In this question of mine:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060920124934AADLeGg&r=w
Involving the Christian guidelines for violence, I received many answers and no two were alike. This leads me to believe that christianity is very open to interpretation, and that no two Christians are alike in their belief. So, would that mean that only one Christian is right, or that part of your religion is a unique relationshp with the text?
If you cite bible verses please write them out b/c I gave my bible away
2006-09-20 09:39:31 · 22 answers · asked by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
mculasso: I don't understand how I am being offensive...
2006-09-20 09:45:20 · update #1
To everyone who is os hung up on the bible: I gave it away t my friend who was just joining christianty as I was leaving the religion. As for why I would ask questions about christianity when I left it, I simply wish to understand more about all religions, for I believe each one has an important message to share.
2006-09-20 09:49:57 · update #2
Yes Christianity is open to interpretation, everything is such as your question even. But not all interpretations are equal, if my answer to your question was no thank you i don't want any ice cream, it would be fairly clear that i did not adequately understand what you were saying. So just because people have different interpretations doesn't mean anything. One must delve into the texts to see which is more in line with author intent.
Secondly most Christians believe alike within certain subjects, Jesus is God, He came to save us, if we repent and believe etc.... Outside of this there is room to have disagreement upon other areas of lesser importance. Areas where bad theology does not equate with no salvation. Such as believing that Norm from cheers will save your soul, vs. I think Jesus liked the color blue.
And Thirdly, not everyone who says they're a Christian actually is. Some people sincerely think they are because they were raised in Church or baptized as a child, they know a handful of verses out of context and think that equates with having given your life over to Jesus. So they say things sometimes that are completely out of line with what someone familiar with the scriptures would say and this leads to the discrepancies you noticed.
2006-09-20 09:47:11 · answer #1 · answered by westfallwatergardens 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All religions are open to interpretation. I'm not sure how some Christians can call it a "personal relationship" and not have their own opinion on that relationship with their religion. And you hit that nail right on the head. It is a unique relationship with the text, because that is all most of them ever repeat. They can't even put those verses into their own words or state "I think..." or "I could be wrong, but..." They've placed a book equal to a God. I wonder how their God feels about that.
2006-09-20 16:49:10 · answer #2 · answered by NightShade 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is only one faith in Christianity. Salvation by Grace.
But there is disagreements, but the unity of faith is happening when people seek God for understanding and answers.
Christians aren't right about everything. They are of all different ages & backgrounds also. Some Christians are babies & haven't renewed their minds in the Word of God much yet. Some are more mature & had lots of the Milk of the Word & have eaten of the bread of life some are mature & eat the meat of the Word. Every Christian thinks a little differently based on life experiences. We are all different people in a different place in our Christian walk.
The Word of God is always right. Christians only know in part. We are all learning.
To see the Kingdom of God, you must be born of the Spirit. The Spiritual birth called being born again.
2006-09-20 16:54:47 · answer #3 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With my all respect to your very kind self, I feel I must enlighten you a little. You sound to be very ignorant about humanity, not Christians. Just answer yourself this question! Did you ever meet two people alike, or did you ever found two people from the human race to think act and talk alike? You just have to blame it on Christians. Well, it is quit normal, that is why we are here; we are to receive your persecution, your hatred and your negative statements just to satisfy your ego. I myself never found any violence from a Christian during my entire life. Perhaps the ones you found to be violent are atheist and you just couldn't recognize them well. Christians, according to those who hate them, are either idiots, or violent. The truth of the matter is the opposite.The idiots are those who do not give glory to God, and the violent are those who don't know God. God bless you!
2006-09-20 16:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by lonelyspirit 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not every one that calls themselves a Christian is a Christian.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
2006-09-20 16:47:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
..i am not sure which Christians that you are talking about, i grew up Catholic ,and my experience was not very good, and I've had many other people tell me the same thing,,,but then, others tell me that they did not have those type of experiences.. i believe that everyone walks away with a lot of their own believes...i believe that all religions and the bible are all open to interpretation.....man is only HUMAN..i believe that the trick is this ,in your life with all things we are taught, we learn hard and take with us all the good knowledge that we can possibly get ..walk with Goodness and your doing a good job...i believe all religions are right in ways and also wrong too...We learn all of our life's, and don't we all have minds of our own too...?..i agree with you and its o.k. that you asked this Question..
2006-09-20 17:39:06 · answer #6 · answered by *Glowing* *Wings* 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus does ask Christians (or those who claim to be) to turn the other cheek. To love your brother as yourself. Live a life worth of Christ. To pray for your enemies and those who persecute you. These things are all true. But it is also true that Jesus himself, turned over the selling tables in the tables and threw out the merchants. In revelations, Jesus comes back and destroys all those who stood on the side of the anti-christ. And in Rev 18, Jesus sends all the rebellious angels (demons) and people "whose names were not found in the book of life" to hell. Also, Jesus cast out many demons. He didn't take a passive role but actively removed evil. The Bible never says to ignore evil or sin, but to "cast it out" and even "cut it off". Christians need to step up against evil and sin in whatever form it takes and speak up about wrong. Just because you're Christian doesnt mean, you lay down and die to anyone who wants to rollover you.
2006-09-20 17:01:14 · answer #7 · answered by blizgamer333 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can make the bible mean anything you want it to. That's why it's so popular with the TV evangelists when they want to make money, encourage the assassination of people they don't like or nuke Iran. To be fair the Koran has the same drawbacks. Isn't it great to have a religion which allows you to be unspeakably wicked and promises you eternity in paradise at the same time! No wonder it's popular.
2006-09-20 16:43:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What made you think all Christians are alike? We're only alike in the true definition of the word "Christian"--a Christian is one who follows Christ's precepts. There are different denominations because there are different beliefs.
2006-09-20 16:43:27 · answer #9 · answered by p2of9 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mirage,
I hope you figure it out! But why put weight on what Christians say when you give away the very book that they stand for. I guess you think that what Christians might say is more important than what the Bible says?
2006-09-20 16:43:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋