Religious Debate

[Curtle]

Of course I'd be the one to start this...


I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins so that we may all be saved, then rose again. That's what I believe in, but I'm not oblivious to the world. I know that my beliefs aren't the only beliefs. So, what do you all have to say about my beliefs? Do you believe in Jesus? If not, what do you believe in?


In a related matter, what does Jesus H. Christ mean?

[Shelyuki]

Same as you Curt, though a lot of times I keep my mind open to other religions because I know my faith was influenced by my family and the way I was raised.

[aondy]

ive been raised the same way, go to church just about every sunday, but lately ive been doubting things. but this is due to way too much free time to think and disect pointless things. so i say im a christian, but im in a period of questioning.

[Curtle]

Yeah, I've got to say that I'm also in a period of questioning. Things happen when you're a teen that makes things add up incorrectly. One day it'll make sense, but right now I'm confused, yet still saved (I suppose [see? confusion right there] ).

[Jordan]

I was brought up to believe in God and Jesus and all that other stuff. I do like to keep an open mind to other religons because, let's face it, people aren't going to believe in just one thing. Just like you guys though, I have been questioning "the will/ways of God".

[Sabam]

I believe in God, sure but not this God.

I disagree with most religions because they see God as being this emblem, this monolithic statue we should all revere if we wish to be compensated in this sort of void afterlife.

We teach children that God is up in the sky instead of all around us. We teach children that God is omnipotent ... a fearful unknown that can only be reached in the pews of church. I don't like religion in the way it is taught. It has gone from a set of principals to rules one must be burdened with in order to recieve a just end.

The clergy has neglected their duty in ''spreading the word of God'' ... they have spread something ... an epidemic of sorts that consumes humankind and leaves scarring borders between populations. Heresy is the vaccine - so they say.

So to believe or not to believe? Call me a Buddhist, I'll stick to the middle way.

[Simian]

- I believe that God is an entity that is neither male nor female, single nor twain; both father and mother (parent), son, holy ghost and flesh.

- I believe that God is still as much physical as he is spiritual, speaking to people and working miracles (or magic, call it what you want) even to this day.

- I believe that angels and demons will respond to you, and that you call on either accordingly (so be careful).

- I believe that when Jesus ordained Peter the head of his church that power was passed down through the Popes.

- I believe that no denomination of the church or religion is more superior than the others in spite of the above.

- I believe that everyone is equal and God does not send one to hell for simply sinning or being helpless towards their sin.

- I believe that when Christ enters the world and purges it of sin, Hell will be destroyed with Satan and all people will be allowed in Heaven (though those that accept Christ as king now will recieve a reward).

So, I'm not sure if I'm typical Christian, pagan-influenced or whatever. But those are my beliefs.

[lex]

I agree with everything Simian said except for the Hell part.

I believe that there is no Hell, only Heaven and Purgatory. Hell is sin, in this case... our sin filled world that we live in.

[Nica-Da]

I don't believe in the bible or in hell. I don't believe that jesus died for our sins...I think he was sum guy that possibly drank too much. I don't believe that mary was a virgin...the bible it's self even says so...well...kinda. ACT 2:30 says "Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne" which means that joseph knocked up mary...but for God. BUT MATT 1:18 says "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." Which means that mary was pregnant before she was with joseph...which one to believe? I really don't understand how a person can believe in something that contradicts itself. I have tons more contradictions if you have any questions...just ask...i have them highlighted in my bible. As for believe'n in God. I believe in A GOD...but not what they make him/her up to be. I dont even know if you want to call it a God. I have strange beliefs...

[awe[explicit]]

I love Jesus.

[alchemy]

I don't really believe in anything at all. =\
I don't believe there's anything up there. =\

[squidie]

I have my own belifes but i dont criticise other people religons and compare them to mine.

At the end of the day all i want to happen to me is to go to a lovely place when i die

[Rai the Space Samurai]

I agree with Sabam. That's why I don't really believe in organized religion. I think when it is organized it leads to problems, namely the abuse of God's will. World leaders down through the ages have used religion to manipulate their people into wars, into hurting groups of people different from them, and these days I think a lot of religious leaders use religion to impose their personal world views on mass amounts of people. God's been turned into this fearsome, almost spiteful figure that those in power use to control underlings. Even goes down to such small things as parents using God to control their kids. I don't think religion is about that. I think it's something you have to feel and interpret with your own heart. If it's forced on you, it doesn't mean anything.

[dreamingawake]

I'm a Christian. I strongly believe that there is a God who sent His son to die for us on the cross, and that through him we are saved.

Also, I think Rai and Sabam pose a good argument. Although I like going to church, and I involved myself in a lot of church activities, such as youth group and the like, I'm very picky about the religious community in which I put myself. Those that appear strict and too conformed I tend to try and stay away from, simply because I think that they are being too forceful with their message.

Sure, I understand that God's message needs to be spread among the people so that they might become enlightened and choose to believe, but it shouldn't be shoved down their throats, and they shouldn't be judged if they choose not to believe it. I went to a Baptist school that was much like that during my junior high years of school, and I found it to be downright suffocating. In that sense, they used their "power" as teachers and pastors and the like to influence you in your studies and your daily life: You *have* to be a Christian, you will be looked down upon if you are not, and so on.

So yeah, even though I like church, and I think it's good for Christians to gather in a community to worship and praise together, I think that it should be done in a laid back manner, so that even if I were to bring a friend who wasn't a believer that friend would not feel imposed to believe in something that they cannot.

[bou]

I do not believe in god since one stop slightly probably that an alone man his nanny created everything in one day but if I am of a religion I am agnostic because if I believe in a force bigger than that of the human race

That is an egoist to think that we are the only ones in the world but a man to believe in that alone that I create everything and that he is omnipresent omnipotently ... l think two times believing it this is my point of view I respect all the positions