Question for religious people...

[Guest]

If you accidentally break the rules of your religion, do you think your God cares as much as if you do it deliberately?

I mean, if you're a Roman Catholic, and you accidentally eat meat on a Friday, does God care as much as if you downed a couple of lamb curries on purpose.

I ask out of a genuine curiosity over whether I'll get banned or not.

[dre]

I dont think it matters. Hell you can ass rape little kids intentionally all day long, and as long as you take Jesus into your heart before you die you get to go to heaven.

Religion doesnt expect people not to sin, it just wants them to grovel, confess and whine and apologize over it. Heaven is jam packed full of murders, rapists, thieves and child molesters.... theres just no atheists

[Mighty AC]

Does the RCC still allow members to buy forgiveness?

[eyeball]

Do they have lefties? I once heard Heaven described as being like Sunday School except it goes on forever and ever..untold billions upon billions of eons apparently.

I bet there comes a time when a googolplex of eons of scorching burning agony might seem like a nice change.

Edited January 17, 2013 by eyeball

[Bryan]

There are different types of religious rules. Catholics have a whole set of them that are extra-biblical. They aren't really "GOD's rules", so much as they are the secret handshakes of the Roman Catholic club. No meat on friday is one of those. You might get in trouble with your fellow parishioners, but GOD doesn't care.

Edited January 17, 2013 by Bryan

[betsy]

If you accidentally break the rules of your religion, do you think your God cares as much as if you do it deliberately?

I mean, if you're a Roman Catholic, and you accidentally eat meat on a Friday, does God care as much as if you downed a couple of lamb curries on purpose.

I ask out of a genuine curiosity over whether I'll get banned or not.

Those are Mosaic laws....or man-made laws. It's the same as forbidding the consumption of pork....or requirement of circumcision. The New Testament did away with a lot of tradition and "legalities." Jesus (and later, Paul) blasted the Pharisees for putting what He called, "stumbling blocks" to Gentiles.

It doesn't matter whether you eat pork or are uncircumcised....you'd still be saved as long as you believe in Christ, and follow His teachings. It's clearly explained in the Bible. Read Paul.

That's my belief, as a born-again Christian.

Edited January 17, 2013 by betsy

[betsy]

Furthermore, when one becomes a Christian - the Christian teachings of Christ is supposed to be reflected in his behaviours.

Because of the Holy Spirit that will dwell in you to guide you....which will be very much evident when one develops his personal relationship with God. Having trust and a personal relationship with God is very important.

We read about priests for example, who molests children .....what's the difference between him and a pedophile who sought to work in a place - like the daycare - that gives him access to his prey? Or a teacher that uses his power or authority to victimize a student? What more, an ultimate show of "authority" when one claims to "represent" God? Because he wears a frock!

Like as if wearing the frock is the very symbol of Christianity! To those that are bent on committing acts of crime, the frock makes such an excellent ACCESSORY! Those who try to protect the criminals and further expose others to harm....are also committing a grievous mistake. We're supposed to protect the weak, defenseless and vulnerable. The answer is a no-brainer! It's people who sin....not God.

Thus Christians are warned against false prophets - or those who will use His name. The warnings are all over the Bible!

What better way to turn people off God by having priests betray the trusts of people - surely an act of evil. Or Satan, to be precised.

Edited January 17, 2013 by betsy

[eyeball]

Yeah but what better way to deal with evil than by blasting Satan to smithereens?

I just don't get it.

[Guest]

There are different types of religious rules. Catholics have a whole set of them that are extra-biblical. They aren't really "GOD's rules", so much as they are the secret handshakes of the Roman Catholic club. No meat on friday is one of those. You might get in trouble with your fellow parishioners, but GOD doesn't care.

So back to my original question. Does God care if Jews and Muslims eat pork, and if he does, would he forgive them if it was unwitting? Say, mixed in with the horsemeat in a burger.

Edited January 17, 2013 by bcsapper

[Bryan]

Does God care if Jews and Muslims eat pork

No. We have refrigeration now.

[Moonlight Graham]

If you accidentally break the rules of your religion, do you think your God cares as much as if you do it deliberately?

A lot of "rules" that religions have are just made up nonesense that some Pope or Rabbi etc. created that's not even mentioned in their holy books. Now, breaking God's rules that are in whatever holy book you believe in might be different. But then again, a lot of what is attributed to being "God's words" or actions in the Bible and whatnot was actually just made up by creative writers and never actually occured. So it's all very confusing. God should come down again and make a documentary and tell everyone what to do, what religion to follow etc. Maybe Jesus should have his own talk show like Oprah. All this smoke & mirrors is really annoying.

[Canuckistani]

So back to my original question. Does God care if Jews and Muslims eat pork, and if he does, would he forgive them if it was unwitting? Say, mixed in with the horsemeat in a burger.

It doesn't matter. They're already damned 'cause they don't believe in Jeebus. You have to believe in him to be saved.

[guyser]

God should come down again and make a documentary and tell everyone what to do, what religion to follow etc.

Geez....he did, he sent George Burns to make it. He didnt like it much, so he sent Jim Carrey later.

Then he gave up.

[Shady]

If you accidentally break the rules of your religion, do you think your God cares as much as if you do it deliberately?

I mean, if you're a Roman Catholic, and you accidentally eat meat on a Friday, does God care as much as if you downed a couple of lamb curries on purpose.

I ask out of a genuine curiosity over whether I'll get banned or not.

Not eating meat on Friday is a thing of the past and doesn't hold any significance according to the Vatican.

[cybercoma]

The New Testament did away with a lot of tradition and "legalities."

Depends who you ask.

Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV): Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.¹⁷ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.¹⁸

Depending on whom you ask, "everything" did simply mean Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It means when Christ returns. Christians are still waiting for the day that "everything" is accomplished. We're not there yet, according to many doctrines.

See also:

Romans 3:31 (NIV): Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Luke 16:17 (NIV): It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

Luke 21:33 (NIV): Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

So, I hate to say it, but your belief that the New Testament "did away" with the old "laws" is wrong according to the Book that you claim as the source for all knowledge.

[Shakeyhands]

Not eating meat on Friday is a thing of the past and doesn't hold any significance according to the Vatican.

Not so according to Catholic-Pages.com

Most Catholics think that Vatican II did away with the requirement of not eating meat on any Friday of the year. Most think it is now just Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent that we cannot eat meat.

This is what the new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter:

Canon 1251

Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Canon Law still requires that Catholics not eat meat on Fridays!

Of course, most Episcopal Conferences have determined that, instead of abstaining from meat, Catholics may perform an act of penance of their choosing. But, do you ever remember to abstain from a particular food or do some other penance on Fridays? And, at any rate, the main rule is still to abstain from meat on Fridays, the performance of another penance instead is an optional alternative.

It's very interesting to note that the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (the United States' Episcopal Conference) is currently debating whether to rescind the determination and require all Catholics to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. The Bishops are considering that a return to meatless Fridays for all Catholics would be of benefit because:

• It is an expression of one's Catholicity; and
  
• In reparation for the grave sin of abortion.
  

http://www.catholic-pages.com/life/fridaymeat.asp

Interesting answer here too....

http://www.askacatholic.com/_WebPostings/Answers/2009_09SEPT/2009SeptHasTheVaticanEverStatedThis.cfm

[betsy]

So back to my original question. Does God care if Jews and Muslims eat pork, and if he does, would he forgive them if it was unwitting? Say, mixed in with the horsemeat in a burger.

They can eat pork. They'll be saved even if they ate willingly and knowingly....as long as they accept Jesus as the Messiah, and ask for God's forgiveness for all their sins.

What's happening to the Jews is just a continuation of the long cycle all the way back from the Old Testament. They've got their own very serious isue to deal with.

[betsy]

Depends who you ask.

Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV): Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.¹⁷ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.¹⁸

Depending on whom you ask, "everything" did simply mean Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It means when Christ returns. Christians are still waiting for the day that "everything" is accomplished. We're not there yet, according to many doctrines.

See also:

Romans 3:31 (NIV): Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Luke 16:17 (NIV): It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

Luke 21:33 (NIV): Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

So, I hate to say it, but your belief that the New Testament "did away" with the old "laws" is wrong according to the Book that you claim as the source for all knowledge.

First of all, who sent Jesus down to us? God. Jesus btw is God incarnate. So who can better explain and expand what He meant in the Old Testament but none other but the Author Himself?

I've said, "FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST," Cyber. If you read the New Testament and understand it....you'd know which Mosaic Laws still hold today, according to the the teachings of Christ.

The 10 Commandments stand firm! HE even expanded and explained on the sins of adultery, fornication, stealing etc.., However, He summed the 10 Commandments to two. Love of God and Love of Neighbor. Homosexuality (and other perversions like incest etc..,), being a sin, is also upheld.

I can't stress enough the importance of reading and understanding the Bible. Most especially for Christians. In learning and understanding it (through the guidance of the Holy Spirit), that's how we - Christians - gain maturity.

To a Christian, the meaning and purpose of life is to love and glorify God. Understanding His Word is a big part of it.

Edited January 18, 2013 by betsy

[cybercoma]

None of that is actually a response to what I said.

[betsy]

None of that is actually a response to what I said.

Then you better read my statement again....or better yet, read and understand the Book you're criticizing.

Bye-bye.

Edited January 18, 2013 by betsy

[GostHacked]

Then you better read my statement again....or better yet, read and understand the Book you're criticizing.

Bye-bye.

You keep saying bye bye but you never leave.

[Mighty AC]

I find the way the religious wield words like "understand" interesting. To "understand" the Bible means to completely agree with their chosen interpretation. If you do not then you are not just aren't reading it correctly.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Mighty AC

[GostHacked]

I find the way the religious wield words like "understand" interesting. To "understand" the Bible means to completely agree with their chosen interpretation. If you do not then you are not just aren't reading it correctly.

We also 'understand' that the bible has also gone through a couple revisions. And apparently the King James version of the bible is the correct one, even though it was written/revised long after Jesus was deaded. The original word of 'god' was not the correct one apparently.

So which things in what version do we need to 'understand'. I don't think we are going to get a clear answer on this one.

[cybercoma]

I find the way the religious wield words like "understand" interesting. To "understand" the Bible means to completely agree with their chosen interpretation. If you do not then you are not just aren't reading it correctly.

She didn't even address my interpretation or offer up her own to be criticized the way she's criticizing my argument. Which for the record isn't really an argument at all. It's rather banal to say "some people would disagree and here's why." That's not even saying that I disagree. I'm not even arguing for their side. I'm just saying "Hey! There's a bunch of different interpretations and here are the passages that could lead to different conclusions from yours." Saying that people can interpret the Bible in many different ways is not an argument it's obvious and trite. So I'm not really sure what betsy wants me to "understand" from her post, but I can assuredly say that she hasn't the slightest understanding of what it is I posted.

Edited January 18, 2013 by cybercoma

[Pliny]

If you accidentally break the rules of your religion, do you think your God cares as much as if you do it deliberately?

I mean, if you're a Roman Catholic, and you accidentally eat meat on a Friday, does God care as much as if you downed a couple of lamb curries on purpose.

I ask out of a genuine curiosity over whether I'll get banned or not.

If you accidentally break the rules of your religion, do you think your God cares as much as if you do it deliberately?

I mean, if you're a Roman Catholic, and you accidentally eat meat on a Friday, does God care as much as if you downed a couple of lamb curries on purpose.

I ask out of a genuine curiosity over whether I'll get banned or not.

You're definitely banned now.