The following is some questions my friend "Mike" asked on his FaceBook account. I came across it and asked if I could Blog about it with responses. He told me I could use his full name and was not ashamed of his beliefs. I told him he shouldn't be ashamed and that I would not use his full name because I didn't want it to look as if I or anyone else was picking on him - He is MY FRIEND and I do desire above all that Mike comes to a personal relationship with Jesus, however as God is a gentleman and would not berate or pick on Mike - nor will I and I won't allow it either. Besides, Mike knows I can be very straight forward (which can sound demeaning) and will be with him.
For now I am just going to list his questions and will tackle them one at a time starting in the next few days. With that I will just say to Mike; Love you very much Brother and thank you for at least allowing me to respond. I hope it yields fruit for both of us!
I know there are religious folks on here, so I have some questions about the 10 commandments:
1. Do not worship any other gods. This one is pretty cut and dry. But WHICH god is he referring to? So many different people worship differently. If you choose the wrong religion, are you dammed?
2. Do not make any idols. Well for Catholics that wear a cross around their necks, isn't that the definition of an idol? I know what it represents, but isn't this still a violation? What makes it different?
3. Do not misuse the name of god. Again, pretty cut and dry and I would guess this one is generally followed.
4. Keep the Sabbath holy. So if you do anything after you leave church, aren't you violating this one too? I don't see how watching a violent football game, going to a rodeo, seeing a car race (and waiting for the exciting crash) is keeping the intent of this one.
5. Honor thy mother and thy father. Another pretty easy one to follow. But how many of you have ever talked back? And was this brought up in confession if you ever did? And to what extent does the honor go? If you've ever done something and said to yourself "my mother would kill me if she knew I was doing this", then isn't this one broken?
6. Do not murder. Well, most can say they've never done this. But this is one of the ones I have the biggest problems with. How many stories of war are there in the bible? And is murder only restricted to people? What about animals that are eaten? What about killing the plants that you eat? What about swatting that mosquito that is biting you? Does the bible specify what, if anything, is ok to kill?
7. Do not commit adultery. Fine, but again, this is different for all religions. What about the Mormon man who has 5 wives? What about that tribe in Africa where the more wives you have the more respected you are?
8. Do not steal. OK, steal what? Items? Time? a kiss? plagiarism? cheating on a test (stealing an answer). Where is the line drawn on this one?
9. Do not lie. But little lies are ok? The police officer that tells a child that the doctors are doing all they can for mommy when he knows she was dead on arrival? Telling a friend that you just need them to come over to "help" with something while a surprise party is being set up? Telling your significant other that she looks good when you know dam well she doesn't?
10. Do not covet. Who among us has never wished for something that someone else has. Or wished they went on that trip that their friend went on. This one is also way too vague for me.
So yes, I'm sure all the good Christians can justify whatever they've done that go against the way the 10 commandments are written. But it's just a little much for me. And these are only my questions on the commandments. The bible is filled with contradictions. So you keep living your Christian lifestyle. I'm going to keep living by the golden rule and I'll bet that I have higher values that some people that go to your church.
For now I am just going to list his questions and will tackle them one at a time starting in the next few days. With that I will just say to Mike; Love you very much Brother and thank you for at least allowing me to respond. I hope it yields fruit for both of us!
I know there are religious folks on here, so I have some questions about the 10 commandments:
1. Do not worship any other gods. This one is pretty cut and dry. But WHICH god is he referring to? So many different people worship differently. If you choose the wrong religion, are you dammed?
2. Do not make any idols. Well for Catholics that wear a cross around their necks, isn't that the definition of an idol? I know what it represents, but isn't this still a violation? What makes it different?
3. Do not misuse the name of god. Again, pretty cut and dry and I would guess this one is generally followed.
4. Keep the Sabbath holy. So if you do anything after you leave church, aren't you violating this one too? I don't see how watching a violent football game, going to a rodeo, seeing a car race (and waiting for the exciting crash) is keeping the intent of this one.
5. Honor thy mother and thy father. Another pretty easy one to follow. But how many of you have ever talked back? And was this brought up in confession if you ever did? And to what extent does the honor go? If you've ever done something and said to yourself "my mother would kill me if she knew I was doing this", then isn't this one broken?
6. Do not murder. Well, most can say they've never done this. But this is one of the ones I have the biggest problems with. How many stories of war are there in the bible? And is murder only restricted to people? What about animals that are eaten? What about killing the plants that you eat? What about swatting that mosquito that is biting you? Does the bible specify what, if anything, is ok to kill?
7. Do not commit adultery. Fine, but again, this is different for all religions. What about the Mormon man who has 5 wives? What about that tribe in Africa where the more wives you have the more respected you are?
8. Do not steal. OK, steal what? Items? Time? a kiss? plagiarism? cheating on a test (stealing an answer). Where is the line drawn on this one?
9. Do not lie. But little lies are ok? The police officer that tells a child that the doctors are doing all they can for mommy when he knows she was dead on arrival? Telling a friend that you just need them to come over to "help" with something while a surprise party is being set up? Telling your significant other that she looks good when you know dam well she doesn't?
10. Do not covet. Who among us has never wished for something that someone else has. Or wished they went on that trip that their friend went on. This one is also way too vague for me.
So yes, I'm sure all the good Christians can justify whatever they've done that go against the way the 10 commandments are written. But it's just a little much for me. And these are only my questions on the commandments. The bible is filled with contradictions. So you keep living your Christian lifestyle. I'm going to keep living by the golden rule and I'll bet that I have higher values that some people that go to your church.
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Thank you for your input - ernie