Inyri Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 You don't just 'be' Christian. Well I mean, you do because most children are brought up in the religion of their parents, but you shouldn't just stay a religion because you grew up that way, or feel obligated. I'm Episcopalian (practicing, mind you, which a lot of people find positively shocking) and a good chunk of the members of my congregation are ex-Catholic. I'm convinced Catholicism drives people away from Christianity in some instances, but that's another story... (<3 my Catholic compadres!) I go to church because it feels good. It is my belief that, despite my logical objections to the whole concept of divinity and a 'higher power', that what I'm feeling is just that. I get an intense sense of calm and serenity when I attend church services and I'm not a big believer in coincidences. So I figure even if there's nothing 'up there,' if it makes me feel good then what's the harm? But of course if you don't feel something like that I wouldn't expect you to be a religious person. Go figure... a Christian telling someone it's okay not to believe. I'm not a big supporter of overzealous evangelism, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@RS Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I am a pastor's son and i am a very faithful christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamqd Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 "You" don't just 'be' Christian ... Well, I could go to church right now and start waving my hands and crying, and no one would really know I was just "Being" a Christian Well I mean, you do because most children are brought up in the religion of their parents, Correct. Apart from the first Sentence/Condescension, I agree with and respect your view of my Religious (or lack thereof) beliefs, and the way you choose to express yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inyri Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 No condescending was meant or intended. I was just trying to suggest that being raised Christian doesn't make you Christian unless you want to be, and that it's okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamqd Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 agreed, I was thinking about my last post while I was out, bad word choice, sorry:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serpentine Cougar Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 People will know you're a Christian by your actions, not because you say so. If not, maybe you're not. Lots of people who call themselves Christians don't really act like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Han-Solo Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 I'm a Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan181 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Yes, I am a proud Christian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Zavier Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I am Christian, and my denomination is Penecostal. GOD ROCKS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinus Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I'm an atheist! Yay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Zavier Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 sinus, if your an athiest than please stay out of this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderQ Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I find it interesting that I didn't find this thread yet. Well... ...I am a Christian, and life is goooood:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Zavier Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 AMEN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinWalker Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I'm an atheist. Oh. I posted that already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 sinus, if your an athiest than please stay out of this thread.Well... since the attached poll has 3 options, I think that implies that non-Christians (and by definition that would logically include the non-religious) may also post here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I haven't been keeping up with this thread (wow, major revival there guys!), but the folks claiming that Catholics "invented hell" are spouting nonsense. The other claim that this teaching of "hellfire" isn't in the Bible, is also false. I realize a lot of people (including many pious Christians) are troubled by the concept of eternal damnation, and even reject the doctrine (not just modern liberals either, there are entire denominations that reject the concept, and in fact, there were some notable universalists in the early centuries, though these seemed to feel that there was a kind of temporary hell, rather than a permanent one, for sinners), but that's a completely seperate bit from whether such a teaching is found in the Bible, or originated with the Catholic Church. As for people objecting to threads like this, if some can enjoy threads bashing religion and promoting atheism, why not the reverse for religionists? It's only fair if that's what people want to talk about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinWalker Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I haven't been keeping up with this thread (wow, major revival there guys!), but the folks claiming that Catholics "invented hell" are spouting nonsense. The other claim that this teaching of "hellfire" isn't in the Bible, is also false. I realize a lot of people (including many pious Christians) are troubled by the concept of eternal damnation, and even reject the doctrine (not just modern liberals either, there are entire denominations that reject the concept, and in fact, there were some notable universalists in the early centuries, though these seemed to feel that there was a kind of temporary hell, rather than a permanent one, for sinners), but that's a completely seperate bit from whether such a teaching is found in the Bible, or originated with the Catholic Church. As for people objecting to threads like this, if some can enjoy threads bashing religion and promoting atheism, why not the reverse for religionists? It's only fair if that's what people want to talk about! Personally, IIove threads like this! I would also agree with you that Catholics didn't invent 'hell.' This is very likely something that existed in some form in the polytheistic phase of judeo-christian mythology. Prior to their cultural evolution into 'Israelites' the Canaanites probably had some sort of 'hell' analogue. But the idea of hell, as modern Christians understand it, originates in early Jewish texts. And for centuries, the hell myth has served to reinforce doctrines of christianity and in upholding social values perceived as good or right. Hell threatened the 'wicked' while paradise awaited, not the good, but the sufficiently pious. Catholics invented, however, the doctrine of purgatory, a state in which souls (whatever these are) can be morally improved for their final meeting with their god. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Zavier Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 hell is described in the Bible as an everlasting punishment, meaning once you enter, you never come out. It's pure agony! The pain, suffering, and you NEVER leave! Be wise friends! Be wise- Read your bibles, pray to God, Serve God, go to a local Church, get saved, and know Christ as you friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinWalker Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 hell is described in the Bible as an everlasting punishment, meaning once you enter, you never come out. It's pure agony! The pain, suffering, and you NEVER leave! Be wise friends! Be wise- Read your bibles, pray to God, Serve God, go to a local Church, get saved, and know Christ as you friend. Biblical mythology is hardly good reason to live one's life in fear of a mythical 'hell.' What actual evidence exists to accept such a hateful fantasy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Zavier Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 It's called THE BIBLE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinWalker Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 It's called THE BIBLE. So you're saying that the bible is evidence of itself? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The question was what good reason is there to believe in such a hateful fantasy place as hell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Zavier Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 So you're saying that the bible is evidence of itself? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The question was what good reason is there to believe in such a hateful fantasy place as hell? Yes I am saying that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandalore The Shadow Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 I just thought i would come in and say im a Witch and christians arent exactly friendly with us and i would like to say that the bible has very little truth its feable lies to keep people believing and the church in power... which has failed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinWalker Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Yes I am saying that. In other words, there is no good reason to believe in a god, hell or the bible itself. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnderWiggin Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 So you're saying that the bible is evidence of itself? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The question was what good reason is there to believe in such a hateful fantasy place as hell? Come on, Skin! You know this one - the Bible is the Word of God: _EW_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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