The New "Tolerance"

Originally Posted by Buddug

Strictly speaking you cannot call yourself a Christian just because you follow the teachings of Christ . To be a Christian you have to accept the idea of the Virgin Birth , and you have to accept the idea that Jesus died and rose again . This is the core of Christianity , and if you don't believe that then you are not a Christian .

Cite, specifically, where in the Bible it says, exactly, that, please. Or is this made-up like the rapture?

After study for some time I have learned this. The Book and Christ rarely are rarely repeditive... so this must be VERY important.


Mark 12:17
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Matthew 22:21
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Luke 20:25
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

Amendment 1 (1st for a reason)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

In Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli, an agreement signed between the United States and the Muslim region of North Africa in 1797 after negotiations concluded by George Washington (the document, which was approved by the Senate in accordance with Constitutional law, and then signed by John Adams), it states flatly, "The Government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." signed by John Adams
"This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it!" John Adams

“The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One’s right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.” - Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by Tonchi

Nope, that does not "make a Christian". That makes a 5th Century Roman Catholic.

That would come as a complete surprise to about two million 21st-century US Episcopalians, Tonch. Read over all three Creeds and see how much of each you agree with, either as a nondenominational moral being or as a professed Christian, whichever or whatever you may be.

Note, too, that I never said the Creeds were the be-all and end-all of the Christian faiths. I said they were a base-line. They aren't Scripture; that, shall we say, has a very considerable influence in all this. They are a convenient paraphrasing of the barest essentials -- and as conveniences, mighty handy to Christians.

[wolf]

Episcopalians apparently aren't christian anymore. They voted at their convention to reject a resolution declaring that you can only be saved in the name of Jesus Christ.

Remember that schism that they barely avoided with Robinson's election to Bishop? Here it comes ...

One person cannot tell another that they are or are not a Christian... the hubris is sickening.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

One person cannot tell another that they are or are not a Christian... the hubris is sickening.

No, but they can tell you that "ya goin' ta hell!"

[Griff]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Newly elected leader of the U.S. Episcopal Church Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said on Monday she believed homosexuality was no sin and homosexuals were created by God to love people of the same gender.

I like the direction they're going.

It is really nice to see someone can at least read... DUH! *bangs head on wall*

[BigV]

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:54 PM.

Originally Posted by CookieBot

So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.
--Bertrand Russell

Wow. Synchronicity? Kismet? Coincidence?

[9th Engineer]

One person cannot tell another that they are or are not a Christian... the hubris is sickening.

Yes and no. You can't just say "I like people and Jesus sounds like a cool guy, so I'll consider myself a Christian". There are core tenets and beliefs (one of which is virgin birth) that you must absolutely follow. Religion has been watered down into a sort on pablum mush that is easy for the soft-minded hippie generation to swallow. If you want to learn about true Christian beliefs and teachings then some Byzantine era writing would be a good start.

Again, site a specific Biblical reference that shows that as a requirement.

[9th Engineer]

I don't need to cite a specific reference. You cannot reinvent an institution or even make small changes unless you have experience and standing withing the original group. No organization allows people to walk off the street and proclaim "you know, I like the reputation and image your name has but I don't think I want to join you. Therefore I've decided to use your name and claim to be one of you, but I'll do whatever I please". If you like certain aspects of Christianity but you cannot adhear to others then by all means emulate the parts you like, but be honest with what you call yourself.

Adhere to the parts you like? You are making parts up! LOL!

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

I don't need to cite a specific reference. You cannot reinvent an institution or even make small changes unless you have experience and standing withing the original group.

The original group has been dead for quite a while. All Christians are in a reinvented and changed institution.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Reformation.

There are a bunch of groups considering themselves the true Christian faithful.
There's a bunch of companies that say they're the maker of the best laundry detergent.
Neither are provable.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Reformation.

There are a bunch of groups considering themselves the true Christian faithful.
There's a bunch of companies that say they're the maker of the best laundry detergent.
Neither are provable.

And just to compound the mischief: they all cleanse. If rightly used. Laundry detergent does not cleanse much if you put it in your pipe and smoke it.