| Locutus, after reading your littile experience with the "fire and brimstone preacher, " I feel terribly sorry for how that has to feel to anyone when they are young. It kinda makes me want to go deck a preacher. But hey, that probably won't happen. It really bothers me when people try to convert each other through fear. What a horrible way of doing things. Fear should never be a motivating technique.
As for different interpretations of the Bible, there are a ridiculous number of them. Not only the Christian's many views, but the Jews' interpretation of the old testament, the Catholic view of Christianity, and many other ideas stem from the Bible. I account for this with the idea that people are different. They see things differently. Even in a single sect of Christianity, people will interpret things differnetly. People also interpret the meanings of poetry, movies, and books differently, but I have never seen anything like a movie ridiculed for its different interpretations. While I may not completely agree with many people, I realize that they see things in a different way than I do.
Keep in mind that most people have good intentions. They do and say what makes sense to them. You ask a good question about how you can accept Christianity with its many interpretations. Well, I will not try to convert you to my form of belief, as I believe in a setting like this I would accomplish very little except for bringing ridicule upon myself. I will say this. Technosoul had a good point. Christianity agrees on many of the same points. Most importantly I wouldn't worry about an eternity of damnation.
You asked why you couldn't be "saved" for being a good person. Many people claim you have to be Christian. I say that you try as hard as you can to be a good person and try to not let fear motivate you. I think as long as you try to do waht is best for you and others people, you have nothing to fear. Try to be open-minded as well, that always helps. :)
That's my little snipet. |