've had my head in the sand now for over a week.

I was just wondering, how far and how long do I need to stick my head in the sand before I get a glimpse of God?

2007-12-08 09:43:13 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:42:38 · 11 answers · asked by Buke 4 in Religion & Spirituality

Bless you is probably out of the question.

2007-12-08 09:41:39 · 33 answers · asked by Kricket T 3 in Religion & Spirituality

a lot of people are very hypocritical - they wouldn't dare say a word against the beliefs of muslims or jews but they have no problem railing against christians even to your face. how do they justify this?
also, why do so many people seem to care so much about it? you'd think they would have their own belief and just be able to leave well enough alone, but a lot of people i know who are atheists seem almost obsessed with christianity. is it fun, is it the 'in' thing to do nowadays? do they have some psychological problem? i don't get it.

2007-12-08 09:40:51 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:40:42 · 24 answers · asked by Jag J 2 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Does the fact that a child lies a child disobeys,with no teaching from anybody,wasnt taught,wasnt encouraged to lie,wasnt told to lie;but of the childs own free will,chose to lie(more than likely cause he/she realized the negative consequences of telling the truth);chose to do evil and not good. Does this not disprove the thought or idea that people are naturally good?

I'm quite sure that if I went and surveyed a 100 parents, and asked "Did you any anyway teach your kid(s) to lie?To be deceptive?To be dishonest?To be unobedient?"
I'm quite certain,very sure all of them will answer no to those questions. So how can you say people are naturally good?We're not, nobody has to teach us how to be evil,but it takes considerable time and effort to shape people,mold people,and encourage them to be good.

WANTING to be good AND ACTUALLY being good are 2 different things;people by no means,from the bum on the street to the president of any country,people by no means are....

2007-12-08 09:40:38 · 12 answers · asked by Maurice H 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:37:06 · 1 answers · asked by Demi 2 in Languages

2007-12-08 09:37:00 · 9 answers · asked by ? 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:36:42 · 28 answers · asked by ? 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:36:04 · 25 answers · asked by ? 1 in Religion & Spirituality

OMG-- I am at work right now and this man brought his 5 year old daughter in the bathroom with him. I work at a dance studio-- the bathroom is just a single bathroom, one toilet with one sink. I was just wondering if this was strange or is it normal for dads to take their lil girls in the restroom too?? Hummm...

2007-12-08 09:35:50 · 20 answers · asked by ♥eLizAbEtH♥ 5 in Other - Society & Culture

if you answer yes then how to do you that you are not crazy....

2007-12-08 09:34:19 · 13 answers · asked by Zarathustra 2 in Religion & Spirituality

And where did this tradition come from?

Thanks!!

2007-12-08 09:32:54 · 9 answers · asked by Strawberry 4 in Christmas

2007-12-08 09:32:38 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

What are service projects needed in new orleans? Like painting, restoring, rebuilding? any others anbody knows of?

2007-12-08 09:32:27 · 3 answers · asked by somegal113 2 in Community Service

Is this contridictory? Is it possible that God exists, but no one has recorded his or her thoughts correctly? I have not read any other religous texts, but some parts of the Bible make little to no sense in my opinion. Does a non-sensical Bible disprove God, or could he still exist?

2007-12-08 09:32:06 · 18 answers · asked by love 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-08 09:31:36 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

My boyfriend and I have been dating for less than month. We are juniors in high school. What should I get him? He loves drumming and video games. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks :)

2007-12-08 09:30:40 · 5 answers · asked by Flutie 3 in Christmas