March 7, 2009
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Religious Questions and Answers
I have decided to do a question and answer about Christianity and the Bible. Now the last time I tried this activity, there were a few hundred questions. So this time I have help in answering them.
I want you to ask any question you have about Christianity and the Bible and we are going to answer them in a post. You can ask up to three questions. If there is something you have always wanted to know, just ask.
What are your questions about Christianity, God or the Bible?
Comments (125)
Cool idea, who’s helping you answer?
Oh there are more questions about Christians in general instead of the faith. I’d have to get back to you on that.
Hmm…
Do Christians, Muslims, and Jews worship the same God?
Can I refer to god as the Wizard in the Sky?
what is your stand point on all of it
@misswonderj - good one. I wonder the same thing…
Are you a Christian?
“When I was younger I used to believe that God and Satan were like Mr. Willy-Wonka and Mr. Slugworth. That they were really working together to see who was honest and I thought that if I told anyone, and exposed God’s plan, that I would be blamed for blasphemy.”
-postsecret member.
well?
@Kiwigummy - NO
Hope it all goes well!
Nephilim (sp), fact or legend?
What is the Leviathan (sp)?
What are the waters before creation? Are they evidencees of previous creations, something dealing with atmosphere or just some random existence substance?
… answers, eh? *skeptical cat is skeptical*
I’d be interesting to read your answers. Are you answering them in the comments, or doing another blog with the Q&A ?
I think another blog would be easier to follow…
All I will say is good luck with this, Dan!
I think I will just pray for you, Dan. God bless.
Do you take the narriative history of the Bible literally? If so, how do you reconcile the lack of (clear) evidence for items like Eden, the Great Flood, and the Tower of Babel?
I don’t have any questions. I just wanted to say it’s really cool that you’re doing this.
how do dinosaurs fit in with creation? (specifically the fact that scientists age them at millions of years old when the earth is supposedly thousands of years old according to Genesis)
@lil_squirrel4ever - I like your last question a lot. I’m wondering the same thing! Actually. All your questions were good!!!
Just exactly how much does the Bible talk about spreading the word of God and converting others into followers of Christ? And does it say anything about leaving those “others” alone once they’ve decided to not follow Him?
How far do people have to go with their religion before it should be deemed extreme?
Did God intend for people to justify their acts with religion?
Does God love me despite the fact I worship him quietly, and perhaps differently and less formally than He would like?
@karoline1982 - thanks! I’ll be waiting patiently, here by my computer, hands folded, waiting for the answers….=P
Why am I gay?
Also, if the concepts of the Virgin Birth and Original Sin are so important to Christianity, why are they never explicitly mentioned by Jesus in the New Testament?
Okay… My questions are all pertaining to Hell.
1) Why would I want to bring anyone into this world knowing that there’s a 50% chance that they’ll end up roasting for all eternity in Hell? I don’t want that to even be an option for any member of my family, so why even have kids? Isn’t it more loving of me NOT to have kids to spare them from this possible fate?
2) As a Christian, how are you supposed to deal with the death of a really good friend/family member provided that person didn’t believe in God or YOUR God? As if dealing with death itself isn’t bad enough, now you have to believe that they’re in the worst possible pain imaginable for all eternity because an ancient, outdated, and likely mistranslated book says so.
3) You die and go to Heaven. What of the friend/family member mentioned before? You’re enjoying yourself and they’re being tormented… Do you not have the slightest bit of affection for them? Does your heart not terribly ache that they’re being tormented so badly? If this knowledge isn’t simply unbearable for you, then did you REALLY love this person (and are you not the slightest bit sadistic?), or do you believe that God will wipe your memory clean of that person and all emotions associated? I’ve never heard and can’t possibly fathom an answer to this question that isn’t extremely self-centered.
are test tube babies sinful?
What does the Bible say about Hell?
Where does “free will” fit into the workings of an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent being?
Who was Jesus praying to in Gethsemene?
Why does Christianity have so many different sects? Certainly they can’t all be interpreting the Bible the ‘correct’ way, should such a way exist.
That’s the thing that’s always turned me off about Christianity, and other religions to a lesser extent (only because I know less about them though, I’m sure). Too many different opinions from within = bad in my eyes.
Why do guys have to be circumcised?
Why don’t we follow the Old Testament as strictly as Jesus wanted us to? (according to Matthew 5:17-20?
@one_for_echizen - That’s a very interesting question.
One of my questions is very similar. I was just curious as far as what you thought about God’s Plan (The Plan) for living beings. Has he had this plan from before the beginning of creation? Was the fall of the angels a part of the plan? Was the fall of man part of the plan? And the thing that actually bothers me…is satan just an aspect of God’s plan for this world? Did God create satan with the intent for him to fall and to then test and try to destroy humanity?
1) Is it legitimate to say that the Bible is inerrant when it has been translated from it’s original language?
2) If the Bible is not inerrant, can we really take every little detail seriously or should we just look at the bigger picture of what it says?
Does your god have everything mapped out in advance for you as per its plan or does it just sort of wing your life? (can you provide a biblical reference or is this just another layer of faith?)
That said, if your life is mapped out then why would anyone pray *for something* in the first place or is that the “wrong way” of praying? (again, biblical reference?)
Do you, personally, take the bible as a literal word that should be strictly followed verbatim or do you pick and choose what’s real and what’s fairytale? If so how do you choose?
@thecommonfate - about the part with Satan, I hope it’s not necessarily like that, it scares me to think that GOD would create someone just for that person’s demise. I really hope they’re working together. haha.
thanks for appreciating, by the way
Why have Christians changed their opinion about slavery, circumcision, and incest (all present in the Bible), but not about homosexuality?
I have no questions about those subjects. I know exactly what they are already. Fairy tales.
@Soul_Pizza - These are great questions.
if the bible (and most other religious text) teaches “thou shall not kill”, what was with the Crusades?
as a Jew, I’m constantly accosted by Christians on the subway trying to convert me and how Jesus is the Messiah. If Jews are the spiritual ancestors to Christians, why do missionaries try to convert Jewish people (and other religions)?
Why were some books removed from the bible if they were written for a reason?
1. Why is God such a dick?
2. Why do some protestants observe lent?
3. Are all sins equal, or are some sins more equal than others?
Do dogs go to heaven?
1) Why do Christians discount the old testiment?
2) What auxilary evidence is there to support the bible?
3) Where would Christians get their morality from if not the bible?
@la_faerie_joyeuse - Your #3 wins
It seems like a majority of Christians support abstinence only education in schools, and that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancies. Why do they preach that if it goes against the belief that Jesus was born from The Virgin Mary by virgin birth? Doesn’t that counteract the belief system or am I completely missing something here?
My question….one I’ve never had answered in a way that made sense…
Jesus died for our sins. And that means what….?
What exactly does that statement mean, or is it just another vague retort you give someone, similar to a “good luck”
@Lordv16 - You know, I was talking to my roommate about this. Good question.
And to quickly piggy back that question, if he died for our sins, why are we still punished for Adam and Eve’s sins? He didn’t die for those sins?
since when did you become my priest? kidding
I am for Lent starting to study the bible from cover to cover and so far I’m still in
Genesis and I’ve already concluded what one of my pts’ told me on 9/11 ,”you got trouble you got people, you got people you got trouble.”
I’m sure I’ll have alot of questions but I will just enjoy reading what others ask.
Is it correct to say, “Peter Enns book, “Inspiration and Incarnation” and William Webb’s “Slavery, Women, and Homosexuals” are the two best books on hermeneutics?”
Where do dinosaurs fit into the equation?
You do know you will have posts to last a year now right! I don’t have any questions about God or the Bible, I believe the whole book.It’s mans interpretation of it that I have questions about!
A theologian myself, I almost asked you some stuff about predestination, but I’m sure some others will bring that up. God bless on the answers. I’ll read ‘em when they come!
How much biblical support is there for the doctrine of predestination? How do proponents of predestination reconcile their belief with the concept of Christ coming to save the world? Did he really only come to save those that he had chosen to save?
@icicle84 - Heheh, I guess that was me you were talking about.
@dulish - yes! I’ve wrestled so much with this … I’ve been a split-second from accepting “Calvinism” hook, line and sinker, but the more I study “eternal security” the more I realize the whole system hinges on that (possibly the least “important” of the doctrines, but if you can debunk that, Calvinism falls apart).
What are your views on this woman? Shirley Phelps Roper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnG0eFwlmgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSHH-moPLEo&feature=related
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Phelps-Roper
http://www.godhatesfags.com/
@Kiwigummy - Yes, they all worship the god of Abraham and are classified as Abrahamic religions.
Do you think the (often nasty) debates about what should be taken literally and what are metaphors/imagery/poetry/parables in the Bible are even worthwhile?
Christians are often labeled as close-minded..so here’s my question..
Do you think it takes a more open mind to believe in God?
Believe = Open
Not beleive = Not so open
IT’S SO SIMPLE!
Am I right??
Will there ever be world peace? Is it possible for mankind to exist without acknowledging a God? Is the Bible overrated?
(1)alright, what’s the deal with christians and jews? so some christians don’t like jews for whatever reason i don’t know. because he killed jesus? because if he didn’t die for your sins you’d be going to hell like the rest of us.
(2)and that’s another thing. jesus died for our sins and…what? so we can have eternal life in heaven? like, did no one get into heaven before this or what? that sounds like a stupid question to me, but wtf does it really mean?
(3)also, do you really believe that the only way into heaven is by accepting jesus as your savior and blah blah blah? like if someone did nothing but good deeds their whole life, did not have a selfish bone in their body, but didn’t accept jesus or believe in god, do you think god would send this person to hell? does that mean if hitler turned christian right before he killed himself he could still get into heaven? or what about people who accepted jesus and repented many times before but no longer believe now. could they still get in or is their get into heaven free card void now?
i guess that’s a little more than three questions…
Dan… to be honest, I’m a little nervous. You’ll be representing Christianity to a lot of readers, and maybe some will be asking you questions that they’ve been waiting all their life to have an answer for. I’ll… well, I guess I’ll pray for you.
Thank you for doing this.
1) How can there be an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-good God in the midst of the realities we see in the world? I mean, if Christianity is the only true religion, why does God allow other religions, or atheism in the first place?
2) Why are there no miracles like there are in the Bible? Assuming that the Bible is 100% true, even after Jesus went to heaven the disciples would perform miracles. God would speak directly to people in visions. Stuff like that.
Nowadays, all you hear about are people “listening to God” through vague opportunities that present themselves (i.e. ‘I lost my job, but there’s been an immediate hiring frenzy over at Hooters, so this must be God’s plan! [haha, true story] ). Or worse, people seeing Jesus appear in their cappuccino foam.
3) Many atheists will tell you that if a complex being like God can exist without having been created, then so can the universe. Your thoughts?
QUESTION #1 (a&b): According to Christianity: God created everything, (then he created sin, too) and God decided what constituted sin, and decided that sin was something that he “couldn’t” look at … God also decided that the wages of sin was death, and He is the one who decided that His son’s death would be the only acceptable substitute that could take the place of the sinner in dying in the sinner’s place. a) What kind of example of a father is God, sacrificing his own son, by his own choice, based on his own rules that he made up? b) considering Christians believe God and Jesus are both fully God, isn’t Jesus’ death really God, committing suicide?
QUESTION #2: How deep of a sacrifice was it, really, for Jesus to die – since it was known to the entire trinity that he would rise again the third day and his death was already known not to be permanent? Seems a bit melodramatic and (again) messing with humanity’s heads.
QUESTION #3: Why does the Christian God purportedly want us to believe in him and have a relationship with him based entirely on a +/- 2000 year old book written by people who *say* it’s “God’s Word” (despite the fact that entire books – like Psalms, for instance - are written TO God, not BY God, and several times Paul talks about things being what HE says and not what God says, so it can’t all be “God’s Word” …) … and yet that very God now refuses to communicate with us face-to-face? (individually, not a once-upon-a-time Jesus who I never personally met)
~*~
Good luck! I grew up a missionary kid, totally immersed in Christianity – Christian school, Church three times a week, Christian Service Outreach, Mission work, you name it… Haven’t found an answer to these (and a bunch more questions) that doesn’t just try to cloak or cloud the issues in Christianese and Churchianity and simply raise more questions as a result.
@femaleBASSPLAYER - Your use of “belief” is ambiguous. People who believe certain truths, by definition, must also find some things in contradiction with those truths and thus, not believe those things. For example, a Christian can be open to the idea of God, but closed-minded to the idea of evolutionary theory. An atheist can be open to the idea of evolutionary theory, but closed-minded to the idea of the supernatural. So, no, it’s not that simple.
Just one:
Who’s stupid enough to believe all that bullshit?
@icicle84 - @dulish - I don’t believe Christ came to save everyone in the whole world. He told the Pharisees they “were of their father the devil,” (John 8:44) so they obviously weren’t saved. That right there debunks the “whole world” theory. God told Isaiah to preach to all the Israelites; He also told him that only 10 percent of them would believe (Isaiah 6). Jesus himself said: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt 22:14)
As far as predestination, consider this: If you believe–humanly speaking–that God is omniscient, i.e. all-knowing, that He has complete and perfect foreknowledge…AND He “looks into the future” and sees that at the exact point of my death, I am not a believer, not a Christian, however you want to phrase it…is that exactly how it will happen? In other words, if God has already seen the future, is there any possible way we as mere humans could do anything to change the outcome of what He has already seen? I don’t believe there is. Therefore, you would have to acknowledge that my dying in an unsaved state was predestined. I was born, lived and died and God knew all along that I would not be saved when I died–REGARDLESS of what I may have done in between. You can try to make the argument that it was my choice, but the fact of the matter is that if God has already seen my choice, my “choice” won’t change.
Just a couple of thoughts.
@fivepts - relevant thoughts, and not unique to me – I’ve wrestled through them before, and don’t think I’ll ever come to terms with them. The best argument I have against that is from the definition of God. If we believe that He’s just, then He can’t punish someone for a crime that person didn’t commit, or for an opportunity that person was not given. If God does not cause sin, then we commit our own crimes, and therefore are responsible for our own actions. If God never gave us the chance to accept Him, then He is unjust.
@icicle84 - I don’t make the rules…I just believe ‘em. 8^)>
@polygemi - My question was.. does it take a MORE open mind to believe in God?
And I was mostly kidding about the simple thing..
Unfortunaly, most things aren’t so simple >~<
@icicle84 - “…He can’t punish someone for a crime that person didn’t commit, ” ”For all have sinned…” (Rom 3:23)
Early christians used to believe in reincarnation; what happened to that belief?
Following the story of the Israelites freedom from the Egyptians in Exodus, there are a few references to where it is said that “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart” so he wouldn’t commit a certain action.
Is this an example of God superseding free-will, and if so, how would that impact contemporary theology?
If it is not an example of God superseding free-will, then how is it not so? What is the proper exegesis of this passage?
@fivepts - right. I hardly contradicted Romans 3:23. All have sinned. They have sinned of their own accord, and not at God’s command. God commanded us to “be perfect.” He didn’t say “Be sinful, so that I can damn you.”
@Kiwigummy - Muslims feel we do. I’m not sure about the Christian or Jewish view on this issue. But Islamic history starts from Adam, goes through Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, Noah, and pretty much everyone else that comes up in the Bible or Torah.
ooh. just had a brief religious discussion before with family, so this is great!
1. If Jesus was a Jew, and the Jews made the decision to persecute Jesus through the Romans, what religion were the Romans? Couldn’t be Christian, wasn’t Christianity not around yet, because Jesus had to die in order for people to believe in him and for the religion to be started?
2. I don’t get how if God could be so forgiving, how he could just condemn so many to hell who don’t believe in Jesus. I personally believe in Jesus, but I’ve also come across many wonderful people in this world who try to live the best lives they can – they haven’t been brought up the best way and have had other ideas beaten into their heads to which they object to – but if someone is struggling and very confused, that’s automatic damnation? Because that’s what my family tells me and I think they’re wrong.
@femaleBASSPLAYER - Haha, fair enough. Belief in God does include a “supernatural” quality of belief, which atheists are not open to. And then there are things that one must close off when you start believing in a higher power (like anything that is contradictory to the Bible – and that’s a lot, too). It’s an interesting question.
Cough. Do you not mean “attempt to answer them” rather than “answer them”?
@Fool0nThePlanet - To your first question – Romans embraced Christianity eventually – long after Jesus died. Until then they were mostly lion food in the Colosseum. XD Constantine was converted before he died and basically sanctioned Christianity as the official religion.
1. Adam and Eve’s children. So, were they all incestuous?
2. How do you guys get past all the contradictions in the Bible?
3. Do you guys know what the apocrypha is? (not really a question about christianity, just a questions to christians in general)
I just want to know who all’s helping you answer.
@huginn - That’s a great question! I am interested in what Dan thinks about that!
All the predestination talk makes me want to tell–nay–ask you to present the doctrine of open theism to everyone as well.
So, Dan, et. al: Can you explain to Xanga what Open Theism is?
How would a person KNOW they’re saved?
And how much of the Bible is cultural and how much should be taken literally for the current time?
Why does God allow us human to advance so much knowing that we will temper with “playing God”? i.e. genetic engineering, cloning, in vitro, etc.
I meant tempted with “playing God”…I must be tired…
Should a literal interpretation of the Bible be encouraged?
Good luck with your sharing (:
Nothing… the bible makes a good read, John.
@icicle84 - “…If God never gave us the chance to accept Him, then He is unjust.” I used to think the same thing, but then, I don’t find anywhere in Scripture where God is required to treat everyone equally. In fact, God is not required to do or give us anything. I think we tend to interchange the words “just” and “fair” — which isn’t Biblical. The fact that ANY of us draws another breath is pretty remarkable. Some posters on this thread have referred to their “being good,” but you and I know (you referred to yourself as a theologian) that human good doesn’t even begin to approach God’s “goodness.” It is presumptuous for us to assume God owes us anything, and yet–”the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust.”
God himself states: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.” The Bible also states that God works/makes decisions according “to the intention of His will.” Returning to one of my previous comments, but from a slightly different angle: Forget calling it predestination. How do you explain that millions of people are born, live and die every day and they are not saved–have no hope of heaven, and God is absolutely, fully aware of their eternal destination. Why does He allow them to be born in the first place? (Again, assuming God’s omniscience.) You can still argue “it’s their choice,” but the fact remains that God already knew the choice and did nothing to change it.
@huginn - “…how do you reconcile the lack of (clear) evidence for items like Eden, the Great Flood, and the Tower of Babel?” Do you mean since there is no tangible, physical archaeology of these places (I would disagree with there being no evidence for the Flood, but that’s a much longer post)? If so, and I’m assuming that is your argument for not believing those things existed, why do people believe in evolution, since the theory has never been repeated in a scientific environment? No one has ever observed the origin of a species from an amoeba to its final state, and yet, millions believe that’s exactly how we got here.
Actually, we do know where the Garden of Eden was located. It sat at the intersection of four rivers: the Pishon, Tigris, Gihon, and Euphrates (Gen 2:11). Problem is that the Pishon and Gihon rivers are no longer identified by those names and/or no longer exist, probably due to continental shifting, etc.
Which meaning should the bible have nowadays?
Would a world without religion be a better one?
Why do so many people care about how people worship when it’s more important that they do worship? Didn’t Jesus basically say know me and I’ll put in the good word? I don’t think he even asks people to worship him.
Christianity is a religion where we are to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and he has died on the cross to forgive our sins, etc. And that’s the “ticket” to heaven… My mom and I were discussing the other day, how we wonder:
1. Why would God send amazing people to be damned for all of eternity in hell, just because they didn’t believe in Jesus Christ being their Messiah.
Also, I have been thinking about this as well:
2. The Bible says that if we repent our sins we are forgiven, that God is a forgiving God, etc. Well here’s my uhm, issue. Say someone like, oh I don’t know, Hitler repented (although maybe this isn’t the best example considering he chose suicide as his way out) 2 minutes before he died, does that mean he’s going to share Heaven with me? How could such a terrible man (replace Hitler w/ Dahmer, Charles Manson,etc.) be allowed to such an amazing place? Even with all the terrible things they did.
Thanks.
Why are there so many versions of the Bible?
1. Why does the Bible give explicit, detailed instruction on how to kill homosexuals, people who work on Sunday, and women who engaged in premarital sex?
“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death.” Leviticus 20:13″
“For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.” Exodus 35:2
“If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the girl’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. ” – Deuteronomy 22:20-1
2. Where in the Bible does it state or imply that the entire work is open to personal interpretation? Either the Bible is the word of God, or it isn’t. Why do people take it upon themselves to interpret the Bible the way they see fit? Did God not do a good enough job writing it?
3. Why did Christianity replicate the Mithran religion (and many other religions) which existed 4000 years ago in Persia?
Here are a few Mithran beliefs…
1.Mithra was sent by the Father God down to Earth to confirm his contract with Man.
2.Mithra was born of a Virgin through – Immaculate Conception – He was born of Anahita, an immaculate virgin mother.
3.Mithra was born in a stable – We celebrate his birth on December 25th -.
4.Mithra was visited by wise men bearing gifts.
5.Mithra had 12 disciples – He was called the Messiah -.
6.Mithra was also the god of Darius, conqueror of Babylon, He was called – - Messiah – - or Christos by Jews during their Captivity.
7.Mithra made a (Contract) or (Covenant) with Man confirming an older contract with God – The Persian word Mithra literally means – - Contract. – -
8.Mithra celebrated a last supper with his disciples before his death.
9.Mithra died to atone for the sins of Man.
10.Mithra was resurrected on a Sunday.
11.Mithra ascended into Heaven to rejoin his Father.
12.Mithra will return to pass judgment on Man – He was known as the judger of souls -.
13.On judgment day, the dead will arise and be judged by Mithra.
14.Mithra will send sinners to HELL.
15.Mithra will send the faithful to HEAVEN.
16.On judgment day there will be a final conflict between Good and Evil – The forces of Evil will be destroyed and the saved will live in paradise forever -.
17.Mithra is part of a Holy Trinity the – (Father, Son, And Holy Spirit) -, that took human form.
18.Mithra is depicted as having a halo, (a circular band of light around his head).
19.Mithra followers drink wine and eat bread, which represent his blood and flesh.
20.Mithra followers are baptized.
21.Saturday and Sunday, the two (2) days of the week to rest and celebrate.
Is it worse to kill a person when they have a soul, or a kitten who doesn’t have a soul?
because if you think about it, the person you killed supposedly lives on in heaven while the kitten is dead and gone forever. I don’t know, that just seems worse to me.
not that I would kill either. just to clarify.
are christians martyrs?
If god is omnipotent, why does the devil exist? Couldn’t he banish him?
Why are people punished in hell for going against god? aren’t they under the rule of the devil, who should be rewarding them for disobeying god, instead of punishing them? or am i mistaken?
If god is forgiving why does he even punish people in hell at all?
“If a man lies with a man as one lies
with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be
put to death.” Leviticus 20:13″
That’s some fucked up shit right there. Love your neighbor but kill the homosexuals (and others)? Such is why I do not believe in the bible.
I think it was just written by some people who were like “LOL LOL let’s inject this with our own ideas.” Which wouldn’t be that much of a problem if people didn’t believe it so much. Or if they didn’t pick and choose what to believe and then defend themselves by saying it’s god’s word. I recall that eating shellfish is supposed to be horrible, yet nobody seems to care about that.
@hollowhopes - The most logical explanation for everything is that there is no God and the Bible is nothing more than ancient Bronze Age mythology. People basing their entire lives on the Bible today would be similar to people in the year 4000 AD basing their lives on Harry Potter.
Why did God make some people gay if He knew that it was against what the Bible says?
What exactly is blasphemy?
@hollowhopes - @kylemorrisonlovely - Without going into a long explanation, some books of the Bible were written specifically to the Jews for a specific time in history. Jesus stated later in the New Testament that the “old law” with it’s rituals, etc. were no longer binding. You need to read and apply the Bible as a whole, not just pull certain verses out of context.
Interesting. I did something regarding reasons I believe too… think I may have even posted it the same day. Wish I’d seen this sooner.
@kylemorrisonlovely - I like your reasoning. To me, the bible seems like greek mythology. Just a bunch of stuff people made up to explain things they don’t understand. In 329239234 years, I feel like people will be teaching their kids this in public school going, “WOW, I can’t believe people used to believe in this.”
At the same time I feel like I cant deny the existence of god, a power uncorrupted by religion. I guess my thought is that if you can’t prove he’s real, you also can’t prove he doesn’t exist. But who knows. I’ll find out when I’m dead haha
1) How can God ever be SAD? (It says he is in Genesis 6:5-7, he grieved after he saw how wicked man was) If God is all-powerful, why can’t he just snap his fingers and make himself happy again? I personally believe that God is always happy because he made this world according to his plan, so this world is exactly what he wanted it to be and planned it to be. He didn’t mess up while making the world since he’s perfect, so THIS WORLD right NOW is what he WANTED it to be, so since he got what he wanted, he should be perfectly happy with his creation…. I just don’t get how an all-powerful, omnipotent being can ever grieve. If I was all-powerful, I would always make the situation on earth to appease me and make me happy.
2) Why did God implant the tree with the forbidden fruit in the garden to test whether Adam/Eve would eat it if he already knew the answer to that (since he’s all-knowing)?
3) According to some (Protestant) Christians, the only requirement to get into Heaven is belief in Jesus. So sins don’t really matter, right? Then, my question is, why is there a Judgment day right after you die? Why does God need to judge your “heart” to determine whether you go to Heaven or Hell? I mean why do we need that whole day just to judge your heart when God already knows your heart and can send you immediately to Heaven/Hell? And again, why is he even judging your HEART when it doesn’t matter what your heart is – it just matters if you believe in him or not… so he should really be judging whether you believe in him or not, not your heart, right?
Thank you so much if you can answer these questions.
I think questions are critical. We are not called to blind faith. I’ve read a number of good questions that your other readers have written. I wish you well in your attempt to answer them. It would take me forever if I tried – there are so many and I would want to give good answers to each.
Have a great time with this dan there are a lot of good questions here.
@fivepets - I guess you would need a hell of an explanation for spewing that sort of hateful garbage in a book which is viewwed as the divine word of God. However, you don’t have an explanation and neither does anyone else. So let’s say those verses are no longer valid. Now we have certain portions of the bible that are incorrect, invalid, etc. It would seem that the almighty God who magically created the world in six days made a teensy weensy little mistake or two concerning capital punishment. There are Christians out there that would disagree with you in that sense, as well as I thinking it is all completely foolish.
I have read the Bible in it’s entirety and found it to be nothing more than the Bronze Age equivalent to Harry Potter. It’s as true as the Tooth Fairy. I didn’t find anything in either the Old Testament or the New Testament that amended any of the old laws, punishments for sin, etc. Once again, either the Bible is the absolute written word and commands of God, or it isn’t. I didn’t come across anything in the Bible that suggested that the entire work is open to personal interpretation, including yours.
Slightly off subject, if you have an answer to the third question I have asked (regarding Christianity’s plagiarism of the Mithran religion) I would love to hear it. It would be great to think that Jesus was the only son of God and had a truly unique story behind him, but Mithra beat him to the punch 2000 years earlier.
@hollowhopes - You are absolutely correct, I cannot disprove God the same as I cannot prove him. I also cannot disprove the existence of unicorns, fairies, and invisible six-legged cows with machine guns. I have absolutely no idea what happens when we die, and I’m not claiming by any means that I do. My point is that the people that do claim to have this knowledge and tell you that you are damned for eternity if you do not accept their ridiculous fairy tales as divine truth (Christians, Mulsims, etc.) are the biggest fools of all.
@Kiwigummy - I’m wondering that, too…
My boyfriend, whom I think someday will be my husband, is a Muslim. He does not believe Jesus Christ is his savior, and I do not plan on saving him. Is he going to hell?
I don’t believe in Jesus as my savior, either, but I tend to try to at least follow his “love everyone, all the time, no matter what” guidelines. I’ve been baptised and confirmed, however, so does that mean I’m going to heaven on default, or do I burn in hell with him for post-baptism heathenism?
@kylemorrisonlovely - The Bible says there will be people like you who “listen but do not perceive; keep on looking, but do not understand.” (Isaiah 6:9) I think it’s sad, but it’s quite obvious you just want to pick a fight. You’ve already made up your mind and aren’t honestly asking any questions. Let’s not waste each other’s time. Nice to have met you. I hope you find a way to not be so angry.
By the way–for someone that claims to be so well read–they are called “paragraphs.” You rants would be easier to follow if you used them.
@cuhtreenuuh - Yes, as a Catholic Christian I know what the apocrypha is. The Apocrypha is the term protestant Christians use to describe the deuterocanonical books of the Bible.
@fivepts - Nice job trying to correct my grammar while making spelling errors. Apparently the good Lord hasn’t blessed you with spell check, so I thank you for the free advice and a good laugh. I do believe I asked 3 questions, to which you have attempted to answer one. You have dodged the others by implying that I am here to pick a fight. I am here to inquire; and I simply impose on religion the same level of scrutiny that scientists impose on their theories. I wouldn’t say I’m an angry fellow, but I do have little tolerance for people who believe they are in possession of divine knowledge and pity those who don’t blindly follow the same invisible deity. That sir, is the only thing here that is truly sad. Cheers.
@kylemorrisonlovely - “Nice job trying to correct my grammar while making spelling errors…” I just re-read my comment to you and I don’t see the spelling errors; oh well.
I see that you consider yourself an authority on the music business; I have been a Bible teacher for over 25 years. From the tone of this conversation, it would probably be best for you and I to stick to our areas of expertise and just consider this topic a draw.
I answered your Bible question with a Bible answer; I thought that’s what you wanted. I didn’t comment on the “Mithran” question because I am not familiar with it; no need to discuss something I know nothing about, right. Good luck with your career.
@Soul_Pizza - There won’t be any pain or sorrow in Heaven, and surely if you were able to think about a unsaved love one being in eternal torment, that would bring pain and sorrow and tears. So no you won’t be thinking about a loved one.
@musicis4fools - If you believe in him you will do his will, and just saying I belive God will not get you into heaven. Read your Bible.
@justmeandyou3 - Right… Okay, so, you’re okay with that? You want God to just wipe your memory of everyone who’s ever meant anything to you who happened to end up in Hell? The concept of Hell is pretty saddening as well, will you just “forget” that it even exists? If so, doesn’t this make God deceptive? I mean, all the while you’re in Heaven, God would be shielding you from everything “bad” and “sorrowful” and only exposing you to everything “good” and “joyful.” Will you even have memories of your life? Will you be able to re-examine some of the hardships you had, or will it be like you’re a completely new person and you don’t remember any of it? That would just be pointless…
Again, never heard an un-selfish answer, and this one’s pretty shallow… Though I HAVE heard much, much worse.
@Soul_Pizza - Would you like to be in Heaven all the time thinking about a loved one suffering and you can’t do one thing about it. I want to go to heaven, where there is peace and joy like you have never known. Sounds mean but everyone has the same choice, and if they choose hell, they still have time, and God will erase pain and all the bad things we had to endure here on earth. So if you worried you won’t think about a loved one being in torment start praying and get then to be ready for heaven. God will not force us to do anything, he gave us our own free will. whatever we choose to do is what we will have to live with.
@justmeandyou3 -
Would you like to be in Heaven all the time thinking about a loved one suffering and you can’t do one thing about it.
No… That’s exactly my point. If someone means a lot to you, but you don’t give a shit about them once you’re in Heaven because you’re better off than they are and they had their chance, then is that REALLY love? Sounds rather selfish, actually.
I want to go to heaven, where there is peace and joy like you have never known.
I find peace and joy when I’m surrounded by loved ones who care about me and whom I care about, regardless of what they believe. A Heaven without them or a Heaven where I “forget” about them wouldn’t be complete to me.
Sounds mean…
No, it IS mean and quite heartless.
…but everyone has the same
choice…
Even people who live in cultures that have never heard of Jesus? Even people who grew up in non-Christian households, whether it be Atheist or that of another religion? Could you imagine growing up in a Muslim family and then being told by Christians that you MUST switch over… That you had to leave the beliefs that you held dear to believe in the so called “right” religion? That choice is a bit harder for that kind of person than someone who has been spoon-fed Christianity all of their life.
…God will
erase pain and all the bad things we had to endure here on earth.
But, even though they’re inconvenient at the time, when looking at the big picture, aren’t the bad times what make life the experience that it is? If you forget about the bad things and only remember the good, you’re leaving out an essential part of life… You’d be looking at a skewed picture of what your life was, and some people really wouldn’t have much to look at at all!
So if you worried you won’t think about a loved one being in torment start praying and get then to be ready for heaven. God will not force us to do anything, he gave us our own free will. whatever we choose to do is what we will have to live with.
This is a contradiction. If God doesn’t affect free-will, then why would I pray about another person’s salvation? You JUST SAID it’s their choice and that God won’t force us to do anything, did you not? So what good is praying going to do if it’s ultimately the other person’s choice? And was that supposed to say “get them to be ready for Heaven?” How am I going to do that? Shove my beliefs down their throat until they eventually despise me?
For background, here’s basically how the UN defines genocide: “…acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such…”
What do you think about the genocides ordered by this god Jehova,
mostly in the book of Joshua? Here’s one. “They devoted the city to
the LORD and destroyed with the sword every
living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and
donkeys.” (Joshua 6: 21). Could this ever be considered righteous?
The end of Joshua ch. 10 highlights a few more.
1. How long transpired between the death of Jesus and His resurrection, and how do you reconcile that with “on the third day”, and “destroy this temple, and after three days I will rebuild it.”
2. In every nativity I have seen, there has been a donkey. But there is no donkey mentioned in Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2. What’s the deal with that?
3. Why God? (And is there a single answer…one that covers the tragedies of cancer and murder, of the Burma cyclone and the Rwanda genocide? – see this post)
Is there any civilised justification for the slaughter in Numbers 31 of the women and boys and the handing over of the virgin girls for unspecifed purposes to their mothers killers
@lil_squirrel4ever - i think a good answer to all of your questions would be that god simply does not exist.
@Romans_837 - #1 It was dark when Jesus was crucified even though it was mid-afternoon by any normal clock. The sun came back up for the rest of the afternoon after he cried out, “It is finished.” That was one dark/light cycle (day 1). Then normal dusk fell and the Sabbath day passed (day 2). Then nightfall and the tomb was found empty at dawn on the following morning (day 3). The actual time was roughly 40 hours, although this is not really important. #2 I don’t know, but you’re right. I think that’s funny. #3 Man has free will and he used it to rebel God. Man has been wicked ever since. The wonder isn’t suffering we all endure, but the rest from suffering some of us enjoy.