I have my point view, but I love to listen to different answers. and can it Karma idea be a truthful?   because how can someone for instance born in super-ultra-rich family and live next to a church, knows God and help people and enjoy life...while one born in poor parted family, in a town in south america, or in palestinian village, far from any church?  what do you think?
134870
We are all tested in different ways.  You may think it is better to be born into a "super rich family"  But the truth is being super rich bares a huge responsibility.  It is your responsibility to care for and feed the poor.  Wealth may seem great but the fact is it is only a test. If you are buying huge fancy homes while the people all around you are starving, how will that be seen by the all mighty. \n\n Being poor may seem horrible but in the end we are taught that there suffering will erase a large amount of their sin. And also have you ever noticed that when we want something we become more religious than when we have everything, so poor people are much more likely to be religious as they need his help.  In the end I think there will be more poor people in heaven than rich.\n\nHonestly, I dont look at wealth as a blessing.  To me it is a curse.  Everytime you see that beautiful outfit in a store you have to make a choice.  Fill your closet with one more thing you really dont need or feed that child who is begging in the street on the other side of the earth.  How many make the right decision?????  Most do not,  They go ahead and buy another set of clothes or the fancy boat, or the fancy car.  While hundreds will not see a meal that night.  They justify it by saying, I must be a better person because I was given this and I deserve it.  They do not know it is only a test and they are failing and digging deeper and deeper into hell.  \nWe are all tested in different ways, no one person is better than another.  Some are tested with suffering some are tested with the temptation to gluttony there are many tests but in truth none is really better.  The priviliged become proud and The all mighty does not like pride. Those who suffer become humble.  So one may feel better but in fact it may not be better in the end.
620897
ohhh, how judgemental is everyone here?...think i'll keep my own comments to myself before i start shooting off my mouth and sounding ignorant...as for u all, maybe u should ask a poor, under priviliged minority who just lost all of his home, money, job, several family members, and all of his material possesions why he / she is having trouble starting completely over from nothing after being unwillingly relocated to places where they are viewed w/ predjudice and the limited opportunities that are there are that much harder to take advantage of....But then again, how often in history have those who are more fortunate been able to relate to the plights of those who don't enjoy the same benefits as they do?
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.
130663
I personally think it is very wrong that some should have so much while others have so little... why some should enjoy their life with luxuries while others die of disease and famine. It enrages me that we live in a culture where we worship those who earn millions doing fundenmentally useless things like acting... where we openly encourage them to live lives that they don't need to be living, squandering wealth that could be inputted into keeping many other humans alive. \n\nI personally give a great deal to charity and will always campaign to get people to do the same and to start caring about others more than they do themselves. I am sure most Christians and Muslims, and any other religion would agree with this statement, as in all religions, there is an element that claims it is good to care about your fellow humans. \n\nPut it like this, something has to change in this world.
552014
I don't know which church told you that you were unimportant and a sinner because of your poverty, but neither my church (Lutheran) nor I say that!  I'm sorry you had that experience.  Those folks are not walking in the way of Christ; He told His disciples that the poor would be with us always.  And James says that God chose the poor to be rich in faith.\nAs to your question about why churches don't pay taxes...well, that's something I wonder myself.  I think we might be better off if we did, really.  And the overtaxation of the poor/middle class and the loan sharks...honey, the blame for that falls on our elected officials who live in the back pockets of corporations, giving them huge tax breaks and letting everyone else shoulder the burden...while they vote big pay raises for themselves! (Must be nice, huh?)\nAnd lastly:  welfare is not a sin!  We were poor when I was a kid, and if it hadn't been for food stamps, free lunches at school, and surplus government commodities, us kids would have starved!  And later, when my mom developed heart problems so she couldn't work and had to go on full AFDC, we were just thankful those services were there for us.  The only time welfare -might- be considered a sin would be if someone were just lazy and refused to work.  But I don't think that's you...believe me, I know how hard it is to find a job that will support a family, or to get affordable training to help get a better job.\nPlease don't let that church get you down.  I'll be praying for you, OK?
456538
Why don't we all put our money where our mouth is?? \n\nHow easy is it to say, "god, please bless those less fortunate than I, so I don't have to part with my fortune."???\n\nGod does not give blessings so that you can ask him to give blessings to your neighbor.  He gives blessings so that you can give to your neighbor knowing that he will come through for you even if you don't have a bundle of money and stuff stored away.
308565
then you can be a real and better instrument because you have been there! These people just have good intentiuons but havent experineced it!!! you are SOOOO RIGHT A_N_Y_O_N_E can become homeless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! technically Bill Gates can! anyone at all!!!!!   They are afraid to think that way because then they will have to deal with that!\n               I also was for a while, in a way..... I mean, but I wasnt surprised, in my case I had already seen the evil in others and how it can happen!  I am Christian as well, and was the whole time I was in my bad situation...... I too had made mistakes but never stopped believing in God....\n           Just understand the ones helping you are spiritually still "babes in Christ" and may not even comprehend that you can be spiritually AHEAD of them even!\n      Jesus said He had no place to lay His head........ yet HE IS THE SAVIOUR!!!! its NO surprise that the BEST can be treated the worst or find a bad lot in life .......... People need to wise up.
32833
That is an interesting view of things.  I have always had an inclination the exact opposite direction, that is, to help my family first, then my town, then state, country, the world.  I'm not saying this is right and the way you are talking about is wrong.  I guess it's just that when I have some money to donate, and I look around, and right there is my own family member who is barely getting by, then how can I let him starve while feeding a stranger?\n\nBut what you are saying is a good philosophy.  For if I were to help the country, then perhaps there would be this "trickle-down" effect to my own family member.  I think there may be something to that.  I just wish I was a billionaire and could help everyone!
677300
Right on!!  I live a sheltered life, honestly... out in the middle of nowhere, where everyone you know goes to your church and everyone in the community is one great big family.  I was shocked to learn of some of the things that people believe, for instance, I didnt know that there was an actual religion called Satanism, and they go to church at the church of satan!  What??!  \nAfter asking some of my questions on here, I have learned a whole lot.  There are soooooo many people who are lost, and I never realized that until now! (BTW - I'm 20yrs old)
416159
I am a christian and that is a great question. Often we see the world as we wish that it was, not how it is. It seems to me that Jesus condemed the wealth in the Bible rather than encouraged it.
410320
A person is an atheist based on an analytical view and has therefore settled any questions as to otherwise.  It is not a whim or a notion, it is based on as solid a foundation as any religion, more so actually because it is based on what we believe to be fact.  I would certainly hope that the kind lady would not ask me to change my heart on this matter.  And, in turn, even though I would agree to be the recipient for the kidney that will give her a "reward" from God, I would not ask her to change her view toward God.  Please bear this in mind:  Although it is rare, sometimes people will perform sacrifices for each other with no other motive (i.e. rewards, going to heaven, avoiding hell) than to be good human beings.  That, my dear, is a rare and true sacrifice.
647384
Well, I can see how you would believe that, but I have an inside track on something that has nothing to do with money.  I've felt the hand of God in my life.  I'm poor.  I've seen His miracles touch the lives of those around me.  I've heard His voice call to me from a distance and heard His voice whisper to me from close to me.  I know there is a God because I have felt Him in the inner most part of my being.  Doesn't matter who does what with money.  I have no money (save the less than $100 in my checking account), and I can still testify to the fact that there is a God that cares for me regardless of any business side to any religion.
157069
Are you aware of how personal a question this is?\n\nMy own concept of God and of religion is that it is an intensely personal matter.  One of the reasons is that we all have different ideas of what is "rational" to believe, what is appropriate to do, etc.  If I told you what my pathway to God has been, you would evaluate that as whether or not that would work for you, or whether you approve or not.\n\nAnytime you tell someone something private, you are inviting their evaluation, or at least their comment.  Since I do not need this evaluation or comment, and since I doubt my path to God would work for everyone, I will keep it to myself.\n\nSpecifically, I am confident that a born-again Christian would disapprove.
67934
Awesome! I respect you, alot, because of this statement. I agree that God should not be brought into alot of things. Alot of these people make such statements blindly as they've yet to receive any ACTUAL experience in the type of situation of which the person you're talking to has gone through, but they feel it necessary to enforce (selfishly, I might add.) that they are a Christian and that by saying this they gain points with God. It doesnt. Why would god want to enstill so much trauma on a person? Common sense doesnt react well with fear, and in this case it is the fear that God is abit shakey about their loyalty to him (Which if they were a true Christian then they would probably come to the conclusion that as long as you build good karma selflessly, then their diety would be happy.).\n\nNow the subject about people preaching their beliefs and then sinning out their asses, I believe you're right. In the Bible, it says that God'll cleanse your sins (NOTE: I am an Athiest and do not believe this, but this is for the sake of argument) but that doesnt mean you should rack up as much negative points while you can. A quote from an AWESOME Scream Christian Band (Hardcore True Christians, mind you.)-\n\n"...Christ is not a Fashion..." - Memphis Will Be Layed To Waste by Norma Jean.
396590
I could have written this question myself, and I look forward to your answers received.  I too am of the mind that it is what we are taught, and in the worst cases what we are taught to fear the questioning of.\n\nI always thought it would be an interesting (although possibly psycologically cruel) experiment to take a child or two from each of the major religions and raise them with no mention or concept of "god" or religion.  Would the develop a belief of their own?  At least it would be interesting to see what an intelligent person would lean toward if they only learn of the concept of god after growing to an age where they can decide on their own.\n\nI feel that is what I did, but in reverse, and it sounds like what happened to you as well.  As I got older and learned more about our world, I found that I didn't really believe what I was taught all my life.  Frankly, I don't feel the need to believe in a god or religion.\n\nI believe in being a good person as much as I can be, and that is fundamentally based in not causing other creatures intentional harm and living a moral and decent life.  Very similar ideas to what most religions teach.\n\nI also think it is a fine line between a religion and a cult.  Religions just have broad acceptance.  Kind of like if in 3000 years, the Branch Davidians were the most popular religion and David Coresh is referred to as Jesus is today.  Obviously that won't happen, and I really only used that example because I think it is the one most people will know of whom I am speaking.
503788
I don't like that certain Christians tell me that I'm going to hell because I don't believe exactly what they believe.  If someone lives on an island, has no other people around, knows nothing of society, can you honestly think that this person will spend his afterlife in a fiery pit of despair and pain?  It sounds just like a Sunday School tale to scare children into behaving.  Old fairy tales such as Little Red Riding hood, Cinderella, etc, didn't turn out as happily ever after, they were to teach children to behave, and have good manners.  I respect Christians, they can believe whatever they want, but please I am happy with my own beliefs, and don't want to believe what you do.
47073
All the previous post-ers have good points, do consider their advice thoroughly.\nDoubt the world and the motives of those who occupy it, but not the Creator.\nThere's an old expression that says the Lord gives you no more trials than he knows you can handle. To this - I myself have said "Gee I wish he didn't trust me so much."\nAlso there are theories on the trials and tribulations of our lives being things we chose for this life before we were born, all in a desire to experience the life in it's many facets. I also sometimes have a problem with that idea, because there are a number of things in my life that I think "there's no WAY I could have chosen to experience that". But when I'm in a more reflective mood, I realize the events in my life, both joyous and tragic, have shaped me and what I've become. And what's more I am proud of myself, that I haven't let the trials beat me down, and that I don't go around blaming others for what could be considered misfortune.\n\nLife can turn completely around in a moment's notice, you never, ever know what difference one choice can make. Doors of opportunity open and close all around you. Let go of your frustration, it's a grief we've all had at some point. Spend time meditating and searching out what new path is coming up in your life.\nAnd most importantly take a moment to be thankful for all the things you DO have, as it seems there are some significant ones.\n\nDeep breath, blow it out, re-center yourself, and things will be better I promise.