To Question or Not To Question

As you can tell I love to ask questions? I think it is something that instilled in all of us. Even my boys ask me, why?, how, what, when, constantly. Of course, I think it is great. I want them to seek, to think, learn.

I do think for some us, we at some point in our lives just give up, stop questioning and take things as they are or at face value. I can't. I refuse to not question.

So, why do some not question politics, social issues, religion or God? Why are some afraid to ask tough questions? What does it do for us as humans when we question things and situations around us? What happens to us if we just believe things that people tell us whether it is about God, religion, morality, politics, without question? Why do so many refuse to question? Has the Church and Christians in general hindered the nature of asking questions? Or even questioning God, the church, doctrine? Has the church and Christians been known to make people feel guilty or bad for questioning? Can their be negative consequences to organizations, institutions, groups, individuals who hinder, suppress, or guilt people into not asking the tough questions about God and life? If so what are they? Is it good for people to think for themselves when it comes to religion, God, polotics, or any number of issues in life? Does it help people spiritually when we question instead of just taking people at their word about God and religion or any other issue in life? Is it bad or wrong to question? Why or why not? Should we question? Do you question? If so, what, how, why? when?

What do you think?
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The Council of Nicea & the Bible

The council of Nicea has made many question the inspiration and fullness of scripture. Did the council throw out gospels, letters and books in the Bible that may have shown Jesus to be less divine? More human? Did there need to be a council to determine what was inspired and not inspired? Could have culture, prejudices, teachings, opinions determined what the council considered inspired? What if the council threw out gospels, letters, books that could have changed Christianity as we know it today? Does it seem right that there even had been a council? Was God & the Holy Spirit at work in what we now have as the Bible?

What do you think?
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How does scripture define love?

It is pretty hard to define what love is really? Does having scripture help us define it or does scripture even have a hard time defining it? How does scripture define love? One passage defines love as God by stating that God is love? So, if God is love, would 1 Cor 13:4-7 which describes love also be describing to us who God is as well? Does everything a Christian does involve or centered around love? Should we focus more on love? Loving God & others? Why? How?

What do you think?
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What Is Love?

I am sure you have heard the words, "I love you. or I love ..." What does that mean? What is love? Without using scripture, how would you define love? Is it an emotion? Is it energy? An action? Is it a noun? Verb? Adjective? What is love? Is it easy to love? Why or why not? Where does love come from? How do we love? Does love go beyond, like? What is the difference?

What do you think?
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Does God Teach Us Lessons?

I have heard people say, "God is trying to teach that person a lesson, that is why ... keeps happening. They haven't learned the lesson that God is trying to teach." So, does God work that way? Does God intentionally cause bad things to happen in our lives to teach us a lesson? Will those bad things keep happening in our lives if we haven't learned the lessons that God wants us to learn from them? Do you think God does this? Why or why not? What does that say about God and or us? Or life for that matter? Why do some people say or think this way? Have you heard this from anyone? What did you think or say? Are there examples in the Bible where God does this?

What do you think?
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Do Christians come across as ignorant and close minded?

Do Christians come across as ignorant and close minded when they oppose so many logical ideals and issues in life? Do the ignorant, close minded Christians shout the loudest and therefore represent what Christians are in the eyes of the world? What can intellectuals and open minded Christians do to change the image that the world has of Christians? How can we not come across as stupid? How can intellectuals redefine and shape what Christians are and think about issues that have shown Christians as ignorant and close minded? How can we make Christianity less of a turn off for intellectuals?

What do you think?
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Racism & The Church

Racism. It is a hot topic for media, politics, authors, and activists today. Yet I believe it is a topic and subject that we cannot and should not ignore.
The Church and Christians can't just sweep it under the rug and act like it isn't a problem. I have seen progress but we have much to learn and deal with when it comes to judging other based on the color of skin.
You may be asking why deal with this topic? Why, bring this up? I have seen and heard first hand of racism in Churches today.
A couple of months ago a minister applied to a church in the south. The church and the minister made inquiries into each other and the topic of race, segregation or lack of fellowship with what the church called "black congregations" was addressed. The church made further inquires and found that minister had facebook friends who were black and told the minister they were offended and it wouldn't work out.
Another friend shared with me that a congregation in town would not fellowship with the hispanic congregations.
So, why would people who claim to love God; hate or judge a group of people that God created, based on the color of their skin? Has The Church ignored racism? If so, why? Have you seen racism in The Church and Christians? What can The Church do to tear down the walls of self-imposed segregation? What is your church doing to foster an enviornment of unity?

What do you think?
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Questions on EVIL

I love it when children ask tough questions. My eight year old asked me, "Why did God create evil?" Good question. The Bible makes the claim that God is Holy, Righteous, Good, Pure. So, where did evil come from? Did God create evil? If God did create evil, why would he do so and what does that tell us about God? If God didn't create evil then where did it come from? If God created evil, does it have a purpose? If so, what is it? Can evil be used as good? If so, how? If evil is so bad and God is so good, how could he allow it to continue and exist?

What do you think?
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Seeker Services or A Better Way To Reach Seekers and Unchurched?

Is your church Seeker friendly? Should churches be Seeker friendly? What is your church doing to reach out to those who are seeking Jesus or unchurched? How does your church reach out to the seekers and unchurched? Some churches are now having what they call Seeker Services, does your church have one? Are they and how are they different from other of your church services? Should churches have services geared to or just for those who are seeking or unchurched? Why or why not? Are there better ways than having seeker services to reach out to those seeking and the unchurched? If so what are they?

What do you think?

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Do Christians and the Church take care of the poor?

Do Christians and the Church take care of the poor? Do they make the poor feel guilty for being poor? Do Christians and the Church have the mentality of God helps those who help themselves? How many Christians beleive, "God help those who help themselves is in the bible?" How does God feel when the poor are neglected and abused? Is American Christians over looking their fellow brothers and sister in their own land who are poor? What does your church do to reach out and minister to the poor? Does your church do anything or do they make anyone who asks for money feel guilty for asking. I have been there and have been made to feel guilty for asking for help. Have you felt the same way? What needs to change in American Churches as far as how they view and treat the poor and those who need financial help?


What do you think?
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Do Atheist Have Faith?

Do Atheist have faith? Does it take faith to believe that there is no God? If Atheist do have faith, what do they have faith in? Does it take more or less faith to believe that there is no God? Are you an Atheist? If so, why?


What do you think?
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Why go to church?

Do you go to church? If so why, if not why not? How often do you go to church? Do women go to church more than men? If so, why? What does going to church do for us as people? What is the purpose and point of going to church? Why do people go to church? Why should they go to church? Do churches focus too much or not enough on church attendance? Should getting church attendance up be a goal for churches? Do churches us to many gimmick's to get people to come to church? What would really can churches do to bring up the number of those who attend? What has your church done and doing for those who attend and potential seekers?

What do you think?
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Are Christians and the Church forgiving?

Are Christians and the church forgiving? Have you been in any churches that say they were forgiving and then someone did something that goes against their view of scripture, expressed a opinion, commits an a sin or offense and the church's attitude towards that individual changes? Have you seen unforgiveness among Christians and churches? How? Should Christians be forgiving? Why or why not? Should Christians and the church be known for offering forgiveness to others? What does it say about a Christian or church when the attitude of unforgiveness prevails? How can Christians and the church be more forgiving of others? Does your church have a spirit of forgiveness? How? What is your church doing to ensure that forgiveness is practiced?


What do you think?
Share your thoughts.