No, viruses are not alive. They fail to meet one of the fundamental criteria of life. They cannot reproduce on their own. I'm not sure they even use energy.
Well, if I have to choose just one, it would have to be the first time I baptized somebody. As I spoke the baptismal prayer and immersed her, the Holy Ghost filled me, body and spirit, with a burning witness of truth. I knew that what I had been teaching was all true, including The Book of...
And yet the New Testament (KJV) teaches that Jesus Christ is Jehovah incarnate, the creation and begotten son of God (who is Elohim). Remember, according to St. Paul, only the Father is God. Jesus is not God, only one of the lords or lesser divine beings. He can be called a god (one of the...
Well, that's actually a pretty good approach, as long as we don't contradict any scriptures along the way. See what the Bible and other early Christian sources say in the broad strokes. God with the preponderance of the evidence. To get a head start, you could refer to "To the Law and To the...
"Elohim" can be used both ways. It can refer to the gods as a group (the divine council). It can refer to a single being, the Father. It can even tangentially refer to Jehovah, because he is "mighty." Elohim, the single being, was not talking to himself. He was talking to Jehovah and other...
I don't think it's so much of a problem by itself. At least as long as the worshiper doesn't know any better. God would prefer it if the offerings were given to the poor, however. Those are the images of God we should serve.
He would be glad to hear from you. Yes, he would listen. Your spirit is literally one of his children, which explains his keen interest in your spiritual welfare. No, he would not be offended. He would encourage you to pray to him more.
No, he wouldn't feel differently if you were an...
Well, if I didn't have the teachings of my church, I would still (based on my current attitudes) think that other human beings deserve the same treatment that I do. Because of my religious beliefs, I know how important people are to God -- our spirits are literally his sons and daughters...
It isn't their fault. They've been taught from childhood to reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah. They do occasionally convert. One of my favorite bishops was a nice Jewish boy from Russia.
Yes, most religions can help you avoid hell if you are observant. Most churches, too. We just have to watch out for the churches and religions that teach us to remain in our sins. The New Testament also says that Jesus shall have to reward us according to our works, which after all is the...
That's a good observation. The Lake of Fire is a metaphor for destruction. Death and hell must both be emptied and destroyed so that the resurrections and final judgment can take place. There is only finite punishment for finite sin. God's love, justice, and mercy are all intact.
I subscribe to a sort of Forrest Gump Christianity -- Christian is as Christian does. If one is a good person, then he's Christian enough for me. I don't have a litmus test on doctrines to see if someone is Christian enough.
Yes, I am afraid to let people into my home, rich or poor, homeowner or homeless, rich or poor. I have to know the person well -- usually -- before I invite him into my home.