Questions for Christians ASK HARD QUESTIONS

[gsusfreek]

ok, so I couldn't find the other discussion, but it is still me, gsusfreek, answering the questions. I received this one and I have to admittt, I was stumped for a while. But then I asked for help from someone at my church, and he explained it this way:

{(Deuteronomy 22:28-29)



If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.



What kind of lunatic would make a rape victim marry her attacker? Answer: God.}

Back then a woman was stoned if she was an adulteress. This was the CULTURE that a woman who had had sex without marriage was without honor irregardless of the circumstances, therefore it was more honorable in their culture that he go ahead and marry her, because they were both seen already. So it’s not that this was God’s perfect will, but because of man’s sin, this was the way it had to be, otherwise she could never marry.

DesecratedFlame

{(Deuteronomy 22:23-24 NAB)



If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife.



It is clear that God doesn't give a d@mn about the rape victim. He is only concerned about the violation of another mans "property".}

God does care about the victim, but in this situation, she was not a victim. A victim would obviously cry out for help, but she let him do it. Therefore, she also sinned, by letting him, and they were both immoral. The reason God wanted them stoned is because once people see that you DIE for these sins, they will not do it EVER and so sin would be rare among God's people.
I mean think about it – if you are about to be raped, you are going to cry out for help unless you want it to happen! Especially if you are married.




I hope you all understand now that God DOES care about a rape victim. God created us in His image, and we have the same emotions and compassion He does. He IS love, and never wants us to hurt.

[Tarquin Aluclaire]

Could Jesus microwave a burrito SO hot that even He could not eat it?

Or more seriously: What kind of perfect entity hinges entry into eternal paradise or eternal damnation on whether or not you think his son, who is apparently the zombie King 'o da Jews, died for your sins?

Shouldn't it at least be based on whether or not you were a righteous and good person in life rather than a specified belief you may not even of herd of before you kicked the bucket?

[[.L.O.S.E.R.]]

No one is perfect except for God. Every human being that has lived on this Earth except for Jesus has sinned, and Jesus didn't because he was both human and divine at the same time. It says clearly that the wages of sin is death. You sin, you die. Period. Jesus never sinned, but he was killed. He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Before Jesus, you had to sacrifice a lamb, ox, goat, etc. to pay for your sin. Jesus was the final sacrifice. His blood covered all our sins. All we have to do is believe in the saving power of his blood and we too become clean. Our sins are washed away. No matter how hard you try, good works CANNOT save you. If you've told even a teeny white lie just one in your life, you are a liar, and therefore a sinner, and you will be held accountable on judgement day. Let's say you were caught doing 100mph where the speed limit is 35. You wouldn't go to court and say, "I know I broke the law, but can't you just let it slide?" God won't let you slide, either. But, Jesus already paid your fine, and so if you believe in him, you won't have to pay.

[Zalbag_Beoulve]

Well I didn't see your other board, but I assume this was asked. However, I've always wanted an answer to this question:

"Why is homosexuality wrong?"

Don't give me some lame answer like "because the bible said so" and don't even give me the verse that says so. I think there's like 3 or 4 verses, and I've seen them all. But can you explain it to me?



Random story: One time I asked a guy this that was a Christian and he said he didn't think it was wrong and that he was gay himself. About a week later, we were dating. XD

[Tarquin Aluclaire]

[.L.O.S.E.R.]

No one is perfect except for God. Every human being that has lived on this Earth except for Jesus has sinned, and Jesus didn't because he was both human and divine at the same time. It says clearly that the wages of sin is death. You sin, you die. Period. Jesus never sinned, but he was killed. He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Before Jesus, you had to sacrifice a lamb, ox, goat, etc. to pay for your sin. Jesus was the final sacrifice. His blood covered all our sins. All we have to do is believe in the saving power of his blood and we too become clean. Our sins are washed away. No matter how hard you try, good works CANNOT save you. If you've told even a teeny white lie just one in your life, you are a liar, and therefore a sinner, and you will be held accountable on judgement day. Let's say you were caught doing 100mph where the speed limit is 35. You wouldn't go to court and say, "I know I broke the law, but can't you just let it slide?" God won't let you slide, either. But, Jesus already paid your fine, and so if you believe in him, you won't have to pay.

Yeah, but my point is that first of all the basis for believing that is faith and faith alone. There is no rational reason to believe that Jesus died for your sins. You also don't account for all the people that lived and died who have never even heard of Jesus Christ, let alone got a chance to decide whether or not to believe in Him or not.

Doesn't seem like a very secure system to me. Too much of it is based on irrationality and chance. Should sombody go to Hell just because they were born in a part of the world untouched by Christianity? Should sombody go to Hell because they didn't think it was rational to put blind faith into a prophet just because it was written down somwhere that he should without any relevant factual evidence?

Seems to me like lots of decent people can end up suffering for eternity just because the system to prevent said suffering was fundamentally flawed. What kind of all-good merciful God would make such a flawed system? It doesn't make any sense.

[Reinna Astarel]

"She didn't cry out, thereby the rapist's victim is in the wrong"?

What kind of idiotic bullshit is that?

Sorry, do you not know the affects that shock and trauma has on some people? People freeze, their minds shut down- it wouldn't be surprising if something like that happened during a violation like rape. Not to mention, there's also the fact that some rapists restrain and gag their victims, or threaten them with death or great harm if they make noise, or struggle.


Obviously, rape victims that were gagged, or threatened with death aren't victims at all. Immoral sluts. rolleyes

God cares about the victim, my a**.

[Kamelliah]

Quote:

God does care about the victim, but in this situation, she was not a victim. A victim would obviously cry out for help, but she let him do it. Therefore, she also sinned, by letting him, and they were both immoral. The reason God wanted them stoned is because once people see that you DIE for these sins, they will not do it EVER and so sin would be rare among God's people.
I mean think about it – if you are about to be raped, you are going to cry out for help unless you want it to happen! Especially if you are married.




I hope you all understand now that God DOES care about a rape victim. God created us in His image, and we have the same emotions and compassion He does. He IS love, and never wants us to hurt.

Maybe she tried to scream but her attacker covered her mouth or had a knife on her and threatened to kill her if she made any noise, maybe she was mute, maybe she really did scream like hell but everyone around was too busy, too scared, or too preoccupied to help. There are many other maybes I could list. Also, what about those women who were dragged outside the city where no one would hear? There are numerous possible circumstances. Are you honestly saying that you believe that if a woman is raped it is her fault regardless of the circumstances. That's just sick and completely wrong. If a person gets murdered do we blame the murderer or the one who was murdered? We blame the murderer. Same goes if someone is raped. The one who did the raping is the one to blame not the one who was raped. If God "IS love" then he should take the circumstances of the rape into account. this post of yours just shows your ignorance about what rape really is and what it really does to a person mentally, physically, and emotionally.

[Vhellus]

According to God if a girl is not a virgin and not married she should be killed? Yet he cares nothing if the male is virgin.

What a loving sexist God.

[Kamelliah]

Tarquin Aluclaire

[.L.O.S.E.R.]

No one is perfect except for God. Every human being that has lived on this Earth except for Jesus has sinned, and Jesus didn't because he was both human and divine at the same time. It says clearly that the wages of sin is death. You sin, you die. Period. Jesus never sinned, but he was killed. He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Before Jesus, you had to sacrifice a lamb, ox, goat, etc. to pay for your sin. Jesus was the final sacrifice. His blood covered all our sins. All we have to do is believe in the saving power of his blood and we too become clean. Our sins are washed away. No matter how hard you try, good works CANNOT save you. If you've told even a teeny white lie just one in your life, you are a liar, and therefore a sinner, and you will be held accountable on judgement day. Let's say you were caught doing 100mph where the speed limit is 35. You wouldn't go to court and say, "I know I broke the law, but can't you just let it slide?" God won't let you slide, either. But, Jesus already paid your fine, and so if you believe in him, you won't have to pay.

Yeah, but my point is that first of all the basis for believing that is faith and faith alone. There is no rational reason to believe that Jesus died for your sins. You also don't account for all the people that lived and died who have never even heard of Jesus Christ, let alone got a chance to decide whether or not to believe in Him or not.

Doesn't seem like a very secure system to me. Too much of it is based on irrationality and chance. Should sombody go to Hell just because they were born in a part of the world untouched by Christianity? Should sombody go to Hell because they didn't think it was rational to put blind faith into a prophet just because it was written down somwhere that he should without any relevant factual evidence?

Seems to me like lots of decent people can end up suffering for eternity just because the system to prevent said suffering was fundamentally flawed. What kind of all-good merciful God would make such a flawed system? It doesn't make any sense.

Agreed, how can someone be damned simply for never hearing about the existence of a particular person. And what about all the people who came before Jesus or before Christianity or the bible? Personally if God is that bigoted and egocentric to damn all those people to hell simply because they were ignorant I would rather go to hell. Why does a loving god need to be so selective. and don't forget that it is ETERNAL damnation one faces. Which also doesn't make sense. After all if your child does something wrong you don't put them on time out for the rest of their lives, only for a few minutes. So while I could grasp the idea of temporary damnation as punishment I fail to see how eternal damnation is a sign that God is "all loving"

[[.L.O.S.E.R.]]

Zalbag_Beoulve: I don't know what other explanation you'd need. If you're thinking of the same verses as me, then it's pretty clear.

Tarquin Aluclaire: there's a perfectly rational reason to believe Jesus died for my sins. Jesus is my best friend, and I believe Him. I know that sounds childish and silly to you, but God is the most rational thing in my life. I've heard God speak, and I know he's real. I take it on faith, just like I take it on faith that my breakfast cereal is not poisoned, or that the surgeon is actually going to make me better. The evidence for God is all around. But the system is not flawed. In fact, Paul answered your question long ago in his letter to the church at Rome (aka the book of Romans).

Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

In these verses, Paul makes it clear that God has revealed himself to all people through his creation. Everyone has an inner sense of what God requires. God uses missionaries to bring people the special message of how Jesus died for us, and that's why it's so important for every Christian to share the good news. If people don't accept, well, they'll have to explain that to God on judgement day.

[Remmington700]

gsusfreek

ok, so I couldn't find the other discussion, but it is still me, gsusfreek, answering the questions. I received this one and I have to admittt, I was stumped for a while. But then I asked for help from someone at my church, and he explained it this way:

{(Deuteronomy 22:28-29)



If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.



What kind of lunatic would make a rape victim marry her attacker? Answer: God.}

Back then a woman was stoned if she was an adulteress. This was the CULTURE that a woman who had had sex without marriage was without honor irregardless of the circumstances, therefore it was more honorable in their culture that he go ahead and marry her, because they were both seen already. So it’s not that this was God’s perfect will, but because of man’s sin, this was the way it had to be, otherwise she could never marry.

DesecratedFlame

{(Deuteronomy 22:23-24 NAB)



If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife.



It is clear that God doesn't give a d@mn about the rape victim. He is only concerned about the violation of another mans "property".}

God does care about the victim, but in this situation, she was not a victim. A victim would obviously cry out for help, but she let him do it. Therefore, she also sinned, by letting him, and they were both immoral. The reason God wanted them stoned is because once people see that you DIE for these sins, they will not do it EVER and so sin would be rare among God's people.
I mean think about it – if you are about to be raped, you are going to cry out for help unless you want it to happen! Especially if you are married.




I hope you all understand now that God DOES care about a rape victim. God created us in His image, and we have the same emotions and compassion He does. He IS love, and never wants us to hurt.

What bullshit. This barbaric tribal god could have demanded that his follower follow MODERN day thinking and values on his people with the same values as we have on society. Don't use that "times were different or that was thier culture" excuse. That god could have had thier culture and values changed but he didnt. Want to know why? Becuase he didnt exist and the priests were just pushing the same basic s**t as many other tribal gods. They kept cultural values back in the bronze age instead of modern day enlightened thinking.

[Squishy121888]

gsusfreek

ok, so I couldn't find the other discussion, but it is still me, gsusfreek, answering the questions. I received this one and I have to admittt, I was stumped for a while. But then I asked for help from someone at my church, and he explained it this way:

{(Deuteronomy 22:28-29)



If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.



What kind of lunatic would make a rape victim marry her attacker? Answer: God.}

Back then a woman was stoned if she was an adulteress. This was the CULTURE that a woman who had had sex without marriage was without honor irregardless of the circumstances, therefore it was more honorable in their culture that he go ahead and marry her, because they were both seen already. So it’s not that this was God’s perfect will, but because of man’s sin, this was the way it had to be, otherwise she could never marry.

DesecratedFlame

{(Deuteronomy 22:23-24 NAB)



If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife.



It is clear that God doesn't give a d@mn about the rape victim. He is only concerned about the violation of another mans "property".}

God does care about the victim, but in this situation, she was not a victim. A victim would obviously cry out for help, but she let him do it. Therefore, she also sinned, by letting him, and they were both immoral. The reason God wanted them stoned is because once people see that you DIE for these sins, they will not do it EVER and so sin would be rare among God's people.
I mean think about it – if you are about to be raped, you are going to cry out for help unless you want it to happen! Especially if you are married.




I hope you all understand now that God DOES care about a rape victim. God created us in His image, and we have the same emotions and compassion He does. He IS love, and never wants us to hurt.

Read the Bible in the original language. It specifies a woman is property and roughly equivalent to an expensive sheep.

Never wants us to hurt? No, read the OT, he wants the non-Jews to hurt, and in the NT Version, he wants to destroy the earth [Read Luke, and Revelations]

[[.L.O.S.E.R.]]

Comeback Kid

According to God if a girl is not a virgin and not married she should be killed? Yet he cares nothing if the male is virgin.

What a loving sexist God.

I think you mean to say the male is NOT a virgin. Please provide a specific quote. You'll probably have to go back to the old testament to find it, and search the old law which was just the temporary fix until it was time for Jesus to come...

Kamelliah

And what about all the people who came before Jesus or before Christianity or the bible?

Once again, they were saved by the old, outdated law that no longer binds us.

I don't think you guys are quite getting this concept. God is perfect and God is just. If you do the crime, you do the time. With Adam and Eve's original sin, we were all made sinful, and so without (in the old testament) the law or (once He came to Earth, died and rose again) Jesus to interecede for us, we would all be doomed to eternal death, aka Hell. The only way to get back the eternal life with God that we would have had if we weren't sinners is by the shedding of innocent blood. Since no human is innocent, your own blood will not do. In the old testament, lambs were used. Jesus came as the final sacrifice, and his blood covers everyone, should we choose to believe.

[Tarquin Aluclaire]

[.L.O.S.E.R.]

Zalbag_Beoulve: I don't know what other explanation you'd need. If you're thinking of the same verses as me, then it's pretty clear.

Tarquin Aluclaire: there's a perfectly rational reason to believe Jesus died for my sins. Jesus is my best friend, and I believe Him. I know that sounds childish and silly to you, but God is the most rational thing in my life. I've heard God speak, and I know he's real. I take it on faith, just like I take it on faith that my breakfast cereal is not poisoned, or that the surgeon is actually going to make me better. The evidence for God is all around. But the system is not flawed. In fact, Paul answered your question long ago in his letter to the church at Rome (aka the book of Romans).

Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

In these verses, Paul makes it clear that God has revealed himself to all people through his creation. Everyone has an inner sense of what God requires. God uses missionaries to bring people the special message of how Jesus died for us, and that's why it's so important for every Christian to share the good news. If people don't accept, well, they'll have to explain that to God on judgement day.

Now you are making God sound like a bad girlfriend. Many people don't take subtle hints very well. It sounds like a VERY BAD IDEA to have something as important as the fate of my eternal soul be reliant on whether or not I pick up on God's subtle hints.

As for creation being fantastic, take a look at quantum physics. They have already proved teleportation of energy particles is theoretically possible, as is time travel. Now some scientists claimed to have found a substance that bends light around its self essentially making cloaking possible. Science, the natural laws the universe works by, have explained and showed me far more practical benefits than blind faith has. The Universe is a beautiful and wondrous thing, but that doesn't have anything to do with "Don't believe in Jesus? Hell for you!"

I do believe in God, but I don't believe in the proposed Christian system since it is obviously flawed. Now don't get me wrong, this Jesus guy sounds cool. All the best parts of the Bible are about him (the Gospels) but seriously, I can't believe that God would be such a hardass as to make only one viable path to salvation.

And another thing, I don't KNOW that my breakfast cereal has not been poisoned. Maybe sombody at the factory went nuts and started poisoning random boxes of Cheerios. What I do know is that it is unlikely that my cereal is poisoned and when weighing the odds I am better off enjoying a tasty breakfast and taking the small risk than skipping the meal. Likewise, I know that statistically my surgeon is going to make me healthy again, but I could very well die of complications. However, I play the odds and will likely get through the operation.

Now, as for faith in God, it seems that you really only get to meet God or an Angel or Jesus in person if you die. Have you ever died before? Do you know anyone who has ever died before, completely brain dead, then came back and told you "Jesus says hi" because I sure haven't. I have eaten many bowls of Cheerios and have known many people who have underwent surgery. I can tell you that those are statistically safe endeavors because I speak from experience or research. Since neither of us know any resurrected people, we can't know rationally what the afterlife holds. So how is believing in something directly tied to that afterlife, be it anything, rational? The simple answer is that is ISN'T rational. My belief in God is very irrational, as is yours.

My point is, what kind of God would make entry into Heaven based on being irrational? Sounds like a silly system to me.

[Vhellus]

[.L.O.S.E.R.]

Comeback Kid

According to God if a girl is not a virgin and not married she should be killed? Yet he cares nothing if the male is virgin.

What a loving sexist God.

I think you mean to say the male is NOT a virgin. Please provide a specific quote. You'll probably have to go back to the old testament to find it, and search the old law which was just the temporary fix until it was time for Jesus to come...

Kamelliah

And what about all the people who came before Jesus or before Christianity or the bible?

Once again, they were saved by the old, outdated law that no longer binds us.

I don't think you guys are quite getting this concept. God is perfect and God is just. If you do the crime, you do the time. With Adam and Eve's original sin, we were all made sinful, and so without (in the old testament) the law or (once He came to Earth, died and rose again) Jesus to interecede for us, we would all be doomed to eternal death, aka Hell. The only way to get back the eternal life with God that we would have had if we weren't sinners is by the shedding of innocent blood. Since no human is innocent, your own blood will not do. In the old testament, lambs were used. Jesus came as the final sacrifice, and his blood covers everyone, should we choose to believe.

Yes, thanks for the correction.

It's simple enough, read that whole chapter in Deuteronomy. It mentions nothing of men.

It says if a woman is not a virgin she shall be killed. Why not mention if a person is not a virgin they shall be killed?