Question:
You know it is said to love your enemy's in the Bible. If you are a true christian and somebody asked you to pray for all the terrorist's in the world, God would do it, would you.

Choices:
yes, alway's pray for your enemy's to know Jesus
no, terrorist's are no good idiot's
Say Jesus you are crazy and not pray
pray for him in a bad way not in a good way

 

This guy is likely just a troll. If the admins could look at his IP and find out whetehr we have someone who is just ignorant and should be allowed to speak and be ridiculed, or whether this is a twerp who should be banned.

Sorry about this extra post. I went to "edit post" right after I first posted it but it took me longer than 5 minutes and it wouldn't let me change it. So here's what I wanted to add:

Questioning certain parts of Christianity does not mean that you are not a "true Christian." If anything, it just shows me that you are actively searching. My main suggestion is to be open to God and, most importantly PRAY! Some of my friends have come to me telling me that they're not sure there is a God, or if Christianity is correct, etc. I always tell them first and foremost to pray about it. God already knows that you are struggling...but He wants you to tell Him. Seriously...just ask for His guidance, that He will be what influences you.

First of all, I'm glad I was able to clear up some issues.

quote:

---

To tell you the truth, I don't think that I'm a true Christian. I've been questioning what the Bible says and other various Christian beliefs, and often I disagree with them.

---

I’m okay with questioning the Bible. A book with internal evidence alone (where it says “this book is right”) is not automatically valid. This is why external evidence (archaeology, history, science, plain ol' common sense, etc.) is necessary to prove the validity of a book.

I’ll admit I’ve come across things in the Bible that confused me…but when I looked closer at the topic my confusion was laid to rest, or I took the issue on faith because the Bible has proven itself trustworthy. May I ask what issues or beliefs you’ve been struggling with?

To jstar and Genius: Thanks for your clarifications. I'm sorry if I sounded so angry, but this sort of topic almost always gets me fired up. To tell you the truth, I don't think that I'm a true Christian. I've been questioning what the Bible says and other various Christian beliefs, and often I disagree with them. But I try to be a kind person, even though sometimes I forget to. :/

To DoctorNo: ::shakes her head and clicks her tongue:: Yeesh. I can't believe there are still these kinds of people hanging around... but somehow I'm never shocked by them... Yup, Jesus was a Jew, Herr Doktor. What other kind of religion could he have followed, since he wasn't a Roman Pagan? Those Nazis that called themselves "Christians" were the world's biggest hypocrites (among other things...). It's time to wake up to reality: Jesus was Jewish, and your Fuhrer is dead, thank God!

Yes…Jesus was Jewish. You see, Christianity is based on Judaism, which is why our Old Testament is part of the Jews’ scripture. Jesus was born from a long lineage that was definitely Jewish. However, when Jesus came, he gave a new law. (Love God and your neighbors….turn the cheek, no longer “eye for an eye.”) Because Jesus gave a new law, he was revolutionary. Judaism is based on the law given to them by God…read the Old Testament in the Bible and you can read the huge amount of laws that Jews are expected to follow. The thing is, though, that nobody can follow the law…it is impossible because we are imperfect. God did this to prove to man that we are not perfect. Thus, he sent Jesus, who gave a new law, and died for us on the cross. He died as an atonement for our sins, so that we are no longer guilty in God’s eyes when we accept Jesus. There was a sign placed on Jesus’ cross that read “The King of the Jews.” This was sarcastic because it was the Jews who urged Jesus’ crucifixion. We call our religion “Christianity” because it is based on Jesus Christ. I’m not sure when this term came into use, but sometime after Jesus died then rose again.

I feel no need to comment on your other anti-Semitic comments. Whether they were meant sincerely or just to toy with us…there is no validity to any of them.

Forgive me for commenting, but your subject is really interesting specially that GENIUS mentioned that Jesus was Jewish. If Jesus was Jewish, why then this new religion called Christianity which the Jews themselves see as being wrong and incorrect? And if indeed Jesus was Jewish, then there is no wonder that not a single Christian gave a damm when Jesus's Birthplace in Betlehem was bombed, profaned, and ransacked by Jesus's own kin. Frankly, the true way for salvation is to re-open Auschwitz and hence, continue that noble cause which the late honorable Herr Hitler began. Only then can Christians see the truth without having masters of lies telling them what is the true way for salvation and redemption.

First of all, to Redjill--> i'm truly sorry that you went through those tough times when you were younger-kids are ruthless. i'm also sorry that you may have something against me due to some of my posts. that's why whenever i post something i make sure that i'm not saying anything offensive or insulting; i try to make statements that aren't inflammatory to people's tempers. To Jstarr555-good job explaining stuff... i'm just going to add on-
OK- about judging. Redjill, i believe u have the wrong idea about what judging is. There's a difference between JUDGING and DISCERNING between right and wrong. I may know that what someone is doing is not right-that's discerning between right and wrong. If i automatically assume that that person is BAD, then that is judging. That's what is left up to God. And about Jesus judging: (in His own words): "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." -John 7:24. "And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me." -John 8:16.
ABOUT GOING TO HEAVEN (in His own words): "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned." -Mark 16:16//"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."-John 3:3 *"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."*John 14:6//(not own words): "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."-2 Thessalonians 2:12.
This clearly says whos going where.

BEING SAVED MEANS FOLLOWING JESUS (own words): "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto Him, and make our abode with Him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."-John 14:23-24//(not Jesus' words)"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid...Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."-Romans 6:1-2,6
This deals with how being saved means that you follow Jesus! Like Jstarr555 said- I seriously question anyone who claims to be saved but doesn't change anything about their lives!

HOW TO BE SAVED: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."-Roman 10:9-10

I could continue like this for a long time, it's all right there in the Bible. It's important for you to realize, Redjill, that what Christians say (true Christians, meaning those who follow Jesus and his teachings) is not of their own opinions (according to you, who we "like and don't like"), but of what God says in His word. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."-1 John 5:13. Christians DO know who is saved and who isn't, to a point. Like jstar555 said, only God knows for SURE. But we know the criteria. And about persecuting other people who aren't Christian- that is not what Christianity is about. This is where judgment and discernment come in- we can see that something is wrong, but it would also be wrong to persecute someone for it. Those who persecute are not true Christians, because as you said, Jesus would not persecute anyone. There is NO acceptance of hate in Christianity- those who do hate others, that hate comes from themselves not Christ.
Much Love, God Bless

Redjill--
First of all, I’m sorry that your faith has been bashed by other Christians before. I'd like to apologize on their behalf. I’ll admit that I don’t really understand or agree with some of the Catholic practices…but I am able to see that they do not automatically make a non-Christian out of a Catholic. Do we have an absolute list of who is going to heaven and who is not? No…only God knows. However, we do have the Bible, which lays out for us how to be saved…and states that those who are not saved will not be with God after death. We do not know who is a “true” Christian or not…although Christians are expected to bear fruit. As far as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons…that’s a whole other topic.

No, Christians are not God…but I believe that God can use Christians to interpret His word and then to spread it. This may include correcting people who have blatantly misinterpreted His word and those who are not acting like Christians. Of course, this must be done in a gentle and loving manner. You asked if Jesus would have judged people. Yes! The difference is that He had this right…He’s God! Just read any of the gospels and you will be able to read accounts of Jesus correcting others…especially the Pharisees. (Who focused entirely on behaving well…not on actually having faith in God.)

I agree that Christians should go out there and display God’s love. Like St. Francis of Assisi said… “preach the gospel and when necessary use words.” Yet remember that sometimes…words are necessary. (Understanding words, however…of which “stupid” is not.)

As for your last question. Yes, somebody can go to heaven if they believe “in Christ with all his or her heart,” even if they do not behave in a Christ-like manner. However, like I said before, a Christian is expected to bear fruit… in this case meaning that the person should change. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9not by works, so that no one can boast.” If a person became Christian and then acted the exact same as before, I would wonder if they were a true Christian, however I would not know for sure…only God knows our hearts.

Here’s what it all comes down to: Christians should lay out the gospel and how to be “saved.” It is okay for Christians to tell others the truth regarding salvation and who the Bible says does not have it, however this must be done in a loving manner. I hope this clears up some problems…let me know if you have any questions.

--Jilaine

Am I the only one who thinks that this is a totally biased poll? What about "pray for the victims, and for the violence to end"?? Sheesh...

First, a sorta hesitant hug for Joey here And now, my rant...

Just for the record, I used to be a Catholic. Reading many of these posts brought back the painful memories of my childhood, where I was told that I was going to Hell because I wasn't Christian, because I "worshipped the saints." These kids would have done no worse had they spat right in my face... it would've felt the same way. Reading some of these posts, especially those of Genius (what a befitting name ::rolls eyes::), was like reliving that all over again.

One of the things that angers me most about many people who call themselves Christian is that they feel that they have an absolute definition of who is going to Heaven (which always includes themselves), and who is going to Hell (most everybody else, especially those they don't like or agree with). And not only that, but they "know" who is a "true" Christian and who is just another lost soul bound for the flames of Hell. Some believe that all those outside their domination of Christianity will go to Hell (such as the Jehovah's Witnesses), while others believe that anyone who isn't a conservative Protestant Christian will burn... so Mormons and Catholics aren't "real" Christians, because they practice "idolitry" and worship more than one god figure (supposedly Catholics do this), or they have added another book to the Bible and practice "weird" customs (Mormons). There are those who say that if someone doesn't obey certain "commandments" of the Bible (even if they aren't harming anyone or themselves in doing so, such as being homosexual or dabbling in astrology), they will go to Hell.

To these people, I ask them this: ARE YOU GOD?? Are you the one who will judge the living and the dead in the end? Are you somehow endowed with the wisdom and power of the Almighty, who knows who is worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom? Then why do you act as if you are?? What gives you the right and privilage to judge people and scorn them based on your own criteria for what makes a good candidate for Heaven? Remember those overly trendy bracelets a few years ago, that asked WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)? Now ask yourself: would Jesus have judged people in this way? Would He have said basically, "You're wrong, I'm right, shut up!"? As for this Catholic-bashing, are you aware that the Catholic church was one of THE original Christian churches (it was either this or the Eastern Orthodox church... any other, and you were automatically a heretic... now many Protestants do the same thing... go figure ;P), the only church in Europe, until about the 16th century? Don't you recall how the pagan Romans regarded the early Christians? The Romans believed that Christianity was not only inferior, strange, and blasphemous, but also evil and dangerous to Rome; they thought Christians practiced cannibalism (the whole "body and blood of Christ" ritual was greatly misunderstood), killed infants as sacrifices to their god, and plotted the destruction of the Roman empire (which in some cases may have been true, since Rome was regarded as a second Babylon, as shown in Revelations Chapters 18 and 19). Now many who call themselves "true" Christians go and persecute those of other faiths (especially Wiccans and other pagans) in this very same way!

So why are you wasting so much time and energy trying to tell people that their beliefs are, as one member here so eloquently put it, STUPID?? Why don't you go out and help people, showering them with what it means to be a Christian: following Jesus's example: His kindness, love, and HUMILITY.

One last question to think about: if a person believes in Christ with all his or her heart, but shows nothing but scorn and even hatred for those who do not believe as he or she does, will that person's belief alone really guarentee a place in Heaven?

Joey--
I just want to thank you for doing exactly what just about everybody here on youthnoise advocates...having an open mind. It takes a humble spirit to allow God to break down misconceptions and replace them with his view on things. It is refreshing to see God at work in his children.
--Jilaine

I've learned a lot today (Thanksgiving to be exact) just by listening to my grandma and by reading jstar555's post.

I know there's this huge "neon sign" with the word HYPOCRITE right above my head to some of you, but seriously, I have had a major learning curve...


...The criteria for being a Christian is to accept Jesus, what He did, why He did it and to believe that He is the Son of God, and that He sits on the right hand side of God, and when He rose from the dead, his Spirit ascended (not descended) into all of us.

...And now think of the THOUSANDS of denominations there are --- they all have different ways of doing things and different methods of doing things, yet they - if they believe in what I just translated - are also Christians.


So the deal with the Catholic church - yes, there are devout Christians who are also Catholic, and yes, just like with all religious denominations, the original message/doctrine or whatever fades into a more "human-oriented" form of worship, etc.


Now I'm rambling; but hey, I'm not perfect, never claimed to be, but just know that by being a Christian, you constantly learn stuff.


And I'm learning

Okay, The books of the Christian Bible do not include the Apocrypha(sp?) for a very simple reason. There were a TON of books considered, but every O.T. book is quoted/refered to somwhere in the N.T. and that is why the Apocrypha(or however it is spelled) is not included. Simple as that.

I just want to say that it is obsolete and pointless to pray to the saints or Mary because God, in the Holy Spirit intercedes for us:
Romans 8:26-27(NIV)-"In th esame way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know hat we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groands that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." God is a lot greater than anything else...so what's the point.

Here's something that's just my opinion. I hate how there are all the 'saints' because a saint is a follower of Jesus Christ. If one has done as the word says "...confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead..." Romans 10:9 than they are a saint. But that's just my little pet peeve, it has no real argumentitive point.

Also, that thing in Rev. about adding/subtracting words from "this book" is probably specifically from that actual book because the Bible wasn't as we know it now when Rev. was written. BTW, that also probably means that the point shouldn't be changed. I say this because if taken literally it means that it can't be translated since it wouldn't translate exactly, but that can't be true since the Bible states, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole word as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt. 24:14 (NIV)

Jade191- I know that your post wasn't directed to me, but I'm going to say something about it anyway. I myself grew up in a Evangelical(that's a Christian denomination) Church. So, it was all sort of forced on me to a certain extent. I have looked at other belief systems, but I always come back to where I started. The Christian belief system is the only one where the main person actually conquered death. Plus, Noahs flood was verified, as was the actually ark for that matter. There are also historical records of most things that the Bible talks about (wars, etc.) This is unlike most. It is seriously something that I suggest anyone researching and looking over for themselves before they claim it or condemn it.

Lastly, bluebunnymafia
In Christianity we believe that there is one god (we're Monotheistic). That means that the other belief systems pray to non existent deities. As I stated above God wants all nations to hear of Him and have the opportunity to know Him. He doesn't pray for them, we do and He answers our prays, He could say yes, no ,wait, or yes, but I'll put it into action in a little different way. We may pray for an end to terrorism and we are thinking of winning this "war" but instead He arranges something like a miraculous conversion or something (this is just an example). He is a loving God and loves all His children which include Muslims, Hindus, Gays, Wiccans, Satanists, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, etc. It's like how you love someone and you seem them go down the "wrong track" maybe getting into drugs or something, but you still love them. That's how He is.

Well Joey would disagree, catholics believe in teh death and resurecction but he doesn't think that's enough to be a christian.
I think the point Queen tries to make is that she believes there are degrees of christendom. You might even want to call them "good Christians" and "bad Christians". On a straight line there are those more Christ-like and less so, thus "more" christian, and "less" chrisitan.
Now, of course, definitions, like the religion they try to define are subjective and rest n interpretation of the Bible and the balance of focus on Jesus or the entire book, the emphasis on prayer or acts, how one goes about becoming redeemed or saved, how a modern person is to follow a 2000 year old religion best, and many other considerations which IMHO leaves the best definitions as the most broad, and sets the onus for internal squabbling on the heads of the purported beleivers and not the population at large. The whole lot of you all can fight and argue amongst yourselves.

This is in response to some of Joey’s posts… but addressed to all.

Okay… Catholicism. Let me start out by saying that I grew up in the Catholic Church and the majority of my family is Catholic. Because of this I know more about Catholicism and I’ve seen firsthand true Christians in the Catholic Church. A few years ago I became a Christian and decided to start attending a non-denominational church. I chose to do so because I do not like the way Catholics worship… this is mere preference.

Catholics are Christian. This was the foundational church that Protestants came from. Martin Luther went to the grave saying he was still a Catholic... but affirming that yes, change was needed in the Church. Now, while I might not agree with certain practices… like the Pope and praying to Mary… I do not believe these practices automatically block their entrance to heaven. Of course, if somebody sits there and says that they have to pray to Mary to get through to God… then yeah, it would make me wonder if they were gonna go to heaven. However, the fact is, the Bible says “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) Catholics do this.

I’m not saying that all Catholics are Christian, however. (Just like not all Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, etc. are Christians.) For example, let’s say somebody just goes to mass every Sunday… goes through the motions without really experiencing or believing in God. That person is not a Christian. Let me remind you…this is found in every denomination.

One more thing… Joey: please be careful when you say things like “I can guarantee it will be the One World Religion that we hear so much about.” You cannot guarantee this. You do not know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that whatever the Pope is discussing will become what is predicted in Revelation. In fact, you yourself even said that you’re not exactly sure what the Pope is trying to create. Anyway, I’m just asking that you be a bit more cautious with your phrasing.

Thank you for your explanation…it can be kinda hard to understand what you mean when you don’t say that much.

I’m gonna agree with Genius in that it seems like you think a true Christian must be perfect. My definition of a Christian is somebody who believes that Jesus was sent to Earth to die for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God…and upon coming to that belief, the person asks God to be part of their life (aka overused cliché of “come into my heart”.) Christians are not perfect…we have never claimed to be; in fact, we claim the opposite. We know that we are sinful, we know that we are impure, but that is why we need Jesus. A true Christian is one who does the things listed above in faith.

Let me know if this clears some things up and if you have any questions.

--Jilaine

The way I understand you to use the term Christian is as synonymous with perfect or sinless. That is not the case. A Christian is simply one who follows Jesus Christ and his teachings, who belongs to the faith of Christianity. Jesus himself wasn't even a Christian, he was Jewish. The term Christian didn't come about until after his death. True Christians are those who follow Christ, regardless of whether or not they sin. The rest of what you said about sinning, however, is true. Sin is sin.

Okay, help me understand this:

What would you consider a Catholic, who obviously consider themselves Christians?

According to the Bible you can only worship One God.

...?


I understand that everyone is on an equal playing field, we all sin, but ...

...how would you measure someone like, on a scale from 1 to Christian with the Catholic view?

Ya know?

I mean exactly what i say. The only true christain is Jesus. NO one on earth is a TRUE christain, everyone sins so not one person is better than another, because no sin is greater than another whether its murder or just lying. In gods eyes it all the same and everyone sins so no one is a true christain.

Is that enough of an explaination.