READ THIS BEFORE YOU ANSWER, PLEASE.
So many people on this forum seem so preoccupied with telling Atheists and Pagans and Muslims that they "still have time to come to Christ!" and will burn in hell without him that they have failed to see Jesus' truest and most important teachings: teachings like "let him who is without sin cast the first stone", which cries out against the blatant persecution I see on these forums. Teachings like "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," which calls for universal love and kindness. Jesus advocated universal compassion, so why do so many of his so-called followers ignore that core rule of Christianity?
And I don't want any stupid, snarky answers like "there are no good Christians," because that's a stupid, generalized lie. And no, I'm not generalizing myself here, Christians. I know that many Christians are accepting and kind, but so very many others twist Jesus' teachings to persecute others. And no, I am not Christian myself. But I think Jesus was a really, really nice guy, and I think maybe he really was the son of a god.
Oh, and please don't use this as an opportunity to tell me to convert. ._.
2006-09-11 19:08:21 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Regardless of religion there are good people and bad people. The good people practice their religion and teach others according to those teachings. Others do twist the teachings, hence religious fanatics/extremists. You have extremists in every religion, so do not place this burden on Christianity.
A basic Christian tenant is to follow Jesus's teaching. God knew people are not able to live up to those standards, but through Christ's compassion and sacrifice, our sins were forgiven and we are granted eternal life. Jesus taught a religion of companssion, inclusion and expansion. The Bible is the story of God's love for the chosen people (Jews) spreading through Jesus to the rest of the world (Gentiles). One of teachings of Bible is to spread the word of Christ, to evangelise with compassion.
There are many difference Christian churches/denominations out there, each with different doctrine/beliefs. Some practice a "hellstone and brimfire" evangelism, while other practice a "friendly selfhelp" evangelism. I never liked the brimfire version, because my whole life was in a Church of caring, compassionate people.
It is sad that you and other are confused and turned away by the extremists. Hopefully you will meet more compassionate Christians in your lifetime and see that the extremists are the minority.
2006-09-11 19:55:09 · answer #1 · answered by cstivers78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like a really nice guy yourself and I being a Christian agrees with you. However, I believe that you can be a perfect example on how a Christian supposed to live. Just live the life on one and show us how to live. I am serious I really do mean that. I don't like how some "so call Christian" batters other people over the head with the word and think that they are doing justice. Jesus never went around battering people and criticizing any. He always said that He came to do the will of His Father and I know that He carried it out to the letter "T". But mind you, you will never get a Christian to carry out the word to the letter "t" so don't let us fool ourselves. God's desire for mankind is that they live a holy life by obeying Him and be faithful to Him, the rest, well, will fall into place as we progress. You seem to know enough of the Bible to say that Jesus was nice and that He might be the Son of God. However, as hard as a Christian may try, non can convert you nor any other person on planet earth. That's the job of God. All a Christian can do is what I am doing here with you, tell you about a loving God who created you and is not willing for any to perish but that all may come to eternal life. Love you and I do enjoy your letter. Be bless.
2006-09-12 02:24:48 · answer #2 · answered by charmaine f 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are nice christians and there are bad christians. So I went straight to the source, the bible and christian apologetics, as a believer, and came out knowing that its christianity itself that spreads the hate and lies. The bible is rubbish, it has been proven. Wether there is a God or not I have no idea. But the Bible God clearly does not exist.
There are still some nice christians. And I hope they see the light. Those christians that actually follow the words of Jesus, will no doubt become the bad christians. Although there are still some good words in there, I agree.
To be a bad christian is the logical conclusion, given the doctorines taught in the bible. The fundamental christians are right. God calls simple things an abomination in the new testament as well as the old. And in the new testament, God burns sinners for all eternity.
Dont become a christian.
2006-09-12 02:13:22 · answer #3 · answered by CJunk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There actually is a reason why some christians act in an aggressive manner. They are used to being treated like that themselves. The twisting scripture thing well that just hurts everybody, the truth then does not get out. You see delivering scripture as they were given carries with it a super natural influence that gets lost when twisted. Un fortunately because christians have not done a good job of appointing leaders many actually do not know they are twisting or why then their witness is ineffective. People know in their hearts when they hear the real truth and it will even soften if they are searching or harden those who are rebelling. There are guidlines not only for choosing leaders but also on holding them accountable but preachers do not preach these and many do not encourage their flock to read for themselves. Accountability is for the most part unheard of in christian churches cuz it is scary, and accountability of the shepards is one of those things that gets twisted, as if they are not accountable when in fact they are. Leadership that does not want to be held accountable is probably doing something wrong and the biggest of these is not preaching the all in one accord doctrine. If that was put out there eventually there would be fewer denominations and therefor fewer little kingdoms and the need for fewer preachers thus the opportunity to have better preachers etc etc.
I like your methode in questioning I hope you get some of us to listen to your point.
2006-09-12 02:22:51 · answer #4 · answered by icheeknows 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Okay, a Bible believer here:
First we SHOULD have compassion on others who are not saved. BUT, Christ Himself gave LAW to the proud and GRACE to the humble... THAT is what we should model after. LAW to the proud for the law stops their mouth, and grace to the humble.
Now if there is another who calls themself by the name of Jesus Christ and preaches FALSE doctrine, they should be rebuked sharply as the Bible says Titus 1:13... it also says to REPROVE and Rebuke with all longsuffering.
But you are RIGHT in the fact that many just yell something useless thinking it will make the person sad ebough to come to Christ.
But you are WRONG in that we shouldn't tell them to come to Christ.
Look, think about this, the Bible believer knows where many souls will end up...in hell. So they have a genuine (usually) concern for people's souls.
Look there is a God, and He did make the rules... He is the Creator after all. We have chosen to break those rules... you have LIED, you have stolen... therefore really, you are a lying, thief... not to mention an adulterer, think about it, Jesus Christ said that if you even lust after a woman in your heart you have committed adultery!
The Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die, then after this the judgment... you will be judged by a Holy, JUST God. If you have lied and stolen and committed adultery you WILL have to stand before a HOLY JUST GOD as a lying, theiving, adulterer at heart... do you think you will be guilty or innocent?
If you say innocent then do you think a rapist or murderer should get away with breaking the LAW?? No, the judge should bring JUSTICE on that man! How much more JUST is the Lord God?? He WILL hold you accountable for breaking the law. But remember that He KNEW we couldn't keep the law so He came in the flesh and died on the cross shedding His blood for all, to wash away sin (if you so choose) so you could go to heaven clean without the stain of sin. Then He rose from the dead and conquered it for us.
The Bible says that God commendeth His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!!!
The wages of sin is death but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. Salvation is a FREE gift (this is where religion messes it up by saying you have to do things to get to heaven) No it is free.
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved... another verse that shuts the mouth of foolish religions that say that you don't know if you are saved... you can know 100% sure. WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved.
You have transgressed the Law of the Holy God. You have chosen hell by rejecting God... He does not put you in there, YOU DO by your own choice.
2006-09-12 02:25:51 · answer #5 · answered by musingaloud 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the religion of Christianity got it all wrong basically from the beginning. Unfortunately that is what happens when dogma and doctrine takes the words of a spiritual leader such as Jesus and twists it to suit their own agenda.
Even the men who were Jesus's deciples did not really and truly understand the teachings and the profundity of many of his statements.
Jesus was not the son of God...but he was a very spiritually enlightened man. Basically when people stop followng a religion and start thinking for themselves and look for the answers from within then they will find the truth that Jesus said you must know for yourself for it to set you free......the words always point to the truth wthin you....they are not unto themselves the truth ....
Jesus's message was universal and others said it as well....also remember religion is also both a business and a way to control people.
Remember this Buddhist saying...The finger pointing to the moon is not the moon...
Good luck to you!! Don't convert to anything either...find the answers within yourself!!
2006-09-12 02:46:38 · answer #6 · answered by dharmabear 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I honestly don't think it will ever happen. People of all walks of life, religions and faiths are often deluded by their own beliefs. They believe in their hearts that they are correct and the ones being true. Sadly, most religions, while preaching acceptance and love are also preaching that their way is the only way to salvation, heaven or whatever it is they believe. And so anyone who doesn't believe what they believe is automatically wrong.
2006-09-12 02:20:24 · answer #7 · answered by Shadowtwinchaos 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus did indeed advocate compassion, but He also spoke about Hell more times than anyone else in the rest of the Bible combined.
So it seems to me that if we are to be like Him, we must both be compassionate *and* speak frequently about Hell.
2006-09-12 02:12:25 · answer #8 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's also time to realize that the New Testament documents were written some 30-70 years after the events they purport to narrate by people who weren't there based on oral rumors in circulation at the time. Secondhand eyewitness testimony recorded fifty years after the fact by individuals who were not dispassionate? Evidence hardly ever comes MORE unreliable than that.
2006-09-12 02:12:43 · answer #9 · answered by Matt 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I am happy u r reading bible. Not for convertion. Let us take good
in everything. He preached and left. Do not think of people around it.
2006-09-12 02:18:43 · answer #10 · answered by ketav 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋