Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

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I was not literally comparing your beliefs to those of people who perform FGM. My point is that it is ok to question their beliefs, but why not yours or mine?

I understand. I still don't think that whether or not my life is parallel to Christs in any way is a question. It's more of a slap in the face. Based on the premise that once I accept Christ and God into my heart/life that I am magically turned into something omnipotent, and I cease to be a living, breathing, but most of all, SINNING human being.

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but it also takes away lives. a LOT of lives. For example: the crusades, the spanish inquisition, the witch hunts, the discouragement of condoms in Africa from Catholics (which results in AIDS, of course), 9/11, what many are calling now a 'Holy War' in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more. Plus, of course, there's Bush, who's a born-again christian and using his religion in his politics. In many ways, that's why I see religion as not a good thing in today's day and age. But, don't get me wrong, I believe that people have their right to believe in whatever they want. I'm fine with religion as long as it doesn't get in the way of politics/science. unfortunately, it always does, though. Religion + politics = apocalypse. and, sadly, a lot of people seem to think that that's a good thing.

what you wrote there has NOTHING to do with how i see christ.

The comment "You Christians are so unlike your Christ" is not meant to assume that Christians should act exactly like Jesus did. Its the fact that so many Christians hold morals and beliefs that go against the teachings of Christ.

An example being that on another forum that I participate in, there is a minister who believes (and he said this himself, word for word) that "Jesus would approve pre-emptive nuclear force if it were necessary to preserve the lives of a nation's people from nuclear attack."(This was during a debate over America's possible plans to attack Iran.)

Now, this comment wouldn't be too bad if it were coming from you, me or a loner sitting at home, murmering to himself about how he could make the world a better place. But this guy is a minister, what he says actually influences the minds of large groups of people including many young children, and its absolutely sickening.

Originally Posted By: pinkranger4what you wrote there has NOTHING to do with how i see christ. But apparently everyone sees Christ a little differently, and as seen in the example that gave above, some see Jesus as anything but a pacifist.

Quote:Its the fact that so many Christians hold morals and beliefs that go against the teachings of Christ.As Java's opinion was: He was liberal, so I'm going to assume that's what the thread question is about. In reference to liberalism, are we also talking about things like homosexuals specifically? If not, it's hard to compare how liberal Jesus Himself would have been on instances of health care and education. His decisions that He made which would make Him seem liberal, were on the events of His time. It's actually and apples to oranges comparison. It's impossible to ask why if Jesus was liberal and He taught a certain way, why we Christians are not like Him. We're in two entirely different time periods.

Altho not exactly what was meant, its actually easy to figure out how Jesus would feel about certain matters like homosexuality. Jesus says "Love they neighbour", seems simple enough. Nobody as of yet has ever shown me where in the Bible that Jesus says "Love thy neighbour, except if he is a fag."

Love thy neighbor speaks nothing about approving homosexuality though. Love thy neighbor means just that. And you're right, Jesus did say that. However, God, Himself says:  Originally Posted By: Leviticus 18:22Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, it is abomination.

Well the literal translation is "And with a male you shall not lay lyings of a woman", which isn't exactly clear in English. There are many possible interpretations of the line:- All homosexual behaviour, by either men or women- All sexual behaviour between two men- Only anal sex between two men- Sexual activity between two men in a woman's bedThere is no consensus on the meaning of this verse. Many people tend to select that interpretation that most closely reinforces their initial beliefs about the Bible and homosexual behaviour.

That was the KJV. But as with anything in the Bible, it's open to interpretation. To an extreme, however ignorant or retarded, but nevertheless possible: Love thy neighbor could simply mean the people in your immediate vicinity. You know, I've noticed this though. Hadn't really done this until you mentioned the phrase, but many people who question my belief try to use it against me. They don't believe in what I believe, and only question, and doubt - however they love to use what some "fictional book" says, in order to reinforce their agenda. Not necessarily you, Bob, just people in general. They are like blind people trying to convince me it's sunny outside.

Well a blind person can still feel the warmth of the sun, just as a non-Christian can recognise a good lesson in the Bible.

What about on cooler days? Sun doesn't always = warmth. There are always going to be different interpretations. I know this, you know this. There is no good answer to this question.

The Bible is not a rule book, it is not a law book. It is a mixture of fact and fiction, if not all fiction, brought together in a fantastic story to inspire people and to unite people. The problem is, not everyone sees the same thing when they read it. Just like some people read Harry Potter and see it as an attempt to lure children into the world of the occult. Some people see the Bible as an excuse to act on their own feelings of hatred.

Originally Posted By: bobaliciousThe Bible is not a rule book, it is not a law book. It is a mixture of fact and fiction, if not all fiction, brought together in a fantastic story to inspire people and to unite people. The problem is, not everyone sees the same thing when they read it. Just like some people read Harry Potter and see it as an attempt to lure children into the world of the occult. Some people see the Bible as an excuse to act on their own feelings of hatred. I know you're not stating that as a fact right? that's YOUR opinion.

Yup, just my opinion. Do you disagree? Do you believe that it is both fact and fiction mixed together, or just one? Do you believe that the Bible was written to try unite people? Do you believe that some very misguided or hateful people use the Bible to persecute others?

absolutely not. I believe it is completely true. Not one fictional thing about it. It's so funny actually that people find it untrue when everything it says about what will happen in the future since it was written is happening EVERY DAY. It's like "hey wow... that's happening right now! hey look it's coming true!" not good by the way. Cause if what's happening in the world now continues as the Bible says.. I don't want to be here. I really... really don't want to be here when it does happen. I find that almost everything in the Bible applies to my life. And if it wasn't for the Bible I don't know what kind of person I'd be today. It's helped me get through so many ridiculous situations in my life. People don't realize how close I was to suicide, how much hatred I had harbored in me against family members and friends. Matter of fact, I used to hate God. And I would deny Him all the time. But everytime I read it it just changed everything for me. My entire life and the way I see things. Other than praying it's a way of Him speaking to me. So yes, I do believe that everything in the Bible is true. and I don't even know why people like the ones you mentioned are even worried about. they are fools with nothing better to do. That's not what the Bible is about and those people are not to be taken seriously. Neither are they to be grouped together with Christians who use the Bible as part of their life and not to condemn and degrade other people.

or maybe dad and lad were in disagreement! heaven forbid

And this is the point where my mind starts screaming "But why?? Why do you believe this book full of things that cannot be proved, cannot be verified and more often than not, contradicts everything that science discovers!! It even contradicts itself quite a number of times, as well as just being flat out wrong!"But I won't ask you cause I know the answer. You have the faith to take the leap, to trust this book. I can't do that, the book is just total bullshit to me.And as a matter of interest, what did the Bible predict would happen that is happening today?

I would love to see God having an argument with his lad...

Although ive clearly stated in the past i am Anti-religion due to the fact it is a major factor why there will never be world peace i find this thread rather ironic in the fact there is a feeling that christians force their views on others when there is a definate feeling that non beleivers of religion are trying to force the 'religion is bull and u are weirdos...Ned Flanders' thing on the religious.'Love Thy Neighbour' - To me that means live and let live.Whilst i do not beleive in a God as in white robes and grey beard, i am very much a fan of science of fact. Someone has pointed out that if the big bang created the universe what created the big bang, and what created what created the big bang... it is endless. To create the universe and whatever else is out there there must be logic things just dont happen. I cannot explain it, religion cant explain it, it is completely unknown. What is the meaning of life?I highly dout it that during our life this is a question that can truely be answered, i do beleive that science will answer it eventually but for now there are too many questions and not enough answers... After all isnt knowing who we are what its all about?