I saw a bumper sticker today that confused me. It said: CHRISTIANS AREN'T PERFECT THEY'RE FORGIVEN It got me wondering... Why do Christians do things in the first place that need "forgiving"? Wouldn't it be easier and more acceptable to their God, or any God, to just not do those things that require "forgiveness"? Before criticizing the poor, elderly, black, female, gay, or whatever...think: "What if I were in their shoes?" God didn't create bigotry, hatred, homophobia, racism, greed, or envy. Man did. So why not just take the initiative and care instead of hate?
It's not that simple. It should be, but it isn't. Thanks to the idea of original sin, most Christians (at least out of those I've met) believe that everyone is (*)(*)(*)(*)ed pretty much from birth. No matter what you do, you're guilty and are going to hell. Unless, of course, you "accept Jesus as your savior". It's not a matter of not sinning, because, according to the dogma, you're doomed from the get go.
I think a person is very conceited to think that he can forgive anyone anyway. For one thing the act of forgiving says that you, the forgiver, have power over the other person, the forgiven. That imbalance means that you refuse to grant the other person equal human rights. It means that the other person has dared to place his own needs and desires ahead of yours and that he needs to apologize for having done so. That will allow you to forgive him. IMO, a much better way is to simply recognize human nature and to realize that people will do what they want to do because they have the human right to do what humans do. They don't owe you an apology for doing it and you don't have to forgive them for doing it. Simply accept it and move on. Apologies and forgiveness are meaningless. Their main purpose is to control people. If you can convince someone that they need to apologize and that you will forgive them you have gained control over them and made them subservient to you.
A christian has to go to confession (hence be a catholic) for their forgiveness. Only a member of the church (priest) can give the forgiveness on god's behalf. Everyone makes mistakes. Therefore this is all part of power thing for the church, they act as apparent gate keepers to heaven. It's a marvelous way to keep your control over the masses.
And dont forget to make a generous monetary contribution to the church . Forgiveness dont come cheap. (wink)
Do baptists have confession? I know Catholics do. Catholics also worship saints along with a huge political hierarchy that has nothing to do with the bible, or Jesus.
I'm not so sure about that , cos of the ambigious /confusing concept of the mathematical absurdity - 3 time 1 = one , called Trinity - a ghost + Jesus = your God. Then there's also Mary some times called Mother of God or sometime mother of Jesus , or was she your god's wife ? .....
More than once in my life I have had a Christian who had wronged me in some way say "God forgives me... so should you". And I am left thinking to myself, I forgive when a person makes an honest contrite amends. By the demonstration of many Christians in my life over the years, forgiveness is about themselves and not others. It is selfish. Their attitude of God forgives me so should you (even without an admittance or apology) is basically a license to offend and hurt anyone at anytime so long as they then repent with God. Then they are free to offend again. It is an excuse to live a selfish life, because when they fail... they can always use the crutch of "God forgives".
This is a good passage from Proverbs. Proverbs 24: 28-29 = Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without reason; don’t deceive with your lips. Don’t say, “I’ll do to them what they did to me. I’ll pay them back for their actions.”
You are assuming that all christians are like the political christian pundits or the ones defending themselves from imaginary persecution. Most christians do care and don't hate. Evangelism has created many who see God as a power to follow, who believe that the scriptures are inviolate, and see themselves as warriors in Gods service. They do not understand the message of Christ and instead of seeking wisdom they try to become the hands of a jealous and vengeful God. But remember these are the illusioned few, not the real followers of Christ.
This is a good one: Isaiah 27:9 = Theres only one way that Israels sin and guilt can be completely forgiven: They must crush the stones of every pagan altar and place of worship.
Old Testament. Get with the program. They did not accept other Gods. I think this thread is about forgiveness which is uniquely Christian, not general judaism.
Are you sure you met not only always your own mirror when you met other people who are not thinking and feeling in your own way? http://youtu.be/KkrV1gYh4ts http://youtu.be/pUVivDNn72o
Was this meant for me? Catholics must go to a man for their forgiveness. Talk about a middle man. The church also used to sell heaven. Convenient middle men.
That's the point of my post. Are the Republicans, *********s, and other members of the right merely posing as Christians in order to pander for the vote? There's way too many mea culpa's out there for them to be taken sincerely and credibly. Example:
