[paraclete]

What is it that people believe? So often questions show that people have no concept of forgiveness and the unforgivable sin, Jesus died so that we have perfect access to grace and forgiveness of our shortcomings, our sins, all we need to do is embrace Jesus and admit our failures and yet people don't get this. Why?

[Fr_Chuck]

It is too simple, religions want to add rules, or guidelines and make it harder for people to accept

[NeedKarma]

Why do you care what others believe or don't believe? Can't it be a personal issue for individual people?

[Wondergirl]

Jesus' two great commandments = love God and love each other. Then, like Chuck said, Christian churches build fences around that to make God small (lots of rules and regs) and make it hard for people to embrace Him.

[smearcase]

Fact is-- too many times forgiving someone just puts one in a position to do more forgiving. You are being an option in someone else's life while they expect to be a priority in your life.
(The actual quote has been used by several members on this site in various forms).
Will non-forgivers be themselves forgiven on judgment day if they have not been saved? Many religious folks would say NO.
Can one be admitted to heaven if not baptized or if not baptized in a certain way? Again, many say NO.
Every religion has its list of unforgivable sins, maybe plain ordinary folk do too. Except for the certain sins (each religion has their own list) can't we just be forgiven at the last minute anyhow?
Should the spouses who were battered have just forgiven and not posted? The guy whose wife comes home in the wee hours with no explanation? And why should we (NK said it best above) think that all those posting questions share our Christian beliefs anyhow?

[paraclete]

It is not easy to forgive but it becomes easier over time, the point is by not forgiving the only person we are hurting is ourselves

[classyT]

NK,

Why do people care about beliefs? That is very east to answer it is because people with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ believe in eternity. We believe that everyone will spend it somewhere and Christians don't want anyone to spend it apart from God. The kindest and most loving thing a person can and will ever do for you is give you the gospel.

I have met many people in my life that I didn't care for. However, I have never met a single person yet that I wanted to end up in hell and living apart from God forever. That is why I care what a person believes.

[NeedKarma]

Why do people care about beliefs?

That's not what I said though. I said "Why do you care what others believe or don't believe?".

[classyT]

NK,

I may have worded your question incorrectly but I answered it correctly did I not?

[NeedKarma]

Not really. You said at the end "That is why I care what a person believes" but you really don't explain why what someone else believes matters to you. If you don't believe that they go to hell if they don't share your belief then what is it? Is it simply because they aren't doing the same thing as you?

[Wondergirl]

The Christian mandate is to evangelize -- Matthew 28:19 (KJV): "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

[NeedKarma]

Ah, I see. Imagine if every religion compelled its adherents to do that.

[classyT]

NK,

No. Actually NK on most subjects I like people who have a different opinion on things because the world would be boring otherwise. So NO, the reason I care isn't because I want everyone to believe just like me. The reason I care is because I don't want Anyone to die in their sins and end up in eternity lost and without God. AND I believe to my core that if a person does not accept Jesus Christ as their savior they will be lost for all eternity. As silly as that may sound to you... I believe it. Therefore I can't help but care what a person believes in regards to this. But I also believe everyone has the right to accept this or reject the gospel AND I respect their choice.

[Wondergirl]

Ah, I see. Imagine if every religion compelled its adherents to do that.

It certainly would turn us all into great salesmen!

[classyT]

NK,

If you saw someone headed towards a cliff and was about to fall off wouldn't you want to warn them? Just asking

[NeedKarma]

It certainly would turn us all into great salesmen!

It would be one of the circles of hell (if such a place existed). :-)

[NeedKarma]

If you saw someone headed towards a cliff and was about to fall off wouldn't you want to warn them? Just asking

Yes. How does that apply to someone's beliefs in a god?

[NeedKarma]

I don't want Anyone to die in their sins and end up in eternity lost

When people die they just die and return to dust. A "sin" is a made-up construct, it can't even be defined.

[Wondergirl]

So NO, the reason I care isn't because I want everyone to believe just like me.

You said that and then went on to say exactly the opposite -- you really do want everyone to believe like you do so they won't go to hell.

[Wondergirl]

When people die they just die and return to dust.

How do you know that?