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Post by Angoreth on Aug 22, 2006 4:35:21 GMT -5
Whats your thoughts on Christianity? Be nice and respectful. We all know this can be a touchy subject, but Im curious.
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Post by fanficfan on Aug 22, 2006 18:32:36 GMT -5
Well, hopefully I wont annoy anyone too much with this... Personally I'm not that fond Christianity. Which is not to say I have anything against Christians, I have a good friend who is a devout Protestant, and my Aunt & Uncle are Catholics (no they've never met ) And it's not so much against Christianity in particular but against organised religion in general. I'd rather be free to form my own opinions (which I do anyway, whether I'm free to or not) and not be restriced inside someone elses interpretation of the Bible (or other religious scripture). I also dislike Christian dogma that other religions are false. Which doesn't happen so much now except with the super hardline fanatics, but this isn't restricted just to Christianity. Hmm, reading over that I find I haven't made much sense. If I've offended you (either by insulting your religion or with my bad writing) then I apologise. I may add to this at some point if I think of something else.
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taran
Hobbit
The assistant Pig-keeper
Posts: 38
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Post by taran on Aug 22, 2006 23:20:15 GMT -5
Doesn't seem you've offended anyone, so far.
My thoughts on Christianity? I like it. Like most other religions, the whole of the bilblical message boils down to one thing:
Everyone be nice to eachother.
And what's worng with that? It's when people start twisitng the words of the bible to their own eneds, to advance wars and political agendas, that Christendom doesn't seem quite so appetizing. The Crusades went against pretty much everything the bible stood for. Right-wing racists quoting the bible as their source are liars--I always wonder where the idea that Cain was punished by having his skin turned black comes from. It ain't in the bible!
So yes, just as long as you're a Christian, and you believe the bible's basic message, good for you. The world would be a better place if...
Every one was just nice to each other.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 23, 2006 0:41:10 GMT -5
Well, the Basic thing isn't to just be "nice" but to get into heaven. Do your life according to God as best as you can and Heaven is your eternal reward.
You can't get to heaven just being nice. But I agree completely, it would be so much better if everyone was nice to each other.
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 23, 2006 1:31:40 GMT -5
Well I'm a Christan and nothingin this thread has offended. I dont really care whether people are or arent Christan but theres a guy in my class at school who is so *would swear but cant* annoying with all his "peace" and "do you believe in Jesus?" just so annoying.
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Post by fanficfan on Aug 23, 2006 3:22:36 GMT -5
@ taran - We're both going in slightly different directions here. Yes, the ideals and such put forth in the Bible are wonderful (there's a reason it's the number 1 selling book in the world) But the Bible isn't Christianity. Christianity, and it's variations, are all based on interpretations of what the Bible says. The Crusades are a prime example of a good idea gone horribly wrong. The Bible is full of great ideas, but there're always people willing to twist those ideas to their own ends. Not to say that all, or even most, Christians do this. Like I said, I have several Christian friends (Majimaune among them) and they're all great people. They believe in God, Jesus and their religion's interpretation of the Bible. Personally, I see the Bible as a "guide to a good life" sort of like one of those self help books (please don't smite me Christian readers) Something to inspire belief not in God, but in ourselves. But I get that view cause of my own personal views "You can't believe in something until you can believe in yourself." Some factions of Christianity (not mentioning names cause I'm not sure of them : also preach that Christianity is the one and only way to heaven, that their way is the only way. This is probably what irks me most about religion in general. Very few of them can accept that other people have different views or beliefs.
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taran
Hobbit
The assistant Pig-keeper
Posts: 38
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Post by taran on Aug 23, 2006 21:24:00 GMT -5
Well, the Basic thing isn't to just be "nice" but to get into heaven. Do your life according to God as best as you can and Heaven is your eternal reward.
By being nice to other people. ;D According to some interpetations of the bible, reward is not on heaven, but resurrection on earth. Just as in some interpetations of the bible, Hell does not exist. Rather, the word translated "hell" is the common grave of all mankind. Thus illustrating that there are many interpretations of the bible. However, all the creeds state you will come into God's favour by obeying God's commandments. And what did Jesus say? One of the two most important of the ten commandments was "love your neighbour", and the basis for all the other commandments come from these. Gandhi, who was not a Christian, still said that if every one did according to the rules Jesus set forth on the sermon of the Mount, the world would be a better place. But the Bible isn't Christianity. Christianity, and it's variations, are all based on interpretations of what the Bible says.
If you accept the New Testamnent as the basis of your beliefs along with the rest of the bible, than you are by definition a Christian--a "follower of Christ". If not, than you are of the Jewish faith, or a Samaritan etc. etc. "Christianity" is not a single seligion--there are many Christian religions in the world. But they still fall under Christendom. This is probably what irks me most about religion in general. Very few of them can accept that other people have different views or beliefs. That is true of many humans in general. I know athiests who believe ever one with faith in god is an idiot and won't just accept the fact that people have a different opinion. I've met them, and religious fanatics who believe if you don't follow their religion you're an idiot (believe it or not, there are even some so-called "buddhists" who think this way!). These are all basicly the same kind of people. So, otherwise: religion's not the problem. People are.
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Post by TheBlackWizard on Aug 24, 2006 13:54:46 GMT -5
As a muslim, I can't say much bout Christianity. But in the Qur'an, it says that Christians were, as well as jews, people of the book. That's a good thing. But anyway, I have to point, tread carefully folk, and make sure your posts aren't hurtful to others, or other's religons.
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 25, 2006 2:29:28 GMT -5
That is true TBW. By the Book it means the Bible or whatever the Jews have (sorry its not that I dont care its that I dont know).
Hurtful. Nothing is hurtful to me and I hope nothing of mine is hurtful to others.
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Post by erinion on Aug 25, 2006 4:36:37 GMT -5
I believe you need to mock something to fully believe in it. That is why I will swear, but praise God. But Christianity? It has its holes, however, I think it sounds better than other religions.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 25, 2006 6:04:04 GMT -5
Well, it goes back to the saying, "Christians aren't perfect, their just saved." The thing that supposed to set Christians apart is this (What I am being taught) Is basic things: 1.) To follow God as best as you can and truely seek after him with your Heart 2.) To show your light(Christian presence) To others (so Yes being nice ;Dlol) 3.) To save I am not a self righteous or religious persay Christian, I believe what I believe, you believe what you do thats cool by me. But I still share my view but unlike other Christians (which this is their mistake) I like to see other views. We're supposed to be open minded so we can talk and discuss with others like Jesus did, but to many today say, "Repent Heathen!!" Which i would to cause it looks like fun But I dont lol There are alot of good sturdy and open minded Christians out there, but self righteous and narrow minded ones make it hard for us to have a good conversation without someone already prejudging thinking we're trying to "Shove our beliefe" on them. This conversations going good though I think ;D
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Post by fanficfan on Aug 25, 2006 8:20:54 GMT -5
If you accept the New Testament as the basis of your beliefs along with the rest of the bible, than you are by definition a Christian--a "follower of Christ". If not, than you are of the Jewish faith, or a Samaritan etc. etc. "Christianity" is not a single religion--there are many Christian religions in the world. But they still fall under Christendom. Not disagreeing with you on that, you are quite right that the Bible is the basis for Christianity's beliefs. All I'm saying is that Christianity, it's beliefs and teachings, are all based on the Bible, not the other way around. That's why there are different types of Christianity, cause the Bible can be interpreted differently. Bad Example: "Love thy neighbour." Interpretation 1 - Neighbour = fellow (wo)man. Basically be nice to everyone. Interpretation 2 - Neighbour = Bloke next door. Basically be nice to the bloke next door and do as you want to everyone else. That is true of many humans in general. I know atheists who believe ever one with faith in god is an idiot and won't just accept the fact that people have a different opinion. I've met them, and religious fanatics who believe if you don't follow their religion you're an idiot (believe it or not, there are even some so-called "Buddhists" who think this way!). These are all basically the same kind of people. So, otherwise: religion's not the problem. People are. Some people are intolerant. It's not cool and unfortunately, it happens alot. And not only with religion. It's race, skin colour, language, level in "society", anything. People who are racist or religisist (??real word??) in the name of "God" or "Jesus" or "Allah" or whoever else sicken me. I know that makes me kind of a hypocrite cause I'm intolerant towards these people, but it's so hard to do anything other than hate (strong word I know) what they are. Not them necessarily, but how they stand for what they believe in. I may not agree with someone else's belief, and we may even have a discussion about where our our beliefs conflict, but I'd never even dream of telling someone that their religion was "wrong". That whoever or whatever they believed in was false. Hmm, I know I haven't quite finished my thoughts here, but I'm tired and my brain's stopped working. So I'll just post what I've got and fix it when I'm working again.
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 25, 2006 20:16:53 GMT -5
I like your second love thy neighbour on Mitch, its good.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 27, 2006 0:21:54 GMT -5
I do to! Cause then God wouldn't be displeased with me if I tripped the old lady down the road who keeps throwing crap at me when I pass ;D *horns slowly begin protruding from her head*
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Post by barlimanbutterbur on Sept 21, 2006 9:59:24 GMT -5
All religions are Man's first efforts at the codification of proper thought and behavior — morals and ethics, in other words — and the first efforts at answering the Perennial Questions: Why am I here; How did I get here; What happens after I die; What's it all for; Who did it and why. Man's collective natural conclusion has been throughout history that a single god or a pair of gods or a set of multiple gods did it for their own reasons.
As for Christianity, I have only one problem with it, and it's a big one: their central tenet of proselitizing: the missionary movement. Many Christians think it's their divine mission to force the religion on everyone else. It is one of the foundationstones of the religion, and is especially prevalent in the more fundamental sects. In fact, the Radical Right's mission is to completely dismantle our democratic system of government and replace it with an extremist interpretation of the New Testament. But that's a subject for another thread.
For me, this is not only supremely arrogant and dangerous, but totally disrespectful of the other person's beliefs, and for me this is intolerable. I fight this wherever I find it. When you are trying to force a doctrine down someone's throat, you cannot possibly respect him, and the proselitzer runs the grave risk of becoming a bigot and an oppressor. And this is dangerous for us all.
So — I have EVERY problem with those who take any religion to extremes and pervert its messages to justify violence, oppression and coercion. And unfortunately, there will always be those people.
As for religion in general, my metaphor is that of the Divine Pizza(!): the underlying crust, cheese and tomato sauce make up the common fund of wisdom and common sense that are the basis of all religions. The various toppings are the specific religions. To me it is as nonsensical to argue which topping is the True Topping ("Pepperoni is the True Pizza!" "You're outta your mind, it's Mushrooms and Olives!!!") as it is to argue which religion is the True Religion, (or which ice cream flavor is the True Ice Cream Flavor).
Religions are originally the products of local culture. They spring up in particular areas of the world, and their evolution comes from such diverse factors as local beliefs, geography and climate, and that's part of why they're all so different from each other. And the fact that all men have only one model of brain, which thinks the same way in all ages and locations, is the reason that they are also similar.
Barley
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