What do you believe?

[OnceConvinced]

One of the difficult things about debating on a site such as this is trying to keep track of who believes what. Sometimes you can be arguing a point with say a Christian, only to find out that person has a different opinion to what you assumed. Eg Debating the concept of eternal suffering in Hell and finding out the Christian you debated with doesn’t believe Hell is eternal suffering.

I thought it would be handy to create a questionnaire that we can all answer (not just Christians all though it mainly revolves around biblical philosophies) that tells everyone our stance on certain issues. I’m hoping it might be a database we can refer to, to jog our memories of a person’s particular stance. I know I enjoy doing surveys like this, so perhaps there are others here too. It may be that people don’t want to do it, it may be that only a few will even bother, but I thought I’d try it out anyway.

The idea is to answer the questions with very basic answers. Hopefully one word answers, but no more than a sentence. (I have given sample answers, but you aren’t limited to those). No need to back up your views with scripture or anything. The idea of this thread is not to debate issues but just to allow people to know where each of us stands. Some of the questions do assume there is a God, but an atheist should still be able to answer them eg if the question is “Is God omniscient� then you can answer “no� based on the fact you don’t believe in God. Or you can answer based on what you believe God would be according to your observations.

Feel free to skip any questions you don’t want to answer or just can’t answer.

1. Do you believe in God? Yes/No/Uncertain Who?
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? Yes/no? How can I blame something I don’t believe in?
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ yes/no/Unsure/Not relevant to me
4. Christianity is a religion Yes/No
5. Christianity is a relationship with God Yes/No
6. Catholics are Christian Yes/No
7. Believing in Christ is a choice Yes/No/You can’t choose to believe something, you either do or you don’t believe.
8. The Bible is… The infallible word of God/Inspired by God/Man’s beliefs about God
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. Yes/No
10. There are contradictions in the bible Yes/No
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts Yes/no/It’s all heresay
12. The creation story is literal history Yes/No
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story Yes/No
It was a local flood Yes/No
It covered the entire world Yes/No
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) Yes/No
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) Yes/No
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) Yes/No/If he chooses to be
17. God is loving Yes/No
18. God is just Yes/No
19. God is merciful Yes/No
20. God is perfect Yes/No
21. God answers prayer Yes/No/Some times
22. God protects his followers Yes/No/Some times
23. God requires works rather than faith Yes/No
24. God violates freewill yes/no/some times
25. God always keeps his promises: Yes/No
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) Yes/No
27. Morals: Come from God/Come as a result of evolution
28. Miracles do happen these days Yes/No
29. Hell is… Eternal suffering/Death by fire/the Grave/On Earth
30. God created Hell Yes/No
31. God created Satan Yes/No
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved Yes/No
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell Yes/No
34. Suffering is: God testing us/A result of Satan’s activities/Adam and Eve’s fault/A result of evolution
35. The earth is: around 6-7000 years old/Millions of years old
36. God used evolution to create life Yes/No/Evolution has no intelligence behind it.
37. Sin = Evil things that people do/Actions God hates/ Actions religious leaders hate/Human nature
38. Homosexuality is a sin Yes/No
39. Atheists are evil Yes/No
40. Salvation = Once saved always saved/Requires actions to maintain/There is no such thing
41. You must be baptized to be saved: Yes/No/Unsure
42. Ex Christians were: Never true Christians to begin with/Were Christians but deconverted for some reason
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = (describe in one or two sentences if possible)
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? (Try to keep your answer as brief as possible)

[elle]

1. Do you believe in God? No
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? How can I blame something I don’t believe in?
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ No
4. Christianity is a religion Yes
5. Christianity is a relationship with God Yes
6. Catholics are Christian Yes
7. Believing in Christ is a choice You can’t choose to believe something, you either do or you don’t believe.
8. The Bible is… Man’s beliefs about God
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. No
10. There are contradictions in the bible Yes
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts No
12. The creation story is literal history No
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story No
It was a local flood N/A
It covered the entire world N/A
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) N/A
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) N/A
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) N/A
17. God is loving N/A
18. God is just N/A
19. God is merciful N/A
20. God is perfect N/A
21. God answers prayer No
22. God protects his followers No
23. God requires works rather than faith N/A
24. God violates freewill N/A
25. God always keeps his promises: N/A
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) N/A
27. Morals: Are a human creation
28. Miracles do happen these days Yes, but we only consider them as such because we don't know the case
29. Hell is… Non-existent
30. God created Hell No
31. God created Satan No
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved No
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell No
34. Suffering is: I don't know why there is suffering.
35. The earth is: Millions of years old
36. God used evolution to create life Evolution has no intelligence behind it.
37. Sin = a term that I don't find relevant to my life anymore.
38. Homosexuality is a sin No
39. Atheists are evil No
40. Salvation = is something humans must do for themselves.
41. You must be baptized to be saved: No
42. Ex Christians were: Christians but deconverted for some reason
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope
Critical thinking, knowledge, hope, belief, faith
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = (describe in one or two sentences if possible) There is no such thing.
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? (Try to keep your answer as brief as possible)[/quote] If are a person that relates to God through your understanding of Jesus Christ, I would consider you a Christian. I do not believe there are "true" and "untrue" Christians, but it has no relevance to my life anymore either way.

[Eph]

1. Do you believe in God? Yes
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? No, free agency is a gift from God, we can only blame ourselves
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ Yes, I believe this.
4. Christianity is a religion No, it is a belief
5. Christianity is a relationship with God No, it is a belief
6. Catholics are Christian Yes, I'll take them at their word
7. Believing in Christ is a choice Yes, of course it is
8. The Bible is… A collection of religious books
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. Only for its intended use, which is to draw us nearer to God in our thoughts and actions
10. There are contradictions in the bible Yes, this is well documented
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts Not all of them, this is well documented also
12. The creation story is literal history Yes, but not simply put
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story Yes, but not simply put
It was a local flood No
It covered the entire world Yes, I believe this, but I could not explain how
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) Yes
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) Yes
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) No
17. God is loving Yes
18. God is just Yes
19. God is merciful Yes
20. God is perfect Yes
21. God answers prayer Yes
22. God protects his followers Sometimes
23. God requires works rather than faith No, both are required
24. God violates freewill No
25. God always keeps his promises: Yes
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) No
27. Morals: All things good come from God
28. Miracles do happen these days Yes
29. Hell is… spiritual separation from God
30. God created Hell Possibly, but maybe it always existed
31. God created Satan Only in the same sense that he created us, with free agency
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved No
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell No, whether in this life of the next all will hear the gospel
34. Suffering is: A consequence of mortality
35. The earth is: I have no idea, ask the scientists
36. God used evolution to create life No, just to perpetuate it
37. Sin = Those things that are contrary to our conscience and to those laws/commandments spoken of in scripture and modern day revelation
38. Homosexuality is a sin Yes, love the sinner, not the sin. I've had gay friends.
39. Atheists are evil Who am I to judge? I have atheist friends.
40. Salvation = Is a choice and a gift
41. You must be baptized to be saved: Yes
42. Ex Christians were: I'll take them at their word
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope They are all important, I find that each enhances the quality of my life
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = (describe in one or two sentences if possible). Simple, to testify of truth, the Spirit is the tool I use when I consider spiritual matters
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? (Try to keep your answer as brief as possible) To believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and follow His teachings.

Another important question:
46. Is there a purpose of life? If so, what is it? To Progress

[PlayRadioPlay!]

1. Do you believe in God?
No.

2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world?
I don't believe in God, therefore cannot blame him for anything.

3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ?
Heh. N/A.

4. Christianity is a religion.
Yes.

5. Christianity is a relationship with God.
Ehh...

6. Catholics are Christian
I see them as a form of Christian.

7. Believing in Christ is a choice.
Yes.

8. The Bible is…
Haha, you don't want to hear what I really think. It's full of lies, but makes a good story book.

9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture.
Nah, just a brain.

10. There are contradictions in the bible.
Oh yes! Too many to count!

11. The gospels are eye witness accounts.
Nah.

12. The creation story is literal history.
Nah.

13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story.
Possibly, but I'm not sure.

It was a local flood.
I believe so.

It covered the entire world.
Doubt it.

14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future
events).
No.

15. God is omnipotent (all powerful).
No.

16. God is omnipresent (everywhere).
No.

17. God is loving.
No.

18. God is just.
No.

19. God is merciful.
No.

20. God is perfect.
No.

21. God answers /prayer.
No.

22. God protects his followers.
No.

23. God requires works rather than faith.
Eh..

24. God violates freewill.
Yes.

25. God always keeps his promises.
No.

26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is).
.......

27. Morals:
Come from how we are raised and the choices we make throughout life.

28. Miracles do happen these days.
Nah.

29. Hell is…
Non-existent....

30. God created Hell.
Read above.

31. God created Satan.
......

32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved.
No, they'll just rot in the ground like the rest of us.

33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell.
.....

34. Suffering is:
Part of being human.

35. The earth is:
Millions of years old.

36. God used evolution to create life.
Meh.

37. Sin is...
Human nature.

38. Homosexuality is a sin.
Nah.

39. Atheists are evil.
Hahaha! No. xD I'm no where near evil. (:

40. Salvation=
No such thing.

41. You must be baptized to be saved:
Meh...

42. Ex Christians were:
Were Christians but de-converted for a reason, whether they found evidence of there being no God or whatever.

43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope
Knowledge, Critical thinking, Hope, Belief, Faith.

44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = (describe in one or two sentences if possible)
None.

45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? (Try to keep your answer as brief as possible)
.....

[coop101]

1. Do you believe in God? Yes
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? no
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ yes
4. Christianity is a religion No
5. Christianity is a relationship with God Yes & No
6. Catholics are Christian. No comment
7. Believing in Christ is a choice Yes & No
8. The Bible is… The infallible word of God/Inspired by God
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. Yes with wisdom.
10. There are contradictions in the bible No
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts Yes & No
12. The creation story is literal history No No story, fact
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story Yes
It was a local flood No
It covered the entire world Yes
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) Yes, including past.
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) Yes
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) Yes
17. God is loving Yes & No
18. God is Yes
19. God is merciful Yes & No
20. God is perfect Yes depending on one view
21. God answers prayer Yes
22. God protects his followers Yes
23. God requires works rather than faith Yes/No both
24. God violates freewill no such thing
25. God always keeps his promises: Yes
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) No
27. Morals: Come from God
28. Miracles do happen these days Yes all the time
29. Hell is… Eternal suffering/Death by fire/the Grave/On Earth . the last two answers is correct
30. God created Hell Yes
31. God created Satan No he created Lucifer.
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved No, not related
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell No, not all
34. Suffering is: God testing us/A result of Satan’s activities/Adam and Eve’s fault/A result of evolution (none listed).
35. The earth is: around 6-7000 years old/Millions of years old more that 6-700 years or millions
36. God used evolution to create life No. Evolution is God's guiding hand in (making) not creating..
37. Sin = Evil things that people do/Actions God hates. (sin is not evil.)
38. Homosexuality is a sin Yes
39. Atheists are evil No, not all of them
40. Salvation = Once saved always saved (yes for some and no for others.)
41. You must be baptized to be saved: Yes (not only with water).
42. Ex Christians were: Never true Christians to begin with (what do you mean by true?).
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope (neither)
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = (enable, and comfort) I'll use 2 words, and "and"
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? (what is true first)


Love and Peace
coop

[AlexMapleoir]

1. Do you believe in God? Yes/No/Uncertain Who?
Not a literal god
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? Yes/no?
How can I blame something I don’t believe in?
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ yes/no/Unsure/Not relevant to me
Not relevant to me
4. Christianity is a religion Yes/No
Yes
5. Christianity is a relationship with God Yes/No
6. Catholics are Christian Yes/No
7. Believing in Christ is a choice Yes/No/You can’t choose to believe something, you either do or you don’t believe.
Its a mindset that
8. The Bible is… The infallible word of God/Inspired by God/Man’s beliefs about God
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. Yes/No
10. There are contradictions in the bible Yes/No
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts Yes/no/It’s all heresay
12. The creation story is literal history Yes/No
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story Yes/No
It was a local flood Yes/No
It covered the entire world Yes/No
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) Yes/No
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) Yes/No
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) Yes/No/If he chooses to be
17. God is loving Yes/No
18. God is just Yes/No
19. God is merciful Yes/No
20. God is perfect Yes/No
21. God answers prayer Yes/No/Some times
22. God protects his followers Yes/No/Some times
23. God requires works rather than faith Yes/No
24. God violates freewill yes/no/some times
25. God always keeps his promises: Yes/No
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) Yes/No
27. Morals: Come from God/Come as a result of evolution
28. Miracles do happen these days Yes/No
29. Hell is… Eternal suffering/Death by fire/the Grave/On Earth
30. God created Hell Yes/No
31. God created Satan Yes/No
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved Yes/No
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell Yes/No
34. Suffering is: God testing us/A result of Satan’s activities/Adam and Eve’s fault/A result of evolution
35. The earth is: around 6-7000 years old/Millions of years old
36. God used evolution to create life Yes/No/Evolution has no intelligence behind it.
37. Sin = Evil things that people do/Actions God hates/ Actions religious leaders hate/Human nature
38. Homosexuality is a sin Yes/No
39. Atheists are evil Yes/No
40. Salvation = Once saved always saved/Requires actions to maintain/There is no such thing
41. You must be baptized to be saved: Yes/No/Unsure
42. Ex Christians were: Never true Christians to begin with/Were Christians but deconverted for some reason
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = (describe in one or two sentences if possible)
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? (Try to keep your answer as brief as possible)

[Kuan]

1. Do you believe in God? Yes
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? No
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. Yes
4. Christianity is a religion. Yes
5. Christianity is a relationship with God. Yes
6. Catholics are Christian. Yes
7. Believing in Christ is a choice. Yes
8. The Bible is… The infallible word of God...as long as it is translated correctly
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. No
10. There are contradictions in the bible. Yes
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts Yes
12. The creation story is literal history Yes
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story Yes
It covered the entire world Yes
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) Yes
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) Yes
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) No
17. God is loving Yes
18. God is just Yes
19. God is merciful Yes
20. God is perfect Yes
21. God answers prayer Yes
22. God protects his followers Yes
23. God requires works rather than faith Both
24. God violates freewill no
25. God always keeps his promises: Yes
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) No
27. Morals: Come from God
28. Miracles do happen these days Yes
29. Hell is… Eternal suffering
30. God created Hell Yes
31. God created Satan No
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved No
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to HellNo
34. Suffering is: God testing us/A result of Satan’s activities
35. The earth is: around 6-7000 years old and millions
36. God used evolution to create life Yes
37. Sin = Evil things that people do/Actions God hatesHuman nature
38. Homosexuality is a sin Yes
39. Atheists are evil No
40. Salvation = Requires actions to maintain
41. You must be baptized to be saved: Yes/No/
42. Ex Christians were: Were Christians but deconverted for some reason
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Hope (Belief is the same as faith)
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = To guide us back to Heavenly Father.
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? A belief in Jesus Christ for salvation.

[Venom10131]

1. Do you believe in God? I am undecided
2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? No, our troubles are brought about by our decision and the decisions of the people around us.
3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ: No, I believe that you can find god by careing for the people and nature around us.
4. Christianity is a religion: Yes
5. Christianity is a relationship with God: In a away.
6. Catholics are Christian: I don't know, seen as I'm neither of them.
7. Believing in Christ is a choice. Yes and no, if brought up not believeing, them find god in something, then you are choosing to believe, but if your brought up to believe and to go to church then its not really your choice.
8. The Bible is… a man's belife in god. Not every one believe's so it cans be manknids beliefe, just simply one, or several, peoples veiw.
9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. No, i understand it, i just don't believe it.
10. There are contradictions in the bible. Yes, if god has supposidly made us who we are and loves us all, why do christians believe it's wrong to be homosexual?
11. The gospels are eye witness accounts. i believe they are the interpretations of the writer, so its hard to belivev that what is told is completely true.
12. The creation story is literal history. No.
13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story. it could be, but if god created this earth and loved it, i find it hard to believe he would try to wipe it all out with a flood.
14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events) noone can see the future, it allways change depending on the actions and chocies we do and make.
15. God is omnipotent (all powerful) no.
16. God is omnipresent (everywhere) if u believe he is.
17. God is loving Yes
18. God is just no.
19. God is merciful no, if he was we would all go to 'heaven' and all 'sins' would be forgiven.
20. God is perfect. no, noone is and noone can be.
21. God answers prayer: If he did i would be living in a nicer house, with out the trrible neighbours i have and i would be able to play Guitar, but seen as neither has happened i'm guessing no.
22. God protects his followers. I don't know
23. God requires works rather than faith. I think he requiers acknowlegement.
24. God violates freewill: Yes, you can't be homosexual and be christian.
25. God always keeps his promises: He's never made a promise to me so i wouldn't know.
26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is) he may have done.
27. Morals: are we we ourselves believe to be wrong or right
28. Miracles do happen these days. It dependes on what u mean but mirical.
29. Hell is… third world contry's, Living like they do is pure suffering, burning in a firey lake would proberly be a walking in the park compared to starvation and HIV. besides i don't believe in Hell.
30. God created Hell If it exists then yes, he's supposed to have created everything.
31. God created Satan Yes, if he's supposed to have created every one and everything.
32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved: No, they cant have 'sined'
33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell: No, you can only, apparently, go to hell if u have sinned and don't repent.
34. Suffering is: something we bring upon ourselves. We cause it and only we can stop it.
35. The earth is:Millions of years old
36. God used evolution to create life, humm tough question, I'm gunna go with yes beacuse I don't really believe in adam and eve, evolution seems a lot more likely.
37. Sin = a bad choice we make, saying 'we burn in hell for sinning' is a bit extreme i think it really mean u suffer the conseqenses, such as detention, going to prison, being dishoned, things like that.
38. Homosexuality is a sin. No it's a persons prefeance and life style no one can change that.
39. Atheists can be good people with good morals and actions, yes,as an athiest i do good things and have good morals, they are a lot like christian ones but not quite the same and i always try to make sure my actions to harm or hurt people, but sometimes like a lot of things hurting someone is enevitable, like breaking up with someone.
40. Salvation = i don't no what it is, but i'm sure i'll find it at some point.
41. You must be baptized to be saved: No
42. Ex Christians were: Christians that lost faith because of something that happened to them or someone around them that they can't believe that god would let happen.
43. Rank in order of importance: Critical thinking (I don't believe a situation can be solved with prayer) Knowledge, Belief (you can't believe in something with out have the knowlege of it.), Hope ,Faith.
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = is what ever you want it to be. personally i want it to be something to guide us into makeing the right decisions, i don't really want to be crist-ike.
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? Beliveing, acknowlegeing and having faith, but seen as i only have the second one, i suppose i'm not very cristian.

[Skyangel]

All questions I deleted can be answered yes and no depending on definition, perception and understanding of words and whether one takes them literally or metaphorically and symbolically.

2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in this world? No

4. Christianity is a religion Yes
5. Christianity is a relationship with God No
6. Catholics are Christian The religion is considered Christian
7. Believing in Christ is a choice Yes.
8. The Bible is… a book full of parables metaphors and symbolism about spiritual things.



34. Suffering is: a state of pain
35. The earth is: ageless


37. Sin = breaking a law

40. Salvation = the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction

42. Ex Christians are: people who have left the christian religion
43. Rank in order of importance: Faith, Knowledge, Critical thinking, Belief, Hope. The order varies depending on the situation.
44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit = To make people holy.
45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? Become a member of a Christian religion.

[Darias]

One of the difficult things about debating on a site such as this is trying to keep track of who believes what. Sometimes you can be arguing a point with say a Christian, only to find out that person has a different opinion to what you assumed. Eg Debating the concept of eternal suffering in Hell and finding out the Christian you debated with doesn’t believe Hell is eternal suffering.

This is precisely why I haven't subscribed to any user-groups. The second I subscribe to the Christian user-group, I can guarantee you that people will wrongfully assume that I'm a Fundamentalist Creationist who is against gay marriage, and believes everyone is going to hell. I have chosen not to label myself, so that my arguments may be viewed objectively.

Whenever an Atheist uses Evolution or the existence of evil in the world as reason to reject God's existence - all I do is scratch my head. I also believe in evolution and I accept the fact that evil exists in the world - but that evil is attributed to human beings not God(most Atheists would agree with that point). And the reality of evolution in no way demands that God cannot exist. I find it amusing that people assume believers have no sense of logic and reason.

I thought it would be handy to create a questionnaire that we can all answer (not just Christians all though it mainly revolves around biblical philosophies) that tells everyone our stance on certain issues. I’m hoping it might be a database we can refer to, to jog our memories of a person’s particular stance. I know I enjoy doing surveys like this, so perhaps there are others here too. It may be that people don’t want to do it, it may be that only a few will even bother, but I thought I’d try it out anyway.

The idea is to answer the questions with very basic answers. Hopefully one word answers, but no more than a sentence. (I have given sample answers, but you aren’t limited to those). No need to back up your views with scripture or anything. The idea of this thread is not to debate issues but just to allow people to know where each of us stands. Some of the questions do assume there is a God, but an atheist should still be able to answer them eg if the question is “Is God omniscient� then you can answer “no� based on the fact you don’t believe in God. Or you can answer based on what you believe God would be according to your observations.

Feel free to skip any questions you don’t want to answer or just can’t answer.

I find some of the sample answers to be too simple -- but I will go ahead and attempt to answer these just for fun.

=====


1. Do you believe in God? Who? Yes. Yahweh.

2. Do you blame God for what’s wrong in your life and in this world? No. How can I blame God for my own faults much less the brutality committed by humans past and present?

3. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. For me, Yes. I believe in a just God; He will judge all fairly, according to their knowledge and actions.

4. Christianity is a religion. Yes and No.

5. Christianity is a relationship with God. It should be.

6. Catholics are Christian. Yes.

7. Believing in Christ is a choice. Not exactly. It is a decision, based upon a combination of will, faith, logic, knowledge, and hope.

8. The Bible is… A series of man-made works, spanning various time periods and cultures - the authors of which were inspired by God, but were also errant - thus accounting for unscientific texts and immoral cultural customs; God's overall message remains intact however, amidst the authors own opinions.

9. It requires the holy spirit to understand scripture. No; Satan understands scripture better than any man, and the Holy Spirit is certainly not tutoring him.

10. There are contradictions in the bible. Yes - Many.

11. The gospels are eye witness accounts. No. They are most likely variations/copies of an original document known as "Q" -- which most likely contained the direct sayings of Christ and little else.

12. The creation story is literal history. Absolutely not.

13. Noah’s Ark and the great flood is a true story. Perhaps. Most myths are based on some level of fact; most cultures have a flood story similar to the Genesis account.
It was a local flood. Most likely; "The Known World" was just a small region at the time.
It covered the entire world. No; there has never been enough water on earth for that to possibly occur.

14. God is omniscient (knows everything there is to know including future events). Yes, but omniscience doesn't equal direct causation.

15. God is omnipotent. Yes, but only by these conditions:

A deity is able to do anything that is logically possible for it to do. . . A deity is able to do anything that is in accord with its own nature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotenc ... mnipotence

And by the fact that omnipotence does not equal puppeteering of natural events and man-made actions.

16. God is omnipresent (everywhere). Yes; He exists inside and outside of our physical reality.

17. God is loving. Yes.

18. God is just. Yes.

19. God is merciful. Yes.

20. God is perfect. As in Holy? Yes.

21. God answers prayer. Yes, but it depends: Prayer is communication/communion with God; God is not Santa Claus.

22. God protects his followers. Yes and No. If by protecting believers from the influences of evil entities, and if by being an influence in the minds of men, then yes. If by directly controlling the actions of people and events, then no.

23. God requires works rather than faith. Both. Faith without works is dead; works without faith is meaningless. Why do good if:
A.) There is no reason outside of your subjective ideological creation to do good?
B.) Unless it benefits yourself in some manner. e.g. pleasure, safety, etc.

24. God violates freewill. I believe in weak determinism. Freewill doesn't exist - as in the ability to decide things apart from your own thinking, rearing, will, and beliefs; freewill suggests random actions.

However, God doesn't determine our actions -- either directly or via foresight; God can be an influence if listened to, but we are all responsible for what we do. We have the ability to decide which of our impulses, thoughts, outside stimuli we want to act upon/respond to.

25. God always keeps his promises. Yes.

26. God sins (based on the bible definition of what sin is). No. (see my answer for question 15).

27. Morals: come from God; our ability to understand and exercise them come from Evolution.

28. Miracles do happen these days. A miracle is an improbable event that may or may not involve divine intervention. Miracles are possible.

29. Hell is… (A place where) AND OR (a state of existence in which) one is completely separated from God, for an undetermined amount of time.

30. God created Hell If it is a place, yes. If it is a state, then no.

31. God created Satan. God created Lucifer; Lucifer became Satan.

32. Young children and babies will go to hell if they are not saved. No.

33. People who have never heard the gospel will go to Hell. No.

34. Suffering is: A.) a bi-product of choice, which is caused by sentience, which we developed via Evolution.
B.) an unavoidable consequence of our physical existence on this earth, within this natural habitat.

35. The earth is: around 6-7000 years old/Millions of years old

The age of the Earth has been determined to be 4.54 billion years. . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_the_Earth

36. God used evolution to create life. Evolution does not explain how life arose from non-life. God foresaw that abiogenesis would cause life and that the phenomenon of evolution would cause the diversity of it. God, in no way shape or form "assisted" the processes of evolution. I believe in Theistic Evolution -- Not ID or Creationism.

37. Sin = A.) evil that people are capable of doing, made possible through human nature(sentience and decisions).
B.) Something that God abhors

38. Homosexuality is a sin. No. It is/has been viewed as a cultural taboo by most societies and religions. I personally find nothing wrong with it; but it's not my cup of tea.

39. Atheists are evil. No, but are just as capable of evil as anyone else.

40. Salvation Depends upon personal exercise of faith in tandem with God's mercy/willingness to save those who ask/are capable of asking. Salvation is a gift; it is not a license to do evil. Salvation is maintained by God - but doing good is expected/should be done to make one's faith in God valid in the first place.

41. You must be baptized to be saved: No. This is just a symbolic act of belief.

42. Ex Christians were: Were once Christians, but decided to de-convert for some reason.

43. Rank in order of importance: 1. Knowledge (without knowledge, there is nothing to base belief, faith or critical thinking upon)
2. Belief (Belief that what you know is factual and exists: e.g. Atoms, God, etc.)
3. Critical thinking (So, that you can rationalize and understand the facts that you believe in.)
4. Faith (Faith that what you believe is correct and makes some logical sense.)
5. Hope (Hope that the faith you have exercised in your beliefs in what you consider to be facts - is true.)

44. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit lives inside of mine. He is my comforter, my teacher via convictions, and my guide. The Holy Spirit is essentially God's presence that dwells in me as a result of salvation.

45. What does it take to consider yourself a true Christian? I'm not going to make a short list of requirements; God is the only judge and I will let Him decide.

[Kuan]

Its like going back in time here, I was looking at my answer and realized how much i have changed in what I believe and my process of thought, I think it was quite interesting.