I Answer the Most Googled Faith Questions!

My Answers to Most Googled Faith Questions

Which I answer here:

1. Is there a God? 

Yes. There has to be something that has always existed, and that is God, who then created everything else. For example, try to eliminate everything that exists. It's impossible. There will always be SOME THING. Take away everything, there is, what? Darkness? Or just whiteness? Those are some thing. There's even some thing that occupies "emptiness". Things scientifically that can't be seen. There is no such thing as "nothing". So it's not difficult to imagine there has always been a being here, that never had a beginning...the Creator, who gave everything else a beginning.

2. Why does God allow suffering?

There are many reasons. One is free will for all, so people have the free will to be cruel to others, but in the end, justice always prevails, in this life or on Judgement Day. Also, God sometimes allows us to suffer to teach us lessons in life, or to make us stronger in faith, or to make us rely on Him when we get too proud and believe we don't need God. 

For other examples, read the story of Job in the Bible, also remember the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:6-10, when he mentioned an affliction in his body, and he asked God 3 times to heal him, but God never did. Here are the verses: 

"6 For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.  7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.  8 For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.  9 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  10 For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful." ~ Douay Rheims Bible

Now, why do innocent babies suffer is a tough one, and I don't really know the answer. But I must say, this would be a strong case for reincarnation, as the answer would be the baby's past life was someone who rejected God and was cruel to others...so after they died, they came back having to suffer, sometimes very, very early in their life. But who knows? I have read theories from Catholic greats, but I have never been satisfied with the answers.

3. Is the Bible reliable? 

Yes, and so are other sacred writings. If you notice, in the major religions, there are many common themes, similar to each one, life instructions which validates reliability in these writings, which includes the Bible. Although, in Revelation, Apostle John DID warn those who may add or subtract from the Bible, the consequences that would come if one did that, so alluding to the possibility of errors in the Bible. It's in John 22;18-19, and it says:

"18 For I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book.  19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from these things that are written in this book." ~ Douay Rheims bible

However, there needs to be some kind of instruction for us to live. I seriously doubt if the Creator simply plopped us on this planet to figure out how to be good, kind, civil to each other all on our own. Why isn't there helter-skelter everywhere, where you can't go to sleep because people are breaking into homes everywhere stealing, killing, etc. others? We have free will, so why not everyone just take from others. Why be good? It's the sacred writings, like the Bible, that is instilled in us as well as showing good morals, ethics...a conscience...to do good. 

4. Is Jesus really God?

Yes. First, there are a lot of science backing up that there was a man named Jesus on earth. And we have the sacred writings of the Bible backing up who this man named Jesus was, and how the story of Jesus parallels with ancient to modern history to current events. Mind you, God can come to this earth in many forms, and possibly not only Jesus. God can do ANYTHING. There have been many who have witnessed seeing mysterious persons throughout history, and even to the present, persons who have helped them, then disappear. Yes, they could be angels, but maybe God too, as flesh in different forms. I believe God goes beyond the Bible, and can enter out lives in the flesh at all sorts of times to help us to believe in Him and keep the faith, but mainly, normally as the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. 

5. Can I know God personally?

Yes. And that comes by way of reading sacred writings, like the Bible, prayer, simply being open to believing in a Supreme Being, God, and talking to Him. God normally doesn't audibly talk back to us, but responds via the impressions we get inside us, signs in the world, experiences that happens to us. The more you get to know God, the more you change to becoming a better, more productive person in life, and wanting to give God all the glory and praise for your good works in actions.

6. Is Christianity too narrow?

Absolutely not. If anything, Christians have the most freedom, because we are not in the slave bandage of sin....And as far as other devoutly religious faiths go, I personally don't believe there is "only one way", in the sense of worshipping different gods, because there is only one God, regardless of what one wants to call Him.

7. What does the Bible say about homosexuality? 

This is what most Christians don't understand. Of course, the Bible talks against homosexuality, but for the SAME REASON heterosexual couples should not be engaging in recreational sex. It's wrong! Sex is for procreation ONLY. It's not for playing around, fun and games, recreation. 

The reason why sex feels good is because that way, people would be more likely to reproduce to populate the world, as God said to do in the Bible. 

Some people say having sex is to show love for your spouse. 

Sex is not love.

It's simply an action to procreate to populate the earth. 

If everyone adhered to this, contraceptives would not exist, because the birth control would be abstinence, so there would be far less unwanted children--including with married couples. 

There are SO MANY activities one can enjoy doing without sex being involved. It's the secular world that keeps making sex into something to be obsessed over. When people, gays or straight, indulge in recreational sex, it makes people want to have more of it, to addiction. Also, it can make people curious about what it would be like to have sex with someone else, perhaps to compare, or for variety. 

If a couple, man and woman, just have sex to have children, the odds are they will not become obsessed with sex, and having problems like one wanting sex more than the other. 

Actually, thinking of sex a lot is a form of idolatry...Yes, you can idolize sex!

Also, science prove this is right! There is a reason why after childbirth age, a woman's body changes to where sex becomes painful....Men and women buying all these sex performance products when they get older...The reason you would "need" those things is because your body isn't supposed to be engaging in sex beyond having the ability to have children! It's your body telling you NO. 

So, the issue goes beyond homosexuals having sex. Yes, the Bible says it's an abomination, but so is recreational sex for heterosexuals as well. 

The Bible in 1 Corinthians 10:31 says:

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God."

Having sex to procreate is not only giving glory to God, but also obeying God's instruction to multiply and populate the world. But recreational sex without wanting to have children is just hedonistic, selfishness without giving any glory to God.

Also, I want to add, for Catholics, there is this frustration where although having recreational sex within the marriage is OK, the couple may get to the point where they don't want any more children, but according to the Catholic tenets, we are not to use contraceptives, so the only thing to do is the rhythm method, and we all know how statistical reliable that is! Hahaha! So there is this problem. However, if the couple only have sex for pro-creation, there is no problem! Because there would be no recreational sex, therefore no issue with the possibility of having children because the couple would be now living a celibate life.

8. Does life have purpose?

Life certainly does! We all have a purpose. 

What's the meaning of life? 

It's simple: to get as close of a relationship to God as you can, which in one main way is fulfilling one's purpose. Because our purpose isn't just about us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says in everything give glory to God, so everyone's purpose must be used to give glory to our Creator, God.

One possible way to know one's purpose is something that you have been interested in, or good at since you were a child. Or maybe a pattern of common experiences God has led you to, could be a hint to your purpose in life. A "calling"--a strong urge to want to do something really positive. 

Whatever it is, if it's not obvious, like to enter the religious life, look at how to give glory to God as you do your purpose, because that's who it's for...It's ALWAYS all about God. 

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Animals and World Religions

In this wide-ranging and perceptive study, Lisa Kemmerer shows how spiritual writings and teachings in seven major religious traditions can help people to consider their ethical obligations toward other beings.

Dr. Kemmerer examines the role of nonhuman animals in scripture and myth, in the lives of religious exemplars, and by drawing on foundational philosophical and moral teachings. She begins with a study of indigenous traditions around the world, then focuses on the religions of India (Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain) and China (Daoism and Confucianism), and finally, religions of the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

 

At the end of each chapter, Kemmerer explores the inspiring lives and work of contemporary animal advocates who are motivated by a personal religious commitment.

Animals and World Religions demonstrates that rethinking how we treat nonhuman animals is essential for anyone claiming one of the world's great religions.

Historical Spiritual Beliefs in Relation to Animals

 

Today's animal rights movements are often political, meant to affect change in legislature. But the roots of the belief in animal welfare and opposition to animal cruelty has more spiritual contexts, affiliated with cultural groups having a loving affinity for the earth and its beings.

Native American religion is closely linked to the land. There is a common thread of connection with the earth and the supernatural. A strong emphasis is placed on developing a personal spirituality, as well as the intertwining of the natural and spiritual worlds. Land and its creatures blend well with Native Americans’ spiritual awakening and daily ritual, though typically this belief is not considered a religion; it’s a lifestyle and the basis of an entire culture. Spirituality is a mindset and a relationship with natural beings, not a doctrine.

Native American religion is also accompanied by sacred mythological narrative, relying a lot on animals to tell the story. These stories are deeply based in nature and symbolism using the seasons and weather, plants, animals, earth, and the elements, culminating in the embrace of a great Spirit, a connection to the Earth. These stories were handed down verbally and used in traditional tribal gatherings where the peoples worshipped using song and dance.

Vegetarianism, the earth and religion are also interconnected in the ancient practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Vegetarianism is mandatory if you are a strict follower of Jainism, based on the principle of nonviolence, ahimsa. Formed from Hinduism because of distaste for animal sacrifice, Jains are either lacto-vegetarians or vegans. They believe it's important to contribute the least amount of violence as possible--to all of nature--thus influencing positive karma and necessitating liberation during reincarnation. Some followers of Hinduism also practice ahimsa and non-violence to animals, holding vegetarianism as an ideal. Linked to this is offering only vegetarian food to a god in order to receive it back as prasad, a mental condition for generosity. The belief is that non-vegetarian food is harmful in developing the mind and spirituality. Hindus have a scriptural basis for these practices, the Mahabharata states: “Nonviolence is the highest duty and the highest teaching.” Exists the more practical belief that meat consumption is not beneficial to physical health. There's also Hindu dietary law, linking the basis of man’s good and evil to food, which provides some context for why some Hindus prefer not to eat meat; treatment of food is directly tied to karma and blessings in this life and the next, and this includes forming a relationship with the earth and what it produces.

In Buddhism, animals are understood to be sentient beings and they are highly regarded, as is man’s relationship with the natural world and humanitarianism. Buddha theorized that sentient beings have been our mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, children, and friends in past lives. This is similar to some Native American ideology. This notion makes clear the difficulty of distinguishing between moral rules for animals and humans as we are all interconnected. Animals are believed to be separated from humans by state of mind, or a different realm of existence (Tiryagyoni). All the earth’s creatures must work together to protect one another, and individuals who harm others will in their turn experience the same thing. The first of the five Buddhist precepts bans the taking of life, sometimes applied to all sentient beings, including not just mammals, but insects and invertebrates as well. Early Buddhism contains regulations to prevent the harming of sentient beings in the animals realm, because it directly impacts all other realms.

Mainstream modern religions like Christianity often disassociate, at least in majority doctrine, from obligations to the environment and animals, placing options on the individual, and playing down the need for interconnectedness and community. But if one chooses to look there is plenty of encouragement in ancient spiritual traditions for finding our roots and a deep spiritual balance between humans, other animals and our Mother Earth.

Animal Rites

Andrew Linzey is an Anglican priest, theologian, author, and prominent figure in the Christian vegetarian movement. He has authored and co-wrote many books on the subject of animal reverence.

Linzey has often been quoted as saying "Animals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but precious beings in God's sight. ... Christians whose eyes are fixed on the awfulness of crucifixion are in a special position to understand the awfulness of innocent suffering. The Cross of Christ is God's absolute identification with the weak, the powerless, and the vulnerable, but most of all with unprotected, undefended, innocent suffering.

In 1990, he was awarded the Peaceable Kingdom Medal for outstanding work in the field of theology and animals. In June, 2001, he was awarded a DD (Doctor of Divinity) degree by George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, in recognition of his “unique and massive pioneering work in the area of the theology of creation with particular reference to the rights and welfare of God’s sentient creatures”. This is the highest award that the Archbishop can bestow on a theologian and the first time it has been awarded for work involving animals. In 2006, in recognition of his role in the creation of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, Linzey was named the Henry Bergh Professor of Animal Ethics at the Graduate Theological Foundation in the U.S., the first such professorship of its kind in the world.

Some of Andrew Linzey's works:

Animal Rights: A Christian Perspective (London: SCM Press, 1976)

Christianity and the Rights of Animals (London: SPCK and New York: Crossroad, 1987 and 1989)

Animal Theology (London: SCM Press and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1994 and 1996)

Animal Gospel: The Christian Defense of Animals (Hodder & Stoughton Religious, 1998)

Animal Gospel: Christian Faith as If Animals Mattered (London: Hodder and Stougton, and Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1999 and 2000)

Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care (London: SCM Press and Cleveland: Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 1999 and 2001)

Creatures of the Same God: Explorations in Animal Theology (New York: Lantern Books, 2009).

Why Animal Suffering Matters: Philosophy, Theology, and Practical Ethics (Oxford University Press, 2009).