focused48

What exactly is the original sin? Are we born with it or do we acquire it at a certain age? I don't really understand it and no one seems to be able to give a really good answer.

Whatever the definition, it has to be one of the most absurd concepts associated with this nonsensical religion. Supposedly someone can live their entire life sin-free and still not get into heaven just because they did not accept Jesus (or did not get his message because of a geographic divide).

DBT

Gawdawful

Originally posted by Furyus George
Have you never forgiven a debt owed you by a friend or family member?

Yes, but I didn't have myself flogged and nailed to a board in order to forgive that debt. Forgiving is just allowing transgressions to pass without response. You'd think the ultimate cosmic power would have that capability.

Originally posted by Furyus George
God wants friends.

Your god sounds a bit incomplete and insecure. If he would just get right with himself, he wouldn't need anyone else to feel whole.


Warren in Oklahoma

sakrilege

Well, from my experience, since I am separated from god now, hell isn's bad, I can live with the separation quite happily, thank you.

southernhybrid

Sure I have done so and I've done so without any conditions attached. The concept behind *conservative* Xianity seems to be, I'll forgive you if you love me and promise to believe what I say regardless of the evidence. When I forgive someone, there are no strings attached. If only Jesus could be more like so-hy I might have more respect for him.

Mentalepsy

Forgiven it? Yes. Repaid it, as Magus claims? No.

The lack of evidence makes it look true?

If I want to make friends, I don't sit in the back and cover my face.

In what ways is it obvious that the Bible is true?

Really? You believe the Bible is true, don't you? Do you therefore not really want forgiveness, but just want to avoid hell? Why does increasing certainty imply different motivation? Are nonbelievers the only ones who can truly want forgiveness?

No, he does not. Punishing the innocent for the crimes of another is NOT justice.

And what criteria is that? Only someone who never sinned is allowed to be punished for sin? How exactly does that make sense?

Why does seperation from God imply going to hell? Why can't he just eradicate my existence, or send me to an alternate heaven with no God there?

This is making even less sense now. If the punishment for sin is seperation for God, then why is it that God himself is the only one who can be punished? On the contrary, it appears to me that he would be the only one who could not be punished! How can God be seperated from himself? And even if it was possible, why is Jesus not seperated from God right now?

nixon

DBT, your definition for original sin is off the mark because the serpent must have already sinned in order to induce that sin to the original humans.

Furyus George

Sin is an archery term meaning "to miss the mark." We humans miss the mark when it comes to perfection. We miss the mark from birth because we are tainted by Adam's sin; one bad apple spoils the bunch.

Key word supposedly. No one lives a sin-free life. Perhaps you are familiar with Jesus' teachings about how one commits adultery simply by lusting in one's heart or how one commits murder by calling another fool. By that standard, I dare say no one can get through a morning without damning themselves repeatedly. I've been a Christian for 14 years and hey, never mind the debauchery I committed prior to that, just this morning at church I "missed the mark."

You are right about one thing, though: Jesus is the only way.

Furyus George, relying on Christ

Furyus George

Fortunately, sak, you aren't separated from God right now. You simply have your back turned to Him. Since He is Creator and Sustainer, everything from the heat of the sun to the breath in your lungs can be considered under His control.

The thought of real separation ~ God turning His back to you ~ is a frightening thought indeed.

Furyus George, thankful

nixon

I God really is the sustainer, then if God did abandon you, wouldn't you just cease to exist? You know...just like most atheists think you will anyway.