How can you be half way? Either you believe that everyone else is headed for eternal damnation, or you don't. If your life on earth is so insignificant relative to eternal salvation, how can you not be a fanatic about it?
2007-01-18 07:41:38 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
fa·nat·ic /fəˈnætɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fuh-nat-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal, as in religion or politics
2007-01-18 07:51:59 · update #1
my religion makes no referance to any damnation
not all religions have this belief
2007-01-18 07:49:26 · answer #1 · answered by Peace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, for starters, I do not believe everyone is headed for eternal damnation.
Its not a matter of being halfway anything. Different Christ centered beliefs do have different things they believe. These things may be, well, like "church policy".
In other words, I am a Methodist, I do not believe exactly the same as a Baptist or as a Catholic, or a pentacostal. What we do have in common is the Jesus died for our sins. Other than that basic thing, we can be as far apart in beliefs as Christians and Atheist are...maybe FARTHER.
A Christian fanatic is USUALLY someone who has just been born again in Christ...if any of them are out there, I will let them explain that. They are so filled with joy and the holy spirit that they try to convert everyone and so sure they are right that if Jesus came down today and said something against what their church believed, they would argue the point, lol. They are the preachers and the ones wanting to send everyone to damnation (yeah, even me cause I am not a fundamentalist).
Long time believers tend to have mellowed and matured in their faith. They may take time to tell you about what they believe or try to answer a question, but most of the time they will not force it on you.
Basically beware of anyone who claims that everything in the Bible is absolutely literal and true and that all unbelievers are going to hell and they tell you that you are living in sin...that is your clue they are fanatics.
Mature Christians are most likely to say "oh well" and move on. They have found that their beliefs are really quite simple and basic. If you don't love your neighbor then you don't love God (okay its stolen from a song, lol). We all have twigs in our eyes so don't be judging anyone else. Treat others as you want to be treated, the world will end someday but we have no idea when, lol. Simple...and not fanatic. MGLORIA
MG
(Save a spot for me in eternal damnation cause I am about to get hit with it, lol)
2007-01-18 08:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by Morning Gloria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's easy because for one thing, I know that I have no clue who will be accepted into Heaven and the Bible says it's a "Great Multitude which no man can number" (see Rev 7:9-10) I also know that me acting all crazy and all isnt going to show anyone Christ, since He certainly didnt act all crazy. And also, I am a huge fan of Pink Floyd, and as much as I would love to see them in concert, I wouldnt be one of the people who would be stage jumping or starting riots in the audience.
It might be a disappointment to some.. but not all Christians are "fanatics"
2007-01-18 07:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply put it is said in the Bible and the Torah:
In all things moderation.
(I am sorry but I cannot find the exact location in the Bible but know it through repetition within the American culture).
This does not verbally exclude religion. Religion of itself is not a competitive team sport, is the essence of INDIVIDUAL SELF DENIAL and DISCIPLINE.
Such things as "eternal salvation" are between God and EACH individual of His realm - therefore it is incremental.
As reported Christ said about us upon the cross - we do not know what we do. He also stated previously that the Lord's mercy is from east to west - "God is Love".
This I read to say that no walk will lead to "eternal damnation" ("this too shall pass") while God exists (of course, some recent philosophers say that He no longer does.).
God will work incrementally upon the correction of fhose individuals and cultures that happen - in His thinking - to be "wrong." It is not for "we the People" to fully understand.
Fanatics produce "crusades" and "Gihads." These are against the word of Christ and the Lord(per the Bible). Look to Christ's discussion with the militant Barrabus just before his crucifiction- this is critical in understanding Christ's word.
The world is not Black and White. There is ALWAYS much grey area - hence the moderator in the labor-management dispute, - the PEACEMAKER - who happens to be "blessed" as he/she walks between two fires ("blessed are the peacemakers").
2007-01-18 12:24:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not every religious group teaches the concept of eternal damnation and/or eternal salvation. Sounds like you've been listening to fundamentalists, who are actually a minority. Not every group is into proselytizing, condemning people to hell, and so forth. There are millions of religious people who are not fanatics. That, in itself, should say something. The fanatics do not constitute the majority.
2007-01-18 07:47:16 · answer #5 · answered by thaliax 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can only speak in regard to the christian religion and my answer is this: Be like Jesus. Jesus, while he did speak about his beliefs and teach upon them, was not a fanatic. He didn't go around pointing out the sins of others, he did not tell people that they were unworthy. He only lived his life the way his father wanted and hope others would follow his example.
So live you life, and follow your beliefs. Don't force them on others, just answers thier questions and lead by example.
2007-01-18 07:49:27 · answer #6 · answered by Therious 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am curious about what is on the other side but I'm not in a big hurry to get there. I am religious but I don't try to push my beliefs down everyone's throat. We are all free to make our own choices. I choose to believe in live and let live. God will sort everything out on his own one way or the other. I don't believe that EVERYONE is headed to Hell or EVERYONE is headed to Heaven. Some go one way and others go another. The way they live their lives determines the direction of their final elevator ride.
2007-01-18 07:50:15 · answer #7 · answered by Dovah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U can be religious and not be a fanatic. I think theirs just as many non religious fanatic as their r religious ones. Its the person not what they believe or don't believe. Open your eyes and look not hiding in some dark cave
2007-01-18 07:49:05 · answer #8 · answered by sara a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By being a christian and leading a rightous life based on Gods word. Dont worry what man calls you. If you are allowing God to be #1 in your life the God says they are calling Him the fanatic
2007-01-18 07:46:36 · answer #9 · answered by white dove 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fanatic is a person who takes their religious beliefs to an unhealthy level, preaches at every opportunity, and lives and breathes it. A religious person is pious, lives a good life and helps others according to their beliefs.
2007-01-18 07:46:59 · answer #10 · answered by firey_cowgirl 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Um, because I don't believe everyone else is headed for eternal damnation. I am deeply routed in my faith - Wicca - by my path teaches to harm none.
This does not mean that if others continue to push after being asked to stop that I can't push back. Because eventually we will all push back. But we aren't to go out seeking confrontation.
Therein lies the difference.
)O(
2007-01-18 07:44:35 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋