12 Questions

7-11-26

These 12 questions where asked by a bible study, I share a brief answer for each.

Here are the questions from my group, looking forward to your thoughts! Let me know if you have any questions or need any context etc. 

1. "How does a baby have original sin? Seems like they are clay that gets molded by their surroundings?
2. Can people from other faiths go to heaven? And if not why? Aren’t most people religions based on the location of their birth?
3. How would you respond to someone who, due to the amount of suffering in the world, struggles to believe that God is benevolent and loves everyone? My question is referring to both human-caused suffering (such as from war and cruelty), and natural suffering (such as from disease and natural disasters).
4. Why does the church baptize babies when they don't have the ability to consent or understand
5. What is the harm of not dressing modestly? It doesn't seem like it is harming anyone and don't people have to attract others to mate (thinking in general animal terms here, for example a peacock showing off for mating purposes)
6. Why in June 28th's gospel (Matthew 10:37-42) does Jesus tell people to love him more than their parents and family? Isn't that a selfish/narcissistic thing to ask for?
7. How does the Catholic eucharist work? How is it any different from the bread and wine in other denominations?
8. Why are Catholics told to not take the Eucharist if they have mortal sin if we are called to be with Jesus (assuming it is Jesus)?
9. What is the difference between kinds of sins, why are some worse than others? For example lying habitually vs adultery
10. Can people lose their salvation? I think it varies by denomination and is related to the idea of predestination.
11. Why are some things considered to be a sin even if it doesn't harm anyone?
12. What is original sin and why do people "have it" if they haven't done anything wrong?