Question for those of faith

[historian]

Pardon me if this is a silly question but didnt Jesus specifically say that hypocrisy is one of the worst sins? So in theory even if the worse tv evangelists really do believe in Jesus as Son of God, arent they paving their own way to hell by their hypocrisies or there is something in the bible which will excuse their behavior?

[stopthegop]

1. if/when anyone sins, they can be forgiven...

no matter who they are, no matter the sin (except the sin of denying Christ)...TV preachers play by the same rules...not a silly question...

[historian]

2. forgiven???

So if you sin intentionally, with sordid results in mind, you are still forgiven. Dont take offense, but i dont see the point of laying down rules and laws if any transgression is automatically forgiven. Am I missing something? It seems to be too easy.

[stopthegop]

4. sorry...I gave an imcomplete reply...

if a person repents (truly) he will be forgiven...after all, most sin is intentional...the forgiveness is not automatic, the sinner must be truly sorry/repentant

[historian]

6. oh ok thanks

[blondeatlast]

7. One of the things that has truly bothered me about my belief...

But citing Matthew, I don't think the hypocrites using His name in vain get a free pass; I suspect it is just those types Matthew (as cited above or below, not sure which) has in mind.

[LiberalFighter]

18. But do they all believe that?

Don't others believe that as long as they are born again they are saved?

And therefore, their sins are forgiven?

It is how they interpret it.

[stopthegop]

19. I don't know anyone who believes as you describe..

but I don't know everyone...there are probably some who believe that way...you can say literally anything, and someone will agree with you..

[alcuno]

20. I think that you are right.

There is a fundamental difference in Christian faiths. Catholics have long emphasized the need for one to do good works even though repenting for sins is a big deal. My understanding of those faiths who stress the "born again" requirement is that redemption comes through belief in Jesus as the Savior. Many use prayer as a "laundry list" of requests; believing that if you just pray hard enough, God will give you what you want. This is why evangelists on TV are often seen praying for "stuff." If you didn't get the job you wanted or the new plasma television set, it's because you didn't pray hard enough.

[jansu]

22. AND GO AND SIN NO MORE!

That is the part that they forget!

[GreenPartyVoter]

24. Here's why

"Why live a good life if God plans to save everyone in the end -- no matter what they have done? It’s amazing how often folks ask that question without giving more thought to it before they voice it. My first response to people who pose that question is another question: "Are you saying the only reason you don’t cheat on your spouse, abuse your children, or steal from your neighbors is because you’re afraid of going to hell?"

Hmmm… Awkward question, that one... It usually brings a blush to folks who insist that people need to be threatened with never-ending punishment to give them "incentive" to seek the Lord, to live morally and ethically, and to love their neighbors as they love themselves. Why do those who advocate the dogma of endless hell find my question embarrassing?

It is because they have a conscience, that’s why."


http://www.tentmaker.org/FAQ/WhyLiveAGoodLife.html


http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

[Catholic Sensation]

3. He warned the Pharisees about the danger of hypocrisy

because a time was coming when their superior would judge them.

[blondeatlast]

5. He's pretty clear that He has no time nor patience for them, indeed.

Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.


Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.


Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.


Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him

[eissa]

8. That is my main annoyance

with the religious right (many of whom are in my own family). The sheer hypocrisy -- Newt, Bob Barr, Henry Hyde, Bob Livingstone, etc. going after Clinton when they had done/were doing the same thing. Cheney going after the gay population, intruding in on their private affairs, and then saying his daughter's life is "private." Religious "leaders" like Robertson and Falwell living the life of sultans in their immense palaces.

Republicans always talk of "small government" not invading our lives, and then want to regulate the most private of issues -- who you marry/sleep with, what you do with your body, what you should watch/listen to. Hypocrites, all of them!

[TowelBoy]

9. Jesus died for our sins

God forgives everyone as long as you want forgiveness. Even (this is only my opinion) people who do not have faith. I do not think God cares what name you call him by, as long as you live a good life, or at least try to. I'm sure many Evangelists are liars and earning money by God, which is horrible, but I'm sure many really do think they're doing the right thing, even if it isn't right. We're all terrible sinners.

[jedicord]

10. Amen Towelboy

And welcome to DU!:hi:

Mark Twain said something to the effect of people who can only stand 2 hours of church on Sunday having their greatest wish to go to Heaven. It's as if they're praying for their own Hell, if they can only stand those 2 hours a week. Pretty funny.

I'm of the do unto others religion, myself. My God sees everything I do and think.

[Indiana_Dem]

12. Welcome to DU Amen Towelboy!

:hi:

[Indiana_Dem]

15. oops! (blushing) Welcome! (typed the subject as your name!)

[Indiana_Dem]

14. Welcome to DU Towelboy!

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. Welcome. Towelboy.. Yes he died for our sins

but He also tried to show us how to live. It's not enough to say "Thanks for dying on the Cross for me". He wants us to live as He did. On a social level that means caring for the needy, making certain justice is served. On a personal level it means getting so close to God that you can call him "Papa". (Note to the fundies: Ditch the image of the angry old guy with the flowing white beard ready to toss a lightning bolt at our sorry, imperfect behinds already. That was not the God with whom Jesus was in constant communion.)

http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

[Indiana_Dem]

11. blondatlast gave you some good scripture

regarding the tv evangelists and people who boast of their faith and pray in front of everyone so as to make a statement or something.

My interpretation is that sin is sin period and is all equal sin regardless (a lie is as bad as murder, for example). I also interpret that someone who doesn't know the "law" isn't held to the law as the person does not know it's a sin, or in other words, is not convicted because they don't know any better. Also, my interpretation is that all of these sins can be forgiven. The only unpardonable sin from what I read in the bible is the un-belief that Jesus was the Son of God. I'd have to dig out my bible and search for awhile before I could find all the scripture to back it up. I can if you want me to!

[myopic4141]

13. Please do not assume that religious people are people of faith.

Religious individuals have tenets in which they are suppose to believe. People of faith actually follow those tenets.

[Indiana_Dem]

16. Welcome to DU myopic4141! (hope I got it right!)lol

:hi:

[myopic4141]

17. If you mean got the name right,

then you did.

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. But the hypocrits have a plank in their eye

and cannot see themselves clearly. (Yet amazingly, they can see the specks of dust in our own eyes. Gof figure.)

http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

[seabeyond]

25. the greater responsibility

like with a parent of a child. the parent has all the power. it is not to manipulate and control and brain dead the child. it is to nourish like a sun to flower a child letting it become the best self it can. always allowing the child to stay true to self, even in discipline and teaching.........it is a massive responsibility.

the minister has the same obligation with the followers. to allow the free will, to allow the people to figure it out within themselves.

i had soemone help me along a couple years ago in my awakening, in my spirituality, and the grandest thing this person gave me was always... i have the truth within self, no one tells me what truth is, it is my job to figure that out. i am the only one that can

the true minister doesnt direct and control,. the powerful truely pure minister gives the power to their followers

[ButterflyBlood]

26. yes, I believe they are sinning

but all sins can be forgiven, the choice of whether to do so is up to God.