How many of you have come across persons ....not of your own faith .... who were more humane.....loving....realistic ....kind....
and wondered.....Does Christianity really mean anything in the end? Does Religion matter? Is religion hurting me and preventing me from revealing my true self?
Would you care to join me in a religious prayer...not Christian in any sense ...but peaceful ....alll the way.........
2006-12-05 12:46:23 · 22 answers · asked by Fried Plantain 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are decent people in every religion and indecent people in every religion.....
2006-12-05 12:50:46 · answer #1 · answered by Robert b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How many of you have come across persons ....not of your own faith .... who were more humane.....loving....realistic ....kind....
- I have.
and wondered.....Does Christianity really mean anything in the end?
- My perception of people has no bearing on ultimate truth. I have wondered this nonetheless, but truth is truth despite whatever I think.
Does Religion matter?
- Religion may not matter, but I believe my relationship with God will certainly matter.
Is religion hurting me and preventing me from revealing my true self?
- Again, religion may, but I believe my relationship with God, if honest and humble, can only help me learn who I truly am and who I forever will be.
Would you care to join me in a religious prayer...not Christian in any sense ...but peaceful ....alll the way.........
- If I join in, it will be Christian to me. I can only pray as a Christian.
2006-12-05 12:53:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have an accident, your first instinct is to blame the car. The road. Another driver. The weather. We do not like to take responsibility for our own actions and our own weaknesses.
If you lived your Christianity - you would reveal your true self more and self. But Christianity is not about revealing yourself, it is about loving others. Christianity is not about you, it is, in its deepest sense, about us. You cannot have an individual relationship with God that excludes other people.
There may be things slowing your personal development. But don't blame the weather or the telephone pole or the religion. If other people are more loving, more kind - don't blame the faith you're not living.
The early Christians, it is said, were recognized by the way they loved one another. I have a favorite bumper sticker, from years ago - Christianity hasn't failed. It hasn't been tried yet.
2006-12-05 12:52:38 · answer #3 · answered by Uncle John 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you're on the right track because, no, in the long run, religion does not mean anything. however, TRUE Christianity is NOT about religion. religion is man's search for God. Christianity is the only instance where God sought man out to offer him the gift of salvation. So, to answer your question, I have met people who do not claim to be Christian, but who are more caring, loving and moral than others who do claim to be Christian. However, the proof is in the pudding. The Bible says, they will know you are Christians by your love. If someone is not living a "christian" life you must wonder if they are truly following the teachings of Christ. So, if you are looking for "religion" any old path will work to appease your sense of guilt and allow you to work towards a goal. However, if you are looking for something more...a fulfillment, a friend, assurance of something beyond this life, for forgiveness, for the ability to make changes in one's life...then "religion" will not suffice.
2006-12-05 12:49:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Have been a Christian for a long time, but am not religious. Will not be religious. Jesus was not religious. He told us that Father God wants our heart, not our religion. No, religion does not matter. As Paul said, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before the Father". Now this does not mean to be afraid of God, but to be always aware of how you are seen by Him. Be aware that He knows everything and do not try to fool Him. Jesus said" Seek the kingdom of God first" this is not religion.
2006-12-05 12:57:09 · answer #5 · answered by martha d 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's in the end when things really matter. I'm sure that God will tell Christians apart from those who just claim to be Christians. Of course, some people don't change enough for the better after becoming Christians, but I think that's their fault, not God's.
2006-12-05 12:52:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You asked if Christianity really meant anything in the end. Well, if good works are what take you to heaven, then no. But the Bible teaches that there is a holy God that has sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of death that each of us deserve for our sin (and everyone has sinned). Paul the apostle said, that by Jesus "everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39). God requires perfect holiness, which includes the humane-ness, love, kindness, etc. that you mentioned. But because none of us are perfectly good, we don't match up to what God requires. So does Christianity really matter? Yes, because Jesus Christ has intervened for us, and without Him, life is like living on death row.
2006-12-05 13:02:14 · answer #7 · answered by pug 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have asked all those questions at various times, though not all prompted by knowning a good peson who was not a Christian. I have very close friends who I trust and depend on who are not Christians, but that does not cause me to think there is anything faulty about my beliefs. I have an atheist friend who took care of me for several weaks when I was very, very ill. I'm not sure I would be around today without her. I simply thank God for her.
2006-12-05 12:51:51 · answer #8 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The kindest I have EVER been treated was by christians. The most loving and giving people that my life has touched has been christians. I have never had a muslim come over my house to help me when my pipes froze after hubby went to boot camp and I was alone. I've never had an atheist slip a hundred dollar gift card in my purse when I was short at Christmas. I never had an agnostic take me in when I didn't have a place to stay. It has always been christians that have settled in that precious place in my heart...those that reached out when they didn't have to. Sorry I don't see these qualities in those whose "personal principles" don't make love paramount. Just my personal experience.
2006-12-05 12:52:15 · answer #9 · answered by sheepinarowboat 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All of the time. It is a sad fact that often, after one comes to Christ, they tend to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and begin to look down on others with a superiority complex. In the end, religion means nothing but Christ means everything! You are definitely correct though, more times than not, it is the non believers who are more Christ-like than many who call themselves Christian.
Blessed Be
2006-12-05 12:50:19 · answer #10 · answered by Celestian Vega 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have come across wonderful people of alot of faiths. The most wonderful was a Christian.
Christianity does not claim to make us the best on earth, just the only in heaven, along with the Jews.
Blessings
David
2006-12-05 12:49:40 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋