Religion What does religion bring that nothing else can bring ?

[No-name]

The Quran contains none of the original Hebrew bible. It has some stories in common but is an entirely rewritten text. All of the Old Testament cannonized by the council of Nicea is common, accepted Hebrew scripture- and no new texts are added.

There are some "True" Christians that do follow Kosher laws. Ultra Fundamentalists and Seventh Day Adventists. In spite of New Testament teachings to the contrary which teach that Christians are not under the law and that the law was fulfilled by Christ.

Basically, Christians are told that they do not have to keep Kosher law in the New Testament. You are not saved by works or by keeping the law, but by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9,Galations, Romans 4-5)

The non Jewish believers in the book of Acts were told that they did not need to burden themselves with Jewish law including circumcision: "But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality." (Act 21:25) In Chapters 10 and 11- and early controversy arises which is solved by a vision of Peter:

"9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of he earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again." Acts 10:9-16 NKJV

A couple of more verses:
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Finally:

19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ[a] that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. Galations 3:19-25 NIV

 

[Tsuyoiko]

for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

This is something I have real problems with, which I think I have mentioned before. Am I understanding correctly that it means "god will save who he pleases, regardless of your actions"? It sounds like I can behave however I like and still be saved, but if I live as good a life as possible I will be condemned if I don't believe.

I suppose it could mean that my not believing means I can't get something I don't believe in. That's fine. But if it means eternal damnation, I struggle to see how someone who loves his fellow man would condone that.

 

[Maciamo]

This is something I have real problems with, which I think I have mentioned before. Am I understanding correctly that it means "god will save who he pleases, regardless of your actions"? It sounds like I can behave however I like and still be saved, but if I live as good a life as possible I will be condemned if I don't believe.

I agree. It sounds like partiality and favouritism from God. What's more, it incites people not to respect their country's law, and even reject some of the Bible's own laws/rules (e.g. about Kosher food).

 

[Revenant]

I can completely understand how people wouldn't understand how a God could judge and eternally condemn anyone, and especially to eternal suffering. Obviously other people do as well, including some Christians that I have brought such problems to.

So how does a being greater in wisdom, knowledge, compassion, and having the ability to understand the innermost hearts and minds of all men, fail to see this and send these people to eternal damnation, when those of lesser wisdom, meaning us, can easily see and understand this. It doesn't make sense to me.

To quote Orlando Bloom in Kingdom of Heaven, "God will understand, and if he doesn't, then He is not God".

 

[Maciamo]

I can completely understand how people wouldn't understand how a God could judge and eternally condemn anyone, and especially to eternal suffering. Obviously other people do as well, including some Christians that I have brought such problems to.
So how does a being greater in wisdom, knowledge, compassion, and having the ability to understand the innermost hearts and minds of all men, fail to see this and send these people to eternal damnation, when those of lesser wisdom, meaning us, can easily see and understand this. It doesn't make sense to me.
To quote Orlando Bloom in Kingdom of Heaven, "God will understand, and if he doesn't, then He is not God".

That is exactly why I cannot believe that a God would "condemn its creation" to eternal suffering (hell). All human behaviours are understandable, if you are in the person's skin. We usually cannot accept some behaviours because they are harmful to us or scare us. But from the point of view of eternity and the infinity of the Universe, we humans are so little, "happening" for such a short time (but "existing" forever as matter ), that it is hardly a reason to get upset about for someone "watching" the Universe in its immensity. This is because we are so petty and self-centered that we were able to imagine that we were at the center of the universe, and that god cared more about us, miserable humans, than any of creatures of the universe. How naive - that's almost cute !

 

[No-name]

I own a house that I live in with my family. My family does not pay rent, nor is there anything they can do to earn their way into my house. It is where they belong. I love when they do what I want, and what needs to be done around the house, and I am upset when they don't do what needs to be done...but we all pitch in. I don't kick them out for not doing what I want because they are family. If some guy came by and offered to do a bunch of chores, he would not be invited to live in my house. If he did them anyway- washed my cars and mowed my lawn, I'd be happy, but kinda scared. The only way this guy is going to live in my house is if he belongs to my family.

There is no Bob. I am a pond. I am water hear me roar.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I own a house that I live in with my family. My family does not pay rent, nor is there anything they can do to earn their way into my house. It is where they belong. I love when they do what I want, and what needs to be done around the house, and I am upset when they don't do what needs to be done...but we all pitch in. I don't kick them out for not doing what I want because they are family. If some guy came by and offered to do a bunch of chores, he would not be invited to live in my house. If he did them anyway- washed my cars and mowed my lawn, I'd be happy, but kinda scared. The only way this guy is going to live in my house is if he belongs to my family.

That's a reasonable argument. But some people would ask him to move in because he is such a nice guy. Would they be wrong?

 

[strongvoicesforward]

I own a house that I live in with my family. My family does not pay rent, nor is there anything they can do to earn their way into my house. It is where they belong. I love when they do what I want, and what needs to be done around the house, and I am upset when they don't do what needs to be done...but we all pitch in. I don't kick them out for not doing what I want because they are family. If some guy came by and offered to do a bunch of chores, he would not be invited to live in my house. If he did them anyway- washed my cars and mowed my lawn, I'd be happy, but kinda scared. The only way this guy is going to live in my house is if he belongs to my family.

Sabro, is this an analogy towards God and Heaven or are you just explaining the real world situation of your life.

If the former, it is wrong.

If the latter, then it is right.

Why it is wrong for the God/Heaven/Bible analogy:

You didn`t mention that your punishment for not doing what you wanted could result in you killing them or them committing suicide (spiritual death) or you throwing them in the dark basement forever. Remember, BGod does kick people out (Lucipher) and those who are not saved and reject the SOG.

The Bible says God does not show favoritisim.

Why be scared? BGod is not afraid of anything, is he?

If the analogy is not one of the Bible God and Heaven, then ignore the comments and question above. If so, then please address them.

 

[No-name]

Those angels that rebelled were kicked out, and I guess my kids could do something to get them kicked out of the family, but I don't know what that might be. The state of humanity however is that it is not "kicked out", because it was never "in." (At least since the Fall.) Not letting them in would not result in killing anyone- since "spiritual death" is separation from God- all those not already in the house are already "dead." (If they are lost or locked in a dark basement of eternal torment- they are already there.) If you make no decision or the decision not to come in, your state remains essentially and eternally unchanged.

I think your application of the favoritism thing is a bit too broad- as God also applies justice- discrimination based upon actions.