Originally posted by dj2beckerI've never quite understood that. we're meant to be made in God's image, so how can we deserve hell?
In fact the Bible shows that we all deserve Hell. The only "fairness" would be for us all to go to hell. This cannot be fathomed by man until the until they grasp the concept of love and forgiveness. This is where Christianity surpasses any other religion. As for those who believe in the Islamic concept of "Heaven" with 50 virgins, I'm afraid they are going to get a very mean shock when they enter eternity...
also, we are (if we believe the Bible story) made, as we are made. since we cannot help being the way we were made, how can we deserve hell?
that is, it seems weird for God to create humans with original sin, then only avoid sending them to hell by incarnating himself and getting crucified and so on. very strange behaviour, IMHO...
Originally posted by dfm65Almost schizophrenic, really. Perhaps that indicates that we're supposed to take the notions of original sin and Hell as metaphorical.
I've never quite understood that. we're meant to be made in God's image, so how can we deserve hell?
also, we are (if we believe the Bible story) made, as we are made. since we cannot help being the way we were made, how can we deserve hell?
that is, it seems weird for God to create humans with original sin, then only avoid sending them to hell by incarnating himself and getting crucified and so on. very strange behaviour, IMHO...
Originally posted by ivanhoeWhy do we have to die to be free from death?
Stang, we were never in heaven before.
In heaven the PROBLEM of free will does not exist anymore. We are at last truly free. Free from evil and death.
Why does christianity (don't know enough about other religions to comment) teach you that you can only be truely happy after you die? You are thought to act your whole life so that you may know peace and happiness when you die. Bit bloody late if you ask me.
D
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Originally posted by RagnorakRagnorak: "Why do we have to die to be free from death?"
Why do we have to die to be free from death?
Why does christianity (don't know enough about other religions to comment) teach you that you can only be truely happy after you die? You are thought to act your whole life so that you may ...[text shortened]... e and happiness when you die. Bit bloody late if you ask me.
D
Nice question, but it is not an automatic thing. Dying as such doesn't make us free from death.
Christian teaching says death is a punishment for sin. Much better stated: Sinning is choosing death. Sinning is missing your true destination and that is to spend eternity with the One who is Love, Life itself, Justice and Peace. To cut a long story short: If you choose Love and Life you end up with Love and Life, if you choose death, sinning, you end up with death. We humans are all inclined to do our own will instead of God's will, Love's will, Life's will. That's why we all end up facing death. Jesus Christ, God himself, paid the price for our sins by suffering and dying on the cross for all human beings. In doing so he opened the doors of heaven, in doing so he made us worthy to spend eternity in His presence. The first Easter morning the Son of God rose from the dead, meaning He defeated death. Life, God, has the last word, not death.
Why? Because He loves us and wants us to be happy in all eternity together with Him.
If you state that Christianity teaches us we can only be truly happy after we die, than I must tell you this is simply not true.
Maybe some individuals or Christian churches or sekts will tell you that, but if you want to know a true interpretation of Christian teachings I would like to advise you to study the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Thank God, we can be happy, very happy, and experience peace during this life ....
Originally posted by RagnorakBecause it is a nice easy control mechanism for the powers that be.
Why do we have to die to be free from death?
Why does christianity (don't know enough about other religions to comment) teach you that you can only be truely happy after you die? You are thought to act your whole life so that you may know peace and happiness when you die. Bit bloody late if you ask me.
D
I keeps the commoners down and allows the ruling class and powerful church to continue to exploit them.
"The meek shall inherit the earth" , even hymns "The rich man in his castle ths poor man at his gate....God made them all".
The Indian Caste system whereby no-one is allowed to move up strata since God made them like that and one cannot oppose God.
Religion is truly very nasty and insidious.
Originally posted by STANGBecause some things stank too damned bad to let them hang around?
1. Why aren't we given a choice to stay in heaven rather than appear on earth ?
2. Is there free will in heaven ?
As per free will. No. There is nothing in life that is free. All acts require thought and THEN ACTION. Free will is that will that you allow to be imposed on you. The Unfree will must be earned through consciousness.
Originally posted by howardgeeWhile I find your anti-theology propaganda post humorous to a degree (greatly due to the fact that it is nothing more than your own unsubstantiated opinion), I have to wonder to myself if you simply find amusement in making such inflammatory remarks or if you have diluded yourself into thinking that you are making a point.
Because it is a nice easy control mechanism for the powers that be.
I keeps the commoners down and allows the ruling class and powerful church to continue to exploit them.
"The meek shall inherit the earth" , even hymns "The rich man in his castle ths poor man at his gate....God made them all".
The Indian Caste system whereby no-one is allowed to m ...[text shortened]... od made them like that and one cannot oppose God.
Religion is truly very nasty and insidious.
To just what degree do you believe your post has any relevance? I am curious to hear your justification for this, especially being that you were unwilling to respond to my claim of your hypocrisy in the "God is perfection?" thread. Perhaps you will simply ignore me again, or just insult me. Go ahead my self proclaimed scholar of logic, explain yourself.
Originally posted by OmnislashWow. I continue to grow in my admiration of your truthfull mind. How are you sir?
While I find your anti-theology propaganda post humorous to a degree (greatly due to the fact that it is nothing more than your own unsubstantiated opinion), I have to wonder to myself if you simply find amusement in making such inflammatory remarks or if you have diluded yourself into thinking that you are making a point.
To just what degree do you ...[text shortened]... re me again, or just insult me. Go ahead my self proclaimed scholar of logic, explain yourself.
Originally posted by OmnislashYea, Can't get into the yard. I have a thousand pounds of apples to rake up, but not the body to do it. Long story. So... I drink and post. Same old story. Sad drunk makes it big time on RHP. Too damned bad my real worth isn't equal to my value as a sad poster?. <grin>
No more than I do you my friend. 😉
I am well sir, and yourself? I see you've been busy in the forums today.
Are you well? I hope so.