Church questions

[8mpg]

What is Lent and why do people not eat meat? My girlfriend's family is Catholic and are currently in Lent. They eat meat Saturday through Thursday but Friday is off limits.... Why? Why would Jesus want people to starve themselves?

My friend is Greek Orthodox and they do not eat meat the whole time of lent... why? Why are the two religions different when they have the same beliefs?

Why should someone donate 10% of their income to church? Who set the percentage and why?

Why are people forgiven for terrible sins such as murder? Why can they go to heaven after being forgiven?



Im sure I will think of more questions but after dating my girlfriend for the last 3 years, there have been many questions that I have had about religion.

[Phillystang]

What is Lent and why do people not eat meat? My girlfriend's family is Catholic and are currently in Lent. They eat meat Saturday through Thursday but Friday is off limits.... Why? Why would Jesus want people to starve themselves?

My friend is Greek Orthodox and they do not eat meat the whole time of lent... why? Why are the two religions different when they have the same beliefs?

Why should someone donate 10% of their income to church? Who set the percentage and why?

Why are people forgiven for terrible sins such as murder? Why can they go to heaven after being forgiven?



Im sure I will think of more questions but after dating my girlfriend for the last 3 years, there have been many questions that I have had about religion.

As for lent, it is a tradition borrowed from pagan worship and is not found in your Bible.

http://www.thercg.org/books/ttooe.html

[According to Johannes Cassianus, who wrote in the fifth century, “Howbeit you should know, that as long as the primitive church retained its perfection unbroken, this observance ofLent did not exist” ( First Conference Abbot Theonas, chapter 30). There is neither biblical nor historical record of Christ, the apostles or the early Church participating in the Lenten season.

Since there is no instruction to observe Lent in the Bible, where did it come from? A forty-day abstinence period was anciently observed in honor of the pagan gods Osiris, Adonis and Tammuz (John Landseer, Sabaean Researches, pp. 111, 112). Alexander Hislops, The Two Babylons, pp. 104-105, says this of the origin of Lent: “The forty days abstinence of Lent was directly borrowed from the worshippers of the Babylonian goddess. Such a Lent of forty days, in the spring of the year, is still observed by the Yezidis or Pagan Devil-worshippers of Koordistan, who have inherited it from their early masters, the Babylonians. Such a Lent of forty days was held in spring by the Pagan Mexicans…Such a Lent of forty days was observed in Egypt…”]

[Phillystang]

Why are the two religions different when they have the same beliefs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East-West_Schism

Why should someone donate 10% of their income to church? Who set the percentage and why?
From one of my favorite Bible teachers, Pastor Jim McClarty, responding to an article by a Mr. R.A.

[ "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7)

That is, in fact, a specific rescinding of the tithe in the New Testament, despite R.A.'s claims to the contrary. The tithe was given "of necessity." It was not a matter of the heart. It was often given grudgingly, as so much of the Law was performed. But, Paul took the exact opposite approach and declared that New Covenant people would give according to how God moved on their hearts. The infilling Spirit was to drive their charity, not the letter of the law, which was external to men and grievously born. The Spirit of God, moving on His people's hearts, will produce charitable giving, because God loves cheerful (hilarious) giving.
So, according to Paul, how is giving to be done? Not by a specific standard, like 10%. Not by guilt and pressure; not grudgingly; not of necessity in order to avoid curses. The tithe (which Paul never once advocated) was just the opposite of that description.
By the way, if Paul did indeed continue to believe that tithing was a necessity in the New Covenant Church, then he did the Church in Corinth no favor. His lack of a command for systematic, legalistic tithing would surely bring God's curse to them. But Paul, as I said, never mentioned it.
Of course, the common argument in response to Paul's lack of tithing commandment is that the Church would have naturally tithed, so Paul did not need to bring it up. But, that's not true. The First Century Gentile Church, to which Paul was an Apostle, was unfamiliar with the Law of Moses and would not have been "naturally" tithing. They would need to be taught to tithe. But, Paul never mentioned it. Instead, he promulgated his theology of giving according to one's heart.]

Why are people forgiven for terrible sins such as murder?
We should be asking why is anyone forgiven for any sin? The wages of sin is death, not just the big sins, but the small ones like lying and dishonoring parents.
Jesus took the idea of murder further...
1 John 3:15
Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

Why can they go to heaven after being forgiven?
God can forgive sins because Christ took the place of sinners by bearing our sin and taking God's wrath that was due justly towards us. If Christ died for those sins, they are no longer charged against the ones who did them. Our sins were placed on Christ and were dealt with on the cross, while His righteousness is credited to our account by His grace through faith in His finished work.

Im sure I will think of more questions but after dating my girlfriend for the last 3 years, there have been many questions that I have had about religion.

You will no doubt get more answers below this, some that may disagree with me, test all things by God's Word the Bible.

[Cooter]

why do timber niggers dance around to try to make it rain?

people are stupid

[Mr Majestyk]

What is Lent and why do people not eat meat? My girlfriend's family is Catholic and are currently in Lent. They eat meat Saturday through Thursday but Friday is off limits.... Why? Why would Jesus want people to starve themselves?

Lent is the means by which a Christian can honor Jesus withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days, during which he fasted and prayed in preparation for the trials that lay ahead of him. Abstaining from meat is a symbolic gesture of a Christian giving something up in similar fashion, and by the way, giving up meat one day out seven is hardly going to cause a person to "starve themselves" LOL

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

Lent is the means by which a Christian can honor Jesus withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days, during which he fasted and prayed in preparation for the trials that lay ahead of him. Abstaining from meat is a symbolic gesture of a Christian giving something up in similar fashion, and by the way, giving up meat one day out seven is hardly going to cause a person to "starve themselves" LOL

just one more pagan ritual to add to the list

[8mpg]

Lent is the means by which a Christian can honor Jesus withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days, during which he fasted and prayed in preparation for the trials that lay ahead of him. Abstaining from meat is a symbolic gesture of a Christian giving something up in similar fashion, and by the way, giving up meat one day out seven is hardly going to cause a person to "starve themselves" LOL

My friend's family is Greek Orthodox and dont eat meat for 40 days :eek:

[flashstang04]

God can forgive sins because Christ took the place of sinners by bearing our sin and taking God's wrath that was due justly towards us. If Christ died for those sins, they are no longer charged against the ones who did them. Our sins were placed on Christ and were dealt with on the cross, while His righteousness is credited to our account by His grace through faith in His finished work.




Philly.. allow me to play devil's advocate for a second because no one has asked this yet and it is only a matter of time....I would answer it but nobody asked it.


"So does that mean I can go kill and rape and do what I want and then ask Christ to save me at the last minute and get to heaven? How is that fair?"

[Phillystang]

Philly.. allow me to play devil's advocate for a second because no one has asked this yet and it is only a matter of time....I would answer it but nobody asked it.


"So does that mean I can go kill and rape and do what I want and then ask Christ to save me at the last minute and get to heaven? How is that fair?"
I'm glad you asked. Part of God's work in forgiving a person and saving them is that He makes them a new creature. It is a supernatural work of God, not merely a person giving a mental assent to a set of facts. It is called regeneration, or being born again. Sinful habits drop, new desires for holiness and godliness form. A Christian can fall into sin, but he won't stay in it, it will make him sick and God will discipline him to bring him back. If there is never signs of sanctification going on throughout the life of a professed believer, then it is fair to say that he hasn't been born again.

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

John 3:6-8
6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 5:16-18
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Romans 6:6
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—

Ephesians 4:22
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Regarding your question more specifically, if someone had that mindset, that they would try to make a last minute fire insurance plea for forgiveness just to save their own skin, that's a tough one. The person with that mindset is carrying around a lot of pride and presumption upon God, mocking Him through most of His life. Let me just say that if it were a genuine cry for forgiveness, then they will have abandoned that mindset and humbled themselves before God.

Psalm 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

[Casper]

Hmmm, then where do some of the murderous zealots get their sanctification?

It becomes a very twisted web. I'll stick with immorality based on instinct.

[8mpg]

Another question..

If God created Earth...what about the rest of the solar system?

[Phillystang]

Hmmm, then where do some of the murderous zealots get their sanctification?

It becomes a very twisted web. I'll stick with immorality based on instinct.
Jesus handles that in Matthew 7

A Tree and Its Fruit
15"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

16"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

17"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

18"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

19"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20"So then, you will know them by their fruits.

21"(R)Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

[Casper]

But if your moral upbringing is already twisted, how are you able to judge "their fruits"?

[flashstang04]

Another question..

If God created Earth...what about the rest of the solar system?


Oh He made that too.

[flashstang04]

But if your moral upbringing is already twisted, how are you able to judge "their fruits"?


Being that Christ was the only One who was not "twisted" in some way, as related to being sinful, it is only fair to assume that He is the only one able to judge someone's fruits. In fact, we shouldn't JUDGE them by their fruits anyway, just KNOW them by their fruits.

[Way Cool Jr]

Oh He made that too.

According to the Hindu's Rigveda, Vishu created the earth and heavens:
"The most celebrated act of Vishnu in the Rigveda is the 'three steps' by which he strode over this (universe) and in three places planted his step. The 'Vishnu Sukta' of the Rig Veda (1.154) says that the first and second of Vishnu's strides (those encompassing the earth and air) are visible to men and the third is in the heights of heaven (sky). This last place is described as Vishnu's supreme abode in RV 1.22.20:"

Who is correct?

[flashstang04]

According to the Hindu's Rigveda, Vishu created the earth and heavens:
"The most celebrated act of Vishnu in the Rigveda is the 'three steps' by which he strode over this (universe) and in three places planted his step. The 'Vishnu Sukta' of the Rig Veda (1.154) says that the first and second of Vishnu's strides (those encompassing the earth and air) are visible to men and the third is in the heights of heaven (sky). This last place is described as Vishnu's supreme abode in RV 1.22.20:"

Who is correct?


Well, of course they said that. Just as any major religions would assert that the dominant god created the cosmos.

regardless of whom..Allah, Odin, Lodur, Vili, Ra, The Great Spirit, etc.etc.

Everyone thinks they are correct....the Christians are just the only ones that know it :D

[Casper]

Oh He made that too.

I heard it was subbed out to Haliburton on a No-Bid. How else do you explain a moon that does absolutely nothing and isn't even really made out of cheese?

[Casper]

Being that Christ was the only One who was not "twisted" in some way, as related to being sinful, it is only fair to assume that He is the only one able to judge someone's fruits. In fact, we shouldn't JUDGE them by their fruits anyway, just KNOW them by their fruits.

ahhh, hedging.

Knowing their fruits and making a judgement call is still judging their fruits.

Say you know that someone is a camaro-driving goat molester who doesn't use deoderant. But they heal kittens by laying on of hands.

Clearly they have a supernatural gift and are putting it to "good" use. And clearly they meet the criteria for the dfwstangs wall of shame at the same time.

Should a lost soul, especially one who recognizes goat-buggering as a safe and wholesome pasttime, make a judgement to follow this person's ministry?

In other words, the would-be follower in this scenario has no yardstick to go by except their own upbringing. Evaluating this would-be missionary would produce a scorecard in the "good fruits" category.

Goes back to your question "how do you know"?

[Mr Majestyk]

Another question..

If God created Earth...what about the rest of the solar system?

Read Genesis 1

[flashstang04]

ahhh, hedging.

Knowing their fruits and making a judgement call is still judging their fruits.

Say you know that someone is a camaro-driving goat molester who doesn't use deoderant. But they heal kittens by laying on of hands.

Clearly they have a supernatural gift and are putting it to "good" use. And clearly they meet the criteria for the dfwstangs wall of shame at the same time.

Should a lost soul, especially one who recognizes goat-buggering as a safe and wholesome pasttime, make a judgement to follow this person's ministry?

In other words, the would-be follower in this scenario has no yardstick to go by except their own upbringing. Evaluating this would-be missionary would produce a scorecard in the "good fruits" category.

Goes back to your question "how do you know"?


Well 2 things....

I think we have a good standard in scripture of what good fruits are, so we don't have to get into judging what is or isn't. We have a reference.



And secondly....it all depends on the color of the goat!

[Mr Majestyk]

just one more pagan ritual to add to the list

Your use of the word pagan is incorrect. A pagan ritual would be associated with a polytheistic religion or a non-religious custom. Christianity is not polytheistic and obviously its observation of Lent is rooted in religion.

Learn how to select proper words that apply to whatever it is you're trying to say, and maybe you won't trip over yourself next time.

[Casper]

Well 2 things....

I think we have a good standard in scripture of what good fruits are, so we don't have to get into judging what is or isn't. We have a reference.



And secondly....it all depends on the color of the goat!


LOL!

Amen!

[Casper]

Your use of the word pagan is incorrect. A pagan ritual would be associated with a polytheistic religion or a non-religious custom. Christianity is not polytheistic and obviously its observation of Lent is rooted in religion.

Learn how to select proper words that apply to whatever it is you're trying to say, and maybe you won't trip over yourself next time.

Depends on the application. This goes around often on the net. Some take it to the point of encompassing all non Abrahamic religion. After all, the earliest recorded concepts of monotheism are Hellene and Parsi.

But assuming we stick with your more strict definition, can you show the origin of Lent as being non-pagan? I think there is evidence to associate it with the feast of Tammuz. I don't think it was even officially established until the 6th century (Brain may want to correct or add here).

[Mr Majestyk]

I only posted about what Lent means in the Christian Church, in reference to what the OP asked about fasting. The origin of it there is in Jesus 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. If someone wants to try and trace it back to something else for their own purposes that's not my concern, mine is only what it means to Christianity.

[Casper]

I only posted about what Lent means in the Christian Church, in reference to what the OP asked about fasting. The origin of it there is in Jesus 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. If someone wants to try and trace it back to something else for their own purposes that's not my concern, mine is only what it means to Christianity.

Okay. Perhaps you wish to compare Phillystang's and Brain_Mach1's views then.

I'm not condemning Lent BTW. Whatever cooks your goose :D

[Mr Majestyk]

I have yet to see Brain_Mach 1's views on the subject in this thread.

[Casper]

I have yet to see Brain_Mach 1's views on the subject in this thread.

You can ask. I'm sure he bases the significance in synoptic (Matt, Mark, Luke) scripture during the "temptation in the desert".

I'm pretty sure Philly would agree with his reasoning, though not with his insistence of necessity.

Damn I like thes big words! LOL!

[flashstang04]

You can ask. I'm sure he bases the significance in synoptic (Matt, Mark, Luke) scripture during the "temptation in the desert".

I'm pretty sure Philly would agree with his reasoning, though not with his insistence of necessity.

Damn I like thes big words! LOL!


So much you forget the "e" on small ones!! :eek: :D

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

Learn how to select proper words that apply to whatever it is you're trying to say, and maybe you won't trip over yourself next time.

I selected my words just fine. In fact, I just paraphrased your christian brother Phillystang (see post #2).

[Casper]

So much you forget the "e" on small ones!! :eek: :D

Its silent. Ve not need zem!

[Mr Majestyk]

I selected my words just fine. In fact, I just paraphrased your christian brother Phillystang (see post #2).

Wrong, you need more education on how to make your point in writing to a learned reader. Using words you think you know the meaning of, but actually don't, only exposes your weakness in communication skills, which compounds your weakness of lacking any worthwhile knowledge regarding the subject at hand.

[DarkWolf]

16"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

17"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

18"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

19"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Ah, the logic of simple minds. It's cute sometimes.

Looks like he forgot about apple trees, plum trees, cherry trees, peach trees, apricot trees, and almond trees... to name a few. Fortunately their toxins are low enough to be relatively harmless to most people (especially since we've had many generations of ingestion to build up our resistance to them), but they do in fact contain a cyanide compound (amygdalin in apples, and prunasin in the rest).

BTW Honeycrisp Apples are TEH BOMB! Such a short season for them though :(

[Casper]

Amygdalin in Peaches and almonds too isn't there?

I guess that is just God's way of saying no matter how sweet a fruit looks on the outside, he's an evil nut at the core :D

[flashstang04]

Amygdalin in Peaches and almonds too isn't there?

I guess that is just God's way of saying no matter how sweet a fruit looks on the outside, he's an evil nut at the core :D


As cute as that is..

I prefer to see it as an analogy for man's soul. To our core we are "infinitely wicked" (cyanide), yet his grace covers our sin and completely surrounds it so that you cannot see it anymore. If we live as intended, when we die, the sinful core stays here and our outer self (fruit) is changed into another form.

[Mr Majestyk]

Can anyone document a case of a human perishing from intentional ingestion of cyanide-laden (LOL) fruit seeds? Get your science to working here....we must have proof of such an occurence.

So Laetrile is bad, huh.....Steve "Bullitt" McQueen must have been clueless about that. :D

[Casper]

Can anyone document a case of a human perishing from intentional ingestion of cyanide-laden (LOL) fruit seeds? Get your science to working here....we must have proof of such an occurence.

So Laetrile is bad, huh.....Steve "Bullitt" McQueen must have been clueless about that. :D

Yes, and Black Walnuts are effective for catching fish. Illegal, but effective.

Laetril was a fad.

Good stuff, citations in APA and not linked directly though.

Link (http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/LaetrileAmygdalinVitaminB17SarcarcinaseNitriloside .htm)


"Amygdalin occurs naturally in a number of plant materials; however, the usual commercial source is the kernel of various varieties of Prunus armeniaca L. (family Rosacea), commonly referred to as apricot pits. These vary appreciably in there amygdalin or laetrile content, which may reach 8 percent, but the kernels of some wild varieties contain twenty times as much as those of cultivated varieties of apricots." (Tyler)

...

"Lacking any proof of safety and efficacy, the Food and Drug Administration banned laetrile from interstate commerce in 1971. However, several state legislatures, reacting to political pressures, legalized intrastate sale and use of the product. In 1980, similar pressures forced the National Cancer Institute to begin a clinical study of laetrile in terminal cancer patients." (Tyler)

...

"A clinical trial conducted at the Mayo Clinic and three other prominent cancer centers found no anticancer effect but found significant blood levels of cyanide in some of the patients." (Hafner)

...

Ingested with plant material containing beta-glucosidase, amygdalin can be lethal. (Schmidt)

...

[Casper]

As cute as that is..

I prefer to see it as an analogy for man's soul. To our core we are "infinitely wicked" (cyanide), yet his grace covers our sin and completely surrounds it so that you cannot see it anymore. If we live as intended, when we die, the sinful core stays here and our outer self (fruit) is changed into another form.

But what if the seeds are on the outside?

[Mr Majestyk]

Yes, and Black Walnuts are effective for catching fish. Illegal, but effective.

Laetril was a fad.



Billy Ray Cyrus was a fad

Laetril was quackery

[Casper]

Billy Ray Cyrus was a fad

Laetril was quackery

Well okay, if you insist ;)

[Phillystang]

Ah, the logic of simple minds. It's cute sometimes.

Looks like he forgot about apple trees, plum trees, cherry trees, peach trees, apricot trees, and almond trees... to name a few. Fortunately their toxins are low enough to be relatively harmless to most people (especially since we've had many generations of ingestion to build up our resistance to them), but they do in fact contain a cyanide compound (amygdalin in apples, and prunasin in the rest).

BTW Honeycrisp Apples are TEH BOMB! Such a short season for them though :(

Perhaps so simple that you have overcomplicated his point by your necessity to over analyze a basic illustration spoken to common Israelites.

"Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?"
That is His point. You've clearly missed the forest for the trees in your attempt to be 'cute'

[DarkWolf]

Perhaps so simple that you have overcomplicated his point by your necessity to over analyze a basic illustration spoken to common Israelites.

"Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?"
That is His point. You've clearly missed the forest for the trees in your attempt to be 'cute'

Even though he called out grapes and figs, he did say "every good tree", and to burn "every tree that does not bear good fruit". Perhaps it's you who missed the trees?

[Casper]

Damn people, its just midrash used to forward a Christian exegisis:

an example (link) (http://www.moriel.org/articles/sermons/midrash_jesus_in_the_garden.htm)


There are many things in Scripture that are like this. The Tree of Life in Judaism, which in Hebrew is called the es hayyim, is represented by a fig tree. We see it in Ezekiel 47 and in the Book of Revelation, but we see it first in the Creation in Genesis. In John chapter one, when Nathaniel asks Jesus how He knows so much about him, Jesus answers, "Because I saw you under the fig tree." What Jesus was saying to Nathaniel with these words was not simply that he saw him under a literal fig tree, although that was a part of it. What He was really saying in midrash, or Jewish metaphor, is this: "I saw you from the garden, from the Creation, from the foundation of the world."

[flashstang04]

Damn people, its just midrash used to forward a Christian exegisis:

an example (link) (http://www.moriel.org/articles/sermons/midrash_jesus_in_the_garden.htm)


I'm pretty sure most of us knew that. It seems only one is making an issue out of literal meanings. It's almost entertaining.

[DarkWolf]

I'm pretty sure most of us knew that. It seems only one is making an issue out of literal meanings. It's almost entertaining.

Or just pointing out it's a silly metaphor from a simpler time. You know, before heathenistic things like science butted in.

If that one was over your head, no wonder some people can't come to terms with the idea that genesis could be allegorical.

Now that's entertaining.

[FSON]

Or just pointing out it's a silly metaphor from a simpler time. You know, before heathenistic things like science butted in.

If that one was over your head, no wonder some people can't come to terms with the idea that genesis could be allegorical.

Now that's entertaining.
When did science split from the spiritual quest and why?

[DarkWolf]

When did science split from the spiritual quest and why?

Has it?

[FSON]

Has it?
I was assuming your statement to be literally direct.
If it hasn't, how does this process work in, for example, the Catholic Church?

[Casper]

Has it?

I was pondering that myself.

Perhaps science is the more primitive concept and religion split from science?

I was reading something somewhere, wish I could find it again, about our brains being hardwired for religion; it is the process of balancing discrepencies between the two halves of the brain which reinforces a worldview, regardless of how ludicrous someone else may see it. It may likely be an extension of short term memory evolution.

[DarkWolf]

I was pondering that myself.

Perhaps science is the more primitive concept and religion split from science?

I was reading something somewhere, wish I could find it again, about our brains being hardwired for religion; it is the process of balancing discrepencies between the two halves of the brain which reinforces a worldview, regardless of how ludicrous someone else may see it. It may likely be an extension of short term memory evolution.

Initially that does sound pretty far fetched... but then you start to look at things like the pyramids, and stonehenge and you have to wonder if perhaps science (and math, naturally) predates modern religion (particularly Abrahamic religions, as they seem to be the only ones acting particularly threatened by science), but was lost at some point when religion took over.

Perhaps ~5000-10000 years ago a small group was pushing something similar to intelligent design, weeding it into public conscience, presenting it as plausible science.

[FSON]

Church split from religion in 1600.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x6M8MueuiA

[92nosfox]

to answer the last 2 questions,in the days of moses they were required to give money,but jesus erased all of that by sacrifying his life for us,therefore what they are doing is wrong,2nd question,anyone can be forgiven as long as they repent from their ways...

[Casper]

in the days of moses they were required to give money

What currency would that be?

[Mr Majestyk]

At the time of Jesus that currency would be the shekel I presume. During Moses time it would have been animal sacrifices or offerings of grain products and oils.

[HookEm]

No, tithing is not required. HOWEVER, is The Spirit compels you to.....


I know that when I have tithed and couldn't really afford to, I've always been blessed. Things have a way of working themselves out.

[Casper]

At the time of Jesus that currency would be the shekel I presume. During Moses time it would have been animal sacrifices or offerings of grain products and oils.

But Cain was chastised by God for sacrificing fruits of the harvest.

[Mr Majestyk]

The fruit that Cain offered to God was rejected because it was what Cain himself found pleasing, rather than what would have been pleasing to God.

[Casper]

So God's tastes changed? I guess the preistly caste determined this. And I'm sure they found the offerings quite pleasing :D

[Mr Majestyk]

No, Cain simply offered God the best thing that he could come up with according to his own way of thinking, in an attempt to "bribe" God into showing him favor.

[flashstang04]

So God's tastes changed? I guess the preistly caste determined this. And I'm sure they found the offerings quite pleasing :D


I know you are just baiting and you know what I am about to say, but currency is not the same thing as a sacrifice to God. Often times, we may have seen where they were the same item, i.e. money, oils, harvest, animals, etc.

Render unto Caesar and all that.....

[Casper]

It was all in fun, but I have heard people who actually do assume money substituted for everything in 2000 BCE like it is today. That's a modern concept. Not that it can't be applied metaphorically, but the concept of exchange is a touchy one in the ancient world. It has theological implications we don't always recognize today. Like Jesus' casting of the demons into the pigs instead of just exorcising them. The whole "exchange" metaphor is a large part of Christianity, considering the importance of the passion narrative. And it isn't new, even Egyptian animism operated on a similar principle; the body was just a vessel for the soul, and was exchanged in death.

[holeshot]

What is Lent and why do people not eat meat? My girlfriend's family is Catholic and are currently in Lent. They eat meat Saturday through Thursday but Friday is off limits.... Why? Why would Jesus want people to starve themselves?

My friend is Greek Orthodox and they do not eat meat the whole time of lent... why? Why are the two religions different when they have the same beliefs?

Why should someone donate 10% of their income to church? Who set the percentage and why?

Why are people forgiven for terrible sins such as murder? Why can they go to heaven after being forgiven?



Im sure I will think of more questions but after dating my girlfriend for the last 3 years, there have been many questions that I have had about religion.

10% doesn't mean money only, devote 10% of yourself to the church and your fellow Christians, In other words give yourself (help) to others.

[flashstang04]

10% doesn't mean money only, devote 10% of yourself to the church and your fellow Christians, In other words give yourself (help) to others.


So if one has already donated 10% to their fellow man are they then to ignore anyone else who would need help? I believe we are called to give MUCH more of ourselves than 10% to our church and brothers/sisters.

[holeshot]

10% is nothing, to what was given for us, so yes your right,
But giving to the Church also can mean your self in services to help out:
cleaning, lawn care, repairs, etc etc...
You give yourself to the Church also.