What is it to be Christian ?

[Happy Monkey]

I think that the only common thread among all Christians is the belief that Jesus is on a supernatural level above prophet.

[mrnoodle]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

I think that the only common thread among all Christians is the belief that Jesus is on a supernatural level above prophet.

More than that, he's the son of God, and he offered himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sin. The important distinction is the oneness with God himself.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by mrnoodle

More than that, he's the son of God, and he offered himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sin. The important distinction is the oneness with God himself.

I don't think all Christian sects agree on that. Mormons certainly don't. Though I don't disagree that many sects who do agree with that would say that those that don't aren't real Christians.

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

I think that the only common thread among all Christians is the belief that Jesus is on a supernatural level above prophet.

That is a Christian... a follower of Christ does their VERY BEST to live by his teachings. A very different person all together.
One is the politics of faith, the other is a faithful.

Jesus' word is very clear on many things, but in the US you will find the worst hypocrisy on many levels... most "pro-livers" will line up howling for blood ready to cast that first stone every time there is an execution because they just love to support and sanction state murder. A clear hypocrisy of many of Christ's teachings... but they will always cite the OT, just like with homosexuality, an abomination, not even a sin, same as eating shrimp, wearing a polyester/cotton blend shirt or planting peas and corn in the same field.
But, they will wash their car on Saturday, the sabbath, a MORTAL SIN, every damn weekend, without blinking an eye even though Christ clearly stated to obey the Commandments.
I think it's cute, it shows where the priorities clearly lay.

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Jesus' word is very clear on many things, but in the US you will find the worst hypocrisy on many levels... most "pro-livers" will line up howling for blood ready to cast that first stone every time there is an execution because they just love to support and sanction state murder. A clear hypocrisy of many of Christ's teachings... but they will always cite the OT, just like with homosexuality, an abomination, not even a sin, same as eating shrimp, wearing a polyester/cotton blend shirt or planting peas and corn in the same field.
But, they will wash their car on Saturday, the sabbath, a MORTAL SIN, every damn weekend, without blinking an eye even though Christ clearly stated to obey the Commandments.
I think it's cute, it shows where the priorities clearly lay.

You know what bugs the hell out of me? This statement is really, really bad analysis of both the bible, and of the theology that comes out of it. But you won't waste 3 minutes of honest-to-god attention to unravel any of it, because the conclusion you've already come to fits too well with your existing view of the world. Let's start with just this:

!) There are many pro-lifers who are ardently anti-death penalty. You just don't want to see them, because they don't fit your conception of how things are.

2) The injunctions against homosexuality aren't limited to the Old Testament, they are repeated in the New Testament. And just what do you think "abomination" means, that it's somehow a separate category from "sin"?

3) The command to obey the Sabbath was specifically, emphatically overturned by Jesus.

I'm so f*%king tired of being lectured in biblical exegesis by hacks and drive-bys.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

You know what bugs the hell out of me? This statement is really, really bad analysis of both the bible, and of the theology that comes out of it. But you won't waste 3 minutes of honest-to-god attention to unravel any of it, because the conclusion you've already come to fits too well with your existing view of the world. Let's start with just this:

!) There are many pro-lifers who are ardently anti-death penalty. You just don't want to see them, because they don't fit your conception of how things are.

2) The injunctions against homosexuality aren't limited to the Old Testament, they are repeated in the New Testament. And just what do you think "abomination" means, that it's somehow a separate category from "sin"?

3) The command to obey the Sabbath was specifically, emphatically overturned by Jesus.

I'm so f*%king tired of being lectured in biblical exegesis by hacks and drive-bys.

Citations? References?

RK probably sees anti-choice and pro-death penalty linked because they are both supported by conservative repubicans.