Can you be GLBTQ and be a Christian? A minister?

More and more denominations and christian communities are welcoming GLBTQ people, as well as Ordaining GLBTQ as ministers. Is this really possible?

What is Prosperity Gospel? Where did it come from?

Preachers like Joel Osteen preach about Jesus wanting us to be rich. Where does this belief come from? Wasn't Jesus poor? Didn't he tell rich people to give everything away?

Historically Christians feel compelled to make Jesus look and dress like they do. Why? Do Christians do anything simliar today?

Some Christians believe the bible is without error and the only real authority for living, but they ignore parts of the old and new testament. Why hold on to 6 verses on homosexuality but ignore books and chapters about slavery?

Do Christians not believe in science?

Do all Christians not believe in science? Can a scientist be a Christian? Have there been famous scientists that were Christians?

Why are my non-Christian friends kinder?

In too many instances, the most gracious, gentle, peaceful, thoughtful, patient, kind, generous and steadfast people in my life have been non-Christians, while the most judgmental, mean-spirited, greedy, superficial, intolerant and war-mongering folks have been Christians. This is not always the case. But too consistent to be the exception: Christianity is not breeding the sorts of people it claims to be, and "the world" seems to be responding by turning out secular people who are actually more like Jesus. What's the deal?!

Why so many different names for leaders of church

Why are there so many different names for people who lead churches? Is it "pastor", "priest", "father", "bishop", "brother", "Reverend", "sister", 'mother" Is one better than the other? Which one is "correct" (if any)?

Do Christians follow Christ or Paul?

Some Christians quote the writings of Paul more than the teachings of Christ. How do you balance what was written and attributed to Christ and the writings of Paul contained in the letters in the NT?

Do all Christians think Jesus died for their sins?

Do all Christians believe Jesus died for their sins? Why or why not? And if not, what do they believe about why Jesus died?

Why do Christians treat one another so poorly?

Over the centuries, Christians sometimes treated those who disagree with them very poorly, including other Christians. For example, several European countries fought bloody & violent wars in the 1500s and 1600s just so one form of Christianity would have dominance over another. Does it still happen? Why?

Which denominations count as "Christian"

Are Mormons, Jehovas Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Spiritists, Christian Scientists etc... really christians?

Baptism

Do Christians have to be baptized? Why do some sprinkle while others immerse? Which one is "right"?

Disaster and Suffering

What do Christians believe about disaster and suffering in the world? If God has a plan, why is suffering part of it? How do Christians reconcile suffering in their own lives?

How come we're anti-semitic if Jesus was a Jew?

James Carroll wrote a book called Constantine's Sword that shows how we've been formed by (sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant) hostility and resentment of Judaism. What would Christianity look like if it embraced the full legitimacy of Judaism? How would we read the Hebrew Bible differently? Could it actually bring us closer to Jesus?

Why are there so many Christian denominations?

If all Christians basically believe the same thing, why do they have so many different denominations? And if there are so many denominations struggling to survive, why don't they just combine with other ones?

Can someone be both an atheist and a Christian?

If "Christian" actually means "follower of Christ," could someone be a student of the life of Jesus without accepting the claims of his divinity, or claims of the existence of any divinity at all?

What's with the grape juice and crackers?

I have visited churches who use grape juice and cracker-like chips in their worship service and refer to them as "wine" and "bread." There has to be a reason for this. That makes sense.

Can you be Christian without belonging to church?

I've met lots of people who say they are Christian but haven't been to church in a long time. I've even met some who say they were raised Christian but never went to church. Can you be Christian outside of a community of Christians?

When are souls created or born?

I understand the concept of heaven and hell and that our bodies are mere vessels for our souls - they die but our souls last for eternity. When a baby is conceived, where does that soul come from - is it created at that moment or has it been floating in existence in the universe from the beginning of time?

Why are Christians obssessed with private parts?

It seems like most Christians focus a lot more on issues of sex and sexuality than any other issue. Why?

Why are drinking and cussing so bad?

Why does "living a Christian lifestyle" mean they quit drinking alcohol, or cussing, or watching r-rated movies, or listening to secular music?

Why do Xians say everything happens for a reason?

I hear Christians say all the time that, good or bad, everything happens for a reason. What about genocide? Famine? Rape? What could the reason possibly be? Does there have to always be a reason?

What is an emergent Christian?

What defines an emergent Christian? Is is a worship style? A Theology? What is it trying to achieve? Is there a difference between "emerging" and "emergent" or are they synonymous?

Is the United States a Christian nation?

Where does the idea that so many Christians and political leaders maintain about the United States being a Christian nation come from? Do all Christians believe this?

How is it that so many Christians support -- or even call for wars -- when one of names for the Christ they supposedly follow is "Prince of Peace," and Jesus urged love for enemies and non-violent responses?

Seriously, these theological smack downs are bloody annoying!

Why are so many Christians so mean?

Why are some of the people who have been in the church the longest time some of the meanest people I ever met?

Do you have to believe in the resurrection?

Does somebody have to believe in the literal Resurrection in order to be a Christian?

Why the Ten Commandments & not the other laws?

Why do Christians focus on the Ten Commandments but not any others of the laws found in the OT?

Abortion

Are all Christians against abortion?

What does "evangelical" mean?

Many christians, especially politicians, describe themselves as evangelical. What does that mean?

What's different about postmodern Christianity?

I hear the word "postmodern" used a lot among Christians, especially younger ones, but It's not clear what is meant by it.

What do Chrsitians believe about the nature of God

What do Christians believe about the nature of God? Do they believe that God is a transcedent Other that sits "out there" beyond this reality? If so, does God bridge the gap to deal with human affairs? Can we bridge the gap to reach God? Or is God not a transcendent Other but a part of us? Or some middle ground, something else altogether? Are we a part of God?

Apocalypse Now

There has been a lot of media attention paid to "end times." Of course, there is a fiction series about Jesus' return, and it seems someone is always forecasting the end of times. What do Christians really believe about the so-called apocalypse described in Revelation?

Submission

Candidate Michelle Bachmann, who says she is a Christian, was asked whether she believes wives must submit to their husbands. Is this a Christian belief? Why was she asked such a question?

One God Three Faiths

Is the Christian God the same God as the God of Islam and Judaism?

Calvary

What does the term 'Calvary' mean? And is it true that is not found in the Bible? If so, then why are churches named "Calvary" and mean Christians refer to Christ dying on "Calvary's Cross"?

Why are churches so sexist?

Are Ministers, like, Super Christians or Something?

Do Christians really tithe?

Some Christians consider tithing--giving a tithe, or a tenth, of their income--as an obligation. Others have different views about giving. Why the difference of opinion? And does it matter?

Can you be a Christian without "worshipping" Jesus

Someone told me recently that he didn't "worship" Jesus but he did follow his teachings. His reasoning was that in Jesus' time, kings and rulers were worshiped.

How did you choose your beliefs?

With nearly 38,000 Christian denominations in the world, each holding varying beliefs, Christians have a massive range of beliefs to choose from. There's no singular religion. Maybe you didn't choose at all - you just took what you were offered. But that's a choice too. So is "non-choice." What was YOUR choice? And how certain are you of its rightness?

Excommunication

Why are there so many religious affiliations so ready to excommunicate in the name of "ultimate sign of love"?

Easter and Christmas borrowed from Pagans...

Do most Christians know that the time of celebration of Christmas and Easter are directly related to Pagan holidays?

Why is church so boring?

What does "ordained" mean?

Some churches ordain within the church themselves and other have committees and such. Why are they different?

What happens next?

What do Christians believe happens after they die? Do they believe they are judged immediately and are ferried off to Heaven or Hell? What about Purgatory?

Magic, Vampire, Jesus?

To be a Christian, is it necessary to believe that Jesus really (as in factually) healed the blind, made the lame to walk, rose from the dead, and ascended into somewhere called Heaven, where he sits with someone he calls his Father? And if not, why do Christians recite a Creed that says that?

Music & God

Is it okay with God that as Christians we enjoy listening to music such at Marilyn Manson, AC/DC, KISS, Slip Knot...etc? Can we be a true Christians and listen to and like this kind of music?

Many Christians believe that Halloween (at least in its present form) is Satanic or the Devil's birthday. Can Christians celebrate Halloween?

Is it Really Possible to "Hear" the Holy Spirit?

Christians talk about doing the will of God and use the Bible as a reason for their actions, but the Bible and tradition list so many things that one could not do all of them at once. Is there an actual Holy Spirit left by Jesus to provide guidance and counsel. If so, how does one "hear" this guidance and what does it take to have access to it? Can one be led by the Holy Spirit without being a Christian?

Why is the church growing in Africa and Asia, but declining in Europe and the US?

How little can I believe and still be a Christian?

Some Christian teachings are easy, such as loving our neighbor. Others, not so much. For example: the Trinity; what happens at the end of time; and salvation (from what? to what?). Can someone be Christian and not clear about very much?

Is there a dress code for television preachers?

It seems like so many televangelists dress a certain (weird) way? Why do they all seem s strange, but also so much the same?

What is so special about 11:00 am on Sunday?

Almost all the churches around here worship at the same time--11:00 am on Sundays. Why? How about Saturday or Sunday evening? Or Sunday morning at 8:00?

I hate your beliefs you hate mine. Insecure much?

Everyone has their own sense of purpose. Are we bi-products of an explosion? Did we evolve from primate creatures? Did God create us and leave the Bible and its teachings behind for us to interpret? Is there some other purpose to the planet earth that we are not aware of?

Everyone wants to validate their belief system. Most people will find a "church" that caters to their own beliefs. Example, many churches condone pot smoking. How many people go to a pot smoking church that do not smoke weed? You can find a church for whatever belief you may have. Unfortunately, it is human nature to always question someones belief system that is not your own and make your opinions heard. Without having your opinion heard, there is no validation and purpose to individuals belief systems. Validation comes in numbers and the internet provides the platform.

For some, without a heaven and hell for an eternity after dieing, there is no incentive to behave. That sense of right and wrong that dwells within all of us comes from somewhere other than our parents teaching. Did this evolve as our brains did or did the big bang just happen to ingrain this into our psyche?

Doubting Thomas

Can you doubt the existence of God and be a Christian? In other words, are there Christians who aren't certain whether God is real? Or is absolute certainty about the existence of God a pre-requisite for faith?

Signs, Symbols, and More

Why do Christians bother taking communion or being baptized if these are only symbolic acts? Who told them to do these things?

Synonyms

Worship/praise and sanctuary/temple/church are a few different synonyms that seem to point in the same direction or same function. What exactly is the difference according to Christianity and the Bible?

Art

Why are there so many symbolic gestures and images throughout some Christian denominations while others don't, or nearly shun the idea? Where exactly does art fall into Christianity then?

Music

Does God like rock 'n roll in a worship service? What about rap? Country? Other styles of music?

Message

What is the main message of Christianity? Every religion out there has some sort of pressing moment that encourages (or threatens) followers with a core message. What is that message? And how is it being given today? What exactly is the fire and brimstone message verses the message of grace?

Why focus on individual sin over common good?

Why is personal/individual salvation so overly emphasized to the detriment of global transformation of the world into the just peace realm of God's commonwealth?

What's wrong with "social justice?"

Why do so many evangelicals seem to feel the term "social justice" is a bad thing? Why is it generally associated with leftist political activism?