Ok, so I've seen these two bumper stickers around lately. The first says, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven." The second was actually worse if you can believe that. It said, "Chrisitans aren't just forgiven, they're perfect." Now to be honest, I can't tell if the second one is a bit tongue in cheek, but it doesn't really matter, only serves to highlight the sentiment.
Now, as a matter of simple honesty, can anyone say with a straight face, that this is not the most arrogant thing they have ever heard? Do you truly believe that you have the only, the ultimate answer, and the only way to salvation?
This thinking leads some "serious Christian thinkers" to the conclusion that Jeffery Dahmer is in heaven due to his repentence, but an unbaptized dead baby is in hell due to nothing more than bad luck.
Kind loving God eh? Must hate babies though.
2006-12-02 08:12:52 · 21 answers · asked by John S 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow. I agree with you on most of your comments. They are strong comments, though. Kind of blew me away.
My husband and I have always said that if everyone got back to the base of a lot of religions, That Jesus died on the cross for our sins, there wouldn't be so many arrogant or hateful people that look down upon what others believe.
And, the simple fact is that we are not to judge, yet some religions see that other people who practice different religions are going to hell because they don't believe "what they should".
2006-12-02 08:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not all christians believe in the original sin. I also have to say that if Jeffre Dahmer had a truly repentant heart then God surely did forgive him then that is between the two of them and I applaud Jeffrey for his complete about face. I will say I doubt he repented in truth though as most or at least the greater majority of people who perpetrate crimes of that fashion have no remorse as they feel justified in doing what they have done. Yes, some even say they did those things because God told them too. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I heard a voice in my head claiming to be God and telling me to do something so dramatically opposed to what the bible teaches then I would feel fairly safe in assuming it was truly not God. Babies are not old enough to have become responsible for knowing anything about God or Jesus, or salvation so they cannot be held accountable for what they were not exposed to. However the flip side of that is from those who know much, much is expected.
2006-12-02 08:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by mortgagegirl101 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where do you get the idea that a baby who dies unbaptized is in Hell ? Why can't Jeffery Dahmer go to Heaven since he Repented and was Saved ?
Learn a little before you condemn. That is arrogance !
Yes, Jesus is The only way to Heaven, sorry it offends you, but it is the Truth !
2006-12-02 08:28:48 · answer #3 · answered by Minister 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My favorite bumper sticker says "Freedom of religion means ANY religion."
But anyways... yeah, thats the attitude some Christians have. It's that "Our way or the highway" attitude toward religion that bothers me more than anything. Some of the Christians are getting bold with their actions and statements, and they need to cool it. My truck has a "It's a Druid Thing" sticker on the back of it, and three or four times now I've seen people putting those f**king little silver fish over that sticker. So far the only two answers as to why they do it are "I was offened." or "You needed to be saved." They're lucky I didn't beat the living daylights out of them. I respect everyone's religion, but stuff like that just bugs the hell out of me more than anything else.
Surprisingly nothing has ever happened from me putting my "F**K THE MAINSTREAM" sticker on my truck. I guess people all agree that f**king the mainstream is good or something.
2006-12-02 08:24:59 · answer #4 · answered by lavos1412 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For one thing... We dont believe WE have the only way to salavation, we believe JESUS is the only way to Salvation. No one will ever be saved through me or any other Christian. Jesus is the answer... not us.
Another thing is no one is claiming Jeffery Dahmer is in Heaven, as none of us really knows his heart. And the Bible NEVER EVER puts unbaptized babies in Hell. No Christian religion even TEACHES that so you're very far off. Catholicism DOES teach however that an unbaptized baby will go to "Purgetory" which they believe to be a place of purification before judgement. But they are the only religion within Christianity that teaches that. Any other religion in Christianity believes babies go to Heaven when they die so, you have very wrong ideas about what Christians believe and the Bible teaches.
2006-12-02 08:20:18 · answer #5 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
1) The first bumper stickers (not perfect, just forgiven) is for Christians.
2) The second bumper sticker is not for Christians, but for those who make fun of those who have the first bumper sticker. It is not only 'tongue in cheek,' but it is wrong. It is meant to generate the exact response you gave. Yes, it is arrogant; however, it is not a Christian thought, sentiment, or attitude.
3) That said, Christians do possess the ultimate answer. Christ is Lord, and we are washed clean by His sacrifice.
4) Whether Dhamer is in Heaven or not is between him and God. Nobody else decides, and nobody else gets a say.
5) Whether an unbaptized baby, who dies, goes to Heaven or not is between that baby and God. Nobody else decides, and nobody else gets a say.
Clear enough?
2006-12-02 08:19:21 · answer #6 · answered by Jay 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
For one thing, you're a bit misinformed regarding the baby issue. They can't make the choice to accept Jesus' sacrifice, & therefore can't be baptized; therefore, no danger of Hell until they're old enough (Biblical standpoint). Dahmer didn't have that problem - he was plenty old enough to make the decision. If he did, he was forgiven.
For another, Christians are judged righteous by their acceptance of the above mentioned sacrifice. Therefore, we are considered "good enough" to partake in Heaven. If your opinion is that Heaven is reserved for perfect people, then why would it be presumptuous for us to believe we will be there?
To you, it may be arrogance. For us, it is our just reward. Though I'm sure that could be construed as arrogant as well.
2006-12-02 08:23:35 · answer #7 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is true that who ever has a bumper sticker saying that christians are perfect is very proud of themselves. Christians are NOT perfect, just happy that they know that they are saved.
It can NOT be said that Jeffery is in Heaven because of his repentece, he may be but no one knew his true feelings as he died. As for babies, baptizing has nothing to do with them going to heaven or hell. Baptizing is just stating that you are a christian and babies can't state that so baptizing as a baby is a little pointless. God will take into consideration that the baby couldn't yet make a choice and I know that he will not condem the baby.
2006-12-02 08:20:23 · answer #8 · answered by Rach 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
yes, some Christians are very arrogant. and it disgusts me that they give the rest of us Christians a bad name. but in the Bible, Jesus simply states that faith in Him is the ONLY way to Heaven. He says in John 14:6, "I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. NO ONE comes to the Father but by ME." i know it sounds a little exlusive, but it is. "The road is narrow and few will find it" says Matthew 7:16. this is true. consider how many different religions out there. but as one person put it:
The Bible is filled with...about 3500 prophecies. Not one predictive prophecy from the Bible has ever proven false. No other so-called holy book can make this claim. We are asked to have faith, not blind faith as the other religions would require.
---Rick
and for the babies, there is an age of accountability and babies haven't reached that age. they don't simply go to hell. they can't physically comprehend yet. they have not been given a chance to accept God. it's those who reject God that go to hell. God is willing to fogive anyone, and He loves EVERYONE. He has already died and by rising from the grave 3 days later, He has conquered death and paid for the sins of EVERYONE in the world. and you go to hell if you have heard about God and His forgiveness and have not chosen to accept. God doesn't send us to hell, we send ourselves there if we don't believe. Mark 16:16 says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." and you don't have to be baptized to be saved. notice how Jesus did NOT say "he that is baptized not will be damned" the thief on the cross didn't get baptized, yet Jesus promised that he would be with Jesus in Heaven when he died. (Luke 23:39-43). i hope this helped and God Bless! :-)
2006-12-02 08:58:27 · answer #9 · answered by love4God 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where in the world did you get the idea that unbaptised babies will go to hell? There is not one example in scripture of where anyone other than a person able to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptised was ever saved after the resurrection of Christ. Babies do not have the ability to understand what they have heard, believe, repent, or confess anything.
2006-12-02 08:24:00 · answer #10 · answered by yagman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋