EverleighRaven [2949890]

I really agree with what you are saying here. Free will and freedom is one of the best things I have in my life, and I am glad that God gave us the ability to choose our own destiny.

Kasto [2151656]

Yes a 2 years old dying from cancer or insert any other illness here, had the freedom to choose its own destiny.

A Palestinian kid that died from a bomb at 1 years old age or even months, had the freedom to do whatever it wanted.

EverleighRaven [2949890]

Like people, unfortunately in this world, have the freedom to go kill people, but they need to be held responsible for their actions to keep people from doing that. Also I guess that not everybody has the ability to choose their own destiny, like how nobody chooses to get sick or get cancer, but we still, to a large extent, have free will, even though a lot of the times we still suffer, and things don't go our way. The world, where free will is allowed, is still very different from a world where we are forced or programmed to worship God, which I think is the point that Latinobull14 is trying to make. Like we still have free will when we are alive, even though bad things do happen to people and people do die in very terrible and tragic ways.

Kasto [2151656]

The difference is bad people go to hell when they hurt people.

No one gets punished when a, according to Bible, pure soul (talking about a child) dies from illness at a young age. The child hasn't sinned yet gets punished? Unless illness is the devil or something.

Sweeney_Todd [27468]

I prefered his older brother that collected honey, Besus...

EverleighRaven [2949890]

So I'm not Christian, and I don't mean to offend anybody with this, but I feel it is wrong for someone completely innocent, such as Jesus in this case, to be punished, tortured, and killed for my wrongdoings, which are completely MY fault, while I get to escape punishment and get a free ticket to heaven. I feel that accepting such a deal is wrong and unjust, because in no other case, such as through the justice system, is it right or legal or acceptable to scapegoat somebody like this. How do Christians who have accepted the salvation of Jesus feel about this?

Latinobull14 [2881384]

It's me again!

Not gonna lie, I genuinely enjoyed the conversation that I had in my previous post and wanted to extend the topic to a singular topic which is Jesus. This is the foundation of the Christian beliefs, (at least it should be). With that, there are different arguments involving Jesus whether he was only a prophet, not a God, he didn't exist, etc.

Let's talk about it. Let's have a conversation about it and feel free to question my belief.

My Belief:
Jesus is the Son of God who came down to heaven in human form to save us from our sins by dying on the cross for us. He then resurrected after 3 days and after addressing his disciples in his resurrected form, he ascended to heaven. Jesus himself is God but separate from God the father.

AMA
Edit: Edited my belief portion as my wording made it seem like Jesus isn't God but only the son of God and not God himself.

UPDATE Been MIA had life things happen lol but I will get around to answering everyone points when available

Penetration [2340613]

I'm curious why you contradict yourself.

Your title says you believe Jesus is God. Your stated belief says Jesus is the son of God.

I think this is an important distinction in understanding your reasoning as Jesus was converted to be "God" through decisions of the Church much later, but never proclaimed to be God in any testament. There is a big difference in Jesus or his followers believing he is from God, and believing he is God. To be clear - the Bible makes this distinction; if you do not, I'm curious what your reason is.

Karl_innit [3025813]

I'm an atheist who has never been indoctrinated into any faith. I personally find it surprising that so many modern people believe in bronze age fairy tales. But in an anthropological way, I am curious.

If you're a believer in the story of Jesus, what is your opinion of capital punishment?

Do you have anything to say about the hijacking and twisting of Christian beliefs at the hands of Romans?

How do you feel about Zoroaster?

Is killing always wrong?

Do you believe the world would be more peaceful if everyone followed your beliefs?

Do you believe the end of the world is a positive thing?

Do you believe humans have the power to change the Earth's environment?

EverleighRaven [2949890]

So I'm not Christian, and I don't mean to offend anybody with this, but I feel it is wrong for someone completely innocent, such as Jesus in this case, to be punished, tortured, and killed for my wrongdoings, which are completely MY fault, while I get to escape punishment and get a free ticket to heaven. I feel that accepting such a deal is wrong and unjust, because in no other case, such as through the justice system, is it right or legal or acceptable to scapegoat somebody like this. How do Christians who have accepted the salvation of Jesus feel about this?

Latinobull14 [2881384]

Nothing offensive about this. Everything you say is right, it's completely unfair for someone to die and take the sins of the world for us even though the person who died and suffered did nothing wrong.

As a Christian myself, I am grateful for what he did for me because I don't deserve it. I live a life to make sure that I don't let his death be in vain by following his teachings and doing my best to be a better Christian.

Next question, what is a better Christian?

Someone who recognizes that they are a sinner and deserve death and going through life with the intent of following the words of the bible and listening to the commands of Jesus. Being reborn is more than just accepting Jesus died on the cross, but living a life that follows his teachings. Not committing adultery, not getting drunk etc. Are you going to be perfect, no. I'm the farthest from perfect. But every day I try to draw closer to God and turn away from sin.

EverleighRaven [2949890]

I have a question for you: so how has following Jesus's teachings and refraining from sin affected your life? Have you personally experienced any benefits from choosing to live such a life, and do you miss anything from the world that you can't do anymore?

Crapitycrap [2500157]

I wanted to believe in a higher power, but the simplest answer oftentimes is the answer. My personal view is the sub-atomic particles in the universe spent an unfathomable amount of time combining together to form molecules, which then formed into more complex things. Those things combined to produce both more complex compounds and energy, like stars. Those stars lived and died compressing larger amounts of molecules into solids, eventually forming solid bodies (planets, asteroids, etc..). Eventually, the right combination of solids, liquids, gasses, and energy fell together to form life at the molecular level, which then evolved over time.

One may ask, "what came first," or "who made these things?" However, those questions arise with any origin theory. The truth most likely is that we do not have the capacity to fathom "forever" or "eternal" in a way that makes logical sense. One exercise I find interesting is to close your eyes, relax, and think of absolute nothing, clearing your mind of any idea, thought, or picture. What's left? The color black. Try hard to remove the color black, to truly visualize the absence of everything. What do you see then?

As an ecosystem and a species, we are a (possibly) unique entity in the universe. Each of us has the opportunity to feel alive for a brief time and observe the environment around us both with a philosophical and critical view. That in itself, is a miracle I'm thankful I've been able to experience. Without this miracle, we wouldn't be able to communicate via an online forum or even have experienced that time when the Undertaker threw Mankind off the top of a cage during Hell in a Cell in June of 1998.

Latinobull14 [2881384]

It's me again!

Not gonna lie, I genuinely enjoyed the conversation that I had in my previous post and wanted to extend the topic to a singular topic which is Jesus. This is the foundation of the Christian beliefs, (at least it should be). With that, there are different arguments involving Jesus whether he was only a prophet, not a God, he didn't exist, etc.

Let's talk about it. Let's have a conversation about it and feel free to question my belief.

My Belief:
Jesus is the Son of God who came down to heaven in human form to save us from our sins by dying on the cross for us. He then resurrected after 3 days and after addressing his disciples in his resurrected form, he ascended to heaven. Jesus himself is God but separate from God the father.

AMA
Edit: Edited my belief portion as my wording made it seem like Jesus isn't God but only the son of God and not God himself.

UPDATE Been MIA had life things happen lol but I will get around to answering everyone points when available

Multipass [1955315]

Do you think you'd believe this if you were born in a part of the world where another religion was dominant? I strongly suspect that people inclined to have faith (basically irrational beliefs based on hearsay) would believe something totally different if they were born into a different faith.

I also dont really understand why you think your'e qualified to have an opinion on this. What could you possibly know that anyone else doesn't? Of all the infinite and unknowable explanations for how everything came to be it strikes me as unfathomably arrogant to assume you have even a hint more a clue than the rest of us.

Crapitycrap [2500157]

I wanted to believe in a higher power, but the simplest answer oftentimes is the answer. My personal view is the sub-atomic particles in the universe spent an unfathomable amount of time combining together to form molecules, which then formed into more complex things. Those things combined to produce both more complex compounds and energy, like stars. Those stars lived and died compressing larger amounts of molecules into solids, eventually forming solid bodies (planets, asteroids, etc..). Eventually, the right combination of solids, liquids, gasses, and energy fell together to form life at the molecular level, which then evolved over time.

One may ask, "what came first," or "who made these things?" However, those questions arise with any origin theory. The truth most likely is that we do not have the capacity to fathom "forever" or "eternal" in a way that makes logical sense. One exercise I find interesting is to close your eyes, relax, and think of absolute nothing, clearing your mind of any idea, thought, or picture. What's left? The color black. Try hard to remove the color black, to truly visualize the absence of everything. What do you see then?

As an ecosystem and a species, we are a (possibly) unique entity in the universe. Each of us has the opportunity to feel alive for a brief time and observe the environment around us both with a philosophical and critical view. That in itself, is a miracle I'm thankful I've been able to experience. Without this miracle, we wouldn't be able to communicate via an online forum or even have experienced that time when the Undertaker threw Mankind off the top of a cage during Hell in a Cell in June of 1998.

Latinobull14 [2881384]

It's me again!

Not gonna lie, I genuinely enjoyed the conversation that I had in my previous post and wanted to extend the topic to a singular topic which is Jesus. This is the foundation of the Christian beliefs, (at least it should be). With that, there are different arguments involving Jesus whether he was only a prophet, not a God, he didn't exist, etc.

Let's talk about it. Let's have a conversation about it and feel free to question my belief.

My Belief:
Jesus is the Son of God who came down to heaven in human form to save us from our sins by dying on the cross for us. He then resurrected after 3 days and after addressing his disciples in his resurrected form, he ascended to heaven. Jesus himself is God but separate from God the father.

AMA
Edit: Edited my belief portion as my wording made it seem like Jesus isn't God but only the son of God and not God himself.

UPDATE Been MIA had life things happen lol but I will get around to answering everyone points when available

Ata [2507441]

I am most interested in comparison and discussion with other religions.

You say you believe in Jesus as God etc. Are you ready to kill for your beliefs? Possibly you aren't, but millions of people in the last 2000 years have been more than willing to do that. All in the name of that same Christian God!

Then someone else comes in and says Allah is the only God. And they will also kill anyone that says different. How can they both be right? Why do people kill in the name of faith?

EverleighRaven [2949890]

So I'm not Christian, and I don't mean to offend anybody with this, but I feel it is wrong for someone completely innocent, such as Jesus in this case, to be punished, tortured, and killed for my wrongdoings, which are completely MY fault, while I get to escape punishment and get a free ticket to heaven. I feel that accepting such a deal is wrong and unjust, because in no other case, such as through the justice system, is it right or legal or acceptable to scapegoat somebody like this. How do Christians who have accepted the salvation of Jesus feel about this?

Latinobull14 [2881384]

Nothing offensive about this. Everything you say is right, it's completely unfair for someone to die and take the sins of the world for us even though the person who died and suffered did nothing wrong.

As a Christian myself, I am grateful for what he did for me because I don't deserve it. I live a life to make sure that I don't let his death be in vain by following his teachings and doing my best to be a better Christian.

Next question, what is a better Christian?

Someone who recognizes that they are a sinner and deserve death and going through life with the intent of following the words of the bible and listening to the commands of Jesus. Being reborn is more than just accepting Jesus died on the cross, but living a life that follows his teachings. Not committing adultery, not getting drunk etc. Are you going to be perfect, no. I'm the farthest from perfect. But every day I try to draw closer to God and turn away from sin.

EverleighRaven [2949890]

I have a question for you: so how has following Jesus's teachings and refraining from sin affected your life? Have you personally experienced any benefits from choosing to live such a life, and do you miss anything from the world that you can't do anymore?

Latinobull14 [2881384]

I'm not going to be here and say I love every teaching of Jesus and the bible. In my humanness, if someone punches me, I want to punch them back. When I wasn't married, I wanted to go out and sleep with another woman before marriage. Just because I am a Christian and follow God's teachings doesn't mean I'm perfect. I am a very flawed human before and after believing in God. I want to act out what I feel. But the bible teaches be slow to anger and not have sex before marriage. But I would say there hasn't been any negative for following the bible versus doing my own thing.

God's teachings aren't there to punish us and to do so because told us. God's teachings are to benefit us whether we see it or not. Using the two examples I gave above, if I wasn't slow to anger and go to punch that guy back. What if he stabs me or shoots me, now I lose my life or am severely injured for not being slow to anger. What's the negative of being slow to anger, my pride is hurt but that's minor compared to being injured or dead.

Having sex before marriage. The downside, I can get her pregnant, I can get an STD, she could lie to me and say she's single and now then her husband or boyfriend shows up and now I can lose my life or get injured. The downside of waiting until marriage, I have to wait instead of acting on what I feel.

Very minor downside compared to the downsides of acting in the sin. So there is a ton of benefits of being a Christian and following the teachings of the bible. As far as missing things from the world, honestly, I don't. Having a relationship with God and getting closer to him helps you not want to do the things of the world. Not that I don't get tempted to sin, but I have less of a desire to do so.

Sepulchrave [2092631]

If you believe in Jesus, then stop being a hyprocrite - stop making a righteous-looking spectacle of yourself and go pray in the closet like he told you to in the Book of Matthew. There are few things more disgusting than a self-proclaimed "spiritual" person who needs other people to know how spiritual he is.

⁵ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
⁶ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Latinobull14 [2881384]

It's me again!

Not gonna lie, I genuinely enjoyed the conversation that I had in my previous post and wanted to extend the topic to a singular topic which is Jesus. This is the foundation of the Christian beliefs, (at least it should be). With that, there are different arguments involving Jesus whether he was only a prophet, not a God, he didn't exist, etc.

Let's talk about it. Let's have a conversation about it and feel free to question my belief.

My Belief:
Jesus is the Son of God who came down to heaven in human form to save us from our sins by dying on the cross for us. He then resurrected after 3 days and after addressing his disciples in his resurrected form, he ascended to heaven. Jesus himself is God but separate from God the father.

AMA
Edit: Edited my belief portion as my wording made it seem like Jesus isn't God but only the son of God and not God himself.

UPDATE Been MIA had life things happen lol but I will get around to answering everyone points when available