For Followers of Christianity: What does it mean to you personally, to be a Christian?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

My husband was told by Baptists that he was going to H3ll when he was just a kid because he went to a Catholic school, and at the time, that really scared and upset him. I've been told that because I WANT to believe in Christianity but don't think I'm able to, I'm going to H3ll too, even if I live a good life and help others.

These are just a couple of drops in the ocean of 'Reasons I Cannot Be Part of Organised Religion Again'.

It's unfortunate that experiences like that turn people off from Christianity. We have to apply logic and reason to faith or we are just blindly following our own limited understanding of faith.

[chri'stina 190]

I think of salvation as a process - both intellectually, physically and spiritually. To recognize Christ as the Savior is the foundation or beginning, but one must live as Christ lived or they are Christian in name only, IMO. So it's not works as an achievement - like I saved three drowning people, but rather a way of living.

Yeah, I think that's a good way to look at it.

[Danno 1,228]

My husband was told by Baptists that he was going to H3ll when he was just a kid because he went to a Catholic school, and at the time, that really scared and upset him. I've been told that because I WANT to believe in Christianity but don't think I'm able to, I'm going to H3ll too, even if I live a good life and help others.

These are just a couple of drops in the ocean of 'Reasons I Cannot Be Part of Organised Religion Again'.

IT's not that you are doomed to hell because you failed to have Faith in Christ. You simply miss out on the "coverage" (for lack of a better word) he offers his followers.

If you feel you have lived the type of life which needs no redemption... well you are doing better than most and might not even need the atonement CHristians are so fond of.

[Dan J 277]

IT's not that you are doomed to hell because you failed to have Faith in Christ. You simply miss out on the "coverage" (for lack of a better word) he offers his followers.

If you feel you have lived the type of life which needs no redemption... well you are doing better than most and might not even need the atonement CHristians are so fond of.

That sounds like using religion as a cover to do anything you want. Just believe and all is forgiven?

[Gemmie 142]

IT's not that you are doomed to hell because you failed to have Faith in Christ. You simply miss out on the "coverage" (for lack of a better word) he offers his followers.

If you feel you have lived the type of life which needs no redemption... well you are doing better than most and might not even need the atonement CHristians are so fond of.

Doesn't it say in the bible that those that deny Him are not accepted into Heaven? Could be wrong.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Doesn't it say in the bible that those that deny Him are not accepted into Heaven? Could be wrong.

One can interpret that in many ways. The parable of the Good Samaritan was an answer to the question of "Who is my neighbor?" as it applies to the greatest commandment - ...."and to love your neighbor as yourself." The so-called, religious men who saw the man lying on the ground for dead, simply walked by.

[luckytxn 2,264]

My husband was told by Baptists that he was going to H3ll when he was just a kid because he went to a Catholic school, and at the time, that really scared and upset him. I've been told that because I WANT to believe in Christianity but don't think I'm able to, I'm going to H3ll too, even if I live a good life and help others.

These are just a couple of drops in the ocean of 'Reasons I Cannot Be Part of Organised Religion Again'.

I was raised Methodist but had to go to church with my Grandmother sometimes that was a Baptist church. After going sometimes with her after a few years and one night at church the preacher started a fire and brimstone type of sermon and then pointing me out he started saying how I was a sinner and going to hell as I was crippled and that was God punishment to me. He even used Jesus's own words from the bible. I was shaken to say the least and after the service my Grandmother refused to shake the preachers hand and told him he was wrong to do what he did and other words and we left. She told me that I was would not be going back to that church again. Since then I have seen a few other Baptist services and nothing like that again. No man can push me out of my faith but me alone.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Doesn't it say in the bible that those that deny Him are not accepted into Heaven? Could be wrong.

Fear not Gemmie. Flying Spaghetti Monster accepts you, even if you don't believe in him.

[Gemmie 142]

Sign me up.

[Danno 1,228]

That sounds like using religion as a cover to do anything you want. just believe and all is forgiven[?

I never said that.

That would be similar to"Just say you are in-love and that makes it so."

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I was raised Methodist but had to go to church with my Grandmother sometimes that was a Baptist church. After going sometimes with her after a few years and one night at church the preacher started a fire and brimstone type of sermon and then pointing me out he started saying how I was a sinner and going to hell as I was crippled and that was God punishment to me. He even used Jesus's own words from the bible. I was shaken to say the least and after the service my Grandmother refused to shake the preachers hand and told him he was wrong to do what he did and other words and we left. She told me that I was would not be going back to that church again. Since then I have seen a few other Baptist services and nothing like that again. No man can push me out of my faith but me alone.

Oh man...

[Ban Hammer 13,394]

Craven images and pagan practices?

here's my craven image

[luckytxn 2,264]

here's my craven image

It would be a sin to put pineapple on them.

[Ban Hammer 13,394]

It would be a sin to put pineapple on them.

heathen! don't make me excommunicate you from the church of pizza!

[BishopM 114]

But most Hindus, Muslims, Jews, etc. have probably all heard about Jesus as the Messiah, and I'd have real trouble with imagining that none of them will go to heaven simply because they didn't follow the Christian faith. I can't imagine what that does to the psyche of any Christian, to believe that no matter how good or Christ-like a person is in how they live their life, that they would be condemned to hell. I suppose as a Christian, one could be hopelessly optimistic that everyone has the potential for conversion, but in reality, that hasn't happened. At least not on any grand scale.

Brother Steve, sorry to step into this important post at the end of its life. There are two fundamental concepts which Christians follow when it comes to the conversation of 'who goes to Heaven', to be blunt. The two arguments are inclusivism vs. exclusivism. Catholics to the largest extent (and certainly in my viewpoint, and in your viewpoint) are 'inclusivists' whereas many fundamental Protestants are 'exclusivists'. I have written many papers on this topic because I am passionate, as you are, in the inclusivist viewpoint. To that extent, here are a few of my cheat sheet notes:

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions [Hinduism, Buddism]. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. The Church therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men."

"The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself, merciful and all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes great pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgement when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. "

"Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this Sacred Synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom."

RCC Catechism # 843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."

RCC Cat. # 841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

Well...you know...it is two cents...VJBishopM