I have read large parts of the bible, and have not been ``enlightened´´. Christianity is a FAITH belief, by admission.
Therefore it should be reasonable to come to any other or no conclusion, right?
There is no sense in faith.
2006-06-30 02:54:39 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Will:
It might say something about me, but that is beside the point.
Reasonable people can come to different conclusions.
Why isn't this accepted and expected by christians?
2006-06-30 03:01:26 · update #1
Earl D:
I thought about atomic bombs.
2006-06-30 03:19:48 · update #2
I feel the same, but what do you want. Those guys have been totally brainwashed.
2006-06-30 02:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by Atomin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is supposed to be a way of life.
A large part of the Bible details the lives and events of people and what came as a result of their actions. Sometimes good, sometimes not good.
The Old Testament has stories or fables that give you insight into dealing with things, like small David taking on big Goliath and winning.
The New Testament is about the wisdom of Jesus and how we are supposed to live. Loving our neighbors like we love ourselves. Loving our enemies the most. What's wrong with love?
When struck we are to turn our cheek and offer the other side, instead of getting all mad and starting a needless fist fight, although Jesus did say to carry a sword. He did not intend for the Christians to be fed to the lions. He anticipated the need to DEFEND yourself in certain circumstances, not wage war with a sword nor lob off someone's ear just because they come to take someone else away. Dead followers can't spread the word and the word dies with the death of the followers!
If asked by someone for your coat, also give them your cloak. If someone asks you to carry a pack for 5 miles, carry it for 10.
These things are not easy to do.
Too many simply, as you say, have faith and say Jesus died for my sins therefore I am saved and call it quits at that point, although they go to Church and worship.
It's a lot more complex than just that, but that's the fault of organized religion. Jesus, if I'm not mistaken, once said go to your homes and pray.
The sermons at a church usually only provoke nods from people who leave and thank the miniser for a nice sermon, although the words probably went in one ear and out the other.
Some churches condem and preach death and destruction.
While death and destruction is in the Bible, it's usually a part of the process of telling you about the wrong way to do things.
Jesus said we must be like little children. Do you remember childhood? For most things were a lot easier. The rules were few, you played, you had fun, you didn't think about things like war and A bombs. You didn't understand the concept of sin or wrong, you just did.
Sure, sometimes the bully pushed you, so you get up and walk away and play far away from them (or you fight back and learn that both lose and no one truly wins, both walk away with bruses and pain).
2006-06-30 10:16:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem to have accepted the false teaching that everything one needs to know about God is in the Bible. That's simply not true. The Bible says that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. If you haven't experienced life in an authentic Christian faith community, it's unlikely that you'll ever be able to make the deep and profound connection between worship, scripture, and tradition, or be able to develop a real and personal relationship with God. For prompt, complete, accurate and free answers to your questions about God via email, go to www.AskMeAboutGod.Org
2006-06-30 10:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I don't find Christians all that confident about their faith. Many of them become very angry and agitated if they feel you are challenging their beliefs with logic or science. Many Christians vehemently despised activist atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hare, for example, to the point of wishing her dead - and more than a few would have gladly murdered her if they'd had the chance. There is a rage in Christianity that is the antithesis of what it claims to be, and that rage comes from paranoia, not confidence. Confident people don't lose their sanity when their ideas are challenged.
2006-06-30 10:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because their faith states there can be only one god and one path to heaven. Many older religions accepted that there may be one god, but many ways to see him/her and that any religion that led to good honest people was fine because they were all still worshiping "god" just not the same way. Personally if i had any faith it would be more like that one. I like Christianity, it has good principles and guidelines, people just take it too far and too seriously, most religions are like that. They are there to guide people into happiness and less crime and things like that, a moral outline. I don't think i could have faith in any god that would throw even someone like mother Teresa in hell if she denounced his name. Good people would go to heaven one way or another, hell for lack of belief would make god nothing more than an egocentric needy child with too much power..
2006-06-30 10:07:59 · answer #5 · answered by Sam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody wants to "enlighten" you.
Jesus told us that his message was not for everyone.
Indeed, in Matthew 13:13 he said
Therefore I speak to them in parables; because they seeing, see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
He was saying that those who had God in their hearts would have him more abundantly through his teachings. As for those who never had God in their hearts, he was afraid they might learn
to follow mechanically (on the off chance there might really be a heaven or a hell), and Jesus would have to keep his promise to save them. So, to keep some from "conning" their way into immortality, he spoke in parables. Those who had God in their hearts would understand in their hearts. Those who did not would just hear words.
Some try to "enlighten" you in the mistaken belief they are helping you. It is a Christian goal to try to help one's neighbors. But most of us know that if you have read the word and still don't know, you never will.
2006-06-30 10:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by ALLEN F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is a reality. It not only talks about faith, but, it also talks about health laws, how to get along with others, how to settle disputes.... and on, and on.
The faith comes when you believe in God, and Jesus the Messiah, because, this is true love for God. If you saw God or Jesus you will love him because you see him. But if you love God or Jesus by believing than you will have true love.
You also have to get the complete plan of God in order to understand the entire purpose.
2006-06-30 10:38:48 · answer #7 · answered by LP S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith in God is be living his word, following his commandments,confessing and repentance of our sins and acceptance of Jesus Christ. Faith is belieling with seeing, trusting God no matter what happens in your life.
2006-06-30 11:02:00 · answer #8 · answered by isbros 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care if anyone else believes as I do, that is not what faith is about. However if you do claim my faith I ask you to prove it by your actions. Live by what you claim.
2006-06-30 10:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by Dead Man Walking 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You misunderstand. No one is trying to convince you, that is not our job as Christians.
Rather, I'd say we are confident that the path that WE follow is the way to go. It has nothing to do with you, no offense :)
2006-06-30 09:59:14 · answer #10 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I have read large parts of the bible, and have not been ``enlightened´´. "
Does that say something about the Bible or about you?
2006-06-30 09:58:11 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋