The Christians Thread

[Synraii]

Wow, nice replies! And one attempt at trolling! I'd say that's a pretty good ratio.

It stopped being an attampt when I got the thread. =)

 

[Tenchi8]

That actually does help. I appreciate that very much actually. I know your right. But its just tough seeing this really nice fancy church down the street (its a christian church) and want to go check that one out. then I see another one, then gotta check that one out. Its really hard finding a church that I can feel that "comfort" with. Being since I was 12 I lead a life of pure debotchery, and not living up to Gods words at all.

Now Im older and wiser (at least I like to think so) and have done away with all that. I just dont like being told how to think and what to think. I like to explore things for myself and find my own place in my religious world. rather that be with a yamacha (the jewish hat) or a cross on my chest or whatever.

I guess Im kinda like a free agent so to speak. In that I was born and somewhat raised mormon but now I have the chance to look at this from my own eyes. Just hard I guess.

Having a free will is such a wonderful gift. God wants us to freely love him. What ever you decide, God will guide you, and only lead you if you want him to, but you decide what you really want. It takes time and prayer. be confident that you will figure it out. One thing is for certain, you are not alone. God is just a prayer away from being contacted. ^^

 

[Lasercakes]

In the Bible, God is always calling us his "children," so just try and imagine what you would do if your kid went out and did some stuff that you told him not to, but then came back and said he was sorry, I know I would forgive him/her, so imagine what a perfect father would do.

From the outside looking in I have always believed that a forgiving God is the more comforting idea of God, but I have problems with this idea. How can something truely be impermissible if God will forgive you? If God forgives you for doing wrong, what real incentive do you have against doing wrong?

 

[Wandrian]

Here's one I've never heard a straight answer to. Maybe it's who I've asked or my interpretation of what they've said, but how does one reach a sound interpretation of the lessons of the bible? The commandmants are rather clear cut and simple, but the rest seems rather hazy in terms of which lessons are really of importance. Are some books more important than others in this way? How do you even come to these conclusions?


I'm going to assume at this point that this is the Official 8WR Christianity Q&A thread. Well, it sounds better that way to me.

 

[optymuss]

I am an atheist. I don't believe God exists, but a lot of atheists stop right there. I refuse to acknowledge another being in terms of a "higher power."

Anyway, I'm not here to preach atheism or to critique your holy scriptures or anything like that, but that is who I am and where I come from ideologically. I have a few questions I want to ask. I don't expect to come to an understanding after having them answered, but I'm just trying to open up a discussion and move on from there.


- Why reach out to other Christians?
- What do you think of atheists?
- Do you make ethical decisions with the guidance of your religion or your own personal beliefs of right and wrong or is there even a distinction between the two?
- What do you think about death?
- What do you think about free will?

just saying i skimmed through your post and i am half asleep

1. eh, im not sure what you mean. aetheists reaching out to christians or christians reachng out to other christians????

2. well, being the fact that all people are god's children i respect aetheists and their own views. Me and my friends who are aetheists always have one on one conversations regarding our own individual views. It is kinda fun because you learn why they have that reason of being aetheist and you actually learn a lot about christianity and what their thoughts are. I wouldnt force someone to convert to another religion or change their views.....it is tyrannical and kind of selfish. (trust me my grandfather was in charge of a church in Iraq....he killed people. That is not right)

3. it depends on tradition. An example would be my father being force to go to church because it was his "religion." This caused him to be distant in his faith and he began to question if god was really even in existence. Meaning he didnt even associate his religious views with his choices. However, i chose to go to church.....i always make decisions carefully....if they are right and wrong in accordance to my "religion."

The thing is though i dont really acknowledge christianity as a religion (something that you HAVE to follow)....i acknowledge it as a choice.....which is why i acknowledge life as a test.

4. to me death is death....as long as it isnt long and painful but just quick. I guess what most people would think is that christians would want to die because we go to heaven.....at least that is what people always question me on. It isnt like that though......it is not that we have to follow the bible...we just have to have morality and understanding. I personally fear death because of my loved ones.

4. hmmm, this is a tricky one. obviously we follow rules in every religion, culture, and society...... but these rules can be overexaggerated .....saying that "god told me to do this (action)" is a disgusting thing to say.

We have freedom....we choose. That is why life is acknowledged as a "test" imo.


I hope i answered something......sorry if i was confusing.