Why I'm Still a Christian

[Lek]

So when can it be relied upon, and how do you know which parts are the accurate ones?

The bible is totally reliable to relate the truth that God wants it to. One purpose of the old testament was to declare God as the creator of the universe and that he is above all. Also it shows us that we are sinners in need of a messiah and leads us to the coming of our savior Jesus Christ. I view the gospels as accurate history, attested to by four different writers from that time. There's also the views of the early church fathers who lived so close to the time of Jesus and the new testament writers. Finally, I rely on the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, whom Jesus promised to his followers - the one who would "lead us into all truth". When I read scripture I'm being led by the Holy Spirit to ensure that eventually I will know the truth of the scriptures.

Why not? How long do you think one's time there will be?

How long is hell? As long as it takes to acknowledge Christ.

Romans 14:11 (NIV)
11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

Why do you believe this?

(About those who are unable to hear of Christ). I believe that those who truly seek God but haven't heard of Christ will be saved because:

Matthew 7:7New International Version (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

But government does have business in marriage, as religion doesn't have a monopoly on the term. What do you want gay couples to do while you fight the government over semantics?

Government has the business of ensuring peoples' rights are upheld. I believe if you give certain legal rights to one type of adult couple that right should be available to other types of adult couples, whether they are married or not. I can be married without the government's consent and with no legal contract just by my wife and me pledging ourselves to each other. The government deciding to change the meaning of marriage to encompass two people of the same sex is akin to a college declaring that fraternities now consist of men and women. They would be redefining an institution that is dear to many. Fraternities were established first, and then when women wanted a similar organization, they didn't proceed to change the definition of fraternities to include women, but rather established a similar organization for women.

I hope you meant to add that while you think it's sinful, you have no business sticking your nose into anyone's bedroom but your own.

(In regards to homosexual relations). Agreed.

I think I remember you saying once that you only visit the Christianity section of the forum. We often do discuss our similarities in other sections.

I spend most of my time in the christianity and atheist forums, and have dabbled in the off topic and political areas, but I'm a conservative, which puts me at odds with most of the posters there. Don't get me wrong though. I do enjoy debating.