Debated this today with my Born Again Christian co-worker. It seems to be very convienient for christians to pick and choose who is and who isn't a christian after the fact. Every christian that partook in the inquisition and witch burnings was not actually a christian because christians don't do those things, how convienient. He tells me not every sin is the same and some carry more weith than others. You tell me that all sin is the same. Yet you both claim to be christians and follow / use the King James Bible. If you follow this line of thinking Christianity is the perfect religion because it requires no personal responsibility, or responsibility for the church as a whole.
Ya know what...i'm trying to figure out how to explain that (about sins). This is why i don't belong to an "organized" religious denomination...they all have their different ideas of what God is telling us. I'm not saying i'm right, but i believe in what i feel is right by what i've studied. I don't think anyone knows FOR SURE what is right. Some feel you have to "work" for salvation. From what i've read. all you need is FAITH. Some people believe that when Jesus talked of Tithing that you have to give at least 10% of your gross pay. I believe Tithing 10% is not just from money you earn (many can't afford to give that much) but it is also a portion of your time. It's not just money, it's volunteering, giving to charities, whatever you can do to help others and grow the kingdom of God. All denominations probably have some things right and some things wrong. But if all of them are doing their best at following Gods laws the best they know how, and have God in their hearts, it's not going to matter. Like i said before, God knows what's in our hearts and minds. We're all going to be ok!!!!
Your absolutely right, we will "ALL" be ok.
Yes...i really believe, and hope i'm right, that all good people will be ok. It's very hard for me to believe that even though a person does not confess that they're Christian, but they are GOOD people...doing good helping others, contributing to Charities, go by the laws (or 10 commandments), treat others with respect, that they will not go to Heaven! I pray everyday that they do. My parents were loving, caring, supportive....i don't know of anything that they really did wrong. But, they were not confessed Christians. My mother never belonged to a church that i know of, but she was the best. My dad was raised in a very strict Baptist church and once an adult he never went back. But he was the best....i can not believe that they would go to hell just because of these things.