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How do I develop a healthier relationship with images? I doubt that anybody has asked this question before, which is why I thought to write it down. Since I was thirteen-years-old, I have saved a lot of photographs from the internet on the cloud (i.e., like how someone would save 'likes' to their Twitter profile). The ...	Never hesitate to let go of old stuff that has done its job.
Is it true that enlightenment is equivalent with perfect knowledge? It seems to me that there is a popular and strong belief that if you reach enlightenment, and thus have four immeasurables , you can help a person without making them feel extra suffering or fighting back. This can be illustrated by the sutta Aṅgulim...	If by perfect knowledge, you meant the Iddhis , then while it Can be developed once one's attained enlightenment, but it's not a Necessary condition.
Does/did Buddhism assert that everything that is/was important to know about the world is/was already known? Harari (2011) claims: Premodern traditions of knowledge such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Confucianism asserted that everything that is important to know about the world was already known. From my li...	I would say that Buddhism asserts that everything that is important to know about the world (including the body and the mind), with regards to suffering and freedom from suffering , was already known.
Is the Buddha capable of making mistakes? There is a sutta where the Buddha teaches some disciples about loathsomeness of the body. He then goes on a retreat into the forest. On his return, he finds the disciples have committed suicide as they have grasped the teachings incorrectly. The Buddha than proceeded to teach A...	Sometimes, you have to change your technique depending on the circumstances. The Buddha will not make mistakes when it comes to the teachings and practice of Buddhism.
What is the correct definition for Mindfulness? I was reading a book where author defined Mindfulness (sati) using these three analogies from different suttas: The Buddha compares mindfulness to a gatekeeper for a frontier fortress. [Kimsuka Sutta] There’s another passage where the Buddha says that mindfulne...	Buddhist teachers, even famous and intelligent ones, perhaps influenced by each other and modern psychotherapy's version of 'mindfulness', generally understand 'mindfulness' as a kind of choiceless bare awareness.
So what is left? It is the true realization of Śūnyatā, or Ultimate Truth, a realm in which “reason is used to destroy itself” The above is a quote from 'Humphreys, Christmas. Buddhism: An Introduction and Guide'p145. Is it true that the main aim of Buddhism (Mahayana) is for reason to destroy itself? That really ...	So the quote that "reason is used to destroy itself" is a bit of hyperbole with a ring of truth.
Freely available translations of the Dhammapada I'm looking for translations of the Dhammapada that are freely available to quote in part or in full. I would like a variety of alternative translation so can anyone give a comprehensive list - online and/or printed publications. Many Thanks <Q> Here's a list: <S> Acc...	Anandajoti's translation of Dhammapada - web-based, PDF, epub and MOBI, includes Pali text Ven.
Is it correct to refer to "Buddha" without "the" Wikipedia uses "the Buddha" to refer to the founder while a book uses "Buddha" without the definite article. from "Meetings with Remarkable People By Osho" Is it correct to refer to "Buddha" without "the"? If yes, when should I use which? <Q> I think "the" Buddha is m...	In the entirety of the Pali Canon, the oldest known collection of the Buddha's teachings, "the Buddha" is used as opposed to "Buddha".
Buddhism Supernatural feats and abilities Recently i experiencing the psychic abilities, telepathy and seeing other dimension sentiment when i having this so call 3rd eye syndrome (All of it) https://www.holycitysinner.com/2020/01/22/signs-your-third-eye-is-starting-to-see/ My psychic ability became more accurate and ...	Supernatural natural feats and abilities are not considered as a special part of the enlightenment.
There is a conventional self, so is anything conventionally permanent? There is a conventional self, so is anything conventionally permanent? Answer from any reputable tradition. <Q> Whether or not there is the arising of Tathagatas, this property stands — <S> this regularity of the Dhamma, this orderliness of the Dha...	Impermanence is conventionally permanent for the conventional self.
In Buddhism, is the effect ontologically independent of the cause? In Buddhism, is the effect ontologically independent of the cause? I'm not asking if the effect makes the cause, which I think would amount to "ontic" dependence; but if the effect can exist without the cause. I can't remember the word for this, but tak...	But it is impossible for every effect to arise without causes.
Finding a Vipassana Teacher in a pandemic I have been having questions from time to time about my practise. I do the cushion practise once a day in the morning for half an hour and try to follow the five precepts through the day. A lot of times through the day I have questions that make me feel like I need to discuss ...	Also, some centres have organised online group sittings for old students: https://pamoda.dhamma.org/en/os-vipassana/online-group-sits/
How to deal with distractions during meditation? When meditating on the breath, after a while the sensation of my eyes not being closed properly appeared. This then turns into vibrating, and my eyes feel like they are literally moving. I tried refocusing on the breath but this is a very difficult sensation to ignore. D...	When distracted just acknowledge that a distracting feeling, thought or perception (however it appears to you) has arisen and go back to breath. Do more research on the type of meditation ur going to practice... seek help and advice from proper teachers...
Confusion about the word 'dhamma'? What does the word ' dhamma ' mean when the Buddha said ' sabbe dhamma annatta'. I am being confused here. I looked through the translation. It reads ' all conditioned/unconditioned things are not-self '. Isn't the word sankara used for conditioned things. The word dhamma in my...	In the broadest sense, sankhara is a subset of dhamma, for dhamma includes not only conditioned phenomena/sankhara, but also unconditioned element/ASankhataDhatu, ie.
Why did Buddha need a personal physician? Buddha was omniscient and had knowledge over all materialistic things,then why did he need a personal physician?Also there are suttas which are to be recited for recovery from diseases which highlight the praises of Buddha,then why couldn't the Buddha and the Arahant Bhikkus pr...	Having fully understood and realized the four noble truths, the Buddha and the arahats have no reason to find supernatural means to avoid or alleviate physical pain and diseases.
Why is Vipassana centred around the breath, when it's meant to be a state of observing sensations? I can't seem to reconcile the two ideas that Vipassana meditation involves both concentrating completely on the breath while at the same time observing bodily sensations. Aren't these two mutually exclusive? How can one c...	When the breath is known within the body, simultaneously sensations within the body will be felt.
Does each Buddha find a new path? I have a question that I find kind of interesting, and can't find an answer anywhere. Will the next Buddha find a new path, different from the middle way? Or will he rediscover the middle way once it's been forgotten. I think both are possible, but I'm not too sure. <Q> You can find th...	Each Buddha rediscovers the same path and the same truth all over again, on his own.
Lord Buddha advice on contemplation of man-made things Hundred years ago there were many natural beautiful things to observe and it was also easy to cultivate happiness. But in today's city life, we are surrounded by long buildings, roads, and traffics. We rarely spend our time with nature and are mostly surrounded by ...	In kasiṇameditation, a mental object (kasina) is used as the object ofmeditation, being used to keep the mind focused whenever attentiondrifts. Setting kasina aside and addressing the broader question: No, it doesn't matter whether the object of the senses is manmade or not.
Is nirvana a conceptual construction? Is nirvana a conceptual construction - empty in that way? For any / only some Buddhists. I'm just trying to figure out how extinction can avoid the extremes of eternalism and annihilation. If it is a conceptual construction in the sense of having no reality outside what it is in c...	It is grasped conceptually but once nirvana is achieved you don’t need to hold on to any concept. The fact that nothing is felt is precisely what’sblissful about it.
Seeking a specific book on Buddhism Back in the late 1980s I was in San Francisco on business. My hotel room had, of course, a Gideon Bible but surprisingly to me, it also had a book on Buddhism, I think it was called "The Way of the Buddha" but I'm not sure. It was put out, I believe, by an organization called somethi...	Second guess: The Teaching of Buddha , a collection published by the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism.
Is optimism and positive attitude counterproductive? Many believe that it is important to avoid being negative and instead to see the good in bad situations. However, the Buddha said that good and bad are fabricated concepts that do not exist. An individual who has attained nirvana is neutral and does not experience em...	However, if you are optimistic and positive, due to reasons like the following, then it is considered skillful in Buddhism.
Whats happens after death? When a human being dies, his body dissolves into other bodies, i.e other humans, plants, air, water, rocks, sand etc. But what really happens to our Consciousness memory thoughts intelligence & Karma <Q> If good householder wouldn't not have desire for another becoming and certain incli...	In other words, even if your body is dissolved your vinnana (re-birth making consciousness or Patisandi Vinnana) is still there to create another body (Nama-rupa). After you are gone, your family members, friends and acquaintances continue to remember what you taught them or impressed upon them.
Listening to music while meditating I listen to a very low background score on a meditation app called Calm while meditating. It's mostly non-obstructive and really helps me get into the space of calm. Where I live, silence of the outer world is hard to come by and I mostly use the music just to combat that. Should I...	you should avoid the noise of city and music for better meditation.
Praying to people outside the Trinity I understand that the Roman Catholic church direct some prayers to Mary, the mother of Jesus. For me it would be strange to address my prayers to anyone outside the Holy Trinity. Do Catholics pray to any other individuals other than God? Is praying 'to' individuals other than God ...	Catholics pray for the entire communion of saints to intercede on their behalf.
Does being a Christian mean being a Bible literalist? Where are the lines for Bible literalism in the Christian faith? Are all aspects of the Bible treated with the same level of literal belief (as actual history), or are some parts considered to be stories that are simply provided to illustrate a principle (parables)....	I would suggest that the subtleties of this question are too complex to be answered directly, as different traditions exist on how to interpret the text, and variation exists within those traditions as to whether you can, if you wish, interpret something literally. In general the answer is 'Absolutely Not.' When the bi...
Does the Bible give us a purpose to life? I'm not sure that I know of any place in the Bible that directly states, "this is the purpose to life." But does it give us any idea as the exact purpose as to why we were created. If God is truly Sovereign then he did not Need us for any reason, so why did He create us? Pleas...	Absolutely - to stand in awe and worship of a Creator who is willing to go to such great lengths that we might live with Him and be witnesses of His glory throughout eternity.
1 John Chapter 1 & 3 - Is there an apparent contradiction? I have often wondered why the author of 1 John, in the beginning of his letter, seems to claim that even though people have accepted Christ they will continue to sin, but two chapters later he seems to be making the opposite claim? I've never found an adequate ...	Another possibility: In chapter 1, John is making an evangelistic appeal to his fellow unsaved Jews (hence his use of "we" and "us") who would claim on God but, without Christ, would be at enmity with Him.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who is understood as the fourth person in the fire? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who is understood as the fourth person in the fire? In the third chapter of book of Daniel after King Nebicanesor throws Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the furnace he sees four people in the furn...	It's most likely that the fourth figure was an angel, much like the one sent to Daniel to pacify the lions just a few chapters away from this story.
Is murder allowed if God tells you to do it? The Bible pretty clearly says not to murder ( Exodus 20:13 ). But if we examine Numbers 25 or 1Kings 18:40 , we see God (or more accurately, his prophets) telling us to kill people. Indeed, entire groups of people were murdered because of their mistaken beliefs. So, is...	It may sound a bit like a cop-out, but in a nut shell, "If God says to do it, it's not murder.
Is there a difference between Liberal, Progressive, and Emergent Christianity? In many evangelical circles I hear people use the terms liberal, progressive and emergent quite a bit, especially recently. Do these all refer to the same categorization of groups or of thought? Or do these have a more precise meaning? <Q>...	"Emergent" Christians have adopted a "postmodern" mindset, seeking to synthesize what others regard as contradictory views.
Does God hate Sinners like he hates Sin? I've heard it a thousand times, God loves the sinner but hates the sin. Recently I came across a verse in Psalms 5:5 Psalm 5:5 (KJV) The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Is this a proper translation? <Q> Great question. <S> I think...	God does not hate the sinners.
Should a Protestant read the apocryphal books of the Bible? The Protestant Bible has 66 books. Should we read apocryphal books (e.g. 1&2 Maccabees and Gospel of Thomas)? <Q> Don't allow them any special authority <S> if they're not in your Bible; use common sense. <S> Apocryphal books and other writings of the time mig...	You don't need to (as in should ), but you can if you want to. There's a very broad consensus between Christians of different denominations on what books are included in New Testament .
What is the Rule of Prayer? I often hear people thank God about how their prayer being answered such as in competition. But what I'm thinking is, the winner is not absolutely the only one that prayed. I believe everybody in the competition pray and hope to win too. So, in this condition, only one person's prayer will b...	If your prayer expresses your desire for communion with God, such a prayer is honored, but a prayer which expresses selfishness and an incorrect outlook on life would go either unanswered or result in a, maybe, unexpected answer (for example, asking for personal victory and glory may result instead in being disqualifie...
Does taking communion break the fast? Is there a Scriptural or Traditional case to be made either way? Now, once, I was fasting. I was destined to fast for three weeks. Now the church that I went to had Communion once every month, and it happened that my second last Sunday of fasting was my church's Communion. Does t...	So I would this taking communion will not breach the fasting, since here fasting is taken from food to have closer fellowship with God during that time and communion encourages that fellowship.
Biblical basis for the separation of church and state I know there are a lot of non-biblical arguments for the separation of church and state . Some Christians also support it on biblical grounds, but I've never looked into the matter myself. Which passages of the Bible support the idea? <Q> Some people use Mark 12:1...	1 Corinthians 5:9-13 seems to tell Christians not to use man-made laws to force non-believers to live or behave according to Christian beliefs.
Why do Protestants allow contraception? The Catholic Church is strongly against contraception. Most Protestants nowadays accept it; I gather it was less common in the past. Of course it's possible that Protestants have just given in to worldly things here, but I don't buy that. However, I'm not quite sure that contrac...	They say that planning families is for God to do, so contraception is obstructing God's purpose, and often also echo the Catholic position about the purpose of sex.
The anointing of Jesus - one event or multiple events? The Anointing of Jesus is recorded in all four Gospels. A woman anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wipes the perfume with her hair. Was this one event, or multiple events? (I tend to think the former, since Jesus said that this story will be told wh...	Yes, Jesus might have been anointed twice or four times.
Can people speak in tongues today? The Bible refers to people speaking in tongues--most notably at Pentecost. Is this something that legitimately happens today? I've been in church services where speaking in tongues has happened, but it always seems weird and creepy, and those doing it seem like kooks. How can I know ...	yes, it does still happen today. If the person speaks in a real language that they don't know, they obviously really have the gift.
What does "predestination" mean? What is the concept of predestination? Are there different denominations that believe in predestination but have differences in what they believe about it? If so, what are the differences? <Q> Single Predestination or Double Predestination? <S> Now before you start thinking "Aw, man...	Predestination means different things to different people.
Is there any significance to naming Lazarus in this parable? The parable I'm referring to is 'The Rich Man and Lazarus': 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what f...	I think it is significant that the rich man knows and uses Lazarus's name for the same reason that it's significant that he knows Moses name.
Where did Baptists get their name and what do they believe? Where and when did the Baptists get their name and what do they believe that sets them apart from the rest of Protestant denominations? I realize there are different divisions among Baptists as well, so let's keep this limited to the issues that were relevant...	Baptists believe that baptism is a public profession of personal faith - in other words, a public display of a decision someone has made themselves - and the notion of infant baptism is at odds with this.
Can Satan read our minds? I come from the assumption that God can read our minds. That we can pray silently and that God will hear our prayers. However, can Satan hear our prayers as well? Can he hear our other thoughts? I ask because if Satan can hear our thoughts, then he may learn ways to tempt us by listening...	Only God can know what is in our minds.
Are pride and boasting ever okay? We are proud of our son for being able to write his name, and my wife was boasting that she helped him learn to write it. Ultimately, we both know it's from God that he is able to learn this skill and my wife has the ability to teach him. I know that pride and boasting in ourselves i...	Especially if you honor God, (as you say "as long as we ultimately acknowledge God") it is good to praise others, or to be satisfied in someone or something, even your own accomplishments.
Reading the scripture in common worship Do all Christian Churches/Denominations have a common set of readings they read throughout the year and repeat on a 2-3 year cycle? If not, how do pastors in churches without a common set of readings decide what they're going to talk about in any given week? <Q> No, certainly n...	In most seasons of the church year, there's a reading from the Hebrew Bible, a Psalm, a reading from the epistles of the New Testament, and a Gospel reading appointed for each week.
What are the differences between Roman Catholic and Irish Catholic? I've heard the terms Roman Catholic and Irish Catholic since I was little, but I have never understood what, if any, are the differences between the two. Why the differentiation of the two? What makes them seperate? How did they come to be seper...	The biggest difference is that Irish Culture, since the time of Saint Patrick, is so profoundly Catholic that almost everything in Irish Culture is colored by a Catholic influence.
Is abortion okay if it is medically necessary? I'm sure that most of us agree that abortion is sinful and certainly not okay... most of the time . However, I'm thinking of two rare circumstances that may be exceptions. The mother would die but the baby would (probably) live if an abortion is not performed. The mot...	If the doctors inform the parents that the child will be born with medical problems, this is no reason to murder the child.
Why does the (N)KJV put Jesus' name in all caps in Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31? It's only in the King James and the New King James, but why is Jesus' name in all caps? And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 And, behold, thou sha...	I'm pretty sure this is just a typesetting decision---more akin to using quotation marks.
Is Christianity continuing to grow worldwide? Is there continuing growth in Christianity around the world or has it stalled/declined? I'm interested in worldwide stats rather than for individual countries. <Q> The numbers appear to be inconclusive, at least according to this site . <S> Of course the various studies...	It appears the number of Christians is growing, but in terms of percentage of population, some studies show a slight growth, while others show a slight decline.
Is it wrong to consume alcohol? Possible Duplicate: How far is too far when it comes to drinking alcohol? Most Christians agree that getting drunk is wrong, and there's even a question about getting tipsy . But is it okay for Christians to consume alcohol at all? I realize there are many views, and different (C...	No, it's drinking to excess that is wrong - Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Does God have free will? To clarify the question - when I mention God here I am referring to God the Father and by free will, the best non-contradictory definition according to the Bible I have heard is "the ability to act apart from one's nature". When I first came across this question it sounds almost absurd. Of co...	Well, according to your definition, I would have to say no, since nothing has "will free from its own nature," apart from the possible exception of things that are able to escape this limitation by some supernatural means.
How does entertainment glorify God at all? In the modern context, we have many things to keep ourselves entertained and motivated to do work - music, videos, movies, games, magazines etc. According to 1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. It ...	There is also plenty of entertainment that glorifies God.
What exactly is a "Hail Mary"? The practice of a saying a "Hail Mary" is often referred to in colloquial speech, sometimes as a way to caricaturize Catholics. References to the practice instantly conjure up images of Catholicism, priests, and confessionals. However, beyond these references with my Protestant backgroun...	The Hail Mary is simply a prayer.
What exactly IS Hell? I'm not disputing that Hell exists, what I want to know is WHAT IS HELL? In my opinion there are only two possible answers, but you might inform me of something else. Many people have argued that evil is the absence of God, hell must be evil, thus hell is the separation of us from God. As poetic ...	The conventional definition of Hell is that it is 'separation from God'.
What does the bible say about interracial marriages? This has been a popular topic of debate, at least where I live. As Armenians, we like to... discourage marriages with spouses of a different ethnicity or nationality, simply in order to carry the culture and Armenian name for as many generations as possible. Were t...	Yes Moses did marry an Ethiopian woman, and if you study the text then you'll see that God sanctified interracial marriages.
Is the Golden Rule really the Gold Standard? Does the Golden Rule, often stated as "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" originate from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus? If not where does it come from? If so how was it originally used? How it is supposed to be applied today? Consider a case where th...	The Golden Rule can indeed be found in the teachings of Jesus:
What do Orthodox Christians mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist? The Orthodox Church is one of several denominations that teach the Real Presence, but they don't all have the same understanding of this doctrine. What is the Orthodox understanding? <Q> Indeed this is a hard saying---who can acce...	We Eastern Orthodox take Christ at His word that "if you do not eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you have no life in you." Orthodox and Catholics believe that in the Eucharist the bread and wine are objectively transformed and become in a real sense the Body and Blood of Christ; and that after consecration they are no ...
What was the problem at Babel? In the Genesis account of the tower of Babel a bunch of guys got together to build a really tall tower somewhere in the desert. God gets wind of the affair but it doesn't sit well: Genesis 11:5–6 (ESV) And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had...	It was man's pride and arrogance, which started in Eden at Satan's prompting.
How long did it take to form the Biblical canon? How long did it take to collect all of the writings that eventually formed the first version of the Bible? In other words, starting with when the first writing was created (I'll say when it was completed rather than started) to when it was first printed/published/etc., ...	The New Testament was fully written by 150 AD and after much discussion was fully compiled between 500 - 600 AD. The earliest Hebrew scripts (which were the written form of a long, long oral tradition) that eventually became the torah (the first five books of the bible) were written around 900BC, and the Tenakh (the ea...
Are Orthodox Christians all the same faith? I've noticed some churches in my area that are titled things like: "Greek" Orthodox "Russian" Orthodox "Serbian" Orthodox "Antiochian" Orthodox etc... Are these all the same type of Christian Church? <Q> This kinda falls into general reference territory. <S> There are two...	The Eastern Orthodox Church is one large group of churches that share a common theology.
What does the Bible say Christians should or should not do on the Sabbath? Most of the Christians I know do whatever they like on Sunday: working at home, paid employment etc. Is there any specific information in the New Testament that suggest what Christians should or should not do? Are we supposed to obey the Ten ...	The new Testament does not specify that there is anything we , as Christians, should do/not do on the Sabbath.
How does the New Testament define a Christian and a non-Christian, a brother in Christ and not a brother in Christ? How does the New Testament define a brother in Christ? According to the New Testament, what makes a human a brother in Christ? And also, according to the New Testament, which people are definitely not Chr...	A Christian can be defined as someone who: Accepts Jesus Christ as the son of God and their Lord and Savior.
How do we get morals? The Bible often makes references to the law being written on our hearts, for example: The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. Psalm 37:30-31 (NKJV) I know it's not being...	Morality is certainly taught and Christ is described as a teacher very clearly in the Gospels.
How does the Bible explain the existence of fossils that are millions of years old? People have been finding fossils for many years. Millions of fossils fill museums and storage vaults around the world, and we've yet to find a single one of a human. This suggests that the animals and plants that became fossilised are f...	The existence of fossils is explained by the world-wide flood in Genesis.
Is Christianity an experiential practice? It has been stated to me that Christianity is "experiential" meaning it is experienced and not necessarily understood. Do I have that definition correct? Is this true? <Q> Yes, I think it is. <S> Though, with an emphasis on "necessarily". <S> Well, beyond the core tenants...	Christianity is a journey, it is an encounter with our Creator and Redeemer , it is not primarily experiential, although there are charismatic movements within Christianity that focus on the experience and the gifts of the Holy Spirit which can be experienced.
Do angels have free will? I believe we have free will and that God has free will. It would seem Lucifer also had free will. Do all angels have free will as we do? <Q> Revelation 12 describes the fall of the angels: <S> Revelation 12 7 <S> Then war broke out in heaven. <S> Michael and his angels fought against t...	Lucifer and his angels do indeed appear to have independent will.
Was Jesus recorded on the census? I've heard before that Jesus was recorded on the census that is mentioned in Luke 2:1 , and that his name was the last name recorded. I've also heard that Herod would then use this census when he ordered the killing of the children ( Mat 2:16 .) Is there any proof that has survived ...	While there is a recorded history of the census (in the Bible), there's no indication that Jesus or his parents were counted.
What is theistic evolution? Theistic evolution sounds similar to Old Earth Creationism . Both ideas start with the premise that God created. After this, I've heard tale of wars fought between the two camps. What is the gist of the differences between these two ideas? <Q> Theistic evolution (TE) is the belief that we s...	Theistic Evolution is the belief that God created life via the evolutionary process as it is understood today by modern science.
What happens to marriage on the New Earth I think I can safely say that humans were designed not to operate as a single solitary person but as part of a unit of two -- both as referenced by Gen 3:16-17 (see mentions of husband and wife in said passages) and ingrained feelings that appear to be a part of every person ...	Marriage is an earthly covenant set in place by God and is terminated when the flesh dies (death).
Why was Thomas More canonized? Thomas More was canonized in 1935 by the Catholic Church. During his chancellorship between 1525-1529 in the campaign against the reformation people were killed and tortured in his name, for example, for the crime of owning an English Bible, something that is quite normal nowadays. Fo...	More ... [was] canonized for his unfailing devotion. Anglican-RC relations at this time were very frosty; and because More had defended papal (as against royal) supremacy in the church, and died for his conviction, he qualified as a martyr. One reason could be because he was "martyred" :
What is the Biblical basis against inter-faith marriages? Setting aside marriages of couples from two different Christian denominations, what passages in the New Testament prohibit a Christian from marrying a non-Christian? I believe that the Old Testament prohibits Jews from marrying non-Jews, but I am interested in ...	If one member of an "interfaith" marriage were to be saved after getting married, then it would be that spouse's duty to continue to witness to their unbelieving mate: 1 Corinthians 7:12b-16 : that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. A verse which ...
Does the Bible give any reason as to why its content is sometimes difficult to interpret? As evidenced by this site, and the divisions between various Christian denominations, there seems to be a lot of different ways some passages in the bible can be interpreted. One example is Chronicles 16:30: "Tremble before him, ...	Probably the biggest thing is, you cannot rightly understand before you have been born of God. Anywhere where the words of the Bible are not perfectly clear and completely applicable to some modern concept, people will find a need to interpret them.
Will there be a second chance for salvation after the Rapture? Does the Bible say anything about there being a second chance for salvation after the time of rapture? I would assume that God is doing this rapture so that people would recognize Him and repent. But I don't have a Biblical basis for my assumptions. <Q> For...	Since the Bible doesn't clearly state that there will be a Rapture and those who believe that it will happen disagree significantly on when it will happen, the only clear answer that can be given to your question is: "No, the Bible does not make a clear statement about there being a second chance for salvation after th...
Do Christians regard speaking in tongues as necessary? I have heard that some Christians consider it the only sure sign of having received the Holy Spirit, which would seem quite important. If not generally, which groups hold to this belief, and in what way do they consider it necessary? And secondly, does Christia...	No, I do not believe that this is the only sure sign of the Holy Spirit.
Who bought the Field of Blood, Judas or the Priests? This is similar to another question "How did Judas Die" , but is specifically addressing another aspect of the story. In Matthew we have the priests purchasing the field: Matthew 27:5-7 (NASB) 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and de...	To make the long story short, the Scriptures show that the Priests bought it, and so Judas gained or acquired it.
How old is the Old Testament? How old is the Old Testament and, like the New Testament, are there multiple versions (i.e. - according to Matthew, Mark, Luke & John)? <Q> There are not multiple versions of the new Testament. <S> There is one version. <S> The first four books happen to be four different accounts of the ...	No, there is nothing equivalent to the four perspectives of the Gospel books in the Old testament, there is just one collection of books, accepted by both Christianity and Judaism , compiled in their present form in about 450BC then canonized in about 200BC but was written over a period of several thousand years before...
Is there a name for believing but not obeying? Although it is a theoretical question, it is still very interesting for me. Is there a system of beliefs or at least a name for people who believe in the existence of God and that events described in the Bible did take place, but refuse to obey God and his commandments? <...	I think the closest fit would appear to be Deism :
What's the origin of the Catholic object that is a staff with a crucifix on top? Like I asked in the title, what's the name and origin of a staff with a crucifix on top? Like the one depicted in the picture. <Q> That, in fact is the Papal Cross or Ferula . <S> It has been used since Pope Paul VI, designed by the I...	Those are crosiers, which have their origin in a shepherd's crook and are a symbol of a bishop being a "shepherd of men.
What is the significance of "seventy times seven"? Twice in the bible, God makes reference to "seventy times seven" (or "seventy-seven times"). Once in Genesis 4:24 (dealing with Cain's punishment for his murder of Abel), and the other in Matthew 18:22 (in an answer to Peter's question of how many times he should f...	The reason that both scriptures mention seventy times seven is that both are referring to the same event typologically.
Why is the number seven special? God seems to favor the number seven and I'm not sure why. Is there a reason, or is this just His favorite number? You'll notice that God not only uses the number seven, but multiplies other numbers by seven as well. Please provide scripture and let me know if there are other numbers t...	7 is the length of time for a natural cycle to transpire, often ending with holiness/sanctification of some sort (the pattern set by creation)
Why are thighs important? I know it sounds like a silly or weird question, but I'm serious. Genesis 24:2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh . Genesis 47:29 As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Jo...	The reason for the thigh was that there was a basic belief that the thigh equalized your walk and represented a well-balanced, just point of view.
Is incest a sin? If we all descended from one man and one woman then it's quite apparent that a third generation was not possible without the sexual union of close relatives. Does the Bible (or other Christian source) specifically address incest? Is it a sin? If it is not a sin then does it follow that it is not prac...	It is, indeed, a sin, as the ones who answered before me have pointed out it is said in the Scripture.
Did Jesus baptize or not in St. John's account? John 3:22 (KJV) 22 “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.” John 4:1-2 (KJV) 1 “When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples tha...	It is obvious from the text of John 3:22 that Jesus was not the one actually performing the dipping, but his apostles.
Is the God of Christianity a just God? What does the Bible say about the justice of God? Is He just? <Q> YES <S> Basically what you're asking has been asked throughout history. <S> Job 8:3 <S> NIV <S> Does God pervert justice? <S> Does the Almighty pervert what is right? <S> The Saints defend God Throughou...	Everything he does is just and fair.
Why is the Bible subject to a high level of interpretation? I realise there's always a level of interpretation neccesary when reading anything, but the level of interpretation needed to understand the Bible is very high when compared to everyday reading - some people spend their entire lives trying to understand what ...	It's a piece of historical literature and thus subject to the same interpretation and criticism as all historical literature is subject to.
Why was it necessary for Mary to be a virgin? A lot of emphasis seems to be placed on the virginity of Mary. (For discussion on that, see this question ) Is there a theological reason why Jesus's birth had to be a virgin birth? Obviously God could have chosen a non-virgin to be the mother of Christ, so why did God ...	I believe that Mary's virgin Birth was a testification to the Truth of Christ.
Is it a sin to do "works" for the sake of "rewards" in heaven? I was reading up on an article that was talking about rewards in heavens. Then it struck me, is it a sin to do "works" for the sake of "rewards" in heaven ? What does the Bible have to say regarding doing works for the sake of rewards in heaven ? == Side q...	There is a reward in probably almost everything we choose to do in this life, and God certainly lets us know that He will give rewards for how we live here on earth (provided we trust Christ's atonement for our sins). I would say a definite,
Does Christianity allow Christians to celebrate other holidays? A quick search on Google will come up with several Christian holidays including: Valentine's Day Good Friday Thanksgiving Christmas However, in many multi-cultural countries, there are often holidays which are from other religions, other beliefs or ...	It is true that we are called to holy living, so as long as the celebration of holidays does not impede holiness, there really isn't any problem with that.
Is an action morally good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is good? The christian morality derives from God, and God is benevolent so whatever he commands is morally good. Does that mean that anything God does or commands is morally right? Or does God only act and command that which is morally...	"God himself is the standard for what is good.
What does it mean for a society to be moral? Inspired by Is a moral society more open to the gospel than an immoral one? There have been many debates going around regarding what constitutes moral or immoral actions; moral or immoral society; etc. This set of questions is in regards to society and how morality can be...	Without morals being somehow based on a common rule of law, such as the Bible, then there can be no true rule for morality unless leaders of a society set the guidelines for morality.
What is the biblical basis against the idea of luck? I'm curious what the Bible says about Luck. Is this something that is a real occurrence or is every little detail ordained and controlled by God (fate)? I searched biblegateway and did not find "luck" under NIV. Then I tried NASB. The closest thing I've found co...	To the one who has finally believed that God really takes care of him or her, there is no such thing as luck; God uses both the good and bad for the good of the individual.
Are scientific findings a test to Christians' Faith? Science suggests that the earth is millions of years old, and many Christians accept this premise. Instead of accepting that God created everything in six days, they accept the finding of scientists based on "scientific evidence". I am a literal interpretation Chris...	I do not believe that science as a rule should be disregarded whenever it challenges our faith.
How literally is Romans 10:14 supposed to be taken? I recently learned that St. Augustine held an extremely literal view of a particular verse in Romans... Romans 10:14 (NLT) 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard a...	You can take that verse as literally as you want, so long as you understand what all of the words mean.
What is the significance of "Zealot" in Acts 1:13? When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ( Acts 1:13 NIV ) What is the ...	I would say in addition to distinguish him from Simon Peter (as Richard said), it signifies that he was extremely passionate about following Jesus. The Helps Word-studies says a zealot is one "who (literally) 'boils over with passion'".
Were the Jews expecting God Incarnate? Christians believe Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. ( Isaiah 7:14 ) Furthermore Christians believe that the only Son of God is Our Lord Jesus Christ. (Apostles Creed) And since Christ = Messiah and Lord = Elohim, Christians believe the Jesus is God, the second person of the Trini...	The Jews were a bit conflicted about what sort of messiah was to come, but they most likely did not expect Jesus having the certain Christology that we now know about.
When did the split in crufix/empty-cross sybolism occur and why did it happen? Today, we have Catholic and Orthodox churches (and a few others) using the crucifix, whereas most Protestant denominations use an empty cross in their symbolism. Did this difference in symbolism arise around the time Martin Luther "created" ...	Due to the existing crucifix symbol prior to Reformation it can be safely argue that such reform might took place during iconoclastic reformation in the late 16th century Europe.
What qualifies as work on Sunday? I have a lecturer who wanted me to attend a seminar. However, the seminar is on Sunday. I don't study on Sundays so I declined this offer. My lecturer is, however, a Jew and he understands the Sabbath as well as the Lord's Day. He says that Jews have been considering this problem for ...	Attending church was okay, including all the work involved in that activity: Bathing, dressing, and transporting yourself Bathing, dressing, and transporting dependent children Preparing lessons (for teachers/preachers)
Should praying the Liturgy of the Hours in private be out loud or silent? For the laity, when praying the Liturgy of the Hours in private, is it more in keeping with tradition to you pray out loud or silently or does it matter? Also, do you change the way you repeat antiphons and responses when praying in private or p...	When I was in a monastery, we generally prayed the Divine Office silently when recited in private.
Does God want things? What are some of the things He wants, and how did we find out? This question may appear brief, but I think it is simple enough to not need much background. Basically, I'm curious about the nature of God and His desires. Does He want things? What are some of the things He wants, and how did we fi...	God really wants us to come back to him .
Is righteousness a prerequisite for salvation? James 2:24 NIV 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In James we are told that a person would be considered righteous by their deeds and not just their faith. Is righteousness a prerequisite for salvation? <Q> You say...	Righteousness is absolutely a prerequisite for salvation.
Where does God draw the line when it comes to Sin? So I've read 1 John alot and I understand that I cannot continue to sin if I want to be a child of God's. 1 John 1:6 (NIV) 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But then at the same time, if...	In the believer’s case, the line is drawn in Hebrews 10:26, when one sins willfully after knowing fellowship with God (or, "the truth"), and at that point, one looks fearfully to the judgment of God ahead.

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