Respectful questions only!

And please answer respectfully as well!

#1

As an atheist I would love to know how you believe anything without sufficient evidence? I used to believe in santa but then one day i started thinking critically and no longer did. How are you not doing the same with your beliefs. Serious question.

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Lil Miss Hobbit
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Christian, I really appreciate this question. It makes a lot of sense to me that you need fact to back up your beliefs...I feel the same way. I am not a scholar on the subject, but I have researched and there is a TON of evidence for the life and death of Jesus. He was, in fact, a historical figure (Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel is by a former atheist who tried to prove Jesus didn't exist. It's written like a novel and is super interesting even if you don't agree with him). I think it was C.S. Lewis that said if Jesus was a historical figure, and if you look at what he said, there are only three options...Jesus was either a total liar, a total lunatic, or he really is God. There is no room, between historical evidence and who Jesus himself claimed to be, for the Western notion that he was a "good teacher" or "just one of many" or some "happy little Jewish prophet man." He was either bonkers or Christ.

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#2

As a born and raised atheist, I have two questions.

1) how much of a threat does the idea of hell pose to your everyday lives? Does it impact your decisions a lot? I’ve never had to worry about hell or other versions of afterlife punishments, but I still believe that I live a relatively good life, all things considered.

2) if a godly figure came down and said ‘this other religion is correct’ would you convert, or keep your beliefs despite knowing that they’re the “incorrect” ones? That question may be a bit more sensitive, sorry.

I mean no offence on either question, just a curious Pangolinian bean.

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Lil Miss Hobbit
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow, I love both these questions. I don't think I've heard anyone ask them before. I'm a born-again Christian. I say "born again" because when people think of Christians they often envision the Catholic church...which I would never want to be associated with, haha. My Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus, and I try to the best of my ability to follow only that and not any tradition or denomination or preacher. Question 1: Hell does not pose a threat at all for me. Because I believe that Jesus paid the price for my sins, I never have to worry about hell...ever. I'm not going there. If you are wondering why I would still live a good life even if I don't have punishment looming over my head...it's because that's the right thing to do and the example Jesus set. Love one another as I have loved you, sort of thing. I'll answer 2 in the next comment.

Id row
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"When a man strikes his slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, for the slave is his property." Exodus 21:20-21. Great religion you follow. Chock full of love and compassion. Glad you found it.

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Kevin the Manager
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to Hell once. The food was very spicy, and the weather was quite warm, but at least everyone was suffering. One star.

Bear Hall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But don't forget the lots of familiar faces. It was like a team building experience.

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, forgot part two! SOrry! IF you came to me and said "THIS IS THE ONLY ONE", I'd say, "Okay, have a nice day." I do that to the usual door-kn0ckers in my neighborhood trying to convince me I'm going to Hell because I don't donate to or attend their church/temple/ya-ya. I left the Catholic Church when I was 14, and I have no interest in joining another of any sort. My faith is personal. If I'm wrong, well, that's gonna suck for me. Sorry-not-sorry?

Leo Domitrix
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a child, I thought as a child, I spoke as a child, but now, I have put away childish things. I was *terrorized* by the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church into thinking my mere thoughts sent me to Hell. As I hit my teens, I started to ask, "Why would God waste billions of souls on a quibble? If God is Love and Forgives, as we're taught, why Hell? I think we gete it here on earth." And I'm still pretty sure hell's what happens on earth, but in the After? All good. Either we're taken to Happy Place or we have no awareness. Either way, I'm not scared.

RedPepper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was told Hell was for people who reject God, not for people whom God rejects.

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Simon Leister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll start with your second question first. As a Christian if Jesus isn't God, and if Jesus isn't the only God, then my religion is a waste of time. If some God appeared and proved without a doubt that Christianity was wrong, I'd give it up. Hell is real, but do I believe in Jesus because of a fear of hell, no. I don't live in the fear of hell, I'm not reacting to a negative. I'm responding to a great act by Jesus which demands a response.

Lene
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a Norse Heathen. So... my answer to question #1: we don't have a hell. We have Hel, which is a death realm just like Valhalla. Hel is where people who died from illness or old age go. And since I want to die from old age, I want to go to Hel. :) and for question #2: I am not sure what to answer, really. Lol.

Red PANda (she/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. I honestly don’t think about hell too much, I just try to be a good person for the sake of being a good person, not because I’ll be punished if I don’t. 2. I honestly don’t know, because like what if they’re the devil in disguise or something? I would probably trust my intuition and think about if the religion feels right or wrong to me, because most Christians believe that your intuition/conscience is the Holy Spirit guiding you.

TheSilentEngineer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Christian here: 1) I am not scared about going to hell because I believe that once you give your heart to God then you are good to go. So any choices I make in a given day isn't really affected by the thought of Hell. 2) Jesus already did that so....

censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but does that mean you can just rape and pillage now? because you're good to go? like as long as you believe in JC all's fine?

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Xip Dizc
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

- I believe Hell is a very real place and punishment but it does not pose a threat to me at all. Anyone who uses Hell as a threat to get people to convert is only giving them half the story - If a godly figure came down I would reject what he said as per Galatians 1:8 "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"

Just a ray of f'ing sunshine
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell plays a huge part in the Christian belief. We are taught that if we don't follow what Jesus taught, we will go to Hell. Personally, I look at His teachings and see that they all boil down to 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And not these three remain: Faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (NIV) We are commanded to love one another, period. If you look at all of Jesus's teachings, that's what they boil down to. People get caught up in the technicalities of it all, but that's what we are supposed to be displaying: Love for ALL people, no matter who they are. That's what Jesus did, and that's what we are supposed to do. People forget that.

Lydsylou
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree with you! However I would like to clarify that the bible doesn't say if we don't follow Jesus teaching of loving others we will go to hell. It says that to get to heaven we must repent and believe in Jesus and of we do this then we will want to live like him and so we will love others like Jesus did

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Libstak
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We create our own hell, God keeps giving us clues how to rise above it I think but he is not the one who condemns us, we are.

jpaul
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) for me the threat is much more into that life than after death. like many christians i converted after having hit the bottom. and God can forgive once, but you'd better not fool with him/her twice. this is my personal belief. of course you can commit errors like any human. but don't do something wrong if you know it's wrong. the result could be madness, and suffering. 2) my personal interpretation of the new testament it's that there are several valid churchs. also in the old testament the Qoheleth says it's absolutely impossible to know the project of God. only God knows his/her thinking. so for me it's simply incorrect to say there a good religion

ThatBlackNightingale
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well I'm Catholic so... #1 tbh not much, I think I'm a fairly good person like I'm not perfect but I wouldn't say I'm mean. So it's more of my personality than my religion- I don't rly think about hell at all bc I don't feel like I'm influenced by bad things. Basically, no. #2 Technically, in my religion, Jesus did come down and tell us exactly that but if I had a vision and I know 100% I was in the right mind and.nit hallucinating maybe?

Huddo's sister
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) I'm a Christian and don't believe in hell. My denomination doesn't really talk about it much. I believe instead that if you don't believe and are a bad person, you just die and there is nothing, no afterlife. It doesn't guide my life or my ethics, because I don't need a threat of hell to live ethically, I just do it because I agree with Jesus about how to live a good life and follow his teachings. I don't blindly follow, I have thought about the reasons why that would be his teachings, ie, it is the ethical thing to do, and agree with that. 2) I don't know how I would react if I saw a godly figure who challenged my belief, but I don't believe there is one true or single right religion, so I probably would examine it the same way I do other beliefs (many of my beliefs match with multi-faiths) and react accordingly.

Lydsylou
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How would you explain passages in the bible(e.g. Ephesians 4v9) if you didn't Believe the place is taking about exists? How can you be a Christian and only believe parts of the Bible?

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Tuesday
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Faith is a bird. Love in the heart, hope on one wing, fear on the other. Some people's motivators are hell and torment. Others are paradise. For most it's a mix of both. God understands human nature so provides us with the appropriate motivators to do good and stay away from evil 🤷.

StPaul9
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Catholic, I would say that when Jesus died, that's it for Hell. Through His death, he went to Hell and saved the souls. Likewise, Hell is the domain of Satan not as king, but as punishment because he refused to accepted God's rule in Heaven. Satan is not a king dragging people down, he's stuck there. You don't go to Hell. There's purgatory (not limbo) where souls are cleansed before entering Heaven, but that's not punishment. Evil people spend a long time being cleansed whilst the good enter in shorter time.

A Happy Doggo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. It doesn't because I believe that humans were made to be imperfect, and as long as we are trying our best and living a good life, we will be forgiven. 2. I don't stick thoroughly to one religion or the other, I kind of have my own independent beliefs. I don't think anyone's managed to get it 100% correct yet, but if they did, then yes, I would follow that religion

Wicked Witch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am Pagan. Hell is not a threat to me at all. As for th God in the next question, am I sure it's a God at all? I have had Devine contact that has supported my beliefs. It was a gentle and direct teaching moment so I would have many questions to this being before I switched.

CORGI QUEEN
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) As a gay lutheran I have met people worse than satan, absolutely no fear of hell. No it doesn't affect my actions. 2) nope, not my god, not my problem. (btw I am very loosely religious)

Reciter of Poetry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Both Heaven (or Jannah) and Hell (or Jahannam) are outward reflections of the inward realities of their people. Hell is only as terrible as its people are wretched. So yeah, it dwells on my mind because I will be exactly where I deserve to be, and I don't want to be that person. 2. God is transcendent. If an apparent godly figure came down, and I'm seeing it, then it's part of my world. Hardly transcendent. I have no reason to believe whatever it is. This is all from a Muslim perspective, of course.

cerinamroth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jews don't believe in hell like some Christians do. We believe that this life can be heaven or hell, depending on how we choose to act. If we are remembered by others for our good deeds after we die, that is how we achieve life after death. If others avoid our name because of the terrible things we have done, that is hell. No one wants to be forgotten.

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#3

How do you know yours is the "correct" one? Is it just a believing thing?

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PrincessMudPuppy
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's human nature to want to be right. Being "right" makes you superior to those that are "wrong". It's also human nature to keep believing they are "right" and to only acknowledge the evidence that supports that belief. I always thought that Heaven sounded a lot like a gated community that wanted to keep out the riff raff and was very exclusive. I respect those that have TRUE belief and live by those beliefs but find that most people tend to be hypocrites.

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#4

This is a great post and, for the most part the questions and answers were thoughtful. I’d like to see more posts like this (as opposed to even one more person complaining about their in-laws …).

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Stardrop
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

especially the stupid clickbait ones that are obviously fake and just fishing for likes/affirmation like "mY mIL kiCkEd a hOmELeSs pErsOn aNd sToLE hIs dOG bUt i sTOppEd hEr nOw i fEEl bAd AITA??"

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#5

Okay I have a question for Christians, but first let me talk about the Islamic beliefs around the topic.

In Islam, we also believe in Jesus ('Eesa or 'Isa in Arabic), but we believe that he himself was not divine. He was a regular human being like us who was a prophet of Allah. We believe that the miraculous nature of his birth does not necessitate that he himself was divine. Also we believe that he wasn't killed or crucified. A man from among those who were out to find him and bring him to the place of crucifixion was made to resemble him, and he was the one who was nailed to the cross. Meanwhile, God raised Jesus up to the heavens to protect him, and there he remains until he will return one day.

My question is, what exactly is the relationship between Jesus and God in Christianity? I know Jesus is believed to be divine, but does that make him a separate deity, a part of a whole, or just God's manifestation on Earth for the time he was alive?

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#6

Atheists that live in the US, the pledge of allegiance mentions god. What do you think about that?

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The wee giant (any pronouns)
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that is kind of strange because in the us constitution it states that people have the freedom of religion yet it says in god we trust on the US currency so it seems to me that the government just tolerates other religions. However to answer your question I just stand up to avoid arguments but I won't state the pledge

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#7

I really don’t understand the concept of fasting in Muslim, Hindu and Islamic traditions. Does it have to be followed? What can you or can’t you eat? Just a breakdown would be great to understand it more! Thank you!

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Tiramisu
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well I can’t speak about Hinduism, but I can tell you that Muslim and Islam are the same. Followers of Islam are Muslims. Fasting is considered an act of worship in Islam, an exercise in patience and gratitude. It is only mandatory for one month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, and only for those who are able. Generally speaking, people with medical conditions, children, pregnant, or menstruating don’t have to fast. If you intend to fast, you cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, and should abstain from swearing and engaging in behaviors harmful to oneself or others. One should abstain from those in general, but the punishment is more severe for doing it in that state.

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#8

I’m not religious for many reasons but respect those of faith. However… I desperately struggle with the fact that religion has so often been the root cause of so much difference, discrimination, intolerance, prejudice, division, hatred, war and indeed death. Aside from perhaps money/land/greed and politics, I can’t think of a single more damaging element in society. For all the preaching of love, tolerance, peace and harmony… would the world be a better place without religion? It’s not as though we’d suddenly lose all sense of morals and ethics. Thoughts on a postcard…

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#9

I’m an operating room nurse, and I’ve been wondering this for a long time. Why do Jehovahs Witnesses refuse blood transfusions? No judgement, I just want to understand!

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Stephanie Did It
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a religious issue rather than a medical one. Both the Old and New Testaments clearly command us to abstain from blood. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28, 29) Also, God views blood as representing life. (Leviticus 17:14) So we avoid taking blood not only in obedience to God but also out of respect for him as the Giver of life.

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#10

To the Christians, from a Muslim - original sin. (I'm not sure if all Christians believe in this or only some so sorry about my ignorance!) It's always stumped me. How could anyone believe a newborn baby is inherently sinful? We have an opposite concept in Islam, called the fitra - meaning innate human goodness - that every person is born on.

Also, every single woman to ever exist will be punished with her period because of what Eve apparently did? That's what i've heard at least, please correct me if I'm wrong but also what

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Faramir10
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A newborn baby is not inherently sinful. Several Christian denominations don't baptize babies. These denominations wait until a person is old enough to decide for themselves whether or not to be baptized. If a baby dies before being baptized, he/she will still get into heaven.

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#11

How does one reconcile the fact that actions and policies carried out by their religious "team" fly right in the face of their own commitment to openness, acceptance, and the general wellbeing of humanity? i.e., "My group includes members that (through financial support) actively promote the killing of LGBTQ+ people. I don't do it, but my "team members" do, and they do it in the name of our God." How can one do anything but completely disassociate themselves from that?

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Leo Domitrix
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leave the church. I did it forty years ago almost, over the misogyny in Catholicism. Quit the team. My conscience (ironically, nice strict Catholic conscience!) forbid me to continue in an organization that ran counter to the preaching of Jesus (love, acceptance, healing)

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#12

For hijabis, what do you do when it’s really cold? Are you able to line the inside of the hijab with faux fur, wear a hat on top if it or something? Also building on that - what would you do if you wanted to swim; are there waterproof hijabs?

Second question for hijabis: Do you have to wear the hijab, or could you cover your hair with something else?

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haven't heard the line-the-inside-of-the-hijab one before, but that's an interesting take. Honestly the hijab keeps us warmer than people without a hijab. We could just wear a hood on top of it as well. Yes, there are waterproof hijabs as well. And it doesn't matter what we cover our hair and neck with, as long as they're covered (ft. the infamous 'blanket hijab' one wore during lockdown when picking up the fiftieth Amazon package)

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#13

One thing I've never understood about Christians. Why are they so sad at funerals? If the dead person is going to heaven then they should be happy, shouldn't they?

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Faramir10
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because we are losing a dear friend. Of course we're happy that our friend is going to heaven, but it hurts to lose a good friend, spouse, relative, etc. It's sad when a young person or child is killed or died of illness.

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#14

I ask this without malice and with true curiosity: Why are some rules in the Bible followed while others are ignored and why does it seem as if the rules that are quoted the most apply to "others" while those that are ignored apply to "themselves"? For example: Divorce is fine but homosexuality is evil? Why, in certain circumstances is it okay to view the rules as anecdotal while in other circumstances they are literal?

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Persephone hates Pomegranate ️
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may be wrong but as a Christian, I think we have to follow the laws in the New Testament, not the Old Testament. However, humans are flawed, and will still sin, which is why we ask for forgiveness. However, we have to take the necessary steps to not sin again.

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#15

Does god really forgive everything?

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Lydsylou
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Christianity you don't need to do anything except believe in Jesus and ask for forgiveness and God will forgive you. Jesus came to die for your sin and take the punishment for it so you wouldn't have to go to hell. He didn't pick and choose which sins to forgive he loves you so much he'll just forgive them all.

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#16

this is an interesting question to put out and some of the questions/statements were great while some had some thinly veiled comments that implied anyone who has faith is an idiot. what i ask is why don't more religions teach that it is okay to see the humorous and funny part of faith? it seems that all religions need to stop being so serious and, if it is true that g-d made us in his/her image the we need to realize that we are a pretty funny bunch.

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Lil Miss Hobbit
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay but I love this so much!🤣 As a Christian it always bothered me so much that we portray God as being this big serious old man in the sky. I mean, He's the guy who designed the platypus and llamas and pigs...how could He not have the most hilarious sense of humor?!! Have you ever seen a baby parrot? And God was like, "Yup, I love it."😂 I personally find that joyful people have great senses of humor and if God wants us to be joyful, why would He be so serious Himself?

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#17

A frivolous one.
Sikhs, do the different ways of tying a turban mean anything? Or are they all merely style statements?

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Lydsylou
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a Sikh but Google tells me that the way of tying them.is just stylish. However the colours mean different things

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#18

As somebody who is kinda in between being an atheist and a christian, how can you be so sure that what you’re believing in is right? Like, I pray to the holy spirit and ask snd thank it for forgiveness, but then I get worried that if other religions are correct I would go to “hell” for not believing in the right thing

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PrincessMudPuppy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me personally: If I am wrong and there is a God would they be more insulted that I hedged my bets by praying to them insincerely just to avoid Hell or that I chose to not believe in them at all and didn't fake it.

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#19

For Christians, (I don't wanna be offensive, some of my friends are Christian) in the Bible do you think men are above women? Because I read some of the Bible and Adam was more "powerful" than Eve. I think men and women should be equal. How do you feel that Lillith got punished (the first wife of Adam, I think)? Do you believe everything in the Bible is true?

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StitchIsCuteAndFluffy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus treated men and women as equals. His disciples consisted of both men and women (note I said disciples, not apostles, and there is a difference between them)

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#20

If you met someone who disliked you religion would you not want to still be friends I want to know I just had this happen to me so

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Sierra (any/all)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d still be as friendly as I currently am to them, but won’t pursue any further relationship. I’m going through that right now - homophobic guy in my friend group. I’m nice to him, I talk to him, but I wouldn’t ask him to hang out with me (that being said, i wouldnt directly exclude him as he is always nice to me).

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#21

Of your god(s) would disappear tomorrow, how would you know?

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Leo Domitrix
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully, I'd feel a terrible void within. Probably, I wouldn't know.

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#22

To people that think Earth is flat: why?
what makes you think it?
what's ur proof?
please explain cause I've been thinking about it for quite some time

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#23

For anyone of any religion: when you meet a person with a different religion do you think "I'll respect you but you're wrong"

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Tuesday
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm always willing to listen but honestly, my religion just makes sense lol - that’s why I chose it. But it's not a "my religion vs your religion", just mutual respect

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#24

As a atheist, what is it like being Christian? And are y’all annoyed with those Christians who do extremely rude things (like the homophobic ones)?

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RedPepper
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me, it's like having an invisible father and an invisible brother, who give me unconditional love, remind me that all humans are my brothers and sisters, and (for the brother) set an example for me to follow. I find some Christians exhausting, but I try to not judge them, considering that God alone knows the depths of their souls. The Holy Spirit may very well be active there, even if I don't see its effects.

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#25

I have a question mainly for Theravada Buddhists, but people of other worldviews, feel free to chime in as well.

To my very limited understanding, your beliefs don't specifically reference a god, as in not saying there is one and not saying there isn't one, right?

If you would encounter a god, would that change your worldview?

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Just a ray of f'ing sunshine
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I am correct (and if I'm not, PLEASE correct me), Buddhism is more of a way of living than an actual religion, in that they don't have a diety, they follow. The Buddha was a man who achieved enlightenment, not a god.

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#26

what's a question? /j
really, to the Christians, how's it going with the whole, "part of the church is crazy, the other half is really nice" thing?
i hope the crazies sort themselves out

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irishleo8371
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been blessed in my life to know many truly wonderful Christians. Loving, kind, caring people, who would rather die than judge. I tell myself that those people are Christians. The others are better referred to as blasphemers

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#28

This is a question from a Catholic to Anglicans. The line we're fed (in the USA, at least) is that the British monarchy set themselves up as Pope in order for Henry VIII to get a divorce. If that's all it is, how does that even make sense (Catholic popes claim to be successors to St. Peter, do British monarchs say they also succeed St. Peter)? If there's more to it, what is it?

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Simon Leister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's more to it than the divorce. The Papacy was not just a religious position at that time, but also a political position. So you can read more about the Papal States and the authority of the Pope. There was also this event of 'The Reformation'. At the time the Pope and Catholic Church would see 'Indulgences', basically a way for the church to get money, and to allow people to buy a ticket to heaven.' It was awful. The Reformers said, we shouldn't listen to the Pope as providing the words of God, we should just read the Bible. So the Reformers started translating the bible into English and German. This was against the rules at the time.

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#29

I have a question regarding my school! Context: I go to a Public Highschool in the US, in an area that has a pretty high concentration of a singular religion. There are some others, but the common religion is predominantly one, with a very large percentage of people in my community (maybe almost 50%?) Being this religion.

What are your thoughts on having a religion class that kids can take during school? They don't get school credit, and the building is *technically* not on campus, but it only focuses on one religion? It's also the only option for "religious studies" on campus that I know of, other than Mythology which just covers older societies (Greek, Roman, Norse, some world mythology).

I'm kind of against it because it is a religious studies class during actual school time, and I've heard that it's really preachy, but I wanna know what non Atheists think!

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flashy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would probably be like forcing religion onto people, which would go against the 1st Amendment, so in short, I don't think it'd be a good idea

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#30

How do Muslims, Jews, and Christains believe God was created?

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AnnaJ718
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Catholic, I believe (I cannot speak for every Catholic, everyone is different) that God has always *been*. Time isn't really a concept to Him

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#31

Who is Jesus Christ to Islam. What's his role in this religion?

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We believe in Isa but as a messenger of God rather than God Himself - we don't believe Isa was divine, just a man preaching the message. He has a very high status amongst the messengers.

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#32

For people how wear hijabs, what do you do when it's really hot outside? Surely it must get hot, right?

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Tuesday
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drink water ;) On a more serious note, we just wear thin and light clothing/hijabs, it’s not really a problem tbh and it can be quite easily dealt with!

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#33

As a Jew, i want to ask christians (not ALL christians, but you know who) why they hate us, if it says LITERALLY EVERYWHERE that we are gods children.

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PrincessMudPuppy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Full disclosure: I am an atheist. I do believe that Jesus was a real person, I DO NOT believe he was divine. Prophet not Messiah -It seems to me as if Christians (not ALL Christians, but you know who) have an inferiority complex when it comes to Judaism. They know their religion wouldn't exist without yours, but hate acknowledging it. -Christians seem to forget that Jesus never intended to create a spin-off called Christianity. He was basically like Moses. Believers had moved too far away from the teachings of the Torah and he just wanted to get things back on track. -I also think that the animosity for Jews has a lot to do with the fact that Judaism is not just a religion but also genetic. Jew by faith and by birth, which makes you a double threat to those that hate and/or those that need to feel superior. Basically, it boils down to ignorance and envy.

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#34

If God is good why do bad things happen?

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Lydsylou
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Woah literally everyone got downvoted by answering the question based on their beliefs?!

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#35

When Muslims and Hindus are fasting, are you allowed to drink water?

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#36

What is the diffrence between a demigod, a god, and a diety?

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David A Paterson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please correct me if I'm wrong. A god is any direct descendant from the first god. A demigod is part god and part human. A diety is any being that resides in heaven or hell, including angels, demons, and dead people's souls.

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#37

Let´s see, Christians... your religion is relatively a new kid on the block. In its present form from around the beginning of the middle ages, starting off as an offshoot of jewish sects, Judaism itsself probably hailing from Zoroastrianism, which can trace its roots back to the 14th century BC Pharaoh Akhenaten.
Basically you are praying to an Egyptian man-god, so my question is: At what point in history does your god become the "one true god?"
Then, I would like to know about the other one true gods, like Jupiter, Odin, Zeus, if you believe that your and only your belief will get you to "heaven" what would you say to all those people, before christianity and who truly believed that their god will get them to Walahlla or Elysium or Olymp....? "Sorry, you guys, should have been born later!"

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Bear Hall
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our God is the Creator of the Universe worshiped in many forms from the beginning. Like Paul points out to the Greeks even they had an "unknown God" - Acts 17:22-23 Just because we worship Him He wasn't exclusively ours and nobody else's. Adam, Cain, Abel, Noah all predates any Pharaoh. And the Bible makes it clear He is the same God they worshiped. He was also Abraham's, Isaac's, Moses', Jesus' and eventually Mohamed's God. What historical point? The Ten Commandments starts with: "You shall have no other gods before me." As for people born earlier "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love" - Eph 1:3-4 Well, I don't understand why me, but God always liked to choose imperfect people. The Bible is chuck full of them as His heroes: coward, brutes, angry, unfaithful, etc.

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#38

To Atheists/Non Christians: Sorry if I'm coming a bit harsh but I have a few questions. Again, I just want to know no hate at all. Do you hate people for being Christian? Do you think all Christians are Homophobic? When you find out someone is Christian, does you change the way you look at them?

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The Doom Song
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whatever your religion I will never hate you because you practise that religion. Only reason for me to hate you is if you are a giant douchebag.

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#39

I believe in God. I am a christian, BUT I believe a Call to FAITH in that which greater than us prevails. I believe Like both Christians and Muslims that Jesus and Mohammed were prophets, teaching the ways GOD would like us to live. Do I believe n the subservience of Women ? NO. The Old Books ended with Those two anointed Men .Lets worry more about the Wars and Rumors of wars than to whom one prays. I Love everyone and I would give my life for a Muslim Neighbor as readily as I would for a Sikh or Christian neighbor

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Bear Hall
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With all due respect without any malice or sarcasm: if you believe Jesus was "only" a prophet and not the Son of the Creator how are you a Christian? I don't want to hurt you, I just want to hear your reasoning.

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#40

I'd like to ask Hindus whether they prefer or worship one god/goddess more than the others.

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to :)

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Each one has attributes. My ex was a yogi who liked Ganesh, the elephant god, who removes obstacles.

#41

To Christians: How do you feel about JC being labeled as "woke" and "weak" by some? Some SBC pastors can no longer recite the Sermon on the Mount because too many of their congregants find hating others better for their souls. Those people seem to prefer the Old Testament of hate, murder, wars, and revenge, to be more up their street than the New Testament with JC teaching you to love your enemies and your neighbors.

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Mamza Paulse
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

its gross and the old testament doesn't even have Christ so not really Christians. so they are basically just using religion to be awful people. it makes me sad.

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#42

This one is for Christianity.
What does the bible say about the LGBTQIA+ and its members?

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#43

What made you believe in what you believe in, when there are so many other beliefs?

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#44

To Christian’s: why is god often referred to with male pronouns. I have researched a bit and it mostly said that god has no gender because god is not human, but why then male pronouns? Surely if god has no gender it should be neutral pronouns?

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always wondered this. in Islam the only reason we refer to God as a He is because of the Arabic linguistics. The noun 'Allah' is masculine so all the verbs are conjugated in referenec to that. When speaking in English it's more for ease of reference. But God created gender so God's beyond gender

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#45

The Bible is a collection of books written over a span of approximately 1,500 years. Why haven't we had any more books added since circa 90AD?

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this question might seem facetious, but I generally wonder why a god would not give any further instruction. Or perhaps He did and no-one wrote it down. How would one even apply to write the next book of the Bible?

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#46

To Jehovah's Witnesses: my (very basic) understanding is that the belief is that one day Jehovah will return and 144,000 people will be allowed to live in paradise with him (and everyone else remains dust). If that's the case, then why do you make the effort to convert people? Surely those 144,000 people have already lived or are living now, so any new converts will not have any hope of returning.

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Caiman 94920
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus spoke of 2 groups of his followers, the little flock Luke 12:32: "Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom." Revelation 5: 9, 10 talks about Jesus buying people for God with his blood - vs 9:"and you made tham to be a kingdom and priests to our God and they are to rule as kings over the earth." Revelation 14: 1 gives us the number 144,000. This group or little flock are raised to heaven to rule over the earth when Jesus receives the Kingdom. The rest of mankind has a chance to be in the group mentioned in John 10: 16:" & I have other sheep which are not of this fold; those too I. must bring in and they will listen to my voice and they will become one flock, one shepherd". This unnumbered group is pictured in Revelation 7: 9, 10 as "a great crowd which no man was able to number" standing before the throne and the Lamb. Most of Jehovah's Witnesses have the hope of being part of this great crowd, living as humans on a paradise earth

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#47

Okay, I am christian, and I'm wondering if there are any Jehovah witnesses here, I've had some good conversations/arguments with them, this is a serious question, it seems that Jehovah witnesses believe that Jesus the son and the holy Spirit are not one person, as for the branch of Christianity I am in, and the church I go to, we believe that Jesus, the spirit, and God, are all in one person, and we have multiple points in the Bible pointing towards that such as the scene where Jesus gets baptized and God speaks from the heavens (saying : 'this is my son with whom I am well pleased') and the spirit comes down (the form of a dove) which is showing all three persons of the trinity, I'm just wondering how exactly you guys think about that, yes it is shown in this scene that they're separated, but they're also the same, I don't know if my question makes sense, even to me, but if you could try to help me answer it I would be deeply appreciative. 🙃

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Just Another Girl
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1 Timothy 2:5-6 says “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, a man, Jesus Christ, who gave himself, a corresponding ransom for all…”. So for the trinity claim that all three are equal to be true, there would have to be three mediators, but only Jesus became a human and died for us, so that throws out the equality theory. Jesus also stated in Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one; God.” John 8:17-18 Jesus says “The witness of two men is true. I am the one that bears witness about myself and the father who sent me bears witness about me”. Therefore, they have to be two separate entities, how else could they qualify as two separate witnesses? Also….if all three have the same power, why does Luke 5:17 say Jesus’s father was the one who provided power so Jesus could perform miraculous healings? The Father obviously has more power, so they can’t be equal. John 14:28…The father is greater than I am 1Corinthians 11:3. The head of Christ is God

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#48

I know some religions don’t allow them to eat pork or eat from anything that has touched pork (iirc), why is that?

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a Muslim and we don't eat pork (or drink alcohol). Short answer to the why? Because God said so 🤷

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#49

Lutherans. Ok dogma is you do not pray to saints as they are human beings and not divine. Yet, you name your churches after them. Why?

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#50

My family is a line of atheists but I have had so many supernatural encounters when I was really little.

For the atheists:
How do you not believe in anything at all? How are you not scared of the things you don’t understand? Why don’t you come up with something to explain it supernaturally?

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MrsFettesVette
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm just satisfied with the answer, "I don't know, but maybe one day humans will gain an understanding of this". I don't believe in the supernatural so a supernatural explanation wouldn't track for me.

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#51

I would ask a scientologist what sold them on this religion and how has it affected relationships with family etc.

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Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the irony of Scientology being invented by a Science Fiction author, quite hilarious.

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#52

Do the people in your religion, whatever it may be, actually believe that the Earth is flat?
if so, why?

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UpQuarkDownQuark (he/hey you)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m an atheist and of course know that the Earth is round and not the center of the universe. I also know that the great majority of religious people believe the same thing. But for some people who take the Bible and the Quran literally, they do honestly believe in a flat Earth, with Heaven literally physically above them. And they believe that governments and scientists are either fooled by or are in league with Satan to hide the “truth.” But true believer Flat Earthers are pretty rare.

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#53

How?? Does one?? Convert??
As a person of dubious religious beliefs, how did you people who have converted DO that?? Sorry if I don't make sense, it's just... how?

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the religion, I think. In Islam, all you need to do is believe that there is only one God and that Muhammad is His final messenger, and you're set. Some people like to say the shahadah (the statement I just said above) in front of witnesses like a sheikh but that's not necessary to become a Muslim.

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#54

Muslims/Islam (I do NOT know any correct terminology I apoligize in advance) Why do you wear things over your face? I do not understand why you would cover your breathing for your religion.

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So it's called the niqab and it's optional. Majority of Muslim women just wear the hijab, which covers the hair and neck but leaves the face uncovered. And wearing a niqab has much better breathability than a COVID mask.

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#55

why do Jews get circumcised? it seems like unnecessary pain

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The Amazing Fluffernaut
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It signifies that a Jew has been placed under the covenant between Abraham and G-d. Also to quote my teacher who sadly died last year: "Babies don't have the same feeling of pain as we do. To them it would be like: Huh, I got hurt but I don't know where"

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#56

What does your religion say about homosexuality and lgbtq? How has it shaped your personal view

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Tuesday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Islam we definitely don't agree with LGBTQ+. We 100% accept that all these issues and feelings are real and valid - and in and of themselves, having the feeling is not a sin - but acting on it is. Honestly it's helped me realise that disagreement is not disrespect. I'll refer to you by your preferred pronouns and won't push my views on you at all, but that's what I believe. :)

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#57

Why is one god better than a pantheon of beings? Read most civilisations pre Christian,Muslim etc

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Libstak
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even Christianity has a pantheon, seraphim, cherabim, thrones, powers, angels, arch angels, apostles and saints

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#58

To the Christians who use J.C. and God as an excuse to be homophobic, racist and other things.
What makes you think your going to Heaven?
Because what you do is crueler than what all the Devil's can do.
Those of you who use J.C. and God as an excuse I shall see thee in Hell.

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#59

I'm not sure if it belongs here but I always wonder what made people stop believing or what changed their believes completely.
And if being "flat-earth"-er is really about believing in a flat earth or more some sort of movement.

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MrsFettesVette
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school but as I aged and learned to think critically I just came to realize that I couldn't believe anymore. If anything, being an atheist has made me more appreciative of the world and the people in it than I was when I thought there was some sort of being controlling everything.

#60

I have a question to Non-Jews, or even Jews. How does your prayer service look like? In my synagogue, its is some prayers about praising G-d asking for certain things and - more but I can't ever describe any religion so simply, and on certain days we read the Torah. I haven't ever been the the worship place of another religion, so what is it like?

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Lydsylou
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Christian a prayer service we start with singing and then a bible reading and short talk and then people who want to can pray about whatever they think needs praying for. then we end with more singing. On a normal sunday worship we begin and end with singing and a few songs separating in the middle we have bible reading and a longish talk. Also, the person doing the talk will pray. In every service before the first song and after the last song theres a really short 1 minute prayer. Obviously idk if every other church does the same thing

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#61

If my God and your God were to play "Thumb War," and my God said, "One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war," and YOUR God responds, "Five, six, seven, eight, with this hand I mastu*bate," which God would be the winner? Hypothetically speaking, of course, because EVERYONE knows my God is the REAL one...

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#62

Where is this heaven or hell that the religious talk about. A different dimension perhaps or someplace else?
In any case if it interacts with our universe and the laws of nature within it, then it can be measured and quantified and in time understood and replicated.
That is the great thing about our species, if we know it can be done we will do it.
This line of thinking is or was common trope in 1970ties SciFi and in one book I remember reading that god was now (in the far future) a travel agent in a shopping mall, because who knows the universe better than god..?
So my question to all religions is how can religion survive when science proves it to be just superstition?
Also, at some point in the near future I believe that our technology could or will become self-aware, the signs of emerging sentience are already evident. So if humans are able to build a sentient system would we be on the brink of becoming gods ourselves?

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Mamza Paulse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think everything in science is true, but I think science was created by God, so he wouldn't have to deal with every little thing personally. I don't think that science disproves that God exists. I think they complement each other

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#63

If I said to you " I am God " would you worship me.?

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