Am I Going to Burn in Hell?

[BugSplatt]

Felson, no offense, I am just wondering what a Christian could possibly be doing on a gambling site? It would be understandable, I suppose, if you had just sought this site out of the many evil places on the internet, to spread the word to degenerate gamblers; however, you are one of us, judging by many of your previous posts. So, what gives? It's that easy? I just live a life of complete and utter sin and two minutes before I die I just ask for forgiveness and it is granted? COOL!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Bug

[Sundevils21]

I challenge you to do numbers 1,2, and 3.
What do you have to lose?(and I'm not talking about Pascal's Wager or whatever)
I'm not saying change your life. I'm not saying become a priest and move to the Vatican.
Just say a couple of words.

[Peter Harris]

why would i want to play cards with an all-seeing opponent?

[Sundevils21]

[ QUOTE ]
I just live a life of complete and utter sin and two minutes before I die I just ask for forgiveness and it is granted? COOL!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

according to the Bible the answer is YES!!
When Christ died on the cross one of the other men who was hanging there(he was a sinful man) said to JC that he believed he really was the Son of God. JC said something to the effect of, "surely this day you will spend eternity with me in paradise(heaven)".
So yes it really is that easy.
But why wait until 2 min before you're about to die? why not do it now so that you don't have to worry about it?

[Sundevils21]

I have had doubts as to whether it was or wasn't okay to play poker for a living and post at a place that talks about gambling. I've spent time in prayer and I am certain this is where God wants me to be at this point in my life.

[Peter Harris]

[ QUOTE ]
"surely this day you will spend eternity with me in paradise(heaven)"

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd interpret this line as Jesus, being a sado-masochist, is considering being nailed to a couple of planks "paradise", and is sharing said paradise with other crucifee (this isn't a word).

Just goes to show how different paradigms can interpret the same thing so differently.

Regards,
Pete Harris

[JGalt]

Are you serious? God wants you to play against dengenerate gamblers and take their mortgage money? Kids college fund? Next weeks grocery money? I would be interested in knowing why god would want you to make other peoples life miserable, not that you don't do it in a million other ways everyday anyways, but do you seriously beleive that this is gods calling for you or is your beleif what allows you to sleep at night knowing that some poor schmuck is out a bundle because of you?

Your beleif in god allows you to live the "sinful" life you lead. It gives you a higher being to explain everything and absolve you of your guilt, wrong doings, etc. etc.

[felson]

[ QUOTE ]
Felson, no offense, I am just wondering what a Christian could possibly be doing on a gambling site?

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, no offense taken. I'm mostly on these boards because I like poker, even though lately it sure doesn't seem that way. I don't think poker is necessarily sinful, although the potential for abuse is certainly there. In my case I don't see a contradiction between my being a Christian and gambling. Your mileage may vary.

About a month ago, another poster (goldcowboy I think) started a thread about the ethics of Christians and gambling. Believe it or not, that single thread is what generated all the ruckus you see today.

EDIT: It is possible that I am rationalizing a little here, although I don't think so (at least very much). Fortunately I know that God accepts me despite my flaws and sins (which is no excuse for me to persist with them).

Also, the second sentence of my post should read "... even though lately it seems like I am here more to talk about God than about poker" to make my meaning more clear.

[felson]

"But felson, don't you at least see, why this SHOULD make someone want to vomit. Even if you believe it is true."

I am pretty sure I have an idea why it MIGHT make people want to vomit. I don't believe that it SHOULD.

But David, I have guessed wrong about your state of mind before. Before I try to respond to an imaginary argument, why don't you spell it out for me?

[Mayhap]

Religion made simple:
Open an old book, 'hey it's all spelled out for me!'
Just like the whackjobs that open that K book wherein they find they can kill innocents with impunity. 'hey it's all spelled out.'

Religion done diligently:
1. Ask God everyday what to do with the life you are given.
2. Don't give up until you get a satisfactory answer.
3. Be prepared to draw new conclusions if you don't get answers.

You don't need a book with this methodology.
BTW, I don't rule out a successful step two.
Lastly, hard work usually yields good results.
/M