Christians, imagine that growing up, everybody around you told you to be evil and not good, (well not necessarily reversed, some good and evil would have to be mixed for this scenario to work), and religion told you to be evil and work hard in an evil way- \n\nwould you be able to think you are doing the wrong (right) thing?
207471
what people tell you is right, is right for you, and what people tell you is wrong is wrong for you, if youre evil, then, since most people arent, you'd be against most people. For you evil is right, and you'd know that for other people it's wrong, since they're against evil. You see, there aint much difference between right and wrong.
139957
I am christian and I feel it's not right to think like that it's because your flesh wants it so you should not give in, Satan works in our thought so be careful.
590422
I believe people are inherently evil. When bringing up a child, you do NOT have to teach them to be bad, they already know that. But you sure do have to teach them to be good! interesting, I think!
509675
You do have a good point, and it is something to take notice of. I haven't thought about it that way, but as a Christian, I will take this constructively and maybe there can be things that I can change that I wasn't doing before in treating people. As for my shortcomings in life, I blame that all on myself.
189770
Depends on the Christian and whether they truly understand and follow what the Bible teaches about what a Christian should be. For myself, I think it's fair to say that I do much more good to others than I do harm.
106414
I concur.  I feel like adherence to a prescribed moral principle removes personal responsibility.  I've felt that way (only perhaps less eloquent!) since I was eight.  If you are a good person because you adhere to the Bible / church values unquestioningly, you aren't actually a good person.  You are only truly good if you are the person choosing your own behavior.  I think fundamentally it boils down to manners - in greater or lesser dimensions.
439481
Yep! You are absolutely right!.. But do not apply only to Christians\nbut to EVERYBODY under God`s umbrella.\n" You should Love GOD above all things...and you should love others as yourself."\nIf you love yourself more than others... then sins started...\nBecause, it is where evil temptations can gain points from you...pushing you down... inching your way to hell. WHY ???\nAre you familiar with: comparing, judgement, vested interest, ulterior motives.....that you would be better than him ?\nThen...competitiveness, success, hatred, vengeance, cheating, lies, leading him to destructions, killing, etc..... to win from him ?\n...and many more...
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.
288194
Yes it does sound like christians are shooting themselves in the foot. its quite amusing. I also think that on some subconciese level that the guilt fear and shame inside them darkens thier hearts until they are unaware they are doing anything wrong or believing anything wrong/.;
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
549764
True, when the leaders twist the laws for their own purposes.  I agree 100 %\n\nBut that does not mean that Religion and government is bad, just that we should not allow people to manipulate us for their OWN good by twisting it.\n\nPeace!
304723
Well remember Christians are not perfect we are all sinners. I know ppl that do all that stuff read the bible etc. and they still sin. No the world would not be perfect. The world would certainly be better of than it is right now thats for sure.
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.
236431
What you seem to have missed is the greater point - you're not your own to begin with - He created you, all he asks now is that you recognize that by accepting him and worshipping him - it is not his desire that any should perish - but being good is not what he designed us to do - he designed us to worship - good deeds are results of our worship - not our means of worship.  You are in the midst of spiritual battle and I'm praying that God will give you spiritual rest and a mentor to lead you personally as opposed to this forum. As a parent I raised my son with certain values.  I have entrusted them to him.  It is now up to him to choose to use them.  If he doesn't then there are consequences he will suffer.  Does that take away his ability to choose for himself?  No.  It just means he didn't heed a more learned and wiser, experienced person.  It is a poor analogy, but it was the best I could come up with.
295141
Perhaps if you had done these things, you would have made a mistake.  Perhaps Divinity made such a perfect Creation that other beings are allowed to make mistakes.\n\nIs it possible that only Divinity is in a position to judge?
673997
You have to understand that we are all animals made of the same stuff and think the same way. Religion comes from a part of your brain (it's been pr oven look it up), be a good person but don't feel bad for doing what you want, as long as it doesn't cause hurt to others. Live by your own morals.
332537
I am not a bible scholar, but having been born with depression I cannot tell you how frustrating it is when people try to tell me that I choose to be this way. It is not free will! Society may aggravate it, but it did not create it. \nWhereas it is well known that bad things happen to good people & innocent children & that it is God that allows such things to happen---& that it the most difficult question. Why does God allow suffering? Is it really supposed to make us better people? But that is a whole new debate in itself...