I mean, I can understand if you think God specifically prohibited it, but things like celebrating birthdays, etc., do you think God would really mind? How come they're okay with doing SOME things God didn't mention- like I'm sure God didn't SPECIFICALLY say in your holy book that you in particular had to be a used car salesman or whatever..
218546
Excellent question!  Especially since my father is a used car salesman.  haha.\n\nAnyways, I know that certain people will not celebrate things like Christmas and Easter because they are not in the Bible, and the reason for this I believe is two-fold.  First of all, the Bible actually prescribes a very specific list of holidays that it requires.  These are the Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Shavuot, among some others.  Within this law it is stated that no one may add nor take away from the Law.\n\nTherefore, a strict interpretation might seem to indicate that these holidays, AND ONLY THESE HOLIDAYS should be celebrated, at least as RELIGIOUS holidays.\n\nHowever, Jews do celebrate some other holidays besides these because they are believed to be "within the spirit" of the Law.  For example, the Bible teaches that one should rejoice in the great things that God does in history.  So, Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that God performed for the Jewish people, and is considered to be acceptable to celebrate.  But it never is given the high status of the holidays which the Bible specifically describes.\n\nOn the part of Christians, I think it is noteworthy that Jesus seemed to accept the holiday of Hanukkah, even though it was post-Old Testament.  His disciples celebrated it, and Jesus told them to do so.  \n\nMost Christians however do not make this connection though I think, because they are not familiar with Jewish custom, and do not realize that Jesus was referring to Hanukkah when he mentions it.  (I'll get you a verse if you'd like, just ask and I can look it up).\n\nSo some Christians think that no holiday should be celebrated if it is not in the Law.  Christmas and Easter and Birthdays are not mentioned therein.\n\nOthers would say that birthdays are ok because they are not religious.\n\nOthers would say that Christmas and Easter are not permissible because they derive from non-Christian holidays that they believe embraced ideas contrary to their faith.\n\nThere are many things which have become custom and the people tend to assume it is biblical, when really, it is not necessarily.  Even the idea of getting married in a church or place of worship is not mentioned, and yet many would say firmly that a marriage done in a courthouse is not a marriage "in the eyes of God."\n\nI don't know why they would hold this view except that they must be ignorant of what is in their scriptures and what is not.
392475
Wow, I'm really sorry to hear all that. But is it wrong for you to reject God? No, it's not wrong at all. Maybe I don't consider it wrong because I don't believe in God to begin with, but I think one of the most legitimate reasons to NOT be religious is what you just said: Why does God allow those things to happen? I don't think he would either. There will probably be some theists who disagree with that line of thinking, but you've definitely got no complaints from me.
389689
They know Christmas is pagan but just do not care. They do not realize what a slap in the face to God and Jesus these celebrations are. They are mixing true worship with pagan worship.\n\nDo you think that Jesus Christ would consider it an honor to have his name attached to a “pagan holiday, partly Christianized”? How could this be so when his faithful disciples recognized that there should be no mixing of the darkness of paganism with the light of Christianity? The apostle Paul, for example, reminded fellow Christians at Corinth: “What sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? . . . ‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing.’”—2 Cor. 6:14-17. \n\nWhen Moses came down from the mountain and found the people worshipping the golden calf, they told him it represented God.  They were celebrating to this statue.\nDid Moses say "good idea, lets party". No! but God destroyed over 2,000 people that day for daring to celebrate to an idol.  Just like people do today. Since these holidays are so insulting to God, you can bet Satan has a hand in it.  He will make sure that people keep celebrating these holidays.
306843
God doesn't hold the patent to those i'm afraid.\n\nMany atheists are moral & ethical people, so get off cloud 9.\n\nI can do whatever I want, but you know what, I choose not to.  Not out of fear, or god's retribution, but because I don't want to do harmful things.  Isn't that better, I'm not doing it for some distant reward, but simply because I want to.
109678
I very honestly don't mind that sort of stuff.  I'm a Christian, so it doesn't bother me at all to see t-shirts with Christian messages around, etc.  When I see people praying before a meal in a restaurant, I think it's awesome that they aren't afraid of people knowing they're Christian.  \nIt doesn't even really bother me to see people of other religions practicing in public.  Even though I may not agree with their beliefs, I still am commanded by the Bible to love everyone.  I respect many people, such as Muslims, who, in spite of ridicule for what they wear, or other public practice, still persevere in those things.  Though they may be wrong, I have to hand it to them that they're being more faithful to their religion than most "Christians."
548085
Am I going senile or did someone just rewrite the constitution and the slogan "In God we trust". The U.S. ( and Canada) are recognized as being primarily christian countries. That means the majority of the population is christian. The constitutions allow that everyone may practice their own religion within the country. that means EVERYONE - including the store owners. The customer has the freedom to shop elsewhere. I have been a business owner and if I were still in retail in a Mall I think I would be very tempted to put out a signpost each day right by the door or painted on the window stating "We celebrate Christmas here!" If customers are offended by it, they don't have to come in. Sheesh, things are getting weirder and weirder! I know loads of Jewish storekeepers who have a Menorah in their window and wear a Star of David around their neck. I shop there. We greet each other warmly. We respect each other. They have things I want to buy and they want to sell. That's it. By your store owners playing Christmas music, they make it clear that they recognize that, for the majority of their customers, it is the Christmas season and they wish to get us in the buying mood. They are not bashing people over the head and saying "Convert, convert!" If a Muslim or Jew or atheist comes in to buy something, the only important thing should be that it is priced right, is good value, and they get the correct change. How much nicer the world would be if a person like that extremist would come in, smile and say "I don't celebrate Christmas but this is such as nice season for you." . You would have treated her even better than usual and might have even opened a dialogue about HER traditions. That's what makes a peaceful co-existence and understanding - not shrieking and threatening. Keep on keeping your cool, you're obviously much more mature and your boss should appreciate your patience!
58488
i would think that only if a person is of afican desent...your spiritual traditions should not be for sell.and dont give them away either.
250733
Why not?  People complain it is against God.  so those who feel that way should decline wedding invitations from gays.  MAN makes these rules and uses God as an excuse.  There are religions where a man can have many wives; do you  hear anyone complaining?  Anyway marriage does not have to be a religious ceremony.  People get married every day by a Justice of the Peace, a Mayor, even a ship's captain.  atheists get married.  what's the big deal?   so all the people who think this is a sin, would leave the "sinners" alone,  after all isn't it their God's job to judge them?  and to "punish".  They do believe their God gave them "free will" don't they?
524316
Honestly, that's a really good question. I hadn't thought of that.  Call a pastor and see what they have to say.
546265
I've never quote thought of it the way you just stated, but I myself have decided to cut out the middle management and talk to the boss himself. Like the middle man in sales, I buy direct and avoid other's profit$, (prophets?) I don't make a point a claiming to have any great revelations for the world, in fact, I make a point not to, as I know most people would have about the same interest in my divine revelations as I have in their's, not to mention being considered a nutjob. Why don't some of the bigmouths today such as Pat Robertson realize how they must look to the world? I don't even take much stock in what the prophets of old of any religion ever had to say about the almighty ultimate power of the universe. Some people might say things about the problem of having every ding-a-ling on the planet running around touting  his own brand of theology, but that doesn't seem like it would be a problem if that's how the master of the universe wanted to disclose himself to the world. To me, it's all about controlling other people with fear and superstition while gaining prestige and nothing more. God's judgement sounds to me like just another way of saying "You just wait until your father gets home." Well, my father has an open-door policy and allows me to communicate with him about whatever is on my mind without having to go through the middle man.  - 'nuf said!
355826
No, never have, never will. It is a joke.\n\nI don't think it is against God but I think it is hooey. If someone can really do that they should be buying lottery tickets.
543867
God would never command such a sinful act that pleases you so selfishly from His people.\n\nPeace.
366693
Thank you. I'm with YOU. Even among people who love and try to please GOD, they still struggle with it. It is because of our sin nature. We don't REALLY believe that "the wages of sin is death." I take this literally to mean "sin is death." SOMETHING dies. The world makes it seem okay.  We know it is wrong.  Its the age old world vs. WORD scenario Teen Queen.  It's sad. I was a "secondary" virgin before I got married. I was a Mom at age 21 and did not let God be first in my life. I claimed to love Him more than anything but I didn't.  When I realized what the Word of God said about it all and how it really does apply to ME as an individual, I tried to get things in order.  Many don't realize their own blindness and are more offended by you telling them right from wrong than by sin.  Well, I'm sure I'll get lots of thumbs down because I mentioned God and sin and all that, but oh well.  Only God can judge me and I love ANSWERS no matter what!! \nPeace
320126
I think that they're afraid to admit that parts of their religion weren't handed down straight from their god but rather adapted from religions that existed as Christians were gaining power and converts.  They don't want to admit that the religion itself changed to accomodate those converts; there wouldn't have been nearly so many "saved" if they hadn't been allowed all of the holy days and religious beliefs they'd held for centuries.  You forgot about the May Pole, the Corn Dolly for the Harvest, and All Saints' Day, a day that you revere those who came before.  Sounds pretty familiar to me as a Wiccan and one who is knowledgable about the practices of pagans before the advent of Christianity.\n\nYou might notice that the Jews do not claim those holidays.  At least they're honest about their beliefs.  This is one of the issues that really gets to me.
33313
Sometimes God does speak to an individual's situation using a verse that answers them (even though it is not in context).\nFor example, if a person is praying about buying a store and suddenly feels compelled to open the Bible to Proverbs 31:16 "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."\nThen it is just possible that God is saying for them to go ahead and make the purchase.\nMaybe you're contemplating getting a nose ring and you feel compelled to look up Genesis 24:47 - That could be God saying "Go ahead".\nSuppose you were wanting to make a bussiness deal and you read Proverbs 7:26 "For she has brought many down to death;\nher victims are countless."\nThat's probably God saying "No, you fool, don't do it!" \n\nThe reason this is so controversial is that all too often, this type of "leading" is simply mis-leading, not God leading. The way to test it though, is just like Jesus did when Saten tempted Him by quoting (out of context) Scripture in the desert - Ask yourself the question, "Does this answer glorify God? Will this answer lead me to do anything that God has said not to do? Will this answer cause me to sin against my fellow-man? Is this a wise and loving solution?"
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!
258479
damn good question. the sad thing is, there are people who will answer by saying we should accept this because it's part of their god's plan.