Why do some people refuse to do things because "God didn't mention" them in their holy book? [read the rest]
480762
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.
796302
It's a combination of several things; with pride and love of self leading the way.  We don't like being told what to do or worse, that what we're doing is wrong.  We love ourselves and our sin too much to realize that God is holy...therefore, we either ignore Him, blame Him or are merely repulsed by Him.\n\nSadly, it was Him that sent His Son to take the punishment for all of us who are filled with pride and love for ourselves, rather than others.
283419
I was never brought up with any religious presence in my life, and I'm perfectly happy in love! I'm not preaching either way. Religion is wonderful for some people, a source of inspiration and security. Sometimes others can find freedom and moral without God, based only on their own judgment. \n\nIt's entirely up to the person.
333840
There are still many people that fear God.  \nThere has always been people that DIDN'T fear God.\nI guess it depends on who you are talking to.
583973
I guess that depends upon 'Ignored by who?"\n\nThere are people who ignore all religious figures, there are people who ignore selectively, there are people who ignore none.\n\nMost people go through life with just the information they need, not extra and they don't want the extra either.  So, that being the case, all people ignore some religious ideas and people.  It is the same reason most people in the world ignore Martin Van Buren.  It isn't necessary knowledge at this moment.
346116
I don't see any reason why God couldn't have created a whole bunch of other worlds and put beings of some sort on them. Just because it isn't in the Bible doesn't mean anything. I mean, why should some other world we may never even encounter affect the way we're supposed to do things? If they exist, they've presumably got their own version of the Bible and other holy books.
304680
That is awful.  People who never go to church, never read the bible, and curse all the time are not saved in my opinion.  If they are really saved they'll have the desire to read God's word, meet with other christians, and wont want to say evil words. They are just one of those people who claim to be something, but really are not.
287217
God answers those who humbly acknowledge He is God. He resists the proud (James 4:6). Also, refusing to acknowledge sin in one's life can hinder answer to prayer (The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous - Prov. 15:29). In my experience, He answers, just not always in the way I had hoped he would. I've been so disappointed in the answer sometimes that I questioned 'why ask when He's just going to do what He wants anyway?' But if I believe that His will is never wrong, then why should I complain when He does things His way and not mine?
612767
There will always be people who claim they are doing something in the name of God.  They are not thinking whether or not this is something Jesus would do.  I am sure this is something Jesus would not do.  These people are turning people away from Christ and are giving Christians a bad name.  It angers me to see something like that.  They will have their day when they have to give God an explanation for their actions.
1147109
Intellectual surrender. Good phrase! I (as you may gather) am a member of the second group. I feel that some people cling to the Word or God and the word of God only idea because they are lazy. If everything I need to know is already written down and needs no interpretations then I don't have to think for myself. It gives them an out and makes the spiritual life a no brainer with no work required.\nIt's just "here are the rules, go live by the rules" They have no need to pray or listen to God speak to them. They never have to wonder about anything. They never have to do any of the work of being human. Like cattle. Just follow the rules and then die. Easy instructions.\nThis is why I belong to a church that values education and thought.
918861
I guess they don't want people to notice the inconsistencies and nonsensical things that become blatantly obvious whenever you analyze organized religion, and particularly the Bible.\n\nIt's all fine as long as you accept every word in those "holy books" without thought. But as soon as you question just a little bit, the cards start to fall. You're eventually left with two choices: Decide that God in some way defies logic, or reject the book as false.
752526
I do not "mindlessly" follow and obey God.  I am very mindful.  There is nothing in the Bible evil that God asks me to do.  *
611680
Because many of my fellow christians forgot that one of the fine gifts that god gave us was free will. Some people feel the need to control the actions of others to reinforce, measure or justify their spiritual relationships.  Being a "good christian" does not mean making people feel badly or like they are a lesser being. \n\nThey dont realize that people will come to love and worship god on their own accord, making them feel guilty or condesend to them will only push them further away. Besides, astrology was around long before Christianity became an organized religion.\n\nI agree that if someone wanted a Christian sermon, they would have asked for a Christian outlook.
732087
I agree with some of the others who've answered you. I could add that they may be afraid of looking into other points of view because if they do they just might have to change their minds.  That could totally mess up their whole life view of themselves, their God and everything else.
539351
its an issue of faith perhaps...as an atheist you are not bound by any desire or "code" of what you can or can not subject yourself to...\nas a christian, why would someone want to expose themselves to something that goes against their faith and against god, doing so might get god rather pi$$ed at them and then he won't cure their aunt or help them find their hat when they pray.  ok, that was pushing it a bit far...but you see what i'm saying?  on one hand someone has a code of conduct to not expose themselves to certain things, and on the other you do not....now its not like it is written in stone (no pun intended) that christians not read or look at atheist things...but its acted as if it is...never mind christian scholars who study non-christian subjects to be able to refute them....i guess they are just making a sacrifice for the rest.  \npretty much ever religion has this sort of built into it anyway...if it didn't people might be constantly jumping sides as they learn about other religions...the point of a religion is to get and keep followers, and that requires keeping alot of people in the dark.  since religion has no actual physical "law enforcement" for it, it does it using threats of eternal damnation.
197781
1.) Satan\n2.) They don't see the importance\n3.) They think of the present always\n4.) They're worried about their reputation\n5.) No one is telling them about the gift\n\nSOLUTION?\nGOD ALL THE WAY!!! It's our responsibility to be instruments of God's will and to share to them the good news. God all the way! God is better and stronger than everything else!
15045
I think everyone worships something whether they believe in God or not.  Some people even worship the idea of not having a God because they have to tell everyone about it.  I do agree with your idea about weakness.  I think that people who are insecure about their beliefs tend to try to recruit people to believe the same thing so they don't feel alone.  Those who are secure about their own beliefs tend to keep quiet and go on with their lives.  They don't need to feel justified that their beliefs are okay since they have their own truth.