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Hey Pandas, What Is Something You’ve Always Wanted To Ask Someone From A Different Religion Or Belief?
Respectful questions only!
And please answer respectfully as well!
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As an atheist I would love to know how you believe anything without sufficient evidence? I used to believe in santa but then one day i started thinking critically and no longer did. How are you not doing the same with your beliefs. Serious question.
As a Christian, I really appreciate this question. It makes a lot of sense to me that you need fact to back up your beliefs...I feel the same way. I am not a scholar on the subject, but I have researched and there is a TON of evidence for the life and death of Jesus. He was, in fact, a historical figure (Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel is by a former atheist who tried to prove Jesus didn't exist. It's written like a novel and is super interesting even if you don't agree with him). I think it was C.S. Lewis that said if Jesus was a historical figure, and if you look at what he said, there are only three options...Jesus was either a total liar, a total lunatic, or he really is God. There is no room, between historical evidence and who Jesus himself claimed to be, for the Western notion that he was a "good teacher" or "just one of many" or some "happy little Jewish prophet man." He was either bonkers or Christ.
"if Jesus was a historical figure, and if you look at what he said, there are only three options...Jesus was either a total liar, a total lunatic, or he really is God." The problem with this is we know liars exist and we know crazy people exist. We have no evidence a god has ever existed and so if we go by what is more likely. Two options we counter all the time that do not contain a supernatural aspect or the supernatural claim of a god of which there is no conclusive evidence.
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Hi, I am Muslim. As a teen living in the West, especially in the very diverse area I am lucky to call home, it's been very common for me to sometimes have uncertainty about Islam and my beliefs. But a combination of religious teachers who are willing to listen to what you have to say as well as the opportunity to learn about other people's faiths has helped me be steadfast in my belief. I've learned about other faiths, and they don't all make as much sense to me as Islam does, and I have certified scholars of the religion who can give proof in a way that clicks with people in my generation. I think it's also about how much you are willing to listen. If you've already walked into a discussion about religion thinking that what you believe in IS the ultimate truth, whether another religion or even atheism, then you're not going to be receptive, no matter how many valid points are made.
It depends on what you class and choose to accept as evidence. Or reject.
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I would love to have a serious conversation with someone who is interested but I am not sure this is the right venue.
Just read the rest of the wonderfully sane replies. Maybe this could be a place to discuss more. Most times people are just ranting by now. Will try to put more thought into a reply later.
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As an atheist myself, I don't think this is true. I think it's fundamentally an emotional condition: first you believe, then you rationalise. I strongly think I lost my faith *before* I started investigating reasons why god doesn't exist. The same applies to believers: first they believe, then they look for logic and evidence that supports their emotional position.
It makes sense. You don’t look for evidence that you have ADHD (for example) unless either you notice you have ADHD behaviours beforehand or someone else tells notices and asks you. If you believe yourself to be neurotypical, you don’t generally check for neurodivergence.
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Hang on... I'm still processing the remark about Santa. Say whaaaaaaaat?? How dare you imply there's no such thing as Daddy Crimbo!
Great question! For me, I’d like to explain it using a logic theory called Pascal’s wager. Basically, there either is a God or there isn’t. If you don’t believe and there isn’t a God, you could (potentially) go to hell or something. (Personally, I don’t believe that if you don’t believe in Him you go to hell, I feel that God would be saddened by what a lot of the church has become these days and He would understand) But say you did. We don’t know. BUT. If you DID believe in God and there was no God, there wouldn’t really be any repercussions. So basically, you have nothing to lose by believing in Him, but potentially something to lose if you don’t. But also I believe in God because of just my personal experience of noticing little signs in my life that someone’s looking out for me, and my intuition, and that although the Bible has become slightly corrupted through translation, there are still a lot of teachings you can take from it that make sense.
I agree with you. It takes something called faith. There is actually so very much I want to say but I won't. If you are looking for proof as to whether or not Jesus actually existed scholars have actually found remains of what they believe to be nails, the place where Jesus was buried etc....but like the person said above I would rather believe in God/Jesus/Holy Spirit than not believe. Since I do believe in the Bible then of course I believe in Hell. So for me it is better to believe and it not be true than to not believe, die and it be true and you end up in hell. Hell will be 100% worse than your nightmares.
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I’m Muslim and I mostly believe in god because there are a lot of scientific examples in the Quran e.g a pretty detailed description of conception and the implantation of the embryo in the womb (this stuff wasn’t known 1400+ years ago). Another reason is that while I do accept evolution as a valid explanation of the origin of life (I study biology lol), I also think what we have on earth is pretty incredible and seems too perfect to be an accident if that makes sense? Also, the way the universe formed i.e the Big Bang, I still have a lot of questions like “why did it happen” and “why are we here as human beings and what is our purpose”—Islam and god answered a lot of those questions and I like the idea that we were put on this earth as “guardians” (quoting from the Quran here). I hope that helps and I’m not disregarding other people’s beliefs; just explaining my own motivations :)
For me, the answer is super simple, and it's I want there to be. I don't have evidence, and my faith isn't super strong but I believe there is someone out there, and I really want there to be someone responsible for things. Logically I don't quite believe in these things, but yeah
If there is someone i will be really mad and angry. I personally would prefer there not to be a God as then there would not be someone who could and should have done better
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I just like the thought of something being out there and guiding us, or that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Like a purpose in life or maybe something to look forward to
I believe because everything had to come from somewhere, like where did science come from, its like science always asks why, and I believe in what they find but eventually, there won't be anything more to find, and we will reach the final why, and that is what I think God is.
Thats called god of the gaps and is not sound reasoning
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"I have faith in A Divine" is something that seems to happen or not, in my experience, perhaps based on genetics, or upbringing. It may be the simple hope that there's More After This and it's Good. That said, I have met atheists who are furious at wha they say doesn't exist (God). Is it all neurological glitches? No idea. But for me, the Divine is real, based on personal perception, not hard science. And, as a medical doctor, I rely heavily on hard science. Also... on hunches. You can see where that "critical thinking" problem comes in for me. I can't always explain why.... And maybe that's why I have faith ina Divine. So I can get answers someday!
The symbol of the Cross was evoking shame and ridicule from the people of Roman Empire. The first known depiction of the Cross is a grafiti showing Christ with a donkey head. It was inhuman punishment used only to kill the hardest criminals and escaped slaves. It was the direst warning for everybody: behave or else. But His disciples choose it to be their banner from the very beginning. It's like putting an electric chair on the roof of the church. Why the heck would they shot themselves in the foot? Why would they ridicule their own God in front of the people they hope to convert?
The cross didn't appear as a symbol of the Christian faith for a few hundred years. His apostles most certainly did not use the torture as a symbol. Because it has been used as a symbol for centuries now, it is a symbol of Christ's sacrifice. I personally don't use it because I prefer to remember that Christ was resurrected and we can find purpose and joy this life and the next because of it.
Load More Replies... For me, thinking critically is what led me to religion. Honestly there's sufficient evidence that a God exists. Observation of the universe in general indicates a law of cause and effect. The universe could not rationally have been formed from nothing, because nothing can't produce something - and if there ever WAS nothing, then there would be nothing right now. So there must be an uncreated Creator. Just makes sense.
Guys don't downvote just because you don't agree
Load More Replies... I struggle real hard with this. I am a Norse Heathen. I have a hard time believing that there are entities out there that are somehow greater than humans. But when I studied religion and history at the uni, I got this very strong feeling of belonging, somehow, when I studied the Old Norse language and read about how the vikings were viewed by ppl in other countries. Also, I feel happier believing in nisser/tomter, trolls, elves and those beings. I feel that when I meditate I often end up "communicating" with my main gods. It feels weird to me since I can't quite accept gods as actual entities to believe in and communicate with. But it is, to me, a calling and it's easier for me to believe than not to believe. For over 20 years I was an Atheist. But during my studies at the uni, I was sorta "hi-jacked" by Ásatrú. 🤷♀️
Actually, there is pretty cool evidence in the world that supports the bible, look it up! There is some cool stuff!
Can you give us some examples?
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the evidence is there it's called miracle. when you face situations that are so complicated that you think you'll never be able to jump over the obstacle. when the door in front of you is so well locked that you think it will never be able to open it. and you stop thinking or fighting and you ask God to open that door for you. and the door suddenly opens. i canno't explain this nor proove anything, and i think it's better like that. believing is the acceptance tthat a much more powerful force is at work. this being said i firmly believe that religion and state should be separated. and that public laws should be based on science
Santa, it could be argued, IS real. We cultivate the “myth” annually thus making it real.
I have an answer to your question with a question. An Atheist is someone who has traveled the world, examined all possible religions, examined the evidence of such religions and decided that there is no God from an educated standpoint. Have you examined all possible religions and all evidence that exists within those religions or are you not actually an atheist and more of a moron?
Sorry but no atheism is the lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. Im not saying there isn't a god im saying I fave no proof there is. There isn't enough proof. Just like if someone is accused of murder. If there isn't enough evidence to say they did it, it doesn't mean they didn't do it it just means there isn't enough evidence.
Load More Replies... I have had evidence and believe that it was for me personally. My path is simply different from yours.
As neither an atheist nor a very religious person, I find the act of asking for proof to believe to be very illogical. If there were a proof of God, then humans would KNOW that there is a God and then act accordingly. Case closed. BELIF requires no knowing and no proof. Belief is what happens despite the existance of proof. You etiher believe (in) something or not. If you are hiding behind the fact that "there is no proof" in order to not believe in the exitance of (any) God, you are being very dishonest with yourself. And not being very brave, ether, imo.
So are you a theist but just dont practice any religion of what are you if not an atheist nor religious ?
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This bothers me about atheists. I am not religious'. Its not for me. I am at best a recovering catholic but many people get comfort from the gathering of people and the rituals. As long as you arent hurting anyone or pushing your beliefs', I dont care. I know plenty of atheists who believe in their own theories on things that I personally think is nonsense but its not my place and there is no benefit to call them out on it.
If we were created by an all-powerful, all-benevolent creator, why do we bite the insides of our mouths when we chew? The existence of a badly-built watch suggests an imperfect watchmaker.
Load More Replies... As a born and raised atheist, I have two questions.
1) how much of a threat does the idea of hell pose to your everyday lives? Does it impact your decisions a lot? I’ve never had to worry about hell or other versions of afterlife punishments, but I still believe that I live a relatively good life, all things considered.
2) if a godly figure came down and said ‘this other religion is correct’ would you convert, or keep your beliefs despite knowing that they’re the “incorrect” ones? That question may be a bit more sensitive, sorry.
I mean no offence on either question, just a curious Pangolinian bean.
Oh wow, I love both these questions. I don't think I've heard anyone ask them before. I'm a born-again Christian. I say "born again" because when people think of Christians they often envision the Catholic church...which I would never want to be associated with, haha. My Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus, and I try to the best of my ability to follow only that and not any tradition or denomination or preacher. Question 1: Hell does not pose a threat at all for me. Because I believe that Jesus paid the price for my sins, I never have to worry about hell...ever. I'm not going there. If you are wondering why I would still live a good life even if I don't have punishment looming over my head...it's because that's the right thing to do and the example Jesus set. Love one another as I have loved you, sort of thing. I'll answer 2 in the next comment.
How do you know yours is the "correct" one? Is it just a believing thing?
It's human nature to want to be right. Being "right" makes you superior to those that are "wrong". It's also human nature to keep believing they are "right" and to only acknowledge the evidence that supports that belief. I always thought that Heaven sounded a lot like a gated community that wanted to keep out the riff raff and was very exclusive. I respect those that have TRUE belief and live by those beliefs but find that most people tend to be hypocrites.
This is a great post and, for the most part the questions and answers were thoughtful. I’d like to see more posts like this (as opposed to even one more person complaining about their in-laws …).
Okay I have a question for Christians, but first let me talk about the Islamic beliefs around the topic.
In Islam, we also believe in Jesus ('Eesa or 'Isa in Arabic), but we believe that he himself was not divine. He was a regular human being like us who was a prophet of Allah. We believe that the miraculous nature of his birth does not necessitate that he himself was divine. Also we believe that he wasn't killed or crucified. A man from among those who were out to find him and bring him to the place of crucifixion was made to resemble him, and he was the one who was nailed to the cross. Meanwhile, God raised Jesus up to the heavens to protect him, and there he remains until he will return one day.
My question is, what exactly is the relationship between Jesus and God in Christianity? I know Jesus is believed to be divine, but does that make him a separate deity, a part of a whole, or just God's manifestation on Earth for the time he was alive?
Atheists that live in the US, the pledge of allegiance mentions god. What do you think about that?
I think that is kind of strange because in the us constitution it states that people have the freedom of religion yet it says in god we trust on the US currency so it seems to me that the government just tolerates other religions. However to answer your question I just stand up to avoid arguments but I won't state the pledge
I really don’t understand the concept of fasting in Muslim, Hindu and Islamic traditions. Does it have to be followed? What can you or can’t you eat? Just a breakdown would be great to understand it more! Thank you!
Well I can’t speak about Hinduism, but I can tell you that Muslim and Islam are the same. Followers of Islam are Muslims. Fasting is considered an act of worship in Islam, an exercise in patience and gratitude. It is only mandatory for one month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, and only for those who are able. Generally speaking, people with medical conditions, children, pregnant, or menstruating don’t have to fast. If you intend to fast, you cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, and should abstain from swearing and engaging in behaviors harmful to oneself or others. One should abstain from those in general, but the punishment is more severe for doing it in that state.
I’m not religious for many reasons but respect those of faith. However… I desperately struggle with the fact that religion has so often been the root cause of so much difference, discrimination, intolerance, prejudice, division, hatred, war and indeed death. Aside from perhaps money/land/greed and politics, I can’t think of a single more damaging element in society. For all the preaching of love, tolerance, peace and harmony… would the world be a better place without religion? It’s not as though we’d suddenly lose all sense of morals and ethics. Thoughts on a postcard…
I’m an operating room nurse, and I’ve been wondering this for a long time. Why do Jehovahs Witnesses refuse blood transfusions? No judgement, I just want to understand!
This is a religious issue rather than a medical one. Both the Old and New Testaments clearly command us to abstain from blood. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28, 29) Also, God views blood as representing life. (Leviticus 17:14) So we avoid taking blood not only in obedience to God but also out of respect for him as the Giver of life.
To the Christians, from a Muslim - original sin. (I'm not sure if all Christians believe in this or only some so sorry about my ignorance!) It's always stumped me. How could anyone believe a newborn baby is inherently sinful? We have an opposite concept in Islam, called the fitra - meaning innate human goodness - that every person is born on.
Also, every single woman to ever exist will be punished with her period because of what Eve apparently did? That's what i've heard at least, please correct me if I'm wrong but also what
A newborn baby is not inherently sinful. Several Christian denominations don't baptize babies. These denominations wait until a person is old enough to decide for themselves whether or not to be baptized. If a baby dies before being baptized, he/she will still get into heaven.
How does one reconcile the fact that actions and policies carried out by their religious "team" fly right in the face of their own commitment to openness, acceptance, and the general wellbeing of humanity? i.e., "My group includes members that (through financial support) actively promote the killing of LGBTQ+ people. I don't do it, but my "team members" do, and they do it in the name of our God." How can one do anything but completely disassociate themselves from that?
Leave the church. I did it forty years ago almost, over the misogyny in Catholicism. Quit the team. My conscience (ironically, nice strict Catholic conscience!) forbid me to continue in an organization that ran counter to the preaching of Jesus (love, acceptance, healing)
For hijabis, what do you do when it’s really cold? Are you able to line the inside of the hijab with faux fur, wear a hat on top if it or something? Also building on that - what would you do if you wanted to swim; are there waterproof hijabs?
Second question for hijabis: Do you have to wear the hijab, or could you cover your hair with something else?
Haven't heard the line-the-inside-of-the-hijab one before, but that's an interesting take. Honestly the hijab keeps us warmer than people without a hijab. We could just wear a hood on top of it as well. Yes, there are waterproof hijabs as well. And it doesn't matter what we cover our hair and neck with, as long as they're covered (ft. the infamous 'blanket hijab' one wore during lockdown when picking up the fiftieth Amazon package)
One thing I've never understood about Christians. Why are they so sad at funerals? If the dead person is going to heaven then they should be happy, shouldn't they?
I ask this without malice and with true curiosity: Why are some rules in the Bible followed while others are ignored and why does it seem as if the rules that are quoted the most apply to "others" while those that are ignored apply to "themselves"? For example: Divorce is fine but homosexuality is evil? Why, in certain circumstances is it okay to view the rules as anecdotal while in other circumstances they are literal?
I may be wrong but as a Christian, I think we have to follow the laws in the New Testament, not the Old Testament. However, humans are flawed, and will still sin, which is why we ask for forgiveness. However, we have to take the necessary steps to not sin again.
Does god really forgive everything?
In Christianity you don't need to do anything except believe in Jesus and ask for forgiveness and God will forgive you. Jesus came to die for your sin and take the punishment for it so you wouldn't have to go to hell. He didn't pick and choose which sins to forgive he loves you so much he'll just forgive them all.
this is an interesting question to put out and some of the questions/statements were great while some had some thinly veiled comments that implied anyone who has faith is an idiot. what i ask is why don't more religions teach that it is okay to see the humorous and funny part of faith? it seems that all religions need to stop being so serious and, if it is true that g-d made us in his/her image the we need to realize that we are a pretty funny bunch.
Okay but I love this so much!🤣 As a Christian it always bothered me so much that we portray God as being this big serious old man in the sky. I mean, He's the guy who designed the platypus and llamas and pigs...how could He not have the most hilarious sense of humor?!! Have you ever seen a baby parrot? And God was like, "Yup, I love it."😂 I personally find that joyful people have great senses of humor and if God wants us to be joyful, why would He be so serious Himself?
A frivolous one.
Sikhs, do the different ways of tying a turban mean anything? Or are they all merely style statements?
As somebody who is kinda in between being an atheist and a christian, how can you be so sure that what you’re believing in is right? Like, I pray to the holy spirit and ask snd thank it for forgiveness, but then I get worried that if other religions are correct I would go to “hell” for not believing in the right thing
For me personally: If I am wrong and there is a God would they be more insulted that I hedged my bets by praying to them insincerely just to avoid Hell or that I chose to not believe in them at all and didn't fake it.
For Christians, (I don't wanna be offensive, some of my friends are Christian) in the Bible do you think men are above women? Because I read some of the Bible and Adam was more "powerful" than Eve. I think men and women should be equal. How do you feel that Lillith got punished (the first wife of Adam, I think)? Do you believe everything in the Bible is true?
Jesus treated men and women as equals. His disciples consisted of both men and women (note I said disciples, not apostles, and there is a difference between them)
If you met someone who disliked you religion would you not want to still be friends I want to know I just had this happen to me so
I’d still be as friendly as I currently am to them, but won’t pursue any further relationship. I’m going through that right now - homophobic guy in my friend group. I’m nice to him, I talk to him, but I wouldn’t ask him to hang out with me (that being said, i wouldnt directly exclude him as he is always nice to me).
Of your god(s) would disappear tomorrow, how would you know?
Hopefully, I'd feel a terrible void within. Probably, I wouldn't know.
To people that think Earth is flat: why?
what makes you think it?
what's ur proof?
please explain cause I've been thinking about it for quite some time
For anyone of any religion: when you meet a person with a different religion do you think "I'll respect you but you're wrong"
As a atheist, what is it like being Christian? And are y’all annoyed with those Christians who do extremely rude things (like the homophobic ones)?
For me, it's like having an invisible father and an invisible brother, who give me unconditional love, remind me that all humans are my brothers and sisters, and (for the brother) set an example for me to follow. I find some Christians exhausting, but I try to not judge them, considering that God alone knows the depths of their souls. The Holy Spirit may very well be active there, even if I don't see its effects.
I have a question mainly for Theravada Buddhists, but people of other worldviews, feel free to chime in as well.
To my very limited understanding, your beliefs don't specifically reference a god, as in not saying there is one and not saying there isn't one, right?
If you would encounter a god, would that change your worldview?
If I am correct (and if I'm not, PLEASE correct me), Buddhism is more of a way of living than an actual religion, in that they don't have a diety, they follow. The Buddha was a man who achieved enlightenment, not a god.
what's a question? /j
really, to the Christians, how's it going with the whole, "part of the church is crazy, the other half is really nice" thing?
i hope the crazies sort themselves out
I have been blessed in my life to know many truly wonderful Christians. Loving, kind, caring people, who would rather die than judge. I tell myself that those people are Christians. The others are better referred to as blasphemers
This is a question from a Catholic to Anglicans. The line we're fed (in the USA, at least) is that the British monarchy set themselves up as Pope in order for Henry VIII to get a divorce. If that's all it is, how does that even make sense (Catholic popes claim to be successors to St. Peter, do British monarchs say they also succeed St. Peter)? If there's more to it, what is it?
There's more to it than the divorce. The Papacy was not just a religious position at that time, but also a political position. So you can read more about the Papal States and the authority of the Pope. There was also this event of 'The Reformation'. At the time the Pope and Catholic Church would see 'Indulgences', basically a way for the church to get money, and to allow people to buy a ticket to heaven.' It was awful. The Reformers said, we shouldn't listen to the Pope as providing the words of God, we should just read the Bible. So the Reformers started translating the bible into English and German. This was against the rules at the time.
I have a question regarding my school! Context: I go to a Public Highschool in the US, in an area that has a pretty high concentration of a singular religion. There are some others, but the common religion is predominantly one, with a very large percentage of people in my community (maybe almost 50%?) Being this religion.
What are your thoughts on having a religion class that kids can take during school? They don't get school credit, and the building is *technically* not on campus, but it only focuses on one religion? It's also the only option for "religious studies" on campus that I know of, other than Mythology which just covers older societies (Greek, Roman, Norse, some world mythology).
I'm kind of against it because it is a religious studies class during actual school time, and I've heard that it's really preachy, but I wanna know what non Atheists think!
How do Muslims, Jews, and Christains believe God was created?
Who is Jesus Christ to Islam. What's his role in this religion?
For people how wear hijabs, what do you do when it's really hot outside? Surely it must get hot, right?
As a Jew, i want to ask christians (not ALL christians, but you know who) why they hate us, if it says LITERALLY EVERYWHERE that we are gods children.
Full disclosure: I am an atheist. I do believe that Jesus was a real person, I DO NOT believe he was divine. Prophet not Messiah -It seems to me as if Christians (not ALL Christians, but you know who) have an inferiority complex when it comes to Judaism. They know their religion wouldn't exist without yours, but hate acknowledging it. -Christians seem to forget that Jesus never intended to create a spin-off called Christianity. He was basically like Moses. Believers had moved too far away from the teachings of the Torah and he just wanted to get things back on track. -I also think that the animosity for Jews has a lot to do with the fact that Judaism is not just a religion but also genetic. Jew by faith and by birth, which makes you a double threat to those that hate and/or those that need to feel superior. Basically, it boils down to ignorance and envy.
When Muslims and Hindus are fasting, are you allowed to drink water?
What is the diffrence between a demigod, a god, and a diety?
Please correct me if I'm wrong. A god is any direct descendant from the first god. A demigod is part god and part human. A diety is any being that resides in heaven or hell, including angels, demons, and dead people's souls.
Let´s see, Christians... your religion is relatively a new kid on the block. In its present form from around the beginning of the middle ages, starting off as an offshoot of jewish sects, Judaism itsself probably hailing from Zoroastrianism, which can trace its roots back to the 14th century BC Pharaoh Akhenaten.
Basically you are praying to an Egyptian man-god, so my question is: At what point in history does your god become the "one true god?"
Then, I would like to know about the other one true gods, like Jupiter, Odin, Zeus, if you believe that your and only your belief will get you to "heaven" what would you say to all those people, before christianity and who truly believed that their god will get them to Walahlla or Elysium or Olymp....? "Sorry, you guys, should have been born later!"
Our God is the Creator of the Universe worshiped in many forms from the beginning. Like Paul points out to the Greeks even they had an "unknown God" - Acts 17:22-23 Just because we worship Him He wasn't exclusively ours and nobody else's. Adam, Cain, Abel, Noah all predates any Pharaoh. And the Bible makes it clear He is the same God they worshiped. He was also Abraham's, Isaac's, Moses', Jesus' and eventually Mohamed's God. What historical point? The Ten Commandments starts with: "You shall have no other gods before me." As for people born earlier "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love" - Eph 1:3-4 Well, I don't understand why me, but God always liked to choose imperfect people. The Bible is chuck full of them as His heroes: coward, brutes, angry, unfaithful, etc.
To Atheists/Non Christians: Sorry if I'm coming a bit harsh but I have a few questions. Again, I just want to know no hate at all. Do you hate people for being Christian? Do you think all Christians are Homophobic? When you find out someone is Christian, does you change the way you look at them?
Whatever your religion I will never hate you because you practise that religion. Only reason for me to hate you is if you are a giant douchebag.
I believe in God. I am a christian, BUT I believe a Call to FAITH in that which greater than us prevails. I believe Like both Christians and Muslims that Jesus and Mohammed were prophets, teaching the ways GOD would like us to live. Do I believe n the subservience of Women ? NO. The Old Books ended with Those two anointed Men .Lets worry more about the Wars and Rumors of wars than to whom one prays. I Love everyone and I would give my life for a Muslim Neighbor as readily as I would for a Sikh or Christian neighbor
I'd like to ask Hindus whether they prefer or worship one god/goddess more than the others.
You don't have to tell me if you don't want to :)
Each one has attributes. My ex was a yogi who liked Ganesh, the elephant god, who removes obstacles.
To Christians: How do you feel about JC being labeled as "woke" and "weak" by some? Some SBC pastors can no longer recite the Sermon on the Mount because too many of their congregants find hating others better for their souls. Those people seem to prefer the Old Testament of hate, murder, wars, and revenge, to be more up their street than the New Testament with JC teaching you to love your enemies and your neighbors.
its gross and the old testament doesn't even have Christ so not really Christians. so they are basically just using religion to be awful people. it makes me sad.
This one is for Christianity.
What does the bible say about the LGBTQIA+ and its members?
What made you believe in what you believe in, when there are so many other beliefs?
To Christian’s: why is god often referred to with male pronouns. I have researched a bit and it mostly said that god has no gender because god is not human, but why then male pronouns? Surely if god has no gender it should be neutral pronouns?
I've always wondered this. in Islam the only reason we refer to God as a He is because of the Arabic linguistics. The noun 'Allah' is masculine so all the verbs are conjugated in referenec to that. When speaking in English it's more for ease of reference. But God created gender so God's beyond gender
The Bible is a collection of books written over a span of approximately 1,500 years. Why haven't we had any more books added since circa 90AD?
I know this question might seem facetious, but I generally wonder why a god would not give any further instruction. Or perhaps He did and no-one wrote it down. How would one even apply to write the next book of the Bible?
To Jehovah's Witnesses: my (very basic) understanding is that the belief is that one day Jehovah will return and 144,000 people will be allowed to live in paradise with him (and everyone else remains dust). If that's the case, then why do you make the effort to convert people? Surely those 144,000 people have already lived or are living now, so any new converts will not have any hope of returning.
Jesus spoke of 2 groups of his followers, the little flock Luke 12:32: "Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom." Revelation 5: 9, 10 talks about Jesus buying people for God with his blood - vs 9:"and you made tham to be a kingdom and priests to our God and they are to rule as kings over the earth." Revelation 14: 1 gives us the number 144,000. This group or little flock are raised to heaven to rule over the earth when Jesus receives the Kingdom. The rest of mankind has a chance to be in the group mentioned in John 10: 16:" & I have other sheep which are not of this fold; those too I. must bring in and they will listen to my voice and they will become one flock, one shepherd". This unnumbered group is pictured in Revelation 7: 9, 10 as "a great crowd which no man was able to number" standing before the throne and the Lamb. Most of Jehovah's Witnesses have the hope of being part of this great crowd, living as humans on a paradise earth
Okay, I am christian, and I'm wondering if there are any Jehovah witnesses here, I've had some good conversations/arguments with them, this is a serious question, it seems that Jehovah witnesses believe that Jesus the son and the holy Spirit are not one person, as for the branch of Christianity I am in, and the church I go to, we believe that Jesus, the spirit, and God, are all in one person, and we have multiple points in the Bible pointing towards that such as the scene where Jesus gets baptized and God speaks from the heavens (saying : 'this is my son with whom I am well pleased') and the spirit comes down (the form of a dove) which is showing all three persons of the trinity, I'm just wondering how exactly you guys think about that, yes it is shown in this scene that they're separated, but they're also the same, I don't know if my question makes sense, even to me, but if you could try to help me answer it I would be deeply appreciative. 🙃
1 Timothy 2:5-6 says “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, a man, Jesus Christ, who gave himself, a corresponding ransom for all…”. So for the trinity claim that all three are equal to be true, there would have to be three mediators, but only Jesus became a human and died for us, so that throws out the equality theory. Jesus also stated in Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one; God.” John 8:17-18 Jesus says “The witness of two men is true. I am the one that bears witness about myself and the father who sent me bears witness about me”. Therefore, they have to be two separate entities, how else could they qualify as two separate witnesses? Also….if all three have the same power, why does Luke 5:17 say Jesus’s father was the one who provided power so Jesus could perform miraculous healings? The Father obviously has more power, so they can’t be equal. John 14:28…The father is greater than I am 1Corinthians 11:3. The head of Christ is God
I know some religions don’t allow them to eat pork or eat from anything that has touched pork (iirc), why is that?
Lutherans. Ok dogma is you do not pray to saints as they are human beings and not divine. Yet, you name your churches after them. Why?
My family is a line of atheists but I have had so many supernatural encounters when I was really little.
For the atheists:
How do you not believe in anything at all? How are you not scared of the things you don’t understand? Why don’t you come up with something to explain it supernaturally?
I'm just satisfied with the answer, "I don't know, but maybe one day humans will gain an understanding of this". I don't believe in the supernatural so a supernatural explanation wouldn't track for me.
I would ask a scientologist what sold them on this religion and how has it affected relationships with family etc.
I find the irony of Scientology being invented by a Science Fiction author, quite hilarious.
Do the people in your religion, whatever it may be, actually believe that the Earth is flat?
if so, why?
I’m an atheist and of course know that the Earth is round and not the center of the universe. I also know that the great majority of religious people believe the same thing. But for some people who take the Bible and the Quran literally, they do honestly believe in a flat Earth, with Heaven literally physically above them. And they believe that governments and scientists are either fooled by or are in league with Satan to hide the “truth.” But true believer Flat Earthers are pretty rare.
How?? Does one?? Convert??
As a person of dubious religious beliefs, how did you people who have converted DO that?? Sorry if I don't make sense, it's just... how?
Depends on the religion, I think. In Islam, all you need to do is believe that there is only one God and that Muhammad is His final messenger, and you're set. Some people like to say the shahadah (the statement I just said above) in front of witnesses like a sheikh but that's not necessary to become a Muslim.
Muslims/Islam (I do NOT know any correct terminology I apoligize in advance) Why do you wear things over your face? I do not understand why you would cover your breathing for your religion.
why do Jews get circumcised? it seems like unnecessary pain
It signifies that a Jew has been placed under the covenant between Abraham and G-d. Also to quote my teacher who sadly died last year: "Babies don't have the same feeling of pain as we do. To them it would be like: Huh, I got hurt but I don't know where"
What does your religion say about homosexuality and lgbtq? How has it shaped your personal view
In Islam we definitely don't agree with LGBTQ+. We 100% accept that all these issues and feelings are real and valid - and in and of themselves, having the feeling is not a sin - but acting on it is. Honestly it's helped me realise that disagreement is not disrespect. I'll refer to you by your preferred pronouns and won't push my views on you at all, but that's what I believe. :)
Why is one god better than a pantheon of beings? Read most civilisations pre Christian,Muslim etc
To the Christians who use J.C. and God as an excuse to be homophobic, racist and other things.
What makes you think your going to Heaven?
Because what you do is crueler than what all the Devil's can do.
Those of you who use J.C. and God as an excuse I shall see thee in Hell.
I'm not sure if it belongs here but I always wonder what made people stop believing or what changed their believes completely.
And if being "flat-earth"-er is really about believing in a flat earth or more some sort of movement.
I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school but as I aged and learned to think critically I just came to realize that I couldn't believe anymore. If anything, being an atheist has made me more appreciative of the world and the people in it than I was when I thought there was some sort of being controlling everything.
I have a question to Non-Jews, or even Jews. How does your prayer service look like? In my synagogue, its is some prayers about praising G-d asking for certain things and - more but I can't ever describe any religion so simply, and on certain days we read the Torah. I haven't ever been the the worship place of another religion, so what is it like?
As a Christian a prayer service we start with singing and then a bible reading and short talk and then people who want to can pray about whatever they think needs praying for. then we end with more singing. On a normal sunday worship we begin and end with singing and a few songs separating in the middle we have bible reading and a longish talk. Also, the person doing the talk will pray. In every service before the first song and after the last song theres a really short 1 minute prayer. Obviously idk if every other church does the same thing
If my God and your God were to play "Thumb War," and my God said, "One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war," and YOUR God responds, "Five, six, seven, eight, with this hand I mastu*bate," which God would be the winner? Hypothetically speaking, of course, because EVERYONE knows my God is the REAL one...
The downvotes made me LOL. My goodness, people! We're here to have FUN. Ever heard of it?
Where is this heaven or hell that the religious talk about. A different dimension perhaps or someplace else?
In any case if it interacts with our universe and the laws of nature within it, then it can be measured and quantified and in time understood and replicated.
That is the great thing about our species, if we know it can be done we will do it.
This line of thinking is or was common trope in 1970ties SciFi and in one book I remember reading that god was now (in the far future) a travel agent in a shopping mall, because who knows the universe better than god..?
So my question to all religions is how can religion survive when science proves it to be just superstition?
Also, at some point in the near future I believe that our technology could or will become self-aware, the signs of emerging sentience are already evident. So if humans are able to build a sentient system would we be on the brink of becoming gods ourselves?
I think everything in science is true, but I think science was created by God, so he wouldn't have to deal with every little thing personally. I don't think that science disproves that God exists. I think they complement each other
If I said to you " I am God " would you worship me.?
The thing I don’t appreciate is people who are getting downvoted for literally explaining their beliefs. As the question asks. Like, seriously?
Yup, respectful conversations are getting downvoted for no reason. I'm trying to combat it by upvotes but it's quite irritating!
Load More Replies...
It was awfully brave of her to post something that was destined to be ruined by the same handful of know-it-all- Pandas who ruin every other post.
I found it quite interesting. Answers some of the questions I had. I wanna shout out to panda "Tuesday" your answers were very informative thanks
Load More Replies... this post made me so happy. I got to talk about my religion without getting shat on and I got to learn about others religions without them getting shat on, win-win.
I love this post and how brave the author was. You were open to getting downvoted and I love that. I also almost answered every single one of these.
This post is why I love Bored Panda. learning about different people, cultures etc from peoples own experiences.. especially with all of the negativity in the new etc. I think it is even more imp to connect with people on a personal level.
This was a really good post! Super interesting to hear people explain and talk about their beliefs
The thing I don’t appreciate is people who are getting downvoted for literally explaining their beliefs. As the question asks. Like, seriously?
Yup, respectful conversations are getting downvoted for no reason. I'm trying to combat it by upvotes but it's quite irritating!
Load More Replies... It was awfully brave of her to post something that was destined to be ruined by the same handful of know-it-all- Pandas who ruin every other post.
I found it quite interesting. Answers some of the questions I had. I wanna shout out to panda "Tuesday" your answers were very informative thanks
Load More Replies... this post made me so happy. I got to talk about my religion without getting shat on and I got to learn about others religions without them getting shat on, win-win.
I love this post and how brave the author was. You were open to getting downvoted and I love that. I also almost answered every single one of these.
This post is why I love Bored Panda. learning about different people, cultures etc from peoples own experiences.. especially with all of the negativity in the new etc. I think it is even more imp to connect with people on a personal level.
This was a really good post! Super interesting to hear people explain and talk about their beliefs
