I really don't get it...?

Question

I was brought up a Catholic, being told all the time that Jesus died so my sins, and those of all humanity could be forgiven. That he suffered to save us and by dieing he opened the gates of heaven. (Apparently everyone went to limbo before that.) It didn't make sense to me then, and now it seems more ridiculous than ever.

Can someone give me a logical explanation of how one person suffering can save humanity. I want logic here. Not just just quotes from the bible. If it isn't rational, why should anyone believe it?

Answer 1

Well..eh...

God created Jesus to make Jesus convince God that God should forgive us for our sins.

And you ask us to explain that rationally? That's just plain mean!

Answer 2

Well, to give an accurate logical perspective, I'd have to use a few Bible quotes 'cuz that's pretty much what this faith is based on.

In the garden of eden, man sinned. God determined that a man of sin can't enter Heaven, which gave cause for man to go to Hell. Then He made it to where man's sin was forgiven through animal sacrifice (Able, the Levites, etc.). Then God determined that wasn't enough. There had to be a greater sacrifice. In those days, the sacrifice had to be perfect. The spotless lamb, the best of the flocks, everything the best. So for sin to be forgiven on man's part, there had to be either an animal sacrifice, or a man sacrifice. Since animals weren't good enough (I don't know how they became obsolete), God "sent His only begotten son" to die on the cross, being a perfect man, able to take the sins of everyone. All of a sudden, it's a sacrifice for all time, as long as people believed that Christ could do it, and that by doing it he broke sin's curse.

Mathematically:
You = Sin
Sin = Hell
Hell = human sacrifice
belief in Christ = human sacrifice
Belief in Christ = your sin taken away
You = Sinless
You = Heaven

That might look dumb, but that's how it is.

Answer 3

ok, "rationality' you say; ....not faith. Ok, then here's is a simple example then.
I a mere human being am a father of some of the most lovely children you could meet. Lovely or not; good or bad, there are my children. I would gladly throw my self in front of death (however it may be coming or from....car, truck, river, 2 story building, a bullet...I think you must have the point by now...;) to save my child's life, and yes your child's life also, with out even thinking about it for even a millisec.
If I, a true sinner bought and paid for; by the ultimate price am able to do this, do you think that God would not?
And all that you said about the Catholic Church and the Bible....sorry pal, :( ,.....no easy way to school here...read on your own, and learn the truth...if you want "real" logic, then read the Bible.
Note: Old Testament = relation of God with his most precious of creation to Him, ...man. Therefore use it as to learn from; first.
Note:New Testament=the manifest of that love quoted everywhere in the Old Testament born of a woman, walked again with man, taught, pleaded with us, healed us,taught us, guides us, and you will find this thru the words of the Gospels. cont'......This manifest, this ultimate act of love is what you are refusing to believe in, and now you ask at Yahoo for a "quick" logical answer....well .....

Answer 4

As I understand it (lot of room for error here), before Jesus the Jews sacrificed animals to make up for their sins. It kinda became like a cuss jar, where everytime you swear you put a nickle(or other amount of money) in a jar, supposedly to help break the habit of cursing. Well the Jews were sacrificing animals left and right but still sinning. God got tired of it and came to earth in human form (Jesus) as the last and only pure sacrifice. Symbolic forgiveness for all times.

I've never been to a Roman Catholic church, I know nothing of "limbo." But I hear Roman Catholics believe in a place called purgatory that is supposed to be half way between here and hell to, so who knows?

Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs(rational or not). If only understanding those beliefs was as easy as reading about them!

Answer 5

The religious language of centuries ago is hard to understand for us. Also some religious terms have been repeated so much without being understood deeply that they have become irksome. Here is my interpretation of what you mention.
The most precious and valuable thing we have is our life. We care and protect it. We are not willing to lose it unnecessarily. Why would a normal, intelligent and healthy person be willing to lose his life? Only if he was convinced that it is for the greater well being of others and had the courage to prove it. Christ was willing to give his life because he was convinced that his teachings were for the benefit of mankind and he had the courage to prove it, sacrificing what we consider our most valuable treasure.
After 2000 years we may not be aware what were those benefits for mankind, considering all the hatred and animosity around us. The fact is that the Roman empire which was crumbling at a certain moment because of internal strife and animosity, was looking for ways to redress the situation and saw in a small group of people with high moral values, united between themselves, with no class or racial prejudices and with a vision that was unique, the solution to the problem. A situation strangely similar to what is happening today.
The purpose of Christ like all the founders of the great religions of the world was to lift humanity to ever greater levels of unity and progress. It was to make man aware that he is not just a material being but also a spiritual being. That his well being, progress, peace and security and also that of the whole society in which he lives depends on him acquiring moral virtues and putting them to the service of others. This is what is considered as salvation in religious language.

Answer 6

Yeah, just think of it as God's way of saving our skins.

Humanity fell from grace. Adam and Eve messed up, big time.

But it wasn't completely our fault. Satan got kicked out of heaven and was there to tempt us. He became the god of this world. In fact, we're all constantly sinning.

The Devil also loves death. He loves organized religion. He loves Catholicism, since if people are worshipping Mary and a bunch of dead saints and a piece of bread, they won't know the truth.

And the truth is this - that God sent a second Adam

SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DIE.

Yes, we will die and rot in the grave, some of us longer than others, before Jesus comes AGAIN.

And then we'll be raised, and live forever,

and the Devil won't win.

Isn't that a nice plan?

Answer 7

Hi, I am a christian, who was brought up Catholic. Until I began 35 years of study in the original manuscripts and learned the Biblical languages, I had no idea just how much garbage I was being told.
Now i do, and needless to say, I am not a Catholic anymore.
There is no "limbo" or "purgatory" written.
But then, we were taught that Eve ate fruit and made God very angry with all of humanity because of it, and I found out that there wasn't any fruit eating sin written, either. What I was taught isn't written, and what I wasn't taught, I found to be most of Gods Word. its tragic, at best.
Why should you believe nonsense? You shouldn't. If you do, you will be one of those that Gods Word calls "the mass majority who will be deceived".
Always check someone out in the Word of God. "If it doesn't fit, you must dump it."
Don't forget: Satans favorite place of all to do his work, is the pulpit. Be careful that what you hear coming from there is the truth of God, not the words of men.

Answer 8

i never thought of where people went before Jesus died before... you have a good point! I'm glad He did die though because now people know where they're going! Apparently the Bible says something about Jesus going 'down' to see the people who died in Noah's day... I don't know where 'down' is... maybe hell or something.

Answer 9

Jesus is born a man but is really GOD. The reason for Jesus' coming is because everyone was crying for an actual saviour...BooHoo...they weeped and begged for a MAN!!!!!! to come and help them from their suffering.

Then suddenly, a man named Jesus comes and everyone didnt want HIM to be the saviour. They thought the saviour was to be a KING or part of ROYALTY, HAHAHA, Whatever!! What do they want, a saviour or not? he came and then you kill him for Blasphemy. I am ashamed on how many of you think this is foolish when ALL of our ancestors killed our CALLED FOR SAVIOUR...

DENY all you want but I know your thinking the same thing! He died as man but he was RISEN as a GOD. you left that one out didn't you? He rose from the dead as a prophesy given by the Pharisees and Scribes who KILLED him.

The time of Jesus' death, many of the humble saints rose from their graves as well (search in catholic sources)...there was an earthquake and the veil of the temple was ripped (which signifies the WHOLE community is allowed in, not just royal men)...

It may seem ridiculous but it is MORE ridiculous not to LEARN from what he did. He died cuz he loved us. If you dont wanna love him, fine...but he NEVER stopped loving you. You're lucky enough you're still alive and well...he could've taken you away by now...you are a catholic...you dont NEED to believe in him...just DO GOOD and BE GOOD>>>sounds cliche, right?? but you know what I mean since we are BOTH catholics...

Drop from being catholic, betray your own religion...I DONT CARE!! As long as you live your life as a good man and you dont HURT or KILL or HARM or even ABUSE your power for anything. I'll allow you to be whatever and let go of being a catholic...just do things that have a GOOD intention...dont think I'm serious?? You should meet my father......

I would die for my father just to save him...I would die for the WORLD to be saved. He can take my life now and I would ask him to spare yours or anyone if I can. I would love to die for the poor children to stay alive...for the animals to stay alive...and for YOU to stay alive...Take my life, Lord, if it means saving those that are important and even those I don't know! - From me. I would do it if it means saving you and everyone from Hell, like what Jesus would do.

Answer 10

in the days of old, men were instructed to sacrifice, an animal
of no blemish, perfect with no broken limbs, for sin.
jesus is called the lamb of God - meaning a perfect sacrifice.
since jesus is God in the flesh and perfect, righteous.......his
blood now covers us. under this we are adopted sons and daughters of God and consisdered righteous as jesus is. but
should we sin we must confess and let the sin go( repent )
that is to turn away from the sin. but if we do we have an advocate and that is jesus.
hope i helped.

Answer 11

If you do not believe it, then you just don't believe it. I don't think other peoples opinions will change anything. Any religion will never make full sense and have a logical explanation. To me that is the beauty of it!