Dogmatic Christians, and Open Minded Christians.
The Dogmatic Christians are those who constantly preach "the good word" to other people and cram their beliefs down other throats.
The Open minded Christians are those who hardly ever preach their beliefs to others, and do not try to force their beliefs upon other people's business.
What I don't understand is, most of the Open Minded Christians don't really believe in many of the values imposed by the Bible. For example, I've heard some O.M. Christians say that they do not have a problem with gay marriage or people, but does it not clearly say in the Bible that homosexuality is an abomination?
So if these kind O.M. Christians don't really believe in the values imposed by the Bible, why do they remain as Christians?
2007-05-14 23:48:57 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
to Are We There Yet:
You clearly do not exhibit belief in all aspects of the Bible, and yet you still claim to be a Christian? Please explain this paradox to me.
2007-05-14 23:57:30 · update #1
Great point!
Without the Bible, on what can someone base their faith?
You are very correct...the ONLY source for our beliefs comes from the Bible.
If we read the Bible, paying attention to the high regard God has placed on His words, our valuation of it should fall into proper perspective.
One question I thought of:
What would a master think of a servant that doesn't believe him, and doesn't do what he asks?
2007-05-15 00:07:05 · answer #1 · answered by Jed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I read it all and basically, everyone has their own way of answering these questions. It depends on what you go by because if you talk to a scientist they will talk and monograph everything about the laws of science and all that. For Muslims, it would be the Kuran. For Christians, it would be the Bible. Etc. Basically, every human being learns and imitates a form of knowledge and set code of rules of beliefs even if they are athiest or religous. That's why you would get all this rephrasing from. Anyways, you should try opening your mind a bit more and doing more research when doing this (although, seriously don't piss off people for their beliefs or you're just being immature) because for me, I can usually find it easily when they ask. Next time, they cite a quote from a book or scripture, ask them to explain it (do it politely). If you believe in the book or not is irrevelant because if you don't then why would you be asking in the first place other than to bash a person (or if you are curious without being a jackass).
2016-05-18 05:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you oversimplify the matter, friend, but to answer your question, the answer is upbringing and environment.
Your labels instead should be "cultural Christian" instead of "open-minded Christian" and then dogmatic or whatever for the other.
When folks are raised around the church and Christian ideals like the 10 commandments, they just take it as a "given" in their life, whether or not they have EVER opened the Bible or actually been saved or not.
Hope this helped explain and have a terrific day!
2007-05-15 00:00:13 · answer #3 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I consider myself a Christian because I believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am also a student of History and law. I understand how documents can become distorted or misinterpreted. This does not deny Christ but does make me read the Bible with a critical mindset.
There are 3 ways to look at it.
You could abandon faith because every little thing doesn't add up perfectly so you chuck it all.
You could cling to faith despite obvious errors and make no realistic claim that your religion makes sense at all.
Or you can view the Bible as a very old book that is based on truth as people saw it once. You could try to find that truth and make it make sense.
I do the third.
2007-05-15 00:07:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well there's also other types such as the legalists wherein they believe that you have to follow the Bible to the letter if not you're gonna be racked with the burden of sin and guilt forever, and there's also the carnal ones who even though are Christians indulge in worldy pursuits....I think that the reason why some remain Christians is first because God doesn't deny anyone... Jesus did say: "...whoever comes to me I will not cast out", second maybe they truly believe it's just that they cannot follow everything (and who can follow everything written in the Bible anyway? No one can that's why Jesus was sent to set us free from the bondage of sin)...anyway "salvation is by grace through faith not that of ourselves lest any man should boast" everything relies on God's grace. Last maybe there's a chance that they didn't really recieve Christ but are just riding on the religious bandwagon. Salvation is a personal thing it's not something that you can know forother people's cases.
2007-05-14 23:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by meredith 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
So you are saying that either you are a dogmatic Christian or you really aren't a Christian at all?
I don't cram my beliefs down other's throats, and I don't have a problem with gay people (the marriage thing is another topic). I don't like their sin, but they are just people, like the rest of us ... some good, some bad.
So I suppose I'm a dogmatic open-minded Christian.
Ugh, I don't like either one of your lump sum divisions ... I think I'll just keep following Jesus to the throne and leave you to your division :)
2007-05-14 23:56:15 · answer #6 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because, if I'm a buddhist (which I sorta am), it doesn't mean that I have to act like very other buddhist, for example, the buddhist monks sweep the ground in front of them in order not to kill asingle bug, but I still eat meat, because we have different interpreations of the teachings.
Same way with Christians, as far as I'm concerned Jesus didn't write the bible, so therefore you should take it with a bucket of salt.
2007-05-15 00:02:57 · answer #7 · answered by Simon 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm an open minded christian. However, i don't believe in gay marriages or the gay act, but i love the person and so does God.
No sin is to great or to terrible for God to forgive. That's how open minded God is. Great huh!!!
Bless ya!
2007-05-14 23:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by Purity 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The bible also calls shellfish an abomination, with homosexuality. Every religious group cherry picks add emphasizes what they want to believe.
2007-05-14 23:58:02 · answer #9 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Who are we to judge? Have you examined yourself as closely as you have Christians?
2007-05-15 20:33:12 · answer #10 · answered by karma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋