restrictions

Fin1234 said:

Hi, I have some questions about being a prodestant. I will deal with them seperatly.

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Protestant can mean many branches with different beliefs. So you might get many different answers to your questions.

music: I listen to In flames, megadeath and even cradle of filth (only thier melodic songs!) I have never heard any satanist lyrics however dark in thier songs. Am I ok listening to this? another question would be :is it ok to listen to stairway to heaven by led zepplin?

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I don't listen to this music, but I am familiar with some of it. My question is, when you ask is it OK, do you mean are you sinning, or are you asking about going against Protestant teaching? As for me, I don't listen to music that makes me feel anti-people, hateful, angry, or dark. Other stuff hurts my soul, and I really don't need negativity in my life, including in my music. I do like "Stairway to heaven" because I think it is a pleasant tune.

sex before marriage: never done it but what are the protestant views on it.

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Again, this could vary according to the specific person. Most bodies of believers though, Catholic and Protestant, will tell you that sex outside of marriage is a sin. God intended sex as enjoyment between one husband and one wife.

Is "what the h*ll" or other swears considered to be a sin under "do not take the lords name in vain"? This is a particular vice of mine.

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Taking the Lord's name in vain typically means saying His name in any form as a way other than in reference to Him and in worship of Him. Other "swear words" are also open for interpretation, as they are certainly not accepted socially as the greatest of behavior whether you believe in God or not. God doesn't tell us not to use words and phrases like your example specifically, but He does tell us to refrain from unwholesome speech.

Thanks in advance. I want to change my life for the better. However I fear that I am too set in my ways to change without a lot of strife.

Thanks and god bless you all.

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Good luck to you! I will tell you that the best way to change your life is to learn about Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for our forgiveness. Once you accept Christ's gift of life and forgiveness of sins, you receive the Holy Spirit which makes it MUCH easier to do the right thing. All the strife turns to peace and joy. It is very very cool.

Fin1234 said:

Hi, I have some questions about being a prodestant. I will deal with them seperatly.

music: I listen to In flames, megadeath and even cradle of filth (only thier melodic songs!) I have never heard any satanist lyrics however dark in thier songs. Am I ok listening to this? another question would be :is it ok to listen to stairway to heaven by led zepplin?

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I don't think that any kind of music is explicitly sinful, unless it makes you react in a sinful way! (For example, inciting hatred)
However, the Bible says:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It is always better for us as Christians to listen to and think about those things which bring us closer to God.

sex before marriage: never done it but what are the protestant views on it.

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Not a good idea! The Bible is quite clear that sex is to be kept between man and wife within the confines of marriage!
That said, many people get very hung up on sexual sin, as though it were in some way worse than other sin. God hates all sin - anything that seperates us from Him is bad!

Is "what the h*ll" or other swears considered to be a sin under "do not take the lords name in vain"? This is a particular vice of mine.

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Technically, no. Taking the Lord's name in vain refers specifically to using His name! Hell is not a name of God!!!
However, the Bible also tells us to guard our tongues and to make sure that our speech is edifying.

Thanks in advance. I want to change my life for the better. However I fear that I am too set in my ways to change without a lot of strife.

Thanks and god bless you all.

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None of us can ever change on our own!
But God is gracious, and if we trust in Him, and allow Him to take control by His Spirit, He will give us the power to change!!
God bless you - I pray that you find His will for your life!

Other stuff hurts my soul

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This is a great way to approach it. The rules were not meant to bind us, but to free up our lives for better things.

You have probably seen some scary things in the last month with people your age. May-June is a terrible time for teen accidents, and a lot of people who invested effort into having a good future end up dying before they graduate.

There were rules that could have protected them, but their exuberance about hitting adulthood and being free from HS constrictions sent them into a let-loose state, where they allowed themselves to be careless for a day.

Think about God's rules as protective. Jesus' redemption set us free from the guilt of sin, but did not set us free to continue in things that can harm us.

So approach Protestantism sensibly. You're not buying into a religious system, but choosing to know God better.

You will never agree completely with any one denomination, but can choose to surround yourself with a group of people and teachings that you think will bring you life, support, spiritual insight, and hope.