Religion & Spirituality - 18 May 2007

When we die, pack a couple of bags, and go to heaven, the only thing we can take with us is virtues. God is the source of our virtues. He helps us to obtain them. However, is God involved in our secular/worldly affairs? For instance, when we look for a job? Our health, marriage? All these are up to us, or arranged by God?

2007-05-18 14:52:16 · 14 answers · asked by Gone 4

2007-05-18 14:46:00 · 25 answers · asked by Judas. S. Burroughs. 3

2007-05-18 14:45:19 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

christian, catholic, mormon, baptist, presbatyrian, lutheran, methodist and atheist


what is the difference between the religions, like what do they believe in and how do they worship?


and also, why is christianity split up into all different religions?

2007-05-18 14:43:57 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

And if so, does this not mean that God will have robots in heaven serving him?

For if sin and free will are wiped out, there will be nothing left but automatons who have no choice but to obey God.

And this is the very thing God hoped to avoid by causing so much sin and suffering?

Without sin, free will does not exist!!!

2007-05-18 14:42:39 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous

Granted, since Jesus is supposedly the messiah mentioned in the OT there is a connection, but so much contained in *his* philosophy (as opposed to that of Paul) is so contradictory to the "mean old god" stories in the OT that they seem like they have almost nothing in common fundamentally.

While we're at it, what does Revelations have to do with the teachings of Jesus?

Why does Paul the Corruptor get half (?) of the NT to himself? He didn't even know Jesus.

If you cut out the OT, Revelations and the politics/canon/codification of Paul (as well as anything else contrary to the philosophy of Jesus) this atheist would be much more christian-friendly. I would have no problem with that religion at all. I might even put a fish on my car.

2007-05-18 14:42:28 · 8 answers · asked by Peter D 7

Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

That's quite an amazing act of astronomical interference. How did god stop the earth from rotating and the moon to also stop rotating around the earth?
What's really 'amazing' about this act is that if it were to actually happen, all life on earth would be destroyed. Why didn't that happen in biblical times? Oh, I know, you're just going to say 'god did it'.

2007-05-18 14:40:40 · 9 answers · asked by Biggest Douche in the Universe 3

One reason might be: because of the addictive possibility of gambling.
I would like to view as many {Scriptural} reasons as possible.

2007-05-18 14:40:34 · 12 answers · asked by Paulo 1

2007-05-18 14:40:32 · 18 answers · asked by Judas. S. Burroughs. 3

The Gospel of Mary talks of Mary Magdalene being the most loved disciple of Jesus and the one he trusted most. Mary talks with the other disciples as an equal, and the other male disciples encourage her when Peter speaks out against her because of her gender.

On the other hand, Paul's Epistles speak of women being subservient to their husbands, quiet and obedient. It is true that Paul also tells husbands to take care of their wives, but nowhere does the thought of divorce enter his head. No matter how bad a husband got, his wife was expected to be respectful and obedient.

I have pointed out Paul's shortcomings when it comes to women in previous questions. But I've not asked about the Gospel of Mary.

But when I read it, I think how much it helps to complete the picture of Jesus the Man. He wasn't a momma's boy. He was a Man. He loved Mary as a Man loves a Woman.

What are your thoughts on the Gospel of Mary vs. the Pauline Epistles?

2007-05-18 14:40:16 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-05-18 14:39:09 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am in ministry and after reading numerous answers from angry nonbelievers, I feel as though the world is not worthy of the Lord... I want to cry... why are people so hateful that they can't even give a straight answer, but they reply with hate. I haven't seen one debate about religion that is respectful and decent... even now I am probably going to have hateful replies....why?

Even some of the Christians are responding in hate... I am so saddened by you also. Where is your witness?

For those who are nonbelievers, you have right to have your own view and live your life that way, but why so defensive?

Just wondering if any believers feel like Paul when he said he would no longer bring the gospel to the Jews because of their attitudes and left them to preach only to the gentiles.

2007-05-18 14:36:09 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

Jack is 11, but he likes to see the answers to his questions :)

2007-05-18 14:35:53 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have never bothered with religion before, perhaps because I was raised without it. Recently, I have become interested in the Catholic religion and would like to experience a Sunday mass. I want to know what to expect. Like, what to wear, do I have to be familiar with any of the readings or whatever, and can I just walk in? This is just a local church I am talking about, but I'm pretty sure it's Catholic. Can anyone give me as much information as he/she knows? Thanks.

2007-05-18 14:35:37 · 39 answers · asked by Anonymous

Look at my Q&A, because that's the kind of person I am. I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for pretending to be something I'm not.

2007-05-18 14:31:52 · 45 answers · asked by Dirk Johnson 5

2007-05-18 14:30:17 · 4 answers · asked by Judas. S. Burroughs. 3

Christians claim that there can be no morality without their religion. If that is the case, please explain how the following (along with about a thousand other examples from the bible) is a source of morality:
Numbers 15:32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
15:33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation
15:34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
15:35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
15:36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

How exactly is that morality? Stoning him for getting firewood?
And don't try that Jesus changed the law nonsense. He told you to not change one iota. See Matthew 5:18-19

2007-05-18 14:29:41 · 30 answers · asked by Biggest Douche in the Universe 3

2007-05-18 14:26:25 · 22 answers · asked by Judas. S. Burroughs. 3

2007-05-18 14:25:38 · 14 answers · asked by Shafeeqah 5

witty answers most welcome! :)

2007-05-18 14:25:36 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

In Heart of Darkness, what the hell does this interpretation of Kurt'z famous speech mean? “The horror, the horror” could be a precise condemnation of himself and what he done, hence an affirmation of socially inculcated restraints.

2007-05-18 14:24:51 · 2 answers · asked by MyIIsHere 1

In Adam and Eve, as far as I know, the forbidden fruit is just that...a forbidden fruit. But if you were to name a specific fruit, you would automatically say an apple, right? Why is this?

2007-05-18 14:23:30 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-05-18 14:21:05 · 48 answers · asked by Anonymous

Let's say there is a woman in India, who has spent her whole life worshipping Vishnu. She's lived a good life, and tho' she's had a passing acquaintance with Christianity and understands the Christian belief in their Jesus, this woman has never had any interest in converting.

One day she dies.

Eventually she's brought before the Christian God, where she is judged an "unbeliever ... idolater" and promptly tossed intot he Lake of Fire. (Rev. 21:8)

No one can say she "hated God", or "loved Evil", she simply worshipped the concept of God she believed to be true.

But according to your beliefs, because she didn't believe Jesus was her saviour and the only Son of God, God tosses her into the Lake of Fire.

Now tell me how this God of yours can Love us so much his only choice for this poor woman is to have her pitched into the bonfire?

Because there are billions of people just like her in this world.

2007-05-18 14:17:48 · 42 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-05-18 14:17:38 · 7 answers · asked by Ann S 4

2007-05-18 14:16:22 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous

Or is there a tendency among hominids to prove fitness to mate by bashing other hominids that we have yet to evolve out of?
So is it fear of the "other" or instinct to be the pack's "alpha"

2007-05-18 14:15:25 · 5 answers · asked by hairypotto 6

2007-05-18 14:13:08 · 10 answers · asked by Judas. S. Burroughs. 3

2007-05-18 14:12:06 · 8 answers · asked by Judas. S. Burroughs. 3

Laptop asked this question about believers and I was wondering how it would play out on nonbelievers. Some responded somewhat brutal to her....so be kind in answering and truthful

2007-05-18 14:11:02 · 23 answers · asked by ? 5