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Problems Being A Christian

Hi!

I consider myself a believer, and since I was raised as a christian, I think this belief is what I find closest to me. But when I was 14 years old, I stared reading the Bible which lead to no good. I became afraid, thought about the fact that 95% of everyone I know would burn in hell and I started "make up" different rules that took control over my life (mostly praying a long prayer 3 times a day, reading the Bible 1 hour etc) so I was "on the safe side" myself. I later realized that I couldn't live this way, and I ended up refusing all connection to God. But in reality I've never topped believing. I have prayed sometimes, and often I feel that someone is protecting me.

Still I have problems: Because if I "become" a christian again, I will have to believe every word it says. And some of it is against my principles. But of course, I can't use logic against God, I'm just supposed to swallow everything without thinking, right?
I can't do that.

When people talk about homosexuality being a sin, I don't get them. Yes, it's in the Bible, but I know that these people haven't just chosen to be this way. Why would they choose it? So some people say: They may be gay, but they houldn't be in a releashionship. But why should God deny them love? It can't be healthy for them to deny who they are?

Second, I still have problems accepting hell. I can't live my life believing that averyone I love will burn forever. And I can't see the love of God, if he has made such a place. Once again, I should probably just accept it cause he is almighty. But why eternal pain? Why this gruesom terror? And my principles of justice is so strong that I can't accept the "I believed and was saved, sad for you guys".

And another thing (which isn't that big of a deal) is why sex before marrige is so important. I can see why you sholdn't have sex with many people and why "one night stands" is wrong. But not why I who have a girlfriend which I love by all my heart can't have sex. We have sex and it's great. It strengthens our relasionship.

So I guess alot of you won't agree with me on this. But every comment would be good. This is just how I feel, and I actually believe that God doesn't want me to change all of it. I have searched for answers, but they haven't come to me yet. Still, I feel him supporting me in many ways.

Christian Being Problems

You can't apply human logic to God, it's not for us to determine who goes to Heaven or Hell, that's for God to decide. Our job is to apply sound doctrine with the intention of living lives in the "most Christ like Ways" we can manage. Inevitably we will fail, but our job is to try harder to correct the wrongs. As for homosexuality, a consensus will never be reached, but we should interpret the Bible as best we can and live with that. As for Hell, on one end of the spectrum there are the people who believe in the fiery pits of hell, and on the other end of the spectrum there are the universalists who believe that ultimately every single person goes to heaven; there is a happy medium in this spectrum of beliefs however, many scholars believe that in the Bible, Hades (the place most people associate with 'Hell') is actually a reference to a tip just outside Jerusalem, where refuge was burned. Some scholars believe that this reference was an analogy to a life without Christ. There are few actual references to Hell itself, and many people believe that hell is simply a life without-Christ; no fire or sulphur involved! It's not for me to tell you what to believe, I'm simply pointing out that there are varied beliefs... at the end of the day it's not for us to worry about who is going to Heaven and Hell, it is for us to try to live our lives as best as we can. As for sex before marriage, most Christians believe that sex should be saved for inside marriage. Obviously you have your own opinions on this, and that is fair enough, however a simple question is this: if all acts are carried out pre-marriage, what is there new or special to introduce within the marital relationship? Anyway, that is for you to decide. Just 'pushing a few ideas about' as it were.

Problems Being A Christian Revealed Bible The

Andre87 you ask many good questions and I think DianeC is right you have to read and study to gain these answers. One good suggestion I can make is if you feel God with you do not deny that feeling. Once you go to god he knows you and you he. If you wander he weeps for you and continues to touch your life in ways that you know it was him. He does this because he cares and wants you back.

Why is he against same sex relations? He wants us to multiply, two boys or girls make nothing.

I have read studies done on animals where they put the animals in a limited space with unlimited food. No same sex relations when unlimited food until very over crowded. Another study placed food limitations once the population was very high but no same sex relations had manifested. Upon the reduction same sex relations and fighting starts. The conclusion is that the same sex relation is a phycological response to the environment. You conclude as you will I just was summarizing the experiment and their conclusions.

I would strongly suggest that if you do feel a tie to God then do not ignore it. Pray to him for guidance in his word and understanding, he will give it. If you read a passage and do not understanding it bring it to the boards for discussion it is safe here. I sometimes ask God for confirmation on what I think I understand. The confirmation will usually come from a total stranger who you bump into and for some reason start discussing the topic with.

When I seek answers in the bible I often will sing praise to God then do a short prayer giving thanks and ask for forgiveness for my wrongs that I have done and then ask for his guidance in finding the right passage and fully understanding how it applies to me. I never find reading the Bible easy and have to work hard at believing all it says. I question far to much as I see things in passages that are very strange. I assume quit often that it is demons that are playing on me during these times. I grew up Baptist and then went to Pentecostal ministries, I just found more spiritual movement in the Pentecostal community then Baptist in my area.

You will find the right path when God intends it for you. You sound quit distraught on this and that causes me some feelings of emergency. Just take it slow and understand what you need to know. If you do once you are done your journey you will feel comfortable with what is going on around you. Feel free to PM me on any questions you have.

Christian Being Problems

Your points struck a chord with me Andre87. I've had similar feelings myself. I was raised a catholic and educated at a catholic school but now the only time I ever attend church is at Christmas with my family. I entirely agree with your points regarding homosexuality and sex and I am often horrified by the actions taken by a supposedly "loving" God in the Old Testament.

It seems to me the the difference in cultures between when the Bible was written and today is so vast that there is a great deal of difficulty in trying to understand why such points of view should continue to have relevance.

And just one more point. What always puts my head in a spin is the idea that as a Christian, you could potentially be worshiping the wrong God. Islam and Judaism have just as much history behind them and just as huge a following as Christianity but Europe and America have such a cultural value invested in Christianity that it becomes the religion Europeans and Americans follow-just as Islam for the Middle East and so on.

Just who is right?

Christian Being Problems

Dougiep I do not think we will know that till it is too late. Lets just hope that being kind to each other goes a long long ways.

Actually I do not agree that we are so dissimilar then we were then. Think about why the world was flooded in the time of moses. The people were so sinful and disregarding of God's law he wiped them out.

Moses was given 10 commandment because of the very sins we still commit today. Egyptians did they not practice openly and with no fear homosexuality. Romans had bath houses there were no females but one went there for adult pleasures. Greeks also openly accepted and practiced bisexuality/homosexuality. What about Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed for sinful pleasures.

How can one who follows christianity possible believe today it is acceptable but not back then?

I will pose you a question you have a son who you deeply love he sets fire to homes do you not punish him? If in time this behavior keeps repeating what do you ultimately do? Death is extreme I agree but in days of old it would have been the result. Today we would take the person lock them up and hope that a doctor could help them. You would let your child suffer this punishment though you still love him.

Edited: krakyn on 17th Oct, 2007 - 2:49pm

Problems Being A Christian

" Dougiep I do not think we will know that till it is too late. Lets just hope that being kind to each other goes a long long ways. "

I agree!

Regarding homosexuality in the ancient world: yes you are correct gay and bi-sexual men and women exisited then as they do now. They always have and they always will because they are part of the human race not the freaks they are often portrayed as. When God destroyed Sodom he saved Lot because he was a righteous man and yet when the mob had originally come to his door demanding to rape his male guests he offered them his virigin daughters to rape and beat up instead. Is that ok? Does God prefer the rape of young girls over boys or men? Possibly he does given that the rape of women is sanctioned by God in other parts of the Old Testament.

Its a horrible subject, but I say it because I think it points to the evident problem of the Bible-its sanctioning of barbaric practices we don't tolerate in the west today and our acceptance of practices not accepted then.

Speaking personally, I think the story of Sodom is a folk tale of and belonging to its time-not an historical record.

Gay men and gay women do not choose who they fall in love with or who they are sexually attracted too. Medical studies exist showing this to be true. If you believe in God (and I'm not sure what I believe to be honest) and you think He made you as you are then I think you have to accept God made people gay. And then ask yourself why God would punish gay people for acting in they way they were created?

Problems Being Christian

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