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GingerXX
Guest
I understand that the bible had stated all those things, but I guess you could say that people ruined it for me. Being raised in the south does NOT come with 'good ol' southern hospitality'Okay, I'm sorry, but I couldn't read this without feeling the need to correct a few misconceptions. I promise I'm not going to rant or anything, just give a few verses and try to answer those questions.
Again, this is what I believe through both what I was taught and my own research. Take it as you will.
And Please, no one feel like you have to read it. It's perfectly fine if you ignore me :)
Falcon's attempt to answer some questions on Christianity,
because she couldn't leave well enough alone.
First - having friends outside the faith, through all different walks of life is NOT a bad thing.
Look at the people Christ spent his life with. Prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, beggars, Fisherman, physicians, gentiles, carpenters etc. Not the priests or nobility as was expected of the Messiah. And then there's this.
Notice he did not say "love like minded people," what he said was "love your neighbor." Directly following that (In Luke 10) is the story of the good Samaritan. I might point out that the Jewish and Samaritan society hated each other. What Christ was saying is that it doesn't matter who a person is, where they're from, what they believe, what their life style look like, Everybody is deserving of love. There are numerous other passages like this the summation of which is this: Love People, period.
(Note: When I say love in this context I mean friendship, kindness, compassion, help etc.)
Second - Those who have never heard the gospel DO still get a chance at heaven
This one is a little tricky as it is never addressed obviously. However there are several verses that strongly suggest that a provision had been made for those who've have never had the opportunity to hear (and some scholars argue about it). They are:
There is also a passage in Revelation but as I can't find the exact reference I'm not going to quote it. I prefer it if people can check for themselves. :)
C.S. Lewis has a passage at the end of the "Last Battle" that actually illustrates this point quite nicely. In it a Calormen soldier, Emeth, finds himself in Aslan's country (for the purposes of the illustration, heaven) and meets Aslan. Emeth is then given a choice, the same choice all the other characters have had prior to getting to Aslan's country, but Emeth himself has never previously had a chance for.
Third - People who classify as LGBT etc. do NOT immediately go to hell
I'll be honest, when I hear people say otherwise it annoys me to no end.
It IS possible to be a Christian and LGBT.
However, the Bible does classify homosexuality as a sin, but then we already know the Bible says that.
What annoys me is the fact that many people who claim that "Homosexuality = hell" fail to take into account that the Bible also classifies any sort of sexual action outside of marriage as a sin. In fact it lumps homosexuality together with things like premarital sex, adultery, incest, bestiality, and some argue masturbation. I've never heard anyone claim that the woman who gets pregnant outside of wedlock is going to hell immediately, it's all in the same category.
Christ takes it a step further and tosses in lustful thinking. (Seriously, show me a single adult in this world who has not struggled with lustful thinking as some point, myself included.)
The point is not all the rules and regulations we are supposed to follow, the point is that no matter how badly we screw up (and everyone does) Christ and his love is still there. And we are supposed to help and love one another, not condemn or judge. There are a great many Christians who have missed the point entirely and I'm sorry to anyone who's ever had questions or concerns and been treated poorly for it.
Again, this is only what I believe and the verses I use to back it up.
I honestly hope the above will help the understanding of the addressed questions.
No. It's full of racist, sexist, and homophobic people. Many of the Christians down her are very closed minded and after hearing all my friends get called faggots, quirs, weirdos, and freaks 24/7 by Christians here, it kinda turns your view.
I still have Christian friends, and I probably am still kinda Christian. Right now I'm just in a state of i don't know. All I do know is that I need to just live my life as morally, greatly, and successfully as I can try:) I really wish I could have faith right now, but it's just not happening.
Thanks though! You're one of the better and more understanding people of your religion. :)