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Hmmm... between liberal christians and conversative christians, different denominations, literalists vs non-literalists, preachers vs academics, rapture/armageddonists vs non-armageddonists, etc, is it possible to have any sort of community consensus on most questions? – Juliet Jul 9 '10 at 2:06

@Juliet: Lots of questions do fit in the simple Q&A formatave clear answers - questions of Church history, the beliefs and practices of different Christian groups, the supporting argumnents for different beliefs, etc. Others will just lead to protracted arguments. I suggest we don't want a Q&A site where people just vote for their favourite interpretation, but rather a place where people can ask about the facts and reasons behind Christian belief and practice. What do you think? – Kramii Jul 9 '10 at 8:39

@Kramii: I generally agree. To keep the site interesting to scholars and academics, I think doctrinal questions should be treated as off-topic. For example, scholars will be interested in questions regarding the authenticity and dating of the Pauline epistles, to a lesser extent scholars might be interested in poetic devices used in genesis, and way off in off-topic land are questions of the "is homosexuality a sin / is faith alone required for salvation" sort which are of no use to anyone outside of evangelists and preachers. – Juliet Jul 12 '10 at 6:56

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55 Example Questions (9 closed)

active newest votes

up vote 22 down vote

added by Luke, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 22 '10 at 18:25

up vote 22 down vote

added by DJClayworth Jul 21 '10 at 19:26

Pretty sure it says not to murder, murder is an unlawful killing, It is not unlawful for a soldier to kill in combat. – Luke Jul 21 '10 at 20:00

You're not meant to be answering the question, you're meant to be voting on it. – DJClayworth Jul 21 '10 at 20:20

apologies, +1 for a good example. – Luke Jul 22 '10 at 7:36

It refers to murder. – RolandiXor Jan 18 '11 at 2:29

Yes, Roland, Luke already pointed that out. – DJClayworth Jan 18 '11 at 14:16

up vote 21 down vote

added by googletorp Jul 7 '10 at 21:19

up vote 20 down vote

added by Kramii Jul 7 '10 at 11:54

Why is this off-topic? – Kramii Jul 8 '10 at 13:12

@Kramii Yeah that seems wrong. – leeand00 Dec 29 '10 at 22:36

WHO is the Trinity... – RolandiXor Jan 18 '11 at 1:26

@Roland: Well said! However, the question as written reflects a common phrase that is used when asking about the doctrine of the Trinity. – Kramii Jan 24 '11 at 17:10

@Roland Who ARE the Trinity. Or not. Maybe "Who is and/or are the Trinity?" :-) – DJClayworth Jan 26 '11 at 15:21

show 1 more improvement suggestion

up vote 20 down vote

added by Witek, edited by Wikis Dec 14 '10 at 18:18

The fact that there are a variety of answers doesn't make this a bad question. A good answer would cover the spectrum of belief on the matter. – DJClayworth Jul 16 '10 at 14:14

BTW. Despite what some people think Catholic Church officialy states that Genesis is not historically true. – naugtur Aug 11 '10 at 12:25

I doubt that is the case. I understand they state that believing that Genesis is unhistorical is not in contradiction with Christian believe. That's not the same as stating that it is not historical. – DJClayworth Dec 9 '10 at 17:00

-1: I would say anyone who does not believe the Bible is true is definitely NOT a Christian. – John Dec 13 '10 at 18:50

@John - I think that is true of anyone who consistently denies all of the Bible in face of evidence. But someone at the start of their faith or who has never seen the Bible may still be a Christian. The thief on the cross never believed the NT (since it did not exist), possibly did not believe the OT (since he broke its law) and wasn't even baptised - he just believed in Jesus. That's all the Bible says you need to be - a follower of Christ. – Wikis Dec 13 '10 at 20:41

show 5 more improvement suggestions

up vote 17 down vote

added by rlb.usa Jul 7 '10 at 14:46

How is this not a good example? It's not nice to serial downvote. – rlb.usa Jul 7 '10 at 18:48

Possible because there are differences of opinion between Christians? Still, this one might be answerable if the opinions were spelled out along with supporting arguments. – Kramii Jul 8 '10 at 13:24

By definition Christianity is a broad topic - simply because of all the "sects" and differences between them. You can't have a "Christianity" Q&A without having questions that have differing answers based on definition. – rlb.usa Jul 8 '10 at 16:07

Sounds like a good question to me, depends if you mean what do the "Christian sects say about homosexuals" or "what does the Bible say about homosexuals" as to whether or not you will get a well defined answer though. The bible is clear cut but there are lots of sects that dont follow all the parts of the bible. – Luke Jul 8 '10 at 17:06

Christianity is not an unanymous body, hence it cannot say anything.. You should change it to what references does the Bible give about Homosexuality or something in this direction. – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:09

show 1 more improvement suggestion

up vote 12 down vote

added by Binoj Antony, edited by warren Sep 23 '10 at 13:51

I would rather call it denomination than sect. Sect is a very emotive terminology – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:13

up vote 10 down vote

added by Binoj Antony Jul 8 '10 at 5:16

What would it mean to "believe in Jesus"? – googletorp Jul 8 '10 at 7:13

A good answer could explore what it means to "believe in Jesus" as well as different views of "what is a Christian"? – DJClayworth Jul 8 '10 at 15:53

This is a nice question, I hope someone answers =) – Lyon Apostol Jan 10 '11 at 14:31

up vote 10 down vote

added by DJClayworth Jul 21 '10 at 19:26

I found the answer: a Bible verse =) but I think I should vote and not answer =) – Lyon Apostol Jan 10 '11 at 14:07

up vote 9 down vote

added by Witek, edited by txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:15

This is an excellent question. Can you revise the grammar? – Jim G. Jul 21 '10 at 20:47

I am german. Please post a proposition. – Witek Jul 21 '10 at 22:27

Here's a suggestion to revise the grammar: "How can a human get/obtain/learn morality from the bible, when he or she must decide which stories are true and which are symbolic?" – ultraviolet Jul 24 '10 at 0:16

To provide an example answer, it basically comes from treating the stories in the bible as literal except where they use symbolic phrasing or otherwise indicate that the story is fiction (parables come to mind). – RCIX Jul 31 '10 at 5:34

@RCIX, nothing says that many/most parables couldn't be "real" (though whether they are or not is irrelevant to their purpose) – warren Sep 23 '10 at 13:50

up vote 8 down vote

added by Kramii Jul 7 '10 at 11:55

Probably too general question. Rather ask for the differences in theologies and where there might be contraditions. – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:18

up vote 8 down vote

added by rlb.usa Jul 7 '10 at 14:44

up vote 8 down vote

added by theycallmemorty Jul 8 '10 at 2:18

up vote 7 down vote

added by Luke Jul 8 '10 at 14:17

out of votes, but great question. – Kaji Dec 13 '10 at 22:31

up vote 7 down vote

added by sdavids Sep 16 '10 at 3:28

up vote 6 down vote

added by googletorp Jul 7 '10 at 21:18

up vote 6 down vote

added by Luke Jul 8 '10 at 14:01

Objection, your honor. Calls for speculation. – DJClayworth Jul 13 '10 at 18:55

Not really, If there is no wrong choice then we are not free to make any choices, God gave Adam and Eve the choice to obey him or not, If he did not give them the choice then they would basically of just been robots doing Gods will, God wants man to Love him, but man can only love him if he makes the choice too, otherwise its not real love but forced – Luke Jul 13 '10 at 19:29

That's a plausible explanation, but without knowing the mind of God there's no way that anyone can know that it's the true answer. – DJClayworth Jul 16 '10 at 14:11

Simply by putting the tree there and giving them the comand not to eat from it, Genesis 2:16, God gave man the choice to obey or disobay him. John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments" – Luke Jul 16 '10 at 17:01

Once again, your interpretation is a valid point of view but not the only possible one. – DJClayworth Dec 9 '10 at 17:01

up vote 6 down vote

added by sdavids Sep 16 '10 at 3:33

up vote 5 down vote

added by rlb.usa Jul 7 '10 at 14:45

Sects or denominations? I think there is a difference in this – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:15

up vote 5 down vote

added by rlb.usa Jul 7 '10 at 14:47

Speculation.. who knows.. Rather what does the Bible have to say about this topic. – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:10

NaGE unless rephrased per @txw comment – mfg Nov 23 '10 at 13:35

up vote 5 down vote

added by Wikis, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jan 20 '11 at 16:58

up vote 5 down vote

added by chromedude Oct 9 '10 at 23:01

up vote 4 down vote

added by Max Gontar, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jan 20 '11 at 16:54

	Reasonable question, although it would be better at Biblical Hermeneutics. – DJClayworth Aug 6 '10 at 16:24
	I think the question should be edited to "What verse in the Bible..." =) – Lyon Apostol Jan 10 '11 at 14:06

up vote 3 down vote

added by Binoj Antony Jul 8 '10 at 5:18

	I don't think any yes/no question is good for sites like SO. – naugtur Aug 11 '10 at 12:28
	Does anybody have a definite knowledge of the will of God? Danger of a flamewar! – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:11
	do you mean His decreetive or revealed will? – warren Sep 23 '10 at 13:49
	This may be yet another question that needs to be qualified (and maybe a good answer would take it upon itself to do so) by denomination as each group will have various stances on the issue. – mfg Nov 23 '10 at 13:38
	@naugtur: It SO/SE actually prefers questions with definite answers, and you don't get much more definite than yes/no. That said, when something is subject to as much debate as this, I hardly see this being a simple yes or no in practice. – Kaji Dec 13 '10 at 22:33

show 1 more improvement suggestion

up vote 3 down vote

added by Sotiris Oct 8 '10 at 12:44

up vote 2 down vote

added by Binoj Antony, edited by Wikis Jul 28 '10 at 17:37

revise to "What is the history behind the Pope." Pope is a title, and should be capitalized and generally offset with a definite article ("a|an|the"). – mfg Nov 23 '10 at 14:00

up vote 2 down vote

added by Binoj Antony Jul 8 '10 at 5:19

closed as off topic by ultraviolet, Ven'Tatsu, ja72, mfg, warren Jan 20 '11 at 14:11

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

Christians have a wide variety of views, so I think this will lead to arguments and voting based on personal preference. A better question might be, "Why are so many Christians against abortion" or "What Biblical evidence is therre that abortion is a sin". – Kramii Jul 8 '10 at 10:10

Can you be more specific on which sect/branch/faith you are asking about? – ja72 Nov 3 '10 at 15:45

Probably falls under "thou shall not kill".... – leeand00 Dec 29 '10 at 22:33

up vote 2 down vote

added by Witek Jul 16 '10 at 11:46

Baptisum doesnt make you a Christian, it might be a better question if you asked does being baptized make me a Christian or does every non Christian go to hell even if he does everything else right. – Luke Jul 16 '10 at 12:57

Yes - I think this is an appropriate question for this site. – Jim G. Jul 21 '10 at 20:47

Is rather speculation. Rather ask what is written in the Bible about this issue. – txwikinger Sep 14 '10 at 21:14

Don't agree. This argument could be put on nearly every question here. Isn't christianity all about interpretation (which is speculation) of the bible? – Witek Sep 15 '10 at 11:09

@Witek - Biblical interpretation involves no speculation at most levels: it is applying the Bible to itself - if an area is unclear, then find those areas where it is clearer on the same topic and compare them since God doesn't contradict Himself (presuming, of course, that you believe 2 Tim 3:15-17) ...(on the areas where it could involve "speculation", such as eschatological details, said "speculation" generally falls within the realms of extrapolation from what is said elsewhere) – warren Sep 23 '10 at 13:48

show 2 more improvement suggestions

up vote 2 down vote

added by Daniel Standage Dec 4 '10 at 18:51

up vote 1 down vote

added by Kramii Jul 7 '10 at 11:56

closed as off topic by Kevin Harder, Jim G., RCIX, warren, naugtur Aug 11 '10 at 12:25

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote 1 down vote

added by Luke Jul 8 '10 at 16:47

Hmm... This is a good sample question which begs the question: Should this site include Biblical debate, seeing that Christianity holds the Bible to be sacred? – Jim G. Jul 21 '10 at 20:45

I don't think that Biblical debate can be avoided. However, the "Biblical Hermeneutics" site (assuming it gets off the ground) might be a better place for questions like this. – Kramii Jul 22 '10 at 8:55

@Kramii, @Jim G - I'd personally vote for this being on the Hermeneutics site – warren Aug 10 '10 at 2:42

up vote 1 down vote

added by sdavids Sep 16 '10 at 3:31

The problem here is the "what made them so successful" part. I guess that really sucessful preachers are made sucessful in evangelism by the Holy Ghost, otherwise is just deception. – Trinidad Jan 28 '11 at 2:18

up vote 1 down vote

added by RolandiXor Jan 18 '11 at 2:30

up vote 0 down vote

added by googletorp Jul 7 '10 at 21:20

closed as off topic by Kramii, Max Gontar, Auguste, Edgar, BenV Jan 21 '11 at 18:38

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

This is a matter of debate within Christianity, so can't be answered without getting into a big debate. – Kramii Jul 8 '10 at 13:22

It is a hotly debated subject. But what's the point of the site? Is the site going to be for "selling" the faith on the lowest common denominator, or for assuming that the Bible is true and saying so? – boost Jul 9 '10 at 4:17

Definitely not selling the faith (by which I assume you mean evangelism) but helping people understand the beliefs and practices of Christians - whether Q&Aers be within or without the faith. – Kramii Jul 9 '10 at 8:43

Would "Are Adam and Eve the sole ancestors of all people according to a literal reading of the bible?" be a better question? – Andrew Grimm Nov 26 '10 at 12:30

fwiw, if they're NOT, then Christianity instantly falls apart – warren Dec 9 '10 at 17:22

up vote 0 down vote

added by Witek Jul 16 '10 at 11:49

	Is the fourth word a typo? I can interpret this question either as "If the Bible is true" or "If the Bible isn't true". – ultraviolet Jul 24 '10 at 0:19
	Yeah I'd like an answer to this too, but what is the Christain view on killing evil people? I guess it's love your enemies, is God exempt from this? – leeand00 Nov 24 '10 at 16:31

up vote 0 down vote

added by Witek, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 22 '10 at 18:01

up vote 0 down vote

added by Wikis Jul 31 '10 at 22:05

closed as off topic by J D OConal, leeand00, blueberryfields, John, Kaji Dec 13 '10 at 22:29

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

Question is to help define boundary since the Q&A title is "Christianity" but the blurb says "for devoted Christians". So is it also about lifestyle (in which case this is on topic) or not (this is off topic)? – Wikis Jul 31 '10 at 22:06

up vote 0 down vote

added by Chad Dec 23 '10 at 23:36

up vote 0 down vote

added by Lyon Apostol Jan 10 '11 at 14:03

Is this the Philippines bill? – DJClayworth Jan 18 '11 at 21:04

up vote -1 down vote

added by theycallmemorty Jul 8 '10 at 2:19

closed as off topic by Kramii, Amichai, Bruce Alderman, Samuel, Wikis Jul 28 '10 at 17:37

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

What is "a Christian band"? – Kramii Jul 8 '10 at 10:12

I agree that the definition of a 'Christian band' is vague, that's why I posted this: hoping to get support as an 'off-topic' example. – theycallmemorty Jul 8 '10 at 11:04

Are they Christians who happen to be musicians, or musicians who happen to be Christians? Is their music about God explicitly, or about how they see the world given their God-affected perspective? – boost Jul 9 '10 at 4:13