Here's your challenge though: Don't use the Bible or any other religious texts to answer this question... take religion out of the picture for a second... how do you, personally, without being told by anyone, know what is right and wrong? Do you think that everyone feels the same as you do? When your opinions on right and wrong differ, is it possible to judge who is more correct than the other? Should we try?
202675
There could be, but humans will never know on their own.\n\nSee, humans are TERRIBLE judges of right and wrong. Just look at our history, be it through Christian creation, Evolution, Spaghetti-Monster creation, etc... it has COUNTLESS examples of violence and destruction as the result of human err and moral decay. IF there were a universal right and wrong, it wouldn't be known amongst humans.\n\nWe already try to find such a thing. Some find it in religion, some find it in just a belief in a higher being (not essentially a religion; religion is man-established and due to corruption), some find it in their own decisions (NOT SMART)... We DO try, we just don't do all too well.
637435
I will tell people about the story of my life, that is, how I met Jesus and how He changed me from the inside out. But I will not force people to accept Him. I believe that it is not my responsibility to tell people whether they are right or wrong, but rather to state my beliefs  and the reasons for my believing them, and hope they take my ideas into consideration. I mean, who am I to tell someone that they are wrong? The Bible itself says do not judge. I know that I am wrong in many ways as well, so why point out the sins of others when I have my own things to work on? It drives me crazy when I see those "christians" out on the street telling passer-bys that they are going to hell. It makes me question whether they have actually read the Bible. I mean, Jesus Himself says to remove the plank from one's own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's. These are my thoughts on the subject. God bless!
322834
Yes of course. You should think whatever feels best to you. I do believe God is happy that everyone is worshiping Him no matter which religion they choose. I personally like to take a little taste from everything available at the religion buffet.
146293
Seems to me that you also believe something blindly and narrowly... that you are right. Isn't that the real problem? That most people have deeply felt beliefs and believe they are right, and have a hard time tolerating others with different views? Your opinion and decisions about religions, our origins, and so on are valid, but so are mine. You speak of religious people being narrow minded, and refer to people like yourself as broad-minded. But, isn't it narrow minded to label any one group of people? You are saying that you don't like having a religious person's views imposed on you. But, in the same breath, you impose your beliefs on us, and label "anyone believing" as unfulfilled, and unintelligent. How exactly does that make sense? Since the group you are speaking of (religious people) is a group I belong to, perhaps I should enlighten you by letting you know that I'm not imposing my beliefs on anyone. I'm am quite ready to talk to those who would listen or have questions, and I am quite ready to listen to others. Do I believe blindly and narrowly? Well, if I didn't believe 100% in my God, that would make me a hypocrite who is wasting my time. If that says to you that I am either blind or narrow, then so be it. But you might consider that our time on earth may be better spent discussing issues without judgment - oh, but wait, Jesus told us not to judge, so I guess that won't work, huh?
198019
everyone believes they are right, and also feel that others should believe the same. the problem isn't that there is no tolerance. Take Christianity for example, if you believe and I don't, you go to heaven and I go to hell. on the other hand, for fundamentalist denominations of Islam (some of them) feel that if you believe and I don't, then I will go to hell, but YOU will go to hell if you don't convert me. so that certain aspect doesn't help things....
202798
Ok, this is the thing. As far as morality is concerned there is no real right and wrong. That is totally determined by the person who is in the situation. Society has a grander scale on which they see things as right or wrong but then again society doesn't enter into this question.
281729
It's the ego that wants to be right and make everyone else wrong. As long as the ego is driving the boat, there is no real faith, because it's not the ego that can experience God ....only the heart and soul can do That. \n\nIf they're arguing over who's right, they are no more Christian than you are. Those who are in Christ love as He loves; and they have nothing to prove.
224286
What makes you think that you are right? Doesn't the person who believes in another religion or none at all have the same proof or deep beliefs in their faith?  What makes you think that they aren't all the same or that your way is the only right way?
262017
I agree with you, my daughter. I'm also a Happy Heathen. It all comes down to being able to accept another view even though its different from one's own. A lot of the Christians on this site are very good ones but there will always be those ones who will condemn folks to torment because those others simply don't agree with what those Christians believe. God isn't static and unyielding. Unfortunately with a great deal of good people you always get the idiots along with them (bad on my part..bad karma!!)\nI try to keep religion out of my relationship with God. We both like it better that way! :)
294788
True to the first sentence.  I disagree with the second.  There no "one book" that will make everyone think.  It's different for each of us.  \n\nIn addition, from what I've experienced, many who read the bible faithfully tend to say they don't question their faith.  If you read a book and you're not supposed to question it, doesn't this mean you're not thinking too much??
551771
I think we've all pondered that.  Just remember to share love too !!  Sometimes we try to share our Christian beliefs the wrong way. Christians are people. People make mistakes.  Thank you and God Bless.
86825
You go girl! You believe in whatever you want to, whatever feels right to you. And dont ever let anyone try and tell you your beliefs are wrong, just because they may be different than others.\n\nMe, personally, i believe in GOD. But i dont go to church, or preach, or all that stuff. I believe, and thats all that matters to me. I dont need to put on an 'act' for people to think i am a good Christian or anything. I am who i am.
194441
Okay, this is just my theory.  I cannot prove this and I have nothing of substance to back it up with except observation.\n\nIf we are all made in the image of God (which I believe), and yet we all have different personalities (16 or so, depending on whose inventories you use), where did all the personalities come from?\n\nSome people might say sin or influence, but not all differences can be attributed to sin.  Two different people can see the same thing differently and not be wrong, because it's not a matter of right or wrong.  \n\nWhat I believe is that every strength of each personality type coexists peacefully in God.  Unity in the church or marriage or family is all about bringing ourselves individually under His headship because only in Him can we peacefully coexist.\n\nI think that part of what people consider contradictions in the Bible are actually specifications.\n\nWhen you have two things that are Biblically based, but polar opposite, I think we have to consider that they are written for two polar opposite attitudes of heart.\n\nWe tend to think that if something is wrong, then what we need to do is the opposite thing. But what if that's not true? What if we just need to reign ourselves in a little, not go drastically the other direction?\n\nThe preacher in our congregation when I was growing up used to say, "In order to give someone directions, you have to know two things: where they are and where they want to go."\n\nHis point was that sometimes what people need to do depends on where they start. For example:\n\nDo not answer a fool according to his folly,\nLest you also be like him.\nAnswer a fool according to his folly,\nLest he be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26:4-5\n\nHow can they both be true, and how do you decide whether or not to answer?\n\nI think if I have a tendency to be rash in my answers, I'd better take verse 4 to heart. If I answer what I believe to be a foolish remark, I'm probably only going to show myself to be a fool.\n\nIf I have a tendency not to confront foolish talk because I am shy or insecure, every fool and his brother is going to feel compelled to give me advice because they take my silence as interest or approval. So verse 5 applies to me.\n\nWhat if we cannot align our strengths because our weaknesses cause us to clash?  If God can perfectly unite those attributes within Himself, could He not also unite us in Himself?\n\nIn the end, each person has to do what they believe to be the correct thing and trust that God will bring about resolution. If we submit to Him, He will bring us into agreement with each other. If we care more about being right in an argument than we care about being righteous before God, we have little hope of unity.
677211
Excellent food for thought!\n\nConsidering the fact that I am more of a spiritual person than religious, I would just go on in life as it is.  My father always questioned the theory of evolution -vs- the teachings of the bible.  We would have long arguments about what was right.  I know what I believe in my heart.  There has never been any real proof of anything, either way, so I don't believe my life would change as I believe that there is a supreme being by which my choice to call is God.  I do believe that I will be rewarded for all the good that I do here on earth and I do have full faith that there is a better place waiting for me.  I also believe that in my heart, I am punished for all my wrong doings as I, like all ppl, am instilled with morals and values, of which for me, are very high. \n\nPerhaps in having morals and values, we have the ability to pass judgement upon ourselves, thereby passing on what we believe to be an acceptable punishment should we choose to do so.  This is through the guilt we feel for wrong doing and the happiness for the positive in life.
153240
I think each religion is a way for people to make sense out of their lives. It's a way to find purpose or meaning for the things they do each day. I don't believe there is any one correct religion. And I doubt that God (howeer God is defined) looks upon earth and decides that he likes some of us better than others simply because of the way he is worshipped. (I'm using "he" only as a convenient word.) In fact, I believe that God does not particularly appreciate it when people use hatred against each other simply because of a difference in religious practice. As Buddha said, "There are many paths to the top of the mountain."
462313
I believe God will definitely correct you... will you see it as a correction? Thats different. In my spiritual life, I took dozens of different paths but it wasnt until I stopped and asked God to show me, and admitted I didnt know what He wanted and alllowed Him to show me that He did. Now, I study the Bible a lot and I of course have my own interpretation of it as we all do, but there have been many times that I was stopped and God said "now wait, you missinterpreted this" and showed me otherwise and I humbly changed my views. Im sure this will continue to happen also. Most people though, arent willing to accept correction, because they will need to change their mind. That's pride and what did God say about pride? He opposes the proud, and pride comes before the fall. So, always remain humble and He'll be directing and correcting as needed :)
234905
you know the same God? right. so much so that you have typed it G-d...right. as for whether you really are saved or good with God, no one can be the judge of that, except God Himself. however, the only TRUE RELIGION is christianity. end of story. it's the religion behind believing what you need and having the right relationship with Jesus/God. so there ya are. the truth.