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Lyzzla
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 320 | July 5th, 2008 at 12:20am Piccolo the Great:Lyzzla:That's not the question I was asking. The question I was asking is why God feels that it's important for you to believe that to enter heaven. I was asking why it is of that much importance that murderers would get into heaven and you wouldn't because of that one thing. Am I not making any sense? Maybe this just sounds good in my head....
Lyzzla:I don't mean to seem bitchy...cause that's not at all how this is meant...but am I not goting to get an answer to my question, or am I going to continue to be corrected about things that I already understand and am not being completely politically correct on?
Well, you've asked a very hard question, my friend. =]
To get inside the mind of God--hmm... that would be difficult, wouldn't it?
But I think that God deems it important enough to believe all of that because of many reasons. Some understandable, some not.
With a belief in His presence, we are humbled day by day. Think "gosh, there's really something out there much bigger and better than I'll ever be. I've got to start improving myself." Plus, if you (and I mean "you" in a general sense) didn't believe in Him, than what business would you have trying to get into Heaven? God helps those who help themselves, you know? You have to want the privilege to enter, just like that murderer must genuinely want that forgiveness. (Of course, he/she would be forgiven anyway, but... that doesn't mean that his/her actions can go unpunished).
*sigh* I really need a priest for this one.  I guess you just never fully understand until you do. (I know, I know... more of this "following blindly" stuff you were talking about). We follow God, because we want to. Because He gives us everything. Because He loves us beyond compare.
It's important to believe that, because it's important to love and be loved in return.
But still, I believe that any truly good person can enter Heaven. Even if he/she is an atheist. Because by showing kindness to someone else--anything else--you show kindness to God.
(I'm sorry if I can't give you the answer you're looking for. I hope that you'll eventually find it on your own, dude).
I understood once. I lost my understaning and made new. =]
I'd also like to state that just because someone doesn't believe in a god doesn't mean they don't want to get into heaven. The yjust don't believe they can because they don't believe it exists.
If I haven't clarified already though...I believe in God...but I can't choose a religion because I can't believe in something without reason behind it...if that makes sense. What I choose to believe has a reason as to why it is the way it is. It makes sense to me why God does the things he does.
It's funny how when you're talking about God...all the good stuff makes sense and gets a reason...but all the bad things either get blamed on Satan or have no logic to back them. As far as I know at least. Course...my idea of sufficiant reasoning is different from most peoples. =]
Anyway...now I'm seriously done babbling. =D |
upsidedownpoem
Writer's Block
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 10 | July 9th, 2008 at 03:20pm Amen! XD And as far s the effort to do good goes, my mother said to me the other day that one of her friends was talking about me to her. Apparently she said to her- "My, my, isn't she a wonderful Christian Posterboard child?!" and my mother replied: "Maybe yes, maybe no. I like to think so. But theres also just wanting to be happy and kind and caring..."
Anyways, nice post!
Roxie is Mah Name:I believe that there is God. I respect others opinions and won't push mine on others. But if you do want to know anything I can try my best to explain. Like any other stereoype, people put christians as bible thumpers who do nothing but say that your going to hell and that your wrong without putting blame on themselves. Like I said stereotypes. Whats behind stereotypes? Something completely different. I as a Christian put forth my best effort to do good, (meaning at least being friendly) theres no harm in practicing christian ideals.Of course there are going to be people are are actually like that, but its something we can't help. Theres no bad in it. Thats a first sign. When you look at the bible, when it talks about how to live your life, it doesn't say 'Go ahead and kill someone for me" or "give me a sacrafice. I demand Blood!" (and if you did read it it was in the Old Testament. Which has been transformed since Christ came and died, proving his blood was suffiecient enough, stopping animal sacrafice) God is alive in Nature, when you go walking, when you look at the things in outter space. Can't you feel something if you just stop and smell the air? Sure science, I have nothing against it, but as far as trying to use it to disprove God, I completely disagree. He's my Father, my Creator, and my Friend.
Once again, if you do come across the thread and see this comment, comment me back if you completely disagree or agree. If theres just something that strikes you about it go ahead. I can try within my best effort to explain. At least I can say I tried. |
Mrs.Bellamy
Amateur Author
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 237 | July 17th, 2008 at 06:27pm I believe in God and I am of no religion. =]
I always had a problem with the Christian God. I couldn't understand how someone who was supposed to be so loving, caring, forgiving and perfect could send good people to hell just because they got misled by our society and did not believe in the Christian God.
Then one day it hit me.
Because He doesn't.
The God that I believe in is forgiving and perfect... except He really is this time. I think that if there is an afterlife, and you are a good person, He will let you in to heaven.
When it comes to the things that are going on in the world today, genocide for example, and poverty and things like that... I've come to accept that this is not His fault. This is our fault and we need to fix it. It is us, as a society, as human beings... it is our fault and we are the ones to be held responsible, not Him. He has given us free will and we've been abusing it. And because He has given us free will, He cannot control what we do and He just has to sit back and watch.
I don't think He has any influence over the Earth. No miracles... no answered prayers... nothing like that. He just created us and He loves us all and He will let the good people into Heaven if there is an afterlife.
I'm sure it pains Him to see his children becoming victims of genocide and poverty, but He knows that soon, it will all be over and He can let them into heaven and they will be happy.
very very very long...
But that is what I believe. |
Isabella.
Grammar Guru
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Posts: 4035 | July 18th, 2008 at 02:43am
God is really a broad term.
There are many different gods in which people choose to believe.
Jehovah is the one most people in America think of when someone says the word 'God.'
But Ala is another god, along with Greek gods such as Zeus.
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Piccolo the Great
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 340 | July 18th, 2008 at 04:20am Mrs.Bellamy:I believe in God and I am of no religion. =]
I always had a problem with the Christian God. I couldn't understand how someone who was supposed to be so loving, caring, forgiving and perfect could send good people to hell just because they got misled by our society and did not believe in the Christian God.
Then one day it hit me.
Because He doesn't.
The God that I believe in is forgiving and perfect... except He really is this time. I think that if there is an afterlife, and you are a good person, He will let you in to heaven.
When it comes to the things that are going on in the world today, genocide for example, and poverty and things like that... I've come to accept that this is not His fault. This is our fault and we need to fix it. It is us, as a society, as human beings... it is our fault and we are the ones to be held responsible, not Him. He has given us free will and we've been abusing it. And because He has given us free will, He cannot control what we do and He just has to sit back and watch.
I don't think He has any influence over the Earth. No miracles... no answered prayers... nothing like that. He just created us and He loves us all and He will let the good people into Heaven if there is an afterlife.
I'm sure it pains Him to see his children becoming victims of genocide and poverty, but He knows that soon, it will all be over and He can let them into heaven and they will be happy.
very very very long...
But that is what I believe.
I'm so glad that you agree with the idea that God does not encourage the suffering in the world. So many people blame that on Him, or else say that because of that suffering, He cannot exist. It really lifts me up to hear some optimism like that.
However, I disagree with your "no influence" theory. I most certainly believe that God is at work, even within the turmoil of the world. I think that there are miracles happening all the time, even though we might not recognize them all the time. And I am positive that He most certainly answers prayers. |
Mrs.Bellamy
Amateur Author
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 237 | July 19th, 2008 at 06:21am Piccolo the Great:I'm so glad that you agree with the idea that God does not encourage the suffering in the world. So many people blame that on Him, or else say that because of that suffering, He cannot exist. It really lifts me up to hear some optimism like that.
However, I disagree with your "no influence" theory. I most certainly believe that God is at work, even within the turmoil of the world. I think that there are miracles happening all the time, even though we might not recognize them all the time. And I am positive that He most certainly answers prayers.
*shrugs* I just simply don't believe that part. It's kind of all or nothing for me... I think if He cannot interfere with free will... then He cannot interfere with free will in any way... even to create miracles or answer prayers.
I surely do think He's listening though... and I think He knows that for people who do need their prayers answered, things will work out in the end. |
odansemacabreo
Writer's Block
Age: -
Gender: Female
Posts: 2 | July 22nd, 2008 at 06:14pm New to this site, and had to post my views, because this is a very touchy subject. I think that for the most part, every religion is based on the same principle. Everyone is looking for an explanation to life, and looks for comfort in something, or one. I myself belief there is a higher power, or God, (I hate using that term.) I do not support any specific religion, though, I can't. I have my reasons, and many will disagree, but I don't feel like I have to read a book to know who God is, or go to church or mass, to be blessed. The higher power is in me every minute of everyday, it's around me when I walk outside and meet other people. I believe in nature, good things happen to people, and so do bad things. I don't blame God or anything like that when the bad happens, it's just life, it makes us who we are. I don't believe in Hell, or Satan, because I see that as a means to scare people into a religion, and if I'm going to live my life right, it's not going to be because I'm afraid I will go to hell if I don't. Again, my views are different than many, and in no way do I mean to put down anyone else for their views, i was just wanting to share some of mine. |
Mrs.Bellamy
Amateur Author
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 237 | July 23rd, 2008 at 02:46am ^ You should look into Diesm. That might be you. |
Scarecrow Angel
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Posts: 351 | July 23rd, 2008 at 08:33am I don't think there is any solid proof of a God or Gods. But then, there is enough vague evidence to justify many people in believing, and I think that spiritual belief can be immensely good for some people.
As far as I am concerned, if belief in a God affects people's actions or inspires some kind of hope for humanity, then He exists at least in a sense. Devout believers will always find ways to justify the existence of a God, while for the majority of us who aren't spiritual, proving and/or disproving a religion isn't really important. At least at this point in civilisation, there is no one answer that will satisty everyone. |
AmyPoptart
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Posts: 348 | July 23rd, 2008 at 09:26am ^ That is so true.
If someone believes, they believe. And they have their own proof as to why they believe. Like you said, nothing can make everybody happy. |
Eponine
Writer's Block
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 58 | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:34pm Mrs.Bellamy:I believe in God and I am of no religion. =]
I always had a problem with the Christian God. I couldn't understand how someone who was supposed to be so loving, caring, forgiving and perfect could send good people to hell just because they got misled by our society and did not believe in the Christian God.
I think that's a misconception of the 'Christian God'. I was raised Christian (Catholic actually, but Catholicism is part of Christianity.) and I always believed that God was all forgiving and all loving. Maybe God smites people, maybe he doesn't, but I don't believe that he would just send them to hell with out a second thought. (Although on that subject I don't believe anyone is eternally damned) The God you believe in and the 'Christian God' are one and the same.
I don't think I explained my point very well though. :/ |
Scarecrow Angel
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Posts: 351 | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:43pm Eponine:Mrs.Bellamy:I believe in God and I am of no religion. =]
I always had a problem with the Christian God. I couldn't understand how someone who was supposed to be so loving, caring, forgiving and perfect could send good people to hell just because they got misled by our society and did not believe in the Christian God.
I think that's a misconception of the 'Christian God'. I was raised Christian (Catholic actually, but Catholicism is part of Christianity.) and I always believed that God was all forgiving and all loving. Maybe God smites people, maybe he doesn't, but I don't believe that he would just send them to hell with out a second thought. (Although on that subject I don't believe anyone is eternally damned) The God you believe in and the 'Christian God' are one and the same.
I don't think I explained my point very well though. :/
No, I think Mrs Bellamy is right. It is possible to have a belief that is spiritual but not religious. I know that Christians don't always believe in a smiting God, but the point here is that you can have a belief that is not bound by religious guidelines and that is dissimilar to the conducts of any group.
I have a friend who says that her belief is 'Christian-like', in that her concept of God shares much in common with that concept that the Church teaches. But at the same time, she prefers to cut her own path, and disagrees with a lot of the key points of Christianity. She is not close enough to Christian principles to call herself Christian, and neither does she want to associate herself with Christians, but she does still believe in a single God with some Christian attributes.
Eponine:The God you believe in and the 'Christian God' are one and the same.
It is of course also possible to believe in a non-specific, omnipotent, benevolent force and not associate with a religion. Just because Christians believe in such a God does not mean that they are the only ones who are or that their concept of a God is necessarily identical. Never try to tell people what they believe. |
Eponine
Writer's Block
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 58 | July 23rd, 2008 at 01:07pm Scarecrow Angel:
No, I think Mrs Bellamy is right. It is possible to have a belief that is spiritual but not religious. I know that Christians don't always believe in a smiting God, but the point here is that you can have a belief that is not bound by religious guidelines and that is dissimilar to the conducts of any group.
I have a friend who says that her belief is 'Christian-like', in that her concept of God shares much in common with that concept that the Church teaches. But at the same time, she prefers to cut her own path, and disagrees with a lot of the key points of Christianity. She is not close enough to Christian principles to call herself Christian, and neither does she want to associate herself with Christians, but she does still believe in a single God with some Christian attributes.
I wasn't disagreeing with that. (Truthfully, I didn't notice that part of her post, my bad, but I don't disagree with it)
Quote
Just because Christians believe in such a God does not mean that they are the only ones who are or that their concept of a God is necessarily identical. Never try to tell people what they believe.
I wasn't saying that, or telling her what to believe in. The God that she describes and says she believes in is identical to the so called 'Christian God', so I don't see why the 'Christian' should be slapped on there. It just perpetuates stereotypes and misconceptions. I believe that it is the same God, so there's no reason to try and differentiate. |
Scarecrow Angel
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Posts: 351 | July 23rd, 2008 at 01:12pm Eponine:I believe that it is the same God, so there's no reason to try and differentiate.
Well, it may be, but not necessarily. It can be dangerous to assume that- even if they may seem the same, the other person might disagree entirely. If we are assuming that they are different interpretations of the same reality, then you might say so, but people still have a right to declare themselves seperate.
Anyway, we are once again wallowing in a tedious point and ignoring the main argument, and stretching out this thread so that it's impossible for anyone to read our actual points.  |
Mrs.Bellamy
Amateur Author
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 237 | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:37pm Eponine:Mrs.Bellamy:I believe in God and I am of no religion. =]
I always had a problem with the Christian God. I couldn't understand how someone who was supposed to be so loving, caring, forgiving and perfect could send good people to hell just because they got misled by our society and did not believe in the Christian God.
I think that's a misconception of the 'Christian God'. I was raised Christian (Catholic actually, but Catholicism is part of Christianity.) and I always believed that God was all forgiving and all loving. Maybe God smites people, maybe he doesn't, but I don't believe that he would just send them to hell with out a second thought. (Although on that subject I don't believe anyone is eternally damned) The God you believe in and the 'Christian God' are one and the same.
I don't think I explained my point very well though. :/
I know they are the same, but when I specify 'Christian God' I mean the way Christians intrepret God to be. Christians don't all believe the exact same thing, but the religion itself says that people who do not believe in God, and follow his rules, etc etc will be sent to hell. That may not be what you believe specifically, but that's Christianity religion, in general, believes.
Christians interpret God differently than I do. I believe they are the same, but I do not believe in their interpretation. |
Mrs.Bellamy
Amateur Author
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 237 | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:46pm Eponine:Quote
Just because Christians believe in such a God does not mean that they are the only ones who are or that their concept of a God is necessarily identical. Never try to tell people what they believe.
I wasn't saying that, or telling her what to believe in. The God that she describes and says she believes in is identical to the so called 'Christian God', so I don't see why the 'Christian' should be slapped on there. It just perpetuates stereotypes and misconceptions. I believe that it is the same God, so there's no reason to try and differentiate.
Not, however, identical to the interpretation of God that Christians believe.
I could have just as easily said I believe in God, but not Christianity and it would have meant the exact same thing. But I chose to put Christian God instead because I was stressing the difference between the interpretations of God, not the religion, specifically.
As I said before I say Christians in a general term. Not all Christians are exactly alike and sure there are some that believe God to be much more forgiving, but they believe he is much more forgiving than how Christianity portrays him.
Hm... that sentence could be reworded but I can't figure out how. Oh well. I think I made my point clear enough already. |
Scarecrow Angel
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Posts: 351 | July 24th, 2008 at 01:09am Mrs.Bellamy:Eponine:Quote
Just because Christians believe in such a God does not mean that they are the only ones who are or that their concept of a God is necessarily identical. Never try to tell people what they believe.
I wasn't saying that, or telling her what to believe in. The God that she describes and says she believes in is identical to the so called 'Christian God', so I don't see why the 'Christian' should be slapped on there. It just perpetuates stereotypes and misconceptions. I believe that it is the same God, so there's no reason to try and differentiate.
Not, however, identical to the interpretation of God that Christians believe.
I could have just as easily said I believe in God, but not Christianity and it would have meant the exact same thing. But I chose to put Christian God instead because I was stressing the difference between the interpretations of God, not the religion, specifically.
As I said before I say Christians in a general term. Not all Christians are exactly alike and sure there are some that believe God to be much more forgiving, but they believe he is much more forgiving than how Christianity portrays him.
Hm... that sentence could be reworded but I can't figure out how. Oh well. I think I made my point clear enough already.
Not all Christians are alike, but it is the things they share in common that make up Christianity.
Being Christian is just about choosing to associate yourself with those common beliefs and with other Chrisitans. Even if you believe in a God, you don't necessarily have to participate in religion. |
Mrs.Bellamy
Amateur Author
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 237 | July 24th, 2008 at 05:05am Scarecrow Angel:Mrs.Bellamy:Not, however, identical to the interpretation of God that Christians believe.
I could have just as easily said I believe in God, but not Christianity and it would have meant the exact same thing. But I chose to put Christian God instead because I was stressing the difference between the interpretations of God, not the religion, specifically.
As I said before I say Christians in a general term. Not all Christians are exactly alike and sure there are some that believe God to be much more forgiving, but they believe he is much more forgiving than how Christianity portrays him.
Hm... that sentence could be reworded but I can't figure out how. Oh well. I think I made my point clear enough already.
Not all Christians are alike, but it is the things they share in common that make up Christianity.
Being Christian is just about choosing to associate yourself with those common beliefs and with other Chrisitans. Even if you believe in a God, you don't necessarily have to participate in religion.
Uh. yes. That's what I said in a nutshell. |
Eponine
Writer's Block
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 58 | July 25th, 2008 at 07:27am Mrs.Bellamy:Christians don't all believe the exact same thing, but the religion itself says that people who do not believe in God, and follow his rules, etc etc will be sent to hell.
But that's not what the religion itself says, it's what the people say, that's different.
Christianity is about associating with the common beliefs of that religion, but I don't think that what most people view as the beliefs of Christianity are the actual beliefs. If that makes sense? |
Scarecrow Angel
Cliché Catastrophe
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Posts: 351 | July 25th, 2008 at 07:56am Eponine:Christianity is about associating with the common beliefs of that religion, but I don't think that what most people view as the beliefs of Christianity are the actual beliefs. If that makes sense?
The only common beliefs of the religion are the very basic ones- that there is a God and a Jesus, etc. Beyond that the common beliefs of Christianity can only be the beliefs common to the people -or, in the case of Catholicism and other organised denominations, those decreed by the Church. The religion isn't ultimately fixed- it adapts like any other social meme. |
