Can anyone help me clarify Christiany? Im considering converting, and would like to seek infomation.?

Question

1.What are the important holidays and traditions of Christianity?
2.How has religion shaped your life?
3.What are the challenges, if any, to practicing Christianity?
4.What are your thoughts of Christianity vs. Hinduism?
5.What is the difference between meditation and prayer?
6.Is it wrong to kill organisms that we can’t see?
7.Do Christians believe in a “Universal Power”?
8.Where do the other religions 'fit in'?
9.How can an average person practice christianity and still live in this world Surrounded by much negative energy
10.What are feelings of war?
11.Is there a God vs. other religions debate within the religious teachings?
12.What made you convert or thoughts of christianity?
13.What are you views of other religions?

In responce to Atheist Valtor right now I dont believe in anything. I searching for truth, I dont want to die in hell.

Answer 1

Hello, there, and welcome to the Christian community and our shared journey!

I highly recommend you read The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg and Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. Great foundational books that will keep you free of idiocy.

1.What are the important holidays and traditions of Christianity?

The Christian calendar in Catholic and mainline Protestant churches (Episcopal, Methodist) starts with Christmas. Then 12 days later (recall the 12 days of Christmas) we celebrate Epiphany from January 6 to February 5, when Jesus was revealed to the world via the Wise Men’s visit. Following this we celebrate the period of Lent, when we devote ourselves to fasting from something (TV, socks, whatever means something and we should be able to do without) like Jesus in the wilderness. Then in late March we have Holy Week, that follows Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, The Last Supper, The Crucifixion, and The Resurrection, which falls on Easter. The period of Easter lasts a couple months and then we celebrate Pentecost, when God poured his spirit out on the early church. From then (early June) until Christmas we are in Advent, meaning preparation for the coming of the Lord at Christmas.

Many of these holidays were co-opted from pagan traditions in order to compete and ease the transition. As such, the year follows the cycles of the sun – when the days are longest and coldest (late December) the light comes into the world and the days grow longer and longer until we are again in waiting (Advent). And so on. However, for us this cycle provides great meaning.

2.How has religion shaped your life?

The stories and values and common contextual community provided by organized religion has given me great supportive relationships, personal meaning in that it helps me connect to a higher power, a method for giving my sons a bearing in ideas that transcend rational thought, and so on.

3.What are the challenges, if any, to practicing Christianity?

In postmodern times it is hard to believe in some of the factual claims of Christianity, some are even demonstrably false. Additionally, Christianity very often teaches us that what feels best to us may actually be the worst thing we can do for the sake of our spirits – it’s hard not to do what feels good sometimes.

4.What are your thoughts of Christianity vs. Hinduism?

I believe Hinduism is a valid religion – they believe God is One and beyond all understanding and they have many gods to represent their varied experiences of the One God (Brahma). For Westerners Christianity is far more accessible – Hinduism is a way of life that goes beyond religion, like Judaism it is a culture. Additionally, I would argue the way Christianity lays things out is a superior story. Finally, we do believe God is uniquely present in Jesus – if so, then our religion is more accurate and closer to the actual truth about God.

5.What is the difference between meditation and prayer?

Sometimes nothing – centering prayer and contemplative prayer are very much like meditation, but instead of a mantra we might repeat a verse or a prayer or a phrase like God is Love. Prayers do go beyond – we can worship God, ask for things, confess, etc.

6.Is it wrong to kill organisms that we can’t see?

We should respect life to the greatest extent possible. We are humans and therefore the closer to human a life is the more valuable it is spiritually to us. Killing a person or an animal removed from us could be considered manslaughter but the lack of knowledge or intention is a mitigating factor. However, squashing an ant accidentally really does not worry me.

7.Do Christians believe in a “Universal Power”?

Most don’t but some of us do – I do, for example. John Hick, Marcus Borg, and Huston Smith are good sources for a Christianity that sees the same truth reflected in the other time-tested religions.

8.Where do the other religions 'fit in'?

Many Christians simply say they do not know where other religions fit in but it’s best to be Christian and not worry how far God’s mercy will reach. I, like many other Christians, think several other religions are contextual reflections of the way a certain people have experienced God. I am more interested in where we agree than where we disagree and how that religion treats people inside and outside their faith. I believe other religions can be valid paths to spiritual salvation in this life and the next. That said, we believe Jesus is the Son of God and thus we do believe our religion is the most accurate experience of God available to humans.

9.How can an average person practice christianity and still live in this world Surrounded by much negative energy?

This is why participation in Church and other practices of faith are necessary – we will mess up and they allow us to constantly be made a new creation to channel Christ’s love.

10.What are feelings of war?

Christianity is a nonviolent religion, meaning that we would prefer to turn the other cheek and not visit violence for violence. However, we do recognize that force may be required to restore peace and protect others and would favor using just enough force to accomplish those things. That said, many non-mainline protestants favor war as it was practiced in the Old testament, which was gratuitous and bloody.

11.Is there a God vs. other religions debate within the religious teachings?

Yes, liberal Christians like me believe other religions contain truth and that God is known by many names. Most Christians are more conservative and believe the Christian God is different and the only true God and that other religions are deluded. Both of these viewpoints can use the Bible and other means to establish its case and usually the exclusivist viewpoint wins out. However this does not bother me because Christianity works well for people who hold fast to its claims. Creating a feel-good hodgepodge religion would likely rob many religions of the power they have had to affect peoples’ lives. Overall, time-tested doctrine keeps people on the right path even when their ideas stray sometimes.

12.What made you convert or thoughts of christianity?

Marcus Borg’s The Heart of Christianity.

13.What are you views of other religions?

See above!

I hope you will find meaning in Christ.

Peace be with you.

Answer 2

You hve lots of questions which can't be answered straightway. Each question has lots of answers and no one can claim that one particular answer is true and others are false. Why don't you study the Bible and the Bhagawatgita, the Veda, the Upanisad, the Vedanta as well. You can find resources in web also like http://religioustolerance.com & http://wikipedia.org

Remember it's not very easy to find appropriate answers of these queries in any religion. If you are really interested, you can study hard and develope an opinion.

I don't believe that conversion is very necessary thing bcoz all the religion teaches the same thing in this way or that. What are different, are the practices but the principal objectives and teachings are same. Only the fundamentalists try to stress on the differences for gaining political advantage.

Answer 3

Thats a whole lot of good questions, it almost seems that your writing a thesis on the subject. Problem is that to reply fully would take a book. Therefore time and space demands that I choose and so I will just answer number 5.

The essential difference is that in prayer you are trying to communicate with someone else, namely an intagible Being, and most often you are asking for something that the Being should do for you.

True Mediation is quite the opposite. It is making an abstraction of your body, emotions, and your thoughts, so that even if you are aware of them you do not react to them. In that condition you are permitting a higher being to communicate to you what it wishes to communicate,

Normally this would start off by being your Soul when you have got past the intial stages, thereafter other Beings. It thus seems that the two things are entirely complementary in the sense of Ying Yang.

Answer 4

ok, here goes...longer than a college essay
1) easter and christmas are the two big ones. Jesus resurrection from the dead, and his birth respectively.
2) shaped my life...gives me a moral compass, a guideline to base my decisions, comfort in times of grief, and contentment that i can find no where else.
3) people will think you are wrong, and avoiding temptation to sin
4) dont know much about Hinduism. the main difference as i can see it is ONE God for christianity.
5) meditation is more like listening and reflecting. prayer is you speaking to God. a good Christian practices both on a daily basis, along with reading the word of God (the Bible)
6) not sure what you mean by this...bacteria perhaps??? as far as i know its ok....
7) easy, God
8) tought to answer without offending everyone else, other religions contain parts that are good and also bad. Christianity seeks to keep only the good parts. note: many denominations and sects fail at this.
9) live every day for Jesus. every decision, every thought should be good in his eyes. sounds ridiculously hard, but it gets easier over time. and avoid as much temptation as possible. if theres a movie with nudity, close your eyes. if someone is taking the Lord's name in vain, move away fromthe conversation.
10) there is no answer on this one, there are feelings on either side for or against, and verses that both sides use to support their claim.
11) one of the 10 commandments is thou shalt have no other God's before me. God says I am the only one, the rest are false.
12) my life is better as a christian. i feel fulfilled. i feel secure in the fact that after this world ends i will be in heaven with Jesus. it has also help to easy my guilty conscience when i know i am forgiven.
13) give christianity a try, if you dont believe, its your loss, but at least see what its about. read the Bible and learn.

just on a personal note. it took several years for me to finally give my heart to Christ. many nites i would lie awake in bed wondering if was on the right path in life and what would happen when i die. but it all just seemed to come together (i know thats vague). i can see the path God has for me, i follow him, i know i will live forever in paradise. its not always easy, but he always helps me get through whatever im facing.

Answer 5

first thing I will tell you, which really is the most important- Christianity is "called" a religion , but it really a relationship- It is about being reconciled to God through His Son Jesus- if you admit that you are a sinner, and accept Christ as payment for your sin, you are a believer. All your other questions be so much less important in the sight of what Christianity is all about, but I will try and answer a few of them for you- but please remember Christianity is first and foremost a relationship with God, not a set of rules to follow.
1- Christmas-celebration of Christ's birth-
Good Friday- the day that He was crucified for our sins
Easter- His physical resurrection which give us victory over death.
2- Christ has changed my life, not religion- and how? I am saved and free to live my life the way He intended
3- The challenges can be many- I am not saying accept Christ and all your challenges and/or problems will disappear - give your life to Christ and He will help you through it all
4- Christ gave His life for me, and gives me life. The founder of Christianity- JESUS- is alive. We are to have no other gods before us
9- A christian lives in this world, but focuses on Christ- and realizes that may have to go through hard times but Christ will deliver us now, or when we see Him face to face. That negative power you refer to is Satan- but as the Bible states- "Greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world"
12- What made me a convert? The love of God

Answer 6

Read:
"The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins
"God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens
"Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris.
or
"Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon" by Daniel C. Dennett.

Answer 7

In order to become a Christian you must be Born Again, John 3:3. You must be willing to admit you are a sinner in need of a Saviour and you must be willing to confess all yours sins to Jesus. Christianity is the only way to heaven but the Bible says to come be ye seperate from the world.
Are you ready to be different from the average person in the world? The Bible says Jesus Christ came and died for our sins on the cross at calvery. When he arose from the grave on Easter morning he forever washed away our sins, for all who call upon his name. Romans 10:9. Obviously Christmas is coming up and we will celebrate the birth of Christ. A virgin birth. No other person can claim that. Jesus was all human yet all God because he was concieved by the Holy Spirit. Our sins are now washed away if we believe, if you would like to be saved and born again just Pray this simple sinners prayer believing Jesus as your Lord, Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am sinner in need of salvation. I believe you died on a cross at calvery and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this Prayer believing in the name of Jesus Amen. If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart you are now a child of God, rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of Life. Jesus will now send his Holy Spirit to come and live in your heart and guide you into all truth. If you have any questions just send me an email, and Please find you a good Church to attend, may God Bless YOU!!

Answer 8

You considered converting to Hinduism 18 hours ago.

Answer 9

All the answers to your questions i believe you'll find in the Bible God Bless!

Answer 10

I am not sure I have an answer for each of your questions, but I will do my best. By necessity, it will be a long answer, even though it will only touch the tip of the iceberg of each question.

1. The most important holiday for a Christian is Easter because this celebrates Jesus Christ's rising from the dead after dying for our sins. This means that anyone who accepts Christ and His sacrifice for us, is now made right with God. It does not mean we are perfect, but that God sees us through the lens of Christ's sacrifice rather than our rebellion against Him (which is what all sin is.)
Christmas we celebrate Christ's birth.

2. Having given my life to Christ at an early age stopped me from reacting to abuse in destructive ways (drugs, alcohol, etc) that are common reactions for that type of experience. It has given me a Safe Haven to turn to in times of trouble and confusion.

3. Christ pomised that we would be persucuted because of Him. I know this is not a popular answer, but just look at some of the other responses to see proof. Some of us are fortunate to live where we have the freedom to worship as we choose, and our persucution comes in having different views on what is important than most of the culture does.

4. I do not really know enough about Hinduism to answer this.

5. Prayer is talking to God. Some people use elaberate, flowery words, others just talk to God as we would a friend. Prayer can be a form of meditation, but outside of Christianity, my understanding of meditation is within oneself. Christian meditation involves reading God's Word (the Bible) and focussing on what He is saying to your life through that passage.

6. Not sure I totally understand this question. By organisms we can't see do you mean bacteria, etc? I do not believe this is wrong. Even with animals that we can eat, there is some disagreement within the Christian community as this question. Most believe it is okay and actually commanded by God to eat meat. The Bible says that man was given jurisduction over creation. We need to take care of it, but also use it for our needs.

7. We believe that there is one God who created all things and has power over all things.

8. God first reveled Himself to the ancient Isrealites. This is where Judiasm comes from. The Jewish religion is still waiting for the promised Messiah that we believe was fulfilled in Jesus. Islam started about 300-400 years after Christ's resurrection. Mohammed had been exposed to Judism and Christianity and had a vision that he shared with others that created the religion of Islam. There is not a lot of connections between Christianity and the other world religions. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." To many, this is seen as exclusive and one of the reasons non-Christians do not understand and accept Christianity. To others, it is simply truth and a motivation to spread His Word.

9. Spiritual Warfare is a very real and dangerous part of life. Whether we believe in it or not, we all encounter Spiritual Warfare. The Bible teaches that demons are real and a very active part of the spiritual world. Practicing Christianity means that you, through prayer, utilize the Power of God to fight off the demons. The Bible says that once someone accepts Chirst as their Lord and Savior, God's Spirit comes to live within them and make them a new creation. That Spirit within us gives us the power to fight off evil spirits through prayer and speaking Jesus' name.

10. There are many wars in the Bible that are ordered by God as His judgement on ancient civilizations. The modern attitudes differ within different groups. There are some who believe we should never go to war, others that see war as a sympthom of a fallen, sinful world.

11. I am not sure I am understanding your question, but there is definately one God. He reveals Himself in three Persons: Father (God the Creator and God of the Old Testament) Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit (God's Spirit released in the world, living in and transforming believers.) Yet it is only one God.

12. I first gave my life to Christ as a child, but did not follow him most of the time. Later as I was dealing with the issues of my abusive childhood, I turned to Him. Understanding God's grace did more to heal me from those wounds than did 5 years in a support group and 3 years of professional therapy.

13. The Bible says that there will be false teachers and they will lead many astray. I believe that Satan (the devil, the ArchEnemy of God) will use any small amount of truth to twist it so that he can lead people away from God. My view of other religions is that these people have been lead astray by one of Satan's part-truths.


I know this cannot answer all of your questions. I hope it actually created more for you. (Sorry, but if you are actually seeking, it would have that effect.) My suggestion would be to get a Bible -- a translation you can understand -- and start reading the book of John in the New Testament. Then go ask a Pastor or a Christian friend to sit down and explain any questions you have.