Saying "You're going to burn in hell if you don't believe in god!" dosen't do anything! I'm a lasped cathloic, and I'm sick of being told I'm going to hell. Jesus himself said that no human is worthy to judge another, and to leave the judgement up to God. Remember the story about the people stoning the prostitute? "He who is without sin can throw the first stone"? Its human nature to sin, we are all born with original sin, so follow the logic, and the point is that NO ONE has the right to throw stones. God wanted you to be patient and kind to others ( Love your enemies?), not to condemn them. Don't people realize that when they do that, they make themselves look bad, make christianity look bad (christianity is a beautiful religion when its done right!) God is about love, not hate. As far as I'm concerned, if you condemn me, you're not a real christian, you're just looking for a reason to feel like you're better then me. Why don't people study the religion they claim to follow?
2007-03-21 08:00:51 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Triforce, How am I blind? For studing a religion I don't even follow any more?
2007-03-21 08:05:36 · update #1
jimguyy, I see nothing wrong with saying "Hey, God dosen't like when you do that. He loves you and wants you to be good. Let me explain why I think this way."
Its people who just judge without bothering to really look who bother me.
2007-03-21 08:12:33 · update #2
Rocky Road, You missed the point. Even in those quotes, it talks about God and Angels having the right to condemn, not people. I'm not saying that if God does exist, no one is condemned, I'm saying that people don't have the right to judge others.
2007-03-21 08:14:19 · update #3
Scalia, you sound well-informed. I agree that some judgement is nessicary, its the TYPE of judgement thats my issue. Its okay to look at someone and say "wow, that guy's for of s***" or "He dosen't seem like someone I want to hang out with", or even "If this person continues their actions, god's not going to like it. Maybe I should talk to them about it and see why they do that.". its the people to go to gay pride parades with signs saying "You're all going to burn in hell!" that bother me. People who don't bother to ask questions before them condemn, as though they had the power to know everything about that person. Like people on this forum who just respond to every question with "You're going to hell!"
E-mail me some time- I'd love to get you're view on this! Any semi-intelligent e-mails are more then welcome.. I'd love to have this explained to me!
2007-03-21 08:22:47 · update #4
Unfortunately, the fear of hell is central to the belief of most Christians.
2007-03-21 08:04:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
It bothers me when I read it as well.
First off, none of us are worthy to judge the fate of another. Only God can do that.
Every life is a work in progress, a journey. No one has the right to judge another’s future. Remember the parable Jesus told bout the workers? Their reward was the same, no matter how long they worked.
How does such a cruel thought even enter the mind that another living, breathing human being deserves to spend an eternity in hell?
If you believe this really is another person’s fate, wouldn’t it be better to respond with love and kindness, to show the example of Christ, instead of giving a harsh judgment?
2007-03-21 08:17:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
because of the fact Christians flow via what a e book tells them--they don't use their heads, surely. sometimes i'm wondering whether they comprehend what Jesus himself replaced into attempting to tell them. 'He without sin solid the 1st stone'. who're they to choose all people while they themselves are in a position and probably have already dedicated the comparable acts--actually no person is suited, they might desire to comprehend that. people who're gay..It purely annoys me to no end while Christians--No, I mean people who --call-- themselves christians act like god and condem those human beings and their existence. there's a place for human beings in hell who think of they have the ultimate condem others and choose for God.
2016-10-19 06:45:45 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many Christians feel like they are doing their duty when they tell people they are going to hell if they don't repent. If would be so much more effective if they told what God did for them in their life and how God can save them. Leave the condemning to God. He did not authorize anyone on earth to judge for Him.
2007-03-21 08:05:52 · answer #4 · answered by Prof Fruitcake 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have been here in this section for a long time. I have been a Christian for a long time. I have never heard of a true Christian telling someone they are going to hell. The bible does say only the true believers will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
If this quote from the bible condemns someone take it up with God.
Matthew 13:41-43
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
2007-03-21 08:10:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only hyrocrites will tell someone else they're going to hell. Christians know that Jesus will be the judge, not any of us, yet some do have a tendency to try to take His job. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes at judgment.
2007-03-21 08:07:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You see many people wearing badges and necklaces saying "WWJD" (What would Jesus do?) The truth is, they don't.
Whenever Jesus went to a funeral, He never carried flowers, and everyone left joyous. Why? Because He kept raising people from the dead. He did not waste time calling people names; just healing and delivering and forgiving.
We, who are supposed to be His ambassadors, take time out of our busy lives to cast aspersions on others' characters, totally oblivious to the fact or pretending not to know that we are acting contrary to Jesus' instructions, His example.
2007-03-21 08:17:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What a great question! Thank you for asking it. I am a Christian (a gay Christian, so I am judged and hated all the time) and my approach is one of love, not hate, not judgement. As far as I'm concerned, all are welcome.
Can't wait to see other responses.
PS, I think people are motivated to condemn others out of fear. There's is a religion of exclusion instead of inclusion.
2007-03-21 08:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by TJL 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Hi! I totally agree with you with respect Christians exhibiting a holier-than-thou attitude. All correction should be given with love and a sincere desire to help.
That being said, I must say I disagree with you about judging. Please consider the following:
With respect to judging, the Bible has much to say:
Mt. 7:6
1. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
One must know what is holy, what is not, what "pearls" are, what is not, *who* swine are, and who are not. You cannot do this without exercising judgment.
Mt. 7:15-20
15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
How can you beware of false prophets if you don't know how to identify one?
I John 2:3-5
3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
I John 4:1
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
I John 4:6
6. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
There are many, many more, but I'll close with this one:
Isaiah 8:20
20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Remember, you said, "...no human is worthy to judge another." When the Bible says, "Judge not," (see Mt. 7:1-5) it is referring to HYPOCRITICAL judgment. Those who are not living by the standards they impose upon others:
Romans 2:21-22
21. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22. Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
As to throwing the first stone, Jesus said, "Go and sin no more." Adultery is a sin and there's nothing inappropriate about saying so.
It seems obvious to me that one cannot abide by *Scriptural* teaching without exercising judgment, so long as the objective is to save. Criticism for the sake of criticism is not what judging is about. It is about the proclamation of truth in order to draw humanity closer to God.
**Edit**
Hello, again! I read your reply and must say we're a whole lot closer than I originally thought. I agree that the kind of "evangelism" some Christians engage in is, at best, counterproductive. I've learned it's the rare bird that is saved when it's being screamed at.
One last thing: The kind of behavior you're describing is really not descriptive of Christianity as a whole. I've been a Christian for a long time and the overwhelming number of them don't act that way. It's really too bad when the whole is painted by the few. Have a great day!
2007-03-21 08:14:21 · answer #9 · answered by ScaliaAlito 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes... I am a Christian and I TOTALLY agree. We are supposed to tell people about Christ and tell people of the repucussions of sin, and encourage them, but we are not to condemn anyone to hell.
2007-03-21 08:06:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The bible does plenty of condemning. To warn one of the wrath to come is not judging. God is not going to audibly speak to people to let them know whats wrong. God uses people to talk to people. Its called preaching. Go to a church where they do more then have repetitious ceremonies and you'll see.
2007-03-21 08:09:42 · answer #11 · answered by Jimguyy 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋