My thoughts on different religions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My only pre-determined agenda was to answer the questions and participate in this discussion, to the best of my ability. But yes, I do believe that everyone will one day be judged by God.

The question of openness and inquisitiveness and what constitutes true seeking is a good one. The most important thing -- and I think I and other participating PPs have stated this is -- you have to be willing to get out of your own way. And that is the hardest part. You have to realize that you are a sinner, broken and in need of forgiveness, redemption and salvation. For most of us, that is very, very hard to do. Some people hit rock bottom or a crisis -- they are in dept, they are drinking too much, their marriage falls apart, they get a cancer diagnosis -- whatever, and they realize they can't save themselves. Most of us -- me included for many years -- have it too perfect to notice our need for God. But as a very smart psychiatrist I know once said, there are two kinds of people in the world: Those who are broken, and know it, and act accordingly, and those who are broken but don't know it, and act accordingly. That is where the majority of us fall.

"Seeking God" or "exploring Christianity" is not something you just dabble in, like you've always been interested in golf, so you sign up for a class. If you like it, great, if you don't, you move on to tennis. I believe that is where the majority of people are when they claim to be "inquisitive." It's a great first step, but it is not the place that you need to be to find God. Nor are you truly "open" at this point. You are open to being wowed and if you are hit by a lightening bolt, you may be convinced, but that's what it is going to take. The purpose of God's redemption is not to impress you.

There are actually forms of Christianity that don't believe "you have to realize that you are a sinner" - and other religions reject this idea too and of course humanists reject it. They try to do good because it helps society function, without a concept of sin or heavenly reward.

You've found a path for you -- fine, and insist that it's the only correct path for everyone. Fine, but thinking it doesn't make it so -- except to you.

As I've said, it's very, very hard to recognize and admit it our failings, as you've just proved. But no true Christian ever denies that sin is what separates us from God, and must be redemed in order to find Him. And you are correct, my thinking doesn't make Christianity true for everyone -- God Himself has done that.

I am exhausted. Ta ta!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My only pre-determined agenda was to answer the questions and participate in this discussion, to the best of my ability. But yes, I do believe that everyone will one day be judged by God.

The question of openness and inquisitiveness and what constitutes true seeking is a good one. The most important thing -- and I think I and other participating PPs have stated this is -- you have to be willing to get out of your own way. And that is the hardest part. You have to realize that you are a sinner, broken and in need of forgiveness, redemption and salvation. For most of us, that is very, very hard to do. Some people hit rock bottom or a crisis -- they are in dept, they are drinking too much, their marriage falls apart, they get a cancer diagnosis -- whatever, and they realize they can't save themselves. Most of us -- me included for many years -- have it too perfect to notice our need for God. But as a very smart psychiatrist I know once said, there are two kinds of people in the world: Those who are broken, and know it, and act accordingly, and those who are broken but don't know it, and act accordingly. That is where the majority of us fall.

"Seeking God" or "exploring Christianity" is not something you just dabble in, like you've always been interested in golf, so you sign up for a class. If you like it, great, if you don't, you move on to tennis. I believe that is where the majority of people are when they claim to be "inquisitive." It's a great first step, but it is not the place that you need to be to find God. Nor are you truly "open" at this point. You are open to being wowed and if you are hit by a lightening bolt, you may be convinced, but that's what it is going to take. The purpose of God's redemption is not to impress you.

There are actually forms of Christianity that don't believe "you have to realize that you are a sinner" - and other religions reject this idea too and of course humanists reject it. They try to do good because it helps society function, without a concept of sin or heavenly reward.

You've found a path for you -- fine, and insist that it's the only correct path for everyone. Fine, but thinking it doesn't make it so -- except to you.

As I've said, it's very, very hard to recognize and admit it our failings, as you've just proved. But no true Christian ever denies that sin is what separates us from God, and must be redemed in order to find Him. And you are correct, my thinking doesn't make Christianity true for everyone -- God Himself has done that.

I am exhausted. Ta ta!

Backatcha

[Anonymous]

Organized religions edit their doctrines first to subjugate woman and then to rule over men. Religion is used to gain power and influence. It is used to instill fear and secure wealth. You can only find God when you leave the institution of religion.

[Anonymous]

Organized religions edit their doctrines first to subjugate woman and then to rule over men. Religion is used to gain power and influence. It is used to instill fear and secure wealth. You can only find God when you leave the institution of religion.

You just haven't found the right one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I realize that there may be several PPs participating in this discussion, but one or more of you seem obsessed with the idea that the Bible is written by men, and therefore fallible. But I would say that this is part of the truth and uniqueness of the Judeo-Christian God -- He himself became a man, walking among us, the human race. That is God reaching out to us, interacting with us, more than we can even comprehend. Yes, the
Bible was penned by man, but it is the inspired word of God, again reaching out to us in concrete form that we can now see and touch. Do I believe that every comma, word and sentence is literally perfect and in our interpretation, completely without error? No. But the Bible is meant to be taken in its entirety and when you read it that way, you will see the unfolding of your own story -- your creation, your human failings, your craving for an answer and your search for meaning, and God's repeated attempts to come to you.

You do realize that Muslims believe the same about the Koran?

Here is a reference as to the Koran:

"The Quran is the last testament in a series of divine revelations from God (Allah in Arabic). It consists of the unaltered and direct words of God, which were revealed through the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam, more than 1400 years ago."

Why would one give greater credence to what Christians believe about the Bible versus what Muslims believe about the Koran?

Have you read the entire Koran and the entire Bible? Or just popular verses?