Religion
Questions 51-60
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THE QUESTION:
RE60: Why do Mormons believe in a man whose predictions were
false, whose book was rewritten and who believed in marrying many
women? It seems to me that this is a self-centered religion, in which
whatever the current "head of the church" says goes. Anyone can say
they've been chosen by God and then make others believe in him. There
are thousands of Latter Day Saints followers, though, and they're not
all stupid, so there must be some sense to it. Please help.
POSTED JUNE 10, 1998
J. Dowling, Summit, MS
ANSWER 1:
I am a member of the LDS church. I am one of more than 10
million members worldwide not because someone convinced me with
rhetoric, but because of the simple act of asking God. I asked God
whether it was true, and feel in my heart that it is. I have heard
many things against the LDS church; however, if you are patient
enough to spend some time with one of the members of the religion and
listen with an open mind, I am sure you will at least understand
better what it is that we are all about.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
L.D.S., NH
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
RE59: I'm an atheist and very much in love with a Muslim girl.
She doesn't think we should be together because of our different
cultural (she's from Morocco) and religious backgrounds. Her father
does not approve of our relationship. I know there would be
difficulties if we were to stay together, but I hope we would
succeed. Should I persist, or do people think it wouldn't work,
anyway? Does anyone have experience with this?
POSTED JUNE 8, 1998
Thijs, 19, t.j.vinken@kub.nl, Tilburg, The Netherlands
ANSWER 1:
I believe if you plan to marry and have children, both
people should be of the same religious beliefs. This does not mean
two people from different religions should not marry. It means that
one of you should convert, in my opinion. My understanding of
religion is that it is a manifest of how one interacts with life. The
problem I see is that you're both entering into a relationship with
radically different values for which there is no compromise. How can
you compromise on religious faith?
POSTED JUNE 10, 1998
D. Nichols, 34, agnostic, Seattle, WA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I am Muslim and was brought up with the belief I should
marry only a Muslim from my race. After you are brought up like this,
you tend to believe it and base your morals on it. Muslims I know who
married out of their race tend to have their partner change their
religion because they are devoted Muslims; however, because their
partners don't truly believe in that faith, there are many
disagreements when they have children or try to impose their beliefs
on each other. If you really do love her and she feels the same way,
you will find a way to work it out but, must understand that to some
people, their faith is very important.
POSTED JUNE 21, 1998
Sarah P., Muslim, Los Angeles, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I have not had a romantic relationship affected by
different belief systems, but I have dealt with the issue in a very
close friendship. I was raised Catholic, but have been agnostic with
atheist leanings for many years. A couple years ago, one of my
friends "got conked on the head by Jesus" as he put it, and it put a
real strain on our friendship and altered it forever. We struggled to
come to terms with our differing beliefs and our affection for each
other and, for the most part, were successful. But I would be lying
if I said it didn't make a difference in our level of intimacy and
ability to understand each other.
In your situation, I would hate to discourage two people who love
each other from trying to make their relationship work. However, the
facts are that this woman has a profoundly different belief system
and cultural background from your own, and she has expressed serious
doubts about trying to continue a relationship with you, indicating
her level of commitment may also be different. Compromise is an
important part of any relationship, but there are some compromises
that place people so far outside their own value systems that the
relationship is unable to continue. I have concern that the latter
compromises are the ones you would end up making. My last piece of
somewhat contradictory advice: Don't let others' opinions influence
you too much. You are the only person living your life.
POSTED JUNE 23, 1998
Felicia, 34
<foloughl@n3c.com>,
Houston, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I do not think religious differences mean there are
radical differences in values. It seems a given that this couple
shares values simply because they are so much in love. The only
difference is where they look to for moral guidance, but not
necessarily the conclusions they come to from that guidance. Several
roads can bring you to the same destination. Thus, it is possible it
can work if your girlfriend can see what brings you together and live
with her parents' disapproval - that is, if the two of you together
cannot convince them you share more than they realize. Best wishes to
you.
POSTED JUNE 24, 1998
Terri P., atheist, Fredericksburg, VA
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I recently married a Muslim Moroccan woman and converted
to Islam. If you are truly an atheist, I would suggest you don't
pursue this relationship. It will cause problems. Trust me. You need
to think deeply about your level of committment. You need to think
about her relationship to her parents. You need to have open eyes and
not be blinded by love. Don't compromise your integrity.
POSTED JUNE 26, 1998
Brad, 28, white, Honolulu, HI
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I have friends from Egypt who are Muslim. They are sisters
from a very strict, religious family. They have been told that if
they marry outside of their religion they will no longer be
acknowledged by their family. Their ages are 23 and 27. The
27-yeasr-old is dating a Catholic and the 23-year-old is dating a man
who has no religious preference. Their family does not know, so they
live with the fear of them finding out, but they still continue to
date these men. So, I guess my point is, they choose to live in
current times regardless of their family beliefs. They have not left
their religion, just their family's cultural restrictions. Tradition
is important, but so is honesty to themselves. They choose not to
live their lives based on Egyptian customs, but on American
ideals.
POSTED JUNE 26,1998
Sue
<107767.46@compuserve.com>,
Grosse Ile, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Common values are important in a marriage, and many
atheists are atheists because we reject faith as a good way to know
about the world and use reason or scientific methods instead. This is
a different way of looking at the world and can affect things like
how you want to raise your children, which is a really big issue in
marriage unless you plan on not having any. Not that it can't work,
but it's something to think about. What if she wants the kids
indoctrinated, or sent to a house of worship every week? Also, which
days throughout the year will you celebrate and how? It is my opinion
that the decision of who to marry should be made with your head just
as much with your heart. It may be true that you can't choose whom to
fall in love with, but you can choose whomto stay with (and
marry).
POSTED SEPT. 5 1998
Lynne, atheist just married to an Agnostic Deist
<lynne@darklair.com>,
Fairfield, IA
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
Love not only cannot conquer all, it is often an
impediment to real compromise over serious difference in values.
Another common fallacy is "We can work it out ... later." In their
youth, people will often downplay the value of religion in their
later lives. Honoring both beliefs usually results in no consistent
belief system at all. The result is commitment to neither, since one
cannot, for example, be a believer in Christ's teachings and Judaism
simultaneously. The most workable approach is for one to convert to
the other's beliefs so that the entire family worships together.
POSTED OCT. 30, 1998
Lorne W., 50, white male
<woody141@hotmail.com>,
Los Angeles, CA
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
RE58: Why do Christians believe in an afterlife for humans but
not for other creatures?
POSTED JUNE 5, 1998
Tony C., 50, Los Angeles, CA
ANSWER 1:
As a 14-year-old Christian, I have always been taught that
animals and other creatures do not go to heaven because they do not
have souls. If you have no soul, then after the "body" dies there is
nothing left to go to heaven. I would like to believe that they do. I
know of no reference in the Bible about this subject and would be
curious to see if anybody could find some.
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
Missy G., 14, Augusta, GA
FURTHER NOTICE:
Some Christians do believe other creatures have an
afterlife. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one
such Christian religion that teaches that animals and other creatures
have an afterlife.
POSTED JUNE 18, 1998
Charlynn, 39
<ecoborn@jps.net>,
Middletown, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Actually, the Bible teaches this: "Man's fate is like that
of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies
the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the
animal ... All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust
all return." (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20) Unfortunately, the Bible speaks
of only man being brought back to life through a resurrection. This
is because only man is created in God's image (Gen. 1:27,28). Only we
have the ability to think, feel and worship. Animals have a certain
kind of intelligence, but it is all instinctual - programmed into
them by God. They do not have free will.
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
M.A.M., 25, Atlanta, Ga
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I have been a Christian the majority of my life, and
though the Bible never specifically says animals go to heaven, I have
seen it inferred many times by Christian people. I think it is
beneficial to remember that God has an immense care for animals as
part of His creation - not even a sparrow falls to the ground (dies)
without His notice. People have a special place in the heart of God
because they have a soul, true. However, I do not think God would be
so generous as to provide a paradise for some of His creation and
neglect the rest. This is not the God I know. It may be heresy, but I
believe some animals do go to heaven, or some equivalent. God created
animals with emotion and intellect for a reason, and I do not think
He would give them these abilities if He was to doom them to oblivion
at the end of their lives. Animals are like angels, in a way. They,
like angels, serve God, but are not granted salvation like humankind
is. God does not neglect angels, and I doubt He neglects animals,
either.
POSTED NOV. 23, 1998
Julie H., Christian (Assemblies of God), MO
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I am not a Christian or member of any other religion and
do not believe in an afterlife. I think the afterlife concept is what
a very wise man acknowledged in order to calm the masses of people
who at one time or another must recognize their eventual death. Can
you imagine what chaos we would have if people knew there was no life
after death? A smart move by previous religious leaders.
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
Sher S., 52,. female, Raleigh, NC
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
RE57: Why is it that a devout Jew will not eat cheese on
meat?
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
S. McGowan, 50, sgm6975@gte.net, Riverside, CA
ANSWER 1:
The Pentateuch (or Torah), the first five books of the Old
Testament (or, if you prefer, Jewish Scripture), spell out clear
guidelines for foods Jews may or may not eat. These guidelines are
referred to as "kushrat," or the kosher laws. There are many
restrictions, but among the most important: 1) Jews may not eat pork
or any food containing pork byproducts (like lard), 2) Jews may not
eat shellfish or any fish that does not have scales, 3) Jews may not
consume meat and dairy products at the same meal (and meat-based
meals must be prepared in different vessels from dairy-based meals).
You can read through the books of Exodus, Leviticus and
Deuteronomy to find the specific passages and verses where these
rules are laid out. As to why these foods were singled out: Some say
it's a matter of cleanliness (Jews have always been concerned with
hygiene), some say the kosher laws favor the life of nomadic herdsmen
(sheep and cows are consistent with the nomadic herdsman's life,
while pigs aren't). But ultimately, the specific foods are less
important than the fact that Jews are asked to live, dress and eat a
certain way, partly as a discipline, and partly as a small sign of
respect for God. Nothing we do can ever make God better off - all any
of us can offer God is small symbolic gestures of our love, deference
and respect.
POSTED JUNE 18, 1998
Astorian
<astorian@aol.com>,
Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
The laws of Kashrut prohibit the mixing of meat and dairy.
This comes from the Biblical injunction not to see the a kid in its
mother's milk.
POSTED JUNE 23, 1998
L. Morrow
<companiondogs@geocities.com>,
Little Rock, AR
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
As pointed out in another answer, these dietary
restrictions are clearly outlined in Leviticus and other Old
Testament books. A more interesting question is why Christians, who
seem to believe in other aspects of the Old Testament, stopped
adhering to the dietary laws. The answer, as I understand it, is that
once early Christians had converted all Jews who were interested (not
many, actually), they branched out into converting non-Jews. Remember
that at the time, Christianity was a new splinter sect of Judaism.
The gentiles were much less interested in picking up the mainstream
Jewish traditions like Kashrut and circumcision, so to help attract
more followers, Christians gradually dropped some of the less
appealing (to outsiders) Jewish traditions.
POSTED JUNE 24, 1998
Larry G., ethnic Jew, religious atheist, Larkspur, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
The Bible says "Thou shalt not seethe the calf in its
mother's milk." Talmudic scholars interpreted this to mean dairy food
should not be eaten with meat (even poultry). Orthodox and some
Conservative Jews follow these proscriptions. There are very specific
rules about the time lags in between eating dairy food and meat as
well. They are also not cooked or eaten with the same utensils in
observant households. Completely vegetarian foods and fish are called
"pareve" and can be eaten with both. Cheese made with animal rennet
(which is derived from an animal's stomach) is considered mixing meat
and dairy and is unacceptable to many Orthodox Jews.
POSTED JUNE 26, 1998
John, Jewish background, Chicago, IL
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
To Larry G: I disagree that Christians merely dropped the
Jewish dietary laws in order to more easily attract non-Jews. In the
New Testament, it is clear that Christ taught his followers that the
old Covenant (including circumcision and the dietary laws, among
other things) was invalid. Christians do not show their respect for
God by adhering to these conventions as Jews do; rather, they show it
by accepting Jesus as their savior and loving their neighbor.
POSTED JULY 22, 1998
Gabriel, 23, female, atheist, theology student
<gryffyn@astrosun.tn.cornell.edu>,
Santa Fe, NM
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I'm a Reform Jew, but I pretty much follow the meat/cheese
separation rule. I've found it's a healthy habit for weight
maintenance. Assuming you're staying away from deep-fried food, the
two most fatty things in a meal are always the meat and cheese. If
you eat meat and cheese at once, you double your fat intake. I've
found that by separating meat and cheese, you can still indulge in
things like hamburgers and pizza while losing weight. So some meals
for me are meat meals, while others are dairy.
POSTED OCT. 28, 1998
M.W., 21, Jewish
<ed375@cleveland.freenet.edu>,
Cleveland, OH
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
RE56: What are some ideas on the locations of "Heaven" and
"Hell"? Christ and Mohammed "ascended" to Heaven, but 12 hours later
they would have gone in a different direction - so where did they go?
Astronomers tell us that with the Hubble telescope, they can see huge
suns millions of light-years away. And is Hell inside the earth, as
John Wesley (founder of Methodism) believed?
POSTED MAY 26, 1998
Ed H., 56, white male
<EdHam0132@aol.com>,
Silver Springs, FL
ANSWER 1:
From a Biblical world view, Heaven is a "somewhere" in
time and space, possibly beyond time or our concept of time, since
God is the creator of time. Heaven is in space, or I should say a
space, in that it has a location or a frame of reference for the
beings who dwell there. The overwhelming or key part of heaven and
hell is that in one place God is there and in the other place He is
absent. Heaven is a place to be sure, but more than that it is a
deep, continuous relationship or communion with God.
POSTED JUNE 9, 1998
Stu, 42, stu@interactministries.org, Portland, OR
FURTHER NOTICE:
People in other times conceived of heaven as being
somewhere "in the sky" and hell being somewhere "under the earth."
When Jesus was asked where the kingdom of heaven is, he replied, "The
kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will
people say, 'Here it is' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God
is within you." (Luke 17:20-21). There are many interpretations, but
I believe heaven cannot be reduced to a physical location. What is
"within us" passes into heaven through dying in this existence. The
Bible doesn't really describe heaven. I think it would be like trying
to explain to a blind person what seeing is like. I can wait!
POSTED JUNE 11, 1998
G.P., grp@asu.edu, Phoenix, AZ
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Scientists have not been able to locate Heaven or Hell,
and cannot identify what a "soul" might be. As an atheist, I don't
believe any of these things really exist, but are merely parts of a
mythology. I suppose a theologian would say these concepts are the
closest our human minds can come to understanding something that is
beyond our ability to comprehend.
POSTED JUNE 13, 1998
Carl F., 36, atheist, cfunk@ameritech.net, Kalamazoo, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I agree that Heaven is in a time and space we cannot
comprehend. As for scientists trying to find Heaven and Hell, they
never will. Scientists' purpose is to identify and explain things of
the natural. When we start talking about God, we have moved into a
new ball field, which is the supernatural. It is the same for Hell -
there is no physical location.
POSTED JUNE 26, 1998
Damon, 25, Christian, white male
<dgreen01@crosslink.net>,
Martinsburg, WV
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I do not believe in Heaven and Hell. In my opinion and
based on my inner truths, there is no Heaven and Hell to go to. When
we die, we end life altogether. Heaven and Hell are what we create
here on earth during our lifetime. If we live in a positive mode, we
will most likely have a good life, which I correlate to Heaven. If we
are evil, mean and corrupt, we will live a life of Hell whether we
have riches or not. Negativity attracts negativity, whereas positive
behavior attracts positive results.
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
Sher S., female, 52
<sherri.shepherd@reichhold.com>,
Raleigh, NC
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
RE55: How can the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacists
claim to be anti-Semitic if they worship a Jewish man named Jesus?
That seems like a contradiction. Could someone explain how these
groups can dislike Jewish people and still claim to be
Christians?
POSTED MAY 17, 1998
David O., 31, white, agnostic, Nashville, TN
ANSWER 1:
It will probably take a person of that ilk to answer it.
My late grandfather was such a person. We were philosophically miles
apart, yet we would both claim we were Christians. I suspect he would
have told you Jesus was a revolutionary, rejecting Judaism. He was
the original Christian. The Bible doesn't support that belief at all.
Mainstream Christianity has something called "Systematic Theology,"
in which all that we know from the Bible is examined carefully, and
then a consistent sets of beliefs or canon is drawn up from what we
understand. I would like to see how the Ku Klux clan wrestles with
the inconsistencies of its theology.
POSTED JUNE 9, 1998
Stu, 42, stu@interactministries.org, Portland , OR
FURTHER NOTICE:
Just because someone claims to be a Christian, it doesn't
mean they fully or accurately understand, follow or even care about
the instructions Christ gave. While I consider myself a Christian, I
would never align myself with the hatred of such groups as the KKK.
Why do they hate the Jews yet profess to follow a Jew? They're
confused by a cultural hatred they don't even realize they're
enveloped in.
POSTED JUNE 11, 1998
David B., 40, born-again Christian, Riverside, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
To David O. (questioner): As a former white supremacist, I
can tell you that the movement does not consider Jesus to be a Jew.
KKK members will say there is no scripture that specifically says
Jesus was a Jew, but that he was a white man, descended from Isaac
and not Esau.
POSTED JUNE 16, 1998
Kerry N.
<kerrynoble@aol.com>,
Ft Worth, TX
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
RE54: When I tell Christians I'm an atheist, they often react
as if I've revealed a horrible secret. Then it's common to be treated
as if something were wrong with me. Why is this?
POSTED MAY 14, 1998
Britt, 28, Birmingham, AL
ANSWER 1:
I too am an atheist, but responses from others have been a
bit more positive. I haven't acknowledged my beliefs to my family,
but have told co-workers and other friends, most of whom are
Christians. It seems to depend on if you boast your beliefs or if you
simply state what you feel and conduct yourself with respect for
others' beliefs.
POSTED MAY 23, 1998
White male, 25
<jwagen02@sprintspectrum.com>,
Des Moines, IA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I wonder if it has to do with the fact you're in the heart
of the Bible Belt. People who tend to be insecure in themselves or
what they believe, I think, will often respond in the way some have
done to you. As a Christian, I have a few very close friends who are
atheists. We will dialogue at length about all the big questions. It
doesn't destroy our friendship, but strengthens it because we are
addressing the issues, not the person or personality. I have a lot
more respect for atheists, who have examined their beliefs and the
consequences of them, than I do for agnostics, who are often just too
lazy to wrestle with the issues and draw firm conclusions.
POSTED JUNE 9, 1998
Stu, 42, stu@interactministries.org, Portland, OR
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
For me as a Christian, for someone not to believe in God
worries me simply due to the nature of my beliefs. To a Christian, to
deny our Creator is to deny the very basis by which we live our
lives. We believe salvation and eternal life comes only through
believing in Him, and Christians are supposed to try to lead others
to Christ. For this reason, it hurts me to hear someone say they are
an atheist because they do not know the joy the Lord can bring to
their lives, and it also worries me for them to not have eternal life
through God's gift. I do not treat nonbelievers differently because
we are to love everyone, and only by living a good Christian life can
I be an example to someone, possibly leading them to the Lord down
the road.
POSTED JUNE 16, 1998
Ann D, 27, white female, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I think it has to do with insecurity. I am in a similar
situation, but reversed. I am a Christian and many of my friends are
not. They tend to regard me strangely and make derogatory comments
about Christianity. It's fear of what is different and unknown. For
my friends, I can understand why they dislike Christianity. They had
bad experiences with people who claimed to be Christians but who
instead of accepting the basic principle of love were pushy and
hateful. In your situation, I would assume it is that they don't
understand your belief system and/or have been taught it is harmful.
The best you can do is be patient and let them get to know you as a
person. Once they are more comfortable with you, you can discuss the
differences and hopefully both sides will come to a better
understanding of each others' beliefs.
POSTED JUNE 24, 1998
Laura H., 22, female, Peoria, IL
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
A huge percentage of people in the United States (94
percent) believes in some kind of deity or supernatural force. Most
theistic religions, or at least their liberal elements, can
"construe" other theistic beliefs as slight distortions or
interpretations of their own doctrines, e.g., "That person believes
in the same God I do and follows mostly the same commandments, though
he has just not seen the full revelation yet." Liberal Christians,
Jews and Muslims can even accept pagans and New Agers: "That person
feels the power of God at work but just has a different name for it."
I've heard people say this to one another all the time: "Oh, you just
have a different name for the same power." But atheists are unique in
denying there is any such power whatsoever, so it's hard for people
to "convert" the atheist's non-belief into their own, since it is
frequently so foreign and opposite. Atheists are saying that (at
least on some important matters) all of the religions are entirely
wrong and cannot be reconciled with reality through minor theological
changes. That's why atheism is more disliked than minority
religions.
POSTED JUNE 26, 1998
Seth S., 18, atheist, raised Jewish
<schoen@uclink4.berkeley.edu>,
Berkeley, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I find it hard to understand the atheist point of view. I
can't imagine looking at all the wonders around me and believing it
all comes from and returns to nothing. To me, thinking I'm only here
because some molecules happened to come together in the right format
and that when I'm gone, I just disappear is just plain egotistic and
selfish (not to mention a rather hopeless arrangement). As Stu said,
though, this can start some very interesting debates that are always
educational. I see so many "mini-miracles" that God provides every
day in my life. I just can't believe it's all coincidence. So, if it
were me to whom you revealed your atheist beliefs, I would act
astonished, then start asking probing questions to seek better
understanding of why you feel that way.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Cindy, 42, divorced white Christian
<cabernet@teleport.com>,
Hillsboro, OR
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
I have heard Fundamentalist Christians say that anyone who
doesn't believe in God and Jesus is "doing Satan's work." It has
nothing to do with the Horned God thing, because they treat atheists
the same way. Not all Christians, mind you, but the Fundamentalists,
do quite commonly tell us we can only be saved from Hell if we accept
Jesus as our savior. They are required to do this by their religion
and their church, and they want to do it because they actually think
they are trying to save us from Hell. The problem is that
non-Christians don't like to be threatened, even if it is with a
place that is imaginary. The most tolerant Christians I have met
reject the doctrine of Hell. This doctrine turns all non-believers
into enemies by definition, and therefore can only serve to divide
us. No good comes from it. But there is the dilemma: Does tolerance
mean we must tolerate that which seeks to destroy tolerance?
POSTED OCT. 5, 1998
Lynne, atheist
<lynne@darklair.com>,
Fairfield, IA
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
I am not a Christian, but I do not call myself an atheist,
either. I do not belong to any religious group and do this by choice.
I do believe in a higher power, if you will, one I call Universal
Spirit (others call it God). I believe the Universal Spirit/God is
within all of us. And I support freedom of choice for individuals to
choose what they wish to believe. If someone chooses to be an atheist
for whatever reason, they have that right. This does make that
individual good or bad, it is simply a choice they made; likewise, a
choice is made if someone chooses to be a Christian or Jew; or a
Buddhist or Baha'i. Choices are made. This is one of the great
attributes of being human that we have the ability to make choices.
Choices add variety and differences that make each of us unique.
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
Sher S., 52, female
<sherri.shepherd@reichhold.com>,
Raleigh, NC
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
I am sorry if any person has ever treated you badly
because of your religious views.A s a Christian I beleive in being
kind to all people regardless of what they do. They are a children of
God - that should be enough. Rather than expressing horror at your
views, I would express concern. I do not like to think of anyone,
especially a friend, living without the positive influence God can
have on their life. I believe a Christian should respond to you with
great kindness, and use this information to share with you the joy
they have found from their relationship with Jesus Christ. As for
believing themselves better than you, I believe theese people need to
remember that Jesus taught to "consider others better than
yourselves," and had a great regard for those who kept themselves
humble in the eye of the Lord. Please do not let the image of the few
(and the rude) Christians you have encountered sour you on
Christianity. Being a Christian has to do with your relationship to
God - not with the fake Christians who riddle his churches. I hope
someone with an honest love for God can share with you what they have
found. Afterall, everyone needs God, and you have so much more to
gain from His love than you ever thought possible.
POSTED JAN. 27, 1999
Debbie L., Christian, female, 34, Chicago, IL
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THE QUESTION:
RE53: Is the "Year of Jubilee" intended just for Israel, or
worldwide?
POSTED MAY 14, 1998
Julie J., 39, Ypsilanti, MI
ANSWER 1:
The "Year of Jubilee" refers to the 50th anniversary of
the State of Israel. However, "Year of Jubilee" is loaned from the
Bible. There, it is referred to as a special year that occurs every
50 years. By that year, all slaves are freed, and all lands go back
to their original owners, etc. The Jewish people long ago lost count
of the Jubilee. They haven't ,though, lost count of the "Shmita,"
which occurs every seven years, at which time all land-work is
forbidden (in Israel only).
POSTED MAY 20, 1998
Efrat N., Jerusalem, Israel
FURTHER NOTICE:
I would have to answer by saying yes and yes. Israel is
made up of 12 tribes. The state of Israel is home to the tribe of
Judah, only one of the twelve. The rest are worldwide.
POSTED MAY 20, 1998
Michael H.,
<mlh63@hotmail.com>,
Nashville, Tenn.
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THE QUESTION:
RE52: Where did the concept of purgatory come from? Is it
discussed in the Bible? What part does it play in a soul's ultimate
destination (heaven vs. hell)?
POSTED MAY 14, 1998
Eckel, 41
<EckelD@compuserve.com>,
Detroit, MI
ANSWER 1:
Purgatory is never mentioned in the Bible, and not all
Christian churches believe it exists. The Catholic Church does teach,
based on inference, that there is a place for dead souls that is
neither Heaven nor Hell. Even Catholics who believe in the Purgatory
do not claim to know what it is like (in Dante's Inferno, it
is described as similar to Hell, but tempered by the hope of eventual
salvation). Why should we believe there is a middle-place for the
dead between Heaven and Hell? Well, part of the reason is inference
from Jewish tradition. Jews (the spiritual ancestors of Christians)
have prayed for the dead for centuries. Why? If the dead are in Hell,
it is too late for our prayers to help them, and if they are in
Heaven, surely they have no need of prayers. By inference, there must
be a third place for the dead - a place where they are neither lost
to Hell nor ready for Heaven - a place where our prayers can
help them.
POSTED JUNE 4, 1998
Astorian, Astorian@aol.com, Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
From what I understand, Purgatory is a waiting place that
has been adopted by Catholics. I suspect it is adopted from the
concept of "Sheol," which is different from hell, which is Biblical
and means only to be "in the ground." There is really no Biblical
substance to the concept of a place where you wait or do time until
heaven calls.
POSTED JUNE 9, 1998
Stu, 42, stu@interactministries.org, Portland, OR
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
The idea of purgatory comes from ancient Greek poety,
specifically, the epic poems of Homer. In the Iliad and the Odyssey,
heroes journey into Purgatory and visit with heroes of the past.
Purgatory was the place you went when you died. The Greeks' concept
of heaven or hell could be found in the realms of Mt. Olympus or
Hades, where only the gods were allowed. All humans went to the same
place. Homer describes Purgatory as a dark, misty, flat, meadowy
place where the spirits of the deceased roam around for eternity.
Someone already mentioned Dante's Divine Comedy, which describes the
realms of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory much more vivedly. But, the idea
is Greek in origin.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Matt, 20, New York
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THE QUESTION:
RE51: What exactly is Voodoo? What beliefs is it based on? And
is it still extensively practiced in the United States?
POSTED MAY 14, 1998
Colette
<inkwolf@earthlink.net>,
Seymour, WI
ANSWER 1:
Centuries ago, before Europeans began colonizing Africa,
most black Africans were pagans and practiced various spirit
religions. They worshiped many gods, and believed there were hundreds
of spirits, both good and evil, at work in nature and the world. When
Europeans began colonizing Africa, they bought or captured many
Africans and sold them into slavery in the Americas. When the
Africans were brought to the Americas, white slave owners tried to
impose Christianity on the slaves. Sometimes these attempts to
Christianize African slaves worked, but often, the slaves paid
lip-service to Christianity while continuing to hold on to their old
spirit religions and practicing their ancient pagan rituals in
secret. Sometimes the slaves accepted parts of Christianity while
continuing their pagan traditions. Voodoo, most commonly practiced in
Haiti, is a strange mixture of the Catholicism that the French tried
to impose on their slaves and the ancient African pagan religions.
Voodoo worshipers accept Jesus as a god, along with hundreds of other
gods and spirits.
POSTED JUNE 4, 1998
Astorian, Astorian@aol.com, Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
Voodoo originated among African slaves brought to the New
World by the Spaniards; it's a synthesis of their various religious
beliefs and the Spaniards' Catholicism. It's largely based on the
Yoruba religion Santeria. In America, Voodoo/Santeria is most
prominent in New Orleans, a large fraction of whose population (10
percent or 20 percent, I vaguely recall from my visit there) follows
the religion. For more online information about this fascinating
religion, search Yahoo! for "Santeria". Hope that helps.
POSTED JUNE 15, 1998
Scott M., 27, Los Angeles, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Voodoo is a combination of African religions and
Christianity. It was widely practiced in Haiti and Cuba also, I
believe. There is no real strict Voodoo religion per se. Sometimes
there were gods or a god, or sometimes they just worshiped the old
dead witch doctors.
POSTED JUNE 16, 1998
Chris P., 33, white male, agnostic, Chino Hills, CA
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