When are Christians going to learn they are being manipulated?

Question

I get yelled at today because I am eating jelly beans on 'Good Friday' because apparently its a 'sin' not to fast. I'm sure Jesus is going to keep you out of heaven because you had that angus burger on the Friday during lent in '78 and ate those jelly beans on good friday yet its ok to go around swearing, disrespecting other religions, and missing church. All religions are cults.

damn straight Timaeus!

Answer 1

You are really upset about those jelly beans.

Answer 2

You are exactly right...Jesus God is not going to keep you from being with Him because you eat a hamburger or some jelly beans. This is a man made law, not a God made law. The only laws handed down by God were the ten commandments, which are directions for living a good life. Giving up chocolate on Fridays won't do it, but loving your neighbor, and maybe giving up something you enjoy everyday so that someone less fortunate could benefit is what Jesus wants...if you do the least for your brother, then you do unto Him.

Answer 3

When are others going to learn that we Christians are NOT being manipulated? We have a free choice and we choose to follow Christ. As for lent and eating certain foods, some Christians believe this way and some don't. I for one, eat what I want to eat. The Bible talks about eating certain foods and whether or not it is a sin for a believer to eat foods that have been forbidden by Judaic law. The conclusion was that it was/is not a sin, unless it is being done in front of someone who considers it a sin. In other words, if it offends someone else, then don't do it in front of them. Otherwise, go ahead and eat it.

As for your sweeping generalization of us all, are you not doing the same thing that you are accusing us of? Christianity is not a cult, nor are many other religions. A cult is something where you follow a PERSON and you are not allowed to think for yourself. Most major religions do not operate that way.

As for going around swearing, disrespecting other religions and missing church, I would like to clarify that for you since you are under the impression that ALL of us Christians do this: I do not go around swearing (although I am human and I have sworn when very angry - not proud of it - just not afraid to be honest and own up to it). I do NOT disrespect other religions. In fact, I am respectful of all ways of believing, even though I don't agree with the way others believe. I treat others the way I want to be treated, although I am a bit upset at your question and it is reflected in my response.

As for missing church, yes, I have missed church. As a whole, however, I do attend church as often as I can. The Bible does not command us to go to church every week. It tells us to not "forsake the gathering together". In other words, it tells us we ought to spend time with other Christians so that we can lift one another up and encourage one another and we can worship God and learn about Him together. It does not specifically say how often we are to do this or where we are to do it. It simply tells us to do it. Setting time aside to read the Bible, pray, talk about God with other Christians, even over the telephone or at a social gathering, or even with a spouse before bedtime, are all ways of gathering together as Christians. Obviously church is a great way to do this, and is a formal way to worship God. Because of this, we do try to attend church. There are times however, when I am very tired or not feeling well and I want to sleep in. Some people have to work on Sundays. Let's not judge us all because of misperceptions. If you don't understand us, just ask. We'll tell you how it is from our own perspectives. I think you will be surprised to discover that we Christians are not all alike and we all have our own unique personalities, practices and ways of doing things, which cannot be lumped together in a generalized group, any more than you and others who believe as you do can be lumped together and assumed that you are all alike.

Blessings to you!!

Answer 4

Fasting and abstinence is never a firm order of any religion. It is the followers who find it a good way to offer and make sacrifices for the occassion. If ever someone will insists, he probably does not know it is a voluntary thing on the part of the person. You can eat and do whatever you want but please show your respect to others who wants to offer the sacrifice at least for the occassion. Think deeply, you might be the one being manipulated by your own rebellious mind for the sake of just rebelling. Let those people be... some fastings and abstinences can be good for their health too.

Answer 5

You are translating all bad things to all Christians, that is a mistake, most Christians are not going to yell at you for eating jelly beans, most do not go around taking the Lord's name in vain, or dis-respecting others. Catholics tend to attend Church more because we feel it is a sin to miss, but that is a moral we place on ourselves, not force on others.

All Religions are not cults,

and When are non-Christians going to accept that most Christians are Christians out of free Choice and aware of the other options and perfectly happy being Christians?

Peace!

Answer 6

In all major religions, the followers strive to rid themselves of sin through various practices. They may pray in a prescribed way, do various good works, deny themselves legitimate sexual pleasure, follow dietary restrictions, lie on beds of nails, etc. The uniqueness of Jesus is shown in His statement, "The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins." No other religious leader has ever made this claim. Jesus Christ alone can wash away every sin anyone has ever committed, be-cause of what He did on the cross. By paying the penalty for our sin, He can release us from the torture of guilt. We cannot do anything in the way of religious works to wash away our sins. Forgiveness is a free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Answer 7

What has happened to you is, you have been unfairly judged.
Christians have a bad habit of thinking they can look at your life and "help" you either thru guilt or judgment...make you a better person...
If Christians, would look into the mirror...they'd weep...
we are not perfect....and if we saw the hearts we break, when we point at others....we'd weep endlessly.

Don't turn away from God, just because of man...
Keep trying to seek Him...and extend mercy to those "people"..even if none is given...
I have walked that road...and I will think of you

Answer 8

I am a christian and if I want to I can fast. If you don't want to fast you don't have to. Go ahead and eat you jelly beans . Nothing bad will happen to you if you do eat anything for that matter. I do not swear, nor do I disrespect others. Please do not group all Christians in one negative group. Please do some research before you accuse.

Answer 9

It's not a sin not to fast. Who told you that?! It's your own choice...it's called God gave us free will. We are free to do as we wish--keeping in mind that we will have to give an account of everything one day. Jesus won't keep you out of heaven for sin, because, if you confess and believe, you will be washed free of all sin.

Answer 10

For many Christians they will never believe that they have been manipulated, after years of studying theology and becoming a catholic, I just shake my head at the lack of common sense so many Christians, and catholics have.

Answer 11

Religion is man-made that's why. YOu need to become Christian, that is not man made. It wasfounded by Jesus Christ, unlike other religions, especially CAtholics who claim their church is founded by Jesus, it's not. It was founded by COnstantine in 300 A.D.