“…promotes that women are not inferior to men; then I don’t see how that conflicts with any Christian values.” That is at the core of christian religion though, that women are inferior to men…honey…

It’s really not. But so many people twist it to make it seem as so. Everyone has their own interpretation though. I just don’t like anyone saying “believe in God OR believe in women’s rights”.

I wonder…why is it that “a woman that hates children, wants to oppress all men, sees herself as some sort of ‘goddess’, and is a lesbian” is considered “radical”, when a Christian who has very radical beliefs and behaviors is considered crazy? Its okay to be PC when discussing a lesbian, but not when discussing a Christian?

Also, Andrea Yates and her husband BOTH decided to have many children based on their religious beliefs. Part of what led to Yates’ “insanity” was the fact that both her and her husband decided to not have more kids and they were berated by their religious leader for that decision. Yates’ husband stopped contact with the leader, while Yates continued to have contact.

I feel no need to be politically correct with that one. That wasn’t a made up example, I took it from a page in my life story.

I call it how I see it and when I am walking down the street minding my own business and someone is frantically shouting all these outrageous and hateful things at me I’m going to call them crazy. When someone is using hate and trying to label it as Godly and Jesus-like- I am going to call them crazy. And yes, if someone thinks it’s ok to have sex with their child…I am going to call them crazy…along with a few other things that I’d have to restrain from saying aloud.

Those aren’t Christian behaviors to me. That doesn’t represent Christianity which was an underlying point to the whole post- how one defines the terms Christian and Feminism will all depend.

To be a feminist Christian is to re interpret the Bible. Most moderate contemporary Christians do this in their own way, taking bits and pieces that suit them and rejecting others, which is fine- at least they’re showing discrimination in the values they’re adopting. It might just be the case that women need to work harder to suit Biblical teachings to themselves, than other demographics. I’m an atheist but like some of the biblical stories for their metaphorical and allegorical value. Still, there are some blatantly misogynist anecdotes in the Bible that I could never justify in any form if I were a feminist Christian.

If women aren’t inferior to men, then how come women can’t be priests in the Catholic religion? I don’t label myself neither Christian, Catholic nor Feminist, really, so I don’t know. I do know Catholicism is a kind of Christianity, a sect if you will, and that they don’t allow women to reach the highest places of power.

Don’t even get me started on Catholicism…really, please don’t.

Yes, because calling someone “sweetie” or “cutie” is SO wrong and degrading to women. You know, because guys are NEVER called those names.

I’m an adult, I am not your “sweetie” or “cutie” unless it’s my husband talking to me. You can answer to what you want Isabella, but that’s not my name and I don’t take well to being called that especially in a professional environment.

I believe that you can be a feminist and a Christian depending upon how you carry yourself. If you defend women’s rights in a loving, Christ-like way that is one thing. However, if you try to defend women’s rights like the man on the corner with the megaphone, that is going against Christianity. God gave us all free will, so we shouldn’t feel obligated or under compulsion to serve God. Nor should someone feel threatened to be just to women. I believe with anything we get more bees with honey than with vinegar.

I do not believe a person can be both a feminist and a christian. The first two comments here are in opposition, but I am with the first commenter.

Christians believe that “God” is the FATHER, SON, and Holy Spirit. There is no woman. There is no mother. We are all supposedly “born” out of a man. At its CORE, christianity is misogynist, and therefore anti-feminist.

Who said that the Holy Spirit was male?

Not me.

I loved your post you took the words out of my mouth. I am a christian and feminist. That does not mean that i want to be like a man or dominate any man. I just want women to have equal rights and oppurtunites to do whatever the want. We should be treated fairly and justly and not be looked upon as being inferior. It makes me sick when people twist the words in the bible to support their misogynist views.

I recently had rather a heated discussion via email with a Catholic woman who objected to my brand of feminism. This is what she had to say:

“As for the Bible, one of the foundational lessons one learns from the good book is that might makes right. The Lord establishes his authority by destroying all who reject him or disobey him. He tones it down a bit for the New Testament, but there is still Hell there waiting for the distractors. Brute force ends all conflicts. In our world, in terms of might, men have the upper hand — and therefore championing totalitarianism as you do is not smart. Women do not have physical might and we would lose out.”

This woman was objecting to my blog posts about sexism and my involvement in the CP80 Internet Channel Initiative to protect kids from being exposed to pornography on the Internet. Imagine my shock when I saw her email address was from ‘catholic.org’ and she was actually supporting pornographers???

I am a feminist and a Christian and I see no conflict with being both. But obviously, some women see it differently.

If you think Christ came to oppress anyone - women or men - then you’re reading it wrong.

[...] Can You Be Christian and Feminist? [...]

I’m sorry girl but did you read the entire chapter of corinthians?

It asks women to cover their head to show the authority men have over them, it says that the man is the head of the woman and says that the woman was created FOR the man while the man was created independent for nobody, she was created not with him but FOR him. in 1 Timothy 2:11 you read that women should be submitive and quiete, they’re also prohibited to even just talk in church, and God is always said to be man and referred to as He while he’s normally not male nor female, in the bible, if you just read Lot’s story, he gives his daughters as if they were mere sex objects and u see that again in the old testament, Men kill the men, children and women, besides the virgin ones, and the males can keep the virgins as wives, there’s nothing written about the female’s consent and i really doubt that all these females wanted to be the wives of killers they don’t even know, as a feminist, how can you agree with it?

Normally you wouldn’t want to by quiete and submittive and refer to men as you “head” like he had authority over you, as a feminist you certainly want to be reffered to as a total human being who isn’t under the authority of anyone.

So, no, unless you are a feminist who agrees that she’s not meant to talk in church, that she shouldn’t teach, that she’s under the authority of men and meant to be totally obedient, that you can be sold by your daddy like a mere sex object, that you can be stoned if your husband accuses you of ont being a virgin on the wedding night and that you can’t prove that you were one and that you can be taken as captive of war, forced to marry killers (if you’re a virgin), then yes, you can be christian and feminist otherwise you can not.

And for all the feminists who think that i’m twisting the biblical verses and saying things that are not true, open your bible and read it again with open eyes, not tryna be rude but you really should (specially see chapters 1 timothy 2, 1 corinthians 11, Genesis 19, Ephesians 5:22-24, and many more, just read the whole bible actually :p)

Thank you so much for posting.

Not only have I read the Bible, but I also understand
the context in which those seemingly anti-female
passages were written.

There are others who can explain it much more eloquently
than I can, but I briefly touched on it (with sources)
in Wives, Submit to Your Husbands.

As for the stories of Lot and others; what do other
peoples deeds have to do with my relationship with
Jesus? Just because people behaved badly and it
was written about, it doesn’t mean that was
acceptable to God i.e. David and Bathseba.

Besides, (and I might have mentioned this earlier)
how did Jesus treat women? If more people would explore
that instead of putting on their “man law” hats, then I think some of these assumptions, misunderstandings,and superiority complexes would cease.

Very valid discussion. I simply tell people that religion does not equal Christianity (one is not entirely inclusive of the other.)

I believe that all women are called to fulfill God’s will for them. Whether that comes about in a way that some legalists would consider “unbiblical” is difficult for any one person to judge. I have friends who believe that I am sinful for having a career while my children are young (even though they are home with me when I work.) I have other friends who believe that I am not completely following my full potential by putting 100% behind my work. Both have opinions not entirely addressed in detail by God’s Word. And as for the writings in Corinthians, Timothy, etc. they were for those people for that time (although we can learn and apply basic principles in our own lives today.)
I don’t believe that feminism is easily defined these days. If it means that I wish not to have my hands cut off for being seen in public with a man, then “yes” I am a feminist. If it means that I have to believe every single extremely liberal viewpoint and be vocally obnoxious about it, then “no” I am not.
I’m comfortable with the purpose I have in the Lord. That should be good enough for me.

“And as for the writings in Corinthians, Timothy, etc. they were for those people for that time ”

I’m sorry but i don’t think that is true, the bible’s rules are meant to be applied because if you start thinking this way you can say that the whole bible was for the people in that time only and now we can throw it away. Besides, even if it was for these people in that time, it doesn’t change the fact that God agreed with it, if he didn’t He would have told these people not to do so.

As for Jesus, i don’t think he did ever make any specific rules for men and women, in fact he may be one of the few who didn’t make a difference between men and women, but He (Jesus) said that He didn’t come here to change anything but to “fulfil”, He honoured Moses (who btw agreed with the forced marriage of virgins taken in battle) and the prophets before him so if you believe in Jesus you have to believe in what was there before him even though, i admit it, Jesus didn’t make specific rules for men and women and didn’t say any sexist thing.

Casalina,

You are right in that God’s Word is eternal, and I may have not been very clear with my explanation of Timothy. What I was referring to was the fact that the individual churches that Paul and his followers were addressing had their own political and spiritual turmoil to be addressed. I believe that he addressed each church according to their own needs at the time. Nothing he said was untrue as applied to today’s church, but I think we often take things out of context (for example, that women should be silent during teaching) and use it to limit opportunity in all of today’s church activities as well.

I understand the dangers of a “throw away” principle when applying the Bible. You are right in that we can’t just pick and choose what we want to hear and live. But I do firmly believe that you can’t take every rule that the church implemented at the time and use it for the end-all-be-all guidebook for how to run today’s church.

If in doubt, I tell people to go with the red letters. If Jesus said it, it’s total undeniable truth. He had great respect and admiration for women, allowed them to teach, and gave them special duties in his discipleship and ministry. That leaves opportunity open for women today.

But the fact is that paul in corinthians said “the man is the head of the woman” and it certainly was in general, i mean why would he say such a thing if it was only valid in this country alone? lwhy would he say only in this country women had to be silent and shouldn’t teach? What would have made him say such things if it was only in this country alone? Even though we don’t know the context, if we just read it with open eyes and don’t try to find easy ways outs, there’s no reason which would make him say this things if it wasn’t meant to be applied everywhere eternally. Even if the women in that time made much noise in church, he would have said “women shouldn’t make too much noise” he wouldn’t that women should remain quiet and ask their husband when it’s over if they have a question or if women thought that they were superior to men in that time, he would have said “men and women are equal” not “the man is the head of the woman and the woman was made for the man because adam was created first” so whatever the context, there’s no logical reason which would have made him say such things unless those teachings had to be eternal.

As for Jesus, yes, Jesus never prohibited women of teaching, of talking or doing anything, but he never allowed them to do so either, that’s also why His apostles were there, to spread the gospel. Jesus did nothing but give general rules of life like “be kind to each other, love each other, forgive each other, don’t get angry, etc…” but he never went into the details, therefore what His apostles said after it is also meant to be taken in consideration since they were there to finish what He started.

LinseyK is right, Paul’s letters were just that…letters responding to certain churches. That’s no secret.

As I mentioned earlier, if someone is really interested in the issue, there are a list of sources which dig deeper into this on the post Wives, Submit to Your Husbands.

This message is to anyone reading this-

If you are struggling because you want to believe but you can’t because you think it’s sexist then I encourage you to do some research (start with the link above) and then pray that God will give you a sense of peace and Truth.

If you just like the argument because you don’t like the Bible or anything to do with it then ok, I hope that enhances your life. Good luck with that.

If you are somewhere in between then let’s talk about it.

Casalina, where are you on this scale?

“LinseyK is right, Paul’s letters were just that…letters responding to certain churches. That’s no secret.”

And again, why would he say that in only some churches? There’s no reason which would ever make him say so. and that is not the only thing said about women anyway, there’s the headcovering women have to wear to show the authority men have over them, the verses i showed earlier and even Genesis, after eva and adam ate the apple, God clearly tells Eva that her punishment will be (suffering with childbearing and) that the husband will RULE OVER the wife. How will you interprate this?

I read your link, but it does only answer one subject “submission” the verses i’m talking about aren’t even mentionned.

“If you just like the argument because you don’t like the Bible or anything to do with it then ok, I hope that enhances your life. ”

Uh…i never said that i hated the bible or anything…I’m an ex-christian, i studied it, but i left christianity, not because i hated it or because of some sexist verses it’s because of “spiritual reasons”, nothing bad, that doesn’t mean i don’t like the bible.

“If you are somewhere in between then let’s talk about it.”

That’s what we’re doing, talking.

While my post addresses submission, there are five resources at the end of it that address women in general. The 10 Lies the Church tells Women can also be found online (free) as an article, however I linked to the book version. Google the title for the free article.

As for your questions, all of them have been answered time and time again by various people, and I could answer them for you but I’m afraid I wouldn’t do it justice as the links at the end of the submission post cover it far better than I could.

By the way, I don’t look at Christianity as a religion. It’s not something you join like a club. It’s a personal relationship with Jesus that either you have or you don’t.
It’s a shame that that message has gotten lost.

It’s not about rules, regulations, and ceremonies. And it bothers me that people act like it is. But that’s a message for another day.

I hope you find the answers that you seek, and if those resources aren’t sufficient then I can try and summarize it for you. But why settle for a sneak peak when you can get the whole thing?

First of all, i want to apologize, when i start to debate i often sound like all those haters who want to destroy everyone and everything standing in their way, these kind of people who are rude because they think that they’re always right. Know that that’s not who i am, i may sound like it, but it’s not the case, so sorry if you were offenced by my post. Now that we’re at peace:

“By the way, I don’t look at Christianity as a religion. It’s not something you join like a club. It’s a personal relationship with Jesus that either you have or you don’t.
It’s a shame that that message has gotten lost.”

You know , that’s kinda what made me leave christianity or any religion, when i read the New Testament i was amazed by Jesus’ teachings, i reread it sometimes because it is full of love and very touching, i often pray to Him and try to follow his teachings, but despite that i call myself an ex-christian because Jesus seems to be the only Pure prophete who never asked or practiced violence which is not the case for some prophet’s in the old testament and since he asks us to believe in the old testament…well i thought that i couldn’t believe in Jesus only, i had to believe in Him and all the other or believe in none of them so i choosed to leave the religion :/

btw i read the two links ( the corinthians verse and timothy) there are still unanswered questions/verses (especially the one about Moses’ deeds and the stoning of non virgins and other barbaric things like that, i’m searching but i find no article about it), so i won’t go back to christianity very soon, but, it does still help so thank you anyway.

Thank you! Thank you! The link to “10 Lies” is exactly the information I needed. I had found similar writings, but not all in one place like that. I appreciate you sharing this with me, DJ. My husband and I struggle to raise up our daughter with a strength in the Lord (despite the fact that she has been told numerous times by our very legalistic fellowship that her “place” is to prepare for potluck dinners and maybe serve overseas in a missionary capacity.)

While my husband and I have prayed for God to reveal his heart in the matter, we often get resistance in our passion for equipping both our sons and our daughter to serve the Lord.

I find it quite interesting that our churches often find no dishonor in telling our daughters that they can’t preach or teach in our American churches, but it is perfectly acceptable to “mission” overseas, sometimes in very dangerous areas. If God’s love is good enough to come from a women in foreign countries, it should be good enough for us here at home.

Keep up His Good Work, DJ!

No offense taken.

I don’t want to turn this into a sermon but I will share a few things I’ve learned.

There are a lot of things that we have to consider the historical context. True, God’s word is eternal and we can’t pick and choose what we like. However, if you don’t understand the context in which it was written then you are doing yourself a disservice.

For example the head covering and how if you didn’t know that women wore head coverings unless they were prostitutes then you might not fully understand why that is written.

Also as I said before, just because something happened in the Bible it doesn’t mean that it pleased God nor does it mean that God commanded it. Besides, you have to look at the full picture. What happened as a result of the choices that people made? Look at the story of David and what happened to him and his children. Look at how God was unhappy when Abraham took Hagar as a concubine. (The multiple wives thing always bothered me- so I had to research more about it)

No one is perfect except for Jesus. If you are going to follow Jesus then do as He commanded when He said “pick up your cross and follow me.” He didn’t say follow Paul, Moses, or anyone else.
And He also advised aganist following the traditions of man so take that into account. Mark 7:7-9

Whatever your decision is, I wish you the best. Keep seeking and searching for answers because they will be revealed to you. Search for the Truth and you’ll find it. Luke 11:9-10

Be blessed.

LinseyK I’m glad I could be of assistance to you.

Keep seeking answers from God, even if others try to get you to just accept what they say as truth. Get it directly from the source!

DJ,

Matthew 5:17

Jesus said : 17″Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Therefore, the prophets who were there before him are not meant to be fergotten, Jesus didn’t say “listen to me and forget the others”, He honoured the prophets before him and said that He came here to FULFILL the law that was already there before Him which includes Moses’ one, besides God already knew that Moses will be known centuries and centuries after His death and would be taken as example, normally, when His messagers do bad things, He would punish them or tell them that what they’re doing is wrong, which was not the case for the forced virgin marriages (if i’m wrong please give me the verse that proves it), God wouldn’t just let him do whatever he wants, Moses was not just a person, he was a prophet, a messenger, so as long as it isn’t written anywhere that what he did was wrong, we can’t say that God didn’t agree with it. And honestly, wether we have to take the context into consideration or not, i don’t think that anything can justify that all men and (non virgin) women and children, whether they’re innocent or not , get killed and that the virgins are forced to marry the killers, besides why does their virginity matter? This may also be where the ” men with active sexual life = Real man, woman with active sexual life = whore ” stereotype we have nowdays comes from. Im sorry but in this verse, this virgins are treated as property, their feelings are not even taken in consideration…

Ok, time out- saw you on Twitter and I’m jumping in this.

DJ I’m so proud of you. You don’t usually go into that much detail about religious things. You just got that feeling huh?

Casalina I have no idea what verses you are talking about but you seem to be missing the point. Nowhere are we commanded to follow Moses. Why would we follow imperfection? Moses was punished for deliberately disobeying God so he wasn’t perfect. Why would you use him as an example for life when you can use a perfect example that is Jesus?

There are many things the Bible doesn’t specifically say are bad but we can kind of figure it out for ourselves. DJ pointed that out by telling you not to just look at the story but look at the results.

I think you are just looking for a reason to argue so I am going to stop writing because I don’t want to come at you the wrong way and if I say anything else it might sound mean and I don’t want to.

I’m not trying to be unkind, so don’t think that I am. But no matter what anyone says, you are going to argue about it. One of your posts sounds like you don’t want to argue but then you come right back and totally miss the point.

If you think that being a Christian is about following Moses or anyone who isn’t Jesus then you have the wrong idea.

I will pray that one day you let go of thinking your human mind can explain everything and realize that God is bigger than that.

I hate to say worn out sayings but just let go and let God.

Moses is the example of the jews, christians are jews who believe in Jesus. I mean, God did punish Moses for disobeying Him, which means that He (God) cared about Moses deeds and wouldn’t let him do anything He wants if He didn’t agree with it, but He didn’t punish him when he did the virgin thing. Since you don’t know what verses i’m talking about it’s verse Numbers 31:13-18, read it yourself. Once again, Jesus didn’t say “follow me and forget the rest”, He didn’t make any rules, He only gave life teachings because He knew that the rules had already been given before (and would be taught after) Him. What i’m saying is not that we should do what moses did and kill everyone but the virgin girls, what bothers me is the fact that God didn’t object to those deeds and God normally punishes people for bad deeds if He doesn’t agree with it, which He didn’t do in this case.

“I think you are just looking for a reason to argue.But no matter what anyone says, you are going to argue about it. One of your posts sounds like you don’t want to argue but then you come right back and totally miss the point.”

I never said “i don’t want to argue” i clearly said that i want to talk about it, that’s what i’m doing, but you seem to get offenced and defensive only because i’m looking for answers. Saying that i’m just looking for a reason to argue is nonsense, i’m just trying to be objective and not run away, i’m not trying to se the bright sides of things all the time, when you try to read only when you want to read and see only what you want to see, that’s blind faith. I still have the right to take the negative sides as well, read it with open eyes and ask myself questions and there’s nothing wrong with not trying to always take the easy way out.

Now if you want to see me as a hater who wants to infuriate everyone and everything that’s fine, you can think whatever you want, it your opinion and your problem, but not mine.

If I had the answers to everything I wouldn’t be human, I’d be God.

Someone can study the Bible the entire lives and they still wouldn’t understand it all. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying.

But we can still keep trying to understand and we should. However whether or not we have a relationship with Jesus should not depend on whether we know everything or not.

It’s all about faith, which no one can make you have. If you don’t have faith then no amount of answers will matter, because truthfully no one has the answer to everything.

But that’s the point, we spend our lives seeking answers while faithfully following Jesus.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that is what Terri was trying to say. If you don’t have faith then it doesn’t matter what anyone says. That’s why I shy away from these conversations.

So yes Terri, I’m usually not that vocal because I know that things like this can go on for days and some people love to poke holes in everything. That’s my struggle. I’d rather be dismissive because it’s easier for me. But I’m working on it. You see how Jesus works through people though? I’m the last person to go into this much detail but I’m doing it anyway.

As for Christians being Jews who believe in Jesus- that’s an oversimplification and inaccurate. Jesus came and established a new covenant. Heb 8:13, Mark 14:24, 2 Cor. 3:6, Heb. 9:1-4

Matthew 5:17- remember what I said about context? In Jesus’ day the Law and the Prophets was an expression used to refer to the Old Testament. When he says he hasn’t come to abolish
it, He meant the Old Testament. Please refer to Acts 24:14 in your KJV where it speaks of things written in the law and in the prophets. There’s also Romans 3:21. Jesus came to fulfill what was promised in the Old Testament.

There’s some questions about war practices in the Bible that I don’t understand. Perhaps that’s due to not having the historical knowledge that I need to understand them, or maybe it’s something else. But I would like to explore Numbers 31:13-18 further so I will. However I do know that sin is real and because of that there are deadly consequences. But I need to spend time reading the entire chapter and re-reading the book before further comments.

Anyone can feel free to chime in on those verses.

You said earlier:
“when i read the New Testament i was amazed by Jesus’ teachings, i reread it sometimes because it is full of love and very touching, i often pray to Him and try to follow his teachings, but despite that i call myself an ex-Christian because Jesus seems to be the only Pure prophet”

That’s great, stick to that!

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6. If you believe that, then nothing in the world should be able to stop you from having a relationship with him.

When it comes down to it, you are saved by faith and God’s grace. God gave his only son so that you and I can have eternal life. John 3:16 Don’t let a few unanswered questions stand in the way of your eternal salvation.

If you are ready to take that next step then go ahead.
http://tinyurl.com/66uzxb has a great quick, little explanation on what to do next.

If not, and you still have more questions then I’ll try to answer them or I’ll find someone who can.

Whatever you decide, I’m still praying for you.

sorry for the long wait, there were all the stuff to celebrate in decemeber and i really didn’t have much time to come on the computer (i don’t think i should be apologizing because i don’t think anyone wanted me to reply, but i’m replyng anyway…)

in your essay about corinthians, you start with a recap and you talk about the original sin when God says that the man will rule over the woman, you reply to this by saying that it was because of the fall but it doesn’t mean that God does agree with it.

Imagine that you’re child threw your favorite beautiful vase on the floor for fun and seeing her laugh after doing this makes you very angry so you scream : ” i already told you that you were not allowed to touch this vase! You’re grounded for 2weeks because of that, you have no right to see your friends anymore, no tv and no playstation!”
(i know that you prolly wouldn’t give such a harsh punishment to your child but just imagine that you do)
Honesly if YOU are the one giving that punishment, do you agree with it or not? If you didn’t agree you would never give such a harsh punishment. Your child is not grounded because she broke your vase, she’s grounded because you decided to give her that punishment for what she did while you could have given her another punishment. That’s exactly the same when it come to the genesis chapter, God decided that punishment, not the fall because the fall can’t think or decide anything. So i’m sorry but saying that God doesn’t agree with it doesn’t make much sense.

As for the old testamen, just a simple question, what was the old testament written for if it wasn’t meant to be taken in consideration nowdays anymore?

You also say that you can’t have the answers on everything because if you did you would be God. You know when you follow a religion you’re meant to know what you’re going into, that’s why i’m asking so much questions, to actually KNOW what christianism is, because there are much so called christians who think that christianism is only praying Jesus, going to the church taking the host and do whatever you want after that. That’s why i don’t understand Terri when she comes out of nowhere, she goes all angry talking to me like i’m some kind of hater who tries to “poke holes in everything” and disapears forever after telling me that i’ll keep “searching for a reason to argue” just because i dare to admit that there ARE things that we don’t understand and that i don’t try to deny that the bible is totally perfect, when i read her post it sounds like she is just asking me to ignore those “holes” and just “follow the religion” like there were no problems and no nothing, so till now i’ll just ignore her because it’s just clear that she sees me as nothing else but a hater who argues for fun.

But at least you, DJ try to find answers to questions nobody has ever been able to answer before. I read your essays and your explanation on some verses really clears up lots of things, so i really hope we will ever get a rational answer for all the violence.

when you say :

“It’s all about faith, which no one can make you have. If you don’t have faith then no amount of answers will matter, because truthfully no one has the answer to everything”

answers can actually make you have the faith, it clears things up and in the end you can have the faith without believing blindly because you actually know and understand what you’re believing, and that is important.

Even if you pray 500 times a day and go to the church every sundays of your life, your acts and prayers are worthless if you don’t know/understand why and what you’re believing in.

At least you

The thing is, if you need to have the answers to everything then you don’t have faith. Faith is about believing and trusting in God without seeing. It’s about following Jesus even when there are things you don’t understand or see.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

John 20:29 -Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

There’s a difference between saying “I don’t understand this” and saying, “I need proof”. One of those responses can be from someone who has faith, and the other cannot.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will make your paths straight.”

As for what I said about original sin, God did not intend for things to be the way that they are in a lot of aspects,however because of sin, we are separated from God. To use your example, if I punish my child it isn’t because I want to.It’s because I need to. It’s for the best. I am not sitting here with a wicked smile on my face enjoying it.
I am doing it because in the long run it will help my child. BUT chances are my child won’t get it. They won’t understand why the punishment is needed until much, much later.

Hebrews 12:6-7 For the Lord disciples those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who was never disciplined?

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening- it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

As for “not agreeing with it”, that was used in the context of God does not agree with everything that went on in the Bible.

There was adultery- that doesn’t mean that God agreed with it. Murders- that doesn’t mean that God agreed with it. Worshiping
idols- that doesn’t meant that God agreed with it.

I am not asking you to blindly believe, I am not asking you to believe in anything because I fully understand that God wants us to believe freely, not because we were talked into it. And truthfully, no amount
of talking is going to convince anyone of anything.

If you want to know what I personally believe then that’s a different story. But my beliefs only add to my present life by securing my eternal life, and by encouraging me to live a selfless life not motivated by greed, lusts, cruelty, or my own self interests. I do this by realizing that there is something greater than myself who died for my sins, and by understanding that my joy doesn’t depend on my current circumstances. I’m not perfect, but I’m doing the best I can to follow the model that Jesus set. Jesus died a horrible death for my sins. The least I can do is try my very best to do what He asked which when you think about, He’s not asking for that much.

- Believe in me and spread the word
- Ask for forgiveness for your sins
- Love your neighbor as yourself and pray for your enemies
- Don’t live like the world, follow me
-Accept my gift of eternal life

When it comes down to it, faith is a part of God’s gift of salvation to us.

You are free to accept the gift, and you are free to reject it. Whatever you choose, one day you’ll have to stand before God and account for it. I can’t make you believe that, I can just tell you what I know to be true.

As for me trying to answer your questions, please don’t think that I am any different from anyone else because I am not. I am just
as dismissive and impatient as the next person, but through the Grace of God I’m learning how to let go of what I want to do, and do what God wants me to do. It’s a testament to the Glory of God, not to me.