Q: Are Christians allowed to date in school?

 

A:  There have been numerous questions that have been asked in reference to dating, so I will be pointing you to some of them in this answer.

Firstly, let's establish something.  The Bible does not talk about dating specifically as during those times, people did not date.  They went from engaged to married.  Dating is a late 20th century model of courtship.

So having said that, I believe there are some things that you must ask yourself before you decide to date a person.  Mainly, you need to reflect on why you wish to date in the first place.  Read THIS blog and then come back to continue this answer. 

I suspect that you are also asking this question because there may be a person of interest at your school in which case a question has been answered about how to deal with crushes.  Go to THIS blog, read it and especially watch the youtube video at the end. 

Now, to answer the question at hand, are Christians allowed to date in school;  I would say that if you are seriously ready to consider marriage and the person who you are thinking about dating is on the same page, than you are ready to date.  The fact is that most people in elementary and high school are NOT ready for this type of lifetime commitment even if they think are.  Thus, as a Pastor, I highly recommend that those in elementary and high school hold off on dating until university.  Of course, this is just a guideline and ultimately, the choice is yours.  But if you're asking for my solid answer, that would be it.

Please visit these blogs HERE for more information on dating, parental approval and if it's okay for Christians to date non-Christians. 

[answered by Pastor KJT]

Q: Suppose a Christian did something really sinful, but died in a car accident the same day before they had a chance to repent and ask God for forgiveness. Will this person still be saved?

...And if the answer is yes, then won't haven be a non-perfect place because that person still hasn't been forgiven of their sins, but still entered the Kingdom of God?

A: This is quite an interesting question!  Let's tackle it one step at a time.

Yes, a Christian who did something very sinful and died in a car accident before repenting will be saved.  You have to remember that salvation does not rest upon a constant confessing of every sin a person has ever committed.  When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, the Scriptures tell us that we are granted salvation.  We do not have to keep on asking for forgiveness in order to maintain our status of being saved.  Look at this passage from Colossians 1:13-14

¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

This passage clearly outlines the fact that Christ has brought us out of darkness and into the light and we have been redeemed by His sacrifice.  This sacrifice results in the forgiveness of sins.

So having established the fact that we are forgiven of our sins once and for all through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, a Christian who has full knowledge and acceptance of this is redemption will enter heaven "clean".  The need to literally and legalistically ask for forgiveness and seek repentance after each and every time we sin is unnecessary since we have been given grace already.  However, a mature Christian should possess an attitude of repentance in which he/she recognizes that they are sinners and accept the need for a Saviour.

For further understanding on this topic, please go HERE and read this blog post.

[answered by Pastor KJT]

Q: How do I bring my friends to church when all they care about is being entertained?

...Whenever I bring them to Agape events, they usually  just come for the entertainment without getting the real message behind everything.  Plus, one of my friends are so fixated on her own thoughts about life (first life, second life...) that it's hard to get my thoughts to her.  I want to bring my friends to church, but not so they will be entertained.  What should I do?

A:  Dear friend, do not be discouraged!  I know that it is tough to reach out to friends and introduce them to our Christian faith, but many have been in your boat and there are also many who have succeeded!

I think the most important thing to do at this point is twofold:

1.  we have to pray for our friends - forcing them to come to fellowship or church activities are only going to help so much.  We have to really lift them up to God and ask the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts.   After all, it is not us that have the capabilities to change them, but God Himself.  So keep your friends in prayer and remember to trust that God will do what He needs to do in His time.
2.  we have to model it for our friends - in addition to praying for them, we have to model the Christlike life to them.  You have to give them a reason to want to change, a reason to want to seek out who this Christian God us.  If your life is nothing different then theirs, then they'll wonder why they need to change. 

 Now, specifically about your friend that has her own thoughts about life.  You mentioned about her believing that she has a first life and second life and this seems to be aligned with the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism.  In order to evangelize, we cannot just impose our beliefs on others.  We have to take the time to understand and love them.  In the case of your friend, it's important to see where they are coming from and then address the issue from there.  Remember that just as strongly as you hold onto your faith as a Christian, she may hold onto her own religion.  We have to be sensitive and understanding, but also not waiver in the Truth we believe in. 

For more information about how to evangelize and specifically about Buddhists and Hindus, please go to here to see other Ask Us Answers. 

[answered by Pastor KJT]

 

Q: Can Christians listen to the band My Chemical Romance and other bands like it?

A:  Only having one My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade) in my iPod, I will have to say that in short, the answer is Yes, we can listen to bands like MCR and other bands in their genre.  However, this doesn't imply "free reign" to not using godly discernment.  While all music in the "Christian" or "Non-Christian" categories ALL belong to God, not all are glorifying to God or edifying to a person.

As an example, let's use the song "The Black Parade" as an example.  The song speaks to some parallels to Trinitarian references and talks somewhat about the songwriters "faith" (Gerard Way).  I'm not too clear on what his faith is about, or whether he considers himself a follower of Christ, but there are definitely some Christian influence that impacts this song.  On the surface, Way sounds like someone who is struggling with understanding death and its implications.  Anyways, the song itself has some interesting themes to ponder and musically speaking, the musical arrangement itself is crafted quite EPIC-ly in the vein of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" or Radiohead's "Paranoid Android".  

Overall, I'm sure MCR and other bands like them have their own personal issues.  They have probably written some terrible songs or songs that just perpetuate a sense of depression or hopelessness.  But on the other hand, they've probably written some songs that have boosted some people's spirits (especially in some forums I've read).  In terms of the question on whether this kind of music is "permissible" to listen to, I'll point to the Apostle Paul:

"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything." - 1 Corinthians 6:12

When we follow Christ and live by His word, we will see things differently, through His eyes.  Music and culture isn't neutral and should be waded through carefully.  Questions in light of this verse:  "is this song beneficial to me?"  or "does this music master me or manipulate me?".  Overall, if we truly follow Christ, we'll ask these kinds of questions before we take stances based on preference.

 

Also read this answer for some more information on discernment in our culture.  Click HERE.

 

[answered by Pastor Shu-Ling Lee, English Congregation Worship Pastor]

Q: Are all people in this world God's people? God calls us to love others... does this include non-christians and people who hate God as well?

A:  Firstly, let's establish if we are all in fact God's people. 


Considering the fact that God created us, yes, we are all literally God's people.  We are created in His image and we belong to Him.  Whether or not people realize this is or not and whether or not we are for God or against Him, is another story.  But Biblically speaking, everything on earth belongs to God, including us.


Secondly, let's understand the meaning of love and how it relates with others.

Jesus demonstrates the ultimate love for humankind when He died on the cross.  It's important to understand that this sacrifice that Jesus did was not for specific people who loved Him.  He died for everyone.  Even, and especially for the ones who condemned Him to the cross.  Take a look at this passage below:

¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command.- John 15:12-14

This verse explains to us that we are to love one another as [Jesus] has loved us.  And what is that love? Verse 13 explains how Jesus epitomizes and shows us the meaning of love - that a man would lay down his life for his friends. 

We are given a command to love each other and an example of what it means to do that.  The challenge is as you say, to love those who hate God.  If Christ could do that and lay down His life for people who hated Him, than we too can learn how to embrace those who hate us.  This is a hard concept to master, but something that God wants us to do. 


[answered by Pastor KJT]

Q: Satan's Attacks or God's Work?

How can you differentiate between what are God's works and what are Satan's attacks if in the case that the event is bad. Sometimes God puts you through tough times so that He can reveal Himself more easily to you, but how do you know that those tough times are not created by Satan?  When Satan attacks you, how do you know that's not God trying to reveal Himself to you?

This is a very thoughtful question. Sometimes we unwittingly go through our problems and struggles in life not seeing that God has a greater purpose for our suffering. Or we lose sight of the spiritual, and are convinced that all that exists is what we see: the physical. There are a few points I’d like to make from the Bible:

Satan DOES attack

There IS indeed spiritual warfare; it’s real. Eph 6:13 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.” That is to say, that Satan is at work, tempting, lying, fixing circumstances against Christians. However, that is not to say that Satan is to blame for every bad thing that happens to us.

God DOES work

It is also true that God tests us to grow our faith. He is not as concerned with our physical or financial wellbeing as he is with our faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” How exactly does this work? Well, somehow, when we go through trials in life, it forces us to not look within and be so self-absorbed. When our eyes are off of ourselves and our ambitions, we can focus them on God. It’s sort of like a wake-up call to us when we get so caught up in our routines. Though it’s natural to want to avoid pain and suffering, Paul argued that it was good for us to see the bigger picture and take joy in it. Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

God uses EVERYTHING

Here’s the kicker: to God, everything can be an opportunity for Him to reveal Himself more to you. Whether it is an intentional attack from Satan (spiritual warfare), or whether it is God putting you through trials to refine you, they serve one and the same purpose: His glory through our sanctification. In both causes of suffering, our response ought to be the same: to turn to God. And in that lies our true source of comfort from the pain.

How do we know everything can be used as an opportunity for God? Well, I’ll point out one great example that you should look into if you have the time. In the story of Job, Satan needed to ask for permission from God to inflict suffering on Job. God allowed it in his sovereignty and love. After losing several family members and all of his earthly riches, by the end of the book, we see that Job’s faith had been proven strong and was even bolstered by his experience of trial. All this was possible, even though it was Satan’s idea to test him. A great theme in the story of the entire Bible is how God turns “bad things” (such as spiritual warfare and opposition from Satan) into good things for His purpose. Job was an example of this. You can also see this clearly in the story of Joseph (Gen 37-50). Perhaps the greatest examples of these are in the life of Jesus, how God turned a suffering betrayed saviour into the hope for our world. When you believe in a sovereign God, that transcends time, sees everything, is more powerful than anything… it should all make sense how God is able to use everything for our good, and ultimately, His glory.

[Answered by Mark Cheng, Agape Counselor]

Q: How do you know when God is calling you forward to do something?

Great Question!  Let me answer this with two points.

1. How Can We Recognize The Voice Of God?

This has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17-22, 36-40). When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? 

First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us or direct us contrary to what He has taught or promised in His Word (Titus 1:2).

Second, to hear God's voice we must recognize it. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep that hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd and they know His voice. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him.

Third, we hear His voice when we spend time in prayer, Bible study, and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when God does speak to us or lead us, it is clear that it is God. God speaks to us so that we may understand truth. While God can speak audibly to people, He speaks primarily through His Word, and sometimes through the Holy Spirit to our consciences, through circumstances, and through other people. By applying what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize His voice.

2. How Can I Know When God Is Telling Me Or Leading Me To Do Something?

 
Pray!  Especially when you’re unsure of God’s will for your life. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). If you don’t know what to pray, you can always personalize and pray verses such as, “Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8) and, “Guide me in Your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5).

The primary way God commands us is through His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If Scripture commands something of us, there’s no need to hesitate and wonder if it’s really God’s will for us. He cares so much about us that He already gave a plain and clear guidebook to life – the Bible. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). “The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word” (Psalm 119:9). Likewise, God never, ever contradicts Himself, so He’ll never ask you to something contradictory to Scripture. He will never ask you to sin. He will never ask you to do something Jesus Christ wouldn’t do. We need to immerse ourselves in the Bible, so we will know which actions meet God’s standards. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth: meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8).

Christians also have the Holy Spirit to discern what is, or is not, God’s will for our lives. “The Spirit of truth . . . will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Sometimes the Holy Spirit will either agitate our conscience if we’re making a wrong decision, or He will pacify and encourage us when we’re leaning toward the right decision. Even if He doesn’t intervene in such noticeable ways, we can have confidence that He’s always in charge. Sometimes God can alter a situation without us even realizing He has acted. “The Lord will guide you always” (Isaiah 58:11).

If God is calling you to take a leap of faith, be encouraged by His presence. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). And remember, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: We all know that having sex with out bf/gf is a sin, but if we simply fall asleep on the same bed with them, is it also considered a sin?

Great Question! Let me answer this with three points:

1. SEX Before Marriage Is Sin.

The Bible undeniably condemns adultery and sexual immorality, and according to 1 Corinthians 7:2 sex before marriage is sexually immoral, “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” In this verse, Paul states that marriage is the “cure” for sexual immorality. First Corinthians 7:2 is essentially saying that, because people cannot control themselves and so many are having immoral sex outside of marriage, people should get married. Then they can fulfill their passions in a moral way. Sex before marriage is included in the biblical definition of sexual immorality. There are numerous Scriptures that declare sex before marriage to be a sin (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1;6:13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The Bible promotes complete abstinence before marriage. Sex between a husband and his wife is the only form of sexual relations of which God approves. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral”. Abstinence is God’s only policy when it comes to sex before marriage. Abstinence saves lives, protects babies, gives sexual relations the proper value, and, most importantly, honors God.

2. What Is An Appropriate Level Of Intimacy Before Marriage?

Ephesians 5:3 tells us, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or of any kind of impurity...because these are improper for God's holy people.” Anything that even “hints” of sexual immorality is inappropriate for a Christian. The Bible does not give us a list of what qualifies as a “hint” or tell us what physical activities are approved for a couple to engage in before marriage. If there is any doubt whatsoever whether an activity is right for an unmarried couple, it should be avoided (Romans 14:23). Any and all sexual and pre-sexual activity should be restricted to married couples. An unmarried couple or those dating should avoid any activity that tempts them toward sex that gives the appearance of immorality. The more a married couple has to share exclusively between themselves, the more special and unique the sexual relationship in that marriage becomes.

3. What About Falling Asleep On The Same Bed?"

Spending time alone with a member of the opposite sex whom we find attractive can present temptations that can be very hard to resist. The Christian dating couple must have boundaries in place and be committed to not crossing them. If they find this hard to do, they must take steps to ensure that Christ will always be honored during their time together and that sin is never given a chance to take hold of their relationship.

Jesus was more concerned with the heart than with specific rules. That means that the real question is “What is your motivation?” Is your motivation to get away with as much as you can without actually sleeping together? Is your motivation to guard the purity of your brother and sister in Christ to the utmost so that you can stand blameless before God? Is your motivation to guard your relationships against the temptation to stumble in a moment of weakness? The way in which you answer these questions will have a direct impact on your actions.

The following questions will help you diagnose the wisdom of your Christian behavior. So consider these as you navigate the physical side of dating:

1. Should I do this? What does the Bible say? (For instance, are you engaging in anything sexually immoral, prohibited or tempting yourself towards possibly sinning?)

2. What does my conscience tell me? (You may not be doing something explicitly condemned as wrong, but is it wise? Is it beneficial? What if family or non-Christian friends see, or hear or walk in on us?)

3. What does my weakness require? (What is my greatest temptation? If I have struggled with sexual immorality in the past, how can I guard against it now?)

4. What does my brother or sister in Christ need? (Sister, are you tempting your brother to stumble by the way you are dressed when he comes over to your place at night? Brother, are you taking advantage of a woman’s need for affection in order to push the boundaries of a physical relationship?)

In your dating relationship, learning to say “NO!” may be the best positive answer that you can give to be faithful as a follower of Christ as you guard your hearts!

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: Unanswered prayers?

Sometimes I feel so distant from God and that my prayers don't get answered. I know He's done some amazing things for me in the past, but it makes me wonder if all those amazing things were just coincidences. Recently, I prayed that I would do well on a presentation and I actually barely passed it. The Bible says that whatever we ask for, we will get it as long as it is according to His will, but if in this situation, how would it not be according to His will?

How many Christians have prayed for someone or something, only to see their prayers go unanswered? How many have prayed and perhaps have “given up” because either they have become discouraged through a weakness of faith or have come to believe that whatever they have been praying for isn’t God’s will? Nevertheless, how we deal with unanswered prayer is not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of others as well.  Our privilege of prayer is from God, and it is as much ours now as when it was given to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:7). Yet, when we pray or speak to the One in Heaven, there are times when He seems not to answer. There can be many reasons for this and the Scriptures themselves suggest why and how our prayers are being dealt with by the One who is our representative (Hebrews 4:15).

A primary reason why prayer is unanswered is sin. God cannot be mocked or deceived and He who sits enthroned above knows us intimately, down to our every thought (Psalm 139:1-4). If we are not walking in the Way, or we keep anger or hatred in our hearts toward our sister or brother, or we ask for things with the wrong motives (such as from selfish desires), then we can expect God not to answer our prayer because He does not hear (2 Chronicles 7:14; Deuteronomy 28:23; Psalm 66:18; James 4:3). Sin is the ‘stopper’ to all the potential blessings that we would receive from the infinite ‘bottle’ of God’s mercy! If only we would be more careful to avoid sin, we would be more worthy recipients of all the blessings and foretastes of the glory that is ours in Christ Jesus (Job 11:13-18). Indeed, there are times when our prayers are evil’ in the Lord’s sight, most notably when we clearly do not belong to the Lord either because of unbelief (Proverbs 15:8) or because we are being hypocrites in what we say and how we actually live (Mark 12:40).

Another reason why prayer seems to go unanswered is that the Lord is drawing out of our faith a deeper reliance and trust in Him, which should bring out of us a deeper sense of gratitude, love and humility. In turn, this causes us to benefit spiritually for He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34).  

As you prayed for your presentation, did you do your part and give your very best to the Lord?  Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”.  Remember that God is not here to bless all and everything that we ask, want or desire.  Perhaps the Lord is seeking to train and refine you as Romans 5:3-5 tells us that “… we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

We all need to pray with the right motivation. Selfish motives will not be blessed by God. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives …” (James 4:3).  We can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will accomplish His work in presenting our prayers to the Father according to His perfect will and timing, and we can rest in the knowledge that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

 

Q: If Lazarus died and rose again, did he get to see what heaven was like before he was risen from the dead?

A:  Truth be told, this is a question that I cannot fully answer with certainty.  Mainly because this is a wonder that is not fully explained to us as it is miracle that Christ performs, but also because it is not addressed in the Bible.  It's just something that we have to take by faith as truth and trust that what the Bible tells us is in fact what happened.

I will say that when we die, our bodies are not resurrected, it is our souls.  For Christians (which is the case for Lazarus), we are told that are souls are taken to heaven as we have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice and forgiveness.  Our bodies are left "as is" until the 2nd and final coming of Christ in which case our bodies and souls are resurrected. 

Again, the case of Lazarus is a phenomena that we cannot understand.  God does, what God needs to do.  For more information, please go HERE. 

[answered by Pastor KJT]

Q: Can a Chrsitian sociopath exist?

This is a difficult question, but I'll give it my best shot. I have consulted a professor of psychology/medical doctor regarding your question, and the response I got was one of uncertainty. In the first place, the definition of a "sociopath" (i.e. person living with "antisocial personality disorder") is debatable and complex. If we must define one, generally, it is someone who is living as a the "judge of all." They have little or no conscience and they are filled with pride. They are the opposite of a modest God fearing person. From this perspective, the answer to your question would be "NO." However, there are two other considerations:

1. It has been documented that some sociopaths have become Christ-followers. Through the grace and power of God, they lead repentant and reformed lives. In this case, the answer would still be "NO."

2.  A Christian becomes mentally ill and develops this condition. This person is saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but for whatever reasons, he starts exhibited the symptoms of sociopathy. In this case, the answer would be "YES."

Summarily, it would appear that no matter the circumstances, the symptoms/actions belonging to a sociopath are completely incompatible with the characteristics of a Christian. Therefore, in most cases, the answer is "NO." 

[Answered by Pastor HM]  

If a Christian is cremated, how does his/her body "rise from the ground" when Jesus coming in the 2nd coming?

Great little question. The answer is straight-forward: Christians will be given new, glorious, resurrected bodies. Our old bodies do not rise; they stayed burned in the ground. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Jesus will return one day and give us new glorified resurrected bodies. Think of a seed that is buried in the ground and dies. After a while, it will emerge as something more glorious and beautiful than we could ever imagine. When a Christian dies, we too are buried but likewise spring forth with a glorified resurrected body. The difference between our body now and our future resurrected body is that our body now is mortal and can be subject to sin, but our glorified body is not. It cannot be subject to sin or suffering.



[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: "Dealing"?

Recently, I got introduced to a few high school terms, and one of them was “dealing” (in terms of relationships and hooking up like when two people act like their dating, but in reality are not). My Christian friend has been dealing here and there, but I feel as if it’s not right in the eyes of the Lord. Is there a biblical stance on this I can show them to help them resolve their problem?

Great Question! Based on what you’ve mentioned, it sounds like your friends are not being truthful to one another and to their friends. The Bible nowhere presents an instance where lying is considered to be the right thing to do. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” as two of the seven abominations to the Lord. Love “rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). For other Scriptures that speak negatively of lying, see Psalm 119:29, 163; 120:2; Proverbs 12:22; 13:5; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; and Revelation 21:8. There are many examples of liars in Scripture, from Jacob’s deceit in Genesis 27 to the pretense of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Time after time, we see that falsehood leads to misery, loss, and judgment. This demonstrates how we are to conduct ourselves as children of God.

Christian ethics and how to make decisions in life is well summarized by Colossians 3:1-6, 9-10:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming… Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”



Remember that it is not appropriate to be involved in multiple Christian dating relationships because the whole process inevitably will involve more lies and deceit to cover up past deeds. There will be hurt, humiliation, embarrassment, and heartbreak when the eventual break-up takes place. We are commanded as followers of Christ to love one another as Christians [1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7; Luke 6:31], love our neighbor as ourselves [Mark 12:31] and not to bring pain to one another [Romans 13:10]. James 5:12 tells us that, “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.”

Dating is not a game and neither are people's hearts and feelings. Let’s learn to honor, respect and value one other [1 Corinthians 13:4-8]. Let's learn to be Godly, truthful and moral in the way we relate to the opposite sex. Let's always remember to stick to our Christian fundamental beliefs and values especially when it comes to dating and how we live our lives!

If your friends would like to learn more about dating and courtship, the following link may be of interest to them: What does the Bible say about dating / courting? http://www.gotquestions.org/dating-courting.html

HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL! THANKS FOR ASKING!


[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: Hindu AND Christian?

I have a friend who says she's Hindu and Christian. I want to share the gospel with her & be able to tell her that it's not really "right" to have 2 different faiths but I don't know how to do so without offending her. 

Great Question!  The question is, "What is the right religion?"

 Fast food restaurants entice us by allowing us to order our food exactly the way we want it. Some coffee shops boast over a hundred different flavors and varieties of coffee. Even when buying houses and cars, we can look for one with all the options and features we desire. We no longer live in just a chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry world. Choice is king! You can find about anything you want according to your own personal likes and needs.



So how about a religion that is just right for you? How about a religion that is guilt-free, makes no demands, and is not encumbered with a lot of bothersome do's and don'ts? It is out there, just as I have described. But is religion something to be chosen like a favorite flavor of ice cream?



There are a lot of voices vying for our attention, so why should anyone consider Jesus above, say, Brahma, Muhammad or Confucius, Buddha, or Joseph Smith? After all, don't all roads lead to Heaven? Aren't all religions basically the same? The truth is that all religions do not lead to Heaven, just as all roads do not lead to Toronto.



Jesus alone speaks with the authority of God because Jesus alone conquered death.  Jesus, by His own power, walked away from the tomb three days after dying on a cruel Roman cross.  Anyone with power over death deserves our attention and deserves to be heard. Jesus claims to be the only way to salvation (John 14:6). He is not a way; He is not one of many ways. Jesus is the way.



Sharing the true gospel with others can be difficult, and it can become even more difficult when it involves your friend. The Bible tells us that some people will be offended at the gospel (Luke 12:51-53). However, we are commanded to share the true gospel and there is no excuse for not doing so (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). 

One of the first things we can do is to pray for them. Pray that God would change their hearts and open their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4) to the truth of Jesus and the gospel. Pray that God would convince them of His love for them and their need for salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Pray for wisdom as to how you can minister to them (James 1:5). In addition to praying, we must also live godly Christian lives in front of them, so they can see the change God has made in our own lives (1 Peter 3:1-2). As Saint Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” 

So, pray for an opportunity to talk, share and explain the gospel with your friend.  When the doors do open to share your faith and beliefs, remember to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).  Trust that their heart has been prepared by God to receive His truth.  Know also that the Holy Spirit will be with you!  Ultimately, we must leave the salvation of our friends to God. It is God's power and grace that saves people, not our efforts. What we can do is pray for them, witness to them, and live the Christian life in front of them.

As you approach your friend carefully and humbly in prayer the following link may help you:

I am a Hindu, why should I consider becoming a Christian? http://www.gotquestions.org/Hindu-Christian.html

HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL!  THANKS FOR ASKING!

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: What can I do to get my family to know Jesus and come to church?

I've been brought to church ever since I was little by my older brother, but my parents are not Christian. A while after, my brother stopped going as well, but I continued to go ever since then. I really want my parents to get to know Jesus and come to church with me, but it is just so so difficult because they are Buddhist and they think that church is just a place that scams your money (offering). What can I do to get my family to know Jesus and come to church? They also think that coming to church is going against their Buddhist religion which will then bring them bad luck if they do go to church.
 
Great Question!  I Know Many Students Struggle With This Issue! If you are part of a normal family, you'll probably find it quite hard to share the gospel with them. What part can you play in reaching out to your non-Christian parents?
 
They might have been keen for you to go to church earlier on, but now they're not so sure, because you're taking it far too seriously. They hoped that you'd learn some good morals and manners at church - but you've become really serious about Christianity - much too serious for their liking!  Or they were against you becoming a Christian from the very beginning. They were horrified when you started going to church, and have put every obstacle in your way ever since.
 
Opposition from non-Christian parents can come in various forms. They give you a hard time every time you want to go to church or Bible study. They even schedule family events to purposely clash with church events so as to force you to choose between family and God. They may even forbid you to go to fellowship or worship service, and will most certainly point out all your faults as being hypocritical. "Aha", they say with delight, "is that what a good Christians does?"
 
Sharing the gospel with your parents can be very hard.  Here are three things to consider and remember.
 1. There is a reason why parents find it hard to hear the gospel from you - and that's because you are their child. You are younger than them - and you always will be. They can remember you drawing on walls and biting the furniture. And now you want to tell them which God is real? You want to tell them that the stuff they have believed in all along is completely wrong? Well of course you want to tell them these things - and it's for their own good. But they will find it impossibly hard to listen, for the simple fact that you are their child and they are not disposed to learn such things from their child. Imagine for a moment that roles are reversed - and your own child is telling you how it is. You would probably also find it hard to believe your child knows better than you!
 
2. Does this mean that it's completely hopeless? No.  While they will be unreceptive to hear the gospel from you, they will hear it much better from someone their own age and life-stage. And this is simply how natural relationships work - they are much more likely to listen to their own peers. But how can you transform yourself from being a child, to being a 40 to 50-year old person? The answer is that you can't. However, chances are that there are others in your church and congregation that are already at the same age and life-stage as your own non-Christian parents.
 
That's right, the parents and adults in your church are exactly the thing you need to help witness to your non-Christian parents. And what you need to recognize is that you aren't the only one who reaches out to your parents. It’s our church and community as a whole who should be reaching out to your parents. And so what you need to do is to mobilize the other parents and adults in our church / congregation to help reach out to your parents.
 
How can you do this? If Bobby, your good friend at church has Christian parents, why not drop hints to see if your parents would like to either go over to meet your friend Bobby - and Bobby’s parents or come visit your home. And as they meet Bobby's parents they see that Christian's aren't strange and immature - they are in fact people just like them. And as they build relationships and common interests they can hear the gospel explained to them in time by someone their own age, and their own life-stage.
 
You could even make a point of finding out about events that the Chinese Cantonese or Mandarin side is running, and tell your parents about them. They can choose which activities they would feel comfortable in joining or attending.  You could let the Chinese pastors responsible for caring or potential older people in our church consider helping to reach out, visit and pray for your non-Christian parents.
 
Thirdly, does that mean that there's nothing for you to do but sit back and watch? No. You play an important part in the process, by witnessing to your parents, showing them what Christians are like in day-to-day life. Bobby’’s parents can explain to them what Christianity's all about, but they can't hang around to live out the Christian life for your parents - only you can do that. And as you strive at being godly at home, as you make gospel-driven decisions, as you repent from your sin, you are witnessing to your parents.
 
This doesn't mean that you have to be perfect at home - for no Christian will be perfect. And in fact, that's not what a Christian is in the first place! Instead you are showing to them that a Christian is a sinner who has been forgiven, and is growing in godliness. They may still make sarcastic and hurtful comments when they catch you at your worst (and we are all at our worst at home). But if you are turning from your sins, and seeking to walk in righteousness, they will notice.
 
Above all, remember to pray for your parents and be patient with the work of the Holy Spirit!
 
Here are 2 links to questions that may help you understand Buddhism and how to help your parents:

1.  What is Buddhism and what do Buddhists believe? http://www.gotquestions.org/buddhism.html
2. I am a Buddhist, why should I consider becoming a Christian? http://www.gotquestions.org/Buddhist-Christian.html

GREAT QUESTION. THANKS FOR ASKING!
 
[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

This Sunday: Is Abortion Wrong?

Q: Marianne Williamson quote?

My friend used this quote by Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Could you explain what it means? I used to think that it was saying you can be proud, but God opposes the proud; therefore I believed it was wrong. But my teacher explained it as using the gifts God gave us... and now I'm confused.

To understand quotes, you must first understand the person behind the quote. Marianne Williamson is a leader in the "New Thought" (or "New Age") movement which incorporates elements of Christianity, Judaism and other world religions. However, their beliefs contradict almost everything Christianity is about. For example, the movement's promotes the ideas that "Infinite Intelligence" or "God" is ubiquitous (i.e. present in all places at once), spirit is the totality of real things, true human selfhood is divine, divine thought is a force for good, all sickness originates in the mind, and 'right thinking' has a healing effect.

If you read this article, it explains exactly why these ideas are completely contradictory to Christian doctrine. I believe the biggest problem with Williamson's quote is that it assumes that people are good people with good hearts and are capable of good actions. This is simply untrue. We are not good people. We are sinful people who desperately need God's mercy and salvation. We cannot "shine" or "manifest the glory of God" unless we receive this salvation in Christ first. Once we die to ourselves, repent of our sin, trust in God's forgiveness, and live in relationship with God - then we can "shine like stars" (Philippians 2:15) and "glorify God" (Psalm 50:15). Summarily, I cannot agree with your teacher. The quote isn't really about using the gifts God has given you. It's about the nature of mankind. You are correct. God does oppose the proud (James 4:6) and this is exactly what the quote is about: Being proud of yourself and inspiring others to do the same.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: 40 Million Minutes Video?

I was just wondering if you remember a video that you showed a long while back about time. It just showed how we spend a certain amount of time doing certain things a day and then how it adds up to years in a lifetime. It also talked about something like how we spend an average of like 10 min a day with God and in a life time it added up to years that were much less than all our other daily activities. If you remember this video,  can you send me the link? Thanks. 

Yes, I do remember the video. It's called "40 Million Minutes." Here it is. Enjoy!

Q: 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that we won't get tempted beyond what we can bear. But sometimes I feel overwhelmed by temptation. Why is that?

The Scriptures tell us that we all face temptations. First Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man.” Perhaps this provides a little encouragement as we often feel that the world is caving in on us alone, and that others are immune to temptations. We are told that Christ was also tempted: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).



Where do these temptations come from? First of all, they do not come from God, although He does allow them. James 1:13 says, “For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” In the first chapter of Job, we see that God allowed Satan to tempt Job, but with restrictions. Satan is roaming around on the earth like a lion, seeking people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Verse 9 tells us to resist him, knowing that other Christians are also experiencing his attacks. By these passages we can know that temptations come from Satan and he knows to attack your most vulnerable area. We see in James 1:14 that temptation originates in us as well. We are tempted when we are “carried away and enticed by our own lust” (verse 14). We allow ourselves to think certain thoughts, allow ourselves to go places we should not go, and make decisions based on our lusts that lead us into the temptation.



How then do we resist the temptations? First of all, we must return to the example of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan in Matthew 4:1-11. Each of Satan’s temptations was met with the same answer: “It is written,” followed by Scripture. If the Son of God used the Word of God to effectively end the temptations—which we know works because after three failed efforts, “the Devil left him” (v. 11)—how much more do we need to use it to resist our own temptations? All our efforts to resist will be weak and ineffective unless they are powered by the Holy Spirit through the constant reading, studying, and meditating on the Word. In this way, we will be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). There is no other weapon against temptation except the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” If our minds are filled with the latest TV shows, music and all the rest the culture has to offer, we will be bombarded with messages and images that inevitably lead to sinful lusts. But if our minds are filled with the majesty and holiness of God, the love and compassion of Christ, and the brilliance of both reflected in His perfect Word, we will find that our interest in the lusts of the world diminish and disappear. But without the Word’s influence on our minds, we are open to anything Satan wants to throw at us.



Here, then, is the only means to guard our hearts and minds in order to keep the sources of temptation away from us. Remember the words of Christ to His disciples in the garden on the night of His betrayal: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Most Christians would not openly want to jump into sin, yet we cannot resist falling into it because our flesh is not strong enough to resist. We place ourselves in situations or fill our minds with lustful passions, and that leads us into sin.

We need to renew our thinking as we are told in Romans 12:1-2. We need to no longer think as the world thinks, or walk in the same way that the world walks. Proverbs 4:14-15 tells us, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by; Turn away from it and pass on.”

We need to avoid the path of the world that leads us into temptation because our flesh is weak. We are easily carried away by our own lusts.
 Our faith in Jesus entitles us to his power and authority because we are literally co-heirs to God’s kingdom with Christ (Romans 8:15-17). We can enact that power and authority against the enemy in a several ways. Here are some examples:

• Binding evil thoughts and their sources
• Rebuking evil spirits and the works of evil whenever we’re being tempted
• Taking our thoughts captive and making them obey Jesus / Casting evil thoughts out of our minds
• Putting on the full armor of God
• Speaking appropriate Scriptures that diffuse the lies of temptation

If we are doing the above actions while trusting in the Lord’s power and not our own strength, we will be successful in repelling the devil’s attacks. These aren’t magical incantations that ward off evil, but rather, they are legitimate and rightful claims to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Our faithful walk with the Lord each day will bolster our success in using his power and authority over evil. A faithful walk involves a daily surrender to God’s will and a commitment to keeping our “vessels” (body, soul and spirit) pure as much as possible. We do this by steering clear of temptations and quickly returning to God in repentance when we stumble in sin.

If at any point we’re feeling overwhelmed by the temptations of the devil, we can readily call on Jesus for help in prayer. Jesus, fully God, yet fully man, faced as strong a temptation as any of us will face in life. He was victorious and stands ready to help us resist the temptations we face. He offers to help us whenever we are tempted, because he cares for us and knows our struggles firsthand: “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18).

May you continue to trust in God’s power and not in your own power. May you continue to focus on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ that is above all other names. May you continue to equip yourself with the full armor and Word of God in all you do! Finding a trusted friend, adult or Pastor to talk to or to be your accountability partner would be a wise option to consider.

HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL! THANKS FOR ASKING!

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: What does the bible say about standing up for others?

There is a girl that goes to my school whom a lot of people tend to make fun of and hate on. I feel bad that I am also guilty of laughing along sometimes and just being a bystander. But I've realized that it's really mean and I really don't mind being friends with her. I don't really care about what other people think if they see us together and I know I shouldn't be ashamed of being friends with her. What does the bible say about standing up for others, not following the crowd and not caring about the judgment of others?
 
Bullying Is A Problem

Every day thousands of teens wake up afraid to go to school. Bullying is a problem that affects millions of students, and it has everyone worried, not just the kids on its receiving end. Yet because parents, teachers, and other adults don't always see it, they may not understand how extreme bullying can get.  Bullying occurs when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group.  Two of the main reasons people are bullied are because of appearance and social status. Bullies pick on the people they think don't fit in, maybe because of how they look, how they act, kids who are shy and withdrawn, or because of their race or religion.

It sounds like your friend is experiencing verbal bullying that includes name-calling, taunting, teasing and insulting comments.  Verbal bullying can also involve sending cruel instant or email messages or even posting insults about a person on a website.  One of the most painful aspects of bullying is that it is relentless. Most people can take one episode of teasing or name calling. However, when it goes on and on, bullying can put a person in a state of constant fear.

What Does The Bible Say

The Bible also has many stories about bullies and people being bullied.  For example the story of David and Goliath [1 Samuel 16, 18-19] and Saul who becomes Paul the apostle [Acts 9:1-19; 22:3-16; 26:4-18].  Two passages that are helpful are 2 Timothy 4:16-18 [“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen”] and Luke 6:27-28 [“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”].  

Consider the following principles:



1. Learn to forgive, pray for and yes … learn to love the bully.

2. Don't hang around with the bully - not only for your safety but to avoid being unduly influenced by people of questionable character.
3. 
Trust God to take care of you.

4. Remember that you are never alone, even with no one around. God is always by your side.

As you seek to be a friend, remember that a friend is one with whom you can be yourself and never fear that he or she will judge you. A friend is someone that you can confide in with complete trust.  A friend can console and help us when we are in trouble.  A friend is someone you respect and that respects you.  An example of true friendship is the story of David and Saul's son Jonathan, who, in spite of his father Saul's pursuit of David and attempts to kill him, stood by his friend [1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19: 4-7; 20:11-17, 41-42].

What Can You Do?

If your friend is being bullied, try and talk to them about it. Let them know that as a friend, you want to help.  Tell them that you'll be there for them whenever they need to talk, and take their problem seriously.  If your friend has somebody to talk to like you, they won't feel so alone.  Just knowing that there's someone on their side can help people who have become a target for people who bully.  It's also important to tell them that it's not their fault they're being bullied, it's the person bullying who has the problem. They don't have to put up with it.  It can be difficult when you know someone is being bullied.  Bullying isn't a friendly thing to do. It's wrong and shouldn't be accepted by anyone.

Here are some things that may help you and your friend handle the verbal bullying:

• Ignore The Bully And Walk Away. Bullies thrive on the reaction they get, and if you walk away, or ignore hurtful emails or instant messages, you're telling the bully that you don't care. Sooner or later the bully will probably get bored with trying to bother you.
• Hold The Anger. Anger is the response he or she is trying to get. Bullies want to know they have control over your emotions.
• Don't Get Physical.  Don't use physical force (like kicking, hitting, or pushing). Not only are you showing your anger, you can never be sure what the bully will do in response.
• Talk About It and Tell Someone. It may help to talk to a guidance counselor, teacher, friend, trusted adult or Pastor — anyone who can give you the support you need before the bullying escalates. Talking can be a good outlet for the fears and frustrations that can build when you're being bullied.
• Find Your (True) Friends. If you've been bullied, find one or two true friends and confide how the bullying has hurt your feelings. Set the record straight by telling your friends quietly and confidently what's true and not true about you. Hearing a friend say, "I know the rumor's not true. I didn't pay attention to it," can help you realize that most of the time people see gossip for what it is — petty, rude, and immature.  Perhaps you are that special friend who’s willing to take the time to care and listen.

GREAT QUESTION.  THANKS FOR ASKING!

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: Why wouldn't God let us all be Christians in the first place?

Doesn't he want us to be all in heaven and rejoice with him since we are all children of God?

I've answered a similar question, "If God can change the non-Christian's heart, why doesn't God just make everyone become Christians?" so read that first. As to your question, let me answer in sequential points:

1. God created us to have a relationship with Him.
2. God also created us with free- will. Free will is the ability for a person to make choices that determine his actions.
3. With the ability to make choices comes the ability to sin (i.e. do things contradictory to the will of God)
4. Like everything else in life, sin has consequences. The most devastating consequence is separation from God. When we sin we have effectively severed our relationship with God.
5. God sent Jesus to restore that relationship by paying the penalty for our sin. When we trust in his sacrifice for us; ask for his forgiveness and repent of our sin, God gives us new life, new hope, and a new family. We become His children, rejoicing in Him on Earth and in Heaven.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: The Bible tells us to obey our parents, but what if I know my parent's decisions are wrong?

You are correct (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20). We should seek to honor our parents in much the same way that we strive to bring honor to God —in our thoughts, words, and behavior. However, while we are required to honor parents, this doesn’t include imitating ungodly ones (Ezekiel 20:18-19). If a parent ever instructs a child to do something that clearly contradicts God’s commands, that child must obey God rather than his/her parents (Acts 5:28). That being said, we must always show patience, respect and love to our parents even if we disagree with them and/or are forced to disobey them.

One crucial question you must humbly ask yourself is this: How do you know that the actions of your parents are wrong? Are you certain that your parents are doing something that is immoral, according to the Bible or is it only your perception? For instance, if your parents tell you that you cannot watch a certain movie, that doesn't go against Scripture. In fact, they probably have a very good reason. In cases such as these, you should obey your parents because it is a matter of disagreement, not immorality.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: If it is considered illegal to buy pirated DVDs... then isn't buying them considered a sin? My Christian parents do that, and I feel uncomfortable because when more people buy these products, the more there is a need for the producers to create more illegal ''goods''.

A:  Buying pirated movies is perpetuating the industry and giving those who pirate movies or other forms of media a reason to continue what they are doing.  Hence, I would consider this a sin as it:
1.  is stealing
2.  being a stumbling block because it provides a reason for others to continue sinning

In terms of your Christian parents buying the DVDS, I'd suggest that you talk to them about it!  Many people simply have not thought about their actions in the way that you have and perhaps just having a discussion can open their eyes to something else.

I think that buying pirated DVD's is very prominent in our Chinese culture as many of the sources stem from China and the availability of them at malls such as First Markham Place or Pacific Mall.  It's cheaper than buying the real thing (which, who doesn't want to get "a deal"?) and therefore you can buy a lot! 

Pirating anything is illegal and sinful.  Fake LV handbags, software, clothing, DVDs...it all cost producers and manufacturers to create and make.  Thus, if we are getting them at a "discount", we are essentially stealing away their business, not to mention their creative ideas and R&D. 

For those reading about this for the first time, please go HERE to see a previously answered question.

[answered by Pastor KJT]