The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Is being non-Christian technically a sin?
Loren Michael
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Is being a non-Christian technically a sin under some religious principal or other? Which one?
Loren Michael on
0
Posts
However, since everyone is (supposedly) born with Original Sin, and the only way to get rid of it is through Jesus, being non-Christian makes you unable to free yourself from sin.
Don't quote me on any of this, by the way. I think for Catholics, you're covered so long as you're a denomination of Christianity, or possibly Jewish. I know that for my particular faith (Methodist) we're pretty open to letting lots of people into heaven.
Isn't it: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" though? I guess it depends on how you translate the Hebrew.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
don't know if it's changed but Dante says they go to hell
edit: a vanilla part of hell, but still hell
I think I read something about that in Second Corinthians.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
In theory? No.
In practice? Yes.
I think the history of Christianity provides ample examples of this.
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
I believe many forms of Christianity believe that people sin anyway, and that to release the sin you need to be a believer. The forms for doing that differ between the various sects, of course.
But you're also likely to get a different response depending on which theologian you ask. For example, I would imagine that plenty of more "liberal" theologians take a, dare I say, Jewish approach to the question -- that you can be a good person, and that there's nothing wrong with being a gentile, but you are not one of god's people.
If you're really curious, I have a high school friend who's an ordained minister; she'd probably enjoy the question.
One of the defining similarities between religions and political parties is that if you're not a member then you're going to their version of hell. There really aren't many religions out there that DON'T think everyone else is a sinner.
I don't think Loren is asking if he's theoretically going to hell, but rather is rejecting God in itself a sin.
Some people interpret the above, specifically the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit portion, as the state of continued disbelief and thus an unpardonable sin. This site give a slightly more in depth version.
Romans 1:20 seems pretty clear about the subject for those that haven't heard, though I'm unsure if there is another verse that offers a different view. I'm unsure about the hypothetical dying infant who may not be able to understand yet and I don't think the Bible gives an answer.
In Romans 1:12-21 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
The idea is, there's a part of everyone who sees from creation that there is a god. Seeing this, every man has a choice- follow the glimmer of light, or turn from it in rebellion. Following the light of what is called "general revelation" (what can be known about God through philosophy and through creation) leads one to examine the "special revelation" of Scriptures (the Bible) and examine their testimony and historicity and accept or deny it.
But the man who curses the little bit of light- he has chosen to not honor God- and yes- is therefore "in" sin (but can accept the light at any time theoretically- in practice, however, one rejects it so long they will become hardened to the call and "their foolish heart darkened."
Hope this helps- if you want more information on reasons to believe, historicity of the Gospels, or even want to dialogue over some objections you have, or just want to have a better understanding of what Christians believe- my PM box is open.
Basically it's like this.
Everyone is a sinner, and everyone is destined to hell. The only way to not go to hell is through Jesus. If you fully accept Jesus and have a personal relationship with him, you're saved.
If you happen to live in a place that is physically impossible to even know what Christianity is, well you're SOL.
Oh, and apparently babies that died at birth have a special 'Go to Heaven' chance card, cause damning babies to hell is even too low for God.
So, that's the whole of it.
As for not believing in God being a sin or not. I dont think it really matter, cause you sin every time you lift your butt cheek to fart. There is really no winning that game.
Have you ever read this thing, Marge? Technically, we aren't even allowed to go to the bathroom!
Face Twit Rav Gram
Ah, in that case there is the concept of the Virtuous Pagan. That said, if you've grown up in a Christian society or otherwise been exposed to Christianity beyond seeing a Christian from a distance, then yes, being a non-Christian is a sin, be you Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist, or otherwise.
Face Twit Rav Gram
Yea, but all denominations of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all worship the same God.
See how many books I've read so far in 2010
kpop appreciation station i also like to tweet some
I always found that concept pretty funny. I mean, on the one hand, it doesn't make sense to damn people for where they were born; on the other, it does open up the possibility of lowering the amount of people that get into heaven by spreading the "Word of the Lord," which I think runs sort of counter to what the faith is intending.
What if the Christianity that you've been exposed to isn't your cup of tea? I mean, there are more flavors of Christianity than there are flavors of ice cream
I doubt it would matter - I think most forms of Christianity would agree that any form is better than none at all. If you've heard of Jesus, you'd better like him.
But what if your neighbour and his wife are not only down with, but actively encouraging that idea?
Do all swingers go to hell?
Oh, and you can say fuck on the Internet, your mother isn't going to know (unless you're LewieP)
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
and
"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet"
Take your chances, roll the dice!
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
Yeah,I don't think the ancient jews took sexually liberated swingers into mind
I've never gotten the concept of self-censorship.I mean, use the real word or reword your sentences (I mean fuck, you could've used 'screw' 'bang' 'make sexy-time with' etc.)
A thousand different sects will debate this with you (Though personally i'm all behind that idea)
Also, asking something like this about christianity as a whole has a few problems, mainly that there are so many different sects of Christianity it's really hard to get a standard answer. Hell, I was raised Catholic and while priests and such told me in no uncertain terms that it's silly to think that someone who was raised in the jungle and never shown God would go to hell, quite a few other people assured me that they were sunk.
However, I choose to believe God isn't an outright prick, so I figure as long as you aren't a douche and don't outright reject people, you're fine.
According to Catholicism, the act of outright not being Christian isn't a sin. They would encourage you to convert, just like any other religion cause Jesus is cool and all that, but a sin is something you have chosen to do. When you're raised to be a Jewish person, it wasn't really a choice for you, so I fail to see that being a sin. And at the most, it's a venial one.
I immediately pulled up his expanded gamer card hoping beyond hope that I'd find Grand Theft Auto in there somewhere.
I'll try not to take offense to that. And what if you did? I'm writing a long paper on Christian Ethics of Simulated Situations (Video Games) assuming an Aristotelian/Thomistic Virtue Ethic- and frankly I'm not sure yet where games like GTA will land. Don't assume you know what all Christians think about a topic because of what some (Jack Thompson) run around saying. Look at it this way: God doesn't have high standards to get into the "club." Accept the gift of grace given by his Son Jesus, through his death and resurrection. What that means is all kinds are in the club, but not all of 'em make the best spokesperson or representative.
Protip: No one hates Jack Thompson because he's Christian, they hate him because he's a dumbass.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
So... not only are you a sinner, but you were always destined to be a sinner and have no choice in the matter. Fun.
Jack Thompson is everything Phoenix Wright isn't. Let's consider some of what that means...
-He's bad at poker and can't play the piano.
-He's unattractive and not overly bright.
-He makes calculated conclusions that are wrong.
-He's never been accused of murder, but he's probably committed a few.
I have some bad news for you son. Maybe you should sit down.
It's a habit. Most forums require that you censor yourself or find ways around their filters.
According to the bible we are all sinners, so you are a sinner, even if you are Christian. By following the ten commandments people live an acceptable life in front of God. However, Santiago (I don't know the English equivalent) clearly stated that faith without deeds is dead.
I read in the last book of the bible something that says: And those whose names were not written in the book of life were thrown in the lake of fire (second death).
We just need to know how to get our names written in this book to attain salvation, am I wrong?