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

[monster]

Why does Hell have to exist?

Why did God create us if he's self sufficient?

How can God know all things, yet give us the choice of love?

Hell was originally created for Satan and his demons.

He created us out of the goodness of his heart.

Again, if it's the argument against free will vs. omniscience, I don't know yet. I still haven't taken a stand on either side yet.

[NoSex]

1. I can't put this more clearly than I have said. If you are perfect, that means that you aren't even in the presence of imperfection.

2. Likewise, if you read the book by H.G. Wells' Time Machine, you can find what happens when there is no suffering. We all become weak, soft, and stupid. We become literally soft. Mankind has known from suffering and pain, and is unfortunately our only real way of learning.

3. We are taught that our God is two-dimensional, meaning that is the only one true just God. He is a loving God and also a just God. He treats all fairly and punishes all fairly. There is no bias. No bribery. No one side.

4. God feels disdain because you are using all the gifts that he's given you in a way that isn't what was meant for you to use.

5. Don't be a c**t.

1. How does the presence of imperfection logically affect the perfection of an independent quality? Further, if god is omnipresent, isn't he always in the presence of all imperfection at all time? Even further, god isn't material, is he? If he is, then, how can he ever be in the presence of anything?
2. God, in his omnipotence, can simply teach us by means of magical Christian voodoo. Seriously, if god is all powerful he should be able to think up far more benevolent ways (especially given his omnibenevolence) to "teach" us. But, more importantly, your answer ignored my question. How is suffering in hell necessary? If hell is eternal what is the purpose of learning - you'll always just be stuck in hell.
3. This isn't an answer, you're just begging the question ad nauseam. How is it just to punish finite crimes infinitely?
4. So, we aren't supposed to honestly investigate the existence of god? We're just supposed to accept that he is there? And, further, what the hell is up his ass - I mean, I've heard of controlling, but, f**k! That doesn't sound like love, that sounds like megalomania.
5. No.

[Uronacid]

Hell was originally created for Satan and his demons.

He created us out of the goodness of his heart.

Again, if it's the argument against free will vs. omniscience, I don't know yet. I still haven't taken a stand on either side yet.

If Hell was originally created for Satan and his Demons then at what point did God say, "Awwww, what the fuck. Let's just send people who don't believe in me down there too." Why does God send people to hell?

Why did God create sin in the first place?

If God created sin then wouldn't that mean that he's sinning... it's indirect, but it's sin. If it wasn't for God then we wouldn't be able to sin in the first place. Is God a sinner?

Explain...

Alright, no problem.

[*Steven*]

I'm not a christian, but I feel like taking a stab at this. All of this is what I think, not know, so sorry if I get any of it wrong :D

God created Hell to send Satan there for being a very bad boy! I believe with this punishment, he also decided to punish Satan by sending him all the people who chose to be sinners/bad people/etc. Double punishment, they're damned for eternity, and Satan has to deal with them.

[MissFits]

Okay, your faith is based on a bible that was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It was then translated into Latin thousands of times over before ever being translated into English, which I am assuming is your native language.
So you are telling me that your faith in God, what you are devoting your life to, is in the hands of some men you have never met and their translating abilities?
English is baby talk compared to these other languages. Who knows what "virgin Mother" meant then, or "being swallowed by a whale". What about the burning bush? Or the angels coming from the sky? WHO KNOWS what that meant back then? Who knows if that is even what they wrote? I mean every version of the bible you get is different.
I think if there is a God we have it all wrong, he is not a parental figure in the sky that loves and waits for us to join him on a nice fluffy cloud in heaven. He doesn't watch our every move and know everything about us. He doesn't curse us with bad things if we have pre-marital sex. He just doesn't care, if he is there he is something beyond what the bible could explain, even if it had been written in English.

The bible is so full of hocus pocus, but you don't want kids to read books about magic?

I don't know what my question is, I just though I should put my two cents in and see what you have to say.

[monster]

Wow, lots of questions. I've got to prepare for an Apologetics's Conference today, so I'll try to answer tonight or by tomorrow or so.

[arcanum]

I'm not a christian, but I feel like taking a stab at this. All of this is what I think, not know, so sorry if I get any of it wrong :D

God created Hell to send Satan there for being a very bad boy! I believe with this punishment, he also decided to punish Satan by sending him all the people who chose to be sinners/bad people/etc. Double punishment, they're damned for eternity, and Satan has to deal with them.

Eh, for a non-christian, that is a good answer. haha

I'm going to reply, read it if you want, idc. I know this is debate but get over it, this will probably be my only real reply.

First off, God didn't create sin, Satan thought he was almighty and could do what he pleased, so he did. Hell was originally a place for Satan and his demons, but Satan is trying to get more people there than in heaven, so that when the world ends and the "great battle" begins, I guess is what it would be called, Satan will have more warriors and thinks that he will win. It's as simple as that, God doesn't send them there, Satan pulls them there.

I'm not the most intelligent person ever, nor do I know everything about this. But I think that when you ask too many questions about it, or get too deep into discussion, everyone just keeps going around in circles.
A lot of things with christianity is beyond our comprehension, IMO. And getting tied up trying to know it all is completely pointless. Like I said, you'll just keep going around in circles, because there is no way you can comprehend every little detail. It's just too great for our understanding.

The whole purpose for creating humans, imo, is for God to have one-on-one relationships with all of us. I really believe that is why we were created. Not just to serve him, but to love him and really know him. It's all about relationship.
Getting caught up in knowing it all, just takes away from 'relationship' aspect. I've seen it happen many times.

I just quit worrying about why this happens and why that happens. Because it just starts frustrating me after awhile. It's not that important anyway. On judgment day, if there is a judgment day, God isn't going to let you into heaven if you know it all. He is going to let you into heaven if you know Him.

I feel like I'm preaching here, and I'm really sorry. haha
I think I'm done, I had a bit more to say, but I lost it. Maybe I'll edit. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions directed towards me, cause like I said, I'm probably not going to reply here again. Tear me apart if you want, idc. This is my opinion. This is what I believe. So... there it is.

[Uronacid]

Eh, for a non-christian, that is a good answer. haha

I'm going to reply, read it if you want, idc. I know this is debate but get over it, this will probably be my only real reply.

First off, God didn't create sin, Satan thought he was almighty and could do what he pleased, so he did. Hell was originally a place for Satan and his demons, but Satan is trying to get more people there than in heaven, so that when the world ends and the "great battle" begins, I guess is what it would be called, Satan will have more warriors and thinks that he will win. It's as simple as that, God doesn't send them there, Satan pulls them there.

I'm not the most intelligent person ever, nor do I know everything about this. But I think that when you ask too many questions about it, or get too deep into discussion, everyone just keeps going around in circles.
A lot of things with christianity is beyond our comprehension, IMO. And getting tied up trying to know it all is completely pointless. Like I said, you'll just keep going around in circles, because there is no way you can comprehend every little detail. It's just too great for our understanding.

The whole purpose for creating humans, imo, is for God to have one-on-one relationships with all of us. I really believe that is why we were created. Not just to serve him, but to love him and really know him. It's all about relationship.
Getting caught up in knowing it all, just takes away from 'relationship' aspect. I've seen it happen many times.

I just quit worrying about why this happens and why that happens. Because it just starts frustrating me after awhile. It's not that important anyway. On judgment day, if there is a judgment day, God isn't going to let you into heaven if you know it all. He is going to let you into heaven if you know Him.

I feel like I'm preaching here, and I'm really sorry. haha
I think I'm done, I had a bit more to say, but I lost it. Maybe I'll edit. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions directed towards me, cause like I said, I'm probably not going to reply here again. Tear me apart if you want, idc. This is my opinion. This is what I believe. So... there it is.

But if God knows all things and created all things then God did indeed create Lucifer with full knowledge of what Lucifer would do. If Lucifer created sin/hell then God indirectly created it because he knew that Lucifer would have created it. I think that God created sin and hell on purpose.

[S-Majere]

^ Like the role Iscariot played...

If God is a true and fair God:

Can Lucifer be forgiven?

[*Steven*]

But if God knows all things and created all things then God did indeed create Lucifer with full knowledge of what Lucifer would do. If Lucifer created sin/hell then God indirectly created it because he knew that Lucifer would have created it. I think that God created sin and hell on purpose.

Which is why I'm a deist.

[Uronacid]

^ Like the role Iscariot played...

If God is a true and fair God:

Can Lucifer be forgiven?

But Lucifer isn't human, he's an angel. They're judged differently. As far as I know, God's mercy is only reserved for Humans. Soulless creatures can't enter into Heaven. I think Lucifer is a tool.

[NoSex]

But Lucifer isn't human, he's an angel. They're judged differently.

Justice!

[Uronacid]

Justice!

TEAM AMERICA!

[monster]

Before I go ahead and say anything more, I want to say something.

I realized that I as an apologetic and also an advocate for Christ have realized I was doing this all wrong. I'm taught through Scripture that through Jesus' wisdom and power I can overcome obstacles and problems that I face. I realize, though, I was trying to overcome this problem ( debating ) through just intellect. You see, the Good Word is what should be spread throughout the world.

But it's not just the Good Word. It's missing one key ingredient that can allow all of this to happen.

Love. I realize I haven't been loving you, ( yes, random people on the internet ) as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I can argue with you all I want, and even if I won debating you, what would it prove? That I'm some jackass who knows theology? That's it. I thought my thread here could dispel some of the misunderstandings and the questions that shrouded the big world of Christianity, but it wouldn't do anything unless I put in that main factor. The salt that lives the taste of food. The natural chemical reaction that brings about a change.

I will try again, except this time, with love and compassion. I hope to answer all of your questions with the little knowledge I know, and we'll be able to share and discuss many things together as family, not as foes.

I won't answer any questions tonight, but tomorrow I hope to answer more questions.

[*Steven*]

It's tomorrow

[Uronacid]

Before I go ahead and say anything more, I want to say something.

I realized that I as an apologetic and also an advocate for Christ have realized I was doing this all wrong. I'm taught through Scripture that through Jesus' wisdom and power I can overcome obstacles and problems that I face. I realize, though, I was trying to overcome this problem ( debating ) through just intellect. You see, the Good Word is what should be spread throughout the world.

But it's not just the Good Word. It's missing one key ingredient that can allow all of this to happen.

Love. I realize I haven't been loving you, ( yes, random people on the internet ) as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I can argue with you all I want, and even if I won debating you, what would it prove? That I'm some jackass who knows theology? That's it. I thought my thread here could dispel some of the misunderstandings and the questions that shrouded the big world of Christianity, but it wouldn't do anything unless I put in that main factor. The salt that lives the taste of food. The natural chemical reaction that brings about a change.

I will try again, except this time, with love and compassion. I hope to answer all of your questions with the little knowledge I know, and we'll be able to share and discuss many things together as family, not as foes.

I won't answer any questions tonight, but tomorrow I hope to answer more questions.

It depends on how you say it Podo. I Actually know the answers the questions I was asking you. I'm a Christian too. Althought, you're right. God is love, and that's the answer to all your questions. Look into it. It's pretty interesting. xD

Also, keep in mind, love is relative to the person you're speaking to. You will never love like God can love. Hell, you can try. That's what you're suppossed to do, but to truely love someone you have to know everything. What you're trying to do is very difficult. I like giving you a hard time. I feel like it will only make you grow.

[*Steven*]

It depends on how you say it Podo. I Actually know the answers the questions I was asking you.

You bastard!

[Uronacid]

You bastard!

WHat?! I wanted to see if he knew them. Do you want me to answer them? In a sense, I'm loving him the best way I know how.

[*Steven*]

I kid I kid :)

[Uronacid]

I kid I kid :)

I know you were kidding don't worry. ;]

[Sandraaa]

OK. I recently watched a documentary on the national Geographical chanel. Basically, Judas was the chosen one and they proved it or at least tried to. Oh, these were believers by the way.

Anyway, why is God so against premarital sex? What about Christians who don't want to get married? Why do they have to? WTF?

[Spirited Away]

I have no questions. Just wanted to give a for your efforts.

This coming from a very non-Christian =)

[*Steven*]

hi fae

[Spirited Away]

Hey Steven =)

[brooklyneast05]

how come the bible is so unoriginal? a good majority of these stories in there existed in earlier civilizations and date further back than the bible. u think maybe the bible ripped off some of their material?