What if......?

[KingAlfred]

I doubt that God will appear to us in any way other than unexpected, and certainly no label denoting a form of religion will encompass God. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. We are God’s to do with as he chooses, whether she matches our expectations or not.

What religion do you practice?

 

[KingAlfred]

First off, that won’t happen. Jesus is Lord.
Secondly, if you wish to pursue the fantasy… my life would still have been richer for loving Him.

I agree, but…if that happens, what commentary will it offer on our need to practice any particular religion in the form of detailed, specific observances? What is the need for our rituals, for example, if God transcends all that?

 

[KingAlfred]

We don’t observe Lent for God’s sake, but for ours. The microscopic aspects of any faith do not influence or change God. They influence us to be more receptive to God’s grace, constantly available to us.

So, they’re not ‘hard and fast’ laws? Is that what you’re saying? They’re just exercises we go through to feel better about ourselves, or to impress God, He who might not have even required them of us? How can they then be necessary for our salvation?

 

[KingAlfred]

I wouldn’t regret a single moment, not a second. If Christianity is wrong, if Christ is not the risen savior, He should have been. Some religions expect people to die for their god, Christ is the only God willing to die for His people. No, not a split second do I regret being raised as a Christian in the home of a Lutheran pastor, brought up in faith, educated at a wonderful college where faith was central, my whole life revolving around christianity. No regrets.

Jon

So, you’re saying it doesn’t have to be objectively true. It’s something you find pleasing, and that’s good enough. Couldn’t that be viewed as entirely self-serving, possibly even delusional (no offense)?

 

[KingAlfred]

I believe Man has always sought God, and God has always sought Man. They have met through a variety of media, including numerous messengers and representatives. Mine is Jesus Christ. Jesus is my holy man. On an intellectual level, I’m cautious about defining Christian worship beyond the instructions He gave those who, in turn, told stories about Him and taught what He told them to teach, until certain Greek thinkers documented those stories and theological concepts. On an emotional level, of course, I’ll always be Catholic. Hear me right – I’m well versed in Catholic theology, and embrace huge parts of it. Nonetheless, I also have a need to stay focused on the ‘big picture’, and down-play inappropriately specified expressions of my faith.

 

[Cluny]

Some religions expect people to die for their god, Christ is the only God willing to die for His people.

And then–not to mention its name–there’s one religion that apparently expects its practioners to kill themselves and others around them for it.

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

What if…?

Honestly, it wouldn’t matter to me because I don’t judge those by religion.

But, I think my worst fear would be reincarnation… Hell is something I can deal with; coming back to Earth is something I’d sincerely be terrified of.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[SSTeacher]

What if…?

Honestly, it wouldn’t matter to me because I don’t judge those by religion.

But, I think my worst fear would be reincarnation… Hell is something I can deal with; coming back to Earth is something I’d sincerely be terrified of.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

Hi Blade and Blood,

Which would frighten you more: coming back as a Republican or coming back as a Democrat?

Tremblingly,
Mick

 

[cheese_sdc]

Any Divinity that could create this universe and the duckbill platypus has to have a sense of humor.

We’ll all find out that we all were wrong in the end. And laugh about it.

cheese

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

Hi Blade and Blood,

Which would frighten you more: coming back as a Republican or coming back as a Democrat?

Tremblingly,
Mick

That’s not really the issue. Coming back, in general, is simply an annoying thought.

Ironically Yours.

 

[SSTeacher]

That’s not really the issue. Coming back, in general, is simply an annoying thought.

Ironically Yours.

Yes, especially if you had an encounter with the living God and were completely changed by the experience and when you got back nobody would believe your story. That would be really annoying.

Hypothetically,
Mick

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

Yes, especially if you had an encounter with the living God and were completely changed by the experience and when you got back nobody would believe your story. That would be really annoying.

Hypothetically,
Mick

No, that would just mean that Christianity wasn’t the true religion and one of the Eastern religions are truth… considering that reincarnation is not in Church teaching (last I heard).

Besides, you misunderstand me: I would dread having to return to life… as a matter of fact, I absolutely hate the idea of eternal life–whether in heaven or hell. The state of being unborn after death is much more appealing to me. Unfortunately, the afterlife is unknown to me and all I can do while I’m alive is brainstorm.

Ironically Yours.

 

[Tsuwano]

What religion do you practice?

I’m a practicing Roman Catholic and, as such, it would be a betrayal of my faith to assume that any religion encompasses all that is God. The Church doesn’t encompass God. Rather, God encompasses the Church.

 

[Tsuwano]

So, they’re not ‘hard and fast’ laws? Is that what you’re saying? They’re just exercises we go through to feel better about ourselves, or to impress God, He who might not have even required them of us? How can they then be necessary for our salvation?

No, that is not what I am saying and I certainly don’t think religion is about feeling better about ourselves or impressing God.
Grace is necessary for salvation. The exercises of faith open us to receive that grace which God makes constantly available to us. These exercises, as are the sacraments, are made available to us by God so that we may draw closer to him, but we do not perform them for the purpose of changing God or influencing or appeasing him in some way. We do them so that we may conform ourselves to his will, not the other way around.
Not all religious exercises are required of us by God or are necessary for salvation. Saying the rosary is a good and holy thing to do and will enable us to access the grace that God offers us, but it is not an exercise that God demands of us. The same is true of novenas, lighting candles and kneeling when we pray. They are among the many tools the Church gives us in order to help us access God’s grace, but God’s grace is also available to those who do not use these tools.

 

[SSTeacher]

No, that would just mean that Christianity wasn’t the true religion and one of the Eastern religions are truth… considering that reincarnation is not in Church teaching (last I heard).

Yes, you’re quite right. I was just indulging in fantasy. Sorry.

Besides, you misunderstand me: I would dread having to return to life… as a matter of fact, I absolutely hate the idea of eternal life–whether in heaven or hell. The state of being unborn after death is much more appealing to me. Unfortunately, the afterlife is unknown to me and all I can do while I’m alive is brainstorm.

Ironically Yours.

An unusual response. I hope you find peace in this life.

Cordially,
Mick

 

[KingAlfred]

I’m a practicing Roman Catholic and, as such, it would be a betrayal of my faith to assume that any religion encompasses all that is God. The Church doesn’t encompass God. Rather, God encompasses the Church.

So, you believe all other religions are wrong. You believe that God exclusively reigns through Catholicism. That means He’s selected one billion people out of over six billion on Earth to be saved, provided they do all things Catholic, correctly. WHAT IF that’s wrong? WHAT IF God is above such sectarianism, and is truly universal, in the broadest sense?
WHAT IF when you stand before God at your judgment, you see standing next to Him the best representatives of *all *religions?

 

[KingAlfred]

No, that is not what I am saying and I certainly don’t think religion is about feeling better about ourselves or impressing God.
Grace is necessary for salvation. The exercises of faith open us to receive that grace which God makes constantly available to us. These exercises, as are the sacraments, are made available to us by God so that we may draw closer to him, but we do not perform them for the purpose of changing God or influencing or appeasing him in some way. We do them so that we may conform ourselves to his will, not the other way around.
Not all religious exercises are required of us by God or are necessary for salvation. Saying the rosary is a good and holy thing to do and will enable us to access the grace that God offers us, but it is not an exercise that God demands of us. The same is true of novenas, lighting candles and kneeling when we pray. They are among the many tools the Church gives us in order to help us access God’s grace, but God’s grace is also available to those who do not use these tools.

That’s a good Catholic answer. But, WHAT IF God is not exclusively Catholic? WHAT IF He’s a truly universal God, and communicates with Man in a wide variety of ways. WHAT IF your version is just one of many, possibly one that your religious forefathers invented to make themselves feel better in their devotion. Again, is God *Catholic *and nothing else? What about the devout Buddhist? Is he going to Hell because he got it wrong?

 

[KingAlfred]

I think there are better ways to answer my questions than employing doctrinal responses. For example, I’m a Chrisitan because I believe what Jesus said about Himself. That’s all I need. I love the Catholic Church because it’s the fullest embodiment of what Jesus was all about. That said, I focus on Jesus, and try not to get distracted by things He never mentioned, or even considered. This often puts me at odds with organized Christianity. For example, we Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays. Meanwhile, in the Bible, Jesus specifically indicates food has nothing to do with our salvation. Also, we’ve ritualized the Last Supper into a series of intricate ceremonies and gestures. That’s not how Jesus Himself conducted the Last Supper. I’ve often wondered what He’d think of our Mass if He came back and sat through one. What would He think of the way our Catholic leaders dress, for example? My list of concerns is huge. Jesus is the bottom line, and Jesus kept things very simple and direct.

 

[Tsuwano]

So, you believe all other religions are wrong. You believe that God exclusively reigns through Catholicism. That means He’s selected one billion people out of over six billion on Earth to be saved, provided they do all things Catholic, correctly. WHAT IF that’s wrong? WHAT IF God is above such sectarianism, and is truly universal, in the broadest sense?
WHAT IF when you stand before God at your judgment, you see standing next to Him the best representatives of *all *religions?

Did you not understand my previous post? I said that I do not think any one religion, including the Roman Catholic Church, encompasses God, but that God encompasses the Church. Now, before I can proceed with answers to your questions I have a few questions of my own. What do you mean by “all other religions are wrong?” What do you mean by “God exclusively reigns through Catholicisism?” What do you mean by “do all things Catholic correctly?” What do you mean by “truly universal, in the broadest sense?” I think the terms you are using are unclear and open to a variety of interpretations, so really, I’m not sure what you are asking me. Indeed, I’m not sure you are sure what you are asking me, and I have a sneaky suspicion that you’re not really interested in the answer, either. You seem to already have an expectation of what I may say. You seem to be trying to make a point with your questions, so please, as plainly as you can, what is your point?

 

[Tsuwano]

That’s a good Catholic answer. But, WHAT IF God is not exclusively Catholic? WHAT IF He’s a truly universal God, and communicates with Man in a wide variety of ways. WHAT IF your version is just one of many, possibly one that your religious forefathers invented to make themselves feel better in their devotion. Again, is God *Catholic *and nothing else? What about the devout Buddhist? Is he going to Hell because he got it wrong?

Do you really know what Catholicism teaches? Catholics believe that God is a “truly universal God and communicates with man in a wide variety of ways.” My version of what? My version of religion? The Church believes that God has communicated with man in a variety of ways, but the fullest communication has been through Jesus Christ. To say that God has communicated fully with us through Jesus is not to say that God has not communicated in other ways. Is God Catholic? The Church does not describe God as having a religious denomination. What about a devout Buddhist? The Church does not say that a devout Buddhist is going to hell. Indeed, the Church has never said that anyone is definitively going to hell. The Church does say there will be judgement and those who are found to be evil shall be separated from God. This is not to imply that a devout Buddhist, or anyone who is sincerely seeking to serve God in the light he receives, is evil or is going to hell.