Vertical Thought Questions and Answers

What does the Bible say about getting tattoos? Is it wrong to get drunk? How can we tell if a church is the right one? How can we be sure that the Bible is the right book to follow and not the Torah, Koran or something else? No doubt you might have a question about the Bible or living a Christian life that has been rattling around in your brain for a while.

Check this page to find short, concise answers to your frequently asked Vertical Thought questions. We regularly update the page with fresh Q&As, so be sure to come back and see what others are asking. Maybe you’ll find a question that you’ve never even thought of!

Do you have a Vertical Thought question that isn't featured here? Ask our team of caring, dedicated ministers, and you will get a personal answer. (Please allow a week or so for an e-mail response.)

Newest Bible FAQs

I was just wondering why women aren't allowed to give sermonettes and sermons?

I think that women could give equally inspiring messages. Although we can give our ministers ideas for sermons, it might have more impact coming from a woman's perspective.

Is smoking wrong according to the Bible?

I'm trying to stop. Can you give me some ideas to help?

Why do some religious groups teach that dancing is not appropriate for unmarried people?

What does the Bible say?

I'm 17 years old and in a relationship with a girl who I really like. She wants to have sex. Should I give in?

I really like her and I know she likes me too. My problem is that she feels we ought to make love to solidify our relationship. She says that if we don't, we can't know if we are sexually compatible and she will have to leave me. I love her and I don't want to lose her.

Is masturbation right or wrong?

What does the Bible say about this? Is it a sin?

How far can you go before you get married?

Is it OK for a Christian teen to French kiss or "pet" (i.e., caress intimately) the one you love?

If it is OK to read some fantasy novels and watch some movies, would it be OK to read novels involving the dead, vampires and werewolves?

Are all these things totally wrong or are there acceptable ones?

Is it wrong to read the Harry Potter books?

From what I've heard at camps and in my congregation, the ministers seem to think it's wrong, but none of them have read the books themselves. Please give me an answer from someone who has read them, if possible.

When Satan was cast down from heaven after his rebellion, did his appearance change?

Does he look the same now?

Revelation 12:9 calls Satan a dragon. Is that what he always looks like?

Is it just symbolic or does he always appear as such?

How did people spend the Sabbath in the Old Testament? So did they just sleep the day away?

From my understanding, they didn't have services like they did in the New Testament.

It seems like every family has a different way of keeping the Sabbath. How should I determine how to keep the Sabbath?

Some watch television while others do not. Some allow their kids to go to sports games Friday nights while others don't. Every time I spend a Friday night with a Church friend who grew up keeping the Sabbath differently than me, I become more and more confused about how it should be kept. There seems to be no standard other than the obvious refusing to be paid for work on the Sabbath.

What is wrong with playing sports on the Sabbath?

Why can't I play sports on the sabbath?

Why do other churches worship on Sunday rather than the seventh-day Sabbath?

Did God change it or is it a misunderstanding of scripture?

Are the Koran and Islam similar to the Bible and Christianity?

Are they inspired writings?

What is the New Age movement all about?

It's such a big deal, what's its story?

Why do we say "amen" at the end of a prayer?

What does it mean?

I have a hard time praying new things everyday and I find I repeat myself a lot. Does God get tired of listening to the same things?

I have been struggling with my daily prayers to God for most of my life and even more so these last months. Please advise.

Is it really an important issue in living a Christian life to express your feelings and emotions?

It's not my nature to easily express myself the way most others do. I guess you can say I'm kind of the phlegmatic type.

What should I do if kids make fun of me because of my religion?

How do I deal with ridicule?

What do you think of the various sightings of Noah's ark on Mt. Ararat that have been reported?

Many sightings of what appeared to be the ark of Noah have been reported on Mt. Ararat, the same mountain on which the Bible indicated it would come to rest. There have also been many photos taken of the area by satellites indicating something made of wood that is not a part of the natural terrain of the mountain.

Does Noah's ark still exist? If so, where would it be?

Is it possible archaeologists could find this ancient, Biblical artifact?

What do people mean when they claim we don't have to keep God's Law anymore under the New Covenant because it's written on our hearts?

Some say that what we do should be based on what we feel in our hearts and that it is no longer necessary to keep the Commandments. Further, some say that we only keep God’s laws, such as observing the Sabbath and Holy Days, voluntarily.

Is it wrong to lie in order to save someone's life?

In a very tough situation between life and death, is lying okay?

Is it wrong to use the term "sucks," as in "that sucks"? I'm really confused about this because my teachers and many of my friends use it.

If so many normally-upright people use it, is it wrong?

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Is masturbation right or wrong?

What does the Bible say about this? Is it a sin?

Why shouldn't we wear a cross as a sign of being a Christian?

Is there a Biblically sound reason not to?

Is smoking wrong according to the Bible?

I'm trying to stop. Can you give me some ideas to help?

What is wrong with playing sports on the Sabbath?

Why can't I play sports on the sabbath?

Is it okay for a Christian to wear bathing suits and shorts?

Does a christian have to be dressed up or differently than the rest of society all the time?

Is it wrong to lie in order to save someone's life?

In a very tough situation between life and death, is lying okay?

I'm 17 years old and in a relationship with a girl who I really like. She wants to have sex. Should I give in?

I really like her and I know she likes me too. My problem is that she feels we ought to make love to solidify our relationship. She says that if we don't, we can't know if we are sexually compatible and she will have to leave me. I love her and I don't want to lose her.

Is it wrong to read the Harry Potter books?

From what I've heard at camps and in my congregation, the ministers seem to think it's wrong, but none of them have read the books themselves. Please give me an answer from someone who has read them, if possible.

How far can you go before you get married?

Is it OK for a Christian teen to French kiss or "pet" (i.e., caress intimately) the one you love?

Why do we say "amen" at the end of a prayer?

What does it mean?

Why do some religious groups teach that dancing is not appropriate for unmarried people?

What does the Bible say?

How should I answer someone who makes me mad? Is there a way to control my anger?

How to deal with anger in a proper way.

Does predestination mean that God has already predetermined who will be in His Kingdom?

If we're predetermined to either be in God's Kingdom or not, what's the point?

Is it wrong to use the term "sucks," as in "that sucks"? I'm really confused about this because my teachers and many of my friends use it.

If so many normally-upright people use it, is it wrong?

I was just wondering why women aren't allowed to give sermonettes and sermons?

I think that women could give equally inspiring messages. Although we can give our ministers ideas for sermons, it might have more impact coming from a woman's perspective.

If it is OK to read some fantasy novels and watch some movies, would it be OK to read novels involving the dead, vampires and werewolves?

Are all these things totally wrong or are there acceptable ones?

What does the Bible say about getting tattoos?

Is it wrong to get a tattoo?

Does MARK 16:17-18 mean that Christians should handle deadly snakes to demonstrate their authenticity as believers?

Mark 16:17-18 says, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Does this mean that Christians should handle deadly snakes to demonstrate their authenticity as believers?

I have a hard time praying new things everyday and I find I repeat myself a lot. Does God get tired of listening to the same things?

I have been struggling with my daily prayers to God for most of my life and even more so these last months. Please advise.

Is belief in the signs of the zodiac wrong?

Is believing in your horoscope okay?

Why is it hard for us girls to resist temptation when someone shows us love?

Why do girls have such powerful emotions when they are shown affection by guys?

Will God forgive us if we make the same mistakes over again?

Is there a limit to God's forgiveness?

Why do other churches worship on Sunday rather than the seventh-day Sabbath?

Did God change it or is it a misunderstanding of scripture?

Is it wrong to keep holidays such as Christmas and Easter since the Bible says nothing about them? And what about the Holy Days God gave to the Israelites? Do we need to keep them? What's the difference?

Which ones are the better choice?

Is it wrong to use euphemisms? Are they as bad as the actual words?

Is it a moral sin to use some euphemisms?

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I have a hard time praying new things everyday and I find I repeat myself a lot. Does God get tired of listening to the same things?

I have been struggling with my daily prayers to God for most of my life and even more so these last months. Please advise.

Signs and T-shirts have come out with a "WWJD" insignia. The letters stand for "What would Jesus do?" Is it wrong to use this sign such as wearing it as a necklace or wearing the T-shirt?

Are WWJD accessories a bad thing?

Must women wear a covering when praying in church? What exactly does 1 Corinthians 11:5 mean that a woman's head must be covered while the men should not be covered?

Does 1COR 11:15 mean women need to cover their head to honor God?

Is it okay for a Christian to wear bathing suits and shorts?

Does a christian have to be dressed up or differently than the rest of society all the time?

What Bible translation should I use?

Is there a best translation out there?

Why shouldn't we wear a cross as a sign of being a Christian?

Is there a Biblically sound reason not to?

Why is it hard for a Christian to have a relationship with a non-Christian?

What makes it so hard?

What happens to people when they die?

Do they go to heaven or hell, or something else?

In your literature, you said that Jesus drank wine. What scriptures can you cite to prove this point?

Where does it state that Jesus drank wine himself?

Do you believe in using the Heavenly Father's true name "Yahweh" and the Savior's true name "Yahshua the Messiah"?

Should we be using these sacred names?

Will people be working during the Millennium?

Will they have jobs like we do now?

What should I do if kids make fun of me because of my religion?

How do I deal with ridicule?

Why do we say "amen" at the end of a prayer?

What does it mean?

If it is OK to read some fantasy novels and watch some movies, would it be OK to read novels involving the dead, vampires and werewolves?

Are all these things totally wrong or are there acceptable ones?

Is masturbation right or wrong?

What does the Bible say about this? Is it a sin?

Is smoking wrong according to the Bible?

I'm trying to stop. Can you give me some ideas to help?

I am curious about the people who are given a second chance during the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. Will life be the same as today? Will human life spans be the same? Will children be born?

Will humans interact with spirit beings on a regular basis? Will people alive during this time know about the thousand-year time period? Will people remember their past?

What is a gentile? The New Testament says, "To the Jew first, and also to the Gentile" (Romans 2:10, King James Version). What does this mean? Also, please explain circumcision in reference to Romans 2.

Does this have any benefit for Christians today?

I have a relationship with a guy that I love very much. As a Christian, is it OK to kiss your boyfriend?

Passionate kissing does not belong outside of marriage, regardless of our background.

What does the Bible teach concerning abortion?

The biggest area of debate in the abortion question is when life begins. Those who favor abortion might argue that it doesn't begin until sometime near birth, when the child could be viable on his own. Others point out that at the moment of conception a unique genetic package comes into existence that contains everything that person will become—from height, size of feet and color of eyes, to factors such as whether he is predisposed to contract diabetes by age 50.

How do you come to the conclusion that innocent victims of abortion will live again in a future resurrection, when Genesis 2:7 says that Adam became a living soul with the breath of life and a baby doesn't take its first breath until it is born?

If Adam's life began when the breath of life came into him from God, when does a baby's life begin?

Is it wrong to get drunk? Many times I have been at activities where teens my age are drinking. What does the Bible say about this?

What's the Biblical point of view on teenage drinking and drunkenness in general?

How should I answer someone who makes me mad? Is there a way to control my anger?

How to deal with anger in a proper way.

According to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, will Christians have to face the Antichrist before the rapture?

What exactly will happen in the time of the end with the antichrist?

What does the Bible say about getting tattoos?

Is it wrong to get a tattoo?

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