How many of you are actually Christians?

[switchback]

Originally Posted by Feonixis

i like that i'm not sure if that label fits me, but the whole "chosen people" thing has always rubbed me the wrong way. why would go make people and then put them in sitiuations where they would never be able to fully experiance his "chosen" religion?


i hate to say that old cliche, but i'm certainly spiritual... and definitly not religious.

What situations are you referring to?

[Feonixis]

such as living somewhere where they wouldn't be surrounded by christians, or opportunities to convert, or even christian missionaries. and most people never question or convert from the religion they are born into, even if there are other religious oppurtunties. people in other parts of the world may never be introduced to christianity and i can't see how people would say they are "damned" or whatever, when they had no opportuntiy. it's one of the reasons i've doubted christianity ever since i was little.

[switchback]

Yeah, I figured that's what you meant.



However, the complete OPPOSITE is true...



At this point in history, EVERYONE has been introduced to The Gospel...Missionaries have been visiting the clandestine peoples of the various jungle tribes in the world for years now.



This is also including all the leaders of these nations you're refering to...



But it's out of THEIR OWN CHOICE to be stubborn and NOT recognize the unfettered practice of Christianity in their countries.



However, small underground groups still practice it and attempt to spread it to others.



And as for people in places like America, even when they have the oppurtunity to walk into a Church or buy a Bible, they STILL don't do it....



So then, God HAS been fair.

[Feonixis]

1. are you saying with complete certainty, that if you had been born into another religion, with little or no outside religious experiance, that you would have converted to christianity?
2. not everyone has been influenced by christianity. are you saying that every single person in third world countris has been exposed to christianity, cus i really don't think so.
3. what about those who die young, in any religions?

[switchback]

1. The focus of my comment was not to argue over how easy or how hard it is to convert from a certain religion to Christianity.


2. Missionaries are constantly venturing out to new places.


3. This question is a no brainer. God by His very nature CANNOT damn an infant who never knew right from wrong.


The Bible talks about God's observation of every human being and what is IN THEIR HEARTS...


God looks at the heart, our motives, our intentions, our hidden desires. He judges accordingly.


This covers all of the people involved in the 3 situations above.

[Feonixis]

okay, 1. what about peoples in the past? even if (and i don't think it's true) everyone in the known world today knows about christianity, what about those in the past?
2. what exactly are you saying? do you believe that god condemns those that aren't christian to "hell"? or not?
3. i can't argue that i believe "god" looks at who we are, not what. (in my view, what being our religion...)
from what you were saying above, i take it to me people of any religion can be saved from being good. from your other posts it sounded like you were saying the right opposite. please clarify.

[switchback]

What do you mean regarding people in the past? What I said still applies.


To the second question...Yes, The Bible is clear that those who WILLINGLY reject Jesus are condemned.


However, the 3 types of people you brought up are not always in a position to be able to WILINGLY accept/reject Him...so God will judge them appropriately.

[Feonixis]

in the past, places couldn't easily be reached. and some people would have never heard of any religion other than there own.

and i don't believe that's true. what makes christianity appear any more realistic than any other religion? the fact that you've apparently never considered a religion other than christiantity just proves my point. people don't necessarily doubt the religions preached to them through childhood, and have good reasons to doubt new religions presented to them.

but i do agree that your last statement is valid. but i believe it applies to all peoples, even one's who believe other religions. then again, i don't necessariyl beleive in the "christian" god. the nature of god is a mystery, because, to quote some tv show, if god does exist he is so far outside the realm of our knowledge to ponder on him would be like penguins contemplating rocket science ^^

[switchback]

Originally Posted by Feonixis

in the past, places couldn't easily be reached. and some people would have never heard of any religion other than there own.

Right, did you even read what I stated earlier?


God judges according to what is in our hearts.


If they did NOT have the capability to WILLINGLY accept/reject Jesus...then God will judge them in a fitting manner.

Originally Posted by Feonixis

and i don't believe that's true. what makes christianity appear any more realistic than any other religion? the fact that you've apparently never considered a religion other than christiantity just proves my point. people don't necessarily doubt the religions preached to them through childhood, and have good reasons to doubt new religions presented to them.

As far as this goes...


Well what do you want me to say to that?


I'm not going to waste time and energy trying to prove the validity of Christianity to you since you WILLINGLY don't want to accept it in the first place.


That is all.

[Feonixis]

i didn't ask you to. i stated my beliefs, and you questioned them. if your angry then that's your own fault, not mine. i willingly choose not to believe in the "bible". as such i cannot call myself christian. i choose to believe in a higher power, and do my best, no matter my reward. if whatever deity is watching doesn't approve, all i can feel is sorrow. i tried my best, and i hope that at the end of my life, what i'll have left behind is happiness, and what i'll go to is happiness.