MrPudding wrote: » The issue for us is this, the 'essence of christianity', as you call it, is pretty basic stuff, and it need no supernatural overseer, nor did it need anyone supernatural to come up with it. Your 'essence' is something that was around long before your Jesus, and if you had any interest in reading outside of your own religion, you would see that the ideas and concepts behind it were espoused repeatedly down the ages by many many different religions and many different non-religious people. We agree because it is obvious. We disagree that there is anything supernatural about it. The only supernatural I need is the TV show, very happy the new season started. MrP
JimiTime wrote: » It is 'obvious' because you are still in the afterglow of Christianised culture. Your issue is that you think Christianity had nothing to do with it. Never mind you having little foresight, you don't even have good hindsight.
Jellybaby1 wrote: » I am a Christian, and although some religions might believe in a God that 'tests' us, I was never taught to believe that. What sort of God would 'test' us, knowing that we are merely weak imperfect humans and not perfect divine beings such as He..
Jellybaby1 wrote: » I was was brought up to believe. But I do believe there is another being, Satan, who is quite capable of tripping us up all along the line..
Jellybaby1 wrote: » God just wants you to love him, and be happy. It has always been that simple for me. Hope this helps.
MrPudding wrote: » Yes, and I guess the reason I am a 'good person' is that god is working away inside me... Please. It is perfectly reasonable and possible to develop and follow a set of practices that allow one to interact with other humans with a minimum of conflict and for the betterment of society without an appeal to the supernatural or some kind of eternal overseer of reward and punishment. That the supernatural was seen as required in the past, or that the set of principles are similar or even identical to those derived from the supernatural, that some people can't see why people would be good without the supernatural or even is christian culture did influence me or anyone else, that still does not lend a shred of credibility to your, or anyone else's claims to the validity of your particular supernatural belief, nor does it take away from the validity of any principles derived from non-supernatural reasoning, irrespective of their resemblance to those principles derived form the supernatural. MrP
eviltwin wrote: » The lady may be looking for answers from a Christian perspective but I feel if she is still dealing with guilt after having already made changes to her life then she had bigger issues that can't be addressed here. I'm surprised you're allowing the thread to remain to be honest. It's more suited to personal issues. Posters here might be able to reassure her that her relationship with God is okay but it's disturbing to read a post so full of self loathing.
Juza1973 wrote: » People who are neater to be Saints have a deeper remorse for their sins. It is a purpose that they have to pay to feel God matter to them. It is about what she wants.
hellenkell wrote: » I was raised in a family with difficult circumstances, so I left home at the age of 17 Until the age of 22 I did what I had to do in order survive, needless at that time my faith in the lord was not strong. I worked a lot, was very lonely and met all the wrong men. I am ashamed to admit I've done a lot of sins, I would not blame the men I met because it was my responsibly to protect my body and soul, but I was young and felt abandoned by everyone - my parents, my friends and god as well. When I turned 22 I met a guy, the best guy I ever met, he showed me the way, showed me how real love should look like, explained to me that a'll I've been through was a test from God, that God is strongest for us in our most difficult moments, today I'm in such different place in my life thanks to him, thanks to Jesus. Just sometimes it is hard for me to believe that God will forgive me after all my sins, I want to be a good wife and mother and I pray every day God will give me strength to do that
hinault wrote: » trust me when I say that you will be forgiven and you will receive full absolution when you make your confession.
sbsquarepants wrote: » This is like the get out of jail free card in Christianity- do what ever you want, say your sorry - clean slate. Those are the rules!
hinault wrote: » It would be wholly erroneous to make the mistake of suggesting that Confession is a licence to commit sin.
trust me when I say that you will be forgiven and you will receive full absolution when you make your confession.
sbsquarepants wrote: » Have you heard of many cases where absolution was refused? In fact isn't there a set of automatic absolution doors in the Vatican? Simply walk through and emerge sin free? I don't think they open them very often, but they are there.
MrPudding wrote: » Are you getting confused with the movie Dogma? Surely there can't be something that utterly stupid in real life...? MrP
eviltwin wrote: » Saying sorry is one thing but should you not still be punished for your wrong doings? Its just a bit mad to think I could kill a bunch of people and get into heaven by saying confession but if I do something minor and die without it I'm doomed.
lazybones32 wrote: » You're not far off the mark. God is willing to wipe the slate clean...as often as needs be. Christ truly is the "get out of jail free" Man.
aaakev wrote: » So take a serial child sex offender who thinks himself a devoted Catholic andconfesses his sins, is he to be forgiven just like that and have eternal happiness in heaven?
hinault wrote: » The sincerity of ones confession is a determinant. One of the obligations of confession is to be sincerely contrite for the sins that one has committed and to be sincere in seeking absolution.
aaakev wrote: » Im sure on their deathbed they would be sincere but maybe not. just because someone is sincere in asking for forgiveness does not mean they deserve it.
aaakev wrote: » The only person who can forgive the likes of the person i mentioned above is their victims, not a priest or a god
hinault wrote: » In Catholic teaching which all Catholics know, God is the only being who can fully and accurately determine the sincerity of each persons repentance. It's pointless for a Catholic to attend Confession knowing that he/she is not sincerely contrite for the sins that they have committed and which they confess. They know that if their contrition is not sincere, they remain in a state of sin.
lazybones32 wrote: » God would prefer to forgive, than to exclude them from His presence. He is willing to forgive but the person must put themselves in a position to receive it. God may forgive me for some faults I've committed but that doesn't mean I don't have to live with the consequences - it means that the relationship between He and I is restored.
jungleman wrote: » Okay firstly that sounds like a guy has taken advantage of your vulnerability and filled your head with typical Christian guilt. As in, you suffered so much because "god" wanted you too. But now you have pleased him so everything is okay. Secondly, more Christian guilt. You don't need "god" to forgive you. You don't need anyone to forgive you. You have done nothing wrong, <MOD SNIP: Read charter before making such remarks. >
aaakev wrote: » Im sure on their deathbed they would be sincere but maybe not. just because someone is sincere in asking for forgiveness does not mean they deserve it. The only person who can forgive the likes of the person i mentioned above is their victims, not a priest or a god
boatbuilder wrote: » God already knows mankind has failed that test.
