Surefish.co.uk discussion forum / Surefish.co.uk discussion forums / Faith and theology

When ought an individual

Daniel Francis Russell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:52:21 GMT

This is a current issue I face. So I would like to know others opinions on this subject of behaviour, and even, as Jesus was, as reported, gentle when he rode the donkey with people celebrating and asking God for help [the meaning of "hosanna"] with palms as He entered Jerusalem, before His crucifiction. Is heavy rock music aggressive at the wrong moment or in the wrong way? What other ways or examples can you all give or offer to the forum? :-)

Has age changed your perspective on faith?

newleprechaun — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:00:39 GMT

During my teenage years I was a very devout 'born again'. With the certainty of youth I knew all there was to know about God and was quite happy to argue the toss with my elders, betters and people far superior to me intellectually. How irritated/amused those people must have been at my naivety and ignorance of the topic I thought I knew so well.:blush: If I had engaged my brain for one second, instead of regurgitating the stuff I had been brought up to believe was true, I might have realised what a silly billy I was. Now with what I hope is the onset of something resembling maturity, (I shall be 60 this month) I realise that where the existence God is concerned my answer must be "I don't know". I find it very hard to credit that much of the Bible has any basis in fact, but I could be wrong, in which case I better avail myself of an asbestos body suit! :D

What comes first repentence or forgiveness?

Mini — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:39:34 GMT

Many know of the dreadful situation caused (in my opinion) by my nephew's indiscretion. I have been told we need to forgive my husband's nephew for his "wrong doing". But I disagree. Until he is truly repentant and shows genuine remorse i don't feel I need to tell him I forgive him.I have told him very firmly that I don't want to see him again. And unfortunately I mean it. I really do not want to be reminded of the enormous pain he caused my daughter, and subsequently us. We have done nothing to gain revenge or have him punished. Nor have we sought any compensation for the extra costs my daughters break down incurred. I am surprised that I do not actually have any vengeful thoughts. I have told his parents he should get on with his life. So should express forgiveness for the pain he caused, if he has not shown remorse for what he did to my daughter and the rest of our family. I will never be able to forgive him until he shows us he is genuinely sorry, and realises the extend of the pain he caused. (We did received a two line apology 11 months after we wrote and confronted him. And that was because my Mother in Law told his parents he needed to apologise.)Mini

Christians and Muslims unite against extremism

newleprechaun — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:50:26 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8501518.stmThe conference is being held at St Deniol's Theological Library, known to a number on htis forum. I know it well, not being far from us, and in our vicar daughter's benefice.It is good to see the faiths working together as extremism is a problem for both religions.

Serenity Prayer

Mini — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:07:20 GMT

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference"I have been thiking about this prayer a lot. What does this really mean? It seems easy enough to comprehend until you start to try and follow its advice.If you know something/one is hurting someone you love and you do nothing, surely that is unwise, yet you know acting upon the situation will hurt someone else. How can it be wise to choose to hurt someone?Mini

Haiti - where is God?

Editor Andy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:50:18 GMT

Looking at the images from Haiti, and having watched the Tsunami in video programme over Christmas, I'm always fascinated about how Christians respond to the question about the presence and will of God when such disasters occur. What do you say to people when asked this, or is this not a religious question because of this being a natural disaster (although creationists could be questioned about why God made such a flawed place to live on!)Your contributions welcome.Andy[url=http://www.surefish.co.uk/donate]http://www.surefish.co.uk/donate[/url]

Biblical mysteries

Editor Andy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:47:58 GMT

I have a question. The Parable of the Prodigal Son: who first used prodigal in the title and when? The word Prodigal isn't used in the King James Version and so I assume it was included by someone after that was first published. I could be wrong (just ask Mrs. Jackson!) in that the KJV compilers decided to use Lost instead of Prodigal?Enlightenment appreciated. This is like asking why there were only Three Kings that visited Christ in the stable - everyone assumes there were three because of the lyrics to some carols, but when you check the Bible they are described as wise men from the east. Hypothetically there could have been a coach load!Feel free to post other Biblical mysteries here.Cheers,Andy

Does anyone know a good Church in Liverpool?

Pax — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:44:44 GMT

Hi All,I'm looking for (possible) a good church in the south Liverpool district. I am a Catholic my wife from a Methodist/Evangelical background. We have two kids.So we would like a good family atmosphere and a real community. I would like a culture of charismatic belief but no one wrestling snakes or casting out demons when someone has a cold!!I would also like a good mix of people who like to talk about their faith and experience.It's a bit of a shopping list but suggestions are welcome.Love to allPax

The right to choose how, when, and where you die.

Winnie the Pooh — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:45:09 GMT

Someone in my family has polycystic kidney disease. This means that by the time they are in their mid-60s their kidneys will start to fail. This is not a probability -- it will definitely happen. They will need dialysis 2 or 3 times a week unless they can get a transplant, but life expectancy on dialysis is not indefinite, and this person will die a slow painful death within a few years of beginning dialysis.

In my opinion, they have the right to choose how, when, and where they will die.

Any thoughts?

Winnie.

Will my son go to hell?

newleprechaun — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:42:17 GMT

My adopted son (24) has Down's Sydrome and is quite severely mentally disabled, in spite of which he is a joy and blessing, loved by all who know him. However, due to his disability religion has no meaning for him, so if the fundies are right he will go to hell because he isn't 'saved'. Is there some verse in the Bible with a get out clause for the mentally disabled?

Climate Change - a Faith Issue?

maya — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:42:25 GMT

Bearing in mind Christian Aid's position on Climate Change, and the countdown at the top of the homepage to the Copenhagen summit, I am surprised no-one has already raised this as a topic.Are we sufficienty aware of the effects of climate change and the suffering it will cause to thousands, maybe millions in the developing countries? Is it not a Christian responsibility(but not just Christian - rain falls or fails to fall on all alike) to care for the earth on which we live for generations to come?Perhaps we are too inclined to put our heads in the sand and not read the signs.Perhaps we don't want the inconvenience of doing something about it?Or has everyone done everything they possibly can...job done?Please talk about this one.....

freedom of speech verses supporting our troops

piggy's posts — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:23:06 GMT

[i]Islam4UK says it wants to parade empty coffins through the town of Wootton Bassett in wiltshire to draw attention to Afghan war casualties. Wootton Bassett has become famous for its repatriation ceremonies for fallen British service personnel. The home secretary Mr Johnson said: "The idea that anyone would stage this kind of demonstration in Wootton Bassett fills me with revulsion. I find it particularly offensive that the town, which has acted in such a moving and dignified way in paying tribute to our troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, should be targeted in this manner.If the Wiltshire Police and local authority feel that a procession of this kind has the potential to cause public disorder and seek my consent to a banning order, then I would have no hesitation in supporting that request."[/i]What are peoples views on this proposed parade?In a country of free speech should it be stopped?Our troops are laying down their lives, and should be respected for this, but on every side of a war is there not a parent that has lost a child, a child who has lost a parent and so on. the pain and grief of lossing a loved one must be the same regardless of the country you come from

Is it right to put your faith before your children?

newleprechaun — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:30:04 GMT

I have a young relative and her husband who are so holy they make even Christian members of my family want to puke. "So heavenly minded, but no earthly use", was a phrase that could have been created just for them! When their first child was born over a year ago, they gave him a short mention in passing in the birth anouncement, and then went on to say how much more important Jesus was than their baby, how sick is that?If you believe the story of Abraham to be true, how on earth could a loving father possibly consider sacrificing his only son just because he thought some deity told him to? I don't think any modern judge would be too sympathetic if Abraham was up on a child cruelty charge, and used the excuse, "God told me to".Some years ago some missionaries and their children were slaughtered in Africa, they had been warned the country they were proteslysing in was very dangerous, but they still chose to put their young children in harm's way. No sign of their version of God riding to the rescue!In my opinion, if the way you practise your faith makes it more important than your children, or actually puts them in danger, emotional or physical, it is unethical and immoral.

when is it right to say no, if ever

piggy's posts — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:23:59 GMT

scripture says that if we are asked to walk with someone a mile we should go two, and if some one asks for our coat we should give our shirt aswell.So should we always say yes, always go, always give, or is it ever ok to say no?