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My Christian Beliefs[W:205]

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LesGovt

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I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I believe in John 3:16, which says, "[SUP]16 [/SUP]For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." When it comes to religion, there are several religions that have a god. They can all be wrong in what they believe, but, if any are correct, only one can be correct. I know my Christian faith is the correct one. The fact that I know God exists upsets some people and that is okay with me. I have stated why I know God exists, but my reasons are unacceptable to some. That too is okay.

Can I prove that God exists? To many, I cannot. I have previously written here about how I know. The short version of the reasons are:

1. I look around and see the complexity of the universe and everything in it and it is clear to me that there is a designer. This reason is unacceptable to some. The details of the complexities are so great that randomness could never explain the details. Nor could nature explain it.
2. God has walked with me much of my life even when I was an Agnostic. Too many blessings have come to me that only God can provide. Some would say that personal experiences are not proof that God exists. They are correct. I know the do because they happened to me.
3. The Holy Spirit has talked to me on multiple times. He tells me when I should help others in very specific and personal ways.

Now, I have had two threads that have been closed because the discussion had become too personal. Well, this one may become too personal for some and may be cancelled by the Mods, but not because of me. I will not argue my beliefs. People can accept them or reject them.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

LesGovt said:
When it comes to religion, there are several religions that have a god.
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I have no reason to argue your beliefs either, but i will have a laugh at how you express them. Only several? Setting the bar a bit low?

They can all be wrong in what they believe, but, if any are correct, only one can be correct.
Click to expand...
And there is that qualifier, " if any are correct". Why would i believe that?
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

soylentgreen said:
I have no reason to argue your beliefs either, but i will have a laugh at how you express them. Only several? Setting the bar a bit low?


And there is that qualifier, " if any are correct". Why would i believe that?
Click to expand...

I don't know why you would want to believe. I gave my reason in my opening post.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Clearly what one believes or why one believes is hardly something to argue over anyway. Better said, any such attempted argument is pretty futile.

Since this is however the religious discussion forum and not the religious statement/testimony forum, one can probably assume that certain conundrums which may or may not arise from individual interpretation of (any) religion can be addressed by discussion.

As such the take that one's own religion is the only correct one (a take that's incidentally not just held by one religion) seems to hold the problem of somewhat marginalizing those that follow a different one. "Somewhat" being a somewhat;) mild term, considering that interpretations such as these can lead to the conviction that those not sharing into one's faith are exempt from the salvation that one believes in.

Of the three large monotheistic religions, only Judaism does not take this position of consigning others to some form of damnation, with Islam and Christianity at least allowing themselves to be interpreted as taking this position of superiority. Meaning they CAN be interpreted in such manner, not necessarily meaning that they should be.

The question nevertheless arising how a belief as defined in the OP treats the moral conundrum that holding itself to be the only correct one of necessity brings. A conundrum especially when considering what may arise out of such a stance of holding exclusivity rights to "correctness" or "truth".

Why indeed can other religions not be just as correct without in any way impeding the "correctness" of one's own belief (here Christianity)?

Thoughts?
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

No mention of Hindus as yet.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

LesGovt said:
People can accept them or reject them.
Click to expand...

Or question them. We will see if you have the courage of your convictions.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Chagos said:
Clearly what one believes or why one believes is hardly something to argue over anyway. Better said, any such attempted argument is pretty futile.

Since this is however the religious discussion forum and not the religious statement/testimony forum, one can probably assume that certain conundrums which may or may not arise from individual interpretation of (any) religion can be addressed by discussion.

As such the take that one's own religion is the only correct one (a take that's incidentally not just held by one religion) seems to hold the problem of somewhat marginalizing those that follow a different one. "Somewhat" being a somewhat;) mild term, considering that interpretations such as these can lead to the conviction that those not sharing into one's faith are exempt from the salvation that one believes in.

Of the three large monotheistic religions, only Judaism does not take this position of consigning others to some form of damnation, with Islam and Christianity at least allowing themselves to be interpreted as taking this position of superiority. Meaning they CAN be interpreted in such manner, not necessarily meaning that they should be.

The question nevertheless arising how a belief as defined in the OP treats the moral conundrum that holding itself to be the only correct one of necessity brings. A conundrum especially when considering what may arise out of such a stance of holding exclusivity rights to "correctness" or "truth".

Why indeed can other religions not be just as correct without in any way impeding the "correctness" of one's own belief (here Christianity)?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

The Bible provides John 3:16 and Romans 10:9. There are differences between religions. Now if all religions are wrong, then so is the Bible. If one is right, my experience tells me it is Christianity. Moslems will surely say that Islam is the correct religion. Again, I think they are wrong.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

zyzygy said:
No mention of Hindus as yet.
Click to expand...

If Christianity is the correct religion, then Hinduism is not.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

LesGovt said:
If Christianity is the correct religion, then Hinduism is not.
Click to expand...

Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one...otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it?

Christians are told to “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith...according to Ephesians 4:5...“one Lord, one faith, one baptism”...

In spite of what many would like to believe, Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation...he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” Matt. 7:14
 
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Re: My Christian Beliefs

LesGovt said:
The Bible provides John 3:16 and Romans 10:9. There are differences between religions. Now if all religions are wrong, then so is the Bible. If one is right, my experience tells me it is Christianity. Moslems will surely say that Islam is the correct religion. Again, I think they are wrong.
Click to expand...
My question was more towards the point of
Why indeed can other religions not be just as correct without in any way impeding the "correctness" of one's own belief
Click to expand...
I've underlined for emphasis.

As can be seen, not "why does one religion being wrong need imply that so are all others?"
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Elvira said:
Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one...otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it?
Click to expand...
Well, that makes sense for sure. For adherents to all or any religion.

Christians are told to “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Click to expand...
So are others.

A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith...according to Ephesians 4:5...“one Lord, one faith, one baptism”...
Click to expand...
Isn't it strange then that Jews believe in the same things? Okay, baptism (Tevilah) is not exactly the same as in Christianity but has a similar function. Where do you think John (the Baptist) got the ritual from and where did Jesus (a Jew)?

In spite of what many would like to believe, Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation...he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” Matt. 7:14
Click to expand...
That part of the Sermon of the Mount deals with the nature of the path (as in the nature of the travellers thereupon) not with how many roads there are or are not. That Jesus meant the example to be geographical can be doubted.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Chagos said:
Well, that makes sense for sure. For adherents to all or any religion.

So are others.

Isn't it strange then that Jews believe in the same things? Okay, baptism (Tevilah) is not exactly the same as in Christianity but has a similar function. Where do you think John (the Baptist) got the ritual from and where did Jesus (a Jew)?

That part of the Sermon of the Mount deals with the nature of the path (as in the nature of the travellers thereupon) not with how many roads there are or are not. That Jesus meant the example to be geographical can be doubted.
Click to expand...

Wrong...context is everything...the preceding verses admonishes the believer not to be misled by false prophets/false teachings...

As for the rest of your comment, I cannot help how others believe to be true, only what I believe to be true...
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Elvira said:
Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one...otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it?

Christians are told to “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith...according to Ephesians 4:5...“one Lord, one faith, one baptism”...

In spite of what many would like to believe, Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation...he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” Matt. 7:14
Click to expand...

On another forum, there was an agnostic that quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:21 as the motivation for why he no longer was a Christian.. he examined, and could not hold onto his belief. Other people can.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Elvira said:
Wrong...context is everything...the preceding verses admonishes the believer not to be misled by false prophets/false teachings...
Click to expand...
True enough. Yet again making no statement over all religions being wrong.
As for the rest of your comment, I cannot help how others believe to be true, only what I believe to be true...
Click to expand...
Which is your right, of course. That alone does not, however, make your belief more valid than that of others.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

RAMOSS said:
On another forum, there was an agnostic that quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:21 as the motivation for why he no longer was a Christian.. he examined, and could not hold onto his belief. Other people can.
Click to expand...

I would call that the lack of motivation...he stopped making sure...
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Chagos said:
True enough. Yet again making no statement over all religions being wrong.
Which is your right, of course. That alone does not, however, make your belief more valid than that of others.
Click to expand...

I'm not concerned with what is valid to others...only what is valid to Jehovah God...
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Elvira said:
I would call that the lack of motivation...he stopped making sure...
Click to expand...

On the contrary.. he wanted to believe so much. He kept on looking for reasons to believe, but found the reasons to be wanting.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

RAMOSS said:
On the contrary.. he wanted to believe so much. He kept on looking for reasons to believe, but found the reasons to be wanting.
Click to expand...

That is his fallacy...not God's...others have searched and found sound reasons...
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Elvira said:
I'm not concerned with what is valid to others...only what is valid to Jehovah God...
Click to expand...
......respectively of what your belief holds that to be.

I understand.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Elvira said:
That is his fallacy...not God's...others have searched and found sound reasons...
Click to expand...

That thing is..things that he attributed to God before he saw were his confirmation bias instead (he was a bible believing Pentecostal). That's the process he went through.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

Chagos said:
My question was more towards the point ofI've underlined for emphasis.

As can be seen, not "why does one religion being wrong need imply that so are all others?"
Click to expand...

Again, quoting scripture: "[SUP]4 [/SUP]There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;[SUP]5 [/SUP]one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [SUP]6 [/SUP]one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:4-6
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

zyzygy said:
So Hindus will not be saved?
Click to expand...

The scriptures tell us: 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

and

then there is John 3:16, Romans.10:9, and then finally this:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

The scripture answers your question as "No."

From your reading of the scripture, does the scripture say no?
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

LesGovt said:
I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I believe in John 3:16, which says, "[SUP]16 [/SUP]For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." When it comes to religion, there are several religions that have a god. They can all be wrong in what they believe, but, if any are correct, only one can be correct. I know my Christian faith is the correct one. The fact that I know God exists upsets some people and that is okay with me. I have stated why I know God exists, but my reasons are unacceptable to some. That too is okay.

Can I prove that God exists? To many, I cannot. I have previously written here about how I know. The short version of the reasons are:

1. I look around and see the complexity of the universe and everything in it and it is clear to me that there is a designer. This reason is unacceptable to some. The details of the complexities are so great that randomness could never explain the details. Nor could nature explain it.
2. God has walked with me much of my life even when I was an Agnostic. Too many blessings have come to me that only God can provide. Some would say that personal experiences are not proof that God exists. They are correct. I know the do because they happened to me.
3. The Holy Spirit has talked to me on multiple times. He tells me when I should help others in very specific and personal ways.

Now, I have had two threads that have been closed because the discussion had become too personal. Well, this one may become too personal for some and may be cancelled by the Mods, but not because of me. I will not argue my beliefs. People can accept them or reject them.
Click to expand...

It always baffles me when religious people try to go out of their way to come up with some tangible evidence for god. I thought the whole fundamental premise of your religion is to have faith in God's existence, so trying to prove that God exists is sacrilegious, surely?

Also, if you're hearing voices you might want to consider seeking medical advice.
 
Re: My Christian Beliefs

LesGovt said:
I will not argue my beliefs. People can accept them or reject them.
Click to expand...
What you believe only really matters to you. How you choose to act on those beliefs is much more important because that’s when you start impacting on other people.
 
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