What do you think of this, Christians, Athiests, and Agnostics?

Question

I'm paraphrasing:

Jesus told the parable of the two sons. He said,

"A father asked his first son to work in the fields. The son refused. Later he felt guilty for disobeying his father, and worked in the fields."

"The father asked his second son to work in the fields, and the son replied, 'Of course I will'. He then went outside, but decided to disobey his father and did not work"

"So which son did what was right?" The crowd replied, "THE FIRST ONE". Jesus shook his head, "Surely prostitutes and tax collecters will enter heaven before you."

The moral of the story is that those who have said "yes" to Jesus have been ignoring his teachings.

So, I think this applies today. Many Christians are claiming that they follow God, yet are not doing any good (in fact, many spread more hate than love).

Athiests and Agnostics say "No" to God, yet do good of their own choosing.

Magic Keys - You're right...we should ignore parts of the bible we don't agree with.

Anointed - I wish you'd make sense

The Amazing - Thanks for your input. I was waiting for some well put Christian opinions.

Answer 1

Jesus sent many out to preach, yet twelve didn't get that calling. And in the end (Calvary), they all realized that they had missed something. Their stories, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and possibly the book of Acts) are arch-typical examples of how their own expectations of the role of the messiah limited their relationship with Christ. One felt so bad after the Crucifixion, he killed himself. What would the Church look like today, if the Banker had lived three more days? Would the Pope, and all the evangelists have a better way of dealing with Money?

Thanks for the best question that I've read so far on this site.

Answer 2

Hi DougDoug,

I have put the scripture you reference in the source block for the person who doubts it's Biblical.

My understanding of this passage is that it is about the Jews and the Gentiles (not Christians, because there technically were no Christians until after the resurrection). God had dealings with all nations, but He had a special relationship with the Jews. Thus the two sons. The Jews promised to do His will and made several covenants with Him. The gentiles refused and created other gods and idols to worship.

Christ came to reconcile all men to God. When the Angel says "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men." when Christ was born he was not saying that we'll have peace and goodwill with each other, but that Jesus will bring peace between us and God and shows God's goodwill to us. All of us, even the gentiles.

Thus, those Jesus is talking to are the second son in the parable. They said they would do the will of the Father, but they didn't do it. The gentiles are the first son, who said they would not obey, but later repented and did His will.

Further, it doesn't just say that the first son did good of his own choosing, but that he repented and did the Father's will.

I will grant you that many who follow Christ make the mistakes of the Pharisees, of whom Christ said they made their proselytes twice the children of hell than they were. Not very complimentary.

Even so, He is still the Way, the Truth, and the Life and as such is the only way to the Father.

I appreciate the spirit in which this was asked.

Answer 3

You are right saying that many Christians are doing more harm than good, and that is unfortunate, but look around. You will also see Christians doing wonderful things in the name of Jesus! Jesus is telling us that words are not as good as deeds. He was directing this parable at the Pharisees who had plenty of words, but needed to focus more on their deeds.

Jesus did not tell the Pharisees that they had the wrong answer. In fact, they had the right answer. He told them that the prostitutes and tax collectors would get into heaven first because they were more like the second son. He interpreted the parable for them anyway to make them see that it was about them.

The following is an interpretation from religion-online.org that I think helps a lot:

This parable follows on the heels of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the moments when he cast the moneychangers from the temple, cursed the fig tree and asked the religious officials if they had accepted John and the baptism he brought. All these events swirl around this parable. We cannot hold this parable at arm’s length and shake our heads at the bad guys who ran the religious institution. This judgment is directed at all of us who claim the name Christian.

Are we the faithful or the unfaithful son? Both lied to the father. But one changed his mind and went to work while the other never followed through. Like the Pharisees we know the answer to Jesus’ question -- the son who did what the father asked is the hero in this parable.

Who among us, however, has not been like that second son? We all know how hard it is to keep the promises we have made. As Elisabeth Elliot has observed, "The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep creeping off the altar." We know about the creeping.

Answer 4

Thats a good point. I have always thought the word Christian was used too librally. Some take the Christian teachings of the Bible which prohibit certain acts and behaviors and use them in a hateful way which ends up diminishing a proper dialogue between the offender and the "Christian". I am a sinner and slip up with this sometimes but hope I dont take it to the worst level. But no matter what certain things must be condemed , its just how you go about it I suppose. Its hard to be a Christian in this world, for some more then others. I have been admonished on this site for pointing out the truth. But some would say MY TRUTH, which is of course their is no such thing. Keep on.

Answer 5

I think modern religions (except perhaps buddhism) are generally doing the opposite of the only reason to keep them around, to keep people from doing bad things and keep them doing good things. Take Christianity, before, there was a fear of God that kept people on the straight and narrow, but now everybody gets in that accepts Jesus blah blah blah, so basically do whatever you want, you're still going to heaven! That's going to stop people from doing bad things. Or religions that preach war, do we need those around anymore? Unfortunately, a lot of people wouldn't be able to handle the freedom of being an atheist or agnostic, of being able to do whatever you want. Then they'll go to jail for a few years and the idea that "now there are consequences" should hit home, so if the world was filled with atheists and agnostics, jails may fill up kind of quickly, but people would probably stay out of them pretty well, and I think the world would generally benefit.

Answer 6

A large part of following the Christian faith is to "make disciples of the nations". If you aren't out preaching about Jesus to starving people or at least the kids at your school, then you're not doing your duty as a Christian. Atheists get annoyed by this. Most name calling done by the secular side is provoked by one Christian or another trying to shove the word of God down someone's throat because "the Bible told them so". To an Atheist, they're just babbling nonsense. The responsibility lies on both ends. Christians: stop thinking that you're making the world a better place by brainwashing others. If they want to learn about God, they will come to you. We are all aware of the fact that there is a church on every street corner. Be humble about your faith and spirituality. I know what the Bible says, you'll get more bees with honey than with vinegar. Atheists: you know where you stand. You may think they're ignorant, but the the same need that created God in the first place keeps their faith alive - no amount of science and facts can shake a person with deep faith. Ignore their propaganda. In the end, it really won't matter any way. According to them, you'll go to hell. And according to you, neither one of you won't know the difference.

Answer 7

I agree, I have met many "christians" who choose to ignore the teachings of their religion, and I'm an agnostic with very high moral standards and I try to be a good person and to not hurt anyone's fellings and all that good stuff. Yet some people will judge me because I'm not a Christian, and assume I'm a bad person.

Answer 8

So everyone goes to heaven except those who truly follow Jesus? Why was the Bible even written then? Why was Jesus even sent? If this is true, then heaven will be filled with Charlie mansons' and all those Enron people. Wow, I might just start hating Jesus so I can get to heaven..... What?

Ignore it? You are "paraphrasing" just like you said. You don't even give the book it's in. Why not? Are you scared someone will find the truth in your deception?

Answer 9

I totally agree with you. Alot of people think that obeying "god" is right and guarantees that you are a good person or something.

I even had someone ask me once "since you don't belive in god that meanst you can murder someone right?" and I just couldn't believe anyone would ask me that.

A friend of mine also once said (she was christian) that she should become and atheist so that she could do whatever she wants, which got her a huge lecture from me on this same point.

Just because one believes in god does not make one a good person, and likewise just because one does NOT believe in a god does not make then a bad person.

Answer 10

just doing good still does not imply doing God's will.
the invitation to do God's will was as said by God "this is my son, listen to him."
Jesus said , "he that does the will of the father in the heavens, is the one that will be saved.
doing acts of good that have nothing to do with setting people free
from the lies of satan, are as jesus said," let the dead care for the dead."
this is a fact, anyone claiming to be christian that is not willing to "go therefore and make disciples" as jesus did, from town to town and door to door, is only lying to themselves.
In jesus time jews were asked to work in the field (preaching the good news of gods kingdom), many refused, but then complied.
The religious leaders said that they would, but absolutely refused.
As far as atheists not spreading hate, is this the first time you have logged on?
I have seen as much instigation by them as by any so called christian.