ok. i consider myself a Christian. like, i dont go to church everyday but i go to a youth group for like teens, but is it bad to question some things that are agains Christianity? like, i really dont have a problem with homosexuality, but i know that its against God's will and same thing with like stem cell stuff. like i asked a question about that and the person said that people are trying to become God but there are so many good things that can come from stem cell and cloning.
I was just wondering if questioning any of the beliefs of the Bible and other Christians. does that make me less of a Christian or not one at all?
I am sooo confused about this because I do believe in God and i know that he loves everyone.
2007-09-04 13:37:37 · 18 answers · asked by Bzzzailey 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It doesn't make you less of a Christian. You SHOULD question EVERYTHING! Never just accept something just because someone else tells you it's the "Christian" thing to do.
By the way, I know several Christians who believe they should do stem cell research. I know others that accept homosexuals, without question, as they view that as no different than a Christian who divorces and remarries, yet doesn't "repent" of it as the Bible (and Jesus himself) states one should. This in no way makes them less of a Christian, as they all stand firm on their personal beliefs, as well as the belief that all people should be treated equally and no one should be "downed" because they are different or living with a "sin" (as according to the Bible, Everyone is a sinner - that includes people who put down others for "sins" they don't like)
If you are confused about the issues themselves, then you should look into them specifically. Read up on stem cell research and find out exactly what it is that the others are against about it. Something tells me, they are only listening to the propaganda that is spread about it and haven't really looked into the scientific reasons for it.
Good luck. ^_^
2007-09-04 13:47:39 · answer #1 · answered by River 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The people in your particular church have their take on what they think God wants and thinks.
Other Christians differ.
Probably most Christians accept gays as being God's children, too, and the overwhelming majority think that medical techniques involving stem cells, since they'd vastly improve the quality of life for many millions of people would be a Good Thing.
Myself, I'm an atheist, but consider this: God gave you a brain; do you think he doesn't want you to use it?
Since when is compassion an un-Christian thing?
There were people who thought surgery was against God's will (well, there are still people who say this). I bet the person who told you stem cell use to allow the paralyzed to move, and to help Alzheimer's and Parkinson's sufferers is "trying to become God" would have their children's appendices taken out by surgeons in order to save their lives.
Questioning is a good thing. You need to figure out what seems right.
If you pray, try that. Ask God what's right. Then listen. (As I say, I'm an atheist, so I think you're talking to yourself, but if you think you're talking to God, then so be it.)
Is clean water, indoor plumbing, clothes, medicine, fertilizer to grow better crops, and breeding animals "playing God"?
They're certainly controlling our environment, changing how the world is.
I say they make our lives better.
2007-09-04 14:57:08 · answer #2 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You seem to be seeking knowledge.
Explore it and ask questions.
To believe that the Bible is our only source of Christian Truth is unbiblical and illogical.
The idea that all revealed truth is to be found in "66 books" is not only not in Scripture, it is contradicted by Scripture :
1 Corinthians 11:2,
2 Thessalonians 2:15,
2 Thessalonians 3:6,
1 Timothy 3:15,
2 Peter 1:20-21,
2 Peter 3:16
For 400 years, there was no defined canon of "Sacred Scripture" aside from the Old Testament; there was no "New Testament"; there was only Tradition and non-canonical books and letters.
God....... in His wisdom, started a Church with teaching authority through Peter, the earthly father of the New Covenant and whose successors sit on the Chair of Peter, just as Abraham was the earthly father of the Old Covenant and his successors sat on the Chair of Moses.
We can know what this Church teaches by looking not only at Sacred Scripture, but into History and by reading what the earliest Christians have written, what those who've sat on the Chair of Peter have spoken consistently with Scripture and Tradition, and what they've solemnly defined.
2007-09-04 14:24:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What makes a "Christian" is someone who makes their best attempt to be like Jesus, as described in the Bible, and someone who follows all the commandments and such. It's such a touchy subject. It's hard to say if if questioning your faith makes you less of a christian. I suppose you will have to figure that out for youself.
It is natural for us to wonder about whether or not there is a God, and all other theories. You kinda have to. You can't believe in something "just because," and when someone chooses what they believe in of course they question it. It's like any other decision you make. You do your research before you decide (and sometimes afterwards). I, personally, think that it is a good thing to question religion, death, the meaning of life, etc. It gives you a broader range to figure out what is true. There are so many different beliefs out there, someone has to be right. I don't think there is anything wrong with questioning whether or not God is real.
2007-09-04 13:55:31 · answer #4 · answered by ϑennaß 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are homosexuals who identify as Christian. And not all Christians are against "stem cell stuff" or all vote Republican for that matter. So there's obviously more out there than what you've been taught. I say, keep questioning.
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use, and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them." - Galileo
2007-09-04 13:47:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Be careful there...you are developing concepts about God that are not based on the Bible.
God is, and has always been, a God of convenant; the Jews alone, out of the ancient world, had a covenant with Him. That was the old covenant.
Jesus Christ brought the New Convenant, the Covenant of His Blood.
If God loved all people the same, there would be no need for hell. There would be no need for retribution or vengeance.
2007-09-04 13:48:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's good to question genuine issues like that, with an attitude to grow in knowledge and love. And if you believe and trust in Jesus as your personal Saviour, these questions will naturally help you grow as a christian.
It's only when it becomes "questioning with the intent of putting God down" that it becomes unhealthy.
2007-09-04 15:26:44 · answer #7 · answered by alomi_revolution 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep questioning. It will make you a better person. And no, you don't know that homosexuality is against God's will, you just read it in a book and heard that it was from bigoted Christians.
2007-09-04 13:55:47 · answer #8 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know homosexuality is condemned but where did you get the "stem cell stuff" in the Bible?
2007-09-04 13:49:50 · answer #9 · answered by Andy W 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think if you are a Christian you should seek Jesus about these things and be true to him, yourself, and whatever he shows you. God bless you sister. "he that the son sets free, is free indeed" that's straight from the bible. :) Peace out!
2007-09-04 14:12:49 · answer #10 · answered by sisterzeal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋