Religion Questions??

[ensbergcollector]

Is God against freedom of speech? People say it's blasphemy to use the Lord's name in vain....Why can't I say whatever I please without fear of going to hell?

PS: Gatorboymike is never dull huh?

God is not against freedom of speech. In fact, throughout scripture, people yell at God, get angry and God, question God, etc.

Yes, he asks that we do not take his name in vain. The idea being that if we truly view him as holy then we would not take his name in vain. However, you are not going to hell for taking his name in vain any more than any other sin. Hell is about your acceptance of Jesus and God, not what comes out of your mouth.

[walt55054life]

There are numerous ways to interpret a lot of revelation. There are parts that are simply giving us a glimpse into Heaven but the rest is, in a lot of ways, metaphor and imagery. I think the point of revelation is more about the holiness of God and his desire to redeem us then it is about what the numbers mean and all the other debates. Now, I enjoy debating, but as far as what we are to glean from it, I plead I don't know the answer.

thanks a ton for taking your tiem to adress

[shortking98]

anyone care to answer my questions?

As far as I can tell you asked only one question, the rest was just complaints. What the Jews did wrong was denying Jesus as the Christ to put it concisely

[gatorboymike]

The older definition of "jealousy" is earnest concern, which is not a sin, and has nothing to do with differing standards applied to human and God jealousy. Only in the last few centuries has the primary use of the word changed to what it means now, much the same way that "nice" used to mean miserly, but no longer is that the primary understanding of the word. Blame humans and their tendency to change language meaning for that, not what the writer of the Biblical verse wrote.

I've never heard that definition. And the way that most Christians today refer to a "jealous God" doesn't seem to be in that way to me. They alway say that when you ask them why faith is so important, because it offends god to not be worshiped. Do you have any sources on that, or document instances of people using that older definition?

As for gatorboymike's other concerns, it looks primarily like the Old Testament is what bothers you, especially the many laws condemning people to death, etc. Actually, this is entirely understandable, and it's one of the reasons I experience difficulty in faith daily (I think many Christians are dishonest with how strong their faith is; either that or I struggle greatly with doubt more than I should). It's much easier to focus on what Jesus said, such as "love your enemies," and "turn the other cheek" instead of "an eye for an eye" (the latter of which itself is an Old Testament law). The Jesus principles are what draw most people into Christianity, and are also responsible for the view of a loving and forgiving God. It's reconciling the different testaments that is perhaps the most difficult aspect of Biblical faith. You can't say that the Westboro people are adhering more to the Bible more than others have, only that they are adhering more to literal Old Testament interpretation; they certainly aren't adhering to Jesus' primary principles.

Well, it seems to me that focusing solely on the New Testament and ignoring the Old Testament is like trying to pretend there was never slavery or genocide of Native Americans in the U.S. If you've ever read the Old Testament, you can't deny that it's full of grisly and horrible things. If Christianity was meant to be a departure from that, the OT wouldn't be part of the Bible.

And personally, I don't see how the god of the OT and the god of the NT can possibly be the same god. Unless, of course, god somehow developed an entirely different personality between testaments. How can you reconcile the idea that god used to want you to conquer and destroy, but now wants you to love and forgive?

This happens to everyone of any conceptual persuasion. People who think that only Christians do this are greatly mistaken. No human beings are good at keeping their ideas to themselves. You and a couple of other posters have been quite outspoken against Christianity and the Bible on these forums. Do you mean to tell me that you and all other non-Christians aren't interested in trying to persuade others to your views?

ALL non-Christians? Of course not. But Christians are the overwhelming majority in my country, so I tend to get fixated on them. If I walked across my college campus right now, I could be stopped by five different Christians asking me to come to their church, attend one of their meetings, vote for McCain and/or give them money...and that's true every day. I run into a non-Christian religious person doing the same thing maybe once every two weeks. But if I were to get the same talk from a Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Krishna, Scientologist or whatever, I'd give them the same treatment, because all of those religions are equally nonsense to me. Christianity is just the only one with the political and social influence to force its way into my life from all angles at all times.

[ensbergcollector]

The only reason I resent it is because certain people feel that they have the right, privilege and duty to attack me and try to change me because I have different spiritual and philosophical beliefs than they do. They think no one should be allowed to disagree with them, and anyone who does deserves to have horrors befall them. Anyone who keeps their beliefs to themself, I have no problem with. But we all know that most Christians don't do that.

And by all means, mock the sun. It doesn't care, and I don't get angry on its behalf.

you do as much attacking as any Christian.

as far as keeping their beliefs to themselves, while no one has a right to attack you or condemn you, simply sharing their beliefs should be fine. People share beliefs all the time about food, movies, football, and anything else they feel strongly about.

[WilyWestbrook0]

gladdy, Jews are God's original chosen people as they were apparently the first monotheists, and there is a Biblical passage even in the primarily Gentile New Testament that Israel is "the apple of God's eye" and that He does not want people to persecute them. Unfortunately, many modern Gentile Christians are immensely ignorant of this and commit atrocities that Jesus certainly would not condone. However, there is a more educated sphere of Christianity that seeks good relations and protection of Israel, but they do not get the media attention of people like Mel Gibson.

[gladdyontherise]

I have been to the synagaoge before and I would say that jews think they are better than christians, and christains think they are better than muslims, and muslims think they are better than buddists---that make sense, we all believe our religion is better, but I agree I think most Christians don't like the Jewish faith b/c they don't believe Jesus is the son of God and they supposdivley (sp) put him to death<--(once again watch "constantines sword")

And I am sorry you take crap for being Jewish I hate that.

trust me, i know plenty of jews who think they are better than everyone else, i dont like them at all. i always get "how can you be a jew, and not be rich" those are steriotypes i know everyone thinks or has heard. which is very insulting actually.

i'm not very religous at all, and am not to worried on what everyone believes, as long as they don't try to brain wash me into turning into something else, go for it! once someone attempts though, i get a little mean and angry

i got approached a month ago by 2 christian (not sure on exact religion) but were christians in general, going door to door, trying to persuade they have the perfect religion, if that ever happened again, i'd call the cops since its against the law to do so and now have "no soliciting" sign in the window

[ensbergcollector]

i can't agree with the bible at all, why you ask....well, i'm jewish
so i will never read it or care to do so, i've already had my bar mitzvah and read from the torah (same type of thing as the bible)

but here's my question, if the bible is so right and everything, why did he create people who have killed millions and millions of jew's since the existence of humans. what did jew's do wrong? because they wanted there own country? i'm lost.....

and also, not saying all, or trying to start fuss, but of any religion that i have seen or heard of, christians just hate jew's. not trying to start problems, i'm stating this is the case i've read since the begining of time in textbooks are from real world expierence

also there is so much torture to jew's. i get harrassed about being jewish alot, and for no other reason than its a minority religion and christians think they are better (or most do)

Hey man,

I have to leave the office and head home but I really want to discuss your questions and points. This is a very important thing so please know that I am going to respond here in just a minute.

[walt55054life]

We also do not believe hell is eternal, which is perhaps our most controversial view. There are a host of reasons for this which I may attempt to cover at another time if people are interested.

very interested in hearing your view on this

[fdgowin]

Seeing this thread reminds me of my favorite collectibles, and that's getting photos signed with a player's favorite scripture. I have gotten quite a few of them from the FCA in St. Louis, including the president of the huddle, Ricky Horton. (lots of Cardinals & Rams)

My Kurt Warner is also personalized with his favorite scripture, and the funny part is, it got signed at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

I am a bit of an amateur theologian myself (finished my undergrad at a Christian college,) and head up a few ministries at my local church (www.bethaltofcc.com) as well as my involvement with the Promise Keepers, FCA, and Men at the Cross.

Here is a great reference for anyone wanting to look-up scripture:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

I think this is great thread, and a fulfillment of 1 Peter 3:15 -

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. "

fdgowin