So many things going on in our world that can make a persons head spin. Should we spend time or focus our energy with items such as the 9/11 conspiracy, saving the trees/whales/etc, boycotting companies for supporting non-christian groups,   or any other type of issue that has nothing to do with our own personal salvation?
130246
I'd say yes and no.\n\nYou can't answer all the world's issues.  However, God may want you to help answer one or two issues.  Think of Martin Luther King, Jr., for example.  A Christian preacher, he helped to overturn Jim Crow in the South.  \n\nIf there's an issue you care deeply about, chances are God want to use you to help address that issue.  Think of Queen Esther, or Moses.  Also, John the Baptist criticized King Herod for taking his brother's wife as his own.  Jesus took a little time to address a couple of current events.  (See Luke 13:1-5.)  Remember, too, that Jesus is the savior of the world, not just of individual persons.  \n\nOn the other hand, there is this psalm:\n\nPsalm 131 (NIV)\nA song of ascents. Of David. \n 1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, \n       my eyes are not haughty; \n       I do not concern myself with great matters \n       or things too wonderful for me. \n 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; \n       like a weaned child with its mother, \n       like a weaned child is my soul within me. \n\n 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD \n       both now and forevermore.\n\nMy advice: strike a balance between worry and apathy.  If God calls you to answer a cause, do so!
512685
Lots of things are acceptable.  Go to the library and get a book by Metzger on North American Denominations(Religions)\n\nAre you really interested in Christianity or are you more interested in human hypocrasy.  I think you like stirring the pot,  don't you.
375517
Actually that should read "God helps those who help themselves to everything they can," got it yet. Not a bible quote or a very deep philosophical point. It is more Machiavellian than Christian.
195438
I believe in questioning.  Dogma is nothing more than that.  If we believed everything that was writing ans aid, where would we be now?  That in itself is a matter of opinion and some people would asy we were better off, but would we be?  The world is flat and we can't fly........
668120
You make a number of excellent observations, but trying to convince or convert in this type of forum is at best a crap shoot. Jesus related to people on a personal level. When someone is ready to accept the truth under the guidance of the Holy Spirit someone will be there to help them take their first step. If you're not called to save the whole world by all means don't try to do so.
92968
That's an interesting thought.  All actions cause a reaction.  Karma doesn't quite work that way but I see what you're getting at.  Actually, karma is just energy - and opportunity to use it for benefit or not.  Going with your theme, if a person was cruel to homosexuals in a previous incarnation, then he may choose to undergo what he put those people through - or not.  For those of us born with a karmic debt to pay (I am one) it is obvious to ourselves and sometimes others that something is not quite right with the way the world treats us.  We must admit that we feel as though we've done something wrong before, and that we know we must not do it again - even preach against it.  When we pass the tests on this earth, I suppose we will choose some other classroom to further our spiritual education.
11662
i like the first answer. It sounds like they are commenting on how we are trained to hear religious dontorine and how people see it as this magic that will cure our lives in an instant,like a spell. Maybe what they are saying is that we need to break free from this pavlovian response to life and to view reality in the moment. that's my understanding. It's very poectic. Thank for the good question!
318826
Doesn't it seem as if people cling to their beleifs so hard, they will refuse to acknowledge anything that might question that? I mean, what if you found out that your Mom was a crackwhore for the first half of her life and you were the offspring of her pimp? (no offense to any mothers. This seems to be the case. besides, those 2000 year old beleifs, were the beleifs for 2000 years. This Da Vinci schmuk has just surfaced as a new beleif that can be considered by the mases. Or is it... global warming? I haven't read the book nor seen the movie, but I am familiar with the subject matter through schooling. When in school, or watching a movie that makes you think, it is enlightening. If we did not question things, there would be no need for Jesu, right? Why stop questioning now. I apologize, but it seems this Da Vinci controversy has surfaced the weakest of humans and found great fault in religion just by questioning it, whether true or not. The uproar confirms this. And for the twist... I agree with the author of this question, maybe not in the exact same sense. But I am God folks, not the one you all know, but my own. Think about this concept! What does God do for you? What is his purpose? Can these things be accomplished by yourself? It can be done.
251154
great question.\n\nwe should stop talking about all the theoretical and theological aspects of our faith, and start DOing something about it!\n\ni wish i had a real answer for you other than that.\nas for as i can see it we can each only do our part: that means loving our neighbors, spreading the notion of peace, preaching a spirituality of love and acceptance, etc.\n\nif you agree at all then you should read the book: "buried alive - a discussion on overcoming the seven lifeless sins".\nit's the best book i've ever read.  and it's relevant to nearly every aspect of life!
675386
Any extreme belief isn't beneficial to anyone. I agree with you that everyone should have an open mind, listen to all sides, quit trying to convince everyone else and just be level headed about things. It doesn't mean we all have to agree with one another!
660768
Yeah , maybe we should tell then to read something else, anything else.\n\n"How do I know, the Bible tells me so." It has nice stories and its ok to believe whatever you do. I wish people would be more open to finding out what is really true and what isn't. Would you believe every word of the "Weekly World News"? "The New York Times.?Nazis?\nAny one source?
463963
My husband and I saw this on the news this morning. We both agreed that either they (Toys For Tots)should ask the families first their opinions before rejecting the toys or they should be given to churches to give out at Christmas. There are a lot of families that wouldn't mind the toys. I don't think all of the children should suffer because of a few others beliefs (I feel the same about Halloween). After all we do live in America... don't we? Since when is it American to not be Christian? Oh that's right... most of the people complaining aren't American. Silly me!
151248
great question. almost as much a catch 22 question as "flag burning"  but it has considerable merit. i think knowledge is a necessary precursor to such a great responsibility. i strongly lean towards YES.
575123
Yes we are to blame, whether you believe in God or not, we still have the capacity to make decisions, and depending on the answers we give, the solutions we use, or the actions we take. Our contributions either have a positive effect or negative effect on others. The Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) gives us guidlines that show us how to help and care for one another. Again whether one believes in God or not, we know that murder is wrong, we know that stealing is wrong, we know that doing these things will cause someone to suffer. So if we know these things will cause someone else to suffer and we still do them how can we blame God? Especially if you don't believe in him?
564608
what kind of sick f*ck does something like that? for a "born again christian, a compassionate conservative, a uniter - not a divider" he sure seems hell bent on destroying just about everything. but, i guess the idea of the biblical apocalypse might be something he'd like to bring on.
10934
By the time I read all of the answers I realized that my thoughts had pretty much been covered. So kudos to all above me!\n\nBut I do want to emphasize what Snehal has proposed. One world........no religions. I agree with the answer that said that religions have basic similarities but that man has chosen to use their religion inappropriately. Wars have been fought merely over "interpretations." People have died for believing differently. Lives have been controlled because of those reading religion as a misinterpreted call for power. People are told what to think and what not to think and are condemned for differing opinions. \n\nI'm sure right now someone reading this is shaking their head thinking, "She has no clue what she is talking about." If it would stop with that, all would be fine. We are all entitled to have our own opinions. It is when someone will write me slamming me for my beliefs and finding  a way to avenge my thoughts by blasting me somewhere that we realize this is symbolic of our world's problems. It's not just because of religion of course. Religion is the scapegoat. Man can blame his judgements of others on the fact that they belong to "the wrong" religion. If we didn't have religions..........we would all have to face what we really are without the use of the scapegoat. \n\nGod? Well I believe we have a higher order. Does he want religions killing and disagreeing? *cough* Think about what He would write if he answered this question. :)
536545
well, isn't this the core question of the human race? Is there a point to it all? From a bigger perspective (like the billions of years old unimaginably big universe perspective) I'd say probably not as we're very finite beings and the time and space we take up in the universe at large doesn't really register as more than a blip, but on a personal level there are many things I aspire to like expanding my knowledge, sharing love and warmth, experiencing interesting sensations (think food, music, reading, sex, etc) and seeing as much of this vast and fascinating universe as I possibly can and I try my best to do good by others.\n\nJust because I do not believe in the human soul, the god(s) and an afterlife doesn't mean I don't intent to get the most out of the short timespan I've been given in this bizarre place. Although I must admit it is sometimes hard to resolve the human ego that screams 'I am the center of the universe' with the rational knowledge that in the grand scheme of things I do not really matter. But everybody should be allowed a crisis of faith from time to time, we're all human after all.