How would a loving God send a gay person or straight person to hell? Isnt hell kind of a fear tactic to get people to be scared of disobeying the church and to make us scared of offending other peoples belief systems?
It seems we would be a lot better off if it didnt seem so deviant to challange religion.
How come when you ask someone to defend their religion they cant do it? All they can say is that the Bible says the Bible is true, so it must be...but that doesnt make sense. If i tell you that this question is written by God, you wouldnt buy it for one second, but you believe that the book in your hotel drawer is written and inspired by God
Someone please explain this stuff to me
2006-11-13 11:44:35 · 20 answers · asked by deano8072 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name (NOT THE NAMES) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (St. Matt. 28:20).
Many Christians begin to learn about the Trinity through knowledge of Baptism. This is also a starting point for others in comprehending why the doctrine matters to so many Christians, even though the doctrine itself teaches that the being of God is beyond complete comprehension. The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are structured around profession of the Trinity, and are solemnly professed by converts to Christianity when they receive baptism, and in the Church's liturgy, particularly when celebrating the Eucharist. One or both of these creeds are often used as brief summations of Christian faith by mainstream denominations.
One God
God is one, and the Godhead a single being: The Hebrew Scriptures lift this one article of faith above others, and surround it with stern warnings against departure from this central issue of faith, and of faithfulness to the covenant God had made with them. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4) (the Shema), "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Deuteronomy 5:7) and, "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his redeemer the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6). Any formulation of an article of faith which does not insist that God is solitary, that divides worship between God and any other, or that imagines God coming into existence rather than being God eternally, is not capable of directing people toward the knowledge of God, according to the trinitarian understanding of the Old Testament. The same insistence is found in the New Testament: "...there is none other God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4). The "other gods" warned against are therefore not gods at all, but substitutes for God, and so are, according to St. Paul, simply mythological or are demons.
So, in the trinitarian view, the common conception which thinks of the Father and Christ as two separate beings, is incorrect. The central, and crucial affirmation of Christian faith is that there is one savior, God, and one salvation, manifest in Jesus Christ, to which there is access only because of the Holy Spirit. The God of the Old is still the same as the God of the New. In Christianity, it is understood that statements about a solitary god are intended to distinguish the Hebraic understanding from the polytheistic view, which see divine power as shared by several separate beings, beings which can, and do, disagree and have conflicts with each other. The concept of Many comprising One is quite visible in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verses 20 through 23.
God exists in three persons
The "Shield of the Trinity" or "Scutum Fidei" diagram of traditional Western Christian symbolism.This one God however exists in three persons, or in the Greek hypostases. God has but a single divine nature. Chalcedonians — Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants — hold that, in addition, the Second Person of the Trinity — God the Son, Jesus — assumed human nature, so that he has two natures (and hence two wills), and is really and fully both true God and true human.
The singleness of God's being and the multiplicity of the Divine Persons together account for the nature of Christian salvation, and disclose the gift of eternal life. "Through the Son we have access to the Father in one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18). Communion with the Father is the goal of the Christian faith and is eternal life. It is given to humans through the Divine union with humanity in Jesus Christ who, although fully God, died for sinners "in the flesh" to accomplish their redemption, and this forgiveness, restoration, and friendship with God is made accessible through the gift to the Church of the Holy Spirit, who, being God, knows the Divine Essence intimately and leads and empowers the Christian to fulfill the will of God. Thus, this doctrine touches on every aspect of the trinitarian Christian's faith and life; and this explains why it has been so earnestly contended for, throughout Christian history.
Source(s):
Douay Rheims Bible
78 References and Illusions To The Trinity Found In The Sacred Scriptures
I. Even the Old Testament makes definite reference both to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2 "...the Spirit ... the Lord ... Him"
Isaiah 42:1 "My Servant ... I ... My Spirit ... upon Him"
Isaiah 48:16 "The Lord God ... His Spirit ... sent Me"
Isaiah 61:1 "Spirit of the Lord God ... upon Me ... the Lord"
Isaiah 63:9 "He ...the Angel of His Presence ... His Holy Spirit"
II. Close examination of the following New Testament scriptures will make obvious to any student of the Bible that the doctrine of the Godhead is truth.
Matthew 1:20, 21 "the Lord (the Father) ... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Matthew 3:16, 17 "Jesus ... the Spirit of God ... a Voice from heaven (the Father)"
Matthew 12:18 "I ... My Spirit ... on Him"
Matthew 22:42, 43 "Christ ... the Spirit ... Lord (the Father)"
Mark 1:9-11 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... a Voice from heaven ... My beloved Son"
Mark 12:35, 36 "Christ ... the Holy Spirit ... the Lord (the Father)"
Luke 1:35 "the Holy Spirit ... the Highest ... the Son of God"
Luke 2:26, 27 "the Holy Spirit ... Christ ... Jesus"
Luke 3:21, 22 "Jesus ... the Holy Spirit ... a Voice from heaven ... My beloved Son"
Luke 10:21 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... Father"
Luke 12:9, 10 "God ... the Son ... the Holy Spirit"
John 3:5 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
John 3:34, 35 "God ... the Spirit ... the Father ... the Son"
John 4:24, 25 "God ... a Spirit ... Messiah... Christ"
John 14:16, 17, 26 "the Comforter ... the Father ... in My name"
John 15:26 "the Comforter ... the Father ... of Me"
John 20:21, 22 "Jesus ... Father ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 2:32,33 "Jesus ... God ... the Father ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 2:38,39 "Jesus Christ ... the Holy Spirit ... God"
Acts 4:30,31 "Jesus ... the Holy Spirit ... God"
Acts 5:31,32 "God ... a Prince and Savior ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 7:55 "the Holy Spirit ... Jesus ... God"
Acts 8:14_16 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Acts 10:38 "God ... Jesus ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 10:46_48 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... the Lord"
Acts 11:16, 17 "the Lord... the Holy Spirit ... God ... the Lord Jesus Christ"
Acts 20:21_23 "God ... Jesus ... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 1:1,3,4 "God ... His Son, Jesus Christ ... the Spirit"
Romans 5:5,6 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... Christ"
Romans 8:2,3 "the Spirit ... Jesus ... God ... His own Son"
Romans 8:8,9 "God ... the Spirit ... the Spirit of Christ"
Romans 8:16, 17 "the Spirit ... God ... Christ"
Romans 14:17, 18 "the Holy Spirit ... Christ... God"
Romans 15:12, 13 "Root of Jesse (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
Romans 15:16 "Jesus ... God ... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 15:30 "The Lord Jesus Christ ... the Spirit ... God"
1 Corinthians 6:10, 11 "God ... the Lord Jesus... the Spirit"
I Corinthians 12:4_6 "Spirit ... Lord... God"
1 Corinthians 7:39, 40 "the Lord Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
1 Corinthians 8:2 "the Lord Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
2 Corinthians 3:3, 4 "the Spirit ... Christ ... God"
2 Corinthians 13:14 "Jesus... God ... the Holy Spirit"
2 Corinthians 5:5, 6 "God ... the Spirit ... the Lord (Jesus)"
Galatians 4:6, 7 "God ... the Spirit ... Son ... Father ... God ... Christ"
Ephesians 2:18 "through Him (Jesus) ... Spirit ... the Father"
Ephesians 2:21, 22 "the Lord ... God ... the Spirit"
Ephesians 3:14, 16 "the Father ... Jesus Christ ... His Spirit"
Ephesians 4:4-6 "Spirit ... Lord (Jesus) ... God and Father"
Ephesians 5:18-20 "Spirit ... Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Father"
Colossians 1:6-8 "God ... Christ ... Spirit"
1Thessalonians 4:6-8 "Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
1 Thessalonians 5:18, 19 "God ... Father ... Christ ... Jesus ... Spirit"
2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14 "God ... Lord... God ... Spirit ... Lord Jesus Christ"
Titus 3:4-6 "God ... Holy Spirit ... Jesus Christ"
Hebrews 2:3, 4 "Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 3:4, 6, 7 "God ... Christ... Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 6:4-6 "Holy Spirit ... God ... Son"
Hebrews 9:14 "Christ ... Spirit ... God"
Hebrews 10:29-31 "Son of God ... Spirit ... Lord ... God"
1 Peter 1:2 "God the Father ... Spirit ... Jesus Christ"
1 Peter 3:18 "Christ ... God ... Spirit"
1 Peter 4:14 "Christ ... Spirit ... God"
2 Peter 1:21 "God ... Holy Spirit... Lord (Jesus)"
2 Peter 2:1 "God ... Holy Spirit ... Lord (Jesus)"
1 John 4:2 "Spirit ... Jesus ... God"
1 John 4:13, 14 "Spirit ... Father ... Son ... Savior"
1 John 5:7 "Father... Word ... Holy Spirit"
Jude 20, 21 "the Holy Spirit... God... Lord ... Jesus Christ"
Revelation 1:9, 10 "Jesus Christ ... God ... Jesus Christ ... Spirit"
Revelation 3:5-7 "Father ... Spirit ... He that hath the key of David (Jesus)"
Revelation 14:12, 13 "God ... Jesus ... Lord ... Spirit"
Revelation 21:9, 10 "Lamb ... Spirit ... God"
Revelation 22:16-18 "the offspring of David (Jesus) ... Spirit ... God"
2006-11-14 14:02:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
only some religous people believe gays are going to hell. The truth is Christians believe a ton of different things. Christians who are very conservative theologically believe that the Bible is the holy, inspired, infallable, inarguable, word of God ... and it is very hard to argue with someones beliefs. It doesn't need to make sense to anyone else if you believe it. Other Christians believe that human beings added to, edited, and changed the Bible from the moment it was written down.
2006-11-13 11:52:53 · answer #2 · answered by Terri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible is a collection of 66 books written by 40 authors over a period of 1500 years. It's integrity is verified by it's historical, geographical and archaeological accuracy. It's still a #1 best seller for a reason. If you do your research, you'll discover it is 100% accurate and true. That being said, only God knows whose going to heaven or hell. The bible says homosexuality is wrong for many reasons that any logical medical doctor will verify.
2006-11-13 12:00:21 · answer #3 · answered by me 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Belief and faith are all we are given at this time. And you answered your own question when you said the bible says...not that all gays will go to hell. It never once says that. But is does say it is a sin, just like murder, lying, stealing, coveting, etc. So I guess you could say it is a subject best left to God to judge. I nor anyone else knows your heart but God and so to judge you would be a gross misrepresentation of what Jesus said for a Christian to do. I can only tell you what I believe is true and that is that it is a sin to commit a homsexual act. I also believe many gays are better people than a lot of Christians, so as I said it boils down to you and God.
2006-11-13 11:50:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
I've gone and listened to Baptist preachers and others drill the idea of hell and eternal damnation into their followers' brains. People do it to each other, when they shout or spit "Go to h-e-l-l."
Yet many of us feel somehow vindicated that there is a place for those who commit injustice or atrocities. I'm not talking about gays, Communists, or Liberals. Just about people that profit from exploiting, abusing, or cheating others.
But I'm not really concerned about the existence of hell. I follow ethics because it's right, that's how I was raised, and I choose to believe because of the wonder of creation, the beauty of nature, the might of what is, the mystery of existence. Not because I'm afraid of punishment. I have made my peace with my Creator, and with my fellow human being.
2006-11-13 11:54:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
And here he is ladies and gentlemen, THE 1,000th PERSON IN A ROW THAT ASKS CHRISTIANS TO ANSWER A QUESTION ABOUT GOD OR GODLY THINGS WITHOUT THE BIBLE! News Flash for ya, Sport. The Bible IS our truth! You don't want to believe? DON'T BELIEVE! That's your right to choose! But DO NOT try to get a Christian to answer a question without looking at the TRUTH! Homosexuality is an ABOMINATION! It is sickening! Praise God that it is against His natural order! They act as if the very fact that they are what they are somehow makes them special, and deserving of special considerations. What they deserve is what they WILL get if they do not repent! If that is you, then get used to the idea. The federal gov't may be gutless and without morals where gays are concerned, but God answers to noone, and will rightly judge their wickedness.
2006-11-13 12:02:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The bible DOES NOT say that. I believe you will go to heaven if you believe in Jesus no matter whether your homosexual or not. The bible absolutely DOES NOT say that if you are homosexual you will go to the gates of Hades. The bible does say that man shall not lay with man meaning the bible doesn't want you to be homosexual, but you WON'T be sent to the gates of Hades because you are. I'm a christian and I believe that homosexuals still have a place in heaven even though I don't approve of homosexuality.
This is what I believe and this statement is my opinion. I'm NOT trying to offend anyone in any way. God bless you all.
2006-11-13 11:58:33 · answer #7 · answered by CK 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i started to answer your question with the corresponding scriptures and then i thought about it. there's a lot of different things going on with every demonination of christianity. they believe some of the same things and differ on others. if you are happy with things being the way they are for you... if you like your beliefs as they are then so be it. i believe in God. if you don't then i leave you to it. I say question the knowledge. research it and find the truth for yourself. Knowledge is Power
2006-11-13 12:54:51 · answer #8 · answered by PhantomWiseman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're not, relax, there is probably no god or afterlife. They are all just as you said "scare tactics " religion uses to control the lame and easily coerced masses. Don't believe what you read in any old book specially when it comes to religion and it has been translated and re-translated from different languages.
2006-11-13 11:53:25 · answer #9 · answered by igɳo★ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i believe in god therefore i believe its wrong i can defend my religion its all happening now and it was written years ago right nuff said ... we have free will right? so do what you will but remember when we do wrong its only natural to find excuses for it and question why its wrong isnt that true?..... of course it is ! its in the BIBLE!
2006-11-13 12:19:24 · answer #10 · answered by reyman440 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "homosexual" wasn't even invented until the late 1800's. It's been added in to modern translations to re-inforce a prejudice. Christians usually need some group to kick. Muslims, blacks, Jews; it's just gays' turn in the christian barrel.
Love the christian, hate the christianity.
2006-11-13 11:59:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋