Society & Culture - 18 December 2007

what are the differences between mainstream religion and cults? personally i see none.

2007-12-18 08:49:21 · 15 answers · asked by Kevin 3 in Religion & Spirituality

After all, he would be a great example of a repentant sinner and an amazing demonstration of the power of God's saving grace.

2007-12-18 08:48:57 · 6 answers · asked by Buke 4 in Religion & Spirituality

So the miracles of Christ have been touted by many professional magicians as fraud. They base this on the fact that every miracle the bible reports could be done as a trick. Yes even raising the dead. Scientists since the age of reason have given many scientific explanations for every miracle of the bible. However is that reasonable. Is it scientific to rule out the possibility of the unknown? If something has an explanation in illusion or science does that negate a reasonable possibility of something beyond current reason. Skeptics use reality as their grounds and the spiritual use faith. How does realism or faith answer what is not yet known? When confronted with faith or skepticism how do you answer the unknown or seemingly impossible.

2007-12-18 08:48:01 · 6 answers · asked by mavrachangawoke 3 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-18 08:47:50 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-18 08:44:49 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

I am having a problem with my homosexuality again, does anyone have any advice? I am feeling pretty low right now, so encouragement would be very much appreciated. Ever since I have become a Christian, I have been attacked harder by temptation it seems.

2007-12-18 08:44:19 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Has the Virgin Mary shown herself to indigenous people around the world.
for example
Fatima
Guadalupe
Lourdes

please add to the list

2007-12-18 08:44:12 · 11 answers · asked by ! 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Is that why animals don't have thumbs, so they can't pray?

2007-12-18 08:44:02 · 24 answers · asked by Dutchess 3 in Religion & Spirituality

One time I got a small soap and shampoo in a packaged basket worth about $2 the most. To me I felt greatly offended. I even heard one of the people in the background say: "I need to take a shower."

Ok. I take no offense, but if gift giving comes from the heart, which I believe it does regardless if a person smells or not, would YOU give a gift like this to someone and then people snicker and make fun of.

Example: Let's say Jane had bad teeth, and I'm talking need braces or straightening, and I gave her a toothbrush and toothpaste as a gift, wouldn't that be demeaning and sad to her???

I think it would.

2007-12-18 08:43:13 · 9 answers · asked by Born Valentine's Day 5 in Etiquette

Obviously i'm not talking about paedophilia or anything like that but for people at an age where they can fall in love....does it have an age limit? Is it REALLY wrong for a consensual 18 year old (16 in Britain) to go out with a 50/60 year old man if they were in love??? Or do you believe it is just plain wrong? Opinions please =D

2007-12-18 08:42:05 · 44 answers · asked by Hollywood Whore Boulevard Kitten 3 in Other - Society & Culture

I have been dating a really wonderful man for a few months now. I have never been happier with anyone else and we are in love. My question is this: I want to get him something for Christmas, but I'm not sure if I'm leaning in the right direction. He lives in an efficiency apartment and has basically no dishes, no basic kitchenware, not too many bath supplies (he has these really tiny Army towels that I loath). His sheets are not that comfortable, etc. He's quite happy with himself because he was a bachelor for so long and did not feel as though he needed much. He's also in the Army and very minimalistic and basic when it comes to things. I want to get him something practical like kitchenware or really nice sheets or big fluffy towels, but I'm afraid he'll think that's too impersonal. What do you think?

2007-12-18 08:41:44 · 4 answers · asked by Michel 6 in Christmas

I also posted this question in Philosophy but got little response.

A significant number of people point to evolution as the source of morality. Here is a representative statement:

"There is a strong desire to help when we see someone in need. This desire has been developed in our brains over millions of years of evolution. This desire to help is the basis of morality."

My question is this. We know that mindless evolution doesn't "care" about the individual, only about gene survival. Evolution has created this desire to help, thus sometimes causing us to sacrifice our own self interest. Shouldn't I put this desire to help to a rational test? Why should I allow myself to be pushed around by this irrational, evolution-designed desire? BTW, I think most people do put their initial desire to help to a rational test. And if we place a rational test on the desire, then that desire is no longer the standard. Isn't the real standard self-interest?

2007-12-18 08:41:42 · 20 answers · asked by Matthew T 7 in Religion & Spirituality

If we are saved by faith alone, why does James 2:24 say that we do NOT restore a right relationship with God (i.e., justification) by faith alone?

James further says (2:17), "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." If faith inescapably implies the action of good works, why would James warn us against faith without works?

2007-12-18 08:40:18 · 17 answers · asked by christiandefenderfaith 4 in Religion & Spirituality

Does Jesus in same chapter (of John), say that I , father, and all of you (12 deciphers) are One.
Does it mean that there are 14 Gods one should worship.

2007-12-18 08:40:01 · 15 answers · asked by freetothink 5 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-18 08:39:56 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Like every holiday or even close to one.

2007-12-18 08:37:40 · 7 answers · asked by ? 7 in Religion & Spirituality

My father-in-law wants to borrow my subcompact car so he can take a 1500 mile "joyride" over Christmas. He says he can't afford the gas if he takes his minivan. He's going by himself, and there are two other cars in his household he could possibly use, but he's having marriage problems and probably doesn't want to start a big fuss.

Anyway, I don't feel good about this amount of miles being put on my car, and I just don't feel comfortable about it in general. The answer is "no", but I'd like to know a good way to say this.

2007-12-18 08:36:52 · 18 answers · asked by It's the hair 5 in Etiquette

2007-12-18 08:36:40 · 28 answers · asked by ? 6 in Religion & Spirituality

is it 'la vita bella' or 'la vita e bella' ?

2007-12-18 08:35:41 · 0 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

Most of our presidents have been Christians, after all....

2007-12-18 08:35:29 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I don't understand that about you.

This is for my good friend Earnest T 2.0

2007-12-18 08:35:13 · 23 answers · asked by The Sidewalkinator 6 in Religion & Spirituality

i'm catholic and pro choice, and have been told by many people that i shouldn't call myself a catholic because i am pro choice... not like i'm gonna listen to anyone anyways... but this is my question mainly for the people who told me i'm going to hell for my views

don't you think there are SOME circumstances where an abortion would be alright?

like this:
say a woman gets pregnant and halfway through the pregancy and is told by her doctor that she will most likely die if she continued with the preganancy and the baby wouldn't be able to survive in an incubator if it was removed. she is basically told she must have an abortion.

this isn't something i made up, i've read about this happening... so what will it be? do you still believe that abortion is wrong in this case? either way the baby will die, but if the woman has an abortion she can still save her own life...

2007-12-18 08:35:10 · 28 answers · asked by Yvonne 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Isnt it logical to believe our spirits would go to the same place when we die?

2007-12-18 08:34:55 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Should you believe in the Trinity?

Trinitarians say that God is composed of three persons and all are Almighty God.
The Bible doesn’t use the terms “God-Man” TriUne God, Trinity, Three Persons in One God , Three in One God , TriUne characters of God, and other terminologies that Trinitarians invented. Why do you think you can’t find the word “reincarnation” in the Bible? The reason why you can’t find the word “reincarnation” in the Bible is the same reason why you can’t find the word “Trinity” in the Bible.

They use the following verses to prove the Trinity?
1. John 1:1, notice though how many persons are involved in John 1:1, Only TWO. And notice it says “the Word WAS…” Why do you think it is in PAST tense?

2. They also use Gen 1:26
Gen 1:26 states “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..”

Does this verse make God composed of THREE persons? Does it say anything about THREE PERSONS?

Please notice this.

2007-12-18 08:34:48 · 8 answers · asked by trustdell1 3 in Religion & Spirituality

I was raised Roman Catholic although not strictly. I just had a baby girl 7 months ago and am getting pressured into baptizing her.
Now that I am an adult, I feel that I no longer share the same beliefs as the Roman Catholic religion and dont believe in Baptisim.
I work full time and am a full time mother, I dont have time to plan a baptisim and a party to make other people happy. What to do?

I would imagine that I am going to get some negitive responses but, honestly, save it. I have my beliefs and dont push my beliefs on others. Please dont push your beliefs on me.

2007-12-18 08:34:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-18 08:33:52 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

What in the world does that mean?

2007-12-18 08:33:38 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

Should someone who does not believe in any gods waste what little precious time they have left with a loved one praying? Personally, I find that suggestion to be absolutely disgraceful. However, Earnest suggests they do just that: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071218132019AA7XMdM&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMiDxVUeVBH_OArtqLMVaNp1SGLKa2HvIGvA--&paid=answered#QsFIIEHdVEZboJUiOwiU If you are given a limited amount of time with a loved one, shouldn't you do something that is meaningful to you - like share memories or talk them through their feelings? Would YOU suggest anyone waste time praying if they feel it is useless? Or would you suggest they get and give the most in those final fleeting moments?

What is the compassionate option?

2007-12-18 08:32:12 · 23 answers · asked by Phoenix: Princess of Cupcakes 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-18 08:31:40 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Christmas

What are the twelve scales of Leviathan?

2007-12-18 08:31:39 · 7 answers · asked by butterfly 3 in Religion & Spirituality