The ancient Greeks had a concept Sophrosune - "moderation in all things"
(Damned-for-all-eternity Atheist here, just interested in what you think)
2007-01-18 00:21:13 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well from one athiest to another, lets face it if there was a God, do you think all the war, hatred, poverty, terrorism, mindless deaths, Big Brother etc. would really be going on? Or perhaps there is a God and he is so warped that abstaining from things is more important to him than saving lives? who knows? Whoops how terribly un PC of me, my bad!
2007-01-18 00:24:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I guess it's all to do with balance. I imagine God would not be impressed with people banning laughter or anything remotely fun. And by focussing of niggling little things like forbidding certain types of food, there is a risk that more important concepts, like compassion and integrity, might be sidelined (there a bit in the NT about this, a pharisee who is so proud of himself for following all the itty-bitty rules and ignoring the wider picture). On the other hand, the rationale many people give for temporarily abstaining from things is that it helps them to develop their spiritual side because they are not constantly at the beck and call of their immediate desires.
2007-01-18 03:57:47 · answer #2 · answered by Nikita21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol and pork are probably at the bottom of God's list of things he wants you to quit doing. The 10 commandments are all the way at the top. I cannot judge you for anything you say or do, the same God that judges me will judge you. I can only say something is right or wrong in the eyes of God. To do otherwise would be my own sin. Be blessed
2007-01-18 00:29:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do people always equate an imperfect society with lack of a God?
What kind of challenge would it be to have faith if this world and our lives were perfect?
I think moderation of alcohol is fine. They drank wine in the Bible. The idea is not to get so drunk you do something you regret or degrade yourself. How many people have been there? The concept is for your own protection.
2007-01-18 00:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by reginachick22 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What God is looking for is internal.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
2007-01-18 00:30:35 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God prefers pleasing Him by:
- LOVE God above all things (believe and obey Him in all His law), no pre-condition or 1/2 condition with evil/satan.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
These 2 absolute law is everything in your life and what God needs to please Him.
Our abstinence is just one way of our little sacrifice offerings and beginning of good attitude towards best way going to the Almighty Father. Why? When you do fasting and prayers, we can hasten our communication with the Spirit Gods and we`ll be able to hear clearly His guidance and our inner voice connecting. Especially if you do it often.
2007-01-18 00:37:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will know by looking within. Since God is all of life, and we are all part of life, then God lives within you. So, if having a drink or some bacon here or there doesn't make your life any worse, you shouldn't have a problem.
2007-01-18 01:05:04 · answer #7 · answered by Jimbo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is quite clear from Scripture that there are things that the Almighty dislikes. Some things are called an "Abomination" to Him. Our only hope is to be in harmony with Him, which means to Hate what He hates, and to Love what He loves.. (Which we can only do through the indwelling of His Spirit, which brings us life). The Greek concept you refer to is part of the "Anti-Messiah" which already "worked" in Paul's day.
2007-01-18 00:31:20 · answer #8 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible recognises the life of the Canaanite god Ba'al in distinctive places. the reality is that Christian monotheism originated interior the deserts of Egypt which exchange into earlier Polytheist. for this reason the early followers have been on very close look after for the previous impacts. In later cases the Egyptian innovations have been tempered with the innovations of Zoroastrianism with its bi-polar spectacular/incorrect mentality which keeps to be the lynchpin of Christian morality to on the present time. in the previous that it exchange into trouble-free obedience for this reason Commandments, Deuteronomy and so on.
2016-10-31 10:31:24 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything that cannot be done in moderation is better avoided. Anything you do eat or dring that has a negative effect on you or your fellow human being is not acceptable to god . Since he said we should love our neighbours ourself
2007-01-18 01:58:47 · answer #10 · answered by Kola B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋