Do christian values include snorting meth to pump up a crowd who is pouring money into your church?
915005
Anything to make a buck,  but there are better ways.
707466
Money, greed, and religion.
1125150
The Bible writes about "Gospel grinders", that's who those people were. Jesus said freely have ye received, freely give. (the Gospel)\n\nI will not defend those church people and their force-fed ways of spreading the Gospel , but I will say this, they burned witches at the stake, and naturally some amount of innocent persons got labeled witches and were subsequently burnt as well.\n\nWhat about Judas Iscariot, one may ask? He handled all the money (so that they could survive) doesn't this mere fact tell you anything about his character? Greedy! He sold Jesus.\n\nI'm not bitter, I don't want your money and I wouldn't dream of trying to convince you to do ANYTHING, let alone putting money in any collection plate.\n\nJesus said whosoever will may come, also he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.\n\nRegardless of you being an un-believer, God still LOVES you.
360060
That is a touchy subject, but I know one thing when I was in school we had prayer.  You didn't know who was against it or not, we just did it.  It seems like to me ever since they took it out of the schools there has been a whole lot of killings, stabbings, shootings, and disrespect for one another.  I think if we  bring it back it will make people think before the act, and maybe put the fear of God in some.  If they can keep it on our money, it certainly wouldn't hurt to put it back in the schools.  You don't hear the non-believer's complaining about take "In God We Trust" off our currency.  Why is that?  Moreover, money is the root of Evil.  I say we take "In God We Trust" of the money because it is not worthy to most who abuse it. Put it back in the schools with our children and let then decide.
216897
:]\nRather , eo you have sufficient worth, that God should accept your worship
461048
Hmm, good question.\n\nI seem to recall a passage in the Bible about Jesus throwing moneychangers and salesmen out of the temple... apparently their presence in the house of God offended His son.\n\nThere does seem to be a conflict of interest present between the Catholic Church (RCC) and God's Word.  Then again, the RCC's leader, the pope, said that the Bible was something that the average person shouldn't worry too much about, and to just accept whatever the RCC said instead.  \n\nYeah.
700050
I am not a christian, but did god not turn the tables over when the people were exchanging money, someplace in the bible?  something like that......not sure how he might feel about bingo...
327723
Not true.  People don't behave morally because they attend church.  People choose to behave morally because it pays off.  \n\nThink of it this way: Why do most people obey the law? -- Because that behavior makes it possible for all of us to get along, most of the time.  When laws are broken, people get hurt, or worse.  Most people don't want to be harmed in any way, therefore they obey the law because it pays off.\n\nBehaving morally makes sense, for the same reason: If you find out that someone has lied to you (for example), or defrauded or cheated you, you'll want nothing more to do with that person.  The other guy has now lost something valuable -- your trust -- and it's his own fault for behaving immorally.  See how it works?\n\nDon't let the godidiots tell you that nonbelievers have no morals.  It's not true.
421017
I love this question.  Talk about your Hobson's Choice!  The number of "Christians" [I infer that from specific answers they have given on this and other topics] who are suddenly ready, willing, and able to cease loving others based on the consequences of their actions is astounding.  What happened to "love the sinner, hate the sin?"\n\nI'm not saying there is no God, but the fire and brimstone model just doesn't hold up to scrutiny.  The all loving God has no need for Hell.  If we receive His grace at death, then we will recognise and understand our sins, and realise [as in "achieve"] all we are suppose to be.\n\nThen there's the weak argument that God will remove the pain they'd feel.  Sounds like a lack of free will to me.  So then everything must be predestined?  I guess it doesn't really matter what I do, since God already has it decided.  My stealing your car/wife/lunch money isn't a crime, it's an act of God!  And since it's His will, I won't have to suffer for it.\n\nThe biblical version of God did not provide salvation for abject sinners.  Sort of like today's "three strike" rule.  Once you know you're on your way to Hell, why would you care about what you do?  This is why the Church invented purgatory.  By offering a here-to-fore unavailable path to salvation they were able to extend their control over others' lives.  Clever, no?  And it was also a great way to raise money...\n\nBe good to yourself.  Be good to others.  Don't try telling anyone else what this means for them.  If that ain't enough, we're screwed.
140846
some do. i am Christian. I think its a great medium to reach the masses. Some are a bit out there, but some keep it oh so real and have awesome messages.\nI tend to like Paula White, and Creflo Dollar, and im certainly not fightened away by supporting or giving, as I trust the word of God, and ive seen whats happened in my life since ive become a giver, not just a tither, a giver!\nPeople dont get it though, how the world works in that way, and i guess i can understand that. But when a Christian is afraid to give when they believe in something or are getting some soul food out of it, i think they may need to focus on Gods word regarding that more.
478776
You're right. I whole-heartedly agree. A prominent preacher put it this way, to tell someone that you just sold your house to buy them the antidote to (Make up the name of a disease here- we'll say "Moo-Moo disease") and you must take it now!  Well, you don't know what Moo-Moo disease is, what it does, you've never heard of it before- it could be made up, and you think this fellow is kind of crazy for selling his house to buy it for you.  You might politely take the antidote, or you might tell the guy he's crazy, or you might be offended that anyone would think you were diseased.  \n\nNow imagine this same man came to you and instead said something like this, "There's a new disease sweeping the nation called "Moo-Moo disease" It kills people.  I can see that you have all 13 signs of Moo-Moo disease and you have 48 hours to live.  Maybe he'd show you medical journals, news reports, etc.  Then once you're convinced you are dying, you will say "what can I do?"  And the man might reply, "I saw this coming, and I love you and don't want you to die, so I sold my house last night and bought you the antidote." You would be so appriciative.\n\nYou can not convince a person they need an antidote until you are concerned for their ailment, and convince them of it. Now, I believe that not accepeting the gospel will kill you- you've heard it before i'm sure "the wages (what you earn) of sin (anything not of God) is death." \n\nLook at the 10 commandments.  Can we agree just for a minute, for arguement's sake, that all these rules listed out are good to do, and probably were created by God? All the major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity all for the most part believe God created the 10 commandments. So let's just say that these really are laid out by God to keep society functioning etc. \n\nIf this is the case, then these are the rules and God is the ultimate referee in the game you're playing. He knows the rulebook (the Bible) perfectly. Would you be disqualified?  Seriously look at them. They're accpeted by all major religions. The wages of commiting acts that go against what God says is eternal death- judge for yourself- have you never stolen anything? Cheating on taxes, board games when you were little- it all counts- Now you can say, "I live by my own rules," but if your teacher asks you to write a paper on flowers and you compose one on dinosaurs- you'll still fail.  The teacher sets up the rules and grades you by them.\n\nThink about a court case. There are laws similar to the 10 commandments set up in our society.  What if you walked in, and said, "Yes judge, I pulled the trigger on a gun while pointing it at that stranger, but I didn't kill anyone!"  or maybe you'd say, "Yes, but I volunteer in my free time- I'm a good person!  I pour into children's lives, I take in homeless people, I found the cure to cancer!"  But the fact would still remain that you broke a law and there is a consequence.  The family of the stranger you shot needs justice.  The judge can not just let you off because he is kind or good, in fact He'd do just the opposite if he were. The penalty for the law you broke is death.\n\nI'm sorry to ramble, please don't think me unkind.  I am not trying to offend you, only bring a little more light to the topic.  The beauty of the gospel is that in that courtroom a man named Jesus stood on the stand and told everyone that He was to blame for your crime.  That it was He who pulled the trigger.  Now you can shoo him off the stand and take your punishment, or you can accept that He did it because He didn't want you in jail to rot.  He thinks you have a lot of potential (-; (especially with all your volunteering!) I hope I have explained it a little better- so you understand why we tell you about Jesus as emphatically as we do- He saved my
1152779
"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable which is your reasonable service.\n\nAnd be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  Rom. 12:1-2\n\n"Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus."  Phil. 2:5\n\n"I will set no wicked thing before my eyes."  Ps. 101:3\n\n"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."  Prov. 23:7\n\n"Finally, 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."\n\nThe aforementioned verses are Biblical principles regarding our minds and  "right" thinking.\n\nI do not watch horror, graphic sex (or any movie rated above PG), or anything that would have little value.  In fact, I do not have TV, therefore no cable, and I RARELY go to the movies for the reasons listed in the verses above.\n\nGod gives us principles and guidelines all throughout scripture for the best way to live.  Your choices are not stacking up.  According to God's principles, you are not acting like a follower of Christ.  You love the world too much.
402717
Any Christian organization that asks for money is not Grace Oriented. If they were they would know that god knows they need money and He will provide it if He wants them to stay around.
751693
They are not the only ones.  Many Christian denominations use incense. It is an offering and a way to show honor to God.
516953
Why not? Is God a property of non-users alone?\n\nBut, I'd suggest you give up drugs and drinks, if you do indulge in these vices.
1038454
That is pretty much up to the Church. That is not only "private" property, but Church property. Most jurisdictions "cut Churches some slack" for such events. IF the "fund raiser" is for the direct benefit of the Church or one of it's non-profit groups, there should be no problem.
514752
People should offer whatever they feel compelled (by the Holy Spirit).  Personally, I think the whole "tithe" thing is repulsive (when the Church leadership is pushing individuals for it).  \n\nTithing was an OT practice (living in a theocracy), and is not comparable at all to our times/culture.  If an individual chooses to tithe, that is great.  But it shouldn't EVER be done for reasons of compulsion (pledges are fine if it it just being used to help the Church leaders determine their budget).\n\nI was in a legalistic tithing Church, and it really destroyed me (this was many years ago when I was new to the faith).  I neglected needs of self and family in order to "reach my tithe".  As I grew in faith and knowledge I realized how foolish I had been.  "2 Cor 8:12" was a huge wake up call to my legalistic tithing:\n\n2 Corinthians 8:12 "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."\n\n2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."