What's the appeal to being a hard-core Christian?
342808
(tsk, tsk..Linda...) Ahem, compared to people today, pretty much the majority of the founders of this great country, and its greatest universities (all the Ivy League schools started out as Schools of Divinity...more or less), were hard-core christians...so you could could end up founding a great country, and perhaps a great university...Your path of destruction will only provide you with your current level of amusement for a short time longer...and...if you summon demons, fallen angels, then you should be aware that there is a higher being that created them...and I guarantee you there is one... you just need to think things through a little bit more is all....maybe you'll get lucky and life will show you some lessons....life is much too comfortable today...people begin to lack reasons to call on God...but I think that's due for a change...
957013
I have been a Christian for 18 years, I'm 51 years old. #1 That I could be loved (after years of abuse).#2 That God will be there when you need him. When my vary abusive parents were dying I went home and forgave them and reconciled with them. Believe Me the strength to do that ,came only from GOD. Praise Jesus. I think the purpose in life is to praise God both in spirit and with our lives. Remember the fight is Gods we serve no purpose telling people they are goimg to hell. When the time comes when God wants you to answer questions He will give you the answers. Until then treat every one with love.
512240
If you look around at the christian majority, so few of us are really christian at all. \nWe profess to follow, but refuse to act, speak, give or conduct business in a way that would reflect the teachings of Christ.\nAmerica is into catch phrases and fads. The newest trend, the latest tech, get rich quick, or seek the pleasures now while your young for tomorrow may not come. All these are the prevalent attitudes that have been around for 2 decades or more. And this amongst the poorest of us.\n\nEven just working for our families can be a struggle not to fall into this sin.\nhow many times do we come home from work and worship, or spend time with God..? Most of us turn on the TV, the computer, or spend the time in something we think of as a pleasurable past time.Most of which cost considerable amounts of money. Broadband, cable & direct TV, Video games, Sports, etc..\nThe short answer is we are more obcessed with our own wants.
311136
Being a Christian means you admit you are a sinner, so you don.t really become a better Christian. Once you accept Jesus you are justified to GOD so that is as good as it gets. \n\nDoing some of the thing above may make you a happier Christian, You are able to grow in knowing GOD and having a closer more fufilling relationship. \n\nIn every relationship spending time together makes it more fun. Same thing with GOD, prayer and obedience makes Christianity more fulfilling.\n\nAlso Dont buy the snake oil the Joseph smith guy was trying to sell you!
744150
I go to an Assembly of God.\n The music is great.The people are great.But most important the Spirit of God is always there.\nWe openly worship our Creator. We are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus.\nWe dress with moral standards.(Jeans are fine.)\nCome with an open mind and a open heart.\nI promise you will love it.\nGod Bless you as you seek.
961651
As a conservative evangelical Christian, yes, I feel greatly misunderstood.  It seems there's a misconception that all Christians do is talk about God.  I have a career, kids, a mortgage, bills, and a wide variety of interests.  I'm a person, too!\n\nPeace.
760513
Usually I prefer not to make generalities, but this question sort of requires one.  I prefer to consider *people* on a case by case basis.\n\nI think Christianity, in and of itself, is a nice way of living a life, no better nor worse than most other paths.\n\nI admit I wish that more Christians were actually "Christ-like" in that they could be more peaceful and less judgmental.\n\nAnd I have problems with bigotry against homosexuals being mandated by a faith.\n\nI also wish some Christians could admit that they believe what they do based on *faith* and not insist it is *fact*.  \n\nHowever, by and large, it's okay with me.  Not that my approval matters!  : )\n\nThanks for asking -- think that's the first time I ever saw it asked.
1068998
To find God, do good, be obedient to his work, His scriptures, you dont need the himalayas, if you can really remove the mount of sins in your heart; and yeah, penance is required too....whatever, a true christian wouldnt like to show what he does for his God and what he doesnt do, so please let us not judge, what other people are doing for their faith,  and for Christ,  let us instead concentrate more uipon what we want to do for him.  Sometimes even the greatest penances get hidden from the eyes of man; but God who sees thema ll does reward them in his own way
483913
There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with being a christian.....It's the ticket to heaven...Just truly believe in jesus. But we as humans have to believe in a higher power. To believe that there is a deity that never sleeps, is all knowing, loves you and cares for you no matter what, that watches over you and is the keeper of our loved ones when they die. I got saved Oct of 04, Iam not self-rightous but christians live a totally different type of life. They are quicker to lend a hand, or an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Just an example.....My father committed suicide last july. My family and I spent EVERYTHING we had saved on the funeral and the tombstone. My church  gathered a memorial fund in my fathers name to cushion the financal blow and had a HUGE catered dinner for us after the funeral. Would a regular person do this? Maybe....But the point is is that they loved us, were caring in our time of need and had God at heart when they did all this.They listened to us when we needed understanding, gave us some understanding on why things like that happen. They prayed for us...never underestimate the power of prayer...PRAYER DOES WORK. And praying for another human being is the most loving thing some one can do. I was working for my church as a secretary when my father died...I missed an entire week of work, when i showed up that Tuesday morning my minister handed me a full weeks pay and i didn't work one day the week before. Unselfish acts, as they say, doing as God has instucted me.... And when you have God in your thoughts and Jesus in your heart you can't go wrong...   Theres nothing wrong with being a christian, They are a loving, giving people.....were all family and its a family that iam proud to be a part of. (Sorry this was so long)
233271
No.  It is hard because us Christians have different levels.  It is hard for me to share my feelings about spirituality with someone when they are not spiritually mature enough not to judge me.  Besides, it is very hard to find someone who isn't a poser Christian.  Someone who is ostentatious about their Christianity, or someone yo can trust with your soul's yearning.
1047989
I am a christian and I think it is fine.  Just because you are christian doesn't mean you can't have fun.  God loves you.  He isn't waiting up there with a big stick ready to hit you everytime you sin.  We are all sinners.  But go have fun.  You are doing nothing wrong.
694452
Answering as a non-churching Christian, with Catholic-style theology.\n\n1. Yes, to a point. I am responsible for taking care of my fellow believers, and pointing out if they are engaging in reckless/dangerous behaviour. They are also responsible in this regard towards me. If I give in to my dark side, for example, and start smoking crack, I would expect my close Christian friends to band together for an intervention on my sorry kiester! Likewise, if a fellow Christian starts slapping around his wife, when I find out about it, I am to take some sort of saving action; for both their sakes.          \n\n2. Only if asked as a point of theology, or if it comes up in a public setting as a point of law (on which I can vote). Spiritually, our problems are not what we DO, but with our entire BEING. Change the being, and the actions will follow suit.  That is the point of being "born again": all humans need a fresh start from God. Because He loves us, He has provided this!\n\nI think we are a small minority.
559945
the person proable does not have a relationship with Christ. being a Christian is not based on what you have on the outside but a faith on the inside. we are suppose to shine Jesus to others. am sorry about the hard life that you have lived so far. it is very hard to live without parents to support you. like to tell you Jesus said come you  that are heavy laden and I will give  you rest all of you who work so hard beneath a heavey yoke.wear my yoke for it fits perfectly and let me teach you.for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens. Matthew 11;27.    then Jesus said I come to give life and life more abundly. would you not enjoy that type of life? the yoke you are caring is much to much for you. you are caring a full adults plate. am sorry for your situation.
997153
I wanted to start by saying that I am a Christian.\n\nPeople who are non-Christians are not going to feel better after reading your post. This post comes across as the same pushiness that people don't like anyway. I understand that you believe very strongly, as do I, but please find a new way to share the love of God. This just seems pushy and it almost sounds like you think you are better than the "poor unsaved people."\n\nGod bless you though for trying!
327635
First of all, thank you for your kind words.  Since we didn't start off on the best foot (my fault) they mean a great deal to me.  Also, thank you for your humility in removing the questions with negative overtones.  Humility is one of the greatest qualities to have, and one that is very difficult for most people to show.  It is a quality I could use much more of, I know that.\n\nYour question is a very good one.  I'm not sure there is a truly satisfactory answer.  Some of your past questions have been more on the psychology of certain cultures.  This question is a deeper question aimed more at the very soul of man.  Therefore my answer will be much more based on my faith than those I have given you in the past.\n\nThe best I can say is that we cannot live in a society free of hate, poverty and despair because we are sinners.  We all have inherited the sinful nature of Adam.  I do not believe we are born sinners in the way that we are guilty of sin when we are born, but I do believe we are born with a tendency towards sin.  We don't have to teach our children to lie, it comes natural to them.  We do however, have to teach honesty, sharing, love, etc.  This also goes along with some of Freud's (ptewy - excuse me) ideas.  Freud says that we come into this world only thinking of self and our needs, that we are born with only an id.  The Bible calls this our sinful nature, or simply our flesh.  We inherited this from Adam.  Our fleshly nature starts with just wanting basic needs met - I want to be fed, I want to be changed, etc.  Very quickly, however, most of us begin to see our needs as ultimate - I want to be fed NOW, I want to be changed NOW.  I want to play with that toy becomes (or starts as) - I want to play with that toy, and I DON'T WANT YOU PLAYING WITH IT.  This eventually leads to individuals believing they are better than everyone else, which leads to hate and despair, which leads to poverty.\n\nThe bad news is that these things will always be present in the world.  The good news is that we can rise above these things as individuals.  Some individuals seem to actually manage to have no harsh feelings towards anyone else, but most of us never get to that point.  However, most of us are able to make the world a better place just by striving for it.  God bless, my friend.\n\n\nI also feel I must speak to what CushBen stated...\n\nLuke was a Grecian, and both his gospel and Acts were written to a Grecian man.  He wrote the gospel in Greek, not Hebrew, so if the name cannot be translated, it cannot be translated to Yahshua (Hebrew).  In verse 10 Luke states that it is in the name of EE-AY-SOU CHREEST-OU, not Yahshua.  \n\nLuke was saying that salvation was through no other person, not that you could not translate our Lord's name.  If you believe otherwise, you'd better learn Greek, not Hebrew.  In fact, many Jew's of Jesus' time probably ONLY spoke Greek, which is why they thought Jesus was calling for Elijah on the cross.
810461
Christians understand that this earthly llife is really a preparation for eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. The focus of this preparation is the mind. It is through the mind that God communicates with us and impresses us for the development of a Christlike character. But Satan tries to work through the body to control the mind. Anything that elevates the mind, inspires reverence and love for God and promotes physical well being in harmony with God's word is acceptable for a Christian. Some modern music with its emphasis on rhythm bypasses the higher faculties of the mind and stimulates the physical senses. The more often a person is controlled or stimulated by feelings, emotions or the senses, the less willingness to study God's word and the less defense against temptations aimed at the body. \n\nDoes the music leave you with a clearer understanding of God ? Does it increse your love for Him ? Are you inspired to serve Him with your whole heart after listening to it ? Can you picture Jesus and the holy angels better ? Does your body like it more than your mind ? Is your mind involved when you are listening to it ?\n\nBiblical answer: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5\n\nFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8\n\nShow N Tell
303820
A non-christian rich person is Generally continuously hunting for themselves and their happiness and they believe they will find it with "more money."  Always seeking more, always working to obtain more and never being satisfied with what they already have.\n\nThe poor Christian already knows who they are in Christ and thus has over flowing joy from within.  They are content with whatever it is God my bless them with and realize that no matter how much/little they have, it is still a blessing of God.\n\nAs for as the activities, personalities and interests...\nThose are unique to each individual person and any type of generalization would simply be that... An extreme generalization.