I really really don't understand some people's need to convert every single person they see into their religion. Those people that fight you and your religon because they are so convinced that only their religion is the "right" religion.
As far as I know, most religions are based off some all-knowing, caring, giving, "god" that everybody worships because he/she/it will save them from eternal suffering or something equally as horrible. So if the god that they believe in is able to forgive others and able to accept differences in others, why aren't they able of accepting other's different beliefs.
I am catholic. Yes I am, but I do not walk into grocery stores preaching about the Lord and telling the person standing next to me in the mall that if they are not catholic, they are wrong and they are going to hell. To top it off I actually have friends that are atheists and jews and buddhists and I myself have questioned my religion and have separated myself from catholicism.
What need is within certain people that they absolutely have to memorize the bible and tell you parts of the scriptures and twist the meaning of them to something along the lines of, "listen to me and convert or else you are pretty much destined to suffer, forever....and ever."
Am I going to hell for not believing in God from time to time and for using His name in vain constantly? I would like to believe that this god or divine power or whatever you want to call him is more forgiving. I would like to believe that since he made us with the ability to decide things for ourselves (most of the time unless we only like to follow other people) and didn't make us perfect, he will understand that people slip and sometimes we just don't want to believe.
He does understand that we're not perfect, that's why Jesus died for our sins
It doesn't say in the Bible you are going to hell if you don't believe in Jesus.
It says if you except his forgiveness, and live as he calls us to, you will.
It also says in the Bible if you have not heard his law, he will judge you be the law of your heart (your conscience).
God loves each and every one of us, that's why we will all be judged by our actions.
"It also says in the Bible if you have not heard his law, he will judge you be the law of your heart (your conscience)." So, then why don't you stop telling people about it?
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"
Douglas Adams
"That is not dead which can eternal lie / And with strange aeons even death may die."
H. P. Lovecraft
The point of Jesus is to save you on earth, through Jesus you know you are forgiven,
He shows you how to live on earth as well, the way he intended us to.
Yes, but if I never heard about something that I probably will always think to be, frankly, stupid, just like every other religion then, on the off chance that you're right, I'd be perfectly fine. :-(
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"
Douglas Adams
"That is not dead which can eternal lie / And with strange aeons even death may die."
H. P. Lovecraft
That's up to God, he will judge you and everyone, not me.
The only way you know you're going to heaven is through Christ.
It says if you except his forgiveness, and live as he calls us to, you will.
It's 'accept'. And it's a bit difficult to accept his forgiveness if you don't believe he died for our sins. Just saying.
~C
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It says it in the Qur'an, there is no force in religion- It is submission without force..and I know Islam is not the only religion that has this belief.
"Wealth, however, does have one advantage over looks: beauty fades, interest accrues." -- Dan Savage.
"Wealth never decreases because of charity." Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
well, I am confused as to how we are supposed to live has he calls us to if we don't believe in him in the first place. If I don't believe in Jesus, I am not going to live by the rules and guidelines he sends down upon us mortals. And my point of saying that we are not all perfect wasn't to say that Jesus expects us to be perfect or doesn't accept us if we are not perfect, the point is saying that if we don't believe in Jesus then we cannot be perfect in his eyes. That was a pretty round about way of saying it, but there.
That is my belief and just because you don't believe it doesn't mean it's not true.
The way he calls us is to be is through faith show him we love him by trying to be the best we can.
You don't have to believe in him, we'll see when we die if he is real or not.
And if in some peoples opinions he's not real, well than I guess nothing happens, we just die, and we wont remember the fun we had, or how hard we worked to be who we thought was right.
There's nothing to lose in a life for Christ, if in fact there is nothing to lose but your life.
If someone genuinely believes their religion is true, then they will attempt to convert others out of a sincere concern for their welfare. If a person believes the only way to "heaven" is through one religion, they will want everyone to come to heaven, and therefore attempt to bring everyone into that one religion. If they don't believe that there is only one way, as you do, they won't attempt to convert anyone. So it's not as if people attempting to convert others to their religion are being inconsiderate; from their point of view, they are attempting to help those people go to heaven. And to say that "most religions believe in an all-knowing, caring, giving god who saves them" is simply not true. Buddhism doesn't even have a god, some forms of faith believe God is not all-knowing/caring/giving, and some religions don't believe we need to be "saved" from anything, especially not eternal torment. Many religions also do not believe their god accepts/forgives others or their differences. For example, most Christians believe that God only accepts/forgives those who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection as forgiveness of sin.
My brother has a theory that you'll go to the heaven which you believe in. That may be true. I've also noticed that the Qur'an has indirectly stated that the God of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is essentially the same God. With not too much Religious study, one can find evidence of this to be true in the Torah and Bible. So, with that in mind, then that would make the only way to get to heaven would be to try to have a moral as possible life, and be truly sorry for your sins and such.
"[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. " - Al Baqarah
So basically the Quran says that Muslims, as well as Christians, Jews, and Agnostics are all equal in their chances to Heaven
I think if you had faith you would have capitalized "God" or "Catholicism"
Read and learn. http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/simmons
I think that God understands our trials and stipulations. I am Catholic and I always wonder if God will pull me through the tough times I have in life and I believe he does. Having belief in God puts your faith to the test every now and then. We can not prove to anyone that God exists, but we just got to decide whether or not we believe in God.
There's not a lot I can say that hasn't already been said. But Jesus died for everyone, including you, whether or not you believe it. I know that when I talk to my non-believing friend about Christianity, it is because I don't want to be separated from them for eternity. I care for them, and when I think about how fragile our lives really are, I get concerned for them. The only way for me to be able to spend the rest of eternity with them is if they accept the gift God has given. That is the only requirement to get into heaven. Please if anyone has any questions, or comments, please feel free to message me. I would love to talk to anyone about this stuff. It is very important to me.
p.s. I definetly do not believe that my religion is any better than anyone elses. There are several religions that are more pleasing, or easier to live by. Ones that don't hurt as much, but they are not true. They don't have the basis, historically or logically, that Christianity does.
Judaism has been around a whole lot longer than Christianity. Therefore, it does have the historical basis Christianity does. As for the logic, many people will argue that Christianity isn't the least bit logical, and no religion actually is logical, so I'm not going to even bother discussing that.
Therefore, how can you say that Judaism as it currently exists is wrong, and Christianity has it right? What about Hinduism, around a lot longer than Christianity.
There are also a number of religions that are much more difficult to follow than Christianity, so that definitely shouldn't be used as a criteria to determine 'truth'.
~C
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Pagan religions have been around the longest. :?!)
And Meek worshiping.
"What a man does for pay is of little significance. What he is, as a sensitive instrument responsive to the world's beauty, is everything!"
H. P. Lovecraft
Meek worshiping?
The worship of my dog. Since Nick and Katie have backed down, she is now superior to both the Flying Spaghetti Monster and The Invisible Pink Unicorn.
"What a man does for pay is of little significance. What he is, as a sensitive instrument responsive to the world's beauty, is everything!"
H. P. Lovecraft
Ahh, i see.
Right on!
I am Christian, but I would never ever shove my religion down anyone's throat! I believe the best way to show anyone something is by example. Basically people should just live their lives the way they want and if someone sees them loving life then maybe they will change. But i would never walk up to someone on the street and ask them what they believe. My best friends believe in many different religions and thats awesome! I hate being associated with all those Christians who put out the message that we have to convert everyone or we are going to hell! DUMB!
to not dwell on individuals when it comes to spreading the Word.
It's not about "converting" people. It's that you truly believe in what you believe in. You genuinely love God, and you want others to experience what you are.
I think you should at least be open about it. But no, you should never get into argument or persuasion. It not only jepeordizes your beliefs but causes unnecessary anger and pointless debate.
Also, all sins are equal in God's eyes (I don't know if this relates to catholicism). So he loves everyone regardless of what they do -- whether it be using his name in vain, lying, etc.
I agree that God forgives us despite any sin we commit.
I like to belive God or whatever forgives us too! I have a really hard time believing in God.. but I hope if there is a God.. he forgives me for not beliving.