The unofficial ask a Christian thread

[amcon]

Is being a homosexual a sin?

yes, sodom an gomorrah(if you dont know that story let me know i will post about it tomorrow)... hate the sin love the sinner

(if me this thread is bad let me know - i am passionate about the Lord and have a hard time keeping my mouth(fingers) quite) and if i am wrong let me know too ... but i never am ---)

[amcon]

do human beings have a soul?

humans were built in the likness of God

so we also have a trinity :

body
soul
holy ghost(we need to be filled with this: #1 go to bible, #2 go to faith, #3 read, #4 except Christ) poof you got the Holy Ghost and are now complete.

so you might ask, if we were made perfect how did we loose the Holy Ghost? or why were we not given it to begin with?

[gst528i]

is christianity the oldest religion? If not does anyone know which one is the oldest that still being practiced in by large populations?

[BuffedGuy]

is christianity the oldest religion? If not does anyone know which one is the oldest that still being practiced in by large populations?

Peace be unto you, GST.

Of the major world religions, Christianity is second newest. Islam is the newest. The oldest is Hinduism. This depends on what you consider a major world religion though. I just posted in my thread about the number of adherents of each religion.

[skinnykenney]

Peace be unto you, Derek.

How would a Christian rationalize this approach from a scriptural standpoint? It seems more like a personal opinion than a religiously grounded one.

In the Care of the Lord,
-Saladin.

God loves all his children!
And a sin is a sin Bro!not one sin is worse than others!
That's in the scripture also!
Maybe that's why.

[skinnykenney]

yes, sodom an gomorrah(if you dont know that story let me know i will post about it tomorrow)... hate the sin love the sinner

(if me this thread is bad let me know - i am passionate about the Lord and have a hard time keeping my mouth(fingers) quite) and if i am wrong let me know too ... but i never am ---)

Butt sex is a sin. The two people you speak of were man and woman.
So being gay isn't a sin but butt sex is, weather with a man or woman!
So is birth control and masterbation!
In the scripture it states In so many words that God would rather you spew into the body of a whore than to waste it.

[BuffedGuy]

God loves all his children!
And a sin is a sin Bro!not one sin is worse than others!
That's in the scripture also!
Maybe that's why.

Peace be unto you, Derek.

1. Is it true that God loves all human beings, according to Christian theology? If so, why does He send the sinner--not the sin--into the eternal pit of hellfire?

2. Is it true that Christians consider all sins equal? So is rape considered equal to cheating on a math test? If so, can you explain?

Thank you.

[BuffedGuy]

Butt sex is a sin. The two people you speak of were man and woman.
So being gay isn't a sin but butt sex is, weather with a man or woman!
So is birth control and masterbation!
In the scripture it states In so many words that God would rather you spew into the body of a whore than to waste it.

"When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die." (Leviticus, 20:13, http://bible.cc/leviticus/20-13.htm)

The verse doesn't intuitively read in the way you are saying. Perhaps Derek can shed some light on it, God-Willing...although I think he wants to stay away from the topic. I certainly did in my thread.

[Matt]

Why is the catholic church so rich, yet there is so much poverty in the world?

[D7M]

i have to answer this one ... (exodus 4:13)

correct me if i am wrong and i dont want to flame however -

the only thing that matters in our salvation and most of the things that are debated by christian to christian (hopefully) doesnt deal with our salvation - Jesus was born of a virgin, was tempted and perfect, died on the cross for our Sin(sin of adam) and rose again... and will come again to judge the wicked

I disagree. You're referring to the hierarchy of truths, namely, that some truths are more important as they pertain directly to our salvation. Other practices and certain customs that do not pertain directly to our salvation would not be as high on the hierarchy of truths. In the Catholic church, the Sacraments are high on the list hierarchy since they are visible signs of receiving grace.

trinity in the bible - mat 28:19 (Jesus's words) "go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Right, but the actual word "trinity" is no where in the Bible. It is still inferred from that verse. The concept is there, but not the word. So in the example of the Eucharist, the concept is clear in John 6, but the word used to describe this reality is not in the Bible.

Jesus' words affirm the reality of the trinity, some people accused theologians of makinng up the concept of the trininty and reading it unto scriptures. as we see here, in mat 28: 19, the concept comes directly from Jesus him self, He did not say baptize them in to the names, but in to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

In bold.

[D7M]

yes, sodom an gomorrah(if you dont know that story let me know i will post about it tomorrow)... hate the sin love the sinner

(if me this thread is bad let me know - i am passionate about the Lord and have a hard time keeping my mouth(fingers) quite) and if i am wrong let me know too ... but i never am ---)

the catholic church would say homosexuality is a sin, just like they would say adultery, or sex outside marriage is a sin. the point is that being homosexual doesn't make you sinful or dirty, but it is the acting out on those feeling (just like a heterosexual) that makes the act sinful.

skinny Kenny is right in what he said. The story of Sodom and Gommorah refers to the sin of sodomy, not necessarily homosexuality.

[D7M]

Peace be unto you, GST.

Of the major world religions, Christianity is second newest. Islam is the newest. The oldest is Hinduism. This depends on what you consider a major world religion though. I just posted in my thread about the number of adherents of each religion.

Buffed is right. Hinduism is the oldest known religion.

[D7M]

Peace be unto you, Derek.

1. Is it true that God loves all human beings, according to Christian theology? If so, why does He send the sinner--not the sin--into the eternal pit of hellfire?

2. Is it true that Christians consider all sins equal? So is rape considered equal to cheating on a math test? If so, can you explain?

Thank you.

1. Yes, God loves all of hHs creation. He send the sinner sinner to hell because besides being the most merciful, he is also the most just. Besides it is a metaphysical impossibility to disassociate the sin (act) from the person (agent). How could God condemn an act to hell and not the person who committed it?

2. No, all sins are not equal. As I said above, Catholics don't need to appeal to Scripture to justify their beliefs, since we also believe in the equal authority of tradition, but I will for the Protestants following this thread

I John 5:16, "He that knows his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask: and life shall be given to him who sins not to death. There is a sin unto death. For that I say not that any man ask. All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death."

Besides, it is clear that some sins are obviously graver than other sins. A mortal sin is defined by the fulfillment of these three conditions: 1) grave matter, 2) full consent of the will, and 3) sufficient deliberation. (of these, I think I think 2) is the hardest requirement. I mean, you have to really, really want to do this sin, even though you know it is grave).

[D7M]

"When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die." (Leviticus, 20:13, http://bible.cc/leviticus/20-13.htm)

The verse doesn't intuitively read in the way you are saying. Perhaps Derek can shed some light on it, God-Willing...although I think he wants to stay away from the topic. I certainly did in my thread.

I think my post #91 should have cleared this up for you, let me know.

[quarry206]

i heard once (on TLC) that revolations was written by John while on an island with pagons. and that it is strongly believed that the book was never meant to be in the bible but instead his way of converting the people of the island/ region to which he was at the time.. ... and knowledge or thought on that topic?

also the same specail said that it is widely believed that the mark of the beast is not 666 but 616. which would have been the empire at times number.

[Kale]

humans were built in the likness of God

so we also have a trinity :

body
soul
holy ghost(we need to be filled with this: #1 go to bible, #2 go to faith, #3 read, #4 except Christ) poof you got the Holy Ghost and are now complete.

so you might ask, if we were made perfect how did we loose the Holy Ghost? or why were we not given it to begin with?

Dude palease !!!! Are you saying God looks like Michael Jackson

[skinnykenney]

Peace be unto you, Derek.

1. Is it true that God loves all human beings, according to Christian theology? If so, why does He send the sinner--not the sin--into the eternal pit of hellfire?

2. Is it true that Christians consider all sins equal? So is rape considered equal to cheating on a math test? If so, can you explain?

Thank you.

1=he doesn't send sinners to hell...you have a choice by what you do in your life!

2=all I can tell you is that someplace in the bible it states a sin is a sin!
But that being said....sure there are diferent degrees of sin from a human stand point.
But to God if to cheat on a math test or rape someone it is still a sin and you will be judged if you have not asked for forgiveness!you see all sine are equal in Gods eyes because the sin (no matter the degree) keeps you from obtaining what God has for you

[skinnykenney]

"When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die." (Leviticus, 20:13, http://bible.cc/leviticus/20-13.htm)that is the old testament and writen for those times not the practices of today. we are under diferent guidelines today

The verse doesn't intuitively read in the way you are saying. Perhaps Derek can shed some light on it, God-Willing...although I think he wants to stay away from the topic. I certainly did in my thread.

So....anal sex with a woman is not a sin?So why was the couple in the bible turned into a pillar of salt?
The scripture your speaking of is the old testament and early on. Later Moses wrote the 10 comandments and one is you shall not kill!
So this means there were brutal times in the old testament and that's the way they dealt with people then.
We are now under a new set of guidelines that's where the new testament comes into play.

[D7M]

Why is the catholic church so rich, yet there is so much poverty in the world?

This is a fair question.

But it's also like asking why any wealthy corporation (if you will allow the loose analogy between the church and a corporation) doesn't give all its money to the poor?

Also, the church is not as rich as everyone thinks it is. That's why in the last few years we've seen so many church closing and parish mergers. Church attendance (at least in the Catholic church) has dropped dramatically since 1965, so there's a big loss of contributions, too.

Truth be told, the majority of the money in the church is in the religious orders (Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, Benedictines, etc). Since these religious orders are self-operating (according to canon law), the general church has no control over their funds.

Someone did this study a while ago (I'll see if I can dig it up) about this. They found that even if the church gave all its money away to the poor (which of course doesn't really make sense, b/c then they wouldn't even be able to offer services to anyone), poverty would still exist.

[D7M]

i heard once (on TLC) that revolations was written by John while on an island with pagons. and that it is strongly believed that the book was never meant to be in the bible but instead his way of converting the people of the island/ region to which he was at the time.. ... and knowledge or thought on that topic?

also the same specail said that it is widely believed that the mark of the beast is not 666 but 616. which would have been the empire at times number.

This is true. John wrote the book of Revelations while in exile on the isle of Patmos. The fact that there were pagans there is true, but really extrinsic. Christians were writing documents all the time around pagans.

As far its inclusion in the canon, yah, it was debated. Alot of church fathers didn't want it included. St. Augustine really pushed for it. He liked it. He said he wanted it in there because it will put the fear of hell into people.

The thing to remember, though, is that that type of writing was a typical genre at the time...namely, apocalyptic (end times) literature. Just today like we have fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc.

Right. I think most scholars agree that the purpose of Revelations was really to provide hope to persecuted Christians. People read too much into those codes. Ever notice people who do that end up making alot of money of some stupid book? John used numerical codes and sht because at the time Christians were being persecuted, and so he couldn't openly talk about. There's solid evidence for this view, and to me it makes much more sense even as a sort of "common sense" approach.

[D7M]

1=he doesn't send sinners to hell...you have a choice by what you do in your life!

2=all I can tell you is that someplace in the bible it states a sin is a sin!
But that being said....sure there are diferent degrees of sin from a human stand point.
But to God if to cheat on a math test or rape someone it is still a sin and you will be judged if you have not asked for forgiveness!you see all sine are equal in Gods eyes because the sin (no matter the degree) keeps you from obtaining what God has for you

well, we'll have to just disagree on this one, since we come from different Christian traditions.

I've already stated my reasons above.

I don't know where in the Bible it says "a sin is a sin".

You're right that both mortal and venial sins carry temporal punishment due to sin. The difference is that the graver sins (mortal) also cause a break in sanctifying grace.

[D7M]

So....anal sex with a woman is not a sin?So why was the couple in the bible turned into a pillar of salt?
The scripture your speaking of is the old testament and early on. Later Moses wrote the 10 comandments and one is you shall not kill!
So this means there were brutal times in the old testament and that's the way they dealt with people then.
We are now under a new set of guidelines that's where the new testament comes into play.

I already answered the question about sodomy.

The couple [sic] was turned into a pillar of salt...well, it actually wasn't a couple, it was only Lot's wife (Gen 19). She was turned into a pillar of salt after she disobeyed God's command not to look back at Sodom and Gommorah as it was being destroyed. Her sin was disobedience, not sodomy. This is why when Jesus later references this event (Luke 17:32), it was in a context of obedience and perseverance.

I'm pretty sure Christians still believe in that commandment, "thou shalt not kill". But you're right, I don't think any Christians would still hold that *all* OT laws, customs and practices should still be held (otherwise, they'd be Jews).

[FallenWyvern]

Explain the belief of the trinity.

[Matt]

This is a fair question.

But it's also like asking why any wealthy corporation (if you will allow the loose analogy between the church and a corporation) doesn't give all its money to the poor?

Also, the church is not as rich as everyone thinks it is. That's why in the last few years we've seen so many church closing and parish mergers. Church attendance (at least in the Catholic church) has dropped dramatically since 1965, so there's a big loss of contributions, too.

Truth be told, the majority of the money in the church is in the religious orders (Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, Benedictines, etc). Since these religious orders are self-operating (according to canon law), the general church has no control over their funds.

Someone did this study a while ago (I'll see if I can dig it up) about this. They found that even if the church gave all its money away to the poor (which of course doesn't really make sense, b/c then they wouldn't even be able to offer services to anyone), poverty would still exist.

I understand what you are saying, however lets just look at the vatican. There are hunreds of priceless, artifacts and paintings, now where in the bible does it teach us to hord these things?? Again even if they sold eveything you are right, it wouldnt feed all the starving, but it will feed some. Do you think that if Jesus came back to earth now, walked into the vatican, saw its splendour, saw what was being spent to run the place, saw all those priceless artifact, would he be pleased???

[*RAGE*]

"When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die." (Leviticus, 20:13, http://bible.cc/leviticus/20-13.htm)

The verse doesn't intuitively read in the way you are saying. Perhaps Derek can shed some light on it, God-Willing...although I think he wants to stay away from the topic. I certainly did in my thread.

Why are you answering question in this thread????this is not meant to be hate full!!!

[skinnykenney]

I already answered the question about sodomy.

The couple [sic] was turned into a pillar of salt...well, it actually wasn't a couple, it was only Lot's wife (Gen 19). She was turned into a pillar of salt after she disobeyed God's command not to look back at Sodom and Gommorah as it was being destroyed. Her sin was disobedience, not sodomy. This is why when Jesus later references this event (Luke 17:32), it was in a context of obedience and perseverance.

I'm pretty sure Christians still believe in that commandment, "thou shalt not kill". But you're right, I don't think any Christians would still hold that *all* OT laws, customs and practices should still be held (otherwise, they'd be Jews).

But were they not told to leave and not look back because of the act of anal sex?

[D7M]

I understand what you are saying, however lets just look at the vatican. There are hunreds of priceless, artifacts and paintings, now where in the bible does it teach us to hord these things?? Again even if they sold eveything you are right, it wouldnt feed all the starving, but it will feed some. Do you think that if Jesus came back to earth now, walked into the vatican, saw its splendour, saw what was being spent to run the place, saw all those priceless artifact, would he be pleased???

yah, well the Vatican isn't really hording them, right? I mean, you can go there and look at them. Like a museum. Which is a good thing. If they gave them away, who would they give them to...a museum?

I don't know what Jesus would think of the Vatican's artifacts. Maybe if he saw how hundreds of thousands of tourists go there and take in its aesthetic quality, and even if only for a second have their hearts and minds lifted to a transcendent reality beyond themselves, He (Jesus) might be ok with it.

[D7M]

But were they not told to leave and not look back because of the act of anal sex?

yes, that was part of it.

but to be clear, Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt bc. of disobedience, not sodomy.

[*RAGE*]

I have noticed some churches taking a different stand on sodomy because of gay couples... is this true?

[Matt]

yah, well the Vatican isn't really hording them, right? I mean, you can go there and look at them. Like a museum. Which is a good thing. If they gave them away, who would they give them to...a museum?

I don't know what Jesus would think of the Vatican's artifacts. Maybe if he saw how hundreds of thousands of tourists go there and take in its aesthetic quality, and even if only for a second have their hearts and minds lifted to a transcendent reality beyond themselves, He (Jesus) might be ok with it.

You see this is where it all falls down for me, i was raised as a catholic, went to a catholic school, confirmed and all that. You dont give the artifacts away you sell them. I think Jesus would be horrified, he would see the vatican with all its riches, then he would visit those countries where children are starving to death. I am not attacking your religion here im attacking mine lol..

[D7M]

Explain the belief of the trinity.

Buffedguy won't agree with me, but Christians are in fact monotheists. We believe in one God who is three persons.

Each person, as a subsistent relation, is separate from the other persons of the Trinity, and each is truly God. So, the Father is God, the Son is truly God, the Holy Spirit is truly God. Each person, as part of the Godhead, is equally omnipotent and eternal. All attributes of the Godhead can be attributed to each person of the trinity, except their person-hood. So, the Father is *not* the Son, but both are equally God, equally omnipotent, etc.

The Son is the person who is begotten of the Father by an act of eternal generation. The Holy spirit, then, proceeds through an eternal procession from both the Father and the Son.

This is the basic idea. If you have more questions, let me know

[D7M]

I have noticed some churches taking a different stand on sodomy because of gay couples... is this true?

Hmm, this is kinda general, but I'll say this much. the catholic church has pretty much held the line on this one.

Some other protestant denominations (no offense intended, its just facts) have completely changed previously held beliefs.

Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Methodists for example, all openly ordain male or female clerics, who are openly homosexual.

At one point in time, there was a common consensus among all Christian denominations (catholic, protestant, whatever) that women could not be ordained, and also that homosexuality was sinful. The denominations mentioned above have just dropped all that years ago.

[*RAGE*]

Hmm, this is kinda general, but I'll say this much. the catholic church has pretty much held the line on this one.

Some other protestant denominations (no offense intended, its just facts) have completely changed previously held beliefs.

Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Methodists for example, all openly ordain male or female clerics, who are openly homosexual.

At one point in time, there was a common consensus among all Christian denominations (catholic, protestant, whatever) that women could not be ordained, and also that homosexuality was sinful. The denominations mentioned above have just dropped all that years ago.

no you hit it on the head....I was raised catholic and keep some of the beliefs, but have some gay friends that feel they are doing nothing more then following there heart.....

[FallenWyvern]

Buffedguy won't agree with me, but Christians are in fact monotheists. We believe in one God who is three persons.

Each person, as a subsistent relation, is separate from the other persons of the Trinity, and each is truly God. So, the Father is God, the Son is truly God, the Holy Spirit is truly God. Each person, as part of the Godhead, is equally omnipotent and eternal. All attributes of the Godhead can be attributed to each person of the trinity, except their person-hood. So, the Father is *not* the Son, but both are equally God, equally omnipotent, etc.

The Son is the person who is begotten of the Father by an act of eternal generation. The Holy spirit, then, proceeds through an eternal procession from both the Father and the Son.

This is the basic idea. If you have more questions, let me know

Is that in the bible? I have read it cover to cover and it seemed very clear.

[D7M]

no you hit it on the head....I was raised catholic and keep some of the beliefs, but have some gay friends that feel they are doing nothing more then following there heart.....

ah, good.

Yah, surprisingly there has been a couple questions about homosexuality in this thread already.

I was expecting, Idk, doctrinal stuff or 'why is there evil', stuff like that. Still good, though.

[Squatman51]

what is the deciding factor of someone going to heaven????


having faith in the lord?

[D7M]

Is that in the bible? I have read it cover to cover and it seemed very clear.

And it seemed clear that what?

Well, those exact words are not in the bible, but the doctrine of the trinity can be sufficiently inferred from Scriptural passages. I have put it more in terms of the scholastic theology of Thomas Aquinas, b/c that's what I'm most comfortable with.

And while the bible has a formal sufficiency for pronouncing doctrine, Catholics believe that we also have tradition as well that works along side with scripture, and with equal authority.

[D7M]

what is the deciding factor of someone going to heaven????


having faith in the lord?

I guess that would be a necessary but not a sufficient condition.

catholics would say that the sacraments of initiation are absolutely necessary (baptism, confirmation, etc), where the theological virtue of faith is infused into the person. With this virtue of faith, the person would continue through perseverance and good works to advance in holiness.

So, short answer: 1)sacraments + 2)Faith + 3)advancing in holiness=heaven.

Unlike protestants, Catholics would not say that faith alone is enough to merit eternal life.

[FallenWyvern]

So you are saying that it isn't there? Pretty clear the bible calls Jesus god's son hundreds of times.

[Squatman51]

So what if there is a person who is one of the nicest and kindest people in the world and does all they can to help others, but is not religious at all. They believe that there is no god.

So they cannot be sent to heaven then right? but how could someone like that be sent to hell? Or will they be sent to neither of them since they believe in neither heaven or hell?