Jewish parentage.

I grew up a Holiday Jew (we only celebrated our Judiasm on major Hebrew Holidays) and I went to Hebrew school for 2 years.

 

I learned more about Judiasm singing in Temples for the past 20 years than I ever did in Hebrew school.

Ok lets shake this up. Without getting offensive, my biggest problem with organized relgion is those sects that use of threats. Ive got a friend that hands down, told me I was going to hell for not having Christ in my heart. Other religions do the same thing. I dont know people respective views on this and Im sure there are varying degrees, but what are peoples views on this.

 

To me its no different than slavery.

Ive heard some bad things about the scientoligists. First that they denounce any form of mental illness and see psychology and psychiatry both as being shams that just steal money from people. People like Tom Cruise have done some bad things for mental health awareness. Now Im not saying its a priority...but that its silly to think its all fake.

 

Plus dont you buy your way to enlightenment?

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I was being scarcastic, I don't really think all that much about Scientology (buying into a religion because some empty celebrities tell me too is so not my style). As for where Scientology stands on ANYTHING, I couldn't get ascertain a darn thing from their literature, for what it's worth. And I got LOTS of it. I honestly couldn't tell you where they stood on what issue outside they believe in aliens and that were put here on Earth by them. But, you'd probably have to read all 1 million pages of Dianetics to get to the really weird stuff.

 

What does it say about you when the guy who came up with your religion started by writing fiction science fiction novels?

Ok lets shake this up. Without getting offensive, my biggest problem with organized relgion is those sects that use of threats. Ive got a friend that hands down, told me I was going to hell for not having Christ in my heart. Other religions do the same thing. I dont know people respective views on this and Im sure there are varying degrees, but what are peoples views on this.

 

To me its no different than slavery.

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I agree. Have you actually gone to Mass and listened to the words people just repeat so frequently? I love God and all but I can't see myself submitting completely to anything, much less something that just isn't here and I won't see until I die.

 

I mean, you hear all about free will, but then you actually listen and you realize best case scenario for the religion is for you to have one. Not cool.

I'm Southern Baptist. I'm a fundamentalist, you could say. I like to think I'm evangelical, but I'm not going to throw it down someone's throat. I have a lot of work to do as a Christian, and where God wants me to be. I feel like I've gotten closer recently to Him.

 

Anyway, I believe that Jesus' innocent life on Earth, and painful death paid for my sins, your sins, everyone's sins. I accepted him as my Savior, and for him to the Lord of my life (I know this sounds like typical Christian rhetoric, but it means something to me), and I believe ANYONE can do this too.

 

I like to look at, I think it's Romans 10:9. Ephesians 2 (I think) also discusses salvation as more than works, but an act of grace by God.

 

Anyway, that's where I stand.

Flying_M, I agree, that gets awfully old. If someone tells me I'm going to hell (or suffer punishment in an afterlife or something) for not believing their particular brand of religion, then.... well I'll pass. Not to mention you'd be pretty much condemning every other religion as well. I'd just as soon pick none of the above. Besides since I don't believe in hell, the statement doesn't mean anything to me anyway.

 

I don't begrudge anyone for being religious though, whatever makes you happy.

I just don't understand how God, an omnipotent and omniscient being, has human emotions. I think it's conceptually absurd. I believe in God, and I more or less believe in Jesus' whole sacrifice, but I can't force myself to follow one set of beliefs and condemn a bunch of people's beliefs as incorrect.

The problem is that the christian bible was written by man, and what verses are included in the different versions of the bible were chosen by followers of a particular sect. So what does this mean? The bible cannot be taken at face value, but more as a reference and even a 'history' book. Catholicism teaches that salavtion is achieved through faith and good works, which is basically a way to 'force' people into helping others. Not much different than voting for a candidate that will institute laws to 'force' the masses into helping the less fortunate. In reality it is exactly the same thing but through different channels. Lutherans are more compatible with capitalism, in that salvation comes through faith alone, but you get to keep all your possessions and such. This shows the political influence on religion as well as the eocnomic influence, and why true or not religious beliefs are good but followign to closely in the believes of a sect is not necessarily a good diea

I believe salvation comes through faith alone. Granted "faith without works is dead", but faith is what gets one into heaven. Belief in Jesus as the Savior.

 

Reality is this: if you are a Christian (i.e. God is working in your heart, you have made him your personal Savior), you will want to do good works. You want to do them for God. We are supposed to be forever building up his creation.

i don't belong to any church. i have a bunch of thoughts in my mind that confuse me. all i know is that there is a god, beyond that i know nothing.

I'm Southern Baptist. I'm a fundamentalist, you could say.

 

Anyway, I believe that Jesus' innocent life on Earth, and painful death paid for my sins, your sins, everyone's sins. Anyway, that's where I stand.

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Can you expand on this FG? When you say "paid for our sins", do you feel that he paid for humanity's sins up to that point, or humanity's sins forever? And what does "paid for" mean to you? Does this mean any sins you now commit are already forgiven? If so, does the fact that your sins are already atoned for, affect the meaning or the consequences of sinning?

 

Not trying to be a smart ass, I'm genuinely curiousi. I've read the Bible & have my own opinions, just always interested to hear other's thoughts on this.

I believe in a God, but certainly not the one the Bible speaks of. I guess that would make me agnostic?

I'm Southern Baptist.? I'm a fundamentalist, you could say.

 

Anyway, I believe that Jesus' innocent life on Earth, and painful death paid for my sins, your sins, everyone's sins.? Anyway, that's where I stand.

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Can you expand on this FG? When you say "paid for our sins", do you feel that he paid for humanity's sins up to that point, or humanity's sins forever? And what does "paid for" mean to you? Does this mean any sins you now commit are already forgiven? If so, does the fact that your sins are already atoned for, affect the meaning or the consequences of sinning?

 

Not trying to be a smart ass, I'm genuinely curiousi. I've read the Bible & have my own opinions, just always interested to hear other's thoughts on this.

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Oh, no problem HotCorner...I didnt think you were tryin to get smart with me.

 

Well, I think he "paid for our sins" like this....he was the "sacrificial lamb" or "scapegoat", if you will. The Book of Romans says that we have all sinned, and even one sin is punishable by death (eternal death = Hell). God made us in his own likes, and if we sin, we are disobeying him.

 

Jesus was the sacrificial lamb, who died a painful death that he did not deserve. He never sinned (i.e. sinless), and as the Son of God paid for our sins.

 

Paying for sins means to me this: He has forgiven all of our sins....all we must do is ask for forgiveness, repent, and accept that the ONLY reason we can go to heaven is because of what Jesus did, and that there is no other way ("I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus)").

 

Look Romans 10:9 up (I wish I could quote it...I should).

 

I hope that clarifies things a little.

 

I like to think that Jesus is the "scapegoat". I like the analogy.

I'm Southern Baptist.? I'm a fundamentalist, you could say.

 

Anyway, I believe that Jesus' innocent life on Earth, and painful death paid for my sins, your sins, everyone's sins.? Anyway, that's where I stand.

574214[/snapback]

 

Can you expand on this FG? When you say "paid for our sins", do you feel that he paid for humanity's sins up to that point, or humanity's sins forever? And what does "paid for" mean to you? Does this mean any sins you now commit are already forgiven? If so, does the fact that your sins are already atoned for, affect the meaning or the consequences of sinning?

 

Not trying to be a smart ass, I'm genuinely curiousi. I've read the Bible & have my own opinions, just always interested to hear other's thoughts on this.

574616[/snapback]

Oh, no problem HotCorner...I didnt think you were tryin to get smart with me.

 

Well, I think he "paid for our sins" like this....he was the "sacrificial lamb" or "scapegoat", if you will. The Book of Romans says that we have all sinned, and even one sin is punishable by death (eternal death = Hell). God made us in his own likes, and if we sin, we are disobeying him.

 

Jesus was the sacrificial lamb, who died a painful death that he did not deserve. He never sinned (i.e. sinless), and as the Son of God paid for our sins.

 

Paying for sins means to me this: He has forgiven all of our sins....all we must do is ask for forgiveness, repent, and accept that the ONLY reason we can go to heaven is because of what Jesus did, and that there is no other way ("I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus)").

 

Look Romans 10:9 up (I wish I could quote it...I should).

 

I hope that clarifies things a little.

 

I like to think that Jesus is the "scapegoat". I like the analogy.

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Great post, FG. :thumbup

Athiest

Non-Denominational.

I believe in a God, but certainly not the one the Bible speaks of. I guess that would make me agnostic?

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Well not technically no.

 

Generally an agnostic is a person who feels that God's existence can neither be proved nor disproved. It's more a philosophy than a religion.

What religion would you consider yourself part of?

 

Roman-Catholic myself, though of course I disagree with the Church at times.

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Methodist.

Jewish

Jewish.

Ok lets shake this up. Without getting offensive, my biggest problem with organized relgion is those sects that use of threats. Ive got a friend that hands down, told me I was going to hell for not having Christ in my heart. Other religions do the same thing. I dont know people respective views on this and Im sure there are varying degrees, but what are peoples views on this.

 

To me its no different than slavery.

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I agree. Have you actually gone to Mass and listened to the words people just repeat so frequently? I love God and all but I can't see myself submitting completely to anything, much less something that just isn't here and I won't see until I die.

 

I mean, you hear all about free will, but then you actually listen and you realize best case scenario for the religion is for you to have one. Not cool.

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Can you say "Brainwashed"

Catholic.