I am not convinced of that. Christianity itself does not teach violence for the sake of violence. We know Christians by their fruits. The "Christians" that have done evil in the past are not part of the history of actual Christians in my opinion. Sure, some of them probably were Christians. I am not going to make that judgment call, but as a whole, I think we can safely conclude that Christianity was not the culprit but only those individuals that twisted Christianity into their reasons for evil. If there was no religion, they would have just twisted something else into their reasons in Christianity's stead.
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Even a moral person will go to Hell.
- Thread starter Papersock
- Start date
I am not convinced of that. Christianity itself does not teach violence for the sake of violence. We know Christians by their fruits. The "Christians" that have done evil in the past are not part of the history of actual Christians in my opinion. Sure, some of them probably were Christians. I am not going to make that judgment call, but as a whole, I think we can safely conclude that Christianity was not the culprit but only those individuals that twisted Christianity into their reasons for evil. If there was no religion, they would have just twisted something else into their reasons in Christianity's stead.
I have no fear of eternal damnation. I am saved by grace.
Nanda
Polyanna
Why would you be different without your religion?
There is always temptation. Temptation to have sex, be lazy, steal, lie, refrain from helping others, etc etc. Before I was a Christian, I was very likely to give in to temptation unless there was a sufficient consequence so that I didn't think it was worth it. Since I have the Holy Spirit, it has become much easier to realize that not only my relationship with God is more important than the temporary pleasure I would get, but also that there are people out there that I might be able to lead to Christ that I wouldn't be able to if my relationship with God was not there. So, essentially, it is like I am possibly letting someone go to hell that I could have helped every time I do something to hurt my relationship with God. That's a long explanation for an easy answer: the Holy Spirit.
slabbey06
Bond-Servant of Christ
I've also found that there's the temptation to simply give up. Let's face it, life can get pretty ugly. Suffering isn't fun. I've gone through some dark days where the only thing that sustained me was my relationship (not religion) with the Lord. The strength the Holy Spirit gives me keeps me hanging in there. He keeps my eyes fixed on eternity and reminds me that this life is so unbelievably short. I love the Lord and desire more than anything (I hope) to hear Him say "Well done" when I finally stand before Him. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to go Home
That's kind of off topic, but oh well.
longshanks
Member
Totally.
On the subject of helping others and refraining from harmfull or anti social behaviour.
I think shakespear said it best "you live by the sword you die the sword"
Personally if i put myself out to help someone else which i do frequantly that person will become in a sense my brother/sister.
They may also remember my help and help others or when i need help recipricate.
I dont believe in a god as ive made pretty clear but i do like one of parables in the bible (cant quote it) its the one about sowing good and bad seeds.
If you so bad seeds you have increased chance of it coming back and kicking you in the crotch at a later date.
Helping out those in need should not be seen as a chore or an obligation or religious duty but as an investment in ones own future.
I try and do a bit to help the world every day.
I think if we all do that regardless of our beliefs we would pretty soon have a heaven right here on earth and you wouldnt all be waiting to die to experience it.
If not for us lets try and make happen for our children.
spiritually inclined
Active Member
Instead of looking at how I treat others in terms of how that will affect my relationship with God, seeing as I don't believe in a god, I try to do the right thing out of concern for the other person.
James
James
Darkness
Psychoanalyst/Marxist
Doing moral acts because you are scared of God seems like pseudo-morality to me.
kmkemp said:
1 Samuel 15:3 (King James Version)
Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ***.
When God Himself commands his followers to commit genocide, is it so hard to believe He would actually approve of the Crusades?
Darkness said:Doing moral acts because you are scared of God seems like pseudo-morality to me.
Yea, because I definitely said that I was scared of God.
Darkness said:
I don't know if God would approve of the Crusades or not, however, I was more referring to the many other incidents that didn't really have a sufficient reason.
Ori
Angel slayer
What about a serial killer who has supposedly repented?
Darkness
Psychoanalyst/Marxist
kmkemp said:
No, it isn't great. It is freak**' sick. It is such a shallow method of righteousness and I'd hate any God who does that. I am sure you would have a problem with any earthly dictator doing the same, yet when some bloody God does it, it is great and holy.
longshanks
Member
If a bad man dont get his just deserts in this he wont get it atall.
If a good man does not get his just rewards in this life he wont get it atall.
The pipe dreams of heaven and hell are simply creations to make the simpletons of the world put up with enough crap as possible.
Its a good invention i suppose look how many sheep have wasted there lives for it while there masters and kings and popes and preachers got fat off the poor uneducated saps broken backs and dreams.
Live life and help others and harm none is all that needs to be done.
The holy books of the world would serve us better if the trees that went into making them were still standing:yes: .
If a good man does not get his just rewards in this life he wont get it atall.
The pipe dreams of heaven and hell are simply creations to make the simpletons of the world put up with enough crap as possible.
Its a good invention i suppose look how many sheep have wasted there lives for it while there masters and kings and popes and preachers got fat off the poor uneducated saps broken backs and dreams.
Live life and help others and harm none is all that needs to be done.
The holy books of the world would serve us better if the trees that went into making them were still standing:yes: .
rasor
Member
How do you know that" god knows that"?
Papersock
Lucid Dreamer
Despite everyone's differences, we are all pretty much the same.
JayHawes
Active Member
We are all humans, but we do not all have the same spirit and essence that shines about us.
The world is of darkness and sin. The Church is of light and good.