Why are so many of you christians either unwilling to read the bible and line up with its truths or unwilling to study it beyond what people tell you. I have yet to get a scripural answer to justify the belief that God loves everybody and that there is no elect, that God loves the sinners. Why? Because when you really get serious about God and rightly divid His word you are forced to admit that he doesn't love everyone, especially the sinners, and that there are elect chosen from the foundation.
133556
If he didn't love sinners, why did he send Jesus to die for are sins?  For God so loved the world, ta ht he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16,17\n\nWe are all sinners, saved by grace
117538
There are many millions of people who believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. millions who regard this book as a torch that conquers the darkness of death, and pours its radiance on another world. They forget that it imprisons the brain and corrupts the heart. They forget that it is the enemy of intellectual freedom. They forget its ignorance and savagery, its hatred of liberty, its religious persecution; they remember heaven, but they forget the dungeon of eternal pain. They forget that it imprisons the brain and corrupts the heart\nIt is now not only admitted by intelligent and honest theologians that Moses was not the author of the Pentateuch, but they all admit that no one knows who the authors were, or who wrote any one of these books, or a chapter or a line. We know that the books were not written in the same generation; that they were not all written by one person; that they are filled with mistakes and contradictions. It is also admitted that Joshua did not write the book that bears his name, because it refers to events that did not happen until long after his death. \n\nBasically it does not matter how you translate it. It all boils down to what you believe and can live with. If you believe the Bible is inspired by God, then read it and make your own decision on which translation suits you.
215957
Well according to the Old Testament, God hates a lot of people and a lot of people are going to hell.  Off the top of my head, people who eat shrimp, bankers, rich people, women who don't take rituatl baths after their period, people who are judgemental or arrogant, people born into other religions.  We don't prevent them from becoming Christians.  \n\nJesus said there were only two new commandments : Love God and Love Thy Neighbor.  So do you buy into all the old laws or just follow what Jesus said?  What about Paul?  Does his word carry the same weight as that of Jesus?  What about when Jesus and Paul disagree, which happens a lot?  Who do you side with?\n\nMost gay Christians believe that as long as you obey the words of Jesus himself, that is all that is really important.  The old testament, paul, all that stuff is extra and since a lot of it contradicts Jesus himself, its really not as valid as the word of the actual son of God.  The words of Christ himself are what was important, and Christ never said anything bad about the homos.  It depends on how you set up your Christianity... do you follow Jesus or Paul?  Do you try to follow them both?  \n\nOddly enough, there is almost nothing in the Bible about lesbianism, and none in the new testament.  It really is just gay male sexuality that is troublesome.  So Biblically, you can be a lesbian and a Christian with no contradiciton because Paul declared that Christ brought a new covenant that invalidates most of the old testament.
207569
I've taken a look at that question and at the person's profile who answered it. I'm certainly not going to commit the sin of judging someone else but I will say that when someone asks a serious question about how God works in this world a Christian is called to follow the outline given in this portion of Scripture, not that I am using this passage to describe you by any means.\n\n2 Timothy 2:24  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,  (25)  correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,\n\nThe Scripture also describes the battle that goes on in the lives of every believer that sometimes causes a person to not give a favorable representation of Christ in how they choose to interact with others.\n\nGalatians 5:16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  (17)  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  (18)  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  (19)  Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,  (20)  idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  (21)  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  (23)  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.\n\nAnd so if a person doesn't exercise self control and seek to be led by the Spirit of God they run the risk of reacting from their physical human nature and bringing reproach upon the name of Christ.
276125
Well I'm agnostic but will answer this anyways...\n\nI find this one of Christianity's few logical points.  All people carry some form of greed, arrogance, conflict, etc. in them.  No matter how good a person you are, you WILL sin...its bound to happen.  What the concept of being a sinner means is that Christianity is admitting that its followers will not lead a sinless life (which is realistically true).  Basically, we're imperfect and we know it...but God loves us anyways.\n\nFor non-Christians, its an excuse for Christians to admit they're imperfect while still maintaining that their beliefs are.
473610
True, and it is what I've been saying all along. When I was a Christian, I still didn't believe in the letters of Paul. Was it not the prophets of the ancient times that brought laws and the word of G-d through revelation (ie. a burning bush, the direct voice of G-d)? Then years later, the "new" testament is revealed through letters and secondary sources written by people who weren't even there.  Another great point, thanks for the question.
671741
All people sin because we are not perfect and that includes Christians.  We all sin!!  Christians are to confess their sins, be truly repentant, and make a firm resolve to sin no more to be forgiven.  We are forgiven, then we sin again.  Its a cycle but Jesus knows each of our hearts and He alone decides who will receive Salvation and His mercy and forgiveness.  I think it is a little harsh to call them hypocrites because most are trying to live in example of Jesus but because we are human, we fall far short and do occassionally fall into sin.  What I do not believe is the assumption by some that "Once saved, always saved"...that is not true because we cannot claim to be saved and then go on our merry way committing sin and expect forgiveness with no need of repentence and confession, simply on the basis that Jesus died for our sins.....Yes, He did, but He also gave us very clear and concise teachings on how to live our lives as a true disciple.  Look back at Peter...did not Peter sin in denying our Lord three times...but he was repentant and Jesus forgave him.  Bottom line...........We all Sin...its how we deal with it that makes the difference.
290384
The Bible was written by people and has a bias.  We read it to attempt to interpret what God means.  Since God lives within us, if we pay attention to our hearts we'll know what's right.
591101
I totally agree. People should read the Bible if they are going to question it, praise it, or reject it. Then they are basing their decisions on what they KNOW rather than what they think they percieve.
291172
First of all, there IS a God. The universe didn't just create itself. Second, God punishes unrepentant sinners. Those who do not recieve(believe) the atoning sacrifice of Christ when they die are punished. If you admit that you are a sinner and believe that Christ died for you than you become a Christian, or, a follower of Christ. As a Christian you are commanded to love all people, even those who seem unlovable. So, as  Christian you wouldn't snub people off. And if people snubbed you off you would try not to let it bother you. Those who aren't Christians don't care how they treat people and they don't think about what happens after they leave this life.
145495
This is interesting because Christians say that you have to repent and sin no more, but then they call everyone a sinner. In fact it says in their bible that anyone who says they have no sin is a liar. Therefore according to them everyone keeps sinning. So then what is the difference between say adultery or homosexuality or lying or any other so-called sin when Christ supposedly died for sin? Do you see the great problem? It's absurd. It is only accepted by people because they don't have the capacity to think deeply enough to discover how serious the problem is. If they could actually comprehend the magnitude of the problem they would no longer support the doctrine of the cross. For two millennia the churches have gotten away with an absurd doctrine.
561115
I agree, people worship Jesus and Pastors/Ministers/Bishops/Popes/. Per God's word in the "original" Bible false Idols are Blasphemous. That has never sat well with me. As the "original" Bible stated "God is within you". Making everyone God. Meaning you have the power. I am not religious, religion is such a crock! I have studied many religions and all seem to have been basically enacted to stop humans from animalistic behavior by scaring them. All religion was created for was to keep order, stating that if you acted un-Godly you would end up in an Eternal Hell. The only problem with this is that nature still exists. In nature animals kill, rape, are homosexual, and live un-Godly. Yet most say all of God's creaturs end up in Heaven. HUH? Just live by the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you). Not for God's sake, but it really does make life easier. If you yell at someone they will yell back, if you reason with someone they will reason with you.
102650
I agree with you on the bible.People do not seem to relize that God did not write the bible that man did.Their are so many things about it that just confuse the hell out of me. I think he wanted to see if we would choose him on our own based on all the different ideas of him floating around this world. We are just rats in a maze.Wouldnt it really be something if we were some science experiment for a more intelligent being
604201
It is very sad. Anyone who does a good amount of reading on ethics will know better. Christians tend to not read good books. They just accept the beliefs they were raised with and stick to them out of loyalty, fear, and familiarity. A lot of people don't like to think that what their parents taught them was wrong. A lot of people also have a very hard time dealing with mortality without a belief in a Heaven and benevolent god waiting for them. The truth is, we really just do not know what happens. There could be a deeper purpose to our being here. There could of been an intelligence behind what is. I would never say there definitely is or is not. On the same token though I can see the works or man from a mile away. The Bible wreaks of man, and all his fears. It's far too obvious that a god had nothing to do with what's in that book. I can can spot it just like I can spot the hand writing of a three year old. It's a shame others have such a hard time seeing this. I think this goes beyond their intelligence or lack thereof. It comes from a much deeper emotional issue. To lose faith in God would be akin to losing meaning to everything and that would leave them horribly broken and lost. It's too bad they can't see the other alternatives. One can lead a very spiritual life without placing belief in ridiculous claims.
200182
The one thing some Christians have against them (I am Christian as well) is how they treat others.  Our pastor recently said in a sermon,  " I'll tell you, if I was a non-believer and was thinking about becoming a Christian, the one thing that would stop me is how we treat others and ourselves."\n\nI have to agree.  The way you bring people to love Jesus is by love, prayer, and grace.  Not by bashing them for not being Christian.  Truth is:  we are all sinners and being Christian does NOT make us superior, yet we act as though it should.  We are ALL God's children.  EVERY sin is equal in God's eyes.\n\n\nWhy would anyone respect us if we approach them in an accusing, judgemental manner?!\n\nThere is hypocrisy in ALL faiths and ALL people because we are all sinners.  Please understand...no one is perfect except Jesus Christ.  Being a follower of Christ in no way makes our sins invisible.\n\nI am embarrassed and apologetic for the image some of us have portrayed.
304338
Those Christians that say that forget their Jesus (however, quite a few Christians do share that opinion with their lame "hate the sin, not the sinner" line.)\n\nJesus said if you lust after a person in your heart, you have already committed adultery.  While I disagree with him, certainly, Christians are not afforded this luxary.\n\nSo Jesus says that being gay (obviously, by definition desiring someone of the same sex) then they have already committed the deed.  As Christians, there is no difference between wanting and actually doing in this regard.\n\nThus, whichever Christians repeat this tripe do so despite of what Jesus told them.  In short, as Christians, they are flat wrong.  Either homosexuality is all the way wrong or just fine. \n\nWhile I abhor those fundies who decry homosexuality, at least they are consistent.  This moderate Christian way of having their cake and eating it too is biblically wrong and just plain stupid.
114219
I don't know...maybe they see us as a softer target for 'saving' than say a devout muslim or hindu.\n There are so many things in the bible that are conveniantly ignored by the bible-thumping folks...like the sin of eating of shellfish, the 'good' things about slavery, the not having short hair etc.\n\nThey just pick and choose what they want to follow from the bible.. and insist on trying to control our lives with their misguided morals.\n\nIt just makes me sick the way they like to quite neatly put us in the same box as murderers, pedophiles and rapists.\nBecause these criminals 'love' their victims....\nDon't you get it you narrow-minded fools....these crimes of murder, child abuse and rape all involve one consenting person and one VICTIM.\n\nGay/lesbian relationships consist of TWO CONSENTING adults, loving or having consensual sexual relations with eachother.\n\nHow could an all knowing God punish people for loving eachother.\nShouldnt God be frowning upon you these bigoted bible-thumpers for not loving their neighbours?