It has been of my observations that when a person is a "true" believer, he is only given that title for a time period. When a righteous person, for just one minute, questions the doctrine of God, he is judged by his fellow brethren as not really knowing God. Though a couple of seconds ago he was seen as knowing God. Is this a form of intolerance to dissent.
2006-11-01 06:23:17 · 8 answers · asked by Enterrador 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It has nothing to do with God. It is about a small group of people trying to control a larger group.
In China, question the government and you are a traitor and don't know what you are talking about. In church, question God and you are the anti-Christ and don't know what you are talking about.
Note that God does not have or promote a doctrine, that is what men do.
Just remember "Judge not ..... etc....etc.." and the bit about the speck in your brother's eye and the log in your own.
2006-11-01 06:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by Stewart H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
intolerance to dissent? maybe as a secondary definition.
What it is primarily [I think] is the REAL old enemy, just plain old intolerance through ignorance and defensiveness.
John Cleese said in an interview once in classic Monty Python candor that "There are two kinds of people in the world. Those that must have you believe what they believe, and those that don't care what you believe."
When a believer starts to see things in the world that challenge their faith, 2 natural human tendancies start to work: The individual becomes curious and wants to inquire and learn more, and those that are in the crowd of the believers become scared that someone will deviate from their beliefs, so they take steps to shoot their questions down, ceremoniously in front of other believers, to prove that they are strong in their belief, (which of course, they're not otherwise they wouldn't throw knives at the balloon as it went up.)
What if more folks tried this - let people walk their own path. Do not intervene. If they ask you something that you can answer, answer with what you think the truth is. If they go somewhere else for answers, don't try to stop them. If you become curious, don't be afraid to depart what you know and look into what you do not know.
How is it that God created our minds and our inquisitive nature, but when we're true to this it becomes "the work of Satan?"
I must agree whole-heartedly.
2006-11-01 14:41:28 · answer #2 · answered by Jerry 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've heard that Christians can shoot their own. God is not threatened by our questions. However, we all should be sincere, not sarcastic, but even then God is not threatened and can pierce our darkness with His light, if we will allow Him. We Christians should be patient and caring since we're just beggars ourselves sharing with other beggars where to find bread.
To answer your first question, only a few respond to God. It includes millions of people, however. Still many people live pompously believing that their existence is their own making. God does not limit anyone from coming to know Him. It's ourselves that are self-absorbed and stuck. Read Romans 3:22 - 26 "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
2006-11-01 14:38:09 · answer #3 · answered by Cordelia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I reckon you shouldn't listen to people who judge you just because you question God a bit.....I mean, if you're a "true believer" of God then you really shouldn't care what others think of you because the only one whose opinion of you should honestly and completely matter is God's.....after all, only God can make the true judgements....
2006-11-01 14:33:50 · answer #4 · answered by maverick 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
god and jesus is the same, and just some are not true blievers thats why. But in there tiny little hearts they know there is a god.
2006-11-01 14:28:04 · answer #5 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Narrow is the road of everlasting life. Broad is the road of destruction.
2006-11-01 14:27:31 · answer #6 · answered by Bambi 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no its reading too much into peoples short answers.
2006-11-01 14:27:24 · answer #7 · answered by maybe 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whatever, do you need more coffee?
2006-11-01 14:26:15 · answer #8 · answered by Forever 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋