CHRSTIANS: Do you consider the following statements true or false?

Question

Obviously there will be differences in how strongly you feel about each statement; but for the sake of convenience, please answer true if you feel that statement is wholly true or even just true in certain circumstances. After you have marked a statement true or false, feel free to comment on why you feel that way.

1.Living in a society with others who do not practice my religion interferes with my personal religious beliefs.

2.It’s alright for others to be governed by the rules of my religion, even if they do not practice my religion.

3.Even if others choose not to practice my religion, it is better that they practice some other religion than none at all.

4.It isn’t necessary to understand why a religion has certain rules, it's only necessary to obey them.

Answer 1

1. False
We cannot expect to live in a world so homogenous that all contrary beliefs are absent. Religious plurality is only one dimension we must accomodate if we don't want our faith to evaporate entirely.
2. False
History has given us the sorry and tragic consequences of forced faith: the Inquisition saw the martyrdom of many Jews and Muslims, sharia laws in Muslim countries see converts to other faiths prosecuted and threatened with death. The essence of the Christian message is one of true freedom, a freedom that cannot be imposed. Thus, ones who practice other faiths should not have anything imposed on them.
3. False
The practice of religion is personal and, again, should not be imposed on anyone. The founders of the United States of America happened to agree with this one, as it is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
4. False
Blind obedience had been the root of some of the most alarming crimes in the history of the world. Obedience can come only with faith, not with fear or desire for harmony or anything else.

Answer 2

Why do I get the idea that we're being set up here with the parameters (even if it is only partially true? - WHY)

1.Living in a society with others who do not practice my religion interferes with my personal religious beliefs.
False

2.It’s alright for others to be governed by the rules of my religion, even if they do not practice my religion.
True
3.Even if others choose not to practice my religion, it is better that they practice some other religion than none at all.
False

4.It isn’t necessary to understand why a religion has certain rules, it's only necessary to obey them.
True

Answer 3

1) False

2) Depends on the rule. If we're talking about "Do not commit murder", I'm just fine with that one. If we're talking about "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy", that's a personal decision the State should stay out of.

3) I think they'd be better off, but I think this is also a personal decision and none of my business.

4) Uhh... I find the question a little confusing. Christianity as such has relatively few rules. Christ said that the Law would pass away when it was completed, and He completed it, so even the Commandments I cited above don't really qualify any more. There are aspects of Christianity that I don't understand - the Trinity comes immediately to mind - but I accept them because they're part and parcel of the religion. Frankly, I'd be a little worried if I felt I did understand everything about God. So ultimately I guess I'd say I disagree, but I think the question indicates that you have a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature of Christianity.

Answer 4

1.Living in a society with others who do not practice my religion interferes with my personal religious beliefs.

Only if they have control of the government and make laws that interfere with my freedom to practice my religious beliefs or if they are like the people in Ireland who terrorize one another over religious differences.

2.It’s alright for others to be governed by the rules of my religion, even if they do not practice my religion.

That would all depend upon which rules you meant. If you meant that they shouldn't steal and murder then sure I would agree with that. If you meant that they had to set aside a day to honor God then I would say that such a rule should not be applied to society as a whole.

3.Even if others choose not to practice my religion, it is better that they practice some other religion than none at all.

I would totally disagree with that. Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father apart from Him. It's far better for a person to practice no religion than to practice one that gives them a false assurance of eternal security.

4.It isn’t necessary to understand why a religion has certain rules, it's only necessary to obey them.

That question can only have a conditional answer. It is certainly helpful to understand why a person should obey the laws of Christ like loving our neighbors as ourselves. But a person should obey that law by faith even if they don't fully understand the reason for it. I'm not supporting blind obedience to religious doctrines. It's important for teachers in the Christian faith to give believers sound reasons as to why the commands of God are beneficial to themselves and to others. But until a person has an opportunity to learn these things they should obey out of faith while seeking understanding to support that faith.

Answer 5

1.Living in a society with others who do not practice my religion interferes with my personal religious beliefs. Not true, it helps me understand mine more.

2.It’s alright for others to be governed by the rules of my religion, even if they do not practice my religion. NO

3.Even if others choose not to practice my religion, it is better that they practice some other religion than none at all. It's up to the individual to decide if they want to worship or not.

4.It isn’t necessary to understand why a religion has certain rules, it's only necessary to obey them. Not, doing that is blind faith and God is not about blind faith. He wants his followers to know who they are worshipping and what he wants of them.

Answer 6

1) False. Because my faith in Christ as the Lord and Savior is entirely independent of social norms and practices, and it is totally noncontingent on humans.

2) "Rules"? I don't see a list of rules in Christianity. There are God's Ten Commandments, so if you want to call those "rules," okay...I guess. So you're asking if it's all right that the criminal-justice system of the U.S. punishes certain crimes that happen to be things that God commanded us not to do? Yeah, I think that's fine and dandy. I believe that people who murder, for example, should be held accountable to God and man alike.

3) I will say, "Sort of." Any other religion they practice will not lead them to salvation. Salvation is only found in accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. But practicing spiritual "principles," for lack of a better word, may indeed open a door. And when one seeks God in any way, God often guides the search and leads the errant person to the Truth. But any way you slice it, someone practicing an untrue religion is outside of God's grace. So whether or not I may feel it's better that they practice something, this fact remains--that they are not reconciled with God.

4) Again, this "rules" word. But, anyway, it is always a good idea to have a concept of why something is against God's law, for if you do not understand God's law, you do not understand God in full.

Answer 7

1. Not at all, I'm quite firm in my beliefs.
2. That kind of depends, some of the rules of my religion are applicable to me only, and some are just good for society.
3. While I'd like to see everyone practice my own particular beliefs, I know that everyone is different. I have a preference for people to believe in something rather than nothing though. Belief in nothing leads to the wrong form of government.
4. It's far better to know the "why" behind the rules, but then again I teach my child rules that she doesn't understand, and she doesn't need to-- yet.

Good questions, sorry I can't give you any cut and dried answers to most of them.

Answer 8

Let me start off by saying that everyone has their own personal beliefs and spiritual practices, and what they consider is right. Religion, even among Christians, is a touchy issue.

1. False. If you are strong in your beliefs, and are comfortable standing for what you feel is right, nothing can affect what you believe.

2. False. Everyone has their own beliefs, and I can't judge them based on what they think is right. I leave that up to God, and the law of the land.

3. True. I can deal with people's diverse ways of practicing what they believe to be true. I can't tell someone what they need to value in life, and I don't expect someone to tell me what my values need to be.

4. I'm really divided on this one. Rules are rules, and you should obey them with blind faith in that they have a purpose for being there. BUT, God gave you a brain and the right to choose between right and wrong.

Hope that gives you another point of view! :)

Answer 9

1.) false- since God doesn't force us to serve him, we should not force others, or be distracted by others, when it comes to practicing religious beliefs

2.) this one is tricky- on one hand that is false because by forcing someone who doesn't believe in Christianity to be governed by rules based on Christianity is a contradiction to the principle of free will. However when the rules use what is generally thought of as "morally correct" then I don't see a problem.

3.) False- I can't condone the practice of other religions, however I would never judge, degrade or mistreat someone because they do not practice what I do.

4.) False- In anything you do if it affects your life and the way you live it then having a serious understanding of it is imperative; whether it is religion or anything else.

Answer 10

1)False. Part of my religion tells me to reach out to those who have not learned the truth. So if they all believed already, I would have to change my actions. Someday in heaven, there will only be believers. But God will have another way for me to serve then.
Now, those who do not practice my religion and want to hinder me from practicing are an interference. But, I have to reach out to them.
2)True My religion teaches what is best for all people. So the laws that come from those who practice it are the best laws, even for those who do not believe.
3)Neither Following another religion will not get them into heaven anymore than being an atheist, so ultimately it is not really different. However, for some people looking for God can lead them to the truth. For others they may need to hit rock bottom spiritually. I can't say that either path would lead someone to God and the other would not. Each person is different.

4)False If we do not have a good understanding of who gave us those rules then our faith will be weak. There are times when we need to just trust God and obey him. But that trust is developed over time by being aware of God's desires and seeing the blessings that come from obeying them. As for salvation, God does not require that children, for example, have a solid understanding to be saved. But as we grow we must continue to learn or our faith will never be a mature faith.