Do we have any members who are members of the clergy?

[auburngrad82]

I have a question. Most Baptists (which is how I was raised) beleive that we are forgiven for anything we do as long as we accept Jesus as our savior. My question is, are there any "sins" that will keep you from Heaven? Catholics have mortal sins that are not forgivable. Is there such a thing in protestant faiths?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

1. there is one sin in the bible that is 'unforgivable'

and that is

Matthew 12:31
And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Aside from that, all sins, provided you have asked forgiveness and repented or turned away, are forgiven...

theProdigal

[auburngrad82]

3. Does this mean that even murder can be forgiven?

And child abuse, and sodomy, and adultery, and incest, and on and on? Everything can be forgiven as long as you believe in Jesus?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

4. well, according to scripture the answer is yes

theologically it has to do with whether or not Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to cover your sins and protestants believe that because of who Christ is and the sacrifice he made that all sins can be forgiven.

I guess the caveat to that is that is not just believing in Jesus for even the demons believe who Jesus is (once again, scripture talking) but rather having a relationship with God through knowing and trusting Christ. It is about heart change...and God looks at the heart to see what you have truly repented of...

Fun, huh?
theProdigal

[ProdigalJunkMail]

10. is that all you were looking for?

I kind of had the feeling there was more to go over here...but if not, that's cool!

Have a good day...
theProdigal

[auburngrad82]

11. Yeah, basically

I'm kind of surprised that anything is forgivable. It's kind of hard to fight the religious right on issues of morality when they can get away with murder and still go to Heaven.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

12. not really...the fight can be made

by looking forward rather than back. Part of the point of this is that Christians are told that we can recognize other Christians by the fruits in their lives...how they are living. The key is that if you want someone to recognize (and they have to be willing to look) that Bush is NOT what he claims to be, then they have to REALLY look at the direction of his life...how is he living? Is he growing to be more Christ-like? If you can get them to see that he is not...then they can be turned...getting them to really look is the hard part...

theProdigal

[auburngrad82]

13. Thanks

I've been doing a lot of research on the "morality" of GOP members since voters decided that moral issues topped their list. It's amazing how many of their membership ignore family values and morality issues when it comes to their own lives.

I guess I need to start a "Shock and Awe" campaign to let people know who they are voting for. For instance, did you know that seven current GOP congressmen and senators are guilty of everything from sodomy to adultery to drug abuse? One was even convicted of sodomy when he was discovered in a car with a prostitute. Yet he still serves.

The GOP made morality an issue this campaign. I'm going to make immorality an issue in the next one.

[blondeatlast]

5. Damns the hell out of the current Administration, then, no doubt.

Is it wrong to take solace in that?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

8. solace-away :-)

unfortunately that is exactly the attitude that they take toward everyone who is not on their 'team'. Might be better to just not worry about their standing with whatever diety turns out to be out there...

theProdigal

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I talked with a new DUer yesterday who is a Methodist pastor.

:hi:

[mopaul]

6. i used to be a preacher

but i grew a brain and threw out all religious concepts from my mind.
it's diffucult, but liberating as HELL.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

14. you know...you CAN have a brain and be a preacher

maybe it didn't work for you...but I know a Rhodes Scholar or two that might disagree with your assertion that grey matter and religion cannot coexist in same being...

theProdigal

[mopaul]

15. why clog the brain with mythology, when reality is right in front of you

virgin birth? returning from the dead? the rapture?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

16. faith does not require stupidity...

miracles are perfeclty plausible to someone who believes in a God that is interacting with the universe around us. I understand that you don't believe that...and that's cool...but essentially calling other people stupid for their beliefs is never going to win those people to your cause...

theProdigal

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Other similar charismatic protestant faiths believe

that it is a mixture of good deeds and grace. So you must accept salvation, but continuously work for it too. This does not mean we "buy" our way into heaven (They take issue on that and say that is what the Catholics do, but I feel that's just bias & misunderstanding on their part) but that if we have truly accepted Christ then the good works should naturally flow from us out of following Him.

I have a page on progressive Christianity on my site, if you are interested. :)

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Mortal Sins Are "forgiveable"

I was raised Catholic, but haven't practiced in decades. I do, however, have much of the church imbedded so deeply I'll never forget it (Catlick school, dontcha know!)

Mortal sins are forgiven simply going to confession and the doing whatever Penance the priest gives you. Evenm murder can be absolved, although any good priest would probably require, for your Penance, that you turn yourself in.