My feeble attempt at the explanation of Christianity., You ask questions, and I'll try to answer. Rating Options

[monster]

Prove there is a God.

I'm creating this thread to see if I myself can try to answer questions that question or even contradict myself and the religion that I believe in.

Here's how it goes, all of you ask me questions about Christianity, and I'll try my best to answer them with the little theological knowledge that I know.

[brooklyneast05]

good topic idea

first though,
are u someone who takes the bible 100% literally or not?

[Sandraaa]

Wow, brave one dude!

OK. Here's mine: I've been told so many times that I'm doomed, that my destiny is in hell because I don't believe in God/doubt his existence. Well, I don't understand the concept of 'believing in God'. How can you believe in someone with whom you haven't had any contact; physical or mental? (this isn't a question directed to you).

Question; why am I doomed for doubting?

[monster]

good topic idea

first though,
are u someone who takes the bible 100% literally or not?

We are taught that the Bible is God-Breathed. It is known that the Bible was superintended ( God guided the authors to write the story ) composed, ( they were active, not passive ), without error ( perfect ) and that they were the original writings.

So being that the Bible is God-breathed, it means that God breathed his word into the authors, meaning they are his literal words, so the Bible must be taken literally.

Of course, this has a few exceptions with the obvious metaphors that it gives, ( Matthew 5:29, 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. )

[Sandraaa]

^ Above you.

[monster]

Wow, brave one dude!

OK. Here's mine: I've been told so many times that I'm doomed, that my destiny is in hell because I don't believe in God/doubt his existence. Well, I don't understand the concept of 'believing in God'. How can you believe in someone with whom you haven't had any contact; physical or mental? (this isn't a question directed to you).

Question; why am I doomed for doubting?

You are not necessarily doomed for doubting. This is bad theology in itself, and is mainly our faults as Christians who say the right things at the wrong time.

But if you want to truly know why non-believers generally all have to go to hell ( sadly ) is because of the fact that God is holy. He is so holy that he cannot be near any type of sin at all, nor be a sinner himself; even if he were to be next to sin, it would be a contradiction to himself. That's why there is Jesus as a walking board through the gap of one side to the other.

-edit

Also, I wouldn't know if you were to be truly doomed or not. I'm not God. ;)

-edit again

I just wanted to add that everyone doubts. Literally everyone doubts. It doesn't matter if you doubt or not. It's about whether or not you go back to Him, whether or not you see certain things going on.

[Sandraaa]

I also find it strange that someone'll consider him/herself as holy but w/e.

So God is automatically condemning me for my beliefs? If it isn't his way, then hell? I thought he was loving. Isn't he the one who talks about forgiveness?
You should know, we're not alike. There are people who decide to believe without understanding why. There are people, Christian friends of mine who go to church out of habit, who fast because they're used to it, who have no clue WHY they believe in God.

Personally, I find it stupid to believe in something/someone without completely understanding and knowing the concept.

[brooklyneast05]

why is there suffering to such an extent? if god is all powerful, why couldn't he step in. i know there's the whole thing about preserving our free will and what not, but still. the holocaust for example, did 6 million jews need to die? he could have stepped in earlier and our free will would have still be intact, and millions of innocent people would have been saved

which also makes me wonder why hitler was even born. if god is omniscient and omnipotent then he knew before hitler was born what would happen. if i was all knowing, and i was going to have a kid with someone, and i knew that they would turn out to be the next hitler...i wouldn't do it. i wouldn't have a kid

[Sandraaa]

Podo, I read all your edits. Man, haha!

[monster]

I also find it strange that someone'll consider him/herself as holy but w/e.

So God is automatically condemning me for my beliefs? If it isn't his way, then hell? I thought he was loving. Isn't he the one who talks about forgiveness?
You should know, we're not alike. There are people who decide to believe without understanding why. There are people, Christian friends of mine who go to church out of habit, who fast because they're use to it, who have no clue WHY they believe in God.

Personally, I find it stupid to believe in something/someone without completely understanding and knowing the concept.

This is true, and this causes many Christians to cripple and to wander with many doubts. This often happens because of again, bad theology and because as a Christian, we are told to equip ourselves with the Bible and to truly learn it. I personally believe that all Christians should learn some basic theology so they can debate and discuss with others ( i.e nonbelievers ) about the whole concept of Jesus, without talking only about " Jesus loves you, blah blah blah. "

God is love. Let me give you an example. I love children ( I hope you do, too! ) so thus I hate abortion. I hate abortion with a passion because I love children. God is perfect. That is why he is two-dimensional. He is a lover and a judge. He judges sin fairly without bias or bribery. He loves all without judgment or prejudice.

And yes, I know we're all different. Many Christians go to church just because whatever. It's just another routine, and another schedule, and another " thing to do. " I would accredit this to many of them not knowing what Christianity is really about.

[Sandraaa]

God is love. OK. So, what's up with Christians dying of horrible diseases? What's up with poverty? Like someone said, can't He push his magical buttons (over imagining probably) and prevent these?
What is he trying to prove?

Edit//

In response to your response () to JC's post:

But God does choose his favorites. There are people who he saves from disastars. It makes me wonder about how fair he is.

[monster]

why is there suffering to such an extent? if god is all powerful, why couldn't he step in. i know there's the whole thing about preserving our free will and what not, but still. the holocaust for example, did 6 million jews need to die? he could have stepped in earlier and our free will would have still be intact, and millions of innocent people would have been saved

which also makes me wonder why hitler was even born. if god is omniscient and omnipotent then he knew before hitler was born what would happen. if i was all knowing, and i was going to have a kid with someone, and i knew that they would turn out to be the next hitler...i wouldn't do it. i wouldn't have a kid

Suffering is unfortunately, necessary for humans. For example, many humans learn from pain and suffering. ( Ever been burned by fire? )

Through suffering comes eventual progress. We are still using a lot of technology that still is based off WWII designs and inventions. But that really doesn't justify all the suffering, I know.

But this is human nature. If God were to be here to help us all the time when we are hurt, then eventually we would become soft...almost jelly-like. We wouldn't be able to anything without God. God gave us free-will, and the will to do whatever we want. So others will abuse this, and others will become a victim to this. So basically, God doesn't help us because we need to become stronger. We need to be able to fight for ourselves, to some extent.

But does that really justify the killing and almost near extermination of millions of JEWS? GOD'S OWN PEOPLE? Not necessarily, I wouldn't know. But again, like I told sandraaa, if I knew everything, I'd probably abuse it, like all humans.

[monster]

God is love. OK. So, what's up with Christians dying of horrible diseases? What's up with poverty? Like someone said, can't He push his magical buttons (over imagining probably) and prevent these?
What is he trying to prove?

Just because you are Christian doesn't mean you will always be safe, healthy, and strong. This would attract people to God for all the wrong reasons. God wants people to come on their own accord, and also knowing that being a Christian means to suffer much. Look at Jesus, he suffered. A lot. That really honestly says a lot. If Jesus suffered, you're going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble if you're a Christian.

You know, a light will been seen most clearly when it's in a dark place. America is in a state of spiritual-death. Look in third world countries, where food is always never there, death is always there, happiness is always never there. You hear amazing stories of the Holy spirit working within everyone and God's love is truly being shared there.

Humans tend to forget and have that " I don't need you anymore, God. " when things get easy.

-edit

That's called divine interjection. Why does God save one person and not the other? I don't know. God has a plan for that person, though. Obviously his plan worked if you know that somehow God saved some person, right?

-edit again

And I wouldn't necessarily say it's a favorite. God is 2 dimensional, remember that! He doesn't love one person more than the other.

[Sandraaa]

It sure looks as though God chose Africa to be the poorest continent in the world.

Why can't he send a freaking proof? Why do we have to have faith? I find that pathetic; believing without seeing. I mean, basically, it's a life or death situation here, YET he chooses to let us see for ourselves.

On judgement day or whatever it's called, he'd be like: I told you so.

Ha! Nice God.

[monster]

It sure looks as though God chose Africa to be the poorest continent in the world.

Why can't he send a freaking proof? Why do we have to have faith? I find that pathetic; believing without seeing. I mean, basically, it's a life or death situation here, YET he chooses to let us see for ourselves.

On judgement day or whatever it's called, he'd be like: I told you so.

Ha! Nice God.

It may take a while to understand this, but unfortunately this is how it goes. You have to see without seeing.

If you look closely enough, you can see God working through to people. Sandraaa, your idea of religion is not exactly....well...religion. Religion is believing in seeing the invisible.

It's not generally the question of "can you see?". It's the question of "can you feel?"

[brooklyneast05]

why is the bible so sexist?

there's multiple verses claiming women should be silent, women shouldn't hold authority over men, men rule over women, women should be submissive.

u can see this even in church today, when do they ever hold the highest positions

[Sandraaa]

Well I don't feel anything. I guess I'm doomed then.

I agree with the above post. In some churches, women are forbidden to take the lead in any important activity.

[brooklyneast05]

Well I don't feel anything. I guess I'm doomed then.

we're doomed together, don't worry
even though i'd point out that god already knew we would question him, because he is all knowing. is this god's will that we don't blindly accept him?

confusing

[monster]

why is the bible so sexist?

there's multiple verses claiming women should be silent, women shouldn't hold authority over men, men rule over women, women should be submissive.

u can see this even in church today, when do they ever hold the highest positions

There were many instances of God using women to lead over Israel. Even in the times of the book of Judges, where Israel needed a great leader to help them to get back spiritually and back together as a nation, God used a woman to help create a revival in Israel and to lead Israel.

There are many instances of women taking control and leading.

I wouldn't necessarily call that sexist.

[monster]

we're doomed together, don't worry
even though i'd point out that god already knew we would question him, because he is all knowing. is this god's will that we don't blindly accept him?

confusing

Yes, God knew there were going to be many others who rejected him.

This is his bitter-sweet gift to you. It's yours to use it accordingly.

[brooklyneast05]

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."--1 Tim. 2:11-14

" Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands."
Ephesians 5:22-33

eh i don't know. i still see those as only instances. i don't see why women being equal in power should on be an instance. and her being submissive should be all the time

[monster]

Well I don't feel anything. I guess I'm doomed then.

I agree with the above post. In some churches, women are forbidden to take the lead in any important activity.

You will eventually feel God's call to you. This may come in the form if when right before you go to bed, you feel rather empty. You feel like you need a sense of belonging. You feel that you're just doing the same tasks over and over and over again, knowing you are eventually just going to die and your life will slowly dissapear from others.

With others, it's a different feeling. It's the call that so many people have tried to have answered, for example, all those do-it-yourself kits, 101 classes, 10 step books, all trying to tell you that your life can have purpose in 200 pages.

All that yearing that humans have been searching for is God's calling to you.

[monster]

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."--1 Tim. 2:11-14

" Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands."
Ephesians 5:22-33

eh i don't know. i still see those as only instances. i don't see why women being equal in power should on be an instance. and her being submissive should be all the time

It's a metaphor. It's a guideline that families should be intact with each other and together submitting to one rule, and that rule could come from consensus.

[monster]

By the way, there are many female pastors who lead huge congregations of nearly 5 thousand people per church. I wouldn't call that an instance, either.

[brooklyneast05]

how do we know what's metaphor and what's literal then? just all the outrageous claims the bible makes we should call metaphors and anything that makes sense we should call literal?

it's confusing, when god is loving i should take it literal. when things like this are said then i should take it as a metaphor.

"I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy." (Jer. 13:14)

[monster]

how do we know what's metaphor and what's literal then? just all the outrageous claims the bible makes we should call metaphors and anything that makes sense we should call literal?

it's confusing, when god is loving i should take it literal. when things like this are said then i should take it as a metaphor.

"I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy." (Jer. 13:14)

What's all literal and metaphor? I don't know. I just know certain things are to be taken as metaphors and others literally.

The quote you have taken from the bible is referring to something what is called a "ban" is Hebrew. It's referring to a spiritual war between Satan and God. God is saying he will have no mercy, pity, nor spare Satan and his minions.

Anyone can take a quote and put it to their own use. Look at the Davidians from Waco and many other cults. They took single verses and made it to their own benefit.

[brooklyneast05]

in peter when it says that slaves should be subject to their masters with all reverence is that a metaphor too?


i definitely don't think anyone should take the bible literal. it seems to have tons of contradictions, and things that just don't make any sense. whenever something doesn't make sense then i'm told it's just a metaphor.

like in genesis, when god creates the earth. it lists that this is what happens on day one, this is day two, this is day three, then all the sudden on day four god makes the sun and the moon. so how were the first three days divided into days? we judge days by when the sun comes up and goes down, that clearly wasn't happening since the sun and moon didn't exist yet.

things like this make no sense to me. but the answer i always get is, well god can do what he wants, or god works in mysterious ways. ok that's great, but backing up everything with "god just did it" isn't answering anything for me. it's a completely circular argument, god can do whatever he wants. that doesn't cut it for me

[NoSex]

Why doesn't god heal amputees?

[monster]

in peter when it says that slaves should be subject to their masters with all reverence is that a metaphor too?
i definitely don't think anyone should take the bible literal. it seems to have tons of contradictions, and things that just don't make any sense. whenever something doesn't make sense then i'm told it's just a metaphor.

like in genesis, when god creates the earth. it lists that this is what happens on day one, this is day two, this is day three, then all the sudden on day four god makes the sun and the moon. so how were the first three days divided into days? we judge days by when the sun comes up and goes down, that clearly wasn't happening since the sun and moon didn't exist yet.

things like this make no sense to me. but the answer i always get is, well god can do what he wants, or god works in mysterious ways. ok that's great, but backing up everything with "god just did it" isn't answering anything for me.

Like I said earlier, there are many times where people have used the quotes in a wrong way to prove their point, like with the Southern plantation owners saying the quote from Peter to the black slaves trying to justify all that.

There are many points in the Bible where things can only be explained through the worldy tongues, meaning days, weeks, hours. In the spiritual realm, there is no real day. No hours, nor weeks. They are put there so that we as humans can get a general idea of it.

Let me give you an example. Angels are spirits. You cannot see them. Look at Isaiah 6:2. "Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying."

Angels cannot be seen, but how did Isaiah see them? This is not how angels look. It's an example of anthropomorphism. ( No, not furries ) He was shown everything from a worldly view so that others can understand. If the Bible was to be explained all in spiritual terms, noone would be able to understand.

[monster]

Why doesn't god heal amputees?

God does not have to heal everyone. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you are going to be healed.

[brooklyneast05]

Like I said earlier, there are many times where people have used the quotes in a wrong way to prove their point, like with the Southern plantation owners saying the quote from Peter to the black slaves trying to justify all that.

but the bible says slavery is ok. it gives instructions on how we slaves should act. why would god be ok with slavery?

i would think the bible would preach against slavery rather than explaining slaves should obey their masters

[monster]

but the bible says slavery is ok. it gives instructions on how we slaves should act. why would god be ok with slavery?

Slaves were, in that time, and in other countries NOW are still prevalent. The Bible is not saying that slavery is OK. But what it IS saying, that if you do have slaves, to treat them fairly, honestly, and with care. This showed that the Bible was way ahead of times because nobody cared about slaves in ancient times.

[brooklyneast05]

Slaves were, in that time, and in other countries NOW are still prevalent. The Bible is not saying that slavery is OK. But what it IS saying, that if you do have slaves, to treat them fairly, honestly, and with care. This showed that the Bible was way ahead of times because nobody cared about slaves in ancient times.

what?????
it's still not saying slavery is wrong though. it's not ok to just say that u should treat ur slaves good. u shouldn't have slaves in the first place! if the bible was ahead of it's time this is what it would be preaching

[monster]

what?????
it's still not saying slavery is wrong though. it's not ok to just say that u should treat ur slaves good. u shouldn't have slaves in the first place! if the bible was ahead of it's time this is what it would be preaching

What's right in one country is wrong is another. It's all I can say the most about this topic. I wish I knew more on this subject, but I don't.

[brooklyneast05]

What's right in one country is wrong is another. It's all I can say the most about this topic. I wish I knew more on this subject, but I don't.

well i think that's extremely messed up. slavery is not right no matter where it is. slavery is wrong, it's always been wrong. god surely knows this, and any god that teaches how to treat slaves rather than that we shouldn't have them isn't a god that i want to worship.

wow, yeah, i don't know. things like this are things i can't just ignore.

[S-Majere]

Damn Podomaht, you've impressed me with this topic.

How do other religions fit in with Christianity? Are they false idols or do they all stem from a common belief?

[monster]

well i think that's extremely messed up. slavery is not right no matter where it is. slavery is wrong, it's always been wrong. god surely knows this, and any god that teaches how to treat slaves rather than that we shouldn't have them isn't a god that i want to worship.

wow, yeah, i don't know. things like this are things i can't just ignore.

You know, I agree with you, though. I wish I knew the entire idea on this, but I don't. I really don't agree with slavery, like most people should, but I'm going to try to keep an open mind for other countries where slavery still really exists.

But that said, I'll try to find some more information on this topic and get back to you on it.

[monster]

Damn Podomaht, you've impressed me with this topic.

How do other religions fit in with Christianity? Are they false idols or do they all stem from a common belief?

Christianity stems from Judaism, that's for sure. Other religions, such as Muslim seems to base it's religion off parts of Judaism and Christianity. Buddhism, Hindi, and others I can't explain. There really seems to be no correlation between those.

[brooklyneast05]

everyone believes their god is the one true god. how do u know that ur god is and all these other people god isn't. none of them seem to be more provable than the other. it's also strange to me how demographic religion is. had many of these christians grown up somewhere else they would be another religion and would believe in it with the exact same conviction. that alone indicates to me that something is wrong here.

which is why i dislike when people point out that i'm going to hell because i don't believe blah blah blah. who's to say they're worshiping the true god. just because it's what they were born into believing doesn't make it right. they can just as easily be going to hell if they die and it so happens they should have been worshiping the wrong god this whole time.

[monster]

everyone believes their god is the one true god. how do u know that ur god is and all these other people god isn't. none of them seem to be more provable than the other. it's also strange to me how demographic religion is. had many of these christians grown up somewhere else they would be another religion and would believe in it with the exact same conviction. that alone indicates to me that something is wrong here.

which is why i dislike when people point out that i'm going to hell because i don't believe blah blah blah. who's to say they're worshiping the true god. just because it's what they were born into believing doesn't make it right. they can just as easily be going to hell if they die and it so happens they should have been worshiping the wrong god this whole time.

Again, American-Christians tend to whip out the " you're going to hell " card wayyy too much. Why? Because they're not God. Who are we to judge?

And also, yeah, makes me glad to know Christ without having to deal with another religion. Another question I cannot answer.

[Sandraaa]

How do we know that God's a man?

[karmakiller]

Wow, this is deffinately an interesting topic. Going back the women having no power thing, I always thought that it was against god for women be pastors of the chruch. When I used to go to church that's what I was taught. I was also taught that god won't save homosexuals. But he's the one who makes them like that.

[monster]

How do we know that God's a man?

To err is man. Thus, God cannot be man. God is perfect.

[monster]

Wow, this is deffinately an interesting topic. Going back the women having no power thing, I always thought that it was against god for women be pastors of the chruch. When I used to go to church that's what I was taught. I was also taught that god won't save homosexuals. But he's the one who makes them like that.

That's Catholicism. We're talking about Christianity, but I guess Protestant to be specific. Martin Luther and John Calvin did a lot with the reformation of the Church.

Christians welcome men, women, blacks, whites, pinks, golds, anyone to be a leader in a church.

And no, God does not make man homosexual. Man will always have tendencies to do wrong, but that does not justify homosexuality. I'm not here to bash on homosexuality or to condemn it, but God does not make homosexuals, homosexual.

Though I do believe that we as Christians have no right to say who's going to hell because they're homosexuals and whatnot. That's just wrong.

[brooklyneast05]

Though I do believe that we as Christians have no right to say who's going to hell because they're homosexuals and whatnot. That's just wrong.

i actually have a lot of respect for the fact that u realize that. there's so many people i know who hold religious views but can't understand that simple fact

[monster]

i actually have a lot of respect for the fact that u realize that. there's so many people i know who hold religious views but can't understand that simple fact

Yeah, to be honest with you, there's a lot of people we could really work with if they just hadn't been hurt by some many "Christians" who just go around saying "You're gay, go to hell."

Really stupid on their part, and makes people like me look really bad.

[karmakiller]

Maybe I just had a pastor who was didn't like homosexuals When I went through catechism my pastor told me that women couldn't be pastors and that god doesn't save homosexuals. It wasn't something I agreed with, and it played a major part in why I stopped going to church. But my pastor was against people using "bad words", hah, so maybe he was just trying to make us think like him.

[monster]

Maybe I just had a pastor who was didn't like homosexuals When I went through catechism my pastor told me that women couldn't be pastors and that god doesn't save homosexuals. It wasn't something I agreed with, and it played a major part in why I stopped going to church. But my pastor was against people using "bad words", hah, so maybe he was just trying to make us think like him.

You know, it's a sin to draw people away from God. Sounds like he's got a big count against him.

[monster]

Guys, I'm done for now. I'm going out for the night. I'll probably be around later tonight answer some more questions.

[NoSex]

God does not have to heal everyone. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you are going to be healed.

But he heals other people, right?
Why never an amputee? Does God just not care about the amputees?

[karmakiller]

^ I guess god hasn't yet figured out a way to make limbs grow back. But he can turn water into wine, so that could help an amputee forget about his or her problems. Well, he did make prosthetics, that helps, right? Everyone has at least one problem in their life. So I guess everyone can say that there's something God hasn't helped them with.

[brooklyneast05]

^ other situations are different. this amputee one NoSex is talking about leaves no room for coincidence. the fact that god completely ignores amputee's should say something.

[karmakiller]

Well, if god's up there, or out there... or whereever he hides out... he's completely ignoring a lot of other things.

[RAWRstephishere]

Hey look, thats my quote.

So God made everything, right?
Then didnt he make the Devil?

[brooklyneast05]

Hey look, thats my quote.
So God made everything, right?
Then didnt he make the Devil?

the devil is a fallen angel who rebelled against god
so i would expect the christian answer to this would be something like...god made him, but not in his current evil state

[monster]

But he heals other people, right?
Why never an amputee? Does God just not care about the amputees?

Uhm...why necessarily amputees?

[monster]

Hey look, thats my quote.

So God made everything, right?
Then didnt he make the Devil?

Lucifer is Satan. When he and the 1/3 of the angels that God had created rebelled, they were sent down to Earth because they were defeated.

So technically, in a sense, yes, God made the Devil.

[monster]

NoSex,

I'm not quite sure as to what you're trying to get at...Amputees are technically "healed" because the infection that grew through whatever part hasn't reached their entire body. But then again, I wouldn't say God healed amputees. It was the doctors and the nurses who did that.

To be honest with you, I'd be really grateful I didn't die from infection. (Although being an amputee does suck.)

[monster]

It's late, guys. We can continue tommorow.

Good night.

[Laughsalot]

ok now back to the slavery topic. it's becuase we are slaves to god that he sees slavery as ok. it's just not ok for masters to mistreat their slaves. slaves should listen to their master and in return masters shold treat them with love, fairness. so since god is like a master and we are like his slaves, in the bible it's written that slavery is ok becuase of that. am i right?

the topic about nonbelievers being doomed. well i think that's so unfair. didn't someone mention that if god was all forgiving wouldn't he forgive us for nonbelieving? did someone mention that already? cuz if they did i missed it. well what a person that believes in god but doesn't go to church or follow the ten commandments? isn't that equal to a god non believer who does follow does rules becuase they are a good person? so then would they both be damned to hell?

[monster]

ok now back to the slavery topic. it's becuase we are slaves to god that he sees slavery as ok. it's just not ok for masters to mistreat their slaves. slaves should listen to their master and in return masters shold treat them with love, fairness. so since god is like a master and we are like his slaves, in the bible it's written that slavery is ok becuase of that. am i right?

the topic about nonbelievers being doomed. well i think that's so unfair. didn't someone mention that if god was all forgiving wouldn't he forgive us for nonbelieving? did someone mention that already? cuz if they did i missed it. well what a person that believes in god but doesn't go to church or follow the ten commandments? isn't that equal to a god non believer who does follow does rules becuase they are a good person? so then would they both be damned to hell?

Likewise, again, bad theology going around. Too many dumb Christians condemning others.

Look. I don't know if you're going to hell or not. Why? I'm not God. But I can tell you that obviously you won't get to heaven AT THE MOMENT, if you're not a believer. ( Or even some cases, even for believers. )

Now, I will not condemn anyone to hell, because that's God's job.

Like the analogy I used earlier, I love children, thus I hate abortion.

God is a forgiving God, but if you choose to not believe that he exists, why should he forgive you? You're basically saying that since God is such a forgiving God, that he should forgive others for not believing in him. This would be incorrect on your part because if you didn't believe in God, this would render his forgiveness to you pointless, since you don't believe he exists.

You don't necessarily have to go to church just so you can justify going to heaven.

Being a good person and just following the ten-commandments aren't going to do much, either. ( That's because the ten-commandments were based off the Mosaic law, and Christians are based on the laws and principles of Jesus. )

Like I also mentioned earlier, one of God's greatest gifts to you is the freedom of choice. You can choose to follow him, and accept his grace, mercy and love, or you can choose to ignore him. Your choice.

[arcanum]

Dang, Podo. You are a brave one. kudos.
& so this post isn't completely pointless, what do you think of religion?

[monster]

Dang, Podo. You are a brave one. kudos.
& so this post isn't completely pointless, what do you think of religion?

I think religion can be a great thing, or it can be a horrible thing.

Really depends on the person.

[brooklyneast05]

this question is wordy, but ok

i'm not saying this IS how it is, i'm just saying it's what i've been told numerous times so maybe u can clear it up. christians seem to have some notion that life on earth is ultimately pointless for atheists since we aren't trying to achieve an afterlife. but when i ask what is the point for christians is i've been told that it's like a test, to see if they're "worthy" for heaven. i don't understand what the point of this "test" is, because god is attributed as being omniscient, therefore he already knows all there is to know. before each of us is born, he knows what is going to happen. we can change our beliefs as much as we want but it's only a change to us, because ultimately god already knew what we would do and what conclusion we could come to. so this test seems pointless to me, he could go ahead and put the people in heaven who belong there because he already knows who will go and who won't.

so maybe u can explain to me why god would bother "testing" something he already knows that outcome of.

the idea of an omniscient god works so incredibly poorly with the idea of free will, i have no clue how people don't question this but ok.

[NoSex]

Like I also mentioned earlier, one of God's greatest gifts to you is the freedom of choice. You can choose to follow him, and accept his grace, mercy and love, or you can choose to ignore him. Your choice.

If God has infallible and infinite knowledge (omniscience) how is it that man can still maintain a freedom of choice?

[monster]

this question is wordy, but ok

i'm not saying this IS how it is, i'm just saying it's what i've been told numerous times so maybe u can clear it up. christians seem to have some notion that life on earth is ultimately pointless for atheists since we aren't trying to achieve an afterlife. but when i ask what is the point for christians is i've been told that it's like a test, to see if they're "worthy" for heaven. i don't understand what the point of this "test" is, because god is attributed as being omniscient, therefore he already knows all there is to know. before each of us is born, he knows what is going to happen. we can change our beliefs as much as we want but it's only a change to us, because ultimately god already knew what we would do and what conclusion we could come to. so this test seems pointless to me, he could go ahead and put the people in heaven who belong there because he already knows who will go and who won't.

so maybe u can explain to me why god would bother "testing" something he already knows that outcome of.

the idea of an omniscient god works so incredibly poorly with the idea of free will, i have no clue how people don't question this but ok.

You have two questions here, I'll answer the first one, but the next one, I'm gonna go ahead and quote NoSex because you two seem to be asking the same question.

First off, it's no test.

There is no test and there's no point requirement. Being a Christian means that there is a life of servitude to God. It's either you are a servant to God, or you aren't. No test.

Besides, if there was a test, no one would pass. :)

[brooklyneast05]

why do u need to serve god on earth? i don't understand why he needs people to serve him though, so he can feel high and mighty?

[monster]

why do u need to serve god on earth? i don't understand why he needs people to serve him though, so he can feel high and mighty?

Not because he can feel mighty, but because he IS high and mighty.


BTW, I'll get back to you guys on the other question tonight. I'm trying to think of a metaphor of some sort to help you guys understand my point of view.

[brooklyneast05]

Not because he can feel mighty, but because he IS high and mighty.
BTW, I'll get back to you guys on the other question tonight. I'm trying to think of a metaphor of some sort to help you guys understand my point of view.

hmmmmm. well i don't think i should have to serve something simply because it's mighty and powerful.

[EddieV]

I didn't read the earliest posts, so I may post this without reason for now. I believe we're supposed to live good fulfilling happy lives. There's no point in maintaining faith if you cannot do that.

[monster]

hmmmmm. well i don't think i should have to serve something simply because it's mighty and powerful.

Then don't listen to the Government.

Or your teachers.

Or...anyone.

[brooklyneast05]

Then don't listen to the Government.
Or your teachers.
Or...anyone.

do teachers or the government sentence me to burn eternally for not worshiping their power simply because they have it?

[monster]

do teachers or the government sentence me to burn eternally for not worshiping their power simply because they have it?

No, but they will fail you or they will take you to jail.

Plain and simple. God has the power to condemn you to hell, so he will. The Government doesn't do that nor your teachers because they don't have the power to.

[NoSex]

do teachers or the government sentence me to burn eternally for not worshiping their power simply because they have it?

No, but that's only because they don't love you like God loves you.

[brooklyneast05]

even if i agreed with u there, god isn't anything like teachers or the government. we can see teachers and the government, there isn't any question to whether they exist or not.

i still don't see the purpose of humans serving him. what does that do for him? he made us just so we could serve him? i don't see why someone all powerful would need anyone to serve him.

No, but that's only because they don't love you like God loves you.

true true...

[monster]

even if i agreed with u there, god isn't anything like teachers or the government. we can see teachers and the government, there isn't any question to whether they exist or not.

i still don't see the purpose of humans serving him. what does that do for him? he made us just so we could serve him? i don't see why someone all powerful would need anyone to serve him.
true true...

Like I said, you don't have to see a purpose in serving him. It's usually felt rather than seen. You don't see atoms and DNA, but yet we've managed to get a general idea of them and even draw pictures of them. Are you sure atoms exist?

[monster]

No, but that's only because they don't love you like God loves you.

Clever remarks and pointless rebuttals are for the lounge and other threads. Not here, please.

Besides, all of the posts you made here I think you're just trying to say some clever remark.

Not working.

But if not, my apologies.

[brooklyneast05]

yes, but WHY do u serve him. do u serve him only because if u don't u will go to hell? that's what i'm not understanding.

i still don't see the purpose of humans serving him. what does that do for him? he made us just so we could serve him? i don't see why someone all powerful would need anyone to serve him.

[monster]

yes, but WHY do u serve him. do u serve him only because if u don't u will go to hell? that's what i'm not understanding.

Answers will be different for many.

If you want to know why I serve God; it's because I've received his calling to serve him. Eventually, man will question whether or not his life was lived according to what he was meant to do.

Many in life will question and doubt their existence in the world because they're unsure if what they've done in their entire life was "worth it."

Millions can feel like a millionaire and yet feel like having nothing.

I heard, I answered. Real simple for me.

Also, what does serving God do for God? Not much. If we don't glorify him and worship him, some others will. I can't find the verse right now, but the Scripture says, if we don't worship him, the rocks of the world will. Personally, I'd rather be faster on doing something than a rock will.

[brooklyneast05]

^hmmm true, it would be diff for everyone i suppose.

i still don't see what has god has accomplished by creating mankind to serve him, especially when he's left either the option of serving him or suffer eternally.

[monster]

^hmmm true, it would be diff for everyone i suppose.

i still don't see what has god has accomplished by creating mankind serve him, especially when he's left either the option of serving him or suffer eternally.

Humans were originally created not just to serve him, but to live with God. Earth was supposed to be awesome.

[brooklyneast05]

yeah but he's all knowing remember, he knew it wouldn't be awesome. so i don't see how earth could be any way besides how he wants it

[fire]

yes, but WHY do u serve him. do u serve him only because if u don't u will go to hell? that's what i'm not understanding.

James2:17 Faith that doesnt show itself by good deeds is no faith at all.

It shows our faith through good deeds. We dont serve becuase it says TO BE CHRISTIAN YOU MUST DO SO AND SO. We do so as a result

[RAWRstephishere]

Why did God create us?

Just so he could have little servants and see who actually cared enough to talk about him?

To me it just seems like he wanted to boost his ego and created all of us. I dont see a point in him creating humans.

[fire]

Why did God create us?

Just so he could have little servants and see who actually cared enough to talk about him?

To me it just seems like he wanted to boost his ego and created all of us. I dont see a point in him created humans.

Gensis1:26
The God said "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - this fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the lives stock, wild animals and small animals"

28
Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Me masters over the fish and the birds amd all the animals

[RAWRstephishere]

Gensis1:26
The God said "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - this fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the lives stock, wild animals and small animals"

28
Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Me masters over the fish and the birds amd all the animals

This sounds like my english essay, sounds like a good answer to the question, but makes no sense what so ever.

[brooklyneast05]

Gensis1:26
The God said "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - this fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the lives stock, wild animals and small animals"
28
Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Me masters over the fish and the birds amd all the animals

that doesn't explain why he did it.
quoting the bible doesn't do much btw, because ur debating with people who don't believe the bible is the perfect word of god. if we believed it was, we wouldn't be non believers most likely.

[fire]

Gods motive for creating us was His motive of love
Eph1:4 Long before he laid down the earths foundations , He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love.

He made the Earth FOR us. The bible tells us "God is Love" . It doesn't say God has love, it says God IS love and we are created for that purpose.

[edit] As for the above quotes, we were made in Gods own image, we are representatives of him on earth and we are told to "rule" over the world.

I hope this is make sense.

[brooklyneast05]

^no offense but u just need to let podo answer.

[fire]

Ahhh okay, can't say I tried, I'll step out. And yes I can see the point of using the bible to persuade athiests is not a smart choice.

[monster]

Why did God create us?

Just so he could have little servants and see who actually cared enough to talk about him?

To me it just seems like he wanted to boost his ego and created all of us. I dont see a point in him creating humans.

God created us so we could enjoy ourselves. We were to be masters of the Earth. But we messed up. God knews this.

He uses this example by showing how awesome of a God he is. He actually gave us a planet to live on.

[monster]

that doesn't explain why he did it.
quoting the bible doesn't do much btw, because ur debating with people who don't believe the bible is the perfect word of god. if we believed it was, we wouldn't be non believers most likely.

I might have answered your question above...your question seemed similar to rawrstephishere.

[monster]

Why did God create us?

Just so he could have little servants and see who actually cared enough to talk about him?

To me it just seems like he wanted to boost his ego and created all of us. I dont see a point in him creating humans.

Also, let me try to explain a little more thoroughly.

God's original plan for man was to rule over Earth. To live peacefully.

But he knew that man would turn to sin, instead of turning to God. So then the real plan from God emerges. The plan to save others, and the plan that all men ( and women, for you feminists ) were to worship God for even allowing us to be saved once more.

Eventually, God's original plan will come back, when Jesus returns and defeats Satan.

[brooklyneast05]

Also, let me try to explain a little more thoroughly.
God's original plan for man was to rule over Earth. To live peacefully.
But he knew that man would turn to sin, instead of turning to God. So then the real plan from God emerges. The plan to save others, and the plan that all men ( and women, for you feminists ) were to worship God for even allowing us to be saved once more.
Eventually, God's original plan will come back, when Jesus returns and defeats Satan.

god is bound completely by his omniscience. he can't think, he can't change his plans, nothing can be other than what it is, because he already knows. he has infinite knowledge.

this all knowing thing makes things way more complicated, i think the idea of god would be better without it

i still don't see what would give god the idea (not that god can get an idea since he already knows everything) to make earth just for us to enjoy ourselves and serve him. i duno, i still don't see the point of that besides just god playing around and making things for fun.

[monster]

god is bound completely by his omniscience. he can't think, he can't change his plans, nothing can be other than what it is, because he already knows. he has infinite knowledge.

i still don't see what would give god the idea (not that god can get an idea since he already knows everything) to make earth just for us to enjoy ourselves and serve him. i duno, i still don't see the point of that besides just god playing around and making things for fun.

Generally, humans aren't very grateful for what they have until they have it all taken away. Imagine how the first few generations were. Though that, we all learn.

[NoSex]

You never addressed my most formulated and biting question:

http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014

[brooklyneast05]

Generally, humans aren't very grateful for what they have until they have it all taken away. Imagine how the first few generations were. Though that, we all learn.

true i suppose.
but i don't feel grateful to god for anything. assuming he exists, he made me. but i don't feel grateful for that, because if he didn't make me, it's not like i'd know what i was missing out on or regret something. i wouldn't exist.

[monster]

You never addressed my most formulated and biting question:

http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php...p;#entry2281014

I'm still trying to develop a counter-argument against that. It's a pretty difficult one to answer.

[monster]

true i suppose.
but i don't feel grateful to god for anything. assuming he exists, he made me. but i don't feel grateful for that, because if he didn't make me, it's not like i'd know what i was missing out on or regret something. i wouldn't exist.

Of course, there's a lot of things to be thankful and grateful for. I'm still going through things today that astonishes me because of how grateful I should be because of a certain circumstance.

Eventually, you may or may not find things. I'm not too sure on that. Besides, aren't you glad you aren't missing out on things? Life? Everything?

[brooklyneast05]

Of course, there's a lot of things to be thankful and grateful for. I'm still going through things today that astonishes me because of how grateful I should be because of a certain circumstance.
Eventually, you may or may not find things. I'm not too sure on that. Besides, aren't you glad you aren't missing out on things? Life? Everything?

i'm grateful for things but i don't attribute any of them to god.
am i glad i'm not missing out on them?
sure, but if god didn't create me i wouldn't know i was missing out on them so it wouldn't matter. i wouldn't be unhappy about it. i wouldn't be anyting, like i said i wouldn't exist