Just looking for some opinions...please read the details.......?

Question

The Bible may be hypocritical and contradicting but that is only because Man put words to it and took part in translating it....some parts may be beautiful and other parts may not even make sense.....most of the time I don't think any of it has to do with Jesus Christ because Jesus was not a prejudice person...he lived and preached the Golden Rule.....how much more confusing can it get? Also, there are many hypocritical Christians/Catholics/Atheists/Scientists, etc...out there...I mean, come on, how many times can a person go to confession for the same darn sin every single week? My personal belief is Spiritual.......I give thanks for a Higher Power and this Universe and the fact that we choose how to live.....because I know that something greater than we are created this place....but I don't knock religious people for trying to spread their knowledge...how can a person criticize or degrade people who are trying to preach faith, peace, and love?

Answer 1

...The Bible is one, cohesive whole - to hold a position like yours is rather impossible - either it all is God's word, or it's not - there is no way or principle to "separate' what you think is acceptable and right,from what you believe is not right - if there is, I wish you would provide to me your principles of Bible interpretation.
…In the Old Testament, the Bible is full of prophecies re: the coming Messiah (God’s chosen one, the Lord Jesus Christ). Many are in the Psalms; I haven’t time to research this now.
…In the New Testament Gospels, we read 4 accounts of the life of Jesus, from eyewitnesses or close followers of His. The rest are letters to churches, believers, prophecy books, and the Acts of the Apostles.
…Jesus preached more than the Golden Rule; He claimed to be God and the only way to God. He lived a sinless life, and died for our sins, took our punishment upon Himself, was buried, and was raised on the 3rd day according to the Scriptures. He calls us to believe on Him and be saved.
…You need more than a “Higher Power” – Hindus believe in a “higher power” or “energy” – but this god is like electricity, and is not the God of Scripture, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, who loves and cares for us, and hears our prayers.
…Religious knowledge not based on truth is worthless. Many people believe in Jesus like they believe in George Washington – they believe both lived, both were good men, and both died.
...Many do not understand that the Gospel message is this (from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) – that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures.
...Jesus paid for all sin and was raised. The work for our salvation is done. Now we must believe on Him, to be saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved…” we are told in Acts 16:31.
…The Bible is the Christian’s guidebook for life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I am no one’s judge (only God is), but I am to be a “fruit inspector” and to test what any prophet, preacher, teacher, minister, or believer says, comparing it with the Bible.
…In Matthew 7 we read:
…15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
…16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
…17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
…18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
…19" Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
…20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits….
************************************************************
…I John 4 tells us to test the spirits, to see whether they are from God.
************************************************************
…In Acts 17:11, we read of the Berean Christians, “they examined the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” We need to be very familiar with sound doctrine – one very good reason to “examine the Scriptures daily.”
************************************************************
…So, it is unbiblical to just blindly accept, unchallenged, any kind of doctrine. We have the standard by which to test it; it is the Bible. And true Christians have the Holy Spirit, also.
…I truly hope you have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved…” Acts 16:31
…Whosoever will, may come.

Answer 2

Here's the thing, it universally can't be agreed on for what Jesus was like. The Bible seems to be all over the place about who he is and what he stands for.

Those who usually degrade others for peaceful beliefs are usually the people who go out their way a lot for "this is the one true path! All others be damned!"

On the other hand, many people (including me) criticize those who preach hate in the name of God. Kinda makes you wonder if their suppose to be following a loving God, why they would do such hateful things in His name.

Answer 3

Hi,

Your question(s) seems to be focused on the the bottom line, so I'll start from there and see where we go.

It's not uncommon for people to be critical and it isn't always a bad thing. Without criticism we would, as a group, fail to make progress. Often we encounter people who appear to be overly-critical... they have strong opinions, right or wrong, and they sound-off as if theirs is the only functioning brain in the universe. At best, it's difficult to have a fruitful exchange of opinion with people who presume that sort of posture since it tends to make a conversation feel more like a bombardment. I'd like to avoid that here....but...

When it come to "knocking" the spread of religious knowledge, isn't it important to look beyond (and perhaps set aside) the "good intentions" of a would-be generous teacher to examine the content of his lessons. Just as one might "taste-test" a would-be fine wine, since not every fruit yields a good flavor.

For many, there's a basic and obvious flaw in the god-based beliefs - it's just too unbelievable to believe and that fact can't be ignored. I'm one of those. If I'm asked why I can't believe there is a God you might find me answering something on the order of: 'Well, ole God must have goofed when it came to making me - it's not my fault, but His - go and ask Him.' But here's the twist: I won't argue that a good intended person who lives by the "Do into others..." philosophy isn't right to do so and I can find respect and easily follow most of the morals reflected by the major religions, (I emphasize 'most' meaning 'not all').

So... why would I criticize? The answer is quite simple, really. If someone isn't telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.... well then... ??? Moreover, if I'm being put on the defensive to explain my disbelief, and worse, damned for failing to claim believe... well then.... ??? And, if I find that I'm in the company of someone who believes that "his is the only function brain in the room," ... well, hmmmm... what would you expect but a critically degrading posture as a response.

You and I don't quite agree on the issue of "well intended religious" teaching, do we? ...and it isn't the "peace" and "love" aspect which stands between us - at it's core, it's simply the question of "god" or as you put it, "Higher Power."

I'm an atheist; you're not; and, that's all there is to it.

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
.
POST SCRIPT: to Lori S: Wow.... I'm impressed by your clearity of thought. (I think I've said this before but if not, please read it twice.)
.

Answer 4

If a book has no integrity, then what is the value of teaching from it? If the book is not perfect, then the teaching will also be imperfect. Any text that claims to be the word of an absolute, omnipotent, immutable God should be superlative in every respect. It should be accurate, precise, and consistent.

The fact that there are so many sects of Christianity is evidence of the fallibility of the scripture. There are numerous "versions", and all of them are subject to personal interpretation. There is no possibility of gaining absolute knowledge from a text that is relative to the reader's interpretation. The best one can hope for is to glean some personal sentiment. That is no qualification for preaching.

Before one can preach the truth, one must know the truth. It is not possible to get the truth from a text that was changed according to personal interpretation, political motivation, and borrowed or fabricated history. Because of this, the preaching is sentimental, with no profundity of thought, and no coherent philosophy by which one can become enlightened. Those who are preaching love of God do not know what love of God is, because they cannot even become obedient to the stated commandments. They change and interpret them to make it convenient for themselves, because the text is contradictory.

What is the use of it? They order everyone to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but they are not even obedient to Him, the Son and authorized representative. How can you develop love of God, when you can't even develop love of the Son, who came to teach them how to conduct their lives? If you don't obey, what is the meaning of your love? They are preaching faith, but they don't have any faith in the words of the Teacher. Instead, they have faith in the words of those who also disobeyed the teacher. They would rather follow the words of Paul or Peter, neither of whom were given the authority to change the teachings of Christ, but both of them did. They are preaching peace, but they have no peace in their own lives. Instead they practice condemning their brothers, and congratulating themselves on their so-called superiority. They are exactly like the Pharisees that their own teacher warned them about.

When they are qualified to teach, they can teach. Until then, they should pray for humility.

Answer 5

I agree. Having studied Christian history, I can tell you that a great deal of what we believe today has been influenced by a relitivly small number of people.

Paul, Jerome, Ironaius of Lyons, and Augustine of Hippo. There are many Christian texts that were considered heretical, but were saved by Arab of rebel Christians. (A great many were translated and held in places like the Library of Baghdad, others survived in the dry desert.)

There are issues with all religions. Perhaps you could aid your journey by studying eastern orthodox Christian churches and Indian orthodox churches (some of these presrerve an ancient hebrew form of Christianity) and maybe you'll find some stuff to go on.

Answer 6

I do not practice religion. I have a relationship with the Utmost High God. AKA Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible in it's entirety, but I disagree with religion [I hate that word]. Religion is all about rules and punishments. Relationships are about doing what is best in love and joy. But there are consequences for your actions and not doing the right thing. I dislike legalism, which is a list of rules that you have to abide by if you are of a certain religion. I have true freedom in Jesus Christ, utmost security, and I wouldn't change that for the world.

Answer 7

Christ preached more than the "golden rule". In fact, on this topic he also first commanded that we love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind (see source).

As for confession, I have two points: 1) These "hypocrites" are not yours to judge, and 2) believe in Christ, not in his followers - if Christians fail it is because they are sinful by nature; believe in Christ, who has not sinned

Preaching faith, peace and love is empty if it is without praise to God, who created all things.

Answer 8

i'm a sprint scared yet right here is going... Nicola Bex Nicola Madeline Nicola Cerise Nicola Julie Nicola Perinne Nicola Ruby Nicola Wren Nicola Wynne Natasha Bea Natasha Celeste Natasha Celine Natasha Cosette Natasha Danae Natasha Ines Natasha Isobel Natasha Juliet Natasha Margo Imogen Astor Imogen Charlotte Imogen Cora Imogen Elise Imogen Esme Imogen Laure Imogen Ivy Imogen Signe

Answer 9

Because you're not trying to TEACH faith, peace and love.

Take a look at the world and see how Christians treat other people. Only the Christians think the Christians are "faithful, peaceful, and loving".

That should tell you something.

Answer 10

Wow.... and the excuses never stop.

The Bible is fallible. No matter how it was inspired (even if you think it was "by God"), it's STILL full of contradictions like you JUST ADMITTED.

Someone may be inspired to write a book by a great thinking, but if that subsequent book is lousy, no good, full of contradictions and falsehoods... what does it matter how it was inspired? It's NOT worth basing my life on.