Why do people hate Christianity?

[erowe1]

I agree with this premise. Perhaps predestination is much closer to what I believe than I thought. This does mean that some Calvinists on this forum who consider themselves saved may well not be, and they might reject that notion. The one element that I am fairly sure differs with your understanding of predestination is the mercy known as reincarnation, which is the counter to this aspect. Per scripture, I believe that the Lord gives us endless chances to come to Him fully, through reincarnation, and that is his most merciful gift. Those who are not elect in this life may be elect in another life, as with each life they follow God's will more, serve Him more, and please Him more. The opposite view, that He casually sends countless souls to hell for eternity, is not very merciful -- and we know He is a merciful God.

When you refer to scripture, are you talking about the Christian Bible or something else?

I don't think that reincarnation and casually sending people to Hell exhaust the possibilities.

 

[Yieu]

When you refer to scripture, are you talking about the Christian Bible or something else?

I don't think that reincarnation and casually sending people to Hell exhaust the possibilities.

I am referring to the scripture known as Bhagavad Gita, which is the Word of God, just as the Holy Bible is the Word of God.

If there is no reincarnation -- no second chance -- then people are casually sent to hell eternally, which seems petty. That is not merciful, and there is no end to the Lord's mercy. If there are other possibilities, then those possibilities would have to include non-Christians that sincerely seek and love the same God being saved, or else they would be being casually sent to hell in a heartless manner.

 

[phill4paul]

Why do people hate Christianity?

Because of their endless bickering over whose Christ is the true Christ.

 

[erowe1]

I am referring to the scripture known as Bhagavad Gita, which is the Word of God, just as the Holy Bible is the Word of God.

That's what I assumed. I'm vaguely familiar with it.

If there is no reincarnation -- no second chance -- then people are casually sent to hell eternally

I just don't see how you could think those are the only two options. For one thing, why do you insist on including the word "casually"?

 

[Yieu]

I just don't see how you could think those are the only two options. For one thing, why do you insist on including the word "casually"?

I use the word "casually" to mean "without care", "without thought", and "without heart". I do not think the Lord thus casually sends people to hell.

In the Gita in the 16th chapter, he states what kind of people he "perpetually" casts into hell (perpetually, because of rebirth): http://vedabase.net/bg/16/en

BG 16.8: They say that this world is unreal, with no foundation, no God in control. They say it is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust.

BG 16.16: Thus perplexed by various anxieties and bound by a network of illusions, they become too strongly attached to sense enjoyment and fall down into hell.

BG 16.18: Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger, the demons become envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in their own bodies and in the bodies of others, and blaspheme against the real religion.

BG 16.19: Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men, I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life.

Those who are envious of the Lord are those he casts into hell.

 

[erowe1]

I use the word "casually" to mean "without care", "without thought", and "without heart". I do not think the Lord thus casually sends people to hell.

Neither do I. But that doesn't leave me with an obligation to believe in reincarnation.

 

[Yieu]

Neither do I. But that doesn't leave me with an obligation to believe in reincarnation.

Thank you for disagreeing without being rude... +rep for that.

 

[Yieu]

Neither do I. But that doesn't leave me with an obligation to believe in reincarnation.

If you are implying though that only a select group that you believe to be saved will be selected by God only though, I still see a lack of mercy there and if everyone outside of that group by default goes to hell even if they seek and love the same God, I would call that casually sending people to hell. I think God would take into account the sincere love and service of others to Him, even if ultimately they may be serving Him slightly differently than He wants them to. For the Lord to reject those that sincerely seek and serve Him over what amounts to a spiritual technicality would be very unmerciful.

 

[erowe1]

If you are implying though that only a select group that you believe to be saved will be selected by God only though, I still see a lack of mercy there and if everyone outside of that group by default goes to hell even if they seek and love the same God, I would call that casually sending people to hell. I think God would take into account the sincere love and service of others to Him, even if ultimately they may be serving Him slightly differently than He wants them to. For the Lord to reject those that sincerely seek and serve Him over what amounts to a spiritual technicality would be very unmerciful.

God is merciful. But that is not all he is. He is also just and holy. He punishes sin. I don't believe he ever punishes any sinner beyond what perfect justice demands. And he often refrains from punishing sinners with the punishment they deserve. The souls that will be in Hell will be souls of people who hated and rejected God, and while they are there, they will continue hating and rejecting him.

 

[Sola_Fide]

God is merciful. But that is not all he is. He is also just and holy. He punishes sin. I don't believe he ever punishes any sinner beyond what perfect justice demands. And he often refrains from punishing sinners with the punishment they deserve. The souls that will be in Hell will be souls of people who hated and rejected God, and while they are there, they will continue hating and rejecting him.

Yes. This is one reason why God is just in continuing His wrath against sin in eternal Hell...because men do not stop sinning.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Where is Hell exactly? Is it a place? I keep hearing Christians mention being sent there. Seriously. I'm not trying to wreck the discussion. I'd just like to know where Christians believe this place is. I'm curious as to where Christian's believe Heaven to be as well but since the recent discussion here is relative to being sent to hell, it makes me wonder where the logic comes from. I'm not going to try to counter it with any scientific theory or anything I'm just curious.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Where is Hell exactly? Is it a place? I keep hearing Christians mention being sent there. Seriously. I'm not trying to wreck the discussion. I'd just like to know where Christians believe this place is. I'm curious as to where Christian's believe Heaven to be as well but since the recent discussion here is relative to being sent to hell, it makes me wonder where the logic comes from. I'm not going to try to counter it with any scientific theory or anything I'm just curious.

I've heard it posited that being apart from God is Hell.

 

[Yieu]

God is merciful. But that is not all he is. He is also just and holy. He punishes sin. I don't believe he ever punishes any sinner beyond what perfect justice demands. And he often refrains from punishing sinners with the punishment they deserve. The souls that will be in Hell will be souls of people who hated and rejected God, and while they are there, they will continue hating and rejecting him.

This is all true, and it is confirmed in the 16th chapter of Bhagavad Gita, as I quoted above in post #185.

 

[sailingaway]

Where is Hell exactly? Is it a place? I keep hearing Christians mention being sent there. Seriously. I'm not trying to wreck the discussion. I'd just like to know where Christians believe this place is. I'm curious as to where Christian's believe Heaven to be as well but since the recent discussion here is relative to being sent to hell, it makes me wonder where the logic comes from. I'm not going to try to counter it with any scientific theory or anything I'm just curious.

since your soul is metaphysical, not body centric, does it really matter?

 

[sailingaway]

Where is Hell exactly? Is it a place? I keep hearing Christians mention being sent there. Seriously. I'm not trying to wreck the discussion. I'd just like to know where Christians believe this place is. I'm curious as to where Christian's believe Heaven to be as well but since the recent discussion here is relative to being sent to hell, it makes me wonder where the logic comes from. I'm not going to try to counter it with any scientific theory or anything I'm just curious.

since your soul is metaphysical, not body centric, does it really matter as if we were discussing geographic locations in the physical realm?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin, and all that.

 

[Natural Citizen]

since your soul is metaphysical, not body centric, does it really matter as if we were discussing geographic locations in the physical realm?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin, and all that.

Well, it must matter if "God" is referenced as "Him". A physical being. Is why I asked about Hell. There must be a specific reason to say God will send you there. I didn't really want to get into all of that though. Moreso looking for a theoretical merge with the scientific model. Which, as I said, I wasn't going to further discussion on. At least here. Was just curious where that notion comes from so best to ask Christians. Right? I think so, at least. They don't have to answer, I guess.

 

[TheTexan]

Heaven = Hell

it would fucking suck to be surrounded by nothing but devout Christians... or Mormons... or Muslims.. or whichever religion if any turns out to be correct...

I'll take hell thank you very much

 

[Natural Citizen]

I've heard it posited that being apart from God is Hell.

Yes, I've heard that. My position on such a separation doesn't compute with that though. I think of Atom as opposed to Adam. As such, We are connected and traceable to the Cosmos. God, to many. Inseparable in that regard.

So I guess I'm just trying to better understand the relevance of subject while looking for the irrelevance in language. From their perspective though.

 

[otherone]

Why ask people's opinions as to why Christians are hated. It's right there in the Bible. Once again, God has done your thinking for you.

You're welcome.

 

[Dystopian]

Christianity at its core is a rejection of life. At it's basics, it teaches you to hate this life, hate your natural instincts, hate this imperfect world and long to be dead so that you can go to an unseen paradise.

It teaches you that you are born imperfect and into sin. And solely based on the whim of an unseen God can he choose to grant you grace from your sin. It teaches you to be a sheep and not question authority. It teaches you that everything you need to know is contained in a magic book. I simply cannot fathom why people are attracted to this religion. But I guess that's what 2000 years of brainwashing, witch-trials, inquisitions, and state control, can do to people. I view Christianity the same way that Constantine viewed it, as a way to control the masses.