Another person asked how anyone could condemn someone like Saint Amma, who promotes peace and does so many great things.  And someone gave this answer:\n\nShe is a great person, I'm sure. Here's the problem--anyone who has not accepted Christ as their savior will be cast into a lake of fire, no matter how good they are. Yes, we need good people like her, but we also need to teach them how to be saved. \n\nWhat kind of God do you worship anyway?  What more can you possibly expect before you are willing to call someone "good" instead of insisting that all humans are so evil that they all automatically deserve hellfire for eternity?\n\nIf your "God" will throw good people to hell, then how "good" is this God?
129418
I wanted to answer this question so badly when you posted it yesterday but I was at the limit for answers. That answer to my question really troubled me. Do Christians really believe that it's better to live like a devil and then accept their God at the end than to live like a saint and not accept their God? I'm not sure if they see that when they express opinions like this they make their God seem really possessive, vengeful, cruel, and not at all understanding. I am not criticizing their God [as all Gods are one, in my opinion] but their description. I think it's terrible that a person would be okay with the idea of throwing a saint into fire for not believeing in one idea of what God is. In any case, it wasn't that she doesn't believe in God [though I personally have nothing against atheists] it's just that she sees God differently. If God is so compassionate and forgiving, God would never put anyone in hell for eternity, especially not someone so good and pure of heart. Amma spreads happiness, joy, and miracles, and does so wholeheartedly, without desire for any gain for herself, including spreading her religion, and I am sure that she will be with God when her time comes.
70036
Well something about these quotes really disturbs me...\n\n"Over one million people worship the devil as a religion."  Really?  Prove it.  I want to see where you got your IMPARTIAL information.\n\n"Anyone who does not believe in God is a sinner and rebuked God when they heard the good news."  So this is what you are saying.  Before you tell these people about your god they are safe because your god is not known to them.  If, however; you tell them about your god and they refuse to believe your "good news of the lord" they are condemned to hell.  Why tell them in the first d@amned place then if you know they are going to go to hell for refusing your god!?\n\n"Lives we can never change"....yeah? tell that the people you just condemned to hell for refusing to believe in your god.\n\n..."and we have an understanding of what is good and bad in our conscience."  Well let me see, you just told a bunch of people who were enjoying their lives without your god and who were safe from the wrath of your god until you told them about your god by condemning them to hell for refusing to believe in your god. How is telling people who don't know your god a good thing again please?\n\n"we all have a sense of survivl instinct."  It's spelled S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L, you idiot. \n\n"Yes things in our culture have been disintergrated because of simple minded people not knowing the facts before they say or do things before the think"...welcome to the Disintegration Club, genius.\n\n==============\n\n...and then there's this one...\n\n==============\n\n“HELLO! "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live...."\n\n"I'M NOT SAYING KILL ALL THE WITCHES.....what I AM saying is God does not approve of witchcraft...”  { Rather than me going off here I think I will just dust off something that Fiona Broome wrote and place it here regarding that little statement}: \n\nThou shalt not suffer a witch to live...? \nedited by Fiona Broome\n\nPeople often ask about the famous line in the Bible, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." (Exodus 22:18) \n\nIt's important to do your own research. However, here's what I've found so far: \n\nJames I was notorious for being paranoid about witches, spells, and so on. This was, in part, due to volatile politics of the time. He had good reason to be nervous. \n\n"His" Bible (the King James Bible) was translated to keep Jamie-boy happy, so they translated the word chasaph--which is Hebrew for poisoner (or, in other contexts, herbalist)-- to mean "witch" instead. \n\nThe real Biblical passage was about the disturbing crime of poisoning in the Jewish community. When that line was originally written, there may have been recent poisonings. Some historians point to this. \n\nHere's an early document, written around 1580 at the time of King James I, protesting the translation of chasaph as "witch." \n\n(And when goode King James discovered what Reginald Scot had said in this book, James first wrote his own book, Daemonologie, a rebuttal to Scot's. Then James ordered his men to find every copy of Scot's book and burn them. It \nwas too late. The Scot book was already in its third printing, widely distributed, and nine more chapters had been added.)\n\n  \nFrom The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot. \n  \nBOOKE VI \n  \nChapter I - The exposition of this Hebrue word Chasaph, wherein is answered the objection conteined in Exodus 22. to wit: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live, and of Simon Magus. Acts. 8. \n  \n(page 64) Chaspah, being a Hebrue word, is Latined Veneficium, and  is in English, poisoning, or witchcraft; if you will so have it. The Hebrue sentence written in Exodus, 22. is by the 70. interpretors translated thus \n  into Greeke, [note: I'll fill this in when I have a Greek font and more time], which in Latine is, \n  \n\n  Veneficos (sive) veneficas non
355851
You are one egotistic asshole. You answered my Sylvia Browne question and she goes beyond the bible. I've read the bible, I know all about Jesus but I am my own person and can take my beliefs to a different height. You obviuosly only have faith in one person and that is yourself. So why don't you re-read the bible and quit being so judgemental of other religions. As long as someone has faith, then that is all they need. Atleast that person has something to live for other than themselves, like you.
559666
Good question!!!\nI think that God is simply an uncaring son/daughter of a bitch who can not be an athiest as (s)he is eternally and omnipotently screwing people around on a cosmic level.\nIt's time for all good people to ignore the swine!!\nAs for all these answers saying go read your bible while intimating that you are dumb to even ask the question can not be very good Christians if they insult!!\n"To be a good Christian, read the bible, to be a good Jew, read the Torah, to be a good Muslim, read the Koran. It's easy, but to be a good athiest you have to read them all"
459656
Actually I worked with a very cruel woman who was a minister in the the No Name Church.  She justified mistreating those in her way as necessary in the world at this time.  (I don't think it was their belief, I just think the wrong person in their religion was given some power.)  I witnessed many manipulative cruel schemes in the work place to help her gain a position of power.   I grew up in a fundamentalist hotbed of religion and thought I had seen and heard everything up to that point.  People like Ted Haggard may do damage on a phenomenal scale, but I have never seen evil masked as Christianity as I did with this woman.  It was truly a eye opening experience as I listened to how other members had to come to her for council and her advice . . . such as advising one man to divorce his wife.  Part of her rationalization was the marriage ceremony was not printed in the Bible so it was a man-made contract not supported by the Church.
374200
And why would we worship a god who favors pedophiles over heroes?\n\nDoesn't seem like a nice god.  What motivation do we have to worship him?\n\nOh yeah, right, eternal damnation.  So, we are supposed to believe the word of a god who has no qualms about tossing heroes into Hell.  Yeah, do people really think that God would be good on his word?  If he doesn't care about human life, then what makes you think he cares about honesty?
222640
In the interest of fairness, I looked at the person's comments as well as your response. Just wanted to correct one tiny little detail... The second comment didn't say that your writings would condemn you to hell, but that you would answer for them, and that you would be condemned if you did not accept Jesus... exaxt quote was...\n\n"God will hold you accountable for every word you speak and write, and ultimately what will condem you to hell is if you do not accept the payment done on your behalf by God himself"\n\nNevertheless, this is a small detail, and one that scarcely matters in light of the judgement and condemnation in this person's arrogant and holier-than-thou comments. \n\nI personally think that the worst thing said in these two comments was "You are useless to mankind..." \n\nHow utterly and fundamentally mean-spirited. \n\nAs a Christian, I apologize for this behavior. If the person wanted to witness to you, he/she should have left a comment saying, "I'm a Christian, and I'd like to talk to you about Christ and hear what you think about it." They shoould have left their name and let you contact them if you wanted to. \n\nI hope that you choose not to let this person (or people - could have been 2 different people) color your opinions of Christians as a whole.
280853
that is ridiculous.\npeople can not condemn anyone to hell.\nGod is the judge not people.\nThis is why i don't like being called 'religious'... people like that give it a bad name.
224538
"Just remember that if compassion, love, and unity is not in your belief, than you are a bad person no matter what your belief is." <=== That right there says it all. Christians have lost touch with that because they are so wrapped up in their image...so anything out of place to them is automactically fought against and you can't be like that--rude, uncompassionate, and un-loving. God wouldn't want that so why should you treat others indifferently because of what they believe or what they want to try. \n\nI love you for bringing that up. I'm a christian and I'm not like that at all. So it gets annoying when others are.
676592
AMEN SISTER!!!!\nI'm not a religious guru myself, and I'm very tired of the gay bashing, but I do recall many people saying that if you hate upon others or something like that, that that's a sin as well...i'm not sure I don't read the Bible...\n\nI get really offended with this bullshizzle about that i'm going to hell because i'm a lesbian...well you know what? The people whom are trying to convert are the real sinners, and God does love all of his children...\n\nSo again, Thank you for the psudo question...
16603
You are perverting the Scriptures... Mary died and she is in Paradise.  She can't come back and appear to anyone.  The one who is giving these messages, etc is a deceiving spirit.  your "blessed mother" as you call her/him is Ashtoreth... Ashtoreth was called "mother" or "queen of heaven."  You are deceived... haven't you been told this before???\n\nIn the Name of Jesus of Nazareth... stop deceiving the peoples!  Stop this foolishness and repent of this sin.\n\nFor I tell you... if anyone preaches a different Gospel other than the one preached by the true Apostles... they are eternally condemned.  \n\nTherefore... I appeal to you... stop this!\n\n--- Edited:\n\nPeople don't need Mary... they need Jesus.  I don't need Mary to speak to me.  I need the Spirit of Jesus... the Spirit of God is the Wonderful Counselor... not Mary.  And indeed the Spirit of Jesus is my Counselor.\n\nAgain... you are mixing what is holy... with the profane.  \n\nGod will judge you for this.\n\n--- For Catholic 16:\n\nI am not a protestant... I am of 'the Way'...\nCatholicism is full of errors.\n\n--- Edit:\n\nI have tested you... your fruit is bad.\n\nCatholicism mixes what is profane... with what is holy.\nCatholicism is spiritual adultery... of course Catholicism hides behind Jesus... nevertheless, it causes people to commit adultery with the devil and his minions!\n\nCatholicism is hallow and deceptive.  Outwardly it looks Christian... inwardly its not.  Catholicism is like a white washed tombstone... on the inside?? dead men's bones.\n\nChristians should come out from Catholicism and be true to God!  Catholicism is a Harlot.\n\n--- Edit:\n\nI am a Prophetess... the Spirit of Jesus agrees that Catholicism is a Harlot.  I call Catholicism a Harlot because God says that it is.  You mix what is holy... with what is profane.  Mary has appeared to no one, but instead... a fallen angel.  \n\nTurn from your wayward ways and repent!  I speak the truth... Catholicism and fallen angels are deceiving you.\n\nWhy do you think that mixing what is holy with the profane is okay?  Did the rebellious Jews get away with it?  no, they did not.  Repent of your sins!
105974
If you are trying to get at "Why are there disasters?" or "Why do bad things happen to good people?", then here is my response.\n\nGod loves each one of us (even those of us who don't accept His sacrifice, Jesus) and because this love is just so huge, He is fair.  He doesn't force anyone to love Him.  He lets us choose.  So, why did the sweet lady get her purse stolen?  Because that robber has the same choice that we all make: do we follow what God has told us in His instructions to us (the Bible), have we listened to Jesus and allowed Him to pay for our sins, and have we daily allowed the Holy Spirit to rule our lives?  \n\nSo because we all (even dedicated, born-again Christians) make mistakes, and fall away from God and His word, WE are choosing to live for Him or against Him.  God did make everything perfect- He said that it was after every day- even the sixth day when He made man.  \n\nTo put this all in perspective, though, this life is just a moment in time compared to eternity with Christ.  When we have a bummer week in this life, it seems to last for so long, but 10 years later, we only remember a bit of it.  Same is true when we will be praising God or be banished from His presence for eternity.  Then that will be perfect.  For always.  No more tears.  I have already been praying for you.
192599
I apologize in advance for the length of my answer, but your question is not a simple one, and a simple answer would not do justice to your question. At that, this answer is relatively brief, and I fear may still be incomplete when viewed against the scope of your question.\n\nThink of God’s goodness. Often people naively assume that God’s goodness will somehow keep him from damning us. To the contrary! What hath darkness to do with light? It’s precisely God’s goodness that drives him to condemn people who carry sin. Consider the story of The Good Policeman.\n\nThe Good Policeman was walking down Main Street one day when he saw a little old lady with a walker trying to cross the street. As he watched the little old lady, he saw a large Buick fly past him and come to a screeching halt next to the little old lady. Three young men hopped out of the car, laughing. One of them pushed the old lady to the ground, while another started kicking her in the abdomen, then the legs, then the face. Another of the men smashed his heel into the old woman’s face while she screamed in pain. Even from a distance, the Good Policeman could hear bones crack. Finally, one of the young men did the unthinkable. He pulled a knife out of his belt and slit the woman’s throat. But the Good Policeman witnessed these events. So as the men walked back toward their vehicle, he rushed up to them and thrust his hand out in front of them and said, “Hi. I’m the Good Policeman. And I want you to know that I LOVE you.” \n\nWhat’s wrong with the story? Is it a ‘good’ policeman? Of course not! A good policeman would have run up to the men, arrested them, and taken them to court to be punished! This is not a good policeman, but an evil one! If he were good, his goodness would require the guilty to be punished! Yet we expect God to be like the Good Policeman—all love and mercy and grace, with no punishment, no justice, no vengeance, no anger, no wrath. We expect him to see our sin and rebellion and just say, “I love you!” God cannot be good unless he punishes evil. The difficult question is not why God condemns sinners to hell, but why he doesn’t condemn all sinners to hell! For that, we have to understand the cross, where Jesus was punished in our place, so that all who seek him might stand before God blameless, the punishment for their sins already paid in full by our willing scapegoat Jesus.\n\nWe deserve nothing but contempt from God. I’ve known people who haven’t been converted to Christ until they heard people who seemed more “religious” and more “righteous” than they were confessing that they themselves were worthy of hell. That’s when it hits home. People think, “Wow, if this holy-roller thinks he deserves to burn in fire, then what chance have I got?” I’ve found the reality of it really hits home when I very soberly confess, “You know, I think God is really angry with humanity. He’s really mad at us. Things aren’t okay between us and God”\n\nOften an objection believers hear to the truthfulness of Christianity relates to the problem of evil. Philosophers state the objection at a sophisticated level in logical propositions. But even those without professional training experience the problem of evil. The world is full of suffering, death — babies born deformed, children dying of starvation. Hitlers, Stalins, and Paul Potts murder millions. How could a good, all-powerful God have created such a universe? Believers often express this objection in a more reverent fashion — How can a good and sovereign God tolerate suffering?\n\nIn the Story of the Good Policeman, it is clear that the Good Policeman would have been just to punish the criminals, but why wouldn’t a Good Policeman prevent the crime in the first place? Is God too weak? Or is he just an evil God?\n\nThe Argument from Evil: These 3 points are incompatible — We must get rid of at least one of them: \n1. God is all-powerful \n2. God is good
187919
Awesome question Ryan! The unhypocritical answer is, "yes". Who are we to say who God talks to and who He doesn't? Afterall, if one of your buddies told you today that God spoke to Him in a burning bush, the Bible suggest that you may want to take his word for it.\n\nThis is a major problem with the Bible, and one of the reasons it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to believe everything in it. Me personally, I wouldn't kill if I thought God asked me to because I don't believe God is a killer but rather I think he is a creator. I could be wrong, but I'll take the chance.\n\nAndrea Yates said God told her to kill her children. In fact, she was quite the Christian, as was the young women who sawed off her 3 month old's arms stating God told her to do it. How do we know, considering that God commanded parents to kill their children numerous times in the Bible?
493397
Dear Bill, I would Like to explain why a person goes to hell and Howwe can escape the consequences of hell. I would like to ask you a few questions.............\n\nHave you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we’ve only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. Nothing you’ve ever done is hid from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He provided a way for you and I to be forgiven. \nHe sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. \nYour own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could.  Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name, and if you will repent (turn from sin) and place your faith and trust in jesus, God will forgive you of your sins and grant you eternal life. A person dosent go to Hell because they are foolish, but raher because they have trasgressed the Law. Please, turn from sin and trust in the savior today.\nGod Bless\nWDJD
426195
hiya noo naughty. well, maybe these words aint so bad. let me give u 2 examples of good and evil......GOD she was a GOOD sh*g.....wot DEVIL worshipping b*st*rd dropped that EVIL f*rt! i think that f*rt had its own umbillical cord!\ncan u see how constructive these words can be? lol
588403
The question has indeed been deleted, but I think I know where you're going with this.  Just because someone is a christian, does NOT make them a good person.  Unfortunately, my experience with christians has been mostly negative.  I've found them to be judgemental and overly righteous of others' behavior, while not faulting their own.  \n\n(Again, I'm not saying all christians are like this...just the majority of the ones I've personally met)