Religion & Spirituality - 22 August 2006

It now seems to me that almost all Christian denominations differ in one only one major aspect; their interpretation of the Bible. Fundamentalists are the most strict, usually taking the Bible quite literally. Then there are Christians who interpret the Bible into a peaceful, harmonious book (a difficult task, no doubt). And there are plenty of people in between.
How do you (personally) decide which parts of the Bible to take literally, and which to understand figuratively? Do you consider the Bible "timeless"? How do you justify these decisions?

2006-08-22 18:23:36 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous

One thing I'm having trouble understanding is that abortion is wrong from the Christian viewpoint. Do most Christians believe that abortion is wrong no matter what the circumstances? Say if the woman was raped and hasn't the means to care for a child or simply doesn't want to endure 9 months of pregnancy after already being stripped of her dignity? Or what if the mothers life is in jeopardy due to it? Do any of us have authority to tell her she has to risk her life for the unborn baby if she doesn't want to? But....my actual question is how can Christians use their religious views as the basis for their "Abortion is never ok" stance when the god of their bible uses it as a means of punishment and revenge on people who upset him. Are we to believe that abortion to save the mother is wrong, abortion if a woman was raped is wrong, but abortion out of revenge or punishment is perfectly fine?? I'm just trying to understand the reasoning behind this?

2006-08-22 18:23:17 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

I Sinned, Because of a big problem i had, instead of begging the lord's help, i sinned for pleasure, for release of stress, i'm angry, i always sin, i always say i'm done with sin, but sin isn't done with me, i beg for forgiveness, but i always end up doing the same thing.....what do i do?

2006-08-22 18:23:08 · 17 answers · asked by GhostBoy 1

I think it's hypocrytical for christians to be the aggressor in any situation
They have the right to defend and use force
The question is who is the aggressor - in any conflict
The people or countries who wage war are only interested in accumulating and or protecting their wealth and power
The bible says: What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet suffers the loss of his soul

2006-08-22 18:23:04 · 14 answers · asked by vincegill 3

When Jesus was arrested, were the soldiers who took him before Annas and Caiaphas Roman soldiers, or some kind of soldiers working the the priests?

2006-08-22 18:22:08 · 11 answers · asked by Nowhere Man 6

This verse is one where Paul wrote a long list of what we shouldn't do. Don't kill one another. Don't lie or cheat or steal. The list goes on to include fornication, idolatry, whoremongering, perjury, etc. He also includes "malokois" and "arsenokoitai."

What's a malokois? What's an arsenokoitai? Actually, those two Greek words have confused scholars to this very day.

Greek scholars say that in first century the Greek word malaokois probably meant "effeminate call boys." The New Revised Standard Version says "male prostitutes."

As for arsenokoitai, Greek scholars don't know exactly what it means.

In 1958, for the first time in history, a person translating that mysterious Greek word into English decided it meant homosexuals, even though there is, in fact, no such word in Greek or Hebrew.

In the past,people used Paul's writings to support slavery, segregation, and apartheid.Is it been done again to condemn another minority, the gay people?

2006-08-22 18:19:12 · 20 answers · asked by Thinx 5

2006-08-22 18:19:04 · 8 answers · asked by swissmiss_423 1

2006-08-22 18:13:31 · 33 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

I believe it is latin or Italian. I found it on a catholic image I liked.

2006-08-22 18:12:26 · 8 answers · asked by rachel M 1

2006-08-22 18:12:18 · 12 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

You’re standing before the Gates of Heaven and you see God there. He looks you in the face and asks you, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” What do you say?

I'm not looking to start a debate. I just think it would be interesting to hear some of the different responses.

2006-08-22 18:11:40 · 9 answers · asked by kevbox2006 2

2006-08-22 18:11:04 · 21 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

2006-08-22 18:10:05 · 14 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

Jesus and santa clause get in a race who wins?????? niether of them because they dont even exist

2006-08-22 18:09:30 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-22 18:09:07 · 22 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

Don't you idiots know that crucifixion was the punishment du jour back then? It wasn't just reserved for Jesus.

2006-08-22 18:08:24 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am a Christian. Heres a question that has been raised in conversation lately. One person baptised Catholic as a new born. (But not ever practiced it or brought to a Catholic church when younger either.) Then as an adult decides they do not believe in Catholisism(spelling?).
Do you believe that once youre baptised something you are always that.
Do you believe that one can become a different one if later in life baptised differently?
Do you believe that when you were a baby you could not choose for yourself so your parents did for you (thanks to them) but that it is up to you/your duty (if you will), as an adult make the decision for yourself.
Can you CHOOSE to be say Baptist, or Jewish if you were christened Catholic?
Also, through the eyes of God...
will that person always be a Catholic?
I am not confused ..I know what I believe, I just wanted to see what others would have said if they were part of this previous conversation I recently had.
Thanks everyone

2006-08-22 18:07:56 · 18 answers · asked by Al 2

Maybe cause 'Light overcomes darkness'

2006-08-22 18:07:13 · 19 answers · asked by hghghghgh 1

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions"

2006-08-22 18:07:09 · 18 answers · asked by abascious 1

I can't seem to find it. Thanks

2006-08-22 18:05:45 · 17 answers · asked by gracefully_saved 5

And do you think they feel stupid?

2006-08-22 18:02:54 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

refering to Bukhari's Hadith 3.786

2006-08-22 18:02:31 · 12 answers · asked by sr 1

2006-08-22 18:02:16 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

In accepting the idea of limited divine inspiration does a believer reject the idea of limitless divine inspiration?

2006-08-22 18:00:33 · 5 answers · asked by IMRU? 2

if so, how?

2006-08-22 18:00:22 · 41 answers · asked by Urban Hermit 4

All my dreams have 3 basic features:

1- I don't exist in my dreams.
2- Things make no sense.
3- LOTS of deaths.

Is there a meaning for that? Is God going to destroy me and my family?

2006-08-22 17:59:56 · 12 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

Is this a sign that God is going to destroy me and my entire family?

2006-08-22 17:59:52 · 9 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

I wonder how people would react. I bet the guys stuck in the mall would be laughing. But I wonder how our goverment would take it. Thousands of Crazed Flesh eating humans roaming the streets, would the nuke us to keep the Plague in N. and S. America?

I already planed out what I am going to do just in case of a zombie invasion. I am going to go upstairs, get something to protect my self. get in a car, drive to the local Q.T. pump a full gallon of gas. Leave it leaking, light a match and blow it off and drive on the road of my life. And if I run out of gas... I screwed. What are your plans? If you dont have plans you should. Its just as important as having a fire escape route. Anything can happen when God is controlling zombies.

2006-08-22 17:59:50 · 7 answers · asked by Señor Badass 2

In accepting the need for leadership by ideological authorities that serve as intermediaries between the sacred and the profane, does a believer reject the idea that everything is sacred?

2006-08-22 17:59:17 · 6 answers · asked by IMRU? 2

I see 11:11 all the time, on my clock, on my phone, recepits ect. accourding to many spiritual beleifs it is the midway angels or something realated to 2012 and the end of the world. Does anyone have any insite to what this is? theorys?

2006-08-22 17:59:11 · 14 answers · asked by Equik 2