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Q: In the Bible doesn't it say that we shouldn't pray aloud to show off? That instead we should pray in the privacy of our own room? (not the exact words) If that is so then why do people go to church? I'm christain but I don't believe that going to church makes a difference in how we are seen in God's eyes. Everyone pressures me to go to church saying that it will "lead me in the right direction" but I don't think it matters if I go to church or not.

Does it matter?

I do not remember hearing that... I remember the "Do not give publically, but rather do it privately". However, if that is in there, I suppose you are kind of doing it privately. Your intent is not to make a show in front of your peers, but rather to give it to God.

It does not matter if you go to church or not. It is a way to praise God, but if you wish to give praise other ways, it works. If you feel church is hurting you, don't go. I don't believe it matters, but it is just a good thing to do.

Q: (This category seemed like the closest fit.)

Is it hypocrisy to oppose capital punishment on moral grounds yet condone war as sometimes being necessary? ... Perhaps _nobody_ has the right to decree death as punishment for a person, but then, doesn't that mean justifying war _by any means_ is a morally indefensible stance?

It is not because sometimes you oppose the death sentance because of the possibility of innocence, and you favor war because it destroys the guilty (The government's actions are more concrete). Or, the death penalty will kill someone, losing a life, yet war may actually save lives from a government.

By the way, if this helps, I am opposed to the death penalty AND war.

Q: I'm an Aethiest. I strongly believe that there is no god. I respect other people's religions, and I don't try to convert people or anything. Now, I've been in scouting for years. Lots of years. From a Tiger Cub Scout in 1st grade to a First Class scout now (I'm kind of slow with scouting). Anyway, the requirement for every class that says to live the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your every day life is now being enforced. My parents made me describe each part of the Law and Oath in great depth. When we reached Brave and Clean, I was starting to slip up. And then we reached Reverent.

Boy Scouts expects everyone to believe in some sort of god, and be straight. Gays and Aethiests have been kicked out in the past. And since Boy Scouts is a private thing, government can't interfere. People have tried to sue and lost the case. Now, I want to keep scouting. I love being a Boy Scout. Plus, it'll look good on my job application forms when I'm old enough that it won't be against child labor laws. =P So my options are:

a) Quit scouting (I don't want to. Really.)

b) Believe in a god (I'm not going to change my beliefs because of this. It's not in human nature.

c) Lie about my religion (Also against the Scout Oath. Not good.)

So obviously, I'm screwed. What should I do? It's putting so much pressure on me...

Being a life scout who too did not believe in a God until this past year, I know where you are coming from. This is a case where a scout make a right vs. right choice. And yes, they are the hardest decisions to make.
You are walking home. You see a lady drop her groceries. Your dad said that you need to be home by 2, and you can make it home if you don't help her. Or, you can help her and be late. A scout is obedient, yet a scout is also helpful. What point is more important?
This is a matter of trustworthy, brave, and reverent. You cannot leave because a scout is brave and lives up to challenges. Yet, you cannot lie and brea the trustworthy part. Yet again, you cannot be reverent because of your own personal beliefs. So, what is the most important part?
Why don't we take a look to the scout oath for reference.
"On my honor, I will do my BEST to do my duty to god and my contry, to obey the scout law..." That's where you go to. You do not have to obey every scout law. Sometimes, they conflict with each other. So, you can in fact defile one of the laws to get the others straight. AKA, you'd only defile 1 to get the other 2 back.
Then, the last line "And to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." That line played a big role at the 12 cubed show at the Jamboree. It's duty to self. You are also a big part in this decision, as you need to remember what is best for you. Scouts are for you, you don't have to be for scouts.

So then, which do you do? Go ahead and lie about your religeon. Leaving scouts immediately takes away an advantage you have already. The scout law and oath are still guiding you daily, they do not guide some people. You know important skills required. And you also have a shot at Eagle, which could allow you to get into the college of your choice automatically. You'd give up those advantages by leaving. Heck, do you know the bowline? Can you tie a square knot? Where'd that be without scouting? You'd still be stuck tying shoelace knots.
Then, there's making yourself believe in God. NO! That is also against the scout oath. A scout is trustworthy. A scout also does a duty to himself.
So, that leaves lying about your religeon. Go ahead. You may be like me, and find yourself soon. You may never. Yet, you are still a scout.
-Steven

PS: I should be Eagle, I've been working on it for over 2.5 years now, nonstop, and I have all requirements done. I should be able to get my board of review now. But, my troop says that I need to implement leadership projects with the troop. Bleh. You tell me.

Q: but my friend is a chrisitan. He wants me to go to church with him every week, and im not all that enthusiastic. I feel guilty for even thinking about saying no because i get all self concious when i think of him thinking of me as a sinner. Anyways we were having a very good time at a footbal game and then we were talking about stuff and somehow the topic just came up about dying. He was like, no offense but if you died right now i think you'd go to hell. He was being really serious. Well, it depressed the hell out of me. Im a nice person, i dont try to judge people, i like to share, my morals are higher then anyone elses and then i get depressed because i cant live up to them. I was really hurt but i didnt let on. He wouldnt elaborate, he said we could talk about it on the phone sometime. Well, do you think it was right of him to say that? Or am i just being dumb? I cant help but feel like im some kind of 'project' hes trying to save...

Absolutely not. It is not right for any friends to tell another that they are going to hell, and it is not right for anyone to openly state that opinion. If you believe in religeon, which you obviously do because what he said hurt you, you should know one thing. It is said in the bible that the only thing you need to go to heaven is a belief in Jesus Christ. That's it. Sins don't keep us out, that's what he died for.
But a good friend will never say that another is going to hell. In the words of my SS teacher "That man is not going to be my daughters girlfriend, as he said she is going to hell." It's really serious stuff. I would honest call him up right now, and talk to him about it. Yes, the old "Just talk about it" advice. Yet, don't jsut say how you feel. Tell him that it actually did hurt you when he said it, and that you are seriously questioning his friendship to you. Tell him that what he said was the type of thing that enemies would say to other enemies. Ask him how he meant it, and take it from there.

Q: Have you ever died and woke up to think you are alive?

Rarely. But if you feel that way, you are wrong, for you are alive.

Q: First of all, let me clear the air. Im a sexually active 20 year old, Ive never been married, and I personally see nothing wrong with premarital sex, or sex in general.

But.

I have many friends who are Christian or Catholic, and they are (in my opinion) anywhere from sexually repressed at best, to afraid of and disgusted by sex at worst.

I cant really talk to most of them about it, simply because its a very uncomfortable subject.So I pose the question to the masses. For those of you who are religious, what are your views on sex, and why?

Thought provoking answers might get my screen name for further discussion, if you like. Any answers that sound something like

"ur crazy! Sex is uber cool! I LOVE SEX AND THERS NOTHIN WRONG WITH IT!! hope I helped plz rate"

or outright flames will get a 1.

I still have my virginity, but I am very opinionated. I believe that pre-marital sex is fine. Nowhere in the bible does it say "Thou shalt not commit sex before you are bonded through sacrament!". It's only 10 commandments, not 11. (Why did I say sacrement? Presbyterians don't believe marriage to even be a sacrament... Whatever.)
Sex is an affirmation of love for another person. And you can love a person before you are married. If you didn't, marriage would never exist. Then again, some do it for fun. And what is wrong with fun? If that's bad, then "Thou shalt not play basketball!" is the exact same thing. I'm sure someone could make an argument on why that's bad.
Oh, and 1 more thing:
"ur crazy! Sex is uber cool! I LOVE SEX AND THERS NOTHIN WRONG WITH IT!! hope I helped plz rate"
:P I know what you're talking about. Those answers are painful.

-Steven

Q: Hi, I'm 16/f and I was raised a Catholic. A really close friend of mine is like.. TOTALLY religious. He's completely devout to the point where he considered being a priest. lol, anyway.. he told me to read this chastity booklet called "pure love" a while ago (www.pureloveclub.com is the website for it) which I did. I was shocked at reading it. Apparently, not even french-kissing should be done outside marriage. I find this ridiculous in a way, and wonder whether any of this has a biblical basis.

My questions are: Should I tell my friend I read the booklet and give my opinions on chastity? Would it damage our friendship?

Secondly, and more importantly, is chastity really necessary? Is there anywhere that states that french-kissing out of marriage is sin? Why do they believe this? I realize that pre-marital sex is a sin, but kissing? Even light touching? Is this all necessary? I am against pre-marital sex (for my own reasons, not for religious reasons) but don't understand why they are so hell-bent against other things.

I hope I haven't offended anyone who is a Catholic. I respect anyone's religious belief, but I always question everything in life. :) I'd appreciate a totally unbiased answer. Thanks a bunch guys!

Do not tell your friend, as it can potentially hurt your friendship. Sometimes, the truth hurts. I know from some responces to advice I've given. :). Seriously though, don't let him know, for what he doesn't know cannot hurt him.
And no, it's no neccassary. In fact, I find it all a bunch of falsities. Go into the bible, and give me the passage that says pre-marital sex is a sin. Heck, Abraham had it with Hagar, and he never married her. He already was married at the time. He's obviously in heaven. I'm not trying to change your beliefs on pre-marital here, just using it for an example.
So, if pre-marital is on a shaky groung, the french kissing as a sin is definately balogna. It's a bunch of overly-concerned catholics interpreting something to the point where it no longer has any meaning.

Q: Sometimes i feel like i want to die, i dont feel like miserable or anything and i dont want to die just for a way out, i feel kind of excited about death, like when i die i will be at peace with everything. isnt that what everyone wants inner peace and to live in eternal paradise? thats what i want? what are we waiting for?

I took it that you are thinking of this in a spiritual sense, so I'm going to be a bit spiritual on you here. :)
Peace and eternal paradise. I take that to be heaven. There is one reason why you should not die for that purpose. Well, multiple.
1st, if you are thinking of suicide, you are missing the commandment. Thou shalt not kill. This includes yourself. And you have no time to feel remourse and pray for forgiveness, because you are instantly dead and judged.
2nd, if you die quickly, you miss out the reward. Heaven is not the same for anyone. Bible passages say that people receive rewards for good deeds on earth, and they do not mean it in the sense that you will receive the reward of heaven. They mean that you will receive a heavenly reward that you cannot possibly imagine down here on earth.
And what determines that reward? Through your life, according to Paul, you build up an alter of hay, straw, wood, stone, gold, and precious metals (I think that's it...) You go to the judgement area, and it is tested with fire that will devour the hay, staw, and wood. It's an unforgiving fire. Then, based on what is left, Jesus, the judge, will give you the reward he most wants to give you, but for those that have nothing left, they receive nothing but happiness.
These are the things you did in your life. The hay are the sins, and the precious metals are the good deeds you've done (Like helping teens with problems. :) ). So, if you do reach eternal paradise, you'll have nothing and lose the reward that is potentially yours. Good deeds are greater in quantity over a longer period of time than a smaller quantity congested into a few years.
-Steven

Q: i was just wondering what a christians view was on cousins going out. is it a sin? and no, i'm not going out, or in love with my cousin!

I see it as a sin. You are related, so it is just not right to be in love with your cousin. Insodomy....
But then again, Adam and Eve were the first people on the world, and had children. If those children had not performed insodomy or something along the lines, we wouldn't be talking.
I don't know. I guess it isn't if it was done in the bible without punishment. And I don't think there ever was a rule prohibitting it.
Wow, I just changed my own view withing a paragraph.
-Steven

Q: The following questions are not really being asked so that I can be advised about my own beliefs, but rather to (hopefully) stimulate discussion.

Anyway, my first question is this:

Many people believe that God must exist because the universe itself exists. In essence, they believe that the universe was caused by something, and that cause was God. The argument assumes three things. 1. It assumes existence is necessarily caused. 2. It assumes that existence was caused by a conscious, intelligent being.

Now, it seems to me that the idea that the cause is conscious and intelligent, and even a being, is open to question. Maybe the cause is some transcendant FORCE? The first assumption, as well, is questionable. No one is sure if we have every really observed existence being caused. We have seen things change forms, but not pop into existence. Not only that, but theories in quantum physics hold that subatomic particles often appear out of nowhere, with no cause. Many events in the subatomic realm are said to be uncaused. This seems to openly refute the first assumption.

Do you agree or disagree with this? Discuss.

The second argument I'd like to make is in regards to the other big argument for God, that being the argument of design. It basically states that because life is so complex, it couldn't have arisen from chance and it had to be designed.

My objections to this are as follows:
1. If complex life must have been designed by some intelligent force, then the designer (being intelligent) must also have been designed. The designers would have to go back into an infinite regression. This is hardly a plausible idea, because it needlessly multiplies entities without any reason for supposing their existence.

2. The theory of evolution shows how life can evolve from simpler organisms without any intentional design. This is not caused by 'random chance', but by the forces of natural selection, genetic drift, and sexual selection, among others. None of these selection mechanisms are "random". The mutations are random, but the species that survive are not chosen at random.

Is there an adequate way to defend the design theory against these arguments? How would you do so?

Another common argument (this is the last one) is that, given the Big Bang theory, the chances of this specific life-supporting universe originating have such small odds of happening that it seems absurd to say it happened by pure chance.

My objections:
1. Simply because the probability is very low for this given universe doesn't mean that it is IMPOSSIBLE for the universe to form this way by chance.

2. If we were to emphasize the chances of a universe being created that had, say, a lot of big, gaseous planets like jupiter and very few like Earth, this would also be very improbable. The point is that emphasizing life seems arbitrary. Any other possible outcome would be just as improbable.

3. Your own existence is very improbable as well. Think about it. You were composed of a specific sperm out of millions and a specific egg out of thousands. Your parents, grand-parents, and all your other ancestors for however old humans have been around were also subject to this very low probability of being born. If we factor in the chance of each of your relatives meeting and the chances of them having sex at a particular time, the chances become even lower for your own existence. Given all these variables (and there are many more), the chances of your existence are VERY improbable. Does this mean that you weren't created through sexual reproduction (a process of "random" selection among sperm and eggs) but that some being--maybe a stork?--guided you into existence?

Obviously, the fine-tuning argument fails for the reasons the stork argument fails. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

Feel free to pick and choose objects of discussion. Hopefully there will be some interesting responses to give me something to think about!

Some of these may pertain directly or indirectly
The first argument of creation can be seen in many different ways. You see, asking if the creator was created and it goes back is the same as with this universe. There is no start point, as the thing is not alive. Yes, God is a spirit, so therefore, never having to be born, has no beggining.
The second has to do with science. Science exists, evolution exists, no doubt. But, you are missing a point. God created science. That is why things may be able to be known about, as he wanted us to know how.
The third is with the probability of life. Even if life was created on the shores, the thing that is missing is the soul. Yes, that thing that makes you move with destination, not thinking "Oh, food. I need food." That cannot be created. Our bodies do not think, our souls do.
The last argument is a simple one. All of the things you are arguin is because God willed them to be. He made that to test your faith. Because, faith is the most important thing in his eyes, and he wants you to prove that you have it.
-Steven

Q: How do you know if you believe in God or if you just think you do?

You believe in God if you think about what happens when you die, and you see either heaven or hell. This is confirmation that you believe. Or, if you just have faith that he exists, and believe in a heaven.
-Steven

Q: hey...well within the last year i have become christian. but lately i have been having my doubts. i have depression, and have had it for about 2 years now. i pray so much but i dont seem to be making any progress to becoming happier. i dont understand why my prayers arent getting answered.

God will answer every single one of your prayers, and you may get something you want, but it may not be specifically what you want. For instance, a person may pray for a house, and find a cardboard box lying somewhere in the street a week later. That person may not realise it, but that was the answer to his prayer.
Yet, most are not like that. You may pray to be happier. God gives you it, but not in a permenent fashion. You may pray one day and the next get a call from a friend inviting you to come over. It's a gift from god.
Sufferring from depression for nearly a year now, I can relate to the doubts. Yet, God created this world such that people would have doubts. He wanted to see that the people who believed in him did not need proof to believe in him. that is where the faith comes in. God tests you and compells you to do his bidding, as he wishes to see if you are fit to enter heaven. He gave you this challenge for a purpose, and you need to overcome it.
-Steven

Q: Hi. I'm a 16 year old girl and I have a huge problem. I often times wonder about God. I'm sure that I believe in him but at times I have doubts...is that normal? And also, is it true that God has a plan for everyone and some people are bound to go to hell?

It is one of the most normal things that can happen to a teenager. I think a poll had 75% of the people answering confessed that they had doubted their religeon at the teenage years. It is because you are becoming independent of your parents at this age (I began at 15), and you start trying to find what you believe instead of what your parents believe. Those are the doubts.
And the second question, nobody can say. I believe it, but there is a specific reason. You have the free will to do what you will. God knows what you are going to do, as he knows everything. That is how he knows how he will judge you. Your path then is to try and live your life the best you can, as that is the path chosen for you. If you don't, then that was the path that was chosen for you. It sounds confusing, I know.
-Steven

bio

THE PENGUIN RULES ALL! AHAHAHAHAHAHA! *Cough*
Hello! My name is Steven, and I am a mentor. Yes, that does mean that I help other people. I have helped over 1000 people to date, and have helped some individuals for over 1/2 a year. The miracle of my life occurred 17 years ago. I say miracle only because 1/4 babies survive to be born.
I am the first born of 2 children, and I am also the black sheep. I listen to Classical Music, so you can call me a weirdo. :P. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, so take no offense if my answers never seem to end.
In school, I get As and Bs. More Bs really. I play trombone, and was the section leader of the trombones at my school. This year, I am the captain of the entire brass section. I am an Eagle Scout, so I guess that says I'm persistant? You make the call. I am a 3 time varsity letter winner, looking for a 4th next winter. I also participate in the musical, where I am a Bass 2. :)
I am straight, and have never had a relationship beyond a friend. However, I have survived the bumps in the road, and can advise you if you wish it. Though, it's not my strength.
I'm here for you, and only you. That means that my advise will not always confort you. Heck, it may even scare you. Yet, I want you to do what is best for your mind. Not what is typically seen as best for you, but what YOU see best for YOU. Heck, if you wanted what was seen as best for you, you would've asked your parents what you should do. They give you what's typically best.
Alright, before I start getting tendinitis from writing that over and over again, I'll just say what I mean. I mean that if you ask me about something, let's say walking 10 miles a day, and I think it's rediculous, yet you are asking for something to do, I am NOT going to say "10 miles is the type of a thing a anorexia athletica would do. Try 5." I'll give you something to do.
Oh, and I'm a L1 moderator, which means I rate questions.

Don't hesitate to IM me, I'm usually on. If I'm not, just drop one in the Inbox!

Oh, by the way, I am liberal in everything. That means that abortion is a woman's RIGHT, and gay marriage should be LEGAL.

Ask away!
-Steven