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> Forums > Teen Ink Forums > Personal Opinions > Christianity vs. All Other Religions/Atheism/Agnostic
Jan. 24, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I'm pretty sure the universal church your friend goes to is a non-denominational Christianity church. I couldn't imagine a church that focused on teaching all religions lol. i go to a non-denominational church myself. however i am a Christian, but it really opened my eyes. it's easier to learn about God if you look at it from all perspectives with an open mind it actually gives you a whole new perspective on things. b/c i'll be the first to say it, being a Christian can be boring and tedious. But when you dont have to go through all the rituals and blahblahblah it's easier to swallow and deal with lol.
Jan. 26, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Yeah, I think you're right, GuessWhat. I really know what you mean with all the rituals, uggh. But again today, I tried to talk with my parents, and I guess I wasn't strong enough. We had a good conversation, but it ended with them STILL wanting me to go to church!!!!!!! Any way to make them less stuborn?
Jan. 26, 2012 at 9:33 pm
You could tell them you feel really uncomfortable going to church. Tell them you want to learn about other religions and make a choice for yourself as to what religion you want to follow (if any).
Jan. 28, 2012 at 11:33 am
Yeah, I could try that . . . I just realized that this is getting really repetitive. I think I'll try with more force this time . . .
Feb. 4, 2012 at 10:14 pm
NeverBroken, it says that you posted, but your reply probably got caught by the filter. Try putting periods in words that seem 'controversial' like C.hristian or M.uslim.
Feb. 16, 2012 at 9:24 am
Hi I'm Mackenzie Cruikshanx, I'm a Wiccan and may I just say that I'm delighted that you as a Christian have decided to learn about other religions, what people don't know things like Wicca or Hinduism or whathave you, they act inappropriately. You are definately one brilliant person.
Feb. 17, 2012 at 7:29 pm
So Mackenzie, you're a Wiccan? That's cool. Could you please describe your belief set? I'm not familiar with Wicca.
Mar. 11, 2012 at 6:19 am
Hi, sorry to intrude. I just noticed the comment about CarrieAnn's grandmother. She suffered on earth even though she had a strong religious faith. I just wanted to share my opinion on why i think she suffered. Of course she didn't deserve it, because nobody deserves suffering.
I'm Christian also, by the way, and i just noticed the conversation and felt i should speak my thoughts.
I believe God made this place to try your best not to sin. Like a test that you could either pass or unfortunately fail in. God has given people many sufferings over the years. Even Saints and Je.sus himself had his share of suffering. This is not heaven, mind you. Su.ffering can be offered up to God for whatever you want. You can thank God for his gift of su.ffering, because it is with su.ffering that we can save many souls, and ask him to help yourself get though the time of su.ffering. I've noticed in my life, he has always helped in so many ways. Whatever you asked may be granted or he may help in a different way altogether. But i find he always does whats best for you. This is not supposed to be a world of justice and joy. This is a place where things can go wrong, suffering does happen. But remember,this is not heaven. If we get on with our su.ffering, prayer and be good, our reward is in heaven. The greater suffering on Earth, the greater our reward will be when we die, that will last for eternity. Many holy people have suffered, I've heard of it, but if they still keep their faith in God, wonderful things can happen, that's what I believe.
I absolutely completely respect your own views though, by the way:)
Mar. 11, 2012 at 6:21 am
I've just replied to a comment that was put up on page 1 by the way, sorry bit late i know but sure ah well!
Mar. 11, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Fair enough, GemValley. You're entitled to our own opinion.
Personally, I will never bow or pray to a god who forces suffering on the people they have created. But that's not an issue because I don't believe there is a god.
But I don't hate religion, don't get me wrong. Religion is a wonderful thing and a force for good, but when taken too far it becomes a force for evil.
Mar. 12, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I know I'm SLIGHTLY late, but, as a Christian I have a suggestion to make to CarrieAnn, there is this really good movie which explains a lot about Christianity and su.ffering and the fact that bad things also happen to very dedicated people. It is called Amish Grace, so if you ever feel like, give it a try (it is a movie not a religious documentary ).
Mar. 12, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Thanks but no thanks to the recommendation, BekkaTheEpic. I've read enough of the Bible to be turned off religion permanently.
Mar. 15, 2012 at 10:12 am
I just spent ten minutes reading through everything and would like to give my opinion on some subjects mentioned. First of all, I have a good answer to why sin is in the world. God did not force suffering on us. He loves us unconditionally, but he also loves Satan as well. Satan used to be an angel named Lucifer who become jealous of God. Lucifer revolted and, yes, God could have killed him right then and there, but that was not a loving action. He did not want to destroy Lucifer because then the other angels would only follow Him because they would be afraid of what would happen if they stepped out of line. God wants to rule by love, not fear. So God threw Lucifer out of heaven where he brought evil to the human race by deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden. But God had a plan! Jesus was the Messiah that was sent by God to save us. Jesus could have saved himself from death on the cross, but it would have defeated the whole purpose of his coming to Earth. We can be perfect people, but only through God's power and not our own. We just have to get as close as we can. -->
Mar. 15, 2012 at 10:16 am
Also, Baptism was mentioned breifly. I am actually planning on being batized soon so maybe I have some insight. In a way, it is symbolic. In no way does baptism magically cleanse us from sins or make us perfect. Baptism is just a way to show our commitment to God. It's almost like getting married to Him. Even Jesus was baptized and we are to follow his example. Hope that helps. -->
Mar. 15, 2012 at 10:22 am
Lastly, I would like to reminisce on my path to my beliefs. I grew up with my religion, but I wasn't forced into it. Actually, it was kind of the opposite. When my mom and dad got divorced, my mom left the church. She put lots of pressure and me and my sister to not go to church and give up our faith. She still does and it almost worked. A few years ago I began making excuses to not go to church. I dreaded every Saturday where my mom would tell us not to go and our dad would encourage us to. I almost stopped going but finally realeased that I did believe my religion and shouldn't let anyone tell me what to believe. Anyway, I have to go. Thanks for reading.
Mar. 16, 2012 at 2:34 pm
There's no need to lecture me on the fall of mankind, half.note. I've heard this argument ad nauseum. So, if God loves mankind so much, why did he allow Satan to tempt Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge? Surely saving all of mankind from hurt is more loving than letting a fallen angel do whatever he wnats.
Mar. 19, 2012 at 10:03 pm
I just don't know if one person could have created the world. There are so many proven facts ins cience about how the world was created. I was raised a christian and In think I still am, I'm having some trouble. Sorry, I know that wasn't totally your question. But could YOU tell ME why you're christian. I really sm thinking about this cause I'm in eight grade and I'm coming up on confirmation and I want to make sure I make the right decision. You seem like the kind of person who won't juge.
Mar. 20, 2012 at 3:55 pm
CarrieAnn13: I'm really sorry if it sounded like I was lecturing. That wasn't my intent, I just have a tendency to be overly opinionated. It is difficult to explain my beliefs to someone over the computer because the tone of it can be interpreted in many ways.
Anyways, I believe that God was not being un-loving by allowing sin into the world. God had given Adam and Eve free-will to make the choices they wanted (it would be un-loving for Him to force them to obey) and Eve had chosen to disobey God.
This life is passing anyways. We may be suffering now, but in heaven there will be no more sin or sorrow and God’s perfect and loving plan will be complete.
I apologize again if I sound judgmental or preachy. I would just like you to understand my beliefs.
Mar. 20, 2012 at 7:54 pm
half.note: Apology accepted. I've been a bit preachy too here.
Anyway, why on earth would God put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden? He probably knew full well that eventually they'd be tempted to try the fruit.
Mar. 23, 2012 at 10:09 am
I've wondered about that myself, and you are right that he did know they would eat from the tree, but He still had to give them the choice. God had to leave it up to them to decide if they wanted to follow Him or sin.
