I keep reading questions and answers on here about religion, but so few people are truly accepting of others' beliefs. If we all just let others believe what they want, and not condemn them, wouldn't we all be able to peacefully coexist??? Why do we have to change others?!? Why can't we be strong enough in our own beliefs to let others be? That's called faith, right? Share your thoughts...
2006-08-30 02:26:24 · 22 answers · asked by JP 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you thank you thank you, my child, for renewing my faith in Humanity! Every so often when I get bowed under by a lot of the religious zealotry here on YA I come across a question like yours. Yes, that's a lovely thought and I wish we all could live and let live. That'd end a lot of problems. Blessings on you and thank you again.
2006-08-30 02:32:53 · answer #1 · answered by Mama Otter 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Here is where most of my fellow Christians make their big mistake and end up offending people... we forget that as Christians we are to be Christ-like.... which means (among other things) we should put the message out there... but not force anyone to listen... the message itself should draw people. Where we are taught to "compel" people to come to Christ (from the parable in Luke 14:23), that is actually an invitation... not a continual bashing...
As a Christian, I believe my job is to show others the way to salvation (remembering that I personally cannot save anyone). But quite frankly if someone doesn't want to know the way, why should I force them?
So I can peacefully coexist with those who don't believe as I do... as long as they don't take the last Pillsbury crescent roll - then we might have a fight on our hands.
2006-08-30 09:39:12 · answer #2 · answered by Rev T L Clark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that's not "faith"; that's "compromise."
Why do we have to change others? Well, first and foremost, it's a command.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
However, I don't bring such things up unless they are an answer to the question being asked.
I can peacefully coexist with those who believe differently; the problem comes when those people want me to say that they are correct. I am forbidden to do that.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
2006-08-30 09:34:52 · answer #3 · answered by flyersbiblepreacher 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's easy to come in here with a calm mind, and then read some totally ignorant question that suggests your faith is "make believe" causing your calm mind to be offended. Of course, you then feel the need to respond, even though it's pointless.
It's better when people are honestly sharing ideas and being mature and fair to one another. I often get the impression that there are a bunch of younger, less mature people just playing on here.
2006-08-30 09:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So we're not supposed to ask about other people's beliefs? Or we're not supposed to have an opinion about them? Or we're not supposed to express our opinions because it might offend someone? I'm not arrogant enough to think that anything I have to say will change anyone's beliefs, but if it makes someone think, maybe that's a good thing? I know there have been plenty of questions and answers here that make me think =)
2006-08-30 09:52:44 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Mira♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here, here- but I also understand that some people who believe they have the right and true answer feel passionate and want to help others to find the right and true answer.
I think the main problem is how people go about it- I'm better than you 'cause my god is bigger crap. I'll write a mini novel so I sound like I'm right, blah blah blah. It is truly undoing the good that their heart so earnestly wanted to acheive.
Oh, mankind- we never will get it right, will we :(
2006-08-30 09:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is entitled to believe in what they choose. Alot of people have different views on God, heaven, hell, etc. For the one person that answered this question and said that Christians like to preach what they practice but not practice what they preach, well its not only Christians that do that. Take a look around you, people of many different religious beliefs don't practice what they preach. Its whether or not you yourself truely believe something in your heart that makes it worth anything. For those out their who believe in God, remember, He sees whats in your heart!
2006-08-30 09:43:57 · answer #7 · answered by J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thing is there actually is a truth. There is a God or there isn't. Heaven and hell exist or they don't. The problem is nobody knows what the truth really is, but too many think they do. I'm an agnostic, so I guess I've got my bases covered.
2006-08-30 09:33:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Totally agree with you. But it will never happen since most large religions believe in conversion of as many people as they can save.
2006-08-30 09:28:31 · answer #9 · answered by m_thurson 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I totally agree with you. Since everyone's convinced that their religious belief is true, then why be dogmatic!
In my opinion, religious warfare will always be around as people try to fulfill prophecies.
2006-08-30 09:35:53 · answer #10 · answered by johnavaro 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋