EMW

What about the large number of people that aren't responsible, and because of their carelessness or ignorance worsen the problem? Should steps be taken to take care of that?

Neighborhood Studios wrote:What about the large number of people that aren't responsible, and because of their carelessness or ignorance worsen the problem? Should steps be taken to take care of that?

Carelessness = responsible.

In a perfect world, everyone would wait until marriage and have sex with only one person. Then again, in a perfect world, there wouldn't be disease.

This isn't a perfect world. STDs have existed for longer than the Bible has. Looks like the steps to be taken are contraceptives and testing.

Looks like the steps to be taken are contraceptives and testing.

But contraceptives don't block the transmission of STDs.

Neighborhood Studios wrote:

Looks like the steps to be taken are contraceptives and testing.

But contraceptives don't block the transmission of STDs.

Much more so than no protection.

As Christians, we believe the Bible to be the Word of God, and the basis for determining what is right and wrong. We believe the Bible to be infallible and timeless, and a guide for all of humnanity throughout time. His Words are not suggestions or a smorgasborg in which one can pick and choose what they want to believe and follow, but every word is from God and to be taken as holy. If one does not believe the foregoing that is fine, but that person should at least understand that this is the basic belief of most conservative Christians. Christians are called to be lights to the world (e.g. Matthew 5:14-16) meaning that we are to show the world the pathway to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, and also to communicate God's Word, which includes guidelines on what is right and wrong. Living one's life according to God's Word produces many good results and can eliminate many bad. For example, not having premarital sex would:
a) Greatly reduce need for abortions due to unwanted pregnancies
b) Greatly reduce std's
c) Produce many less broken hearts due to people dating because they truly care for someone, and not just so they can coax them into sex

The Bible also teaches we should follow many other behaviors that would have obvious benefits if many of us truly followed them:
-Love your neighbor as yourself
-Bless your enemies
-Don't lie
-Don't steal
-Don't murder
-Don't commit adultery
-Be respectful to your parents
-Be understanding with one's children
And, the most important, share God's Word with the world

There are some Christians who go over the line, but one should not condemn the many for the actions of the few. Christians are called to share God's Word with love (sometimes tough love, but love nevertheless).

However, if we really think about this, Christianity in and of itself is an attack on all other religions. Christianity is the belief in the one true God, and all other religions, by definition, are in opposition to God's Word. Therefore, whenever God's Word is shared in public, it is per se an attack on all other religions. And when one is believing a lie, when faced with the truth will feel threatened, especially since deep down those who are rejecting the Lord know deep down that they are wrong, and are choosing to lead their lives in opposition to Him.

It is fine for others to feel that Christians are attacking other religions if their feeling is based on the words being shared. But, it is not fine if others feel that a Christian is attacking others when God's Word is being shared in an unloving and abusive manner.

alright i think i understand that...and agree
BUT if you really study islam, christianity, and judaism, we are all worshiping the same God..we may call him by different names, and we think some prophets are more important than others, and some prophets dont even have any significance in others, but all in all its the same god.

As for Christianity and Judaism, we are worshipping the same God, but the Jews did not recognize the Messiah when He came, and are still looking for Him to come. As the Bible states, if you do not honor Jesus Christ, the Son, then you are not honoring God (cf. John 5:22-23).

However, as for all other religions, especially Isalm, they are not worshipping the same God. If I walk outside and pick up a rock and call it God, does that now mean I am worshipping the same God as the Christians--of course not. Using Islam as an example, if one truly looks into who their god really is, they would realize that he is definitely not the God of the Bible. I can give a long list, but the one over-riding difference is that Islam does not recognize Jesus Christ as the only Son of God. Allah did not come down in human form and die for our sins. In Islam, Jesus Christ is only recognized as one of cast of many prophets.

Even with Christianity, there are many cults that try to disquise themselves as being Christian based. The best way to always ferrot out a non-Christian group is to see who they say Jesus Christ is. The Bible is very clear on our Savior, Jesus Christ:
1) He is the only Son of God
2) He came to earth as a real man
3) He died on the Cross for our sins,and rose again the third day
4) He is the only Way through which to obtain salvation
5) He is equal with God
Any belief structure that misses even one of these points is per se not a Christian belief

Please do not be deceived by the other religions or those people that will tell you that all roads lead to God. This sounds nice, and can give false comfort to those who would just like us all to end up in heaven together. It is just not true. One can choose to believe, sincerely believe, that if they jump off a twenty-story building landing that they will not be harmed. They can read books on the subject that support their belief. They can come into contact with groups of people that support their belief. They can have the sincerest trust and belief that this is truth. But, the truth is that if they do choose to jump off a twenty-story building, then they will die. All roads do not lead to God and salvation, only one. The road to salvation is a narrow one, and sadly the wide road leads to not such a nice place.

"“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

so bradley im pretty much agreeing with u...
im a catholic...so to that list i would add that the eucharist is jesus' body and blood....
what denomination are u? what are your beliefs?

So do you believe that unless you are Christian or Jew, you will not be saved?

ok this whole "saved" concept i dont agree with.
i know that some forms or christianity have people who say "o i was saved when i was 17 when this and this happened" or whatever..
we are "saved" our whole lives. from the moment of conception we are saved. i mean thats the whole point for jesus dying on the cross.

"saved" as in able to go to heaven.

To Vswimslfy

I consider myself "non-denominational." I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and my beliefs are 100% based on His Word. In each denomination, including Catholicism, I have found certain traditions are added to the different denominations that are not biblical and to which I do not agree; therefore, I do not point to any one denomination to define my beliefs. If you want to get an idea of my beliefs, you could say that I am conservative evangelical. Jesus pointed to such a problem with man-made traditions getting in the way of true beliefs, "He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.'") (Mark 7:9) Some of my friends are of different denominations, and almost without exception when I show them absolute proof in the Scriptures regarding one the traditions in their denominations that is not biblical, they are blinded with the teachings of their denominations, and will actually believe their denominations doctrine/dogma over God's Word.

As for the Eucharist being the blood of Christ, I do not believe that to be true. I believe Jesus was being symbolic when He referred to the bread and wine being his flesh and blood. The mere fact that Jesus was still alive and standing there when making this statement points to the fact that He was holding up these items and saying to see them as symbolic--since He had not died yet as of this first communion, then they were not His literal flesh or blood. And, no matter which way one interprets this verse, it would not affect who they believe Jesus Christ to be and their salvation.

Hope to hear more from you

To vswimsfly and Neighborhood Studios.

Obviously, you are free to have any belief regarding salvation. And actually, it is the Christian belief that only those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be able to enter heaven. Believing their is a God, believing that Jesus Christ existed, believing He was the Sone of God, believing He died for our sins, believing He rose again the third day, and believing He is the only way to heaven will not save a person. As James wrote in His epistle, "believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" (James 2:19) Mere belief does not save someone--as James states, the demons have a much stronger belief in the existance of God and Jesus, but they obviously are not saved. Why?--Because they are opposed to Him and His work of salvation. To be saved, one my accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, give their life to Him, and accept the free gift of salvation--none of us deserve or can earn salvation, but have access to the free gift through the Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, which was all sufficient for us. This is why He said on the Cross, "It is finished." All the work was done and finished by Him, and all we need to do is accept.

So, you can believe that you can enter heaven without Jesus, but you will not like the ultimate outcome of that belief. I would take a look at your current belief structure, and then determine its foundation. What is supporting your beliefs? If it is only what you would like it to be, or what feels right to you, that is a very weak foundation. Be absolutely sure in decision on what to believe, since it is literally the most important decision you will make in your life. I look to the Word of God for my belief, and I see the prophecies in this book (many very detailed prophecies that have been 100% accurate) as the proof that this book is truly God's Word. I feel 100% secure in my beliefs. How about you?

agreed.
but i also believe that if a person lives a good life and never knew god...maybe never had parents to raise them up in the church or whatever....i believe that our god is merciful enough and good enough to let them a chance to heaven. maybe he sends them to purgatory maybe he does something else. but i dont think god would just let them go to hell...

but i dont think god would just let them go to hell...

I do find it hard to believe that our God would allow 66-75% of the world to go to hell because they don't practice His faith...