Where is the line?

Question

Whether you’re a proponent of the Bible, Qur’an, or other religious book, there is a line drawn in the sand: right and wrong. The Bible has commandments: thou shalt not kill. The Qur’an is similar conventions: don’t drink alcohol.

Stand on one side of the line, you’re doing it right according to your religion’s rules. You get all the benefits of piety: everlasting life, heaven, virgins. Stand on the other side and you’re doing it wrong, subject to the penalties prescribed for sinners: burning lakes, torture, demons.

Commandments are absolute—there can be no question. This is how it’s done, these are the rules, do not drink, do not kill, black and white, you’re on the good side (or the bad side) of the line. There is no grey area; you cannot straddle the line; you are saved, or you are damned.

People use religious texts to determine where “the line” is. They also rely on subjective, less absolute resources: their local pastor, an Imam, holy men and women.

Since the beginning of recorded time, religious values have influenced and affected social, political and economical values and trends. Likewise, the reverse is true: socio- economic and political forces have influenced those religious values. Religious texts have been changed, edited, even entirely new texts written by individuals (like the Book of Mormon).

If there exists one single intent of religion—one dividing line, one single value against which to measure yourself and determine your spiritual outcome—how can anyone come remotely close to determining where it is?

Why should your beliefs, based on the subjective opinions of pastors, or the contents of a book rewritten to further non-religious aims, be more valid than those of an atheist or Darwinist?

To adequately answer this questions, quoting the Bible is not going to serve you. If you reread, you'll see that part of the question is asking how you can trust the Bible (a book that has been altered countless times to serve a specific, non-religious purpose) as a viable source of information regarding where "the line" is.

What I'm more interested in is how you can demonstrate that your beliefs have greater validity than other people's beliefs.

What makes one religion "right" and another "wrong"? What makes one religion more valid than another, or than an atheist?

Many atheists would say that evolution has been proven scientifically. It's documented and revisions come through strict laboratory requirements, rather than whim.

What I'm trying to say is not so much, "what is the line?" but rather, how do you know you're standing on the right side of it?

Using a text that claims, "I'm right because I say so," doesn't seam particularly feasible.

And Allen - GTFO.

Answer 1

The issue is: how to draw the line. The answer: evolution, which applies to societies as well as to species: a society which has sound ethical values will survive preferably to one that does not. Hence, the proper moral standard with respect to a proposed action is: how will this affect society as a whole? If beneficial, then moral; if detrimental, then immoral, if of no significant consequence, then morally neutral. Since murder and robbery are clearly detrimental to society, all moral codes abhor these. Religions whose moral values are faulty, such as the Shakers, die out.

Answer 2

You've asked the wrong question. Right and Wrong isn't the key question, the key question is "Who is Jesus Christ and do I believe that He died on the cross for my sins, and then rose again?" This is the one which determines eternal life.

The Bible - with all due respect, has not been changed over the years, we have over 5000 manuscipts now quick show that the Bible has been transcribed (re-copied) with much greater accuracy and consistency than any work of Shakespeare. But you don't doubt his works, do you?

As an (unpaid) Christian minister, I can tell you that I point people to God and His written word. We obey God out of love, not for salvation. We are saved by his Grace through Jesus Christ. We specifically tell people that the Bible is the authority - not us.

You are accurately describing some of the problems with "religion", in it's worst light. But I would suggest that a relationship with God is what you are looking for. A good, local Christian church ought to be able to help guide you and encourage you. Christian radio is a good resource as well.

Rules aren't the issue. Who is Jesus? That's the issue.

God Bless jn

Answer 3

The commandments are obviously impossible to obey completely. I'm pretty sure I've lied before. They just tell us humans that we are sinners and do need a savior. The Bible... (praise God) isn't a rule-book, rather, and instruction book on how to live life on earth and prepare for heaven.

Answer 4

The only person they are more valid to is me. Every person has something in their lives that is more important to them than themselves... whether it's money, God, Buddha, their job, their children, whatever, but everyone has something they believe in. What I would die for is totally different from what, if anything, someone else would die for. Opinions about religion are sortof like rear- ends... everybody has one, but they aren't ultra important to anyone except to the person they belong to! It's all subjective, and it's all a matter of faith. What we SHOULDN'T do is judge someone else's idea of what they determine is the "line" you speak of. We don't have to agree with everyone else ( that would be impossible) but we CAN let them have their say without arguing.

Answer 5

Because we belive in a holy god that has divine knowlege who can seperate right and wrong, " There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14.

Answer 6

Maybe there are no gray areas, but sometimes it sure appears to be that way.

All I can say is that I rely on the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and the feelings of my heart.

Answer 7

Funniest Rap Line you could have heard? "I'm on your lady, together with her heels within the air N*gga" - Black Thought Deepest Rap Line you could have heard? "I prayed to God as a baby, however as a person I simplest pray to die" - MF Grimm Dirtiest Rap Line you could have heard? "youngster arm inserted from fist to elbow" El-P

Answer 8

2 Timothy 3 16-17
says that the word of God is God breathed and infalliable.
If the bible doesn't say it then it's not true.
But to answer your question.

God determines what is right and wrong.

Answer 9

Son you wrong about that, its be you that has to determine the line tween the goods and bads. Thats why our great Lord gave us the freedom to choose tween them. It don't matter who book you read, they all good people, but the responsible for what they do. Granny

Answer 10

We all fail.
We all sin.
We were all created in God's image.
The Law points us to our need for redemption.
Christ paid our bill. Take it or leave it.

I have to stand on Faith alone and personal belief.
I cannot judge anyone else. God loves each and every one.