"Everyone is Created in God's Image"

  • atlas -

    atlas - (855)

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    A lot of people say that, but they also say that God hates gays, and a lot of others. Why would he hate someone who is in his image, since self-hatred is basically a sin?

    Some people say that gays "found a loophole" in God's system, but is he made the system, was all-knowing, and such, he could have sealed off that loophole.

    I just want to know how, if everyone is created in God's image, and if he hates a certain person, does that mean he hates himself?
    August 18th, 2012 at 05:39am
  • wx12

    wx12 (10125)

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    People pervert the meaning of that phrase, I think. I think my Old Testament professor phrased it well when he said in the context of the bible, being "in God's image," is not a compliment or endearing phrase, but a responsibility. People are supposed to hold themselves to a certain standard and testify to God's image, but the entire Old Testament is essentially a chronicle of how people fail to live and behave in God's image, which sets up God sacrificing his only son and all that jazz in the New Testament.

    I think it would be very arrogant to think any human is worthy enough to say they represent God's image (and that's coming from an atheist. Mr. Green)
    August 18th, 2012 at 06:34am
  • kafka.

    kafka. (150)

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    Is this thread really necessary? There already are plenty of places to discuss Christianity and / or homosexuality e.g. the Homosexuality and Religion thread.
    August 18th, 2012 at 09:00am
  • folie a dru.

    folie a dru. (1270)

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    People who say God hates are wrong regardless. God doesn't hate. God is love. God loves everyone.
    August 18th, 2012 at 09:14am
  • atlas -

    atlas - (855)

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    @ dru can fly!

    If so, then why would God punish someone by sending them to Hell? (seems like a little much, right?)

    In the bible doesn't it say that homosexuality is wrong, along with adultery, and a large group of other stuff?
    August 18th, 2012 at 11:42am
  • wx12

    wx12 (10125)

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    @ unicorn.jesus
    Not all Christians believe in Hell, and others don't believe God plays a role in hell. An all powerful God not playing a role in something seems like a paradox to me, but I think some Christians feel the need to explain things, rationally or not, and justify the absurd.
    August 18th, 2012 at 04:31pm
  • The Master

    The Master (15)

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    If I am created in God's Image then he must have been on an off day when he created me. I mean look at me, look at the Milky Way. Now back to me.

    I'm sorry but if the supposed creator of all things created all the awesome stuff nature has...and then created the meatbags we are...it does make me think that he did us at the last minute.

    /facetious point is facetious
    August 18th, 2012 at 06:39pm
  • folie a dru.

    folie a dru. (1270)

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    @ joan.
    Well, if you believe the Bible, He did create us last.

    @ unicorn.jesus
    I believe Earth is Hell. Therefore, I believe when people 'go to Hell', they are reincarnated and sent back to Earth to learn from their previous sins. I do not believe homosexuality is a sin and I do not believe God believes it is one either.

    Not all Christians believe the same things and we are not all the same anti-gay stereotype either.

    I truly believe God made me interested in transgendered individuals and psychology so that it would be easier for my family to adjust when my sister 'came out' to us as trans last year.
    August 18th, 2012 at 06:42pm
  • Ayana Sioux

    Ayana Sioux (1175)

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    The first thing I think of when I see that is the physical looks of god's people. Especially when it comes to Jesus Christ.

    DISCLAIMER. I don't believe in none of this. I just like debating about religion.
    August 18th, 2012 at 06:43pm
  • Ayana Sioux

    Ayana Sioux (1175)

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    @ dru can fly!
    Wow, I kind of believe that too, only I have a slightly different perception of it.
    August 18th, 2012 at 06:45pm
  • atlas -

    atlas - (855)

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    @ dru can fly!
    That's an interesting way to look at it.
    August 18th, 2012 at 07:41pm
  • chasingstars;

    chasingstars; (100)

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    dru can fly!:
    I believe Earth is Hell. Therefore, I believe when people 'go to Hell', they are reincarnated and sent back to Earth to learn from their previous sins. I do not believe homosexuality is a sin and I do not believe God believes it is one either.
    ...can I just say that I actually entirely love that idea? I just. What a wonderful belief. It's such a refreshing and satisfying thought.
    August 19th, 2012 at 05:36am
  • folie a dru.

    folie a dru. (1270)

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    @ chasingstars;
    It's very similar to the Hindu karma wheel, but I just think it makes sense.
    August 19th, 2012 at 05:50pm
  • ThePiesEndure

    ThePiesEndure (115)

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    You need to remember God created man and woman in his image to be perfect and good Sin came after He created us, therefore hatred came from sin, not from God's creation so to speak. So, no for God or anyone to 'hate' anything...that doesn't mean God hates himself :).
    August 20th, 2012 at 10:44am
  • lucky luciano

    lucky luciano (950)

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    I think that we were created in His image physically, and that's as far as the phrase goes. That's just my opinion though...
    September 22nd, 2012 at 11:33pm
  • atlas -

    atlas - (855)

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    @ a starship ranger
    I don't get that either, if we're all created in God's physical image, that wouldn't make sense, since we all appear different.

    @ kafka.
    This may be a little late, but I was just using homosexuality as an example, there are plenty other things I could use. Like, Atheists and Hindus.
    September 23rd, 2012 at 05:33am
  • folie a dru.

    folie a dru. (1270)

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    I don't really think created in His image literally means that. It may just mean the image He had for us. God can take any form he wants and he doesn't really have an actual form, just like He isn't really a He. I lean more toward God (or whatever) created the natural laws that allowed man to happen because obviously evolution exists. To what degree you believe in the evolutionary theory, it's legit. Whether that was pushed along by other forces, well that's where I believe God (or aliens/angels) come in.
    September 23rd, 2012 at 07:32am
  • as dreamers do.

    as dreamers do. (100)

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    "The image of God refers to the immaterial part of man. ... It is a likeness mentally, morally, and socially.

    Mentally, man was created as a rational, volitional agent. In other words, man can reason and man can choose. This is a reflection of God’s intellect and freedom. Anytime someone invents a machine, writes a book, paints a landscape, enjoys a symphony, calculates a sum, or names a pet, he or she is proclaiming the fact that we are made in God’s image.

    Morally, man was created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God’s holiness. God saw all He had made (mankind included) and called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Our conscience or “moral compass” is a vestige of that original state. Whenever someone writes a law, recoils from evil, praises good behavior, or feels guilty, he is confirming the fact that we are made in God’s own image.

    Socially, man was created for fellowship. This reflects God's triune nature and His love. In Eden, man’s primary relationship was with God (Genesis 3:8 implies fellowship with God), and God made the first woman because “it is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Every time someone marries, makes a friend, hugs a child, or attends church, he is demonstrating the fact that we are made in the likeness of God.

    Part of being made in God’s image is that Adam had the capacity to make free choices. Although he was given a righteous nature, Adam made an evil choice to rebel against [God]. In so doing, Adam marred the image of God within himself, and he passed that damaged likeness on to all his descendants (Romans 5:12). Today, we still bear the image of God (James 3:9), but we also bear the scars of sin. Mentally, morally, socially, and physically, we show the effects of sin."

    from http://www.gotquestions.org/image-of-God.html

    I think that's mostly accurate.

    By the way, I don't believe God hates people. He might hate sin, but definitely not people themselves.
    September 28th, 2012 at 02:11am
  • as dreamers do.

    as dreamers do. (100)

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    @Unicorn Jesus
    Oh, and God doesn't "send" people to Hell. God gave us a thing called free will. At Eden, he gave Adam a choice. Adam, being typically human, chose the WRONG choice--the consequence of which is "death" (or Hell). However, God loves us so much that he gave us a way to escape this consequence. Jesus died so we can live. And again, God gave us a choice: accept Jesus into your heart and let him save you, or reject his salvation and accept the consequence of doing so.

    (According to Bible doctrine.)
    September 28th, 2012 at 02:23am
  • charming.

    charming. (135)

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    as dreamers do.:
    God gave us a thing called free will... Adam, being typically human, chose the WRONG choice.
    Does this mean God designed us to fail?
    September 28th, 2012 at 03:05am