TheBoost said:
sean wookie said:
I really have no problem with religion or people if they don't have a problem with me. I just wish instead of those super stadium-like huge churches some of that money should be used to help the poor. I know most churches arent like that but do we really need any of those? I would assume doing good things would get you out of a bad list more than getting church built.
So you disagree with Rick Warren and his type's specific theology? That doesn't sound very respectful.
You can agree with his theology and not how he spends his church's money, which I do. Megachurches rub me the wrong way for just what sean is saying. Golden crosses and waterfalls in the foyer aren't going to help anyone, whether they go to that church or not.
The church I went to in TN was fairly small, but gave over half of their money to missions. That's how it should be done. Or like currently I help lead a bible study in someone's home. No money changes hands at all, we just invite our neighbors over to encourage them. That's what its about, not vast sanctuaries and video screens. Relationships.
Warbler said:
TheBoost said:
Coud you really 'respect' that? And if I genuinely beleived in that, could I be expected to 'respect' your ridiculous beleifs in science, YHWH, Ganesh, or The Force?
its more or less about respecting the rights of people to believe what they believe. People have to decide for themselves which, if any religion to follow. I'm not going to play God and tell which to go to.
As for the belief that all those that don't worship Christ will go to hell, I admit I do have a problem it that I've never been able to resolve. What about all the people whom had no chance to hear the word? what about children that die before they even have a chance to understand? Are they all in hell? Hitler was a Christian, a catholic I think(although obviously not a good one), Gandhi was not a Christian. Is Hitler in heaven and Gandhi in hell? What about all the people who lived and died before Christ was even born? Are they in hell? Are the 6 Million Jewish people who died in the Holocaust in hell? All the aborted babies whom are supposedly full fledged humans with souls, are they hell? These are the things I can't accept. It has caused a sort of schism between myself and my religion and my church. I don't know what else to say.
I believe that's where the "judge not" comes into play. It's not our call, its not ours to understand. As a wise professor of mine once told us, "The question shouldn't be 'what happens to those who haven't heard?'; it should be 'why haven't you told them?'."
I'm kind of enjoying this thread. We've managed to be pretty civil to one another. I'm proud of us. :-D