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What if I can't be saved?
- Thread starter Ormiston
- Start date
Ormiston
Well-Known Member
No. I truly believe that I can't be saved because of "the way I'm wired". I'm incapable of being a Christian. My question is if by no fault of my own, I truly can't be saved, then why should I be punished?Revasser said:
My motivation is to get opinions, but I also wanted the Christians to think with their own heads and step away from the scripture for a moment. What if I can't be saved. What does that have to say for the Christian message? Where does the problem lie?
Being a former agnostic/atheist I definatley see where you're coming from. I thought the whole idea of God was ridiculous and I found it pretty much impossible to believe in anything super-natural. I was always trying to convince myself that there was something more but the more I learned about life, the more I believed that there was a reasonable explanation. One day I was fed up with the way things were going in my life. I looked up at the sky and said "Hey! If you're up there, come into my life and start taking over." It took about 2 years before he made himself known to me. I never convinced myself and no one ever convinced me. A church didn't convince me and a book didn't convince me. God himself convinced me. I can't explain to you the details as to why I believe because it's a spiritual thing.Bouncing Ball said:
Karl R
Active Member
I'll answer a somewhat related question to yours.
Millions of people lived and died without ever having any exposure to christianity (because of when or where they were born). This was clearly beyond their control.
I believe they have a way to connect with god. I suspect it's through the other religions of this world, but I have no way of knowing for certain. I don't expect to have any proof in this lifetime.
Millions of people lived and died without ever having any exposure to christianity (because of when or where they were born). This was clearly beyond their control.
I believe they have a way to connect with god. I suspect it's through the other religions of this world, but I have no way of knowing for certain. I don't expect to have any proof in this lifetime.
You have only offered vague statements and no evidence. At this point, I can't unquestioningly accept that you're correct. That's why I answered a related question instead of the question you posed.Ormiston said:
MdmSzdWhtGuy
Well-Known Member
If you ever get a legitimate answer to this question, please, by all means drop me a pm or an e-mail. I have been asking this same question for years, and have never received a satisfactory answer. I was also raised in a Christian church, in a Christian family surrounded by Christian neighbors, and even as a small child could never make it all "fit" or "make sense" for lack of a better way to put it.Ormiston said:
I began my search into history and theology hoping and literally praying to find something which would allow me to be both intellectually honest, and saved. Sadly the more I searched, the more I read the more I talked to learned people, the more and more I got away from my original goal, which was, of course, to be a Christian, without being dishonest with myself.
I fear that I too, lack the capacity to be "saved." It is not for lack of desire to be saved, and it is certainly not for a lack of knowledge regarding the various scriptures and the secular history of the Biblical times.
To those who have asked basically (gross paraphrase here) "Why Christianity?" I would submit that if one is raised in a Christian culture it simply makes the most sense to try to be a "good Christian" as opposed to any other particular religion. Having read an extensive amount on various world religions I can personally say, that if I, personally were to ever become religious again, it would most likely be one of the Eastern religions such as Hinduism, or more likely Buddhism, as those religions appeal to me more than the Abrahamic religions.
That being said, as much flack as I get for being a simple non-beleiver, if I were to espouse such a "wacky" (by local standards) religion as Buddhism, I would probably get even more flack than I already get. Tho this would likely spark some lively debates which might be a lot of fun. . . . I can imagine it now. . . .
"Brian, why did you decide to become a Buddhist?"
"Because it made the most sense to me out of the available religious choices I had, Why did you become Christian"
"Because the Bible/My Preacher/My family says this is the way to go"
"Ahh, I see you are pulling out a trump card, well, when you can convince me why Buddhism, or any other world religion is NOT the way to go, then maybe you will have some understanding of why I have never been able to decide Christianity is the way to go"
A puzzled look ensues, and the person dismisses me as some kook, and we both go on about our way.
B.
Ormiston
Well-Known Member
Fair enough. Specifically why I believe I am incapable of being a Christian is from the strong physical reaction I experience at the very thought and the thoughts that accompany this reaction. I'm revolted by the Christian message. I have my own faith in life and feel blessed, but I rarely put this faith into words. I am angered at funerals held in churches because they insist on drawing attention away from the dead person and redirecting it towards God/Jesus. Christianity goes against my moral fiber.Karl R said:
From your first statements though, it sounds as if you are an open-minded person which I think is an asset. If you think the answer is "each to their own" that makes sense to me. However, I'd rather let you answer for yourself.
BucephalusBB
ABACABB
I know you can't..Mister_T said:
Ormiston
Well-Known Member
Now that is a complicated question/answer. It's many things. Too me though, the crux of it is that Jesus died for my sins and only through Jesus can I enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The reason I cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven without Jesus is that I am imperfect. In my mind though, imperfect is putting it nicely. Another idea I've heard that's not so nice is that I can do no right without Jesus. What do you think of my answer so far? (I could go onlunamoth said:
)
lunamoth
Will to love
Sounds harsh, projects a lot of fear.Ormiston said:Now that is a complicated question/answer. It's many things. Too me though, the crux of it is that Jesus died for my sins and only through Jesus can I enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The reason I cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven without Jesus is that I am imperfect. In my mind though, imperfect is putting it nicely. Another idea I've heard that's not so nice is that I can do no right without Jesus. What do you think of my answer so far? (I could go on
peace,
lunamoth
lunamoth
Will to love
I would say that if you are content and to be content is what you desire, then you should not be worried about what other's think v.v. your 'salvation.'Ormiston said:
"fire and brimstone' are metaphorical for estrangement from God.
Unconditional grace means, to me, that you (and everyone else, regardless of beliefs) are loved by God. 'course, the expression of love, kinetic love, as opposed to potential love, requires particpation by both parties.
O Son of Being! Love Me that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, o servant.--Baha'u'llah
peace and good luck in your search for answers,
lunamoth