Importance of belief vs. doing good

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Which is more important, especially in Christianity? The Parable of the Good Samaritan has the believers mocked (the priest and levite) but the Samaritan (the outsider) is righteous. As someone else put it on TWC, the quote "to the Father through me" could offer different interpretations - "through me" could mean "through my teachings", namely agape love.

Just something to think about.

[Chaigidel]

personally this is what I think the teachings of Jesus amounted too

Through Love Find God.--- none come to the one true god save by Love.

it takes some pretty heavy interpretation to avoid the texts which reference the burning pit and what not though, but honestly the gnashing of teeth and hell as described in new testament could all be the invariable results of Hatred.

thus damnation

[Chief Astook]

a question that has been hitting humans (especially famous ones) since whenever we began.

Many epic novels are based on importance of belief vs. doing good (at the cost of what you believe)

[Pontifex Maximus]

Protestants would say belief, Catholics would say a mixture of the two.

I place more value on works. Simply Saying that you believe Jesus is your savior is easy. The effort is minimal and the benefit great.

It's alot more telling if someone goes on a mission trip or volunteers at a soup kitchen.

[vizi]

Protestants would say belief, Catholics would say a mixture of the two.

I place more value on works. Simply Saying that you believe Jesus is your savior is easy. The effort is minimal and the benefit great.

It's alot more telling if someone goes on a mission trip or volunteers at a soup kitchen.

*chuckle*

Almost every year I go with a Lutheran Church to Guatemala (leaving for 11 days on the 17th of this month.) We feed the people that live int he garbage dump, provide school supplies to people who cannot afford any, etc...etc...etc.. There are also two other groups that go down to Guatemala on medical trips where they provide basic medical care and supplies (like eye glasses.)

Most of the groups down their are Protestant. However a few Catholics do go with the group. But for the most part I would say that Protestants base their religion on Good Works.

So I think you might be confusing Protestants with the crazy guys you see on the TV.

[Justus]

*chuckle*

Almost every year I go with a Lutheran Church to Guatemala (leaving for 11 days on the 17th of this month.) We feed the people that live int he garbage dump, provide school supplies to people who cannot afford any, etc...etc...etc.. There are also two other groups that go down to Guatemala on medical trips where they provide basic medical care and supplies (like eye glasses.)

Most of the groups down their are Protestant. However a few Catholics do go with the group. But for the most part I would say that Protestants base their religion on Good Works.

So I think you might be confusing Protestants with the crazy guys you see on the TV.

That's your community probably,in my whole city the eastern orthodox and protestants do absolutely nothing(no charities or help for the poor so on),yet go to a catholic church you go can pick for who want to donate(feed the poor,help refugess,support those in financial trouble)and go feed(help) homeless people

[Pontifex Maximus]

*chuckle*

Almost every year I go with a Lutheran Church to Guatemala (leaving for 11 days on the 17th of this month.) We feed the people that live int he garbage dump, provide school supplies to people who cannot afford any, etc...etc...etc.. There are also two other groups that go down to Guatemala on medical trips where they provide basic medical care and supplies (like eye glasses.)

Most of the groups down their are Protestant. However a few Catholics do go with the group. But for the most part I would say that Protestants base their religion on Good Works.

So I think you might be confusing Protestants with the crazy guys you see on the TV.

From what I can tell, protestants believe a person is 'saved' if they take Jesus to be their personal savior and acknowledge him as God.

I wasn't saying protestants don't ever do charity work, but I see alot more of it coming from catholics. the church my family goes to is highly involved with helping the community.

[Farnan]

In my opinion it is thus:

Belief is only thing that is required for salvation, however if you truly believe you will do good deeds.

If you want I'll explain.

[Dayman]

Protestant work ethic...

[Dayman]

You see it because you live with Catholics. Here in Philly I see a lot from both. As much as I hate to say it they do a lot of good here.

[Justus]

No the eastern orthodox is just on the other side of the street(of the catholic church) and i've got an orthodox friend and my family(except my grandmother) is atheist

[Dayman]

What does that have to do with works?

[Justus]

What does that have to do with works?

1.I do not live with catholics
2.I would know of the orthodox charity

[Dayman]

1.I do not live with catholics
2.I would know of the orthodox charity

You're not Pontifex.

[vizi]

Perhaps I should have clarified. Not only do the local Protestants do tons of good works in my community but almost every other group that does aid in Guatemala that I have met are Protestants. And these are not people that we meet on purpose. But people we see in airports.

It doesn't matter because I am sure Catholics and Protestants put an equal importance on Works and Belief. But it is ludicrous that Pontifex would say they only care about Belief, since that is not my experience.

If you must know. I was baptized Catholic, confirmed Lutheran and I do not practice any religion. I however have an understand of both those 'sects.' I have no bias towards either.

[Farnan]

What the argument is between "must" and "should"

Catholics believe one "must" do good works.
Protesants generally believe one "should" do good works.
I come from the side that believes that one with faith and intention of following the teachings of Jesus will do good works but that is due to belief not due to it being a requirement to go to heaven.

[vizi]

Well Farnan. We were merely discussing a tangent on the must and should of this debate. Ludicrous comments aside.

If I had any religious faith it would be more along the lines of 'should.' Anything you MUST do is never done with as much goodwill and heart as something that you SHOULD do but do not have to do.

Requirements are what tarnish any faith, especially one based on loving thy neighbor. Forcing people to love thy neighbor does not work.

[Farnan]

I noticed and enjoyed your argument and wasn't attacking that, simply adding my beliefs into it.

[Theseus1234]

just adding my 2 cents
doing good is far more important than any belief ever. end of story

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Obviously doing good is possible without belief. Is there any denomination or passage that could say belief is not as important as actions?