By this I mean using Jesus as a way to justify any arguement or to support self-righteousness.
122032
yes I do. I think alot of people beat people over the head with the bible. I do not think thats what God intended the bible for that use. He gave us free will for a reason.
130247
Philip,\n\nIf you pray like a Pharisee, it is works. If you pray like a tax collector, it is not works. Since you are in the Religion and Spirituality section of Yahoo! Answers, I feel it is OK to use a parable of Jesus to illustrate my point.\n\nTo some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' \n\nBut the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' \n\nI tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  Luke 18:9-14\n\nCouldn’t have said it better myself.\n\nAs to your second question, the answer is, “No.” If I may I would like to go to the best source of truth once again.\n\nThat if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9\n\nPrayer is just communicating with God, and it can be done audibly or silently. In the case of being saved from death and going to heaven, you have to declare that Jesus is Lord to Jesus with your mouth – or audibly.\n\nMay I add that prayer is 2-way communication? I would rather hear God speak to me than almost anything that I’ve ever experienced. The only thing that I enjoy more is to sense His heart.\n\nGod bless.
137364
I'm a Christian, and I agree.  Its all nonsense...and a way for someone to make a buck off of the Bible
491502
Jesus is quoted as having said he was the only way to God.
435923
That's hilarious!!! Sure, I think you should try it!  By the way, darling, I gave you thumbs up!! You should see the thumbs downs I get from Christians, on answers I give that are totally neutral.  You like to have a bit of fun honey, I'm sure there are some (yes even Christians) that get upset at that!  I personally think you're quite funny and realize that you are just playing.  Makes this place more interesting!
611897
Even though I admire your efforts, the way you have asked the question, will only make the christians feel insulted and become defensive. Only a very openminded one would read your post and seriously think about what you are saying. Good points, though.
156954
Christians pretended the war was "Holy" so they could feel justified in raping, pillaging, and murdering thousands of people.  Christians were no better than Hitler and should really be ashamed of themselves.  The Bible is often used to justify greed, murder, and all the terrible things Christians pretend to be against.
495957
This is the basis of hypocrisy . It enables them to lead the life of a materialist while ignoring the more inconvenient teachings of Jesus Christ
591190
Amen check out Romans 8:28 as well He uses everything for the good of those who love Him.
625939
Well, since Jesus was known to hang out more with the non-religious folk of his time, he would probably feel right at home.  He would probably have more to say to the "self-righteous..." Something like, " I was hungry and you didn't feed me, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, a was a stranger and you didn't welcome me, I was sick and you didn't care for me, I was in prison and you didn't visit me..." You were too busy deciding who's going to heaven or hell...
300813
Jesus did a lot just to fulfill the prophecy's of the old testament. It's good to question things. If the book can't stand up to our questions it's not worth the paper its printed on.
577403
Yeah, but Jesus also said I hav sheep frm other flock!\nJesus does hav a place in my home and i'm happy bout it.\nif u do wat is good in god's site, ur acceptable, no matter wat race, religion or creed...........\nbut if u reject the gud news cmpletly of ur own freewill, den i'm cluless
322453
Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind. The redemption/salvation Jesus offers is a solution to the problem Adam created. Its like someone destroyed the bridge (Adam), and someone else provided a means like a plank for us to go over to the other side (Jesus). \n\nI think it was right to make it an option, and a choice to choose whether we go on this plank on not. I am not a robot and no one should force their opinions or actions on me especially if they claim they love me. So i believe Jesus loved us enough to allow us choose. It does not in any way imply his solution to the problem was weaker than the problem. It implies its up to us to choose.
493312
I am a Christian so I have to say that as a belief, when used in the loving way that Jesus taught, it is a great faith.\n\nBut it can also be used for hate, ignorance, intolerance, prejudice, and fear.
74309
Probably something along the lines of, "Thank You, Jesus, for sacrificing Yourself so that I could be saved!"
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.
659326
its all metaphors. Jesus used metaphors so dont look for literal meanings