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Philosophy/religion

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Original poster

Christians - what exactly do you believe?

138 replies

beansmum · 04/04/2008 21:31

I am a Christian but have been struggling with my faith recently, mainly because the Christians I know think sooooooooo differently to me. Somebody please explain things in a way that makes some sense to me!

I suppose I'm confused about all the usual things; sex, the Bible, other faiths etc.

OP posts:

fleximum · 04/04/2008 21:38

My dh always puts it as "We believe that Jesus was born the Son of God, died for us and rose again". The rest is much less important. He usually describes himself as a born again or evangelical Christian, while I am Catholic. We spent a lot of time talking about our beliefs before we got married and it turns out that our beliefs have more common points than differences. Hope this helps.

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 21:46

I believe the big important stuff, I just wonder about some of the details. Maybe that doesn't matter but then again maybe it really does matter and how do I know if it matters or not? arrgh.

OP posts:

Miggsie · 04/04/2008 21:50

well, Jesus said be nice to people...which is good, I love his style.
I think it is possible to be a Christian and not believe in the Virgin birth and the resurecction but this seems mad to me.
Jesus was the son of God, is surely central to the religion...otherswise he was a wise and kind bloke but a bit deluded....!
If you want to listen to someone similar and not need to believe that they were the son of God then surely become a Buddhist or something?
I am a New TEetament christian, my friend who is a bit of a wag, says any Christian who frequently quotes and believes in the old testament is technically Jewish.
Ouch!

fleximum · 04/04/2008 21:51

I think that ultimately the details are up to you (not that the Catholic church would agree with me on that point). Most churches have bible or prayer groups who would probably be good to talk to if you have questions. My dh bought me "Catholicism for Dummies" which certainly helps me explain why I do the things I do. I think there is a similar, more general guide on Christianity.

fleximum · 04/04/2008 21:54

The old/new Testament divide amuses me. My dh and other evangelical Christians I've met seem to have much more of a focus on the old testament which I've never quite understood as surely the important part has to be the new testament.

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 22:05

I would never dare ask questions at the housegroup I go to! They would all look very shocked and then pray for me to realise how wrong I am! I have big problems with the church I am in actually but sticking it out for now.

OP posts:

stuffitllama · 04/04/2008 22:10

I believe in the Holy Trinity. But with the rules.. I go with the commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. Otherwise they all get a bit contradictory -- like "an eye for an eye" or "turn the other cheek".. which is it?

justabouttohavelunch · 04/04/2008 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Miggsie · 04/04/2008 22:17

...I also think there is a wide gap between what Jesus talks about and what the modern church organisations (of any flavour) preach.

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 22:20

ooh I can explain the eye for an eye thing I think...
It's a legal thing saying that the punishment should fit the crime. Criminals should be punished but not unfairly. So if someone pokes your eye out poking their eye out would be a suitable punishment, poking both their eyes out would be excessive. Doesn't sound very Christian on second thoughts...

OP posts:

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 22:21

totally agree miggsie.

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stuffitllama · 04/04/2008 22:21

but it doesn't go with offering the other cheek to be slapped.. that's where I come unstuck

CarGirl · 04/04/2008 22:25

beansmum what are the issues/questions you have?

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God (God is a trinity father,son & spirit) that he died in order that I could be seen as sinless and have an intimate relationship with God and spend eternity with God, and that it is a relationship based on love and gratitude and that we should love others regardless of what they do.

Miggsie · 04/04/2008 22:26

eye for an eye was not a direct quote from Jesus, turn the other cheek IS.
I don't like all the commentary, I mean...would you invite Jesus round for tea?
Yes.
Would you invite St Paul round?
Oh no.
And St Augustin?
what a gloomy bloke he must have been.

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 22:26

I think (and I know nothing so probably wrong) that the cheek thing is applied in personal rather than legal/criminal matters.

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stuffitllama · 04/04/2008 22:27

Miggsie, that's it..
It's the decrees handed down by others I have a problem with .

stuffitllama · 04/04/2008 22:30

Beans.. it's hard because the whole thing is self-contradictory -- ie God is good, he created everything, therefore he created evil? but God is good and all-powerful.. and nothing is that He did not create.. I don't think there is another religion which has this central self-contradiction. But being hard to believe makes it more an issue of faith for me.. because if you could prove it, where does the faith come in?

CarGirl · 04/04/2008 22:33

The "evil" arose because of free will, but also we are shown through the old testament that God is jealous, vengeful etc so hardly surprising that satan is not a nice guy IYSWIM

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 22:36

I can kind of get my head around evil, just. I don't think God created it, he just created us with the ability to do what we want and we sometimes want to do the wrong thing. The thing that is really keeping me awake at night at the moment is heaven and hell. How could I be happy in heaven if my family weren't there? but if there isn't any hell what happens to people?

OP posts:

Elephantsbreath · 04/04/2008 22:37

Beansmum, I'm not a Christian, but rather shocked that the cheek thing doesn't apply across the board.

I maybe too tiddly to put it in words. But turning the other cheek is about recognising that bad behaviour exists in humankind but becoming bigger and stronger to deal with it without lashing out in similar manner (like the wars we are involved with now).

Bit tiddly like I say

CarGirl · 04/04/2008 22:39

In heaven we are in spirit only and won't really be aware of others like we are now and we will be focused on God - I suppose our earthly desires will be gone???

Hell exists (I'm afraid), it's eternity without God.

Original poster

beansmum · 04/04/2008 22:41

But in the society we live in we can't always just let people do what they want. We need the police and the legal system to deal with criminals in a fair way. We can turn the other cheek by continuing to love people who hurt us and by giving them a second chance (after they get out of prison)

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stuffitllama · 04/04/2008 22:45

I'm interested in this too Beans. I'm interested in whether most Christians think that there's heaven, and then there's just stopping -- death. Or if we sinners do go on and really do burn and suffer.

CarGirl · 04/04/2008 22:46

it's about loving the sinner and not the sin, two very different things.

stuffitllama · 04/04/2008 22:46

sorry i should have previewed that -- i sound bonkers!
am not bonkers
but I am interested

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