A few things that hold me back from being christian

[codenamespivey]

Ok. I was once christian. Then as I got older a lot of doubt filled my mind and certain things started to bother me about christianity. I started to read on other religions and seek knowledge to find the "right" religion for me. I ended up agnostic. I am a very moral person. I believe in doing what is right for not only me but other people aound me. Doing things like lying, stealing, commiting acts of violence, so on and so forth bother me deeply so I go out of my way to make sure those things don't happen in my life. I try to live the most honest life that I know how to. I guess you could say I lead a christian life without being christian. So, here are a few questions that I have. I am hoping that maybe if they are explained to me in the right way, I can heal what made me drift from being a christian in the first place.

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

I welcome any and all answers. I am completely open minded to whatever anyone has to say. I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me. Thanks.

 

[seebs]

1. This is why exclusivism is not actually an integral part of Christianity, and many groups reject it to varying degrees.
2. Not all Christians agree on exactly what is or isn't denounced here. Attempts to discuss this on the open forums result in more heat than light; if you'd like to learn more about it, drop me a PM and I'll point you at resources for various positions on this issue.
3. I suppose it's possible, but I personally don't think it's the case. This was a hotly debated issue about 1900 years ago.
4. If they weren't "impossible", why would they be called miracles? It seems silly to criticize an account of a miracle for being "impossible". I mean, no one would have a story about the amazing time that this one guy walked on land.

Are they historical? I have no idea. I assume they are, because it doesn't bother me to imagine that the rules we normally live under can be suspended on occasion.

 

[visionary]

Some things only God can answer to your satisfaction, but I will try to show what I understand on the subject.

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

Here are a couple of verses that seem to indicate that God looks at the heart of every soul and judges according to the knowledge, the opportunity to gain knowledge of Him, and the life of the individual.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Romans 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

That one has been covered on many other thread and I personally leave that one to God to handle in your own convictions. He will convict you one way or the other as you search the scriptures to see if it is so.

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

One of the most controversal subjects is Jesus (the only Begotten Son of God), is his divinity. Personally, I am convicted that He is God in the Flesh.....but you will receive a wide variety of understandings and interprestations from the forum. Really the best answer must come from God, ask Him, seek to know Him better, pray for the one on one experience of Rev 3:20. Repent so that you can be in the presence of Holiness, and God will answer and you will know for sure, that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

[visionary]

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

With God all things are possible, and so it is probably normal for God to do these things, which we find miraculous. I think that we also will be learning how to do these and many more things that God does, when we get up there with Him. I look for to that in fact.

 

[shprdslamb7]

Wow, these are toughies. Not sure if I can answer but I can give it a shot.

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

If people "live good and moral lives", believe in something else, and have never heard the Gospel...I believe God will judge their heart and determine their destination. However, if someone has heard the Gospel and rejects, that's a different story.

What is good? How can you determine if someone is good? There are plenty of "good" people but all of them have broken a commandment at one time or another. It is impossible for humans not to. Because "good" people still sin, they are in need of a sacrifice...an atonement. Jesus was that atonement. Just like the lambs slain in the Old Testament for sin, Jesus was slain for mankind's sin. If someone hears of that sacrifice and reject it, how can they have an atonement?

God is holy, we are not. We needed a bridge and Jesus was that bridge. No one can do it on their own because they have sin in their life.

I'll tell you something else that I believe. God gave all of those commandments to the Hebrews because He wanted to show them that it would be impossible to keep them all. Humans have this need to prove themselves but God knew otherwise.

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

This one is a biggie because Christians have differing opinions. From scripture I have read in the Bible, I'll give you mine.

God sanctioned marriage. We can see that with Adam and Eve. No where in scripture does God sanction gay marriage. Actually He denounced "men lying with men" in Leviticus. Jesus did not specifically mention it because I feel that He thought it was obvious. But, what did Jesus talk about? Adultery. Since adultery is sex outside of marriage, and God only sanctioned marriage between a man and woman...then, logically we can deduce that gay sex would be adultery.

About being born gay. I'll lay it on the line and say that I think the gay lifestyle is sin. With that said, I believe that everyone is born with sins that they struggle with. Mine are greed, lust, pride and a few others. I struggle with these sins daily. Sometimes, I give in to them. I believe that someone that believes they are gay is struggling with this sin. You have to recognize what's going on.

As far as casting someone into hell for being gay....it all goes back to if they have accepted Jesus as Savior or not. If they have, then they are His. His sacrifice covers the sin of homosexuality....just like it covers all sin. If He didn't die for all sin then He died for none. Do I think that God will be disappointed in them after they meet Him? Yes. But, He will be just as disappointed with me for some of the things that I have done.

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

If Jesus would have been a simple human, His sacrifice on the cross would have been for nothing. The Pharisees of the time knew exactly what Jesus was saying for after He referred to Himself as the Son of God, they were determined to kill Him. Jesus never tried to "set the record straight". Study the differences between Jesus and the prophets of the Bible....you can see that He was not like them.

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

This is something that you must take on faith. If Jesus was who He said He was then miracles would not have been impossible. Look at the whole picture. If God truly sent His Son, then it would be expected that His Son could perform miracles. Even at the time, people did not believe He did them.

I don't know if I have helped you any, but I pray that I have.

 

[Serapha]

Ok. I was once christian. Then as I got older a lot of doubt filled my mind and certain things started to bother me about christianity. I started to read on other religions and seek knowledge to find the "right" religion for me. I ended up agnostic. I am a very moral person. I believe in doing what is right for not only me but other people aound me. Doing things like lying, stealing, commiting acts of violence, so on and so forth bother me deeply so I go out of my way to make sure those things don't happen in my life. I try to live the most honest life that I know how to. I guess you could say I lead a christian life without being christian. So, here are a few questions that I have. I am hoping that maybe if they are explained to me in the right way, I can heal what made me drift from being a christian in the first place.

Hi there!


Welcome to the forums.... I am so glad to see that you make the profession that "I was once a Christian"...

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

You have missed understanding the importance of salvation. The first step is realizing that all people have sin in their lives in some form or another. One may be morally right and still have sin in their lives. Sin is disobedience to God word or God's will, and it breaks the communication with God. Trying to live a moral life is great for humanity, but putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior... that is for eternity.

Without that faith, there is no reconciliation with God, no being back in the fellowship with God as well as in the relationship with God. Hell was created for the fallen angels because of their willful disobedience to God's will. A loving and just God is "equal" in opportunity to be saved, and a loving and just God will give each of His creations their just reward for their faith. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ for redemption, then your reward is to be forever in the presence of God. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you will be eternally with all of those who have made the same decision.


Whether you accept it or not, you cannot serve two masters. If you are not "for" God, then you are "against" Him.

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

I don't know of anyone that God said was created to be a homosexual. One does not go to hell for being gay. One goes to hell for rejecting Christ and because they are not reconciliated to God. God calls the homosexual act an abomination, but He still loves the creation. God created man and women to complement each other in a lifestyle that includes to "be fruitful and multiply"

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

It is impossible to believe the the Bible is not fulfilled prophecy. The Bible and the prophecies span thousands of years. Who can make that up? Who can twist a thousand years of prophecy?

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

"No" Christ taught his disciples that by faith, they would have the power to raise the dead, the heal the sick, to cast out demons.... Christ did those things and said that we, the believer, would be able to do more through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I welcome any and all answers. I am completely open minded to whatever anyone has to say. I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me. Thanks.

The right religion for you IS Christianity... you need not look further than God's Word to know the truth. Your delving into other religions gave satan the opportunity to pull you out of the fellowship with God, and I would invite you to return to your former position in Christianity... that of a believer reconciled to God and in communion with God.


~serapha~

 

[God'sgal]

hey, first, I think it is so cool that you seem to really have honest questions, and are not just trying to "catch" a Christian in some theoretical trap. That, along with you looking into all sorts of religions and faiths means your open-minded, and that is a very good thing to be. I will try to answer your questions as best as I can, but remind me if I forget something. Also, I posted in the discussion and debate forum under the thread "those of you who believe: help me with this debate". I don't want to write some of the same things twice, so if I left anything out check there. Here goes:
First, about why good people go to hell: Here is what I think. I think a lot of people think hell is fire and brimstone, and little devils with pitchforks. But think about it this way: hell is where God isn't. For a Christian, we long to be close to God; we pray, we have a relationship with him, and we look forward to the knowledge when we pass, we will be reunited with him. We are made in the image of God, and while we are not gods, we are a part of him and he a part of us. There have been numerous studies to suggest that when twins are separated at birth, they go throughout their life feeling like something is missing. Even if they were only together in the womb, their soul knows something is not as it should be. It's like that with Christians. We all felt that something was missing in our lives, that something was Jesus, and so we made the choice to "reunite". And I think that is the case for even non-Christians. Everyone needs to feel like they are a part of something, that is why man has always searched for God or gods throughout our history. It's embedded in us to search. Even Atheists are religious. If God weren't important to them they wouldn't care enough to separate themselves from Him. It would be like "Oh, Yeah I don't believe that" and that would be the end of it. But no, they have their own studies to prove their own theories and have the need for those theories to be validated. Atheism isn't the lack of religion, but a religion of anti-God. Hell is away from God. Brimstone and fire might be debatable, but that is for certain. And so we don't want to go, we want to be reunited with God when we die, and an eternity of being without him is simply unbearable to us. But non-Christians don't feel the same way about God as Christians do, and so why would they care anyway if they spend an eternity without him? How is that any different then what they doing right now? What they are doing would be hell to any Christian, the only difference is you get do-overs on earth; you can change your mind. Eternity is a little more permanent. Does that make any sense?
Second, about the whole gay thing. I will probably get a lot of slack for this but I will tell you what I think anyway (you asked!) I think that sin is sin. I don't think God is holding tally's on sin, and saying "this sin is worth -2 points, this sin is -3 points." Sin is sin (I know, I already said that) That said, any sin is just as terrible as any other sin. I know, you'll say "So God treats a liar the same way he treats a murderer?" and that seems like a hard pill to swallow, but, yes. Whether it's a big sin or a little sin is inconsequential to God, he can't be around it either way. It's like this: If you want to buy a ticket to see a movie, and you go up to the register and say "I know this ticket is six dollars, but I only have five, can you still let me in?" and the person behind you says "I only have three, can I go in too?" Neither of you are getting in. It wouldn't be fair. If you don't have the dough, you don't see the show. To let one person slide means you'd have to let another person slide, and another after that and so on. So God put up a big sign that said "Admission: Sinless. No exceptions" And of course nobody could pay it, so he gave he gave us a loan-Jesus. We get admission but in return we have to make payments on our condo in the sky by following the rules God gives us. I'm getting to a point, I promise. Anyway, if someone truly believes in Christ they get into heaven. They might be sinning, but they still get to go. You can be a serial killer who sits in jail on his last day of life and something happens and he accepts Jesus, and I tell ya, when they flip the switch and he's toast he'll go to heaven. Likewise, you can rival Mother Teresa for goodness but not accept Christ and go to hell (and we already talked about that) There are many who would disagree with me, but even the Episcopal church is adknowedging that now and letting homosexuals preach. And in all honesty, though I don't believe it is right, on the grounds that until you marry any sex you have is a sin (whether boy-boy or boy-girl) and as of right now marriage for homosexuals is not legal in most places, no one is perfect, and one sin doesn't outweigh another.
Next, it seems like your asking a trinity question, and the answer is going to vary within denominations. Here is what I think: Okay, so you have Jesus, and he is all God and at the same time all man. I know everyone uses the clover analogy so I'll refrain from that one but let's look at it this way: There's you. And then someone comes along and clones you. Now there are two of you, right? But who is the "father"? You would be, because though the clone is like you in every way even on a cellular level, you were the beginning and he came next. He might go one way and you another, and you are completely separate entities, but your clone IS you. It's true you and I are "children of God", but it is the difference between you having a child and you having a clone. The child is only half you, the clone is all you. (Disclaimer: the use of the word clone is strictly for illustration, and I am neither supporting nor opposing the use of clones- for all you sticklers out there!)
Finally, about miracles. You can look at miracles two ways as a Christian. One, that the miracles were literal in every way and that's that. There is nothing weird about this view, since if you look at todays science against the science of a thousand years ago, most of the stuff we do would be viewed as miracles by their standards. If you went back in time with an ultra-sound machine and looked at a pregnant woman, you might say "This is a boy, and there are two of them in there." and then when she had twin boys they would either worship you as a god or burn you at the stake. Some things that are not miracles today were miracles back then. And some things that are miracles today will be everyday occurrences in ten years. Plus, God is kinda the ruler of the universe, so if he wanted to take a stroll on the water, he can. It's one of the perks of being God. (movie quote: 'It's good to be the king')
Another way to look at it is there are some things that God wants to illustrate for us, but we're kinda dumb and we need the short words version. It's like Salvation for dummies. "Here is what you need to know. Oh, you don't understand that? Well what about this? No? Okay, let me get out Dr. Suess and I'll try to explain it to you that way. Do what I say and go where I tell you, or you will be swallowed by fishies my fellow..." We're not the brightest light in the sky, you know? That's why Jesus used parables. But whether the fish swallowed Jonah for real or not, at the end of the day it doesn't matter. If you read that story and gleam from it it's truth and knowledge, does it matter if it was a metaphor? No, it did it's job by teaching you something.

 

[lookinguptoo]

I am going to try to answer rapidly since my time is limited so I just want to get to the point to answer your questions. Thus, my answers will not have all the nice touches to a gentle answer. Please don't interpret my answers as curt rather than I am just trying to get to the point.

1. The Bible says "none are good" "our righteousness is as dirty rags" so when humans say someone is good, they are basing that on human standards not God's perfect standards. We can see the act but God sees the heart and intentions. No one's heart is perfectly pure and good other than God's, but to be allowed to live with God, we must be pure. If God allowed unrightousness into Heaven, then the whole place would become dirty. That is why He kicked satan out of heaven. Unrighteousness can not be with God. Heaven would not be Heaven anymore if unrighteousness lived there, it would become just like this world and this world is not good. As for believing in something else, God gives people the freedom to believe in something else, but they are making the choice not to be in God's family. God's family will naturally live with God. It is considered spiritual adultery to believe in other gods. It is like saying I don't want to marry A. I want to marry Z. So the person marries Z but wants A's inheritance and for A to give them all the marital rights of a spouse. The person chose to marry Z so A is not responsible for them. Likewise, people who choose other gods, God is not responsible for them. Their gods are.

2. People are not cast into hell for being gay. They are cast into hell for having unrepentant sin. Of course, the Bible defines homosexuality as sin just as it defines all sexual acts outside of a monogonous marriage as sin. It is not just homosexuals that are sexually tempted, but the sin comes when people choose to indulge in that temptation. Have you ever lived in a homosexual community? I have. I can say many WONDERFUL things about gay people and there are many things I think people could learn from gays. However, there is one thing I also learned from living there and that is homosexuality is not a happy, clean life as people would like to paint it to be. The problems seem to far excel that of what I have seen in a typical heterosexual community. I believe that is because it is a sinful lifestyle and one sin just builds on another and there is a snowball effect in the homosexual community just as you will see a snowball effect in heavy drug trafficing communities, "red light" districts, etc.
3. If Jesus JUST said "My Father in Heaven" then yes it is very possible we twisted who Jesus was/is. However, not only did He make many other statements indicating that He was MORE than just a prophet He also made it clear that He was/is the Son of God, our Messiah, who came save and offer salvation to the world from its sins. Moreover, God also clearly confirmed this to be true. No matter how we cut it, we can not get around the scripture that says "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me"(Jesus)--John 14:6. Besides, if He were just a prophet, why would He need to die on the cross? What was the charges against Him?--He claimed to be the son of God. If He were just a prophet, He would have cleared that up quickly. He knew what they meant by the charges. They were not charging Him with being a prophet. If He were just a prophet and allowed them to execute him on the grounds of being the Son of God, then He really was guilty of blasphemy and is worthy of disrespect for misleading so many people, but as Christians we believe there is too much evidence to prove otherwise.
4. The Bible and Christians recognize these things to be impossible which is why they are classified as "miracles", but what is a God that can not perform miracles? That is one of the things that distinguishes man from God.

 

[J-Tron]

Hey... what happened to my response? I spent a lot of time on that.

 

[LegomasterJC]

heh. That was going on all last night... I didn't spend as much time on mine as you did but the same thing happened to me...
"1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)"

There is no such thing as good people. We all fall short but God still Loves us and died so that our sins may be taken away.

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

I think to understand this, one should talk to someone who has been delivered from this homosexual sinful nature. Even if one is born with this sickness, God is able to heal it and forgive the sin just as any other.

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

He makes it clear that he is the true Son of God and in fact is God, the Word made man.

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?"

The bible makes it clear when parables (stories) are being told to teach a lesson and when it is talking about things that truely happened. Both teach a lesson and the lesson can be much deeper than one might originally understand the first time they read it as the revalation my sig links to shows.
Even today miracles still happen. Healings, Storms turning away or disipating, Dead brought to life, multiplication of food or other things for thousands of people.

 

[Reformationist]

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

Because there is no such thing as a "good and moral" life from God's perspective that doesn't include God. The claim that a life is "good and moral" is relative to something, even for Christians. If Christians start believing their lives are "good and moral" then all they need do is take a look at how far off the mark they are when comparing their behavior with that of Jesus. I recently heard a wonderful sermon on John the Baptist and there was a portion where the Pastor set up a scenario by having three guys come out of the audience and line up. The guy all the way to the left represented Hitler (a good example of the depraved end of the spectrum of humanity). The guy all the way to the right represented Jesus (the standard by which all other lives are measured). The third guy was to represent the most morally good person we could think of in our own lives aside from Christ Himself. The Pastor asked where this third person should be placed to establish a visual representation of where we stand in relation to these two extremes. Many of the people said, "right there in the middle." The two extremes, Jesus and Hitler were about twenty feet apart. The Pastor placed the third guy about two feet to the right of the guy representing Hitler. Everyone was confused. "Surely," they said, "this third guy should be moved a little closer to the guy representing Jesus." You see, that's the common perception of how we stack up. We think we're better than we are. You know what the Pastor said? He said, "You know, as bad as Hitler is, I can at least understand the depraved nature that commits such terrible atrocities. But Jesus...a man who has lived a perfectly sinless life, now that is completely foreign."

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it?

Because homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord and makes a mockery out of the sacrament of marriage, a sacrament that God Himself established with the creation of man and woman as the family unit.

What if someone is born gay?

There is no proof that people are born gay. Even if there was, a proclivity to commit any particular sin does not make it okay. Some people are more likely to be liars. Can they claim being born that way as an excuse? Of course not.

How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

Homosexuality is sin. The wages of sin is death. You make it sound like God is to blame because of their sinful desires. You cannot have it both ways. If you want man to be able to be free to make choices you cannot blame God for the choices he makes.

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

Not from a Christian perspective. If Jesus was not truly God incarnate then the entire Christian hope is built on a lie.

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

The Bible is the God breathed word. There are different manners of revelation in the Gospel but they are all infallible. Some are allegory. Some are poetry. Some are moral instruction. These individual books must be read in the vein they were written in.

I welcome any and all answers. I am completely open minded to whatever anyone has to say. I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me. Thanks.

Hope that helps.

God bless

 

[Yebo]

Greetings from a sunny South Africa
Just as the majority of previous posters on this thread, I would also like to welcome you to CF. I really hope and pray that the time you spend here will be meaningful as well as fruitful and that a big number of your questions and concerns will be answered and addressed.

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

God wants nobody to go to hell. The Bible clearly says that “He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.” We send ourselves by making a choice refusing God's love and deciding not to make Jesus our Lord.

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

This could lead to a hefty argument and debate where the outcome could be more harmful to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ than good. Personally, I’m with those indicating that homosexuality is wrong in Gods eyes and that people are being cast into eternal damnation based on their choice NOT to accept Jesus as King and Saviour.

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

John 1:1“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God and the Word was God.”
John 1:14“The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with His only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.”

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

Never. There is a saying in the English language that goes like this. “The Bible says it and that SETTLES it!!” If it is in the Bible it happened.

I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me.

Lastly, RELIGION will not take you no-where. We’ve got only 2 options namely Life or Death. Life has a name = Jesus. Choose LIFE and not religion.

 

[Mack]

I for one cannot answer your questions, however I will offer this.
A quotation from the bible can not provide you an answer since there is forthought before reading the quote and afterthought once it has been read. One of the greatest gifts God gave mankind is that of free will. One of mankinds greatest sins is coveting. In reading the bible, it is the readers interpertation that holds the answer should he or she decide to read what is in front of them. Reading the bible is not to be confused with reading a storybook or something of the kind. Reading as it relates to the bible requires reading what you see. Just as learning something and understanding it are two seperate intities. To read the bible is to understand it. At the end of almost every verse you will see the word amen. Amen in latin means fact. It is not for mankind to question rather to understand. Read different chapters and seek the answers out. Your interpertation, your hearts interpertation will be a light for you to follow. Be wise in your thoughts and remember that you are as important as anyone else. The wisdom you have shown by the questions you ask are as important as the answers you seek. Be well and take care. Listen to your heart and you will not receive ill advise. There is but one requirement, smile and think good thoughts

 

[LilBrat4him]

Ok. I was once christian. Then as I got older a lot of doubt filled my mind and certain things started to bother me about christianity. I started to read on other religions and seek knowledge to find the "right" religion for me. I ended up agnostic. I am a very moral person. I believe in doing what is right for not only me but other people aound me. Doing things like lying, stealing, commiting acts of violence, so on and so forth bother me deeply so I go out of my way to make sure those things don't happen in my life. I try to live the most honest life that I know how to. I guess you could say I lead a christian life without being christian. So, here are a few questions that I have. I am hoping that maybe if they are explained to me in the right way, I can heal what made me drift from being a christian in the first place.

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)
If you are not Saved you will go
2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

(1) no one is born gay
(2) It says it in the Bible

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?
(1) not shure
4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

I welcome any and all answers. I am completely open minded to whatever anyone has to say. I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me. Thanks.

\

 

[TheMainException]

Wow, these are toughies. Not sure if I can answer but I can give it a shot.


If people "live good and moral lives", believe in something else, and have never heard the Gospel...I believe God will judge their heart and determine their destination. However, if someone has heard the Gospel and rejects, that's a different story.

What is good? How can you determine if someone is good? There are plenty of "good" people but all of them have broken a commandment at one time or another. It is impossible for humans not to. Because "good" people still sin, they are in need of a sacrifice...an atonement. Jesus was that atonement. Just like the lambs slain in the Old Testament for sin, Jesus was slain for mankind's sin. If someone hears of that sacrifice and reject it, how can they have an atonement?

God is holy, we are not. We needed a bridge and Jesus was that bridge. No one can do it on their own because they have sin in their life.

I'll tell you something else that I believe. God gave all of those commandments to the Hebrews because He wanted to show them that it would be impossible to keep them all. Humans have this need to prove themselves but God knew otherwise.


This one is a biggie because Christians have differing opinions. From scripture I have read in the Bible, I'll give you mine.

God sanctioned marriage. We can see that with Adam and Eve. No where in scripture does God sanction gay marriage. Actually He denounced "men lying with men" in Leviticus. Jesus did not specifically mention it because I feel that He thought it was obvious. But, what did Jesus talk about? Adultery. Since adultery is sex outside of marriage, and God only sanctioned marriage between a man and woman...then, logically we can deduce that gay sex would be adultery.

About being born gay. I'll lay it on the line and say that I think the gay lifestyle is sin. With that said, I believe that everyone is born with sins that they struggle with. Mine are greed, lust, pride and a few others. I struggle with these sins daily. Sometimes, I give in to them. I believe that someone that believes they are gay is struggling with this sin. You have to recognize what's going on.

As far as casting someone into hell for being gay....it all goes back to if they have accepted Jesus as Savior or not. If they have, then they are His. His sacrifice covers the sin of homosexuality....just like it covers all sin. If He didn't die for all sin then He died for none. Do I think that God will be disappointed in them after they meet Him? Yes. But, He will be just as disappointed with me for some of the things that I have done.


If Jesus would have been a simple human, His sacrifice on the cross would have been for nothing. The Pharisees of the time knew exactly what Jesus was saying for after He referred to Himself as the Son of God, they were determined to kill Him. Jesus never tried to "set the record straight". Study the differences between Jesus and the prophets of the Bible....you can see that He was not like them.


This is something that you must take on faith. If Jesus was who He said He was then miracles would not have been impossible. Look at the whole picture. If God truly sent His Son, then it would be expected that His Son could perform miracles. Even at the time, people did not believe He did them.

I don't know if I have helped you any, but I pray that I have.

Very well written!

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

You'd be amazed how many Christians agree with you. I don't second guess God. Jesus gives us a guarantee of salvation, but that doesn't make it impossible for God to save anyone.

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

Again, plenty of Christians do not believe that gay love is wrong. Unfortunately, CF rules prevent me from linking to them, but google the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) for an example.

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

I do believe Jesus was God. You say that possibly we "made him something he is not", but can I put it another way? The early church that recorded His words (or words ascribed to Him) did indeed do so based on a conviction that He was God. But where did that conviction come from? It came from their experience of Him. I would suggest, therefore, not that Jesus is Divine because the Bible says so, but rather that the Bible says so because the people who wrote it had found out that He was.

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

Quite possible. The miracle that matters is Incarnation. Once God has become man, and made reconciliation between God and Man possible by uniting them inseperably in one person, the rest follows.

I welcome any and all answers. I am completely open minded to whatever anyone has to say. I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me. Thanks.

Well, I'm sure my answers differ from what many people here will tell you.

 

[codenamespivey]

I want to thank everyone so far for their answers. Some of them are very helpful. All of them are thought provoking. Keep them coming

 

[SparkleSpaz]

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

b/c God put us on earth to make a choice...to believe in Him or believe in some other god....

i dont know the answer to this b/c im still searching for the answer myself...

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

thats what i say. i dont think being gay is a problem...i mean you cant help who you love right? you cant help it if your attracted to the same sex and not the oppesite...

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

i dont think that he was just some prophet...i think that he was God's son and he was sent on earth to die for all man sins...cause i think that God did that for a reason....so we would know who he was ans what he has did for all of us...

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

i dont think so....i think they are all real...you have to belive that God gave the minds of the ppl who wrote that stories the real minds...

 

[Carrye]

These are some great questions! I'll answer from a Catholic's perspective, as there will be some differences among Christians about the answers to your questions. Keep that in mind when reading people's replies.

1) First, God doesn't choose Hell for anyone - each person, because of his own free will, chooses it for himself. Second, it would depend on what "something else" a person believed in.

Lumen Gentium 16: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience -- those too may achieve eternal salvation.

2) Because it is contrary to natural law. Man and woman are complimentary, and were designed as such. The union of man and woman bring life. The opposite is not true.

3) Possible, I suppose, but I doubt it. Look at all of the trouble He got into by doing this. It wasn't in the consciousness of Jews in antiquity to do this. Our "children of God" mindset is more modern, and comes because of Christ.

4) Again, possible, but remember that Scriptural accounts are from the Apostles themselves. You'd think that they would have extra motivation to exaggerate, right? Except for the fact that they ended up dying because of their belief in Christ and in these stories. People don't die for fables or for unrealistic people or notions.

 

[MinDach]

Ok. I was once christian. Then as I got older a lot of doubt filled my mind and certain things started to bother me about christianity. I started to read on other religions and seek knowledge to find the "right" religion for me. I ended up agnostic. I am a very moral person. I believe in doing what is right for not only me but other people aound me. Doing things like lying, stealing, commiting acts of violence, so on and so forth bother me deeply so I go out of my way to make sure those things don't happen in my life. I try to live the most honest life that I know how to. I guess you could say I lead a christian life without being christian. So, here are a few questions that I have. I am hoping that maybe if they are explained to me in the right way, I can heal what made me drift from being a christian in the first place.

1.) If people live good and moral lives and believe in something else, why would God send them to hell? (This is the biggest problem for me. I have a hard time believing in a religion where good people go to hell)

2.) Why does christianity denounce gay love? I mean, if two people love each other, but they're the same sex, why should they be looked down upon for it? What if someone is born gay? How then would it be fair to cast them into eternal damnation for being gay?

3.) Is it possible when Jesus said things like, "My Father in heaven" or when he referred to himself as the son of God that he just meant he was one of God's children like the entire human race? Is it possible that he was just a prophet and that we twisted his words to make him something he is not?

4.) Certain things that happened in the Bible, like Jesus walking on water, seem increadibly unrealistic if not impossible. Is it possible that many of the stories are fables or myths that are told to teach us lessons? Is it possible that the real things that happened have just been over exaggerated like stories such as Jesse James, Pecos Bill or any other legends?

I welcome any and all answers. I am completely open minded to whatever anyone has to say. I'm just looking for some answers to help me on my search for the right religion for me. Thanks

If you were once a Christian, then you would already know all the answers to the Questions you asked. Gods word does not change, because of people wanting the Bible to say something different then it does. We live in the day & age where right is wrong and wrong is right. Where any one will try to change the words of Jesus to please them selfs. We know what God says about Gays, we know who Jesus said he was, we know that people want to jump over the Gate, and not come in thr the door. If you are looking for God, then you will have to take him as he is, just like he will have to take you as you are. With all you sins. Thats how he like it. He came for the sinner. Not the self righteous. Meaning the person who says they are GOOD.