It's kind of unfair that some aethiests can rant and rave and put down my God all they want, but when I want to raise Him up a little they try to lay the smackdown on me. Oh well.
It takes far more strength to be a Christian than anything else in the world. Think about it. XD

Also, to say one last thing, God created male and female - to be together. Males and males can't have children, and females and females can't without artificial help - it isn't natural, which is why it's sin. I'm not trying to convert you guys, as I said earlier. I'm trying to help explain a couple things about Christianity, but by no means am I physically shoving it down your throats and screaming "CONVERT CONVERT CONVERT".
That would be a funny image.

Anywho, I'm not going to argue anymore. You believe what you believe and I'll believe what I believe. Please don't react so harshly to me in the future, Fletch, as I've never done anything to you but defend my God.

Of course, I can always stone you and shriek "SLAY THE NONBELIEVER" just for kicks... XD

Okay, to say a second last thing. I appreciate your post Kazoobie, because rather than saying I'm an idiot you're simply stating what you feel. I love polite people. T_T

Though I will say that I'd rather trust in human studies and psychology and say gay people can't just NOT be gay. It's impossible, no matter what you may think. Even if they go to church and get help on becoming attracted to women, what they plant in his or her head is in another part of the brain, and in the core he or she will always still be gay and be living a lie with the opposite sex.

Fletch_Talon wrote:

Kat wrote:

Jesus still loves homosexuals, but they, by being such, are sinning - He loves us all and wants us to go to heaven, but the latter ultimately lies in our hands through our willingness to follow His will. Faith can also mean sacrifice. Eternal life with God in heaven or mortal love and an infinite burning lake of fire? Love down here is deep, but God is our Creator and above all else.
Just because a homosexual was 'born' that way doesn't make it right. They still have the choice regardless of what people say, and if they never find in the opposite sex a "life-mate" then they may have to go through life on earth without mortal love - which pales in comparison to God's everlasting love, if you're simply willing to accept it.

id like to thank you for voicing your opinion no matter how contraversial, but its just so ignorant that the world would be a better place without people like you

i try to keep away from the belief that christian = bad but comments like this just make it too hard

*bleep* bigot

EDIT
im sorry, i shouldnt be so angry at you, its not your fault you were raised to be scared of thinking for yourself, i woudlnt want to face the eternal flames of hell either, but then im of the opinion any god that exists is not going to be a petty egotistical hypocrite who likes to *bleep* with people, and expects them to take it because he created us

That seems a little harsh...

what would we think if christianity said that being black was wrong

oh nonono you misunderstand, obviously youre born black, but you have a choice not to act on it, just make sure you act like all the white people and then god will still love you, otherwise youre going to hell

why the *bleep* shouldnt it be harsh, we wouldnt accept a belief that was racist, why should we accept this one just because the "trait" in question isnt physically there, its based on the brain and hormones and stuff like that

or how about we have a religion where if youre born a woman, you have to act masculine, because being a woman is wrong, and you wont get into heaven if youre a woman

its all prejudice, ignorance and bigotry, im all for people having beliefs, but your beliefs promote prejudice you're the one that deserves to go to hell

Kat wrote:

Jesus still loves homosexuals, but they, by being such, are sinning - He loves us all and wants us to go to heaven, but the latter ultimately lies in our hands through our willingness to follow His will. Faith can also mean sacrifice. Eternal life with God in heaven or mortal love and an infinite burning lake of fire? Love down here is deep, but God is our Creator and above all else.
Just because a homosexual was 'born' that way doesn't make it right. They still have the choice regardless of what people say, and if they never find in the opposite sex a "life-mate" then they may have to go through life on earth without mortal love - which pales in comparison to God's everlasting love, if you're simply willing to accept it.

id like to thank you for voicing your opinion no matter how contraversial, but its just so ignorant that the world would be a better place without people like you

i try to keep away from the belief that christian = bad but comments like this just make it too hard

*bleep* bigot

EDIT
im sorry, i shouldnt be so angry at you, its not your fault you were raised to be scared of thinking for yourself, i woudlnt want to face the eternal flames of hell either, but then im of the opinion any god that exists is not going to be a petty egotistical hypocrite who likes to *bleep* with people, and expects them to take it because he created us

That seems a little harsh...

Jesus still loves homosexuals, but they, by being such, are sinning - He loves us all and wants us to go to heaven, but the latter ultimately lies in our hands through our willingness to follow His will. Faith can also mean sacrifice. Eternal life with God in heaven or mortal love and an infinite burning lake of fire? Love down here is deep, but God is our Creator and above all else.
Just because a homosexual was 'born' that way doesn't make it right. They still have the choice regardless of what people say, and if they never find in the opposite sex a "life-mate" then they may have to go through life on earth without mortal love - which pales in comparison to God's everlasting love, if you're simply willing to accept it.

id like to thank you for voicing your opinion no matter how contraversial, but its just so ignorant that the world would be a better place without people like you

i try to keep away from the belief that christian = bad but comments like this just make it too hard

*bleep*ing bigot

EDIT
im sorry, i shouldnt be so angry at you, its not your fault you were raised to be scared of thinking for yourself, i woudlnt want to face the eternal flames of hell either, but then im of the opinion any god that exists is not going to be a petty egotistical hypocrite who likes to *bleep* with people, and expects them to take it because he created us

That's the problem. The more you try to spread it, the worse things usually turn out. Take this forum as an example. If you try to share your religion with people and they don't care, they will think of you as a pest if you don't leave them alone. I mean, I wish I could spread the religion, but there seems to be no good way of going out and doing it. I think the best ways would be through Christian charity organizations, and things like that.

I think that by doing and saying nice things, taking a genuine interest in other people, and like you said, helping out through Christian charities, people would be more willing to listen to what you have to say. But you have a fair point.

Do you mean you think Christians should worship God in their own way. by themselves and according to their own interpretations, rather than going to church and being active in Christianity's institutions?

To answer this quote, and to answer Adam's topic title of being a born again Christian, I 'tried out' Christianity a few years ago, but eventually decided I wasn't Christian.

I initially found it a good thing because of the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone in the church, and the fact that they taught good principles, lessons and values (such as the ten commandments, loving and forgiving etc) that are vital pillars to the smooth operation of society. Christians also do much good in the world on behalf of God, such as charity work, spreading love to those who live without love, caring where no-one else will care, etc.

But I never 'heard' or 'felt' God (whether that be my own fault or not), leaving me confused. I disagreed with the inferiority of women in the church compared to men (especially in prestigious positions like Pastors, and the fact that God is a 'Him'), and the homosexuality issue. Also, there seems to be too much injustice in the world (*bleep*, corruption, war etc). Why does this occur? This world may not be heaven, but couldn't it be a little better? If there is a God, why does He let such suffering go unabated, until we die and all go to either Heaven/Hell? My final point would be that indigenous people like Australian Aborigines never had access to information about God. Why?

I accept, and am happy, that other people may follow a religion, I'm just not religious myself. I don't intend to challenge anyone else's religion, just merely state why I am how I am. I also understand that there may not be any straight or easy answers to these questions, except how one may personally interpret the Bible to mean, for themselves. And even though I'm not Christian, I try and follow a lot of Christianity's (and that of some other religions) principles anyway, just because they're pretty good ones.

That's my two cents anyway. I'll understand if people disagree.

Good points, and you've helped in the understanding of some questions. But I've never understood why God sees Homosexuality itself as a sin. But then, there probably is no answer to this question that anyone other than God Himself know of.

I know that sounded awfully preachy and probably made a lot of you cringe - the truth ain't always pretty. Being a Christian is hard. The bad thing about churches lately is that they only tell you 'God is a loving God, we'll all go to heaven if you just say this little prayer right here and then go back to living your life just like before and never lift a finger'. They're lying. Depending on how you're living right now, you might end up having to sacrifice much of what you loved and used to do.

But I say heaven's gonna be a wonderful place, and this short life is positively NOTHING compared to Eternity.
Where do you want to be when you die? I know where I DON'T.

(This is the first time I've stated my beliefs on a forum before. D: It's like flinging myself to the wolves! *Terror* I'm not trying to convert anyone, I'm just... throwing this out here.)

wow, thats so much better

its ok to be gay if you want to, youre just never ever allowed to love someone, or feel emotionally and sexually fulfilled

homosexuality is not a choice
people are born homosexual
god supposedly created us
so god created us with the potential to be homosexual

and now he wants to punish people because they act on feelings they have because of the way he made them

this is why the christian faith as some practice it is *bleep*

So far I've agreed with all of Fletch's posts here, esepcially this bit.

You can't really say "Oh, I wanna be gay, I'll start now" you are kind of born with it. It makes me think. Would you rather have two people who hate eachother get married or would you rather have two people of the same gender love eachother? People should be allowed to love anyone, whatever sexuality they have. Now I have a question, too.

If "Jesus loves you" like I see on boards in front of churches alot, does that mean that this "Jesus" still loves gay/bi people, or does he hate them because of their sexuality?

[sub]We accept them. It's perfectly OK to be gay. The problem(in the eyes of the church) is when you act on it. But even then, if they actually follow the teachings of the religion, gays/lesbians/bisexuals are still accepted. Which doesn't always happen, I'll admit.
[/sub]

wow, thats so much better

its ok to be gay if you want to, youre just never ever allowed to love someone, or feel emotionally and sexually fulfilled

homosexuality is not a choice
people are born homosexual
god supposedly created us
so god created us with the potential to be homosexual

and now he wants to punish people because they act on feelings they have because of the way he made them

this is why the christian faith as some practice it is *bleep*

when you follow rules that have no logic behind them other than "god told me so" then i question your intelligence or your sanity or both

also has anyone noticed that in a thread Adam started about religion, he certainly likes to pick and choose who he responds to... as in, anyone who questions anything he says is drowned out in another round of questions

not just me either, im aware i "dont deserve to be listened to" but Raidon and SR have questioned Adam, or commented on his points and yet he continues to ignore them as well

how very christian of you
(please note im well aware not all christians are into the habit of ignoring the other side of arguments of faith, it is however encouraged by the "we're right you're wrong" mentality)

Adam Thurman wrote:

[glow=yellow:01fc50abfc]Other[/glow:01fc50abfc]
What are the reasons do you have that makes Christianity not for you?
Is there a specific reason why you feel strongly about this?

They don't accept gay/bi people, and that is one of my main reasons.

[sub]We accept them. It's perfectly OK to be gay. The problem(in the eyes of the church) is when you act on it. But even then, if they actually follow the teachings of the religion, gays/lesbians/bisexuals are still accepted. Which doesn't always happen, I'll admit.

But anyway, yeah, some people just weren't brought up to believe in Christianity, or they don't agree with all of its views, and that's totally OK with me. [/sub]

[glow=yellow:9fb58980ef]Other[/glow:9fb58980ef]
What are the reasons do you have that makes Christianity not for you?
Is there a specific reason why you feel strongly about this?

Since I wasn't born into a religious family, I've come to lean towards believing things on a factual basis rather than faith, as it turns out. I might not've even ended up having an interest in geological earth processes if I ended up as a Christian for example. And so I end up having the mindset of something like "if parents tell children that magic is fairy tale stuff, why are the stories that religions are based off of are any more believable?" etc. I can't really say much else, since science and religion can't ever tread on each other's waters. That being said, I don't know what society would be like without at least some religion.