Why does God not destroy all evil?

Evil does not exist in Gods kingdom in heaven. Here in our mortal lives we have free will. Without it our lives would be meaningless since one cannot choose good over evil unless one has a choice. "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:19) God has given us everything we need to make Gods kingdom on earth and he tells us how to do it... LOVE.

Getting to Heaven

As an interfaith minister I believe that the path to heaven is dependent on your religion. The Interfaith Church believes there is one God or Supreme Spirit, but many paths to the divine. As a Christian I believe that the scripture in the Bible supports this view. "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." (Psalms 25-10) "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."(Matthew 22:36-38) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) What does it mean to accept Jesus as one's Lord and Savior and be born again? Jesus is the message of love, compassion and justice. Jesus is one with God "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:6) thus anyone of any religion who embraces the message of love, compassion and justice and believes in God is accepting Jesus since God and Jesus are one. This to me is the most loving and compassionate interpretation in tune with the teachings of Jesus and allows any truly moral person who believes in God through any religion a path to heaven. One God many paths is in tune with the spirit of the interfaith church.

Christian
Good deeds alone will not get you to heaven. You must keep the 10 commandments AND you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior AND then lead your life in a moral manner and do good deeds.

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."(Matthew 22:36-38)

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Jesus was speaking to those who would be Christian saying they must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

A common prayer to accept Jesus (be born again) is:
"Lord Jesus, I have sinned and do not deserve you. I accept that only you can save me. Save me Jesus. Thank you Jesus."

If you make a decision to accept Christ, you must understand that it means a lifetime commitment toward seeking to be like Jesus in the way that you live. This is the good deeds part. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." (Exodus 20:3) Vain means failure. To call yourself a Christian and not live the life of a Christian is to take the Lord's name in vain.

Jewish
Believe in God and follow the 10 commandments. Because Judaism is primarily focused on life here and now rather than on the afterlife, Judaism does not have much dogma about the afterlife in heaven, and leaves a great deal of room for personal opinion. The place of spiritual reward for the righteous is often referred to in Hebrew as Garden of Eden.

Islam
Muslims believe that after facing the Judgment of Allah (God), people will be either admitted to Heaven by His mercy, or entered into Hell by His justice. You must surrender to Allah to receive his mercy. Those who do bad deeds and do not repent and seek the forgiveness of Allah will not go to heaven. If they repent and do good deeds, the sins will be forgiven.

Buddhism
Karma refers to the law of cause and effect in a person's life, reaping what one has sown. Buddhists believe that every person must go through a process of birth and rebirth until he reaches the state of Nirvana in which he breaks this cycle. Nirvana is the end of suffering while you're alive, and the end of rebirth after you die. Nirvana is very different from the Christian concept of heaven. Nirvana is not a place like heaven, but rather a state of being without want or suffering. The common view of God is Monotheistic as a single impersonal force made up of all living things.

The way one achieves Nirvana is through the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path.
The First Noble Truth is that there is pain and suffering in the world.
The Second Noble Truth is the cause of suffering is desire.
The Third Noble Truth is suffering will cease when a person can rid himself of all desires.
The Fourth Noble Truth is one can extinguish all desire by following the eight-fold path.
Here are the eight steps in following the eight-fold path.
The first is the Right Views. One must accept the four noble truths.
Step two is the Right Resolve. One must renounce all desires and any thoughts like lust, bitterness, and cruelty. He must harm no living creature. Step three is the Right Speech. One must speak only truth. There can be no lying, slander, or foul talk.
Step four is the Right Behavior. One must abstain from sexual immorality, stealing, and all killing.
Step five is the Right Occupation. One must work in an occupation that benefits others and harms no one.
Step six is the Right Effort. One must seek to eliminate any evil qualities within and prevent any new ones from arising. One should seek to attain good and moral qualities and develop those already possessed. Seek to grow in maturity and perfection until universal love is attained.
Step seven is the Right Contemplation. One must be observant, contemplative, and free of desire and sorrow.
Step eight is the Right Meditation. After freeing oneself of all desires and evil, a person must concentrate his efforts in meditation so that he can overcome any sensation of pleasure or pain and enter a state of transcending consciousness and attain a state of perfection. Buddhists believe that through self-effort you can accept God and one can attain the state of peace and eternal bliss called Nirvana.

My personal Belief
I belief that anyone who follows the teachings of the their religious faith and believes in God, will obtain a state of eternal peace and bliss. In conformity with the interfaith church I believe there is one God but many paths to the Devine. "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." (Psalms 25-10) I am a Christian so my path is the Christian path. To live a life like Jesus I must learn true compassion by eliminating my desire for self-satisfaction (ego) and protection (fear). I want to learn to put myself last.

Divorce

Christian
A divorce done under proper grounds and in a proper fashion is the ending of the marriage relationship. The person properly divorced is free to and expected to remarry. Divorce is the severing of the marriage relationship and frees the person to remarry. (Deuteronomy 24:1)
This passage in God's laws established that there are grounds upon which a divorce is biblically acceptable. Whatever "some indecency" means, it establishes that there are divinely acceptable reasons to end a marriage.

Jesus said that this law was given permissively, because of human hardheartedness. Divorce may not have been a part of God's original ideal, but in a sinful world, He makes allowances. The sinful behavior of human beings can make divorce an acceptable if not desirable option. Jesus spelled out the grounds for divorce more clearly in the New Testament. But there are two key deductions that I would draw here. First, divorce may only be sought for serious moral reasons. It can never be done lightly or frivolously. Serious moral reasons including illicit sexual intercourse in general. (Matthew 5: 32 and Matthew 19: 9)

Jewish
Judaism recognized the concept of "no-fault" divorce thousands of years ago. Judaism has always accepted divorce as a fact of life, albeit an unfortunate one. Judaism generally maintains that it is better for a couple to divorce than to remain together in a state of constant bitterness and strife.
This does not mean that Judaism takes divorce lightly. Many aspects of Jewish law discourage divorce. The procedural details involved in arranging a divorce are complex and exacting.

Islam
Islam allows divorce if circumstances warrant or necessitate it.
"And if you fear that the two (i.e husband and wife) may not be able to keep the limits ordered by Allah, there is no blame on either of them if she redeems herself (from the marriage tie)." (Quran 2 : 229).
The procedure of divorce in Islam is such as to encourage reconciliation where possible.

Buddhism
Divorce is not prohibited in Buddhism though the necessity would scarcely arise if the Buddha's injunctions were strictly followed. Men and women must have the liberty to separate if they really cannot agree with each other. Divorce is preferable to avoid miserable family life for a long period of time.

My personal Belief
Men and women must have the liberty to separate if they really cannot agree with each other. Divorce is preferable to avoid miserable family life for a long period of time. It should never be taken lightly and every opportunity to reconcile should be made first especially when there are children.


Birth Control, Abortion, Euthanasia and Suicide

Christian
There is no consistent Christian position on birth control; it is dependent on the denomination. Due to the variety of valid Christian perspectives on sex and fertility control, consult your pastor, priest, or minister for more information about the role of birth control in your spiritual walk. Scripture neither endorses nor condemns the use of birth control.

There is no consistent Christian position on abortion; it is dependent on the denomination. The most common position is that abortion is only acceptable if the conception is the result of incest or forced rape or threatens the health of the mother. Due to the variety of valid Christian perspectives on abortion, consult your pastor, priest, or minister for more information about the role of abortion in your spiritual walk. Scripture neither specifically endorses nor condemns abortion. Most Christians believe that a fetus is a person at conception. Some believe it is a potential human life and only becomes a human life at birth; this belief is consistent with Jewish belief.

On the issue of euthanasia and suicide, the Christian position is God's dominion includes all of life, which means that suffering is a part of God's providence. Therefore, suffering that cannot be relieved by modern medical means is to be accepted as from the hand of a loving God who knows what He is doing, even when we do not understand. Euthanasia and suicide is not permitted by most Christian denominations.

Jewish
The great majority of Jews today, tend to use their preferred method of birth control, as a means to realize their family plan. Orthodox Jewish Law prohibits men from destroying or wasting seed. For them hormonal forms of birth control, such as pills, patches, injections and implants, are acceptable.

Abortion is permissible to save the life of the mother. This is based on the belief that the fetus only becomes a person after most of its body emerges from the birth canal. Before personhood has been reached, it may be necessary to sacrifice a potential life in order to save a fully existent human life. An abortion would be permissible if the woman was suicidal because of her pregnancy. Many Jewish authorities permit abortion in the case of a pregnancy resulting from a rape if needed in order save her great mental anguish.

Euthanasia and suicide are condemned in Jewish thought, primarily because it is viewed as taking something (a human life) that belongs to God.

Islam
As a matter of fact, Islam encourages procreation when necessary. But it leaves the door open for birth control.

The majority of early Islamic theologians permitted abortion up to 120 days of pregnancy, an amount of time believed for the fetus to be fully human. Today the major opinion is that medical opinion can be obtained to ascertain if there is any serious danger to the mother, and that there is really no other way to save the mother's life but through abortion. Even if the conception is the result of extra-marital union or forced rape, abortion is not allowed because the baby to be has the right to life that cannot be denied.

On the issue of euthanasia and suicide, Islamic position is that since a human being does not own and is not the master of his/her life, therefore, he cannot decide and ask for death. The Islamic view starts from the fact that life is a trust from Allah and can be terminated by Allah alone. There can be no euthanasia, whether with "dignity" or otherwise.

Buddhism
Buddhists have no problem with birth control and the Dalai Lama encourages it.

The decision to abort is a highly personal one, and one that requires careful and compassionate exploration of the ethical issues involved, and a willingness to carry the burden of whatever happens as a result of the decision. Buddhists believe this is not a matter for the state to decide. Buddhists face a difficulty where an abortion is medically necessary to save the life of the mother and so a life will be lost whether there is or isn't an abortion. In such cases the moral status of an abortion will depend on the intentions of those carrying it out. If the decision is taken compassionately, and after long and careful thought, then although the actions maybe wrong, the moral harm done will be reduced by the compassion.

On the issue of euthanasia and suicide, the Buddhist position is the deliberate taking of human life is prohibited except in self-defense or the legitimate defense of others.

My personal Belief
I encourage birth control but not loose behavior.

Abortion is a deep personal moral decision. All life is precious. But it is not a mater for the state to decide. The decision to abort is a highly personal one, and one that requires careful and compassionate exploration of the ethical issues involved, and a willingness to carry the burden of whatever happens as a result of the decision.

On the issue of euthanasia and suicide, my position is the deliberate taking of human life is prohibited except in self-defense or the legitimate defense of others. There could be a very rare situation where suffering is so intense that euthanasia could be considered. If the decision is taken compassionately, and after long and careful thought, then although the actions maybe wrong, the moral harm done will be reduced by the compassion. With modern pain control this would be extremely rare.


Capital Punishment

Christian
There is no consistent Christian position on capital punishment. The position that it should be greatly reduced or abolished in the modern world is the most widely held view.

Jewish
While the death penalty is hypothetically permissible in certain circumstances, it should be greatly reduced or abolished in the modern world.

Islam
The position of Islam is that capital punishment is permissible, that one may take life only by way of justice and law.

Buddhism
In terms of doctrine the death penalty is clearly inconsistent with Buddhist teaching. Buddhists place great emphasis on non-violence and compassion for all life. The First Precept requires individuals to abstain from injuring or killing any living creature.

My personal Belief
I believe that capital punishment should be abolished in the modern world. I believe that it does damage to society. "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay." says the Lord " (Romans 12:19)


Homosexuality

Christian
There are two completely opposite views on homosexuality among Christians. One view is that scripture forbids it the other is that these scripture are referring to ceremonial laws; unclean religious practice in the old testaments. In the new testaments Paul condemns the unnatural sexual practices of pagan religions. He is not condemning the natural homosexual in any of his writings to the church at Rome, Corinth or to Timothy.

Jewish

There are two different views on homosexuality among Jews. One view is that scripture forbids it the other is that these scripture are referring to ceremonial laws; unclean religious practice, not condemning the natural homosexual.

Islam

There are two different views on homosexuality among Muslims. One view is that the Qur'an forbids it. The other view is that the Qur'an is referring to homosexual lust, not condemning the natural homosexual.

Buddhism
For lay Buddhists (Monks and Nuns are celibate) any sexual act would be acceptable as long as our intention is to harm no one, express affection with respect, and give pleasure to each other. Monks and Nuns are celibate.

My personal Belief
I believe it is not sinful for two natural homosexuals to live together in a committed relationship.

This was a very difficult decision for me to make. The reasons for my belief were made for the following reasons.

When we examine what our Lord Jesus said about homosexuality we discover that he said absolutely nothing on the subject. He surely was familiar with everything going on in people's lives, including homosexual relationships. Among all the things that he did condemn as being unrighteous, he did not condemn people who were homosexuals. Nor did Jesus condemn as sinners two natural homosexuals who lived together in a committed relationship and who might be involved with each other sexually. He encouraged all people, independent of their sexual orientation, to live up to the standards of righteousness.

There are four Old Testament references generally considered opposed to homosexuality: Genesis 19; Leviticus 18 and 20; and Deuteronomy 23.
Genesis 19 refers to the destruction of Sodom and the only reference is to homosexual rape. Biblical scholars tell us that Leviticus chapters 18 through 20 describe ceremonial laws, unclean religious practice and their penalties. They do not believe that these laws apply to the daily life of people.
Deuteronomy 23 is a reference to cult prostitution.

Romans 1:26-27 refers to sexual activities relative to religious worship and unnatural to the individual persons involved. So verses 26 and 27 are not talking about the people who are homosexual by nature or their sexual activity apart from religious worship. Paul is only discussing homosexual acts committed by heterosexual people as being against the nature of the individuals involved. Paul is condemning such acts by these people in connection with religious worship as being cult or temple prostitution.
It is important to recognize, when considering these verses, that the natural homosexual has not chosen to be homosexual. Nor has his/her homosexual orientation resulted from disrespect for God or from moral degeneracy.
1 Corinthians 6:9 and Timothy 1:10 both use the same term. The term used depending on translation means effeminate, which in Paul's day meant spineless or "abusers of themselves with mankind." The best evidence, however, suggests very strongly that it did not connote homosexuality to Paul or his contemporaries but meant "male prostitute" until well into the fourth century, after which it became confused with a variety of words for disapproved sexual activity and was often equated with homosexuality. So 1 Corinthians 6:9 is not talking about the natural homosexual. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:9, condemns spinelessness, and homosexual prostitution by heterosexual people as a form of religious worship. So Corinthians does not condemn homosexuality as a part of a person's nature. It neither condemns nor approves homosexual acts outside of religious services. Paul condemns the unnatural sexual practices of pagan religions. He is not condemning the natural homosexual in any of his writings to the church at Rome, Corinth or to Timothy.

Homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22)
Eating a shellfish (Leviticus 11:12)
Cutting your beard (Leviticus 19:27)
Eating pork or using a pigskin to playing football (Deuteronomy 14:8)

All of these examples are equal sins. They describe ceremonial laws, unclean religious practice and their penalties. Why ignore many sins and then use just one to hurt your fellow man, that is not loving your fellow man. One's faith should be taken very seriously, but not in a sense of blind faith, but rather, as a search for truth. To know the truth about what the Bible says in no way means to simply follow what others say, but to question for your self and find the truth. I believe that truth must always reflect God's love or it is a misinterpretation of the religious text. I do not find God's love in condemning natural homosexuality. The idea that all homosexuality is a life style choice rather than a natural orientation is nonsense to me.

When dealing with a subject that has such strong beliefs on each side with adequate scriptural support I am very careful not to overly judge the opinions of others.
"Judge not, that ye be not Judged." (Matthew 7: 1) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy: Who art thou that judges another? (James 4: 12)

Reverend George V. Schubel
Interfaith Minister