A few things that hold me back from being christian

[john14_20]

Hi codenamespivey

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)

This one is easy. God will not send them to hell.The ancient faith is far less exclusive than what many peddle in our modern day.

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?

Some Christians don't. They just accept it the way you appear inclined to do.
Other Christians are very much against it.

I am in-between. I don't agree with it but I don;t believe it earns you a 'go straight to hell' card either.

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 most likely that Jesus really did mean what He said regarding this.
He also made non-verbal claims that really cannot be mis-interpreted.

The main one being that He forgave people their sin - only God can do this.

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?

Yes they may be fables intended to make a point. We miss the point of many of the stories because we are not the intended audience.

For instance - the walking on water.

The Jews (the audience) believed that the ocean contained many evil beasts. It symbolised chaos and it was feared.

When Jesus walked on it, He was claiming to be the master of it.

Highly symbolic.

Blessings to all, Pete

 

[IloveJesusMyFather3:16]

(1) He gives us the choice of who we want to be and who we want to be with. You don't have to do anything but believe in God and love him and pray to him to get into heaven! He wants you to obey his commandments but he knows that we're all sinners. He is the most forgiving, loving God ever!! You can kill, steal, lie, cheat, and all sorts of stuff and just ask God to forgive you in humbleness and He will. Some people hate Jesus and they would rather be with the devil than with Jesus. The bible says, "If any man will come unto me, I will in no wise cast him out." Jesus created Adam and Eve. They had a choice between perfect earth (basically heaven or like heaven) and the other choice was evil. They decided they wanted to know everything instead of listening to God. Instead of making these people and the people produced by them - suffer judgment - Christ came to earth (from all His riches and heavenly paradise) (VOLUNTERILY) to die on a cross so that we wouldn't have to go thruogh the judgement that was fair. God is always fair. So, instead of passing judgment on US and THEM, He came and died on a cross to save us from our sins. He was beaten and whipped and stabbed and punched and kicked and hit and mocked and shamed and nailed to a cross and had sharp, peircing thorns around His head. He was so mutilated by the torture he (volunterily) recieved that the bible says you could not recognize who He was. The people back then had professional torturers and killers. He did this for us and all He asks in return is that we "believe on him"....and this is simply surrendering your life to him, give your life to him. I would much rather Him be in control of my life than the devil. Jesus has the purest and PERFECT love for us. This is something we know nothing of - unless He shows us. He doesn't love you like a family member, friend, or teacher - someone who will surely hurt your feelings, give up on you, or anything bad. His love is PERFECT. He loves you so much there is NO WAY you could even comprehend. God does not feel hatred at all. He says to love everyone - even your enemies. That's hard sometimes but He does it. ...because He is perfect in all ways. I love you Jesus!!
(2)Being gay is a sin. Who can tell God what to think or say or how to judge - when He knows EVERYTHING? Nobody. It doesn't say in the Bible that He will make them go to hell.
(3) No, because he took the sins of the world through his beatings and being on the cross. When His disciples asked to see the Father God He said that they were looking at Him. Jesus is God.
(4) He has power over all things. He can do anything. He is God. It is unrealistic because humans are not God and they cannot do things like this. The Bible was inspired by God meaning His Holy Spirit told people what to write. There are many many many copies of the exact same words that are the Bible....from different parts of the world.

There is only one God and He is a jealous God....just like a boyfriend or husband would be. If we worship other gods it is like cheating on Him and it hurts His feelings really bad. If you have any questions, pm me. I usually only visit once per thread.

 

[Novaknight1]

1. God sends good people to hell because ALL have sinned.
2. God condemns homosexuality because it's not His plan.
3. Jesus said I am THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. He didn't say He was one of God's Sons.
4. Some of the things are unrealistic, but the dead sea scrolls confirm the Bible.