my 1st question is this:
even if ppl dont believe in God, does he still love them and watch over them?
my second question is this:
i am an orthodox christian and i wear a cross and i pray sometimes. but only if i am in deep trouble or if (God forbid) someone i love is in danger. is this bad? does this mean i will go to hell? i mean like im a good person, i dont drink or smoke, or do drugs, and i believe in abstinence. but i dont pray every day, and i guess you could say i pray for only selfish reasons. will God punish me? but the thing is that i cuss and stuff. will God punish me for that, too?
thanks!
please dont be mean or criticise!
2007-11-20 14:58:21 · 19 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great question. Good thoughts.
Here is my first question to you- is it possible for you to have an incorrect view of God? If you say yes, then that is a great place to start. There's been times in my life where I have felt the same way towards God. Honestly, I wouldn't want to have anything to do with the God you're talking about. It sounds like he's into punishing everyone and wants to make you feel guilty, and only cares about you doing good things all the time. I have felt that way, but have realized that that is not the true God of the Bible.
The Bible was originally written in a different language (Greek and Hebrew) and so is translated into English- so there are numerous English translations. This one verse- John 3:16 is an awesome verse, but if you look it up in a specific translation it's even more awesome. (The message). It says that God did not come to condemn the word, but He came to help. God came to help. That has meant so much to me. The God I serve is not a God who shoves my face in my mess ups like we might do to a dog who poops on the carpet. But, he came here to help me. Now, that's the kind of God that I want to serve and know better. He's on my team and is my cheerleader.
Now, living God's way is the best way to live. He set up life so living His way will bring us the most joy in the long run- so it is true that it is worth living life God's way. But, it's all about relationship with Him. It's not always about the thing you do or do not do, but it's often about knowing Him through that thing. Yes, it is true that God does want us to be obedient to Him, in fact He wants everything. Honestly, I don't think God cares if you swear or not- b/c that's not the point of the life he envisioned for those who are His. What He wants is everything. He wants all of you! He wants your future, your present, your joys, sorrows, thoughts, friends, everything! There is a Bible verse in a book called Luke where a large group of people were following Jesus and He turned to them and told a story about how a person needs to consider the cost before following Him b/c it would cost them everything. So, what I would say is spend time thinking about the real God of the Bible- a kind God who is here to help. Then, consider if you are willing to Give God everything. This doesn't mean that you'll try to stop swearing more- who cares! ? It means giving Him your heart, pains, sorrows, joys, future, today, friends, everything! He's able to deal with it all and loves to.
Good luck and great question.
2007-11-20 15:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by DrThorne 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God loves you no matter what, even if you don't believe.
And I don't think you are a bad person...you do more than most people do, and that is really good. You seem to have really good morals and the fact that you pray at all is great. I don't think God is going to punish you, and I definitely don't think you'll go straight to hell.
If you want to feel better though, get in the habit of saying a few prayers when you get in bed at night while you're falling asleep :)
2007-11-20 23:03:30 · answer #2 · answered by pbJ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1st question answered well above.
2nd: Paul says to "pray continually". This is difficult, but not impossible, to achieve. Whenever you have time to let your mind run, it can run in prayer. (Instead of some song (my problem) or some other thing that might occupy your spare thoughts). I have found this quite possible - especially when performing "mindless" manual labor - although you *do* need to keep reminding yourself. However, I feel that this is a goal to seek, and not a requirement for salvation.
As an orthodox Christian, I assume that you believe in the same 3 things that are taught by many other sects. That is, salvation requires:
1) Faith (minimally)
2) Obedience (to the commands of Jesus, or your sect, or the bible, depending on your beliefs)
3) Good works (as opportunity and ability permits)
Prayer is a very good thing - an essential thing once you are "saved" - but these 3 are the "pillars" of salvation. Faith is the necessary requirement. Someone who dies in faith (an "11th-hour convert") can attain eternal life without the opportunity for 2 and 3. 2 and 3 are what we are supposed to pursue after achieving faith, and "prayer" (and many other things) falls under 2.
I guess my point is - you have correctly recognized that your prayer needs to increase, but its lack, by itself, does not seem to be a reason for you to lose your salvation, especially if you are repentant of your failure to pray as you believe that you should.
What can you do? You can set aside time every day for prayer. Maybe just 5 minutes. You don't need a list - just speak to God about whatever is on your mind. You can even do this after you go to bed at night or before you leave bed in the morning. Whenever it's convenient. Of course, one thing that you should pray for every time is to improve your praying! Asking for help in your relationship with God is, I think, one of the best things for which you can pray.
Another thing that you might want to make certain to do every prayer session is to pray for at least one thing other than yourself. Even if it is something as simple as world peace, or a relative or friend (that they have a good day, for example), or whatever other particular prayer strikes you as being "selfless".
The second thing you can do is to try to remind yourself, if you ever have the opportunity to be bored, to silently pray during that time. You can pray about anything - how your day is going, that the dentist you are waiting for is guided by God, etc. etc. Whatever is occupying your mind at the time.
I hope this helps.
Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com
2007-11-20 23:32:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, God loves all the same, believers or non-believers alike. There are millions that have never heard of Him.
Stick to your ideal, no man can tame the tongue. We all have some selfishness in us, it is a part of being human. To send someone to hell for that little fault would be the greatest sin and God cannot sin. How cruel that would be. I doubt you would even get a spat on the hand.
2007-11-20 23:12:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God loves us all because we are His children. Of course He wants us to love Him too. He wants us to be perfect. No one is of course, but He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to show that it could be done and to set an example for us to follow. God does get angry on occasion as seen in the bible. He says if you seek Him you will find Him. I think that means He wants you to do a little for Him. You should read the scriptures. You may find out you like it and you will learn something as well. Try to improve yourself. Jesus says pray always so praying only now and again is a start. Hope this helps...God bless you.
2007-11-20 23:09:57 · answer #5 · answered by Herb W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. In all fairness, I believe that you are doing what a sane and just god would want.
The way I see it, why turn to god if you can solve the problem yourself? Wouldn't god see needless prayer as an insult to your own ability to act, and by extention an insult to his creation?
Have a nice day, and stay in tune with reality. But don't lose your spirituality either, it seems that it's a good part of you.
2007-11-20 23:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by Rick 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For the 1st question: God gives mercy to everyone even if they have no idea what he is and what he did.
For the 2nd question: God will let you off since they are mostly venial sins i guess. And at least you pray..some people don't pray at all even if they are christian.
2007-11-20 23:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by anna a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is love, God is infinite without end. God is all. God is within us and without us. Not a person. Start thinking out of the box on that one.
Your idea of God is like an abusive parent who is all about punishing. Good and bad. Or someone or thing to be afraid of. None of those things.
Expand your understanding, knowledge and experience of love so you are not tied up in knots.
2007-11-20 23:08:28 · answer #8 · answered by Virginia G. 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The popular belief seems to be that God doesn't love you if you don't believe in him. It's believe or go to hell. That sound like a loving God to you? Or more like an insecure, vengeful person having a hissy fit?
As for your reasons for praying, it sounds like you only pray when you want God to do something for so. You see God as your bodyguard/genie. According to popular belief, that seems to be wrong. But I say, if God doesn't help you out in times of peril, why would he be worthy of love or worship?
2007-11-20 23:15:51 · answer #9 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A little background on me:
I'm a Buddhist, and I don't believe in the white, male "God" we all imagine. i believe that that is only created by man for our own comfort and belief in our sanity (which i have been doubting for a while...mine, anyways...). i believe...well, ur not asking what i believe. but, hey-for me, there is no hell. in my book, if you believe at all and are still functioning and living a sane life, ur doing pretty good. And if ur praying, ur even better. and for the first question, i dont believe in any god, so...all ill say is that your belief is more important than anything else, for that is the truth to you.
2007-11-20 23:14:21 · answer #10 · answered by hi, my name is____ 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋