even if there is a God , why spend so much time reading the bible when there is soo much out there to read ? the new harry potter book is cool! why spend so much time in churches when you can sleep in? there are so many cool cultures and spiritual ppl in this world that I find it hard to believe that the christian God is the only one that is the right one? why go to bible study when you can go horsebackriding in a prarie? why waste time on an entity that is described in genesis as a sexist vindictive nasty bloke when you could listen to the storries of Biddha ,Athena , Odin and so many more who had a totally different understanding of life?
why?
2007-07-26 00:26:03 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Aloha justachick,
You bring up an aspect of Christianity that is not discussed much - the opportunity cost of worship.
The opportunity cost of resources* refers to all the things that are neglected or ignored in favor of time spent praying, going to church, reading the bible, etc.. "Many believe that the resources spent on religious practice, such as the cost of building and maintaining places of worship or the time necessary to participate in religious ceremonies, are better spent in other places."
I couldn't agree more. Just the sheer amount of time wasted worrying about whether you're going to hell or heaven, and trying to follow 2,000 year old outdated, contradictory and confusing rules is crazy.
2007-07-26 00:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by HawaiianBrian 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Being both a Christian as well as a voracious reader I agree that there is much out there to read. However, sexist, vindictive, and nasty bloke is not how I see the God of Abraham.
The polytheistic deities you mention are representations of ages gone by and were only graven images at that.
To understand Christian theology you have to get past the beautiful poetry of the King James Version and get into the venacular of the times -- idioms and other figures of speech and differentiating between translation and transliteration whereby the true meaning of what is written may be known.
Bullfinch's Mythology is not a good replacement for an understanding of the original translations and as far as Teutonic mythology is concerned Odin was never God, Balder was never Christ, and Loki was never Satan.
There is no corroboration in the historical and geologic records for Asatru or the Greek and Roman variants of polytheism.
The historical and geologic records are replete with corroborating evidence for significant events chronicled in the Holy Bible.
2007-07-26 00:53:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To find the answers for your questions, you have to know God first. Then you will give out your opinions. The reasons why you're asking to these questions because you're not experienced. I'm not here to judge anyone. I'm just informing you, once you get to know God, going to bible class is actually more than horsebackriding. And being in church is wonderful. Too bad there are people who find the church is so boring. But that is the place where you can actually meet God.
2007-07-26 15:29:11 · answer #3 · answered by bassisette 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he he
i believe in God, but i do heaps of fun stuff!
i read Harry Potter (so awesome! lol), go riding, spend time with friends, sleep in (alot!) etc.
my belief in God makes my life better! there isnt a 'chirstian God' or muslim god' or 'jewish god; etc.
they are the same God.
you can read other things aswell and choose your own spiritual path.
i am a christian and i will never change. thats just me.
alot of stuff in the bible are METAPHORS and are not to be taken literally. keep in mid that that bible was written many many many years ago in a different time and place from what we know, so what makes sense to them and is ok might seem weird to us
i go to church every week, read the bible sometimes and am actively involved in developing my faith
believing in God doesnt mean that you have to give up everything that you like and be locked in a church and read the bible all day! :-P
when you accept God into your life, you may realise (not you personally, just generally...) that you should make some changes. i have made changes in my life, not too drastic! but i am improving my life one step at a time
i can only say that ever since i made God an active part of my life, i have become a better person and my life is soooo much better!
you dont have to follow a specific religion......
God is not confined to buildings (churches etc.) or places
His presence is all around us, if we allow ourselves to feel it...
God bless friend!
i hope you find what you seek...
2007-07-26 00:41:40 · answer #4 · answered by Robin 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I understand what you are saying and I asked these same kinds of questions and still have not had anyone in the "Churches" that could offer good reasons.
The Gospel of Saint Thomas said that Jesus did not want huge churches build... that God was where you found him. I like that idea of a God. He is not in some building with people asking for money he is in that "Horseback Ride on a Prairie" that you spoke of.
I after many years searching have converted to Celtic Paganism and no longer have anything to do with Organized Religions based in guilt and shame.
God is where you find him, and if you enjoy the search as much as I did then you are in for a treat.
Examine all religions and find the "Nugget" that you will eventually take from each one and incorporate that into your life... and find God.
2007-07-26 00:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by eric_the_red_101 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I read all sorts of things. They won't save me, but they are entertaining. Horseback riding is one of my favorite pastimes. But I know God. I have seen Him work. I have felt Him. I know He is real. He told my grandmother to tell me to call Him Yeshua. Yeshua is the God of Abraham, the God of the Bible. If I believe that, I believe the Bible as well. And I believe, since He said it, that there are no other gods. If you had a personal relationship, you too would see this. Loving God and living for Him in no way hinder the good things in life. I don't read stories of Buddha, Athena, and Odin, because they are false gods. I am interested in Greek Mythology, but only as that, mythology.
2007-07-26 00:33:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Because Christianity is a commitment to bettering oneself based on the belief that mankind is born with the natural capacity to sin. All those other things you mention can be good and valuable, but as forms of entertainment don't challenge us to improve ourselves in the imitation of the goodness of the Christ.
2007-07-26 00:58:13 · answer #7 · answered by lucius.graecus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was real nasty of a thing to say to people. Why don't other people just leave Christians alone? Everybody doesn't have a peachy life like you. You are obviously spoiled and haven't experienced the hardships some of us have. If it isn't broken why fix it. My faith is all that I have to hold on and It might seem sorry in your life but it works for me. I love life and family and that's exactly where my mind is going to stay. Nope, you didn't ruin my day I love Jesus Christ. I am going to pray that you can develop some of the joy that I have found. It wasn't found on the back of a horse either.
2007-07-26 00:45:54 · answer #8 · answered by Luv2no is in the house 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Haven't you noticed that religious people need to have their beliefs reinforced at least once a week? In at least one religion, this is several times a day. This tends to indicate that they aren't all that sure of themselves where religion is concerned, and need to be shepherded along a bit to keep them on track.
Me, I'd rather be out there on a horse on the prairie with you. It would be so much more relaxing.
2007-07-26 00:34:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
To each his own, if it is not for you then why spend so much time asking questions about something you don't believe in? If you were to know God you wouldn't have to ask such silly questions as you would know what you should and shouldn't do as well as the reason why Christians don't do the things that people such as yourself find so entertaining.
2007-07-26 00:32:37 · answer #10 · answered by Beauty&Brains 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋