Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

But how do you make yourself believe in something? A person could go through all the motions -- praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., but what if, buried deep in their heart, they have doubts? What are they supposed to do about that? What if they try to believe until their last breath, but can't make the doubt go away?

That is my ultimate difficulty with this variety of Christianity. All of the things a person can control, all of the things they can make choices about, are irrelevant. All that matters is something that's not truly within their control.

you can resort to pascal's wager -- saying you believe - and hoping God can't see through it. Some people think it's worth a try. Others think that's silly too - trying to put one over on an omniscient being.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Not believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as your savior is why people go to hell, not specific sins.

This.

So all Jews go to Hell. I save sick children, but I go to hell. This is why it's so hard to respect religious people.

Jews are God's chosen people.

So...what?

So.. He created a special relationship with the Jewish people. I do not believe that they will go to hell, even though they do not believe that Jesus is the savior.

Ah so just the Buddhists all go to hell for no reason. Good to know the rule doesn't apply to Jews. Do you not hear how stupid and arbitrary this sounds?

Are you saying christian beliefs are stupid and arbitrary? Jesus loves us and wants us to lives with him forever in heaven.

+1

And it's not "just the Buddhists," as though they are singled out to be damned. All fall short of the glory of God and must seek salvation through Jesus Christ.

Except not Jews, right? Arbitrary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

My God is not that petty.

You decided that christian beliefs are petty and invented your own god

No, I decided your version of Christianity is petty and wrong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Not believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as your savior is why people go to hell, not specific sins.

This.

So all Jews go to Hell. I save sick children, but I go to hell. This is why it's so hard to respect religious people.

Jews are God's chosen people.

So...what?

So.. He created a special relationship with the Jewish people. I do not believe that they will go to hell, even though they do not believe that Jesus is the savior.

Ah so just the Buddhists all go to hell for no reason. Good to know the rule doesn't apply to Jews. Do you not hear how stupid and arbitrary this sounds?

Are you saying christian beliefs are stupid and arbitrary? Jesus loves us and wants us to lives with him forever in heaven.

+1

And it's not "just the Buddhists," as though they are singled out to be damned. All fall short of the glory of God and must seek salvation through Jesus Christ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Not believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as your savior is why people go to hell, not specific sins.

This.

So all Jews go to Hell. I save sick children, but I go to hell. This is why it's so hard to respect religious people.

Jews are God's chosen people.

So...what?

So.. He created a special relationship with the Jewish people. I do not believe that they will go to hell, even though they do not believe that Jesus is the savior.

Ah so just the Buddhists all go to hell for no reason. Good to know the rule doesn't apply to Jews. Do you not hear how stupid and arbitrary this sounds?

Are you saying christian beliefs are stupid and arbitrary? Jesus loves us and wants us to lives with him forever in heaven.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Not believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as your savior is why people go to hell, not specific sins.

This.

So all Jews go to Hell. I save sick children, but I go to hell. This is why it's so hard to respect religious people.

Jews are God's chosen people.

So...what?

So.. He created a special relationship with the Jewish people. I do not believe that they will go to hell, even though they do not believe that Jesus is the savior.

Making up your own beliefs again. Sure, there are a lot of nice Jews out there and other non-Christians too, but too bad for them if they don't accept Jesus as their savior

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

My God is not that petty.

You decided that christian beliefs are petty and invented your own god

+1

"Your God" does not exist. Anyone who uses the term "my God" is speaking of a fictional character invented in their own mind to serve their own purposes. Idolatry at it's finest.

Anonymous wrote:I hope my son's sx girlfriend dies soon and rots in hell for killing MY grandchild.

are your Christian? if so, wouldn't you like you to be forgiven?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

My God is not that petty.

You decided that christian beliefs are petty and invented your own god

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

But how do you make yourself believe in something? A person could go through all the motions -- praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., but what if, buried deep in their heart, they have doubts? What are they supposed to do about that? What if they try to believe until their last breath, but can't make the doubt go away?

That is my ultimate difficulty with this variety of Christianity. All of the things a person can control, all of the things they can make choices about, are irrelevant. All that matters is something that's not truly within their control.

EVERYONE has doubts at some point in their life. Even the most devoutly religious Christians. Doubt is part of faith and part of belief. You don't "make yourself" believe something. You live your life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Even He acknowledged doubts and in fact, talks about them in the New Testament.

Don't you ever "doubt" that you love your DH? Be honest here. But does that mean you up and decide to divorce him tomorrow, because of it?

So doubting but continuing to go to church is good enough? And then you get away with acting horribly as long as you say sorry? Pathetic

There is a lot more to following Jesus Christ than simply "going to church." If that is your view of religion, it is painfully shallow. And no, you don't "get away" with acting horribly. Acting Horribly and Following Jesus Christ are contradictory.

So what is sufficient belief then? You say doubt is a fine and acceptable part of it. I believe Jesus was a really great person and maybe more a child of God than the rest of us. But not sure. Am I a believer?

I don't think God judges us in the end on our level of belief. (It's not like there is a thermometer and if you hit a certain number, you're OK!) Romans 10:9 is very clear: If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I think this is interesting because it requires two things: action and belief. To me, the "action" is yes, affirming that we are followers but then also, continuing to live your life that way. That means, continuing to seek a relationship with Him. If you do that, He will reach out and meet you, I promise you that. So, it's not enough (in my mind) to say, OK, I believe, now on with life. What God is seeking through Christ is to change you and live in your life here, now and in the years to come that you have on earth. It is a constantly growing process.

In fact, Revelation 13: 15 - 16 says this about people who profess to believing, but then continue to march on their own merry way: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

In other words, I think God finds that even more offensive than people who never came to know Him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

But how do you make yourself believe in something? A person could go through all the motions -- praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., but what if, buried deep in their heart, they have doubts? What are they supposed to do about that? What if they try to believe until their last breath, but can't make the doubt go away?

That is my ultimate difficulty with this variety of Christianity. All of the things a person can control, all of the things they can make choices about, are irrelevant. All that matters is something that's not truly within their control.

EVERYONE has doubts at some point in their life. Even the most devoutly religious Christians. Doubt is part of faith and part of belief. You don't "make yourself" believe something. You live your life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Even He acknowledged doubts and in fact, talks about them in the New Testament.

Don't you ever "doubt" that you love your DH? Be honest here. But does that mean you up and decide to divorce him tomorrow, because of it?

So doubting but continuing to go to church is good enough? And then you get away with acting horribly as long as you say sorry? Pathetic

There is a lot more to following Jesus Christ than simply "going to church." If that is your view of religion, it is painfully shallow. And no, you don't "get away" with acting horribly. Acting Horribly and Following Jesus Christ are contradictory.

So what is sufficient belief then? You say doubt is a fine and acceptable part of it. I believe Jesus was a really great person and maybe more a child of God than the rest of us. But not sure. Am I a believer?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

But how do you make yourself believe in something? A person could go through all the motions -- praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., but what if, buried deep in their heart, they have doubts? What are they supposed to do about that? What if they try to believe until their last breath, but can't make the doubt go away?

That is my ultimate difficulty with this variety of Christianity. All of the things a person can control, all of the things they can make choices about, are irrelevant. All that matters is something that's not truly within their control.

EVERYONE has doubts at some point in their life. Even the most devoutly religious Christians. Doubt is part of faith and part of belief. You don't "make yourself" believe something. You live your life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Even He acknowledged doubts and in fact, talks about them in the New Testament.

Don't you ever "doubt" that you love your DH? Be honest here. But does that mean you up and decide to divorce him tomorrow, because of it?

So doubting but continuing to go to church is good enough? And then you get away with acting horribly as long as you say sorry? Pathetic

There is a lot more to following Jesus Christ than simply "going to church." If that is your view of religion, it is painfully shallow. And no, you don't "get away" with acting horribly. Acting Horribly and Following Jesus Christ are contradictory.

But you say it's fine as long as you then repent. And then do something else bad but then repent. But the person who works hard to actually be good but doesn't "believe" (though it's unclear what that means since it seems like doubt is fine) goes to hell. That's painfully shallow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

But how do you make yourself believe in something? A person could go through all the motions -- praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., but what if, buried deep in their heart, they have doubts? What are they supposed to do about that? What if they try to believe until their last breath, but can't make the doubt go away?

That is my ultimate difficulty with this variety of Christianity. All of the things a person can control, all of the things they can make choices about, are irrelevant. All that matters is something that's not truly within their control.

EVERYONE has doubts at some point in their life. Even the most devoutly religious Christians. Doubt is part of faith and part of belief. You don't "make yourself" believe something. You live your life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Even He acknowledged doubts and in fact, talks about them in the New Testament.

Don't you ever "doubt" that you love your DH? Be honest here. But does that mean you up and decide to divorce him tomorrow, because of it?

So doubting but continuing to go to church is good enough? And then you get away with acting horribly as long as you say sorry? Pathetic

There is a lot more to following Jesus Christ than simply "going to church." If that is your view of religion, it is painfully shallow. And no, you don't "get away" with acting horribly. Acting Horribly and Following Jesus Christ are contradictory.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I believe it's worse to bring an unwanted child into the world. I, along with several people I know had abortions because we weren't able to care for or raise a child when we accidently got pregnant. I know I did the right thing and I'm sure you did too.

You "accidentally" got pregnant? Wow, that's a first. You can't even own up to the fact that you played a role in it.

You could have chosen life and adopted your child out, rather than killing it.

I didn't say that I didn't have a role in it. I was using the pill and it failed. So, yes, it was an accident. I was so thankful that abortion is safe and legal and was upheld by the Supreme Court because I didn't want to give birth to an unwanted child and give it away. I don't believe that life begins at conception (like so many Americans) so I don't believe that a baby ever existed.

I am Pro-Choice which means I believe that women should be able to make this very personal, hugely important decision for themselves. If you don't think abortion is right for you, fine, but stop spewing your hateful messages and trying to impose your beliefs on others.

"What you believe" is nice, but irrelevant. What is important are the facts. And the facts are, that life begins at conception/ implantation, whether or not that is convenient for you in your situation. And "give birth to an unwanted child?" How ridiculously selfish is that? I assure you, many, many, many people would have wanted that child to have a life. And so did God.

Which is it, conception or implantation? Since it's only what YOU believe that matters.

Credible scientists differ on that. But in any case, it's just a difference of a few days/ a week at the most and in almost all cases before the woman even knows she is pregnant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL no it doesn't work that way

It most certainly does. God knows his people are sinners and he forgives them as long as they are sorry and continue to believe in Jesus as their savior. If they are sorry, or stop committing so many sins but no longer believe in Jesus, then he does not forgive them. Those people don't care, because they no longer believe in salvation, but God is still keeping track of them and will punish them after they die for their lack of belief, no matter how good they were compared to faithful Christians.

But how do you make yourself believe in something? A person could go through all the motions -- praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., but what if, buried deep in their heart, they have doubts? What are they supposed to do about that? What if they try to believe until their last breath, but can't make the doubt go away?

That is my ultimate difficulty with this variety of Christianity. All of the things a person can control, all of the things they can make choices about, are irrelevant. All that matters is something that's not truly within their control.

EVERYONE has doubts at some point in their life. Even the most devoutly religious Christians. Doubt is part of faith and part of belief. You don't "make yourself" believe something. You live your life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Even He acknowledged doubts and in fact, talks about them in the New Testament.

Don't you ever "doubt" that you love your DH? Be honest here. But does that mean you up and decide to divorce him tomorrow, because of it?

So doubting but continuing to go to church is good enough? And then you get away with acting horribly as long as you say sorry? Pathetic