This is a loaded question. Christianity isn't one religion and different religions believe different things. The centerpoint is Jesus Christ but the similarity often ends there.
What makes one a "Christian"? Being born into a certain family of values, actions, beliefs doesn't mean we buy into all of it 100%.
I'm going to go with the idea that Christ was born, died and resurrected so the sins of man would be forgiven and man allowed into heaven. If that is the main point of Christianity, then the greatest fear of Christians would be that Jesus really wasn't the son of God and just a religious zealot that was a master of illusion or an enlightened master that had mind control over his body. Without Christ, the gates of heaven remain closed to men and all are condemned to an eternal life in hell. I believe God exists, I believe Jesus was his son, but I also believe humans are falible beings, only the soul is perfect, therefore no human gets into heaven by being branded a "Christian" alone. I believe the way you live your life, the intent of your actions, your repentance of the things you have done that wronged others all count more than showing up for church on Sunday.
I was born into a family where I was baptised and went to church, believing I was a "Christian". I still consider myself a Christian, even though my beliefs have changed over the years, and I no longer believe in eternal heaven or hell. I believe the situations that present themselves to us are challenges or lessons to be learned. Is there reincarnation? I don't know. Is there a different existence our soul goes to after death of the human body? I think so. Is there a process that makes us more enlightened? Yes, definitely.
Based on my own beliefs, I guess my greatest fear is that at death everything just stops and it's over.
Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friend,
Then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze . . .
Setanta wrote:Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friend,
Then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze . . .
Ah, that old Peggy Lee tune. I haven't heard that song in years. LOL
Thanks Setanta, now that I've seen these lyrics, I've got that song stuck in my head and I'll spend the rest of the day singing it to myself!
Camille wrote:
I'm going to go with the idea that Christ was born, died and resurrected so the sins of man would be forgiven and man allowed into heaven. If that is the main point of Christianity, then the greatest fear of Christians would be that Jesus really wasn't the son of God and just a religious zealot that was a master of illusion or an enlightened master that had mind control over his body. Without Christ, the gates of heaven remain closed to men and all are condemned to an eternal life in hell. I believe God exists, I believe Jesus was his son, but I also believe humans are falible beings, only the soul is perfect, therefore no human gets into heaven by being branded a "Christian" alone. I believe the way you live your life, the intent of your actions, your repentance of the things you have done that wronged others all count more than showing up for church on Sunday.
Right-On except I don't fear he wasn't the Son of God
Has anyone here read The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis?
The Christian's greatest fear would be in believing that there is no point in believing anything........
Shepaints, i would edit your sentence to replace "would be" with "is," and i would not limit the class simply to christians. I guess what i am saying is that is a fair description of fervent belief, no matter what religion, and whether or not religion were the operative belief.
I suppose anyone's greatest fear is that they spent their whole life doing what they're supposed to be doing instead of what they want to do.
Re: truth
JLNobody wrote:From my perspective, and that of the majority of participants here, the Christian's greatest fear should be that if he is wrong he has sacrificed a life of FREE THINKING, of intellectual autonomy and personal exploration.
Hmmmm, twice in one day you've taken the words out of my mouth.
This is exactly what I was thinking.
Well, I am a Christian and don't believe it has curtailed my free thinking....
...in fact, since my spiritual matters have been taken care of, it has freed up a lot of time to think about other important stuff....like painting!
Am I missing something?
If one is a true believer good Christian, do they really need to fear anything?
I mean, they have accepted Jesus as their savior, are Saved, and will spend eternity in heaven.
Why would they need to fear anything in this brief life on earth, as long as they keep the faith?
Good logic.
Have unprotected sex with HIV positive strangers, walk in front a speeding Mack truck and sky dive without a parachute.
After all Jesus, will save you.
Have any comments on the Prophet Mohammad?
using the tried and true cyclical reasoning of 'believers';
Religion is truly the work of the Devil!
zoofer wrote:Good logic.
Have unprotected sex with HIV positive strangers, walk in front a speeding Mack truck and sky dive without a parachute.
After all Jesus, will save you.
Have any comments on the Prophet Mohammad?
I just meant that Christians probably shouldn't walk around fearing anything if they feel they are "Saved."
Didn't mean that they should go around doing stupid stuff.
The question is kind of funny actually. Maybe it should be on David Letterman: Top 10 things Christians should Fear.
kickycan wrote:I think this is a very interesting question. My whole family believes everything that GWB says, simply because he follows a similar religion. I wonder if they have ever thought about what would happen if they were right about god, but wrong about the people supposedly doing god's will? I'll have to ask them about that. Thanks for the post.
This is interesting, because I read that GW Bush's church actually came out against the Iraq war.
I sort of wondered how he reconciled this. But didn't wonder too much.
