gotigrz's Christianity topic, part 2 Options

[gotigrz]

Someone i think badman or merica actually asked ed in person and he admitted being a christian. im pretty sure his is a little more of an open faith (i remember a recent interview where he stated that praying doesnt do much good in the world) I know he thinks the bible is the best source of morality and guide for mankind but im not clear if he believes in the divinity of jesus or that he was born of a virgin etc...

well, if ed said that he was a Christian, then he does believe in the virgin birth, the dying on the cross, and the resurrection 3 days later. that is the criteria of being a Christian. nobody says, .. "yeah, i'm a Christian, but that whole virgin birth thing is just crazy."

when ed said that about prayer not doing much good (i heard the interview)... he was referring to prayer that he thinks isn't really "prayer". he was saying that when you are truly in prayer with God that you are like one with Him, and that most people just close their eyes and ask for something. and, that THAT isn't doing much good cause that's what most people do and look at the world around us. PRAYER... aka... truly talking to God is VERY powerful.

[gotigrz]

I'd explain to them whenever I thought they were ready that this is what I believe, but it isn't exactly for everyone. I'd make them aware of other faiths and tell them that if they choose to believe something different, or nothing at all that I would still support them and love them even if we choose different paths ... it's a lot for a child to take in, but then again so is the whole concept of christianity. If they're ready for that, then they're ready for a choice.

well, i can't say "it's not for everyone" cause i believe that it is for everyone. i'd have to tell them that i believe it is for everyone, but you have to make up your own mind. but, let me ask you this: even if i said, "you have a choice of believing or not, and if you do, you have a choice of what faith you want to follow"... what is the chance that the kid wont follow in the footsteps of their parents, anyway? this proves that children aren't who they are because of what they're told they are,... they're who they are cause of how they're raised,... not what they're told. there is a big difference there and i hope you can see that. if you tell your kid "don't do that or you're getting a spanking"... and then they do it and you don't spank them... they're gonna know you were full of it.

I remember getting into big arguments with religious teachers at high school. I remember one going on a big tirade about how gay's wouldn't be welcomed in heaven and how they are wrong and immoral. I sat there thinking "hang on ... you're not preaching love, you're preaching hate".

well, you're partially right... what he actually preaching is "judgment". i don't agree with gays either, but i don't agree with a lot of sins that i commit myself. and, in the eyes of humans, sins have degrees... but, in the eyes of God, i believe sin is sin. therefore, i'd be just as guilty for judging a gay person as the gay person is guilty for being gay.

I just think putting someone on a specific path right from the outset without a semblence of a choice isn't right. That doesn't just go for Christianity but many other religions. Its the same as a child growing up into a life where all they are bound to do is take over the family business. They're bound to just follow in their parents religious footsteps.

i see your point. i really do. but, like i said... sooner or later that child WILL become an independent adult, and at that point they will make up their own mind. look at yourself... you were raised to believe, and now you don't. why? God gives EVERYONE free will, and He gave you the free will to think for yourself. i grew up baptist, but i'm now methodist... as far as i can tell the only diff. is one drinks openly and the other hides it.. LOL!!! but, my point is, is that a parent setting a child in one path does not mean that's the path that child will choose... and, that child will choose a path based on the path not the person who put them there. cause if that was the case then free will is gone and you would be a Christian and everyone else would be what their parents were and so on... and that's just not the way it is. and, you know that.

This post has been edited by gotigrz: Mar 24 2010, 10:30 am