Non-debating religious thread...let's learn!! :)

[IttyBittyKitty]

Originally posted by RICHARD
The Church of the Easily Amused....It's a cult.

Can we join????? He he!

[RICHARD]

You all can join,

No tithes, no church and no 'mitches'.....

no rules, no Kool Aid and no comets to hitch your star to....

[ChrisH]

Great thread WolfChan! And special thanks to you, Kimmy, and Popcornbird, very interesting.

[CountryWolf07]

Wow, what an interesting thread.. definitely interesting..

I'm a Roman Catholic.. but I don't attend church, just on holidays, only..

I believe in God, I believe there's the Heaven, but I am not certain if there's really a Hell. I do believe that we go somewhere after we are finished with our time here on Earth.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

PopcornBird,

Do you really believe children are born sinful, and that they need Jesus to *save* them, otherwise they are destined to Hell? In other words.........do you believe anyone who is *not* a Christian is going to Hell? Yes I believe we are born sinners. However I believe that if a baby dies at birth or any really young age they will go to heaven. When a child reaches the age of accountability (knowing right from wrong) that is when they are "responsible" for their actions and need Jesus to save them.

What do you believe about Jesus? I believe that Jesus is Gods son sent to earth as the ultimate sacrifice to save us from sin. He was born sinless and remained sinless his whole 33 years on this earth. In order to be born without sin he needed to be born of a virgin. Jesus went out teaching and healing people. I believe that Jesus was tortured and hung on a cross. Altho he could have called to his father to be removed, he didn't. He endured the pain and suffering for me, because he is my "ticket" to heaven. Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb with a large rock in front of it. 3 days after he was buried he got up and walked through the rock, he walked out of the tomb. He is Alive!!! He is in heaven with his father and all those who believe in him.

Do you worship Jesus, or do you worship God? How do you differenciate God from Jesus? God is the father and Jesus is the son. Basically they are one in the same, just in 2 different forms. God is God and Jesus is God as man. I worship them both the same.

What does Trinity mean? I have never quite understood it, and would like an explanation. The Trinity is the father, the son, and the holy ghost. They are all God, just different forms.

What does it mean to baptize a child? What do you do in this process, and what does it symbolize? To be baptized as a baby means nothing, I don't believe in that. I believe that you should be baptized after you have accepted Jesus as your saviour and prayed for salvation. When your baptized you are put into water (completly covered, head and all) and then you get up and out of the water. This is to symbolize the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is also to show that you love Jesus and are not ashamed if him.

I think that you can be a christian without going to church. However I think it's important to fellowship and be with other christians, which is a good reason to go to church. I have other reasons too. Just for the record I'll also say that I don't believe in Divorce or homosexuality. I do believe that a wife should submit to her husband. I think the couple should try to compromise but in the end the husband makes the final decision. I don't believe that a woman should be a pastor of a church. These are all very controversial topics, but this is what I believe.

[carole]

I am curious as to which faith you belong? you have certainly opened up a can of worms for discussion here, I have to say I could not disagree with you more , especially on your last statement about men making the final decisions and women not holding positions in any church, and women submitting to their husbands, this is 2004, regardless of your faith surely you can see this is wrong to have women still treated as second class citizens, however I respect your beliefs and you have a right to them, I just feel completely the opposite to you in most of the things you said, except that people can be christians without going to church, that one I agree with 100 per cent.

[guster girl]

I'm usually all for healthy debates. But, don't forget the title of this thread. I think another thread could be started, or pms could be sent, but, this thread has been really civil and strictly for learning purposes. It's been really nice so far, let's keep it that way. Peace....

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by KBlaix


What does it mean to baptize a child? What do you do in this process, and what does it symbolize? To be baptized as a baby means nothing,

I was with you up to this statement. Obviously, this goes against your personal beliefs, and may mean nothing to you, but that does not mean it means nothing.

When child is baptised, their parents are dedicating their child to God and promising to raise their child in the church. They are asking God to accept their child into his family.

I was raised Roman Catholic, so I can not speak for other religions that baptise children, but in the Catholic faith, Baptisim is reaffirmed in Confirmation. This is when the "child" can now speak for themselves and makes an adult decision to be part of the church. When I was in school, this was done in the 8th grade (too early to make an adult decision in my opinion) and now many churches are doing it even earlier. I think that confirmation should happen when and if the "child" chooses, not at the age the church dictates. Just my opinion.




As I said, I was raised Roman Catholic, although I do not regularly attend church now. I have vistied many different churches, and was active in a Baptist youth group, although I was not a member of the church.

My biggest problem with religions in general is that everyone thinks they are right. "If you don't go to church X, you will not go to heaven" I do not believe that. I also think that while some people's intentions are good, they are so dedicated to their particular religious denomination they close their minds to all other views. I have sen or been in many discussions where people will quote the Bible left and right to defend their view, but when an opposite view supported by a Bible quote no response is made or the topic is changed.

[CathyBogart]

Hey hey now...I started this to LEARN about different faiths...it's a discussion and exchange of information, and while technically this still fits those criteria. I don't want to see this thread get locked, because I've been ENTHRALLED so far!

[sirrahved]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I'm technically Catholic. I was baptized in a Catholic church, had my first communion, and went to CCD for five years. (A sort of 'program' to learn more about the religion, and what you have to take in order to have your first communion.) I could honestly say, that I forgot *most* of what I learned.

I don't consider myself an athiest; I do believe in a God, but I don't agree with what the religon teaches.

I have a question for Christians- Is it true that you have to be 'saved' in order to enter heaven? if so, could you explain a little bit about that, please? Just wondering.

Maybe this is a trifle late to be answering this, but I'd like to take a shot just the same.

Using the term "saved" generally implies making a decision for Christ. Some denominations of Christianity believe in this, some don't.

I believe that we get to heaven only by the grace of God. I believe we are all horrible, wretched people. We cannot make a decision to follow God, we can only turn away from Him. We have to have faith, but our faith comes from God.

Does this make sense?

[Logan]

I thought I'd try to "lighten" the mood a bit. This came by email this morning.

This is worth reading!!

Subject: Children Letters to God

> 1. Dear God,
> >
> > Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter.
> > There is nothing good in there now.
> >
> > Amanda
> > **************************************
> > 2. Dear God,
> >
> > Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a
> > puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
> >
> > Joyce
> > **************************************
> > 3. Dear Mr. God,
> >
> > I wish you would not make it so easy for people to come apart.
> > I had to have 3 stitches and a shot.
> >
> > Janet
> > **************************************
> > 4. Dear God,
> >
> > If we come back as somebody else, please don't let me be
> > Jennifer Horton - because I hate her.
> >
> > Denise
> > **************************************6. God,
> > Dear God,
> >
> > I read the bible. What does begat mean? Nobody will tell me.
> >
> > Love, Alison
> > **************************************
> > 7. Dear God,
> >
> > How did you know you were God? Who told you?
> >
> > Charlene
> > **************************************
> > 8. Dear God,
> >
> > Is it true my Father won't get in Heaven if he uses his golf
> > words in the house?
> >
> > Anita
> > **************************************
> > 9. Dear God,
> >
> > I bet it's very hard for you to love all of everybody in the
> > whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never
> > do it.
> >
> > Nan
> > **************************************
> > 10. Dear God,
> >
> > Did you really mean, Do Unto Others As They Do Unto You? If you
> > did then I'm going to get even with my brother.
> >
> > Darla
> > **************************************
> > 11. Dear God,
> >
> > I like the story about Chanukah the best of all of them. You
> > really made up some good ones. I like walking on water, too.
> >
> > Glenn
> > **************************************
> > 12. Dear God,
> >
> > My Grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How
> > far back do you go?
> >
> > Love, Dennis
> > *************************************
> > 13. Dear God,
> >
> > Do you draw the lines around the countries? If you don't, who
> > does?
> >
> > Nan
> > *************************************
> > 14. Dear God,
> >
> > It's O. K. that you made different religions but don't you get
> > mixed up sometimes?
> >
> > Arnold
> >
> > *************************************
> > 15. Dear God,
> >
> > Did you mean for giraffes to look like that or was it an
> > accident?
> >
> > Norma
> > *************************************
> > 16. Dear God,
> >
> > In bible times, did they really talk that fancy?
> >
> > Jennifer
> > *************************************
> > 17. Dear God,
> >
> > What does it mean you are a jealous God? I thought you had
> > everything you wanted.
> >
> > Jane
> > *************************************
> > 18. Dear God,
> >
> > How come you did all those miracles in the old days and don't do
> > many now?
> >
> > Seymour
> > *************************************
> > 19. Dear God,
> >
> > Please send Dennis to a different summer camp this year.
> >
> > Peter
> > *************************************
> > 20. Dear God,
> >
> > Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they
> > each had their own rooms. It works out OK with me and my brother.
> >
> > Larry
> > ************************************
> > 21. Dear God,
> >
> > I keep waiting for spring, but it never did come yet. What's up?
> > Don't forget.
> >
> > Mark
> > ************************************
> > 22. Dear God,
> >
> > You don't have to worry about me. I always look both ways before
> > I cross the street.
> >
> > Dean
> > ************************************
> > 23. Dear God,
> >
> > My brother told me about how you are born but it just doesn't
> > sound right. What do you say?
> >
> > Martha
> > ************************************
> > 24. Dear God,
> >
> > If you watch in Church on Sunday I will show you my new shoes.
> >
> > ************************************
> > 25. Dear God,
> >
> > Is Reverend Coe a friend of yours, or do you just know him
> > through the business?
> >
> > Donny
> > ************************************
> > 26. Dear God,
> >
> > In Sunday School they told us what you do for a job.
> > Who does it when you are on vacation?
> >
> > Jane
> > ************************************
> > 27. Dear God,
> >
> > In school we read that Thomas Edison made light, but in Sundaym
> > School they said you did it first. Did he steal your idea?
> >
> > Sincerely, Donna
> > ************************************
> > 28. Dear God,
> >
> > I do not think anybody could be a better God than you. Well, I
> > just want you to know that. I am not just saying that because you
are
> > already God.
> >
> > Charles
> > ***********************************
> > 29. Dear God,
> >
> > It is great the way you always get the stars in the right place.
> > Why can't you do that with the moon?
> >
> > Jeff
> > ***********************************
> > 30. Dear God,
> >
> > I am doing the best I can. Really.
> >
> > Frank
> > ***********************************
> > 31. Dear God,
> >
> > I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you
> > made on Tuesday night. That was really cool.
> >
> > Carol

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by sirrahved


Using the term "saved" generally implies making a decision for Christ.

Or...

Having a real good pitcher come out of the bullpen late in a game-when the outcome is in question.

Or....

Having a hockey goalie make a real good stop on a point blank shot....

----------------------------------

?????

Ship of Fools to run 3D church service

The world's first "three-dimensional" internet church service is being launched next month.

The service, on the Ship of Fools satirical Christian website, will have cartoon characters for a congregation. It will also feature wooden pews.

The service will be celebrated by a priest who will appear in cartoon form and who will be able to move around the church.

The congregation will be able to log on and see themselves as cartoon characters on the screen.

Simon Jenkins, the website's editor said: "We're running this as an experiment for three months and we are looking forward to seeing how people use the church and what they get out of it."

The service begins on May 11.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
I was with you up to this statement. Obviously, this goes against your personal beliefs, and may mean nothing to you, but that does not mean it means nothing.

When child is baptised, their parents are dedicating their child to God and promising to raise their child in the church. They are asking God to accept their child into his family.

I was raised Roman Catholic, so I can not speak for other religions that baptise children, but in the Catholic faith, Baptisim is reaffirmed in Confirmation. This is when the "child" can now speak for themselves and makes an adult decision to be part of the church. When I was in school, this was done in the 8th grade (too early to make an adult decision in my opinion) and now many churches are doing it even earlier. I think that confirmation should happen when and if the "child" chooses, not at the age the church dictates. Just my opinion.

I'm Baptist. We do have a ceremony in which parents dedicate their baby to the Lord and vow to love and raise them in his name. However baptism is totally different we don't baptize a person until they are saved. I didn't mean to offend you or any one, that is just the way and beliefs of a baptist.

I am curious as to which faith you belong? you have certainly opened up a can of worms for discussion here, I have to say I could not disagree with you more , especially on your last statement about men making the final decisions and women not holding positions in any church, and women submitting to their husbands, this is 2004, regardless of your faith surely you can see this is wrong to have women still treated as second class citizens, however I respect your beliefs and you have a right to them, I just feel completely the opposite to you in most of the things you said, except that people can be christians without going to church, that one I agree with 100 per cent.

I don't want to turn this into a big thing, this is just what I believe, which is what this thread is about. I never said that a woman shouldn't or couldn't hold a position in any church. What I said was I don't believe that a woman should be a pastor. I understand that this is 2004 but I think there is a lot wrong in 2004.

[Logan]

Kblaix, I think you stated your opinion and your views, which is what this thread is all about, whether somoene agrees or disagrees.

In the Methodist faith, which I follow, we baptize infants, and it is as ceremony that involves the parents, loved ones, and the whole congregation, who are all agreeing to bring up this infant in our faith, and to support their parents, much like the dedication in the Baptist fait.

Logan

[carole]

I wish to say I am sorry, I realise this is not mean't to be a debating thread, and I was doing that, I really never mean't to come across that way, and I do respect each individuals opinions, I Did not mean to challenge your views, I have no intention of turning this thread into something its not mean't to be.

I have found it interesting to read about what people believe, its been quite an eye-opener to me.