I have found so many sites 'condemning' people like me because I'm not Christian. I in fact belive we should discover for ourselves what we beleive, and that means we don't have to fix a label to it, its almost impossible sometimes. I am a proud Pagan, but have fused my Pagan beliefs with Hinduism while using E Sara e Kali as the guardian of fate. What do the Christians want to do to me? I don't understand the problem. I would never want to make anyone else believe in my religion unless it makes sense to them. People have tried to convert me before, telling me that if I don't, I'll burn in 'hell' for all eternity and they'll pray for my soul. I don't believe in 'hell'.
Tell me what you think....
2007-05-02 04:52:05 · 37 answers · asked by Raven 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes we must be born again to live again
2007-05-02 04:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 8⤋
Oh goodness, no. I'm a pagan and I've fused my beliefs with Taoism. I don't even consider it a religion, but rather a spiritual philosphy.
I came to my understandings my own way and I look forward to what understandings I will come to in the future. No one else is me, so it's not appropriate for anyone to believe exactly as I do. If we all thought the same, how could we learn anything new?
I'm seeing an astounding number of Christians on the board today who deny they condemn others to hell, and yet this is something I see over and over every single day. It's horribly rude and against their own teachings.
2007-05-02 05:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're right no one can force anyone to choice a religion. And if Christians are doing this then this is not what the bible teaches. We should proclaim our message and state our own testimony and the decision has to be one filled with a repenting heart. I can understand why people are judge-mental though because Christianity teaches absolute truth where the bible gives us a guideline for how to reach heaven, which is through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
I know for me personally Christianity is more than just a religion it is a personal relationship with a living God who has a plan for our lives revealed through praying and studying of the bible.
I'll not judge you because I don't have a right to...i can only tell you how my life has been affected and how my relationship with God has grown over the times which has reassured my faith.
In the book of Isaiah God states "Come let us reason together."
2007-05-02 05:04:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not here to judge or condemn anyone because they don't believe as I do. I am a Christian and I hold my beliefs to be absolutely true. I also respect the right of others to disagree with me. Accepting Christ as Savior and Lord is a personal choice. I am open to discussing my beliefs and if someone is open to what I have to say I will try to present the truth to them, but I am not going to push anything on anyone. Love is a better example than condemnation.
2007-05-02 05:35:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jouvert 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think all religions try to get people to "live right" - and that's a good thing to do. I think it's great to live a moral, "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you" kind of life. Anything that leads you toward that goal rather than away from it is good. And if there were no God, then the correct answer for every person would be "Whatever religion(s) work for you.."
However..... I believe that there is ONE AND ONLY ONE GOD. He created everything, He created us. He wants us to be reconciled to Him and sent Jesus to pay the penalty for all who would believe.
I also believe in the parable of the sower - in brief, it says that I should offer Christ to all I meet. It also says that not all will accept Him - and I have no control over that. The Holy Spirit will either prepare them to receive it or not. It is neither my responsibility nor is it within my power to do the Holy Spirit's job.
So I sow seeds everywhere, (I believe Christ is the "right" relationship) but I do NOT expect all people to be converted.
2007-05-02 05:06:51 · answer #5 · answered by teran_realtor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear Raven,
Speaking as a Catholic Christian, I would answer your question thusly:
Which system of physics is "right", Newtonican physics, or Einsteinian (relativity) physics? It isn't a very good question, is it? Both systems of physics contain elements of truth, correct? But relativity theory is a better and more advanced way of describing the truth of the world. Yet relativity theory is still lacking somewhat, because now quantum mechanics is deemed a little more accurate.
So it is with religion. Truth can exist in degrees. If there is no objective truth in the world, then each religion is equal (and equally false!). However, if there is some objective truth, that is, a truth that is true for everyone, everywhere, at all times, then different religions cannot be equal by definition, because each religion gives a different explanation for the purpose of the world, why we exist, why evil exists, and how to achieve happiness, salvation, or nirvana (whatever you want to call it).
Some Christians are very narrow-minded in how they approach these issues, but only because they haven't received a good education in philosophy or theology. Prejudice is reallly only the product of ignorance. But basically, what Christians are claiming is that there ARE objective truths. There are similarities between eastern and western faiths, but bascially these religions are different worldviews that diagnose the problem of evil differently, and prescribe different solutions. Christians believe that God is good and loving, and that He has chosen to reveal Himself by essentially becoming one of us--hence our belief in the uniqueness of Jesus. We believe that our salvation, or happiness, rests in having a relationship with this loving God, and that in order to do that, we need to understand and see God appropriately. Some people think God is vengeful and hateful, so they fear him or hate others. Some people think God is just a force that is impersonal and uncaring, or indifferent. It would be very difficult (if not impossible!) to love God and have a relationship with Him if we believed Him to be vengeful, hateful, or indifferent.
So what these Christians are essentially saying, (perhaps without even they themselves understanding it!) is that Jesus, who loved us and died for us, reveals to us the true nature of God--loving, forgiving, merciful, and compassionate--and that by believing in Jesus, we come to a proper understanding and relationship with God which is necessary for salvation.
I am deeply sorry for the way it seems that some Christians have acted toward you, in being judgmental, arrogant, or prejudicial. There is a difference between trying to "convert" someone out of prejudice, or like you're selling some kind of a product; and trying to "convert" someone because you believe in a good, loving, wonderful God who has made you joyful, caring, and happy, and wanting someone else to experience this happiness and joy. The first kind of trying to convert someone comes out of prejudice and arrogance, the second comes from love, just like if you were to try and stop someone from being an alcoholic because you thought the way they were living would make them unhappy.
I do agree with you that one needs to come to their own beliefs about the world, because this is necessary for a personal faith. But if you did believe that something were necessarily true, like 2 + 2 = 4, and a lot of people thought that 2 + 2 = 5, you probably would not compromise and say that either way is true, right?
Hope this helps somewhat. God bless you!
2007-05-02 05:18:00 · answer #6 · answered by ehwright10 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off I am not condoning it, but I know that some Christians believe it is their "duty" to tell everyone the message of God and His son. I am a Christian and believe that everyone is responsible for and has a right to their own beliefs.
I think it's inevitable that if you really believe in your beliefs, that you think you are "right" at least for yourself. For some people, that "Right" means that others "wrong" will make them suffer after death and although they may to do it in the right way, they really do feel they are trying to "save" you from eternal torment...is that really so wrong of them?
I don't agree with pushing your religion on someone, or threatening them with hell, but to them it is the truth and they don't want people to suffer.
2007-05-02 04:58:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe 100% in God's word. I belong to a sect of religion that includes people who share my religious beliefs. Do I think that my domination is the only one that is correct & that it is 100% right on the money in its statement of beliefs? No. But I believe 100% in what I know and I think the religion I have chosen is the closest to what I have come to know as truth according to God's word. If I didn't feel so strongly, believe 100%, then I wouldn't find it worth my time.
I do not believe one burns in hell for all eternity either.
2007-05-02 05:02:09 · answer #8 · answered by Catie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh I was just thinking about this last night! You saved me five points. ;)
Do I want people to convert to Paganism. Heck no. I know its not for everyone and I totally respect that. I find happiness knowing that someone is at peace in thier faith.
Now do I want people to UNDERSTAND my faith. Resounding YES! I think its important to know all faith, hence why I attend a Unitarian church. I want my kids to find thier own path whether it be paganism, buddism, muslim, whatever. I want them have a peaceful soul. Thier way might not be my way and I am okay with that. Do I live in fear that one of my kids will become hardcore Christian and come home chanting "Thy shall not suffer a witch to live?" You have no idea the pain that causes me. I can only hope if they chose the Christian path its with tolerance and love.
When people tell my to convert or burn in hell I try really hard not to laugh at them. I know they truly believe they are trying to help. But then I ask them if I should convery when I don't believe. Should I follow out of fear? That isn't faith and its one of the things that turned me off the Christian path. If Jesus was will to die on a cross for what he believed then I am willing to burn in hell for mine. I follow my soul and I expect them to follow thiers. If you can't respect that then feel free to take yourself right out of my life. I will NOT have my kids subjected to fire and brimestone, hate and intolerance. I am more then happy to accept talk of peace and love and following Jesus in that compacity but I expect RESPECT in my life and in my home. I will settle for nothing less. Just rememer even though we have freedom OF religion, doesn't mean we have freedom FROM it. It saddens me that Christians haven't been persacuted in truly hateful ways for so long that they have lost compassion for others who still do. Sometime I wish someone would spit on them and chant Thy shall not suffer a Christian to live. It hurts a lot. I think they forget that sometimes. Its sad.
2007-05-02 05:06:28 · answer #9 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe that everyone should choose the religion that is right for them. I am Wiccan and my husband is Christian. Neither of us try to convert each other, we just try to learn about each others religion so we can understand it better. He also feels the same way and when we have children we are going to let them choose their own religion. What is right for some is not right for all.
2007-05-02 05:02:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
i believe my religion is right for me , but may not be right for someone else. So we have to respect them and their beliefs.
My religion will help me fullfill my life ambitions and satify me, while my religion may not do anything for u.
The common things between all religions is that the belief in god. U can teach someone abt ur religion, but is up to them if they want to convert.
i dont belive that only ppl from my religion will go to heavan, i belive all good people will go to heavan, no matter what race or religion !
And if u think this is so true.........
2007-05-06 04:52:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋