Is it me, or do the Christians REALLY make absolutely no sense whatsoever?

Question

I suggest you read all the details first. I have a point to make.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkHEQ6LUjCuEUa3zl0nXb8vsy6IX?qid=20060902140753AAKV8Do
^~~ Was a question I asked about God's love. The major response to this was that God's love is unconditional, and that he'd basically always love you.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao50PsO1QTDRN63Gu8K4ADHsy6IX?qid=20060830141854AAhfOZD
^~~ A question I asked about if I was beautiful in God's eyes, to which many responded with God made me in His likeness, and that I am therefore beautiful.

However, Christians say *I* am going to Hell because I am a Pagan, and practice witchcraft.

And, based on their Bible, they're right.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envying, murders, drunkenness,

revellings, and suck like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieces, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Only in Galatians does it say people whom practice Witchcraft go to Hell.

But would someone who unconditionally loves you send you to Hell?

PSA 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works

Go ahead, explain THIS one to me.

Funny, 3/4 first people to give an answer didn't seem to read over anything at all...

And now people are talking about free will. Joyful. Maybe they didn't realize the actual question, and skimmed it.

The reason I asked is because I don't enjoy the concept of people believing that I am going to a place of eternal damnation, because I *do* care about what others think. Even if I don't believe in Hell, it's just not a nice concept to me that others think I'm going to a place they consider to be full of sadness and brimstone and fire.

Answer 1

I wouldn't say that they make absolutely no sense... but I do think, err, know that a lot of what they believe is a bunch of poop.

Answer 2

Okay I see the conflict. Good God--then what's hell all about? With all the horribleness of this world don't you think a kind a loving being aught to fix it up? There is always room for forgiveness, at least up until that time when God says, "let those who are righteous continue to be righteous and those who are sinners continue in their sin."Revelation 22:11 Then the time for repentance will be over. try this web site for more on hell and any other "God" question. www.amazingfacts.org

Answer 3

Wow. I read all of the answers so far to this question, and I am impressed with everyones thoughts and beliefs.

I don't feel qualified to answer this question, but I am going to jump in with both feets.....

The truth of the matter, to me at least. is the Bible was word of mouth for a long, long, time. True, they had better memories for this kind of thing than we do, but I also believe that over the decades some liberties were taken ala word changes, passages taken away,etc,etc. Yes this was the Word Of God, but The Word Of God was handled by human beings...and when us humans enter the mix...oh my. Mistakes do happen.

Humans are not perfect. Only God is perfect.

God is perfect, and trusted his imperfect creation with his words

I say he did this on purpose, so we can use the gift he gave us.The gift of questioning the things about us, and asking why.

After all, To question, is to answer.

I believe God wants us to believe in him, or at least try to believe in him. He wants us to give love to our fellow creatures, and he wants us to be able to receive love..and do harm to none.

You appear to be a good witch, so I will ask a question, what do you believe in??

If evil witches worship the devil, it seems logical that good witches worship God.

How do good witches get to Heaven???

Probably the very same way Christians do.

Sigh. God is probably right now wishing he had never allowed the Bible to get to our century.

Hugs, and peace to you.

Answer 4

Yes, you are correct. They have an answer for everything, but never really answer your question. I'm getting sick of the answers being regurgitated from scripture. In your own words, answer my question. I know, God loves you and thinks you're beautiful, but if you don't worship him you are going to hell. Now that's the kind of love I'm talking about. Let me turn my back on you if you don't do what I say. So, in answer to your question. Yes, contradictions abound.

Answer 5

It is fortunate for anyone who is nature orientated, such as yourself or someone who accepts a path to the Supreme other then the process developed in the desert lands of the middle east, that the political power once possessed by established religious organisations is now diminished, otherwise they would be subject to the worst type of treatment and a hideous death.

The concept of eternal fire and brimstone is a psychological device created by the early church to encourage the fundamental mindset to accept a Godly path rather then a worldly one.

Any individuals destination is based on the activities that each performs in this material world, there is a perfectly aligned centre of duality that is always present bringing everyone back to a level position.

However activities that are performed for the satisfaction of the Supreme in the original personality or to one of the unlimited manifestations of that personality, which I understand is prevalent within your system of worship can liberate the individual from the cause and effect of material bondage.

The conclusion is that the quality and purity of the individual, will always be superior to the dogmatic conditioning and systematic indoctrination of organisations that are more concerned with claiming exclusive rights to salvation, then to encouraging each individual on their chosen path back to Godhead.

To discuss further:-Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari ([e-mail])

Answer 6

This is a toughie, because I see where you're coming from. But let's lay aside the love thing for a moment, because He's not just cushy WALT-FM ("We're all love, all the time!"), He's a holy, perfect, sinless being that requires perfect justice and is quite wrathful at sin. I imagine it's pretty hard to contain both perfect, unconditional love, and require perfect justice of all. I cannot fully comprehend it, but I can explain what I do understand of it.

Sin has natural consequences, like the law of gravity has the consequence of "down" (I know, I'm so scientific). He had a face-to-face relationship with humans before Adam and Eve fell (so, for a couple of days), and He desires that again in Heaven. However, no sin can reside there, so we can only come to Him if sinless. Perfect justice. He did not like this outcome, so because of his love for us He sent His Son (Immanuel = God with Us) who lived sinlessly and died, taking our punishment. However, this God-With-Us made it very clear there was no other way to be made righteous before God and be reconciled with Him.

So, anyone living in rebellion to Him will not be there. Hell is real, but I'm not certain it is eternal. English translations of the Bible say it is, but some think that the "eternal" factor has been mistranslated. Anyhow, it also isn't that God sends someone to Hell. It is that God removes His hand of protection from that person's soul, if they aren't "saved," and they naturally (because the wages of sin = death, sin law) end up going there. It was created, as you've probably heard, for Satan.

I hope this clarifies what we believe.

And about your additional note, I don't like believing it about you. I have grown to respect you immensely as I read your questions and answers (even though we agree on pretty much nothing). I get no pleasure out of telling someone they're going to hell, and I don't do it hastily. I don't do it much at all. Please understand that my understanding of God is that He hated this fact as well, and that is why He made a way. His law of justice and righteousness demanded a way, and He made that way. If He just forgave everyone on no basis whatsoever, justice would not be met, and heaven would be no better than earth (and I'm not saying Christians are better, but true Christians have forsaken their sin and when they receive their new bodies they will no longer be under sin's curse).

I hope I don't sound nutty to you. I probably do, but I really am trying to answer your question as best I can. If you don't accept that I'll still respect you.

Answer 7

No, it isn't you. The Bible is full of contradictions - you can probably find something to oppose anything else in there.

The really ironic thing is that there are also ideologies where the prophet/philosopher/whatever has basically said "Those who think they're going to hell will" cos that's what they beleive - so you can be as pagan as you like, if you think you're going to heaven, you probably will.

Answer would be better, but have forgot a lot of what you were saying in the edits - my memory sucks.

Answer 8

First off, I am Christian (Catholic specifically) and I dont believe anyone goes to Hell because they don't accept Christ. Most people's belief systems come from their heritage or how they are brought up by their parents and therefore it would be immoral for God to condemn those to Hell, where they may have never even been exposed to the story of Christ (case in point: all people in the Americas before Europeans showed up). If we are all God's children, why would he punish those who never even had a shot at Christianity in the first place.
My belief is, that if you live a good life, are a good person, treat others respectfully, then God will accept you in His kingdom.
I don't quite understand what you mean when you say that you are a Pagan. What exactly is that? Do you worship the moon or something? It sounds to me that you are just rebelling against your parents and "pagan" sounds cool or something.
I don't personally put too much stock in the Old Testament as I feel most of it should be taken as lessons. Some of it obviously happened (the reign of David, Solomon, etc..) but most of it is lessons passed down. I dont believe an angel told Abraham to sacrifice his son and then stopped him.
That being said, I believe in the story of Christ and that He is the Son of God. My biggest problem with people who are anti-Christian is that even if you dont believe Christ to be the savior, it is accepted fact that he did live and did live the life described in the bible (miracles not withstanding). Why would anyone denagrate the lessons of his life? It baffles me. He stood for everything that is good in this world even if you don't believe in Him being the son of God! Why aren't you attacking the Muslim faith? After all, that religion was spread through conquest, and the purveyor of it married a extremely rich woman to give him stature and a 7 year old girl presumably to give him pleasure (ugghh!). I won't go on although I could.
I hope when you die you make the cut. You will probably get a little wiser as you get older.

Peace

Answer 9

Please ignore any reference to a book commonly called the bible. That book was written by men. Sin and hell are man made words, not God made. I can definitely see how my God is also a part of Wicca, and also in most, if not all, of the worlds spiritual beliefs. Yes, to say that God loves you but you better not f!@#k up or you are going to hell just doesn't make sense. What surprises me is that so many people buy into that crap.

Answer 10

I wonder why you are so consumed with what some repeatedly re-written book says of witchcraft? What does it matter? Are you not yet free? There is no sense there, no truth.

Words written and re-written by a corrupt elite to manipulate an ignorant populace in a time of great anguish, disease, superstition and fear do not describe us or rule us. It is all nonsense. Don't let it cloud your true vision.

Blessings. )O(

Answer 11

First off, NO ONE will burn forever in Hell, and THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH THIS. Only in 1 Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man does this story (of a burning hell) exist in the New Testment. A Parable is an Illustration where you use "one story to tell or explain another." So, as we see, the Rich Man and Lazarus in Hell was not to be considered a literally burning hell, but a story.

Secondly, "judge not, lest ye be judged," so while you may be doing things that the scriptures disagree with, a true Christian (who's opinion you "had not asked") would never tell you that your practice of wicca would take you there.

However, as mere mortals we must recognize that God's have the direct responsibility to create and demand their worship as they see fit, and the God of the Christians while all loving, has a "finite patience" for those who would make him a fool. The fact is you are beautiful and wonderful in God's eyes, but he does detest the practice of Nature Worship because HE put Nature in its place and not vice-versa. Who/what is greater, the Creator or the created?

Here are the ACTUAL WORDS USED IN THE BIBLE FOR HELL, and if you read, NONE of them are a burning hell:

#1. Hades
#2. Gehenna
#3. Sheol
#4. Tartarus
#5. The Lake of Fire

#1 HADES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades

The unseen world, translated hell in A.V., Matt. 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27,31; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13,14. See Hell. Eventually, came to designate the abode of the dead.

#2 GEHENNA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehenna

Gehenna' is a word tracing to Greek, ultimately from Hebrew: גי(א)-הינום Gêhinnôm (also Gei ben-Hinnom (Hebrew: גיא בן הינום) meaning the Valley of Hinnom. The valley, which forms the southern border of ancient Jerusalem, is first mentioned in Joshua 15:8. Originally it referred to a garbage dump in a deep narrow valley right outside the walls of Jerusalem (in modern-day Israel) where fires were kept burning to consume the refuse and keep down the stench. It is also the location where bodies of executed criminals, or individuals denied a proper burial, would be dumped. Today, "Gehenna" is often used as a synonym for Hell.

#3. SHEOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol

Sheol (שאול) is the Hebrew language word denoting the "abode of the dead"; the "underworld", "the common grave of mankind" or "pit". It is also transliterated Sheh-ole, in Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and Strong's Concordances. In the Hebrew Bible it is portrayed as a comfortless place beneath the earth, beyond gates, where both the bad and the good, slave and king, pious and wicked must go after death to sleep in silence and oblivion in the dust. In some sources, for example in Deuteronomy 32:22, Sheol seems to be synonymous with the "depths of the earth". Sheol is sometimes compared to the gloomy, twilight afterlife of Hades or Tartarus from Greek mythology. Sheol is the common destination of both the righteous and the unrighteous dead; the righteous Job sees it as his destination (Job 3). In the Book of Job, while Satan is portrayed as tormenting and testing the living, he does not appear to have any particular presidency over Sheol, or to dwell in Sheol.

#4 TARTARUS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartarus

Christianity's Tartarus: In the Bible, 2 Peter 2:4, Tartarus is designated as a section of Hades that the fallen angels who had produced the Nephilim of Genesis 6 were cast into to await judgment by God. It does not figure promeninently into the doctrines of Christianity; many translations of the Bible insert Hell in the place of Tartarus. No other specific use of the word Tartarus is in the Bible, however, Jude 6 describes the abode of the same fallen angels mentioned in 2 Peter as 'total darkness'.