Religion & Spirituality - 7 February 2007

Both cause great deception and damage among Christians who are not discerning. But between a False Prophet who uses the Word of God SOLELY to attract financial gain, and another which is not concerned with financial gain, but teaches false doctrine strictly to deny the Divinity of God and push false Prophecies, which will most likely deceive more people and why?

Again, both are to be avoided and are of Satan, but certain False Prophets are easier to spot than others for obvious reasons. So their teachings are eventually exposed. In contrast, those who use more subtle deception MAY go years undetected.

2007-02-07 09:35:24 · 13 answers · asked by StartingOver 2

i dont understand for the bulk of christians out there who struggle with addictions such as these, why arent they being talked about much, yeah all the other addictions are probably worse and yeah no addiction is worse then the other but yet why isnt there pastors who are bold enough to step up and speak on the truth of overcoming these things, or is it they are scared to step on toes and or worse then that are they afraid to offend someone, bull crap! i just dont get it, please someone can anyone relate?

2007-02-07 09:33:16 · 3 answers · asked by Joseph R 1

I dont like to lie (not very good at it), BUT, if someone told me to swear on the bible or swear to God, it wouldn't bother me.

What do they think swearing on the bible's going to prove anyway? I just dont get it. The same as swearing to God, someone will ask me to swear to God - I tell the truth but if i was to lie i could swear to God and lie!

Christians do you find it sacreligious if people ask you to swear to God?

2007-02-07 09:32:39 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-02-07 09:30:25 · 13 answers · asked by dr.death 1

2007-02-07 09:30:23 · 22 answers · asked by Joseph F 1

I am wondering if you have had a bad experience with an Atheist, an argument, whatever. If nothing has happened, then why are you so hostile? I am an Atheist and have been verbally attacked, mostly by Christians, immediately after telling them. I have had people tell me I am going to Hell and pray for me, but very few. Most believers are quick to say that they dislike Atheists and do not understand how they cannot believe in God. I have had people say "You don't believe in God and call yourself an American? This is a Christian country, get with the program." I have had my home and vehicle vandalized, as well. I have never tried to 'convert' anyone to Atheism or tell them God doesn't exist, I simply explain that I do not believe, but have much respect for others' beliefs and would NEVER bash someone for their belief. Why do you have such hostility towards Atheists?

2007-02-07 09:29:05 · 40 answers · asked by stephanie 3

2007-02-07 09:28:00 · 10 answers · asked by jennifer F 1

2007-02-07 09:27:22 · 6 answers · asked by Tim S 1

If Baltar is recieving messages from number 6, can he be accontable for all his action? I mean, she does influence him in many ways?
Also, what do you think is going to happen to him. Do you think they are going to kill him? One of the top seven is supposed to be killed off.

2007-02-07 09:26:40 · 13 answers · asked by fifimsp1 4

that a baby who isn't baptized will not make it to heaven? Personally, I have trouble with this for so many reasons. First, I've suffered a miscarriage and cannot stand to think that my baby isn't with God now. Second, when I think of the horrible "mothers" who toss their babies into the garbage..for example, I can't imagine that after they suffered their entire little lives, God wouldn't scoop them up into his very own arms and welcome them into heaven. He isn't a "vengeful" god. He is forgiving, and a baby has NO say in whether or not they are baptized.

2007-02-07 09:26:26 · 20 answers · asked by mommyismyname 3

I had a friend who was; and I really think that this person didn't even know it.

2007-02-07 09:25:59 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

I just think there are a lot of people I don't want to be around. Any thoughts? I mean we're supposed to be happy there, right?

2007-02-07 09:25:50 · 9 answers · asked by lavenderbluelassie 3

2007-02-07 09:24:59 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

Okay, so I have two questions. I am seriously thinking about doing hijab. I have already told my Mom, but she said that I should wait until I'm not in this town anymore (we live in a place where the people would give us stares for it). First Question:

-How can I convince my Mom to let me do hijab? How can I get her to understand?

Also, I don't know exactly what kind of shirts I should wear for hijab. In some places, I've heard that you can wear regular shirts, and in others, I've heard you should wear tunic types of shirts. Ones that cover your bum. Second question:

-Should I wear longer shirts, or is the regular length fine?

Thankyou.

2007-02-07 09:23:53 · 9 answers · asked by saasay0 2

We've all probably seen them, ya go to some bible campmeeting and when the alter call is given they have you fill out a decision card saying you became a christian that day but, very trgically well over 80 percent of those decisions soon fall away. I see it all the time. Like a Billy Graham crusades, they say, "Over a million saved this year." Really? Or did they just count the cards? Come on folks. This is such an old way and very antique way to do this. I feel we do a harsh dis service to the body of Christ and the Lord when we count the numbers. I think its all about the follow up and a thing called relationships. The real kind. We've all seen those lousy decision cards, now its time to switch to a better way. Do you honestly feel that these decision cards really tell the true numbers or is it maybe some way for the churches and evangelist to serve up some high numbers like McDonalds or something? I mean come on guys and gals, relationships can never be placed upon a measure stick.

2007-02-07 09:23:44 · 2 answers · asked by John S 3

If God is all-powerful, then he can solve all the world's problems but chooses not to. Thus, he is not all-loving.

If God is all-loving, then he would solve all the world's problems if he could, but he can't. Thus, he is not all-powerful.

If God is all-powerful, then he can solve all the world's problems but chooses not to. Thus, he is not all-loving.

If God is all-loving, then he would solve all the world's problems if he could, but he can't. Thus, he is not all-powerful.

If God is all-powerful, then he can solve all the world's problems but chooses not to. Thus, he is not all-loving.

If God is all-loving, then he would solve all the world's problems if he could, but he can't. Thus, he is not all-powerful.


Christians...help me! This is too much circular reasoning for me to handle in one sitting.

2007-02-07 09:23:01 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

Answer: The Romans, upon percieveing the threat to Rome and Roman culture itself, would have done as they did in Masada or with any other self-righteous sub-culture that threatened to bring down their civilization.

Unfortunately we are not as practical as the Romans, largely because we inhereted the disease of their demise "Christianty". Now we must "love the enemy" and "repect all usurping savages by showing them the other cheek".

Its what did Rome in....

2007-02-07 09:22:10 · 10 answers · asked by Asmodeous 1

2007-02-07 09:22:07 · 13 answers · asked by Giggly Giraffe 7

Monday, Tuesday, Happy Days. Wednesday, Thurday, Happy Days....

Where are the good stories about people laughing and enjoying life.

Just when someone is having a great life God makes a bet with Satan and has his family killed.

What's up with that?

2007-02-07 09:20:35 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-02-07 09:20:22 · 11 answers · asked by dr.death 1

2007-02-07 09:18:30 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

A previous question here got me thinking. Someone asked atheists if they believed in "free will" or not. I found it odd that many atheists who responded seemed to argue that free will is an illusion, but then I've seen these these same avatars spending a lot of time on the R&S section trying to convince everyone else that theism is "wrong". If there is no free will, then how can anyone change their beliefs? Calvinists can respond too, since they have the same inherent problem.

2007-02-07 09:17:30 · 16 answers · asked by Randy G 7

the question is: if people that are frozen are actually reanimated will that person have a soul? my belief is once a person is dead the soul goes on to wherever the souls go. so do they get a second chance with a second soul or will they just be a meat puppet? also why would one be frozen even if a cure is found for whatever it was they died from because all that that person knew or loved will be long dead and gone. what's the point? I realize many dont believe in God so the soul part of the question may be moot.

2007-02-07 09:17:06 · 4 answers · asked by molly 6

in terms of a lasting love relationship (woman and man)

2007-02-07 09:16:34 · 13 answers · asked by kosher P 2

Then how can satan cause so much damage and destruction all over the world, all at the same time? And by the way, if satan is here on earth, walking among us ... why isn't god doing the same?

2007-02-07 09:16:26 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

Explain, please, how you believe they coexist and/or work well together.

2007-02-07 09:15:16 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

I'm Baptist and he's penacostal. I was wondering if it's okay to bring him to my church? I mean I know I am bringing him tonight to our youth group and he said he doesn't mind going and it would probably be fun,but I just don't want him to feel akward 'cause it's not his church. Penacostal is a religion of Christianity, but they speak in tounges and fall down to let others know they're worshiping God, but Baptists don't or at least the church I go to. Baptists are really into the lifting hands thing and singing. Please tell me what you think. Thanks....

2007-02-07 09:14:33 · 10 answers · asked by Blue eyed girl 2

Why Islam Forbids Pork?
By: Rashid Shamsi
(The Muslim World League Journal, Rajab 1420 - October 1999)


Food and drink have direct effect on our health. That is why Islam has prescribed regulations about our food and drink. It lays great emphasis on our physical as well as moral health, because both of these are equally important for a healthy society. The abstention from eating pork is one of the steps taken by Islam to practise hygiene and to attain purity of soul.

Islam, for the cultivation of inner faculties, insists upon the cleanliness of body and the purification of soul through Salaat (prayers) Zikr (remembrance of Allah) and other devotional duties. Islam teaches us how to attain the virtues and how to give up bad habits because both good and bad grow in the man according to his upbringing, education and environment.

A human being has natural desires: food, sleep and sex being the three primary ones. He has also other natural emotions: sorrow, happiness, love, fear, disgust and avarice etc. Islam doesn't recommend the complete abrogation of these impulses but offers a method of controlling them through religious education and discipline.

The prohibition of eating pork in Islam is relevant in this context. There is a saying in English that "a man becomes what he eats." According to physicians and medical experts, pork is a harmful diet. Consumption of swine-flesh creates lowliness in character and destroys moral and spiritual faculties in a man.


Body and Soul

The life of a man is a compound of body and soul. Anything, which is harmful for the body, hurts the soul as well. Consumption of swine-flesh reduces the feeling of shame and as such the standard of modesty. Those nations, which consume pork habitually, have a low standard of morality with the result that virginity, chastity and bashfulness are becoming a thing of the past in Europe today. The number of unwed mothers is on the increase despite of the use of pills and other contraceptives.

According to a report, 60 to 70% of girls in Sweden become mothers before marriage. The formula of "skin to skin is no sin" is taking its toll but there is hardly any feeling of shame or remorse over the end-result. Since the European nations have become addicted to wine and pork, sexual freedom with all its attendant evils has got ingrained in their culture. Consequently, homosexuality has been legalized by the British Parliament.

The Holy Qur'an has prohibited the swine-flesh, hence the Muslims would not dare touch it. The Bible has also forbidden swine-flesh, but Christians disregarded this order and started consuming it. The Europeans now proclaim that pork is a very powerful diet, rich in protein. Some of them further argue that since there is a great scarcity of food-stuff in the world and swines are available in abundant quantity, they should be consumed in the diet to overcome the food shortage. If this argument is true, why don't they use dog's meat as dogs too are available in abundance? The Europeans perhaps hate the mere mention of dog's meat in the same way as the Muslims shun pork.

Another wrong notion about swine-flesh is that its consumption lengthens life-span, although this is a pure myth and absurdity. On the contrary, people, who abstain from pork and liquor, have a longer span of life. The Muslims in Central Asia bear a testimony to this truth.

However, in the consumption of flesh Muslims are required to be selective and to distinguish between Halaal (Lawful) and Haraam (Unlawful). This step leads automatically to the deeper understanding of the need for the cultivation of a pure human nature. As blood is virtually our life-stream and whatever we consume ultimately affects the blood system, it is, therefore, necessary to exercise choice in the selection of our food and drinks as part of the requirements of the Shariah.

There are certain food and drinks specified by Allah, and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as forbidden. The prohibition of these food and drinks is not by any means an arbitrary action or an unwarranted decree of Allah. It is the first and foremost a divine intervention in the best interest of man and for his own benefit.

The reasons behind the Divine intervention are numerous. They are of a nature intellectual and spiritual, moral and mental, physical and economic. And the sole purpose is to show man how to develop himself according to an upright course of life in order to be a healthy unit in the structure of the family, then of society and eventually of humanity at large.

Reliable medical doctors and social scientists are able to realize how those food and drinks forbidden by Islam are harmful and destructive to the human spirit and morality as well as to the physique and moral fibre of man and to verify the benefits of Islamic legislations on the subjects.

The prohibition is based on the aim of the purification of one's nature, because food, when consumed, doesn't merely enter the stomach and intestines and become excreta. It is absorbed and metabolized into the system and circulated to all parts of the human body, including the brain, and this in no small way affects man's nature.

Take a look at the nature of the pig for example. The pig is naturally lazy and indulgent in sex, it is dirty, greedy and gluttonous. It dislikes sunlight and lacks the spirit and will to "fight." It eats almost anything, be it human excreta or anything foul and unwholesome. Amongst all animal flesh, pork is the favoured cradle of harmful germs. Pork also serves as a carrier of diseases to mankind. It is for this reason that its flesh is not suitable for consumption.

Some people have argued that the "modern pig" reared in farms is given only clean foods, therefore, its flesh should be consumable. The answer is that you may feed the pig on clean, wholesome food, but you can't change its nature. It is still a pig and will always stay so. A pig is not a plant and you cannot change it by bud-grafting.


Medical Reports

Dr. E. Kazim. M.D. in his article "Medical aspects of forbidden foods in Islam" (July 1981 issue of Muslim Journal has described diseases carried or caused by the flesh of the swine.

He writes:

The pig is a scavenger. It is an omnivorous animal. It eats everything. There are many diseases carried from swine to man, particularly parasite infestations. Lately extensive research has been focused on senility-old age is characterized by hardening of inner lining of the blood vessels of the heart, brain etc. a process called atheroselerosis. When a clot forms, it results in coronary thrombosis or a heart attack, cerebral thrombosis or stroke.

Different dietary factors are responsible for atheroselerosis. Gross atheroma may be produced in rabbit by feeding it with cholesterol, but when you add lard (derived from hog fat) to the cholesterol, the incidence of atheroma is increased and thus you would produce coronary thrombosis, and myocardial infraction.

Besides, lard contains 2800 units of vitamin D per 100 grams and no vitamin A at all. Lately vitamin D has been held responsible for atheroma, by causing increased absorption of calcium in the blood vessels. In human beings, serum cholesterol is not dependent on the intake of cholesterol in the diet, but depends upon the proportion of animal fats in the diet, which elevates the beta-lipo protein level in the blood. Animal fats contain saturated fatty acids and these saturated fatty acids have been found to be as one of the causes of atheroma in man. Medium fat bacon contains 25% proteins and 55% fat.

According to medical research, the fat content in pork is more than any other meat (beef, mutton etc.) and it takes longer to digest. Dr. M Jaffer in an article in the Islamic Review (London) of January 1997 issue has listed 16 kinds of harmful germs, which have been discovered in pork in modern researches and the diseases, which could be caused by them. The number of patients suffering from tapeworm disease is the highest in the world among pork eating nations. Other diseases attributed to pigs are caused by tri-chinelia spirates and intestinal worms occupy first place among such nations too.

Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952).

"One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles - trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. Many people who are infected shows no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recover slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters".

He continued "No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer."

After reading the statement of Dr. Shepherd, one can realize that there is no real guarantee of safety when eating pork that one would not be affected by trichina worm. That is why modern doctors advise three prohibitions during illness: no liquor, no pork and no smoking.

Muslims follow the divine law which is much higher than the medical advice. The Glorious Qur'an says, "So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you, and thank the bounty of your Lord if it is Him you serve. He has forbidden for you only carrion and blood and swine-flesh and that which has been immolated in the name of any other than Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing, Lo! then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (16:114-115)

The above is the order from the Creator of the universe and the Supreme Law-Giver. All Muslims are under the obligation to obey it. This is a plain and straightforward answer to those, who usually ask why Muslims abstain from eating pork. Nevertheless, there is no sin, if a Muslims is forced by famine or starvation to eat pork in order to save his life.

2007-02-07 09:14:10 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

Is there a prophecy saying that people would reject God enough times that God would harden their hearts and they wouldn't be able to choose him even if they wanted to? If you have where in the bible do it say that?
I have a friend that I grew up with it who is trying to 'believe'. I really sincerely think she wants to and I pray for her a number of times daily. She has made progress and no longer thinks it sounds like "a fairy tale and fairy tales aren't real" She had borrowed my 'Left Behind' series and called me this morning saying she had read 'Armageddon', and it said that phrase was prophesied. I looked at the book and that is what the book said, I haven't heard of it except for in Pharoh's situation, and of course the one unforgiveable sin, blasphamy of the holy spirit. Now she thinks this has happened with her. I've been looking through the bible all morning and was looking online when I thought to ask on here. You help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. God Bless.

2007-02-07 09:14:07 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-02-07 09:13:34 · 7 answers · asked by Antares 6