"If you do that you will go to hell."
This quote is an example of what is commonly heard in everyday life.
The quote is just an expression but,at a minimum, it represents might be something worth thinking about. (As a blogger it is definitely worth thinking about).
It brings to mind other common concepts in Christianity that seem to have been skewed over the years in American culture. The reasons for this are varied, but a blog is a good place to try to clear some of them up.
This post examines some common misconceptions in Christianity.
A legitimate question would be to ask what qualifies a person to say these are not true. Fair enough.
The responses to these misconceptions come from a Catholic interpretation of the Bible, and from seminary graduates and Biblical scholars.
Myths 1. The Immaculate conception is about the birth of Jesus. While the birth of Jesus was undoubtedly "immaculate", this common phrase is not found directly in the Bible, nor is the concept referring to Jesus. The Immaculate Conception is largely a Roman Catholic concept describing the birth of Mary without the stain of original sin. The thinking is that for Jesus to be sinless he had to come from someone sinless. (Some Roman Catholics propose Mary sinned after the birth of Jesus).
Some of the Church Fathers have written about the Immaculate Conception and what it reveals about Mary, the mother of the Lord. You can read more at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1783100/posts.
2. Only Clergy (such as Priests) can baptize a person.
Most people think some qualification is needed in order to baptize a person in the Christian faith. Baptism usually involves a ceremony in a church and people think the sacrament is from the clergy member.
It might be surprising to realize that a person does NOT have to be clergy in order to baptize. Many Orthodox Catholics believe the only baptism was that of Jesus Christ and that we are being joined to it. This joining does not require a Priest and this article can tell a person more: https://bible.org/question/should-only-pastors-baptize-people.
3. If you break one of the Ten Commandments you will go to hell.
They are called commandments, after all (not the Ten Suggestions).
The problem with this assertion, though, is it lies in Old Testament thinking.
Old Testament thinking implies that a person can attain salvation by following the law, which includes the Ten Commandments. People thought you went to heaven based on if what you did was "good" enough to merit it. However, the law was all there was to go by at the time, and even the Old Testament points to a Messiah.
Jesus did not abolish the law, but he fulfilled the law and salvation is based on abiding in him.
4. The Bible verse "be fruitful and multiply" means all humans should have offspring.
This sounds like a Biblical directive for all humans to have children.
Asserting it implies EVERYONE should have children might be a stretch, however. Put in context, the quote comes in the Bible before the world was populated.
As you can see from this link there are other interpretations of this verse.
http://www.examiner.com/article/being-godly-fruitful-and-multiplying-without-having-children
Others have proposed through the years that multiplying brings another missionary to spread the Gospel.
As you can see it is not as simple as asserting everyone should have children.
5. Going to heaven is based on the merit of the things you did on earth.
People commonly think a person goes to heaven after their death if they do a certain amount of "good" things while they are on earth. This goes with the response to number 3 above and some other religions espouse this notion.
If you are a Christian, then you believe going to heaven is based on the work Jesus did. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." - Acts 16: 31
6. Abiding in Jesus Christ means your life will be easy and you will get what you want. People tend to think a life abiding in Christ means it will be glorious.
Abiding in Jesus means what happens is for a reason and for your good. It might be unpleasant at the time, but it is part of a larger plan that you have not seen the end of.
" In this world you will have tribulations. But don't let it get to you. I have overcome the world." - Gospel Of John 16:33 7. Following Christianity can fix all the world's problems.
One common misconception is that a belief in Christianity abiding in Christ will fix all of your earthly problems. Unfortunately this belief is not entirely true. This is related to number 6 above, but it all involves other people.
God came to earth as a human and even his presence did not fix all of this world's problems. As long as there is free will problems are inevitable.
Author Commentary
It seems many in contemporary American society have skewed facts and values, for whatever reason. This might have to do with the declining interest in religion in general.
It is likely this world will try to drag you the wrong way, as the Devil does not stop his work. You don't have to be a victim, though, as discussed in this post.
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