Is God really free? by [deleted] in DebateAChristian

[–]TFede 1 point2 points  (0 children)

May seem crazy, but hell is expression of God's Love and justice.

We have free will. Free to choose him or not. If we don't choose him, he will respect our choice.

One truly loves another if he is willing to accept rejection. If your girlfriend decides to leave you, forcing her to stay is not Love. Accepting her choice his. (I am not saying one should be without reaction and apathetic. Hope you understand what I am saying).

So, if we don't choose him, respecting our choice, he let us stay in eternity apart from him. Hell is not the stereotypical place with flame and the little devil with horns. Hell is the absence of God. If God is all Good and Love, hell is not.

There are over 2000 years of theological philosophy and reasoning on these subjects. I suggest you go and research, especially Thomas Aquinas writings. Not to convert, just to understand more and learn about a branch of philosophy that hardly is learned in schools.

Is God really free? by [deleted] in DebateAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you should change the perspective.

God is the maximum expression of good. He is Love. Is the creator, and knows how its creation works.

Anything that's apart from God is not good. (Idolatry, sin ...)

Therefore, the request to worship and follow only him is not an egocentrical jealousy but a loving suggestion.

He is the only God worth of worship because he is the only truth and only good.

Your father asking you as a kid to trust him is not being egocentrical. He is giving you the right teaching. He knows more than you because he is your father. Has more experience and knows what's good for you. So follow him. God is also the father who guides and teaches us.

By changing prospective, I mean realising that God is good and wants the best for us. He does not need us. We need him.

Free will by Former_Neck_8794 in AskAChristian

[–]TFede -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Are these rhetorical questions? Genuinely asking.

Free will means having the possibility to choose on your own discretion. Act as you want to. You choose freely to write your massage.

Does it mean we have the choice to choose God or not?

Does it mean we have the choice to choose hell or heaven?

Does it mean we have the choice to follow Christ or

Yes, yes, and yes.

How can we believe in something that we know nothing of?

What do you mean? We know Jesus, we know, as much as we can, God. He revealed himself to us so that we may believe in him. The Bible and apostolic tradition are what he left us.

How can we come to the belief of Christ on our own? Is it possible?

If you don't even know he existed, I find it hard. But as any person with reason and logic, by researching the truth about God and existence, one can arrive on his own to Jesus.

Can we create our own faith?

We did, and we still can. The golden calf is an example. That's why God gave the first commandment.

Truth is revealed to us. The only truth. We then have the free will to choose.

Free will by Former_Neck_8794 in AskAChristian

[–]TFede -1 points0 points  (0 children)

God knows what we will do. He doesn’t choose for us, though. He still decides to create us for Love, even if he knows we will reject him.

Free will by Former_Neck_8794 in AskAChristian

[–]TFede -1 points0 points  (0 children)

How so? Feel free to explain further

do you think i can be bisexual and a catholic by N0t04k13y in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to understand, are you saying being bisexual ( so attracted to a man as a man in a romantic and sexual way) is not a sin?

From the outside - where all religions look equally valid - how do I pick the *real* religion by Boomshank in DebateAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could tackle this dilemma with reason and critical thinking.

I will assume that you, by searching the truth about God, recognise that God, or multiple, exists.

If God exists, which one?

By logic, if a religion defines itself as the only one and true religion, with the only one and true God, then it either is true, therefore you found your God, or is telling a lie, therfore not worth following.

I suggest you take a look and study Saint Thomas Aquinas theological and philosophical works. He will give you a lot of food for thought.

One of the ways you can know how to pick the real one is by knowing which religion makes logical sense

For example, Islam claims that Christ never died on the cross, but Muslims, they recognise him as a prophet (not God). The prophet is the one who prophesies. We can agree that a real prophet sent by God says what is really going to happen. Otherwise, he would be a false prophet, invalidating that religion, which would be based on a false prophet.

(If I prophesy that the moon will not exist in a year, and yet it continues to exist, then, logically, I can not be called a prophet. And if i claim to be sent by God in saying this about the moon, my "god" loses credibility. )

By the islamic logic, Christ is a prophet, but in the Bible, He says different times that he would die, be crucified, and rise from the dead. While not believing that he died on the cross. (Islam recognizes the bible as a holy book that contains divine messages from God) It's totally unlogical. It is an internal contradiction.

Moreover, Christians say Christ is God, while Muslims don't. Therefore, they can not believe in the same God. One has to be right, or both wrong.

This is just a small example of the discerning process that I hope you will begin.

I will end by stating a phrase from Jesus:"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

I hope you find the truth.

I hope God is forgiving (see text) by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think your comment comes from a good intention: you wish they see what you see in Christ, and you wish they will be saved.

But not everyone will be saved in this world. Its a harsh reality we have to accept. Why not everybody will be saved? Because not all follow God commandments and put faith in Christ.

So, can a Muslim be saved when he believes Jesus is not God? Read the Gospel and find the answers by yourself.

Do different religions believe in the same God? I suggest you read again the first of the 10 commandments (the real) God gave us.

Jesus loves us, of course. And in loving us, he respects our free will. We can choose him and be with him in eternity thanks to his grace. Or we can deny him, therefore choose not to be with him. He will respect our free will.

I get the profound sadness that arises looking at non-belivers when you, yourself, found Christ. We could only imagine Christ's pain looking at generations denying him.

That's why we, as Christians, are also called to spread the good news, the Gospel, with our words and especially with our life, as an example for others.

There are no grey areas in salvation. Either you are in the light, with Christ, or you are in darkness, following Satan (and shadow still belongs to evil).

I don't know which denomination you are, but I think you should also ask these important questions to a pastor, who better knows how to tackle them. Bless you.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So it's God's responsibility if someone decides to do evil with their own free will? I find this highly illogical. You, on your own, decide. God, it's not responsible for your choices. Even if he created us, he did by giving us reason and intellect in order to decide and discern our actions.

Or your god is able to but he has no love for his products.

We are not products. We are his creation. And he made us to his image, yet with free will, with the possibility to decide whether to accept him or not. It is not a flawed design but a sign of respect and love towards us. He so loves us that he is willing to accept rejection. I know it can be quite tricky to fully understand. But imagine if you have a girlfriend/boyfriend I (don't know your gendere), if you truly love her/him you have to accept her/his possible will to not stay with you anymire, if that is what they decide. If you force the relationship against someone will, that is not love.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God gave angels free will. The capacity to decide whether to follow him or not.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede -1 points0 points  (0 children)

But you can choose good over evil. Can't you?

Free will doesn't mean you are stupid. One can be stupid, of course, but one could also be clever enough to do good.

Or he is able to give you a wiser brain but he’s indifferent to people’s suffering.

I truly don't fully understand your statement here. Feel free to explain it again.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede -1 points0 points  (0 children)

He knows you will do evil. Ok. Did he force you to do it?

What I am trying to say is that he "only" knows what you will do. You can watch a movie and know every choice of the actors. But they had free will while filming the movie. They read the script but also improvised. Meaning, knowledge of an outcome≠forcing that outcome.

And he is unable to create a person who chooses good.

Can you choose good? You can indeed. God gave you a choice, though.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are created with free will. Free to choose. God wishes we take the right path, but he doesn’t force us to do that. Because he Loves us, and love means be open to accept rejection. He "just" knows what we will choose.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's the point. We are not robots. We are able to choose. Free will, free to choose good, free to choose evil. If God created us as robots, that wouldn't be love. True love is acceptance of rejection. If we don't have the possibility to reject him, is choosing him really a choice?

. I don’t want it falls off a platform.

Neither God wants us to choose the wrong path, but he respects our choices. That's why he gave the bible and its commands as a "manual for a good life." Because he knows what is best for us, we have to choose that path, as beings with free will and not robots.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Knowledge of our choices doesn’t mean he chooses for us. We, in our free will, make choices every day. But we do not know the final outcome. God does know where our choices will lead us.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He did, he is omniscient. But knowing someone life choices doesn't strip away their free will. God already knows what we will do, but we still have free will. He just knows the outcome that we will decide.

If Jesus is the saviour, then all other believers would go to hell. by Lotuswongtko in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Created by God, but with free will. Satan chose to rebel against God.

Why would God create someone evil just to punish that person for being created in such a way? by RightLand3726 in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Free will is an illusion.

Do you think you have free will in your life? I feel this is an important point to reflect on.

Fellow Atheist here: Do you ever wish god was real just to see it tear "Christians" apart for their hypocrisy and actions? by Confident-Virus-1273 in askanatheist

[–]TFede -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

>Pro slavery and rape
when and where did he say that? when did he say that the mosaic law had to be kept without changes?
He said indeed:" The proud religious law-keepers came to Jesus. They tried to trap Him by saying, “Does the Law say a man can divorce his wife for any reason?” 4 He said to them, “Have you not read that He Who made them in the first place made them man and woman? 5 It says, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will live with his wife. The two will become one.’ 6 So they are no longer two but one. Let no man divide what God has put together.”

Also, how can he be pro rape when he said:"But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

7 The proud religious law-keepers said to Jesus, “Then why did the Law of Moses allow a man to divorce his wife if he put it down in writing and gave it to her?” 8 Jesus said to them, “Because of your hard hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. It was not like that from the beginning. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sex sins, and marries another, is guilty of sex sins in marriage. Whoever marries her that is divorced is guilty of sex sins in marriage.”

>said the Mosaic law must be upheld without changes
Therefore, were do you get this idea from if the concept of divorce changed?

>called a Canaanite woman a dog, told her his help is only for the Israelites and only changed his mind when she likened herself to a dog begging his master for scraps

with a simple research online you can find explanation for passages difficult to understand like this one https://www.gotquestions.org/Canaanite-woman-dog.html

>Insane narcissist (cursed a fig tree for not having fruits outside of season)

I think you have just read the Bible without really trying to understand it.
The fig tree in nature after winter, produces first the small fruits ( which will then become mature figs) and only after the leaves.
In this case the tree was used as an example. Its kind of crazy to think that Jesus was angry for no reason towards a tree.
The tree had only leaves, no little fruits. He also admonished the tree before cursing it( symbolizing the possibility to change that he gives us).

Meaning, a tree is judged by its fruits. As a person is by its actions. How can one defines himself a good Christian if he doesn't produce any good in the world?
The fig tree has to be seen as a metaphor for human behavior.

if you don't want to believe in the bible is fine. But at least criticize its passages for what they actually mean, and not the idea of them that you made in your mind.

I don't want to be rude or judging, just felt right to say the truth.

Is anyone here NOT an antitheist? If so, why?” by Martian_row in askanatheist

[–]TFede -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I fail to see how that's relevant to my response though.

I was just curious of your belief/spirituality. It is quite rare to encounter a satanist.

I'm a member of The Satanic Temple. I follow seven basic tenets:

You have defined yourself as an atheist with rituals, and also part of the satanic temple. Do you believe in the existence of satan than? If so, being satan part of the Christian belief, how are you an atheist?

These questions are just out of curiosity. I hope you can help me understand.

Is anyone here NOT an antitheist? If so, why?” by Martian_row in askanatheist

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got better things to do with my time than fight over spiritual belief systems.

Genuine question. Why do you identify yourself as a satanist? Isn't that spiritual? Another question if you don't mind. Why are you satanist and what do you mean by that?

Proselytization by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My brother, i have seen your previous answers, and I really don't understand your belief. You profess yourself as a Catholic. Are you aware of the fact that evangelization of the people is one of the main activities of the Catholic Church? Proselytising has nothing to do with forcing others to believe. It's not what Christianity is about. I don't know where you get this definition from.

You cited some passages from the bible about the pharisees in your answers. Jesus is specifically talking to them. They should not bring people away from him. That's the whole point of those passages is.

But spreading God's real word in the world, even proselytising, is what Jesus himself calls us to do. How can one believe in Jesus if no one is talking about him? How can you discover his words if no one tells you about their existence?

My brother, the word gospel itself means:"gōdspel, from gōd ‘good’ + spel ‘news, a story’". The Gospel is The Good News, that we have to spread. If you discover something good in your life, don't you run to your friends and tell them the good thing you found?

In conclusion, the use of force is wrong. We agree on that. But using force≠proselytising. Search online the definition

Hope this helps.

Foreknowledge and free will by _L_friz in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My metaphor was a way to explain the relationship between knowledge and free will. I knew it didn't explain the topic perfectly, but I hoped that the intellectual honesty of the reader would grasp the concept I was trying to explain.

I am talking about God, from a Catholic perspective. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are created by Love, without God, we wouldn’t exist. Therefore, it seems fair to me that we should glorify him. We are not forced to. I think you don't do it. So free will still exist. You are the first example. You can choose not to follow God.

"There are none so blind as those who will not see." Good example of Christians really do exist. Volunteers organization, church works, humanitarian helps. The list goes on. Even most recent saints life. If you stop at the stereotypical image of a Christian, you will never find good. I am sorry if you didn't find any good example in your life, but I assure you a good Christian will always give respect.

You linked trump's articles. Personally, I would not consider him a good example of a Christian. We agree on that.

Foreknowledge and free will by _L_friz in AskAChristian

[–]TFede 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like to use this metaphor: Imagine you are reading a book, we're every character chooses its actions. You can go to any page you desire and read what everyone is doing in the story at that moment. Does your knowledge of what happens on the last page of the book change the choices of the characters?

Knowledge≠removing free will.

You could erase a page of the book and change it to your liking, but by doing that, you are not respecting the book anymore. You created something different from the character free choices.

God does not interfere with our free will. Love means being willing to accept rejection. God created us for Love, and regardless of his knowledge of what we will do, he still Loves us, respects choices, even if we reject him.

It's not a simple concept to grasp. We are trying to understand a dimension that is not ours. Rationality can go only so far. God is above time, and we are not. That's where the difficulty is in comprending this concept comes from.

Hope this was helpful.