Do any of you go to church?

[Kristylynn]

Originally posted by Speedracer59
No particular religion such as baptist or catholic. It is come as you are and worship god . There is no politics. It really takes alot of the hypocracy out of religion when it is undestood that every one is sinners no matter if the go to curch or no one is perfect. If you dont go to church often you are not looked down on when you are there, everyone is glad to see you and welcomes you with open arms.

Heck yeah, that is the best church you can attend

[PimpMaster]

it's too late for the lord to save me! I have chosen my path.

[Sachet]

Originally posted by Klash
I for one would like to hear some more of your thoughts.

You would, would you?!
Okay, I won't forget..

[Sachet]

Klash~
I just recently had this discussion on another site soOo I've just moved my thoughts over..
In my opinion, the Bible was written by men & we all have our own personal interpretations of it.
No offense, but we all know how well men are able to exaggerate fish stories~
Jewish men {basically all men of that time period} were known to spend a great deal of their time in emotional charged debates. We see it daily here at fg when debates between males become fired up and the content goes from decent material to threats & idiotic statements.
Certainly we see this in the Bible & that type of content I disregard as the word of God and digest as a 'feel' for struggles and emotions of the men from that time period.
Men are men, regardless of what time period.
I believe that God gave us the Ten Commandments and when it was apparent that they were not being relayed in the manner in which He meant them, Jesus was sent as a representative of the true Spirit of God, which is love.
The Bible is sacred to me because I find many things to be inspirational which keeps me humble & helps me not take advantage of people.
The New Testament is a record of Jesus' life told by several sources.
I have faith that the events of Jesus' life is true to what is written in the Bible because there were other scrolls by other authors which were found {Thomas is one that comes to mind} which told of Jesus' life & words.. that were not included in the Bible.
It's very difficult to find any documentation of basically anyone who wasn't as important as say a King during that time period.
I also have my own personal experiences with God to go on as well. Why some people feel the Spirit at a young age and others don't? I have no clue, but I can't remember when He hasn't been in my heart. All I know is what I feel.. My faith in God is strong. I'll keep His Ten Commandments and use Jesus' life as my example & His message of love as a reminder to guide my heart.
Jesus to me is my inspiration for us as humans to hold onto an empiric stance regardless of what standard humans have placed on scientific proof.
I have a very strong educational backround in science & have always been science minded..
Evidently, God is beyond our menial human scientific knowledge.

[Klash]

I definately agree that gods message was eroded as it passed through man.

My problem with the christian version of Jesus is, that if you don't believe he died for your sins so you could go to heaven - you will go to hell.

In the christian belief, god is the judge at death. I feel that takes away any reason why he would need to send Jesus to die for our sins. Because if god (the almighty) was judge and he didn't want you to go to hell - he wouldn't send you there. He would'nt need Jesus to 'die for our sins.'

So either God isn't the judge at death or God is not all powerful. So hell would have to be a self imposed sentence or a place for those who rebel against a god that fights for power amongst others.

Do you believe in reincarnation?Hell?

[Sachet]

'My problem with the christian version of Jesus is, that if you don't believe he died for your sins so you could go to heaven - you will go to hell.'


I believe he died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to open our eyes.. to pay the price to redeem us.
I think the way to eternal life is through Jesus, however not everyone comes to know Him before they die.
SoOo that's the part which has me confused.
God is a loving God & I strongly feel that if you have been a good human being & treat living things with respect and love, you're not going to be turned away.. even if you haven't declared Jesus as your saviour.
Which could mean there's another stage or dimension between life & death that we're not aware of..

Nope, I don't believe in Hell in the afterlife.. I believe we're living it.
My reason is because we're only human & sent here to learn.. Wisdom is gained through our mistakes..
If you don't get it right the first time.. you hafta come back {reincarnated} til you do.
It sounds silly, but it's the only way I can explain people such as Ghandi & Mother Teresa.
You can bet they're going through those pearly gates this time

I don't understand how people blame God for man made catastrophes.
We're given free will..
Jesus chose his path. He very well could have been a rich man & lived among royalty.
If God didn't save his own son from being crucified, how can anyone expect special treatment?

People often say, 'my prayers aren't answered'.
Well, what are you asking? To have your rent paid?
God helps those who help themselves, but you gotta get off your ass & use your mind.

[Sachet]

Do you believe in reincarnation or Hell?

[TKO]

Do you really think child rapists, molestors, murderers, etc....... will not be punished ? That there is no redemption ? Do you think that a rapist or murdrer will enjoy the same afterlife as a good human ? If you believe in God, then you must believe in Hell........Hell will be very crowded unfortunately......

[BUSTINOUT]

TKO, good posts. I am a Christian but I have enjoyed learning from your posts. As for muderers going to heaven as well, as a Christain, I would have to say yes they can. But it all comes down to whether they have got right with God before they die. Now whetehr this is based on fear or they are truly accepting God's grace...who cares. They know their heart, so it is not up to us to say what drives them. I realize you do not follow the Christian bible, but there is an example of this in the Bible during Christ's crucifiction. On a cross next to him were two theives. Right before dying one of the thieves said, Jesus, remember me when you enter into your kingdom". He acknowledged and accepted who Christ was. And Christ's answer to him was, "Today you will be with me in paradise". The guy had no time to do any good deeds or live a good life. This is in accordance with the other areas in the Bible that says getting to heaven is not based solely on works. "By grace are you saved through faith and not of works, selt any man should boast". yes, being good and living a good life and treating others as you would want to be treated is important though.

Alot of questions being asked of Christians can be found in the Bible, but I guess it is alot like people starting their first AS cycle. It is easier just to ask than to look for themselves.

[Klash]

Originally posted by Sachet
Do you believe in reincarnation or Hell?

First let me say, I am a very spiritual person I think my posts might be leading people to the wrong conclusion about me. It is just that the way religion entraps and controls people really pisses me off.

My beliefs as of today
I think that hell is selfimposed, just like it is hear on earth. We choose how we see this world and I think it will be similiar in the next world. We judge ourselves. I think that is why God sent Jesus - to let us know he does not want us to torture ourselves, that he wants us with him. Jesus is the example.

I think child rapists, molestors, and murderers are all wanted in heaven.
I think a true god would have way more compassion than any human. And as a human I don't think anyone deserves eternal punishment for anything that could be done here on earth.

I think we will have free will in the after life. I think that reincarnation is a option and so is hell.

[TKO]

Originally posted by BUSTINOUT
TKO, good posts. I am a Christian but I have enjoyed learning from your posts. As for muderers going to heaven as well, as a Christain, I would have to say yes they can. But it all comes down to whether they have got right with God before they die. Now whetehr this is based on fear or they are truly accepting God's grace...who cares. They know their heart, so it is not up to us to say what drives them. I realize you do not follow the Christian bible, but there is an example of this in the Bible during Christ's crucifiction. On a cross next to him were two theives. Right before dying one of the thieves said, Jesus, remember me when you enter into your kingdom". He acknowledged and accepted who Christ was. And Christ's answer to him was, "Today you will be with me in paradise". The guy had no time to do any good deeds or live a good life. This is in accordance with the other areas in the Bible that says getting to heaven is not based solely on works. "By grace are you saved through faith and not of works, selt any man should boast". yes, being good and living a good life and treating others as you would want to be treated is important though.

Alot of questions being asked of Christians can be found in the Bible, but I guess it is alot like people starting their first AS cycle. It is easier just to ask than to look for themselves.

Yeah I see what you mean of course.....in Islam, we also believe that if one had lived a life full of sin, and then truly with his heart believed and repented, and asked God for forgiveness, then God will forgive him and thus Paradise will be his afterlife.......So, in Islam too we believe regardless of how bad one may have been, if he truly repents and asks for forgiveness before his dead, then God will forgive him, as we believe in Islam that God is most Compassionate, and most Merciful....

[Sachet]

Originally posted by TKO
Do you really think child rapists, molestors, murderers, etc....... will not be punished ? That there is no redemption ? Do you think that a rapist or murdrer will enjoy the same afterlife as a good human ?

Jesus was nailed to a cross between two unworthy candidates, yet he seemed to think they would be accepted by a loving God.
Since that's already been covered, all I can say is that I don't even pretend to have all the answers.
Will rapists, murderers etc., enjoy the same afterlife as a good human? I can't see how since they'll hafta live with their consciences for eternity..
But, it's like anything else.. you live & learn and if you have the ability to admit your mistakes, be truly sorry for your actions and move on, chances are you'll be a better person for it.

[i] If you believe in God, then you must believe in Hell........Hell will be very crowded unfortunately...... [/B]

Why 'must' I believe in Hell, TKO?
If in your religion, you 'believe regardless of how bad one may have been, if he truly repents and asks for forgiveness before his dead, then God will forgive him, as we believe in Islam that God is most Compassionate, and most Merciful' why can't I? *LOL*
There are similarities in our religions for a reason, ya know..
As I've already mentioned, the Bible is sacred to me.. however, I don't view what is written in it as most religions do.
If you're basing your comment on what religion teaches through it's interpretation of the Bible, even that's shakey *lol*
The words rendered 'hell' in the Bible, Sheol, Hadees, Tartarus, and Gehenna, shown to denote a state of temporal duration.. the doctrine of unending sin, torment, unending suffering at the time of death, finds no support in the Bible teachings concerning Hell.

Personally, I hardly think that a all-knowing, benevolent and loving God would created any kind of an endless hell in his universe.

If you study the translations of hell, the English word Hell grew into its present meaning. Hell, hall, halt, whole, heel, hill, hole, hull, and hold are all from the same root. Hell ~ any place or some place covered over.
Hell was then used to describe the grave by English & German ancestors and it was then when superstition came into play regarding a person's grave as an entrance to a world of firey torment. Hell became the word used to denote an imaginary realm of fearful, unending suffering for the damned.
The word Hell in the Bible, whether translated from Sheol, Hadees, Gehenna, or Tartarus, yields no countenance to the doctrine of even future, much less endless punishment.

Just as Ark was a box in which important papers were kept..


I believe what is instilled in my heart & reaffirmed through my prayers and personal interaction with God..
I'm a Christian, believe that Jesus is my savior, but I don't jam my beliefs down other people's throats. If asked for my opinion, that's another story in itself

[TKO]

Originally posted by Sachet
Jesus was nailed to a cross between two unworthy candidates, yet he seemed to think they would be accepted by a loving God.
Since that's already been covered, all I can say is that I don't even pretend to have all the answers.
Will rapists, murderers etc., enjoy the same afterlife as a good human? I can't see how since they'll hafta live with their consciences for eternity..
But, it's like anything else.. you live & learn and if you have the ability to admit your mistakes, be truly sorry for your actions and move on, chances are you'll be a better person for it.






Why 'must' I believe in Hell, TKO?
If in your religion, you 'believe regardless of how bad one may have been, if he truly repents and asks for forgiveness before his dead, then God will forgive him, as we believe in Islam that God is most Compassionate, and most Merciful' why can't I? *LOL*
There are similarities in our religions for a reason, ya know..
As I've already mentioned, the Bible is sacred to me.. however, I don't view what is written in it as most religions do.
If you're basing your comment on what religion teaches through it's interpretation of the Bible, even that's shakey *lol*
The words rendered 'hell' in the Bible, Sheol, Hadees, Tartarus, and Gehenna, shown to denote a state of temporal duration.. the doctrine of unending sin, torment, unending suffering at the time of death, finds no support in the Bible teachings concerning Hell.

Personally, I hardly think that a all-knowing, benevolent and loving God would created any kind of an endless hell in his universe.

If you study the translations of hell, the English word Hell grew into its present meaning. Hell, hall, halt, whole, heel, hill, hole, hull, and hold are all from the same root. Hell ~ any place or some place covered over.
Hell was then used to describe the grave by English & German ancestors and it was then when superstition came into play regarding a person's grave as an entrance to a world of firey torment. Hell became the word used to denote an imaginary realm of fearful, unending suffering for the damned.
The word Hell in the Bible, whether translated from Sheol, Hadees, Gehenna, or Tartarus, yields no countenance to the doctrine of even future, much less endless punishment.

Just as Ark was a box in which important papers were kept..


I believe what is instilled in my heart & reaffirmed through my prayers and personal interaction with God..
I'm a Christian, believe that Jesus is my savior, but I don't jam my beliefs down other people's throats. If asked for my opinion, that's another story in itself

What about those rapists, murderers, addicts etc..... Who never changed....who never believed in God ? Who died as cold hearted murders, and never once thought of forgiveness ?? God is Compassionate and Merciful, but only for those who died good, meaning those who were always good throughout life or those who God forgave before their death as they truly in their heart were truly sorry and believed....I'm sorry man, but you truly believe someone like a child molestor will NOT be punished eternally ? Sure God is merciful, but you're tellin me someone like that doesn't deserve to burn ? I truly know or in other words have faith that there does exist a Very, Very hot place in this universe, where those who die evil, will be brought to judgement, and then thrown into this Very hot place.....Never used the word hell lol

[sugaa]

THey shoul d get burned before they die. :-) That's what should happen to rapists, murderers and the rest but I believe they go somewhere and it's not to heaven.


BTW this is a really awesome board and it's cool that everyone is interested in each other's thoughts and beliefs.

[Klash]

Originally posted by Sachet
Just as Ark was a box in which important papers were kept..

I have never heard of this before Sachet. Could you tell me more about it.
I have read that the ark was some kind of huge crude capacitor.

Originally posted by sugaa
...and it's cool that everyone is interested in each other's thoughts and beliefs.

I agree, the fg board members are pretty respectable of each others opinions (most the time ).