I grew up atheist for 16 years. I had always kept an open mind towards religion, but never really felt a need to believe in it. My sister started going to a Wednesday night children's program at a church. Eventually, I was dragged into a Christmas Eve service. Scoffing, I reluctantly went, assuming that this was going to be a load of crap, but when I went, I felt something. Something that I've never felt before. I felt a sense of empowerment and a sense of calling. Jesus called upon my soul, just like he did with his disciples. he wanted me to follow him. Now, my life is being lived for Christ. He died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of everyone who believes in him. He was beaten, brutalized, struck with a whip 39 times, made to carry a cross up to the stage of his death. This I believe to be true, and I can never repay him for what he has done. I still have my struggles with Christianity, but I've found this bit of information most useful. Religion is not comprehensible in the human mind, because we cannot comprehend the idea of a perfect and supreme being, a God, but we can believe it in our heart, and that's the idea of faith. Faith is, even though everything rides against me believing in Jesus, I still believe in him because I know that it's true in my heart. I invite my fellow Brothers and sisters of the LORD to talk about how Jesus has helped you in your life. No atheists and no insults please
Yeah, and I don't think I really got my point across. What I meant (I think) is why Christianity and Judaism is considered so different, when Christianity is sort of just a branch of Judaism. As for the second part about blasphemy and heresy, I didn't really think that part through very well xD
What I meant (I think) is why Christianity and Judaism is considered so different, when Christianity is sort of just a branch of Judaism.
Although they share roots, they are quite different. As I mentioned, "Certain aspects (what texts are holy, the personality of that God, what He's done, His laws, His plans, etc) are disputed." For example, some Jews (depending on their strictness) believe they are required to follow most or all of the Mosaic laws. Christians (although some claim otherwise) are not scriptually required to follow those laws, other than the ones repeated in the New Testament, which often includes the Ten Commandments and a few others. Issues arise when people pick-and-choose which laws to follow without scriptural justification, such as someone saying "On [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work" doesn't apply to them.
hristians (although some claim otherwise) are not scriptually required to follow those laws, other than the ones repeated in the New Testament, which often includes the Ten Commandments and a few others. Issues arise when people pick-and-choose which laws to follow without scriptural justification, such as someone saying "On [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work" doesn't apply to them.
It doesn't apply because it doesn't say in the New Testament anything like 'follow the ten commandments', it's that all of the ten commandments but that one are repeated and that's why that one is not followed by most.
Seriously? That obviously is merely stating that God rested on that day. It on no way shape or form was a command. It's not like he was even repeating it and saying that it was an old law or that it was still a law since the Christian law hadn't come into effect yet.
I take it you didn't scroll down to the part where it says "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God", meaning the old law stays in effect, but Hebrew 4:9-10 makes more sense in context.
since the Christian law hadn't come into effect yet.
As soon as Jesus died on the cross, the new laws came into effect. Hebrews was written at least 30 years after that.
Also, in multiple places, the Ten Commandments are considered seperate from the old Mosaic Law:
When they are given in Exodus, God makes the distinction of which laws He has given and the Mosaic laws. Exodus 20:1 states "And God spoke all these words:" and after that it says the whole 'I am your God who has brought you out of the house of bondage' [paraphrasing] and lists the 10 Commandments, which were reportedly written in stone by His finger. In Exodus 20:22, He specifically tells Moses to give the laws against false gods/idols and the laws for sacrifice, instead of commanding them Himself. In Exodus 20:22 and Leviticus 1:1-2, He does likewise for all the other laws.
In 2 Kings 21:8, God makes an otherwise unnecessary distinction between everything He commanded His people, and all the laws Moses gave.
In Daniel 9:11, Daniel makes an otherwise unnecessary distinction between "your [meaning God's] law" and "the Law of Moses."
The written Mosaic Laws were placed beside the Ark of the Covenant [Deuteronomy 31:24-26] while the stone tablets were placed into it [Exodus 25:16].
Oh ok, we'll reading down lower it looks to me more like the Sabah he's referring to there is figurative for heaven.
Correction, yes Hebrews was written 30 I think. But the New Testament didn't come onto effect until 50 days after his death (or redirection, I forget) on the Pentecost.
If I'm not mistaken, the reason they're described as different things is because the Ten Commandments were just the basic laws really.
I've been an atheist for years and years. Jesus supposedly saved the known world and removed us of our sin. IF this actually did happen, why didn't he come down and save the Jews in Holocaust? Stop a World War ans save Millions of lives? Help smooth the situation in the Middle East? Or at least help us transfer into Green energy? He hasn't. There comes a point where you have to believe he never will. An argument to that was that God gave us free will. Well, if were given free will then he shouldn't have tried to save us anyway. I agree with Christianity on one thing, it won't happen again. We won't have somebody rise up and help us again. Although I don't believe Jesus was the some of God, if God even exists. Christianity follows the Bible. But the bible was written HUNDREDS of years after the fact. That shows that there are two possibilities. Either the story was told orally, and stories are often embellished when told orally; or the whole thing was made up, very unlikely but still possible. I think Judaism is one the right track and saying that Jesus was not the son of "God" but I disagree with the fact that they are waiting for the "Savior." And no offense to all of the other religions, but after a point, it becomes hard to understand and believe everything for the age of 16. Also, being an atheist is nice because if you are confused at any of the religions you can take a step back and think; often with an unbiased opinion.
Jesus supposedly saved the known world and removed us of our sin
The most common teaching is that he took our sins upon himself, not that he got rid of sin.
why didn't he come down and save the Jews in Holocaust?
There's nothing in scripture that says he's going to come back to stop slaughters.
There comes a point where you have to believe he never will.
Bible says no man knows when he'll come back, which basically leaves the entire subject open ended from a theological standpoint.
An argument to that was that God gave us free will.
There's never actually anywhere in the Bible that is says this that I'm aware of.
But the bible was written HUNDREDS of years after the fact
The Old testament was written before the supposed birth of Jesus Christ. The New testament was written, at minimum, 30 years after his supposed death. It wasn't until later that the Bible as we "officially" see it was compiled.
Either the story was told orally, and stories are often embellished when told orally; or the whole thing was made up, very unlikely but still possible.
The most likely explanation. Along with fervent teaching, such embellishment isn't unexpected in the slightest.
after a point, it becomes hard to understand and believe everything for the age of 16.
Not exactly sure what you're trying to say here. Are you saying that there's too much information for a 16 year old to look at and decide upon, or that a 16 year old isn't so gullible to believe so many conflicting stories?
Also, being an atheist is nice because if you are confused at any of the religions you can take a step back and think; often with an unbiased opinion
There's not much to be confused about with religion, if you look at it from the standpoint of it's something humans made up. Inconsistencies, conflicts within, different interpretations and meanings, etc, all fall nicely into the area of "human."
why didn't he come down and save the Jews in Holocaust? Stop a World War ans save Millions of lives? Help smooth the situation in the Middle East?
This is supposed to be the trial of a free world ruled by the governments of man to show that we can't successfully do it alone and that we need God for guidance. He'll resurrect the innocent, faithful, and those who truly repent the error of their ways later. Granted, He's not preventative.
Or at least help us transfer into Green energy?
The usual answer is "Mankind was told to 'Fill the earth and subdue it' [Genesis 1:28]. God will fix it later, so don't worry about it at all."
There comes a point where you have to believe he never will.
The usual answer is "Revelations metaphorically reflects modern events, so His reign will return soon. Be patient and faithful. This is the most important time to remain spiritually strong, as He will return 'like a thief' [2 Peter 3:10]. Do not doubt Him, for His vengeance is great."
But the bible was written HUNDREDS of years after the fact.
It was compiled hundreds of years later, but most of the NT was written 30-50 years after Jesus. The OT was written long after the events, but was probably verbatim from older writings.
There's not much to be confused about with religion
There is when you're a part of it. If you're confused about how or why something happened, Goddidit.
Inconsistencies, conflicts within, different interpretations and meanings
My point on the bible being written hundreds of years later is because it was compiled years later, and there is no possible way that all of those documents survived.
There's not much to be confused about with religion
WHAT DO YOU MEAN? How does that make any sense? There is plenty to be confused about. Case in point: How is Christianity monotheism when they worship three different things, a.k.a. Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. And don't that it is all contained within the "Holy Trinity." No other religion fits all of it's God's into one thing, why does Christianity.
Are you saying that there's too much information for a 16 year old to look at and decide upon, or that a 16 year old isn't so gullible to believe so many conflicting stories?
Both.
God will fix it later, so don't worry about it at all.
And when will that be? When the entire world is basically a giant orb of CO2? And IF he does come down, who says he can do anything? We throw any body who even claims that they are Jesus in the loony bin, how do we know we haven't done that already?
