Since there are so many people who don't even follow what their religion teaches? For example, should be give up on a religion because we hear one of their members committed a crime? Do you think there are a lot of people out there who let other people's behavior keep them out of heaven?
133409
We are not suppose to judge people on anything. The Bible saids we go by the fruits that they bear. God will do the judging.
661144
God is everywhere and knows everything, so we don't have the power to "throw Him away".   I believe not enough people read God's Word to do their own research and are falling for the humanistic way of looking at things.  It has been a long, long time since I heard a preacher even preach about Heaven and Hell and the choices we make.  A lot of our churches are so politically correct, no real meat is taught to people who come hungry to hear God's Word.  If the Truth is taught, some people get offended but we will be held accountable for what is taught in our churches.
537500
there seems to be an awful lot of "believers" doing things that i wouldn't exactly call righteous.\n\nlook at the persons life not their professed religion.
511271
To what end?  Are athiests looking for converts?  Do they feel descriminated against?  When I hear athiest agressively defending their beliefs it often sounds like they are trying to convince others that they are silly, stupid or delusional - and I don't think that is very productive.  How about if we all just keep our religion to ourselves and let our neighbors enjoy their own path as we do ours?  Let's live and let live - ok?\n\nPeace!
260005
I think many believe in their religions entirely, they are just very good at rationalizing their own departures from religious laws because, like all human beings, they put themselves before others. Moreover, that fact that all they have to do in some cases is ask for forgiveness or perform some act of repentence makes it that much easier for them to sin and still claim to be a believer. It doesn't help matters that in many cases, scripture is confusing or contradictory, giving people of faith the opportunity to classify certain behaviors as an exception to the rules, or allowing them to argue against certain laws by citing other scripture that seems to differ.
674089
The problem with this is that not everyone follows the same religion, so what one may believe or follow can be completely different from that of another.\n\nSometimes people get so irate over general questions like this because they will defend their religion to the end, which is quite fine by me. However, everyone is entitled to their own opinion/beliefs but they must also respect those of others.
202075
I don't understand why people answer Question on subjects that don't interest them and bash the person for asking.I'm not a fan of the religious Q's. So I just don't answer them.Please don't let these small minded people change your thinking. Where would we be if Jesus gave up because of persecution.
262752
Some Muslims do not follow their religion.  Instead they live peacefully respecting their women and tolerating others.\n\nBut far too many of them do follow their religion and try to turn the entire world into a Muslim state where anyone who isn't a Muslim is either killed or treated as a second class citizen.  Because those who die trying to do that are given the highest reward in heaven there is a tendency for some of the followers to do exactly that (and since they believe they are fighting for their god they can even enjoy killing the infidels).\n\nElimination of Islam would be one possible solution to the problem of islamic terrorism and is something that I think should be seriously considered.
292621
I think that people get caught up on one single aspect of their faith a lot of times.  This causes them to lose sight of their complete faith which can lead to misinterpretion or a lack of understanding of what their faith teaches and believes.  Homosexuality is a very good example.  I'm not saying that I believe its right, but you still have to step back and realize this person is still a person.  You also have to realize that you are not perfect either in some other way, and a lot of people forget that.
173596
They sound like a Christian to me.  I've never met one who follows the teachings of Christ. Intead they follow the politics of their "religion" usually to the compleat exclusion of the teachings of Christ.
422301
Every religion (not everyone INVOLVED in the religion) teaches that all other beliefs other than their own are wrong.  Do all people take this to heart?  No.  I have met a lot of Christians and others who at least respect the fact that I am an Atheist.  Would they really rather me be their religion, of course.  They just know it's not going to happen any time soon.\n\nAlso, a lot of these people fear difference, and were taught to tell everyone and spread the word of their god.  However, they were never told how, so they feel they need to shove it down our throats or try to scare us by condemning us to their hell thinking it will change our minds.\n\nKeep strong, and ignore all the negative people.  Surround yourself with good people of all religions that respect you for who you are.  Remember though, don't throw all religious people in one pile.  Some are better than others!  Stay strong!  Don't let them get to you!\n\nJust laugh it off.\n\nGood luck!
258705
I believe it comes from a lack of understanding others.  People tend to hate that which they cannot understand.  Combine that with spiritual insecurity and it leads them to try to convince others that their path is the only righteous way towards God.  People speaking of religious tolerance have it all wrong.  To say that you tolerate someone else's religion means that you have pasted judgment on them.  This is something only God can do.  In the end, each person would be a better off if they lead by example and found the place that best allows them to worship and work on their relationship with God.
597034
I wouldn't endorse a ban on any religion.  How can we be a country of freedoms if we start banning people who think differently?  It is the extremist (of any religion) that make it hard........not the regular folks.
364226
No they do not i am a minister in an assemblies of god church and they do not supports nor do they want to allow those other religions to take control. I must admit though we do talk to them simply to show them that their statuts are wrong and immoral. so we do not accept them into our religion unless they are willing to confess their sins and turn from their wicked ways.
247472
long time ago in a far away land someone decided that people were living freely, doing just what they wanted, when they wanted and the government had to find a way to put\nthese people in place, so they thought of a story....lets make two places people can go when they die - the place for the good ones (who follow all the rules al the time) and the place for the bad ones (who don't follow the rules), then we threaten them with the bad place and they'll start following the rules, cause they wouldn't want to go there...you see, heaven and hell does not really exist. Come on our loving God put his own children in burning flame for eternity? Does that sound like the God you want to serve? Sounds a bit freeky to me. Truth is God loves everybody, every single one of us and there is only one destination for all of us, which is heaven, but if we were to know that - we'll stop following the "rules". Do you honestly think any one of us "deserve" to go to heaven? Nope...but ALL of us will be there one day and ALL of us will be happy! That's the real truth if you were wondering ; )\nTake care!
269503
Every one wants their religion to be THE BEST ONE by flaunting good deeds they try to make it so.  In the  Bible it says do not flaunt your deeds only god needs to know. (not exactly, but close) I would like to think no matter what religion you practice this should apply, I hate to think people do good just to convince others of their goodness, only you and your god or goddess or??? need to know
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.