Okay, a few points here. First of all, yes, I am quite secure in my own beliefs, I am asking these questions out of blatant curiosity. Secondly, I am not in the least impartial. I am very specific about what I believe. Third, I believe that faith is very personal and subjective and therefore different for everyone, even those who practice the same religion.
Having said that, here is my next question.
If you can openly admit that you are secure enough in your own faith, enough to believe that your ideas of faith only apply to you and not everyone on the planet, then how can you argue with these two points?
5. People who do not follow my idea of God will not go to my idea of hell.
6. Heaven and hell, if I believe they exist, are there for the followers of my specific faith depending on how they live according to the rules of my specific faith.
2007-11-01 11:01:56 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think the real question you are asking is this. We should be tolerant of others no matter how different they believe. It sounds like your preaching tolerance. Tolerance for others is a good thing, but what about tolerance for things we know are not right. Its true that this could be a very subjective issue, yet I think you are forgetting something very important. Do absolute ideas exist in a subjective world. Our culture has become very empirical and only data that can be weighed is considered absolute. Maybe we have forgotten about those Subjective truths. For example, is murder a bad thing. I believe so, but in some societies murder can mean justice. Can there be universal truths like Love that we cannot measure or read but know it exist. Hence, we come to the question of religion. Could there be one religion that is that subjective truth. And if there is that one true religion it must have that one true God we seek. I think Christianity holds these subjective empirical truths which we try to decipher. Hell or heaven mean nothing if we first don't look for the true meaning of believing in God. At end it will be between you and that true Deity because he will know where your heart really lies..
2007-11-01 11:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think the Bible, Qu'ran and almost every single other religious book say that unbelievers go to some kind of hell, and only their lot, regardless of any other considerations such as goodness or awareness of the religion, get into heaven. Sucks but there you go. Personally I'm agnostic, subjectivist and an absolute skeptic (as in: Do I really exist? skeptic) so your final points are the only things I've been able to safely arrive at. It's nice to see that I'm not alone over here especially with someone who acknowledges the subjectivism of faith and beliefs, our respective viewpoints included (now theres a paradox for you..). Kudos
2007-11-01 11:11:59 · answer #2 · answered by Rafael 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I am secure "enough" in my own faith. However, what you state is not reality.
I put my faith and trust in the love and mercy of the one true God. I am assured the kingdom of heaven thru the covenant of the New Testament for the salvation of the eternal soul thru His Son, Jesus.
Does this covenant "only apply" to Christian? No. It applies to ALL people.
If you enter into this covenant with a sincere and repentant heart, then you are assured heaven. If not, you are not.
It really IS this simple.
2007-11-01 11:09:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is only an issue if one worships a God of their own imagination as unfortunately, most do) there is no "my" idea of heaven and hell and what is right and what is wrong- there is one absolute truth and you either believe it and follow it, or at the very least sincerely desire truth or you rebel against it setting yourself up as your own god (even if you don't call it worshipping yourself) giving god only the attributes that make oyu comfortable and feel good and dismissing the rest.
THe truth is the truth and you, nor I , nor anyone esle on the planet is going to change what is reality by what we choose to believe.
I am very secure in my faith - so secure hat I know that for the most part I am walking in the truth- I am not perfect and I am sure there will be quite a few things God will correct me on before i die and there will be some revelations as well- I do know, however, that there is one way to the Father and that is through Jesus. God is the God of all, not just me and His ways, laws and order, grace and mercy do not apply just to me but to all of creation.
If someone chooses to believe different then fine, it is their right and their choice- I am not going to badger them but I am going to believe they are wrong and if it is rebellion and an unteachable spirit they choose to hold on to, then chances are they are also choosing to accept the consequences of their choice- that is for God to deal with their heart and choices , not me- it is only for me to share the truth, reality with them.
By your logic , I should just be able to imagine an apple in my hand and there it will be for the eating- it only applies to me because only I wanted the apple- sorry but the whatever you believe is what is for you is just a bunch of garbage dreamed up by those who do not want to be accountable to God and deal with what truly is right and wrong, sin and righteousness- only God can define those things and He has- it is rebellion and the sin of pride to think oyu will raise up the god of oyur own imagination above the one true, real and living God.
2007-11-01 11:14:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
great question.....i believe people shud be more tolerant of each others beliefs too...but God is One....there is only one Word...whether one believes in the Word or not...our "idea of God" is what changes however God remains constant .God does not change. He is who He says He is.
as a christian we dont have the right to keep the Good News to ourself...the Good News is for the whole world....we are obligated to share it....it is the way we share it that is the problem...if a person dont wanna hear it we shudnt ram it down their throat.
2007-11-01 11:18:47 · answer #5 · answered by Orita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're displaying healthy, open minded, and tolerant thinking.
Unfortunately most people need religion to express faith, and most religions simply don't allow room to believe it doesn't apply to everybody. Some religions are so horrible they condemn anyone who doesn't worship it to eternal damnation. All of eternity based on a measly 70 mortal years. Go figure.
2007-11-01 11:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by reignofcheese 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That logic falls apart with Christianity, when you actually have to be an active member to go to heaven. Those who do not accept Jesus go to hell. You can be the worst, most vile, evil person that ever lived--but if you're actively trying to better yourself and ask Jesus for absolution--he'll give it to you.
So.. while your opinion is decent, in a D&D way, and I believe that it would definitely be better for us Atheists if all Christians believed that--it's just not how most religions are written.
2007-11-01 11:08:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Those two points do not apply to my faith. That's the only argument I can come up with.
2007-11-01 11:10:06 · answer #8 · answered by Pico 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes - I believe in tolerance and acceptance because I think there are many ways to find God but, in the end, god is one and the same for all.
2007-11-01 11:14:41 · answer #9 · answered by Claudia A 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have thought that exactly.
You are on a path of growth rather than stagnation.
It is important to remain open minded and listen to others and learn YET remain true to what you inside know is truth.
Peace be with you.
2007-11-01 11:28:12 · answer #10 · answered by cordsoforion 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋