Ok, so I've been thinking lately how extremely hypocritical the bible is.. The bible goes on an on about being nice to people and helping and loving others.. But only so you can go to heaven ad have a great time...? Does no one else find this kinda selfish? Coz to be honest, how many people would still be a Christian if you weren't 'rewarded' with heaven and good fortune and good things happening to you? So basically I find the whole concept of Christianity selfish- You're only helping and loving so you go to heaven and have a good life- You're helping for your benefit!- To make you have a good life! Do you agree? Have I got it completely wrong?
2007-09-20 04:52:00 · 49 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My family is Christian and go to church and stuff and I'm sort of Christian.. but I'm just kinda confused about the whole heaven and having a good life thing.. Don't get angry I need it explained or whatever!!
2007-09-20 05:06:54 · update #1
OK! I kinda get it more now.. Thanks for helping.. I guess the real Christians are those who do good stuff because it's in their heart and they feel its right and stuff which is what I do.. I'm not really sure if I believe in the bible but I certainly believe in God and how powerful and loving he is.
I wasn't meant to criticize anyone.. I was just simply asking a question about my religion...
2007-09-20 05:28:59 · update #2
You have totally missed the concept. Doing good deeds and being nice to people has nothing at all to do with going to heaven. The Bible says that a person can not get to heaven by deeds alone so no matter how good you are and how many good things you do it won't get you to heaven. If that is a person's motivation, they are lost. Christians are kind to others because it is the right thing to do. Going to heaven is about believing in Christ and accepting him as your Savior.
2007-09-20 05:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by Truth is elusive 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have read the bible then you must know good behavior and works does not get you into heaven. I am a Christian I don't anticipate a life of wealth and rewards. In fact a Christian knows they are no different than anyone else as far as that goes. We should actually expect trials that test our faith and trust in God because they also show the world what a christian is. I know many Christians who have given up life's wealth to follow Christ. Don't judge us all by what you see on TV, those are not good examples. Just being in Heaven will be enough for me.
2007-09-20 05:01:05 · answer #2 · answered by Connie D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is about loving others because God loved us first and created us in His image. The two commandments that are most important in the Bible, according to Jesus, are "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself." We all want to be treated with the same respect and love we give others. How is that selfish? I am a Christian because God loves me, not because I want to go to Heaven when I die. Yes, that is a good thing, but that is not the only reason I am a Christian. Why are people Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim? Aren't those religions selfish? Just a thought... Also, in regards to your comment on "good fortune and good things happening to you." Christians have hard times, too, and don't always have good things happen to them or come upon good fortune, so that argument is not really valid. Bad things and good things happen to everyone, regardless of whether Christian or not.
2007-09-20 05:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by Christy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question, one that ought to cause a lot of pious folk to take stock, though it won't. Jesus of Nazareth was a hero even without the "son of god" stuff. He walked among the common men, was generous and kindly to the despised and an enemy of the greedy. Christians, particularly in their most visible wide-eyed, conservative, and self-righteous incarnation, they're definitely in it for the perks. Ironically, as a non-practicing (I'm so good at it I don't need to practice!!) protestant, I find that the Christian education of my childhood informs every level of my conscience. However far I might lean towards agnosticism I am indelibly etched. Jesus dined with the tax collector and his sidekick was a whore--you really think he's going to hate people because they're gay, because they love the wrong person? So yes, I think if God appeared on Larry King one night and revealed that the whole heaven business was a special promotional event that ended at midnight, there would be a lot of drop-outs. On the other hand, the people who are inspired by Christ's example would probably keep on keeping on.
2007-09-20 05:13:44 · answer #4 · answered by oakleafmold 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, living a life a self-discipline and generosity makes you happier, healthier, and better off in this life as well.
But to directly answer your question, all people who volunteer their time and money to a charity do so in the hopes of building a better society, because we believe that whatever benefits society ultimately benefits the individual. So there is some aspect of self interest in all people who practice charity, not just Christians.
I imagine that most Christians, or anyone for that matter regardless of their beliefs, try to help you because they honestly believe that in so doing that are actually doing the moral and right thing. Being moral makes a person feel good about themselves, so there is always going to be an aspect of self interest to it, but that does not change the fact that they actually ARE helping you, now does it?
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BTW, if doing good is selfish, then what does NOT doing good imply about you?
2007-09-20 05:02:40 · answer #5 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Christianity is completely amoral.
To make moral judgments means to make 'distinctions between right and wrong behaviour according to conscience'. Christians, however (and other believers), readily admit that the behaviour which they advocate for themselves and others is a matter of simply following their god's orders. This is not morality, by any definition, and the more closely someone follows what they perceive to be the orders of their deity, the more amoral they are. Fundamentalists - biblical literalists, whatever the appropriate name is - are the least moral people of all, since by their own admission they seek to follow rigidly the orders as they see them, and eliminate any input from their conscience at all.
Furthermore, anyone imagining that they can make moral pronouncements from a religious basis is faced with an insurmountable problem: In tying their pronouncements to religious claims, their pronouncements are invalid until they can provide logically satisfactory evidence that the claims are true (which, of course, will never happen).
Atheism, on the other hand, allows for true morality - "The judgment of good and bad behaviour according to conscience" as the dictionary says.
2007-09-20 05:00:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Number one: The bible goes on and on about nice to people and helping other's..Not to go to heaven, but to be a god person. Its not selfish. It is the way god wants us to be.
If we be that way and truly in hearts believe it is right, then we will go to heaven.
God judges our hearts. I want to have a good life. I want to help people and to happy.
I want to help people because if they need it and I can do it, then it's right and I might make a new friend in the process.
By the Way, Every single thing you do in this life, Is selfish. In one way or another, Its always for self gain. There really isn't anything wrong with doing something good for someone and feeling good about yourself at the same time.
It's like eating food, It's really for your body, but it also feels good.
Maybe you shouldn't eat anything that tastes good, because you might enjoy it.
2007-09-20 04:59:14 · answer #7 · answered by chersa 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The whole point of human life is to attempt to live the most satisfying one we can. That is inherently selfish. But I see nothing wrong with that.
What I have a problem with is how Christians have forgotten the charity side of Jesus' message and are too busy bettering themselves and their own lives while forgetting to help others in need. Helping others for personal gain is at least a bit less selfish than strictly focusing on yourself, as those mega churches promote.
2007-09-20 04:58:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Following Christ is not about getting to heaven. By implying this you take the focus of everything and put it upon yourself, that is selfish (self centered). Being a Christian is about following Christ and glorifying God with all that we do, regardless of what we will receive at the end of our life. Our sole purpose in this life ( along with everything else in the world) is to bring glory to God. I don't folllow Christ because i will get a new car, home and a big pay check. Instead I follow Christ because He CALLED me to follow him. If this life was all there is (though I know there is more) I would still follow Christ. All things were created to glorify God and I want to be a part of that.
2007-09-20 06:24:19 · answer #9 · answered by Lee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe that "its all about getting to heaven" I would say you have not read your Bible enough. Remember in the very begining God created us perfect to freely love Him and be His companions....well as we all know we messed that up and because we messed that up we found ourselves seperated from God forever. Well God loves us so much that He provided a means, a perfect sacrifice His Son Jesus Christ, to pay the cost of our sins that seperate us from Him and His boundless Love. Why was a sacrifice needed? Because God is a Just God and the implications of our sinfulness must satisfy His Justice and the only acceptable sacrifice had to be perfect. So through that perfect Sacrifice God, in His Mercy and Grace, has afforded all who would believe the means of being restored/fulfilled to the very reason we were created in the first place to be His companions in true and freely given love for all eternity. Its about that relationship not about heaven. Heaven IS where God IS and nothing can top(or adiquately describe) the presence of God. :-)
2007-09-20 05:26:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋