to put it simple:

let's say you convert to Budhhist then you convert to Christian then back to Budhhist and it keep going on and on switch every now and then...

What changed? everything is just between you and the God...nothing else

unless you meant the religion in your IC... that's doesnt matter tbh...it's just a written documentation..nothing more nothing less

not like someone from some organisation on this Earth during your lifetime will come and arrest you, charge you

This post has been edited by illogical_silver: Mar 5 2018, 10:32 PM

There is no such thing as de-baptise/un-baptise. Baptism is the first step in a Christian's life and a confession to the congregation of his/her faith. But baptism does not guarantee heaven or salvation (again this depends on the denomination).

My advice is not to convert solely because you want to marry a Christian. Your partner might be unhappy if you are unwilling to accompany them to church or support them in their faith. They might be expecting you to set an example to your children, attend Bible studies, lead the family in prayer, say grace before meals etc. Converting just because you want to marry might seem like you cheated them. Even worse if this is seen as an act of apostasy.

If you are really open about the Christian afterlife and truly love your partner, then what is stopping you from converting? I mean if Christians are right, you get to meet your spouse in the Christian heaven. If Christians are wrong, there is either no afterlife or you both suffer in whatever 'hell' that turns out to be true. But if you are converting, do note on what denomination your partner is in. Some are extremely strict and controlling. They might even require you to tithe 10% of your income. Some denominations do not practice artificial contraception. So, you should discuss this with your partner if you do intend to convert and marry.

Cheers!

This post has been edited by Yggdrasil: Mar 6 2018, 12:23 AM

This book seems to be promoting Buddhism. All religion/philosophy/moral teachings/holy scriptures have flaws. The book you linked is just one of the many books trying to poke fun at Christianity or disprove a religion (see the Brick Bible and the Rational wiki).

One example from the New Testament that most Bible scholars are aware of is the last chapter in gMark. Shorter and longer endings of Mark 16:9-20 were believed to be written to create a more satisfactory ending because it was not evident in manuscripts before the fourth century and are borrowed from other gospels/contain unusual apocryphal elements. Most bible scholars (not the regular pastors you meet in churches but the ones who are familiar with biblical criticism) are aware of the existence of a Q source, JEPD theory, and questionable authenticity of some of the supposed letters written by Paul (a person who played a major role in Christianity).

There exist atheist bible scholars/ex-Christians around the world. I am sure there are ex-Buddhist, ex-Hindu and ex-atheist too. Do keep in mind that most Christian scholars are required to provide a statement of faith before beginning their studies. Some after discovering all the flaws in the New Testament, they become atheists/agnostics. There is a threat of losing their jobs or getting kicked out of school if they suddenly become openly atheists. Examples of atheist/agnostic bible scholars are Hector Avalos (ex-Pentecostal preacher) and Bart D. Erhman (a prominent Christian scholar now agnostic) who arrive at different conclusions about the resurrection of Jesus.

However, there also exist honest faithful believers who still believe. To name a few: John P. Meier (a Roman Catholic priest who wrote the Marginal Jew series, an 'unbiased' research about the ressurection), Dale Martin (a lecturer teaching Introduction to New Testament at Yale university. He does not let his faith undermine his objectivity), John Shelby Spong (Episcopalian bishop who is liberal at the interpretation of the Bible. He was criticised by other Christians for his liberal interpretation), and Marcus Borg (progressive Christianity advocate). Catholic schools in the US are not afraid to teach evolution and the existence of other religions. But there also exist Christian schools (usually Protestant) who teach pseudoscience such as Young Earth Creationism (YEC) or Old Earth Creationism (OEC).

In my opinion, these honest believers are the ones who discovered what 'true' faith is. They are not afraid to have their faith challenged by evidence. These are not the blind ignorant believers who lie to themselves to reinforce their faith. This is perhaps the faith that the Christian God wants. After all, faith is indeed belief without evidence.

This post has been edited by Yggdrasil: Mar 6 2018, 12:20 AM

In a church, everybody knows everybody.. whether you are baptized or not, people can tell.. And, I believe they do keep a record of all the church-goers and those that are already baptized..

Everyone can get married regardless of religion but if you want to get married in a church then both of you have to be Christian. It's something like, if you want to use the gym facilities in Fitness First, you have to be a member, you cannot just use it because your bro is a member there.

Crude understanding but it's easier for you to digest.



you'd be surprised actually there is, just that people make less of an issue out of it. the lack of "ceremony" for conversion to Buddhism also plays a part. You don't need to go through the big hoo-haa just to convert, you just... convert.

also, the fact that adopting Christianity takes away a lot of traditional Chinese practices really emphasize its "bad reputation".

...and we all know why the "huhuhaha" whenever it has something to do with Islam (not Muslim).


you don't need to wait until someone dies, if the family accepts you who you are during marriage. high chances are that they won't make a scene when someone dear to them die.

you think they want to create a soap opera at a funeral?



getting married in churches has a larger connotations than what the public perceived it to be (not just wear white, wedding bells and those things you see in movies).

it symbolizes a blessing from God. there is a verse in the Bible which speaks of "do not be yoked with unbelievers" hence, spiritually speaking, God cannot bless a marriage of 2 individuals of 2 different religion and if the pastor endorses that marriage then it's blasphemy and God basically contradicts Himself.

the pastor can ask any questions he wants and he still can stand witness to a wedding ceremony and issue a valid marriage certificate, no problem but it defeats the purpose. why would you want to go a Spanish restaurant and order a plate of Carbonara?

believe it or not, you are issued by the church who baptised you, a certificate to indicate that you have been baptized XD



I think we have previously embarked on this issue before and a rather "heated" argument ensued with no parties agreeing.

the TL:DR version is that:-

1) the parents would have been informed if the child converted;
2) if the parents did not objected then basically they would have understand the repercussion;
3) being a Christian doesn't mean you forgo "filial piety", you can still pay respect, just not by offering "candle sticks" to the dead;
4) most of the time, judgmental eyes are from the public but why would we be bothered with the public when who you really need to care for are your family members;
5) at the end of the day, as long as you treat your parents right when they are still alive, there is no need to be ashamed or sadden because you are unable to offer candle sticks to them when they are no longer around; and
6) it is better for them to feel the warmth of your love when they are alive rather than assumed they felt it after they turned cold.

at the end of the day, no agreement was a achieved because some people emphasized that what you did after death is equally as important so yeah.



this is the first time I heard that Catholics are allowed marriage in the church of 2 individuals of different religion o_O!

the Vatican has so many things in their archives


you must be crazy taking religion as a club membership

by doing so, you are not only lying to yourself and also to whoever you aimed at. starting a lifelong relationship based on a lie D:

honestly, i think this is worst than converting to Satanism.

This post has been edited by shaniandras2787: Mar 6 2018, 11:27 AM

Bull shit. those are the ones that interfere my grandfather funeral ,they will pay the price ,the f--ing extremist christian ,today they call you as brother ,the next day ,the treat you like trash ,disrespecting every other people ceremony ,that's what they are good for .

Agreed with your view on extremist Christian ..

but if ur chinese traditional believe,
mean u will die without any children help u "carry flower and buy water".

what if i told you, at the end of the day, you are the architect of your own demise?

whatever view/opinion others may hold, ultimately you decide what you want to do with your own life (note: you CAN do as you please and nobody is going to call the police on you).

the fact that you allowed others to interfere into your doing means you care about what others thought about you and that loosely translated to you being selfish because you do not want to be seen as breaking convention.

i am a Christian and heck unless it's a sin which is punishable by the law, even if the Pope comes to me and tell me not to sin against God but in my mind i think it is the right to do, i'll shove the Pope aside.

what i am trying to say is this, learn to take responsibility rather than pushing the blame to others who influenced you not to do so. you are not a baby.

sure, there are extremist Christians but who asked you to invite them and who gives them the right/authority over you? They are not God.

at the end of the day, you chose to listen to them?

the fact that you allowed others to interfere into your doing means you care about what others thought about you and that loosely translated to you being selfish because you do not want to be seen as breaking convention. (i really dont know what are you trying to cover for these people ,i am shocked the way of how you answer me )
Let me tell you one thing MY AUNT WAS also one of extremist group ! I WAS NOT EVEN SUPPOSE TO BE THE ONE HANDLING THE FUNERAL ! ,NOBODY HELPED US !! We had no choice ok? she was his daughter ,do you think she has the rights not to come ?i f--king cared less WE DIDN'T INVITE THEM ! she called them and she choose your RELIGION BECAUSE OF ' it was clean and no joss stick stuff',mind you i replied you a few times already previously.She dared uttered that word that 'we f--king buddisht laid down in ground going to hell ,while we christian go up to heaven every each person w convert aka TAMBAH PAHALA and she couldnt even be bothered her father(my grandfather) wen he was alive .
This responsibility has shown me that i cant look another christian guy or any other religious person in another positive perspective ,hence said bullshit .From that i grew even more cautious ,onthe movement ,and the way of speech of any religious people .
I ll not explain more ,as it is my personal ,i only highlight what does this guy have to go through,not all gates are golden like yours ,and not all gates are rusty as mine ,hence i lock my gate 1st

break early. say goodbye since both parties different mindset

bump*
this i agree and basically also would reply so

Christian girls alot owes like tat, will want to share the same believe. However it is not something that is practical in modern day living where there are so many religion and we have to respect each other and accept that different religion can live in harmony. Even among christians, some denominations will want their other half to join their church if not also end game, i think this is blasphemy. just like my ex, i dont mind that she being religious to her church but i tell her, ultimately i am born a catholic and i will die as 1, altho i am not so holy and go church every sunday and i did sin as well. It is because i treat religion personal and it is always personal. If cant work out then there are always alot of people out there who have better tolerance on religion, u just have to find 1.

got piap or not

while i partially disagree with the self architect of own demise and disagree with what you aunt did/said, i think you are bashing based on your emotional state.

Here's my 2 cents:
You said that your AUNT... so what do your parent or other uncles/aunts ( same generation) said ? well.. this is more of a communication and discussion in the family between the elder generation and also their responsibilities to do it.

the concept of heaven and hell thing... well... not so simple as that ..not sure if it's directly from her mouth but one thing i believe:
No one can declare themselves holier or more annoited than the other, for who are they to decide?
i admit that there are extremist but it's not only in Christianity but also any other belief including atheist..no point grouping everyone under the same hood and making negativity for the TS.

Christianity is a personal relationship with God. No organisation or any other should come between it and judge or grades you.

So thats why i mention "YOUR GATES ARE GOLDEN ,BUT MY GATES ARE RUSTY ,I LOCK MINE FIRST " .I am drawing a part of my story so that he think thrice before even thinking into bigger situation.
Did i group your christianity ? no i said extremist tho so you admit that you heard what of my aunt said like other common followers of yours ? good then case close !

When a religion creates negative impact on others, is that a good religion?
When a religion belittle others, is that a good religion?
End of the day, sendiri fikir, is your religion really is a religion or has been manipulated / changed beyond it's original intention?
All religion have a common ground... doing good to others. Be kind to others? Should we not work on that?

I tell you, one day alien come and start killing humans, that day whatever religion does not matter, it's human vs alien. Wait.. sorry this is not kopitiam corner.., anyway we should work on the common good.

Then make a choice between your religion and her. Do you love your religion more than you love her?

Remember this, religion's purpose is to provide peace of mind and also happiness to humans. If you can solve this issue, even if it takes away your religion, you are still living the purpose of the religion.

Religion is a just a name, but belief is in yourself. Don't make it affect your life in a bad way.