Silly, Aimless Religious Discussion

God is clearly no respecter of persons. In this case, sin is sin. Unfortunately, you are viewing and evaluating sin purely upon a human judgement. Naturally, the poor girl who never heard of Christ surely could not be classified as an adulterer or murderer. A purely human judgement could clearly see this. However, with God, all sin is sin. The Jewish laws were given as a paragon of how and why mankind could never keep them. BTW: the only one who ever did was Christ. I fear you are totally misunderstanding the entire concept of a loving God. Of course God is loving. However, He is also terrible; and is angry with the sinner everyday. To show His loving goodness, He sent His Son to provide a way for mankind to escape hell. This invite is open to the whole world. The trouble, good Craniac, is that you simply don't what the Bible states. One you are saved, and have the Holy Spirit, it will become more clear. "The gospel to him that perishes is but foolishness" I love ya Craniac!! P.S. What about Shakespeare?

 

In the Our Father prayer, "Lead us not into temptation" can also be translated as, "Lead us not into stumbling blocks."

Anyways...

The endless diatribe of this debate reminds me why I quit discussing Christian theology a while back. Elmer is consistently pointing out the alleged mistakes of others when he himself is... oh never mind... these kinds of threads accomplish nothing.

 

Very well, good friend! Good-bye!!

 

Having just read the last pages (4-5) what I see is not a problem with Elmer Gantry, but what Christianity clearly teaches. What I find odd is that people get offended at the claims of Christianity but ignore the claims of the other faiths mentioned. Judaism is an ethnic and highly exclusive faith that believes they poses the true faith. Yes, I know one can convert to Judaism but you are not considered a "full" Jew without the ethnic background, although the more liberal streams are more open and accepting. Islam is also exclusive, one must believe in Allah if not you are a second class citizen at best and slave at worse. This does not include their treatment of women as property and lack of rights. I could go on, but there is no point. Before one debates on this or any subject they should understand what is really taught, not a general overview taught by modern educators in a general way.

 

It's not that simple. In the Ottoman empire, Jews at times enjoyed considerable privileges. There were, and still are, as the example of domestic slavery in the Comoros, shows, Muslim slaves. But yes, Islam is perhaps exclusive in the sense that Muslim slaves were considered superior to free non-Muslims.

 

Indeed so. I have heard quite often, from well-informed Jews - that, in Medieval times particularly, life was generally easier for Jews under Muslim rule than under Christian rule. An oft-quoted example is pre-and-post 1492 in Spain. I've been told that under Muslim rule in Spain, there were notably few restrictions; the only one I can remember at the moment is quite interesting and not that burdensome: Jews were not allowed to wear turbans. :shock:

Otherwise - yes, everybody can say they have the "one true faith" if they want, as far as I'm concerned. And they can say the others are inferior if they want to -all the same to me. Pick your own delusion! But saying someone (anyone) will wind up in Hell simply because they're of another faith - well, that's not just mean and hateful - it's Batsh*t crazy - profound apologies to Batman.

One thing for sure. I think I've determined, at least to my own satisfaction, the value of a "degree" from this school under discussion! And sadly, I had to do that without managing to see the curriculum.:sad:

Johann

 

Well, to me that would perhaps be an interesting theological discussion, nothing more, because according to the religion of my ancestors, there's no such thing as hell: a big supernal washing machine, yes, but hell, no.

 

The Ashanti people of Africa believe that the animals, insects, birds and other creatures sing praises to the Creator. So if we add up the number of life forms on the earth and subtract the Humans, their vote wins!

 

Oh no! I have been killing crickets at my house. Now I feel really bad. :yikes:

 

You cricket Devil!:saevil:

 

I just checked Ephesians. I'm told the book is attributed to the Apostle Paul or possibly, a later writer clearly influenced by him. I'm not surprised, therefore, that this man wrote that a Christ-centred faith is the only true faith. There are millions who believe this and find solace in it - and I'll not trouble them. I choose to believe differently, but I'll let them alone - and they can do the same for me, please.

Funny - I was a card-carrying atheist for 40 years and I never gave this topic any thought whatsoever. Now I've "lost the card," it's somehow important. I choose not to believe quite a bit of what is written by influential Christian leaders. Ever read Martin Luther's second-best seller, "On the Jews and Their Lies?" I've never met a Lutheran who believes any of it today ...thank goodness! It's a truly vile book.

On reflection, I think your comment about faulty reasoning (mine and others') is correct. It angers me when people start going after the faiths of others in any way, and I certainly tend to get unreasonable - and likely unreasoning as well. That kind of activity has led to wars, pogroms, Crusades, Kristallnacht and the years that followed - so I'll not get involved any further.

Good job also, in moving the thread. Thanks -- done, now.

Johann

 

Are you really done? I seem to recall hearing that before. I truly marvel at all the commentaries thus far on the topic. I must say, I weary of hearing them, however. Seemingly, not a single person has heard a word I have said. Christianity is not hateful. It opens its doors to all races, colors and creeds. It is exclusive in that Christ made the claim that He is the Way, Truth, and Life. Please, find me any other deity who can make that claim. Remember, everybody in the entire world is included. There is nothing ethnocentric in this. For that matter, there are Christians on every country on the planet.The trouble with those who have responded is that they are far too proud to succumb to Christ. Since Adam, people have been wanting find their own way to heaven. There is no other way. Christ said that, Johann, not me. I pray you find Him in this life. Please don't let pride keep you out of heaven.

 

You're not "hearing" them. You're reading them, and doing so voluntarily.

 

My apologies, Rich Douglas! As well as yourself! Thank you for pointing that out.