Texas parents don't like nude sculpture

[Flint]

Sounds like "having your cake and eating it too" . . .
Either "Christianity" means something or it doesn't exist.

It's just a bit too convenient that anyone who questions the meaning of a word is deemed unable to understand a distinction which has never been made to begin with. That doesn't apply in any other area of life, and the necessity of "special rules" of logic should be a red flag. Just an observation...

[xoxoxoBruce]

Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts, or something like that, is a Cellar cookie.
Not every word has the same meaning to everyone. Even dictionary's sometimes don't jibe.
Instead of being frustrated, just stop trying to pigeon-hole people, sorting them by categories. Everyone is different.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Not every word has the same meaning to everyone. Even dictionary's sometimes don't jibe.

Let's see. We are talking about nudity, sex, and "having your cake and eating it too" . . .

Are you thinking what I am thinking?

[Flint]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Instead of being frustrated, just stop trying to pigeon-hole people, sorting them by categories. Everyone is different.

How many goddamn times are you going to insist on mis-characterizing my statements?
I correct you every time, so I don't know where the confusion could be coming form.

What I comented on initially was the institution of Christianity, and subsequently we've been debating whether the institution exists, and, if so, what it's defining characteristics are. You insist it has none, and I disagree. (How do you define yourself as something which has no characteristics?)

If I'm "frustrated" it's because you won't stop putting words in my mouth.
Despite my repeated clarifications, you continue to "pigeon-hole" me (which is ironic as hell...)

Originally Posted by Flint

Christianity must necesarily have a basic premise. Otherwise, the word describes something that doesn't exist. (Christianity does exsist...)
Do Christians not read the Old Testament?
#1 Is the Bible an optional text, as a Christian? #2 Does The Bible contain moral guidelines (albeit interpretable)?

Is that the entirety of the similarities between various forms of Christianity?

They read the OT, as a history of where their religion came from, not a place to get dogma.
To call one's self a Christian one must follow the teachings of Christ... pretty much it. How is this not clear?
That is the only similarity between them. Many that call themselves Christian do not follow His teachings, quite the opposite, most teach the dogma of Us and Them.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

To call one's self a Christian one must follow the teachings of Christ... pretty much it.

How is this not clear?

It's perfectly clear.

The teachings of Christ, as represented by the Bible, are the "standardized set of guidelines" that define Christianity.

[xoxoxoBruce]

No, Christ taught one "guideline". Love thy neighbor as thyself. That's it...there ain't no more. Someone that follows that "guideline" is a Christian. It's that simple.
Stop confusing the churches(business of religion) that use his name(usually in vain), with his teaching or followers.
You try to tie anyone claiming to be a Christian with the sins of the churches, is the equivalent of blaming me for the institution of slavery. I assure you, neither is my fault.

If you have issue with one of the aforementioned churches/businesses, take if up with them specifically and stop trying to blame the rest of us, in your personal dispute.

If you don't want me to put words in your mouth, shut your mouth and open your ears, then the words will go where they were intended. :p

[Flint]

If you're not putting words in my mouth, then quote one example to back this up:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Apparently every time people disagree with your standard of behavior it's because of their religion.
Every time somebody does something you consider stupid, you say it's because of their religion.

...or apologize. "It's that simple" Bruce. Back up what you said by quoting me.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

...shut your mouth and open your ears...

I hear you perfectly well. You're accusing me of stating things I've never stated.
If I have stated these things, you can easily quote me to demonstrate that I have.

When I criticize the institution of Christianity, all you have to do is take the words I am posting at face value, without attaching any additional meanings. Accusing me of stating additional meanings does not make it so, no matter how many times you repeat the accusation.

[Spexxvet]

Sorry for jumping in at this late date. I thought the thread was about nude sculpture.

But if

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

...To call one's self a Christian one must follow the teachings of Christ... pretty much it...

and

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

No, Christ taught one "guideline". Love thy neighbor as thyself. That's it...there ain't no more.... :p

Then there aren't many Christians around, IMHO.

Matthew 517
Jesus:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."

Jesus, himself, said to obey the laws of the old testament.

Catholicism and being a follower of Christ/Christian have nothing to do with each other.
Abominations have no place in our world, you cannot pick and choose what you want to be and not want to be laws from the OT....
If you want to live that lifestyle and call that the Law fine, but I don't want to see someone naming it that, pointing fingers at homosexuals and then later eating shrimp, working on Saturday, wearing mixed fiber shirts or practicing ANY other abomination. You don't get to pick and choose.
Like I said... I have been studying this for a long time and did study with Catholics in Seminary Prep in college... they agreed with this.
The Pope has agreed that he is not infallible.
All that Calvinist stuff like Rapture was made-up and has no Biblical basis.
It is all smoke-&-Mirrors to take away from Jesus' message... it is to bring people to the business of Church.

[Flint]

I live by the message of Jesus. The "business of the Church" is Christianity. Christianity is the thing I am criticizing.

"Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car."

[xoxoxoBruce]

Jesus, himself, said to obey the laws of the old testament.

Said to Jews of that time. The OT is the covenant with the Jews.

[Ibby]

As far as I can tell, the OT is obeyed whenever it coincides with prejudices or wishes of the Christians, and ignored when it doesnt.

For example, stance on gays...

[Flint]

"Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car."

Nothing makes you a Christian.
You have to conciously decide to classify yourself as such.
I follow the teachings of Christ, and I do not classify myself as a Christian.
So, you could also say "following the teachings of Christ doesn't make you a Christian."

Since it has no bearing on my inner feelings, calling myself a "Christian" would be just like joining any other club. And what does joining a club accomplish? You gain the wordly benefits of your membership, you have strength in numbers, and you are implicitly casting your vote for whatever that club stands for. I have no interest in those things. A nominal classification isn't going to accomplish anything of value for me.