What religion are you?

[Kitana85]

Xanny, I couldn't disagree with you more!! The basis of certain religions, strict forms of Christianity for example (the easiest example) is that one has to take Christ as their savior. If this is not, the person will suffer for eternity. One would not want others to suffer, so they must show others that this path is true... they are told it is their duty to do so...

[Classic Rocker]

Here is my .02 cents.

Just think rationally about your beliefs. The bible has a lot of good information in it. The 10 commandments bring content to society. Jesus spread his interesting philosophy on treating people and living life. The bible represents mankind. Read it with another persepective. Just because two people are of the same faith, does not mean they act and behave the same way. Some focus more on one part of there faith then the other.

Thats all I'm gonna type for now. If anyone is interested, I'll post more later.

[Xantar]

Originally Posted by Kitana85

Xanny, I couldn't disagree with you more!! The basis of certain religions, strict forms of Christianity for example (the easiest example) is that one has to take Christ as their savior. If this is not, the person will suffer for eternity. One would not want others to suffer, so they must show others that this path is true... they are told it is their duty to do so...

There's a difference between religion and Religion. One is the actual teachings according to sacred texts, stories and other such things passed from generation to generation. The other is the human interpretation of what it means. Christianity is simply any religion that derives its teachings from the New Testament and some other works. What differentiates the Evangelists from the Lutherans from the Baptists from the Episcopalians is what humans choose to emphasize about those teachings. But it's not as if they use a different Bible.

I was talking about the first. And the point I was trying to make was that human interpretation has been proven (sometimes tragically) to be fallible. Even when it comes to God. Why do some Christians believe it is their duty to convert everyone while others believe the truly Christian thing to do is to tolerate everybody? Different viewpoints shaped by different upbringings. That's all.

It doesn't change the fact that Christianity, at its core, is about living the good life regardless of your material surroundings.

[GameMaster]

Just wanted to post that, please carry on where Xantar left off.

[Classic Rocker]

Anyone know what religion follows the philosophy "rock and roll all night, and party every day"?

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Classic Rocker

Anyone know what religion follows the philosophy "rock and roll all night, and party every day"?

Kissism?

Kisstianity?

Kissaiism?

Kissolocism?

[dropCGCF]

Originally Posted by Xantar

It doesn't change the fact that Christianity, at its core, is about living the good life regardless of your material surroundings.

Agreed.

All religion is that at it's core. Exrtreme fundamentalists just take the tachings way too far because they're taking things all too literally.

[Kitana85]

Originally Posted by Xantar

There's a difference between religion and Religion. One is the actual teachings according to sacred texts, stories and other such things passed from generation to generation. The other is the human interpretation of what it means.

Originally Posted by Xantar

So if you're satisfied with your beliefs after thinking about them closely, then so be it. I'm happy for you. But if you really are so confident in your beliefs, you will also have realized that you have no need to convince anybody else to see it your way.

You totally missed the point of my post, or of yours. You are saying that people shouldn't try to convert others, and what I'm saying is that those who do DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. We may disagree and believe they do have a choice, however, they KNOW with all their heart, and all their soul, and all their mind, and all their strength, that they must HELP other people. It isn't always an issue of being confident-- this might be hard for what I'm assuming is an antheist Buddist-- to understand, but this is their duty-- its not an issue of Religion vs religion.

Your definition of Christianity also leaves me baffled. Christianity is (according to a few dictionaries I checked):"a religion based on the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ."
By asserting that it is Jesus CHRIST, it implies to to belong you assume Jesus is Christ, or he would not be called as such. Assuming now, that the belief holds that Jesus is Messiah, thus, he frees all from sin, and his own comments that "all who believe in me shall have eternal life," as well as many others that I could quote Chapter and verse, there is a theme of the necessity of taking Christ as ones personal savior.

HOWEVER, as you pointed out, many, including, many RC's, Episcopalians (me), E. Lutherans, etc, are more tolerant, however, they (we), will most often admit that thought that is what the scripture says, we basically aren't listening to that part. Take that as you will.
Christianity teaches, at its core, that Christ Jesus is THE way, THE truth, and The life (I can quote c:v if you like). Though many of us in these groups believe in many paths to the one end, that is personal preference NOT religious teaching.

What I'm basically saying is that its not an issue of what's been passed down, or what was originally there, its what one has to do to achieve the ultimate closeness with God (and ridding others of being farther away). What various people believe are different, but some of them believe converting others is both necessesary, and the ultimate compassion.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Kitana85

[color=DeepSkyBlue]You totally missed the point of my post, or of yours. You are saying that people shouldn't try to convert others, and what I'm saying is that those who do DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. We may disagree and believe they do have a choice, however, they KNOW with all their heart, and all their soul, and all their mind, and all their strength, that they must HELP other people. It isn't always an issue of being confident-- this might be hard for what I'm assuming is an antheist Buddist-- to understand, but this is their duty-- its not an issue of Religion vs religion.

How very theocentric of you.

[Xantar]

Originally Posted by Kitana85

HOWEVER, as you pointed out, many, including, many RC's, Episcopalians (me), E. Lutherans, etc, are more tolerant, however, they (we), will most often admit that thought that is what the scripture says, we basically aren't listening to that part.

This is the point I'm trying to make. Some Christian denominations do not feel that same strong duty to convert unbelievers. As you say, they are essentially ignoring scripture in order to do this. Well, why is that? Are they bad Christians? Are they going to hell? I think some of them would say that The Bible was written by humans and is thus not a perfect work to be strictly adhered to. You can agree or disagree with them. The point is, it's their interpretation. And they can support their position as intelligently as anyone.

Other denominations believe it is their duty to convert unbelievers, as you said. And that's because, I suppose, they take the Bible as the literal word of God and infallible, meaning that every single verse must be adhered to.

The differences between these groups, as you said, is how they interpret the Bible. And yes, you can't really construe the Bible as saying, "Don't go forth and spread my word." But you can question whether that's really so important and worth paying attention to.

Here's the thing, though: all Christian denominations accept (at least in theory) material wealth has nothing to do with the strength of our moral character or whether we are living the good life. Ask any devout Christian about that and they will all give the same answer. And on that point, they also agree with Muslims. And Jews. And Buddhists.

I submit to you that this is no coincidence. And if the idea is so universal, maybe it's worth paying some close attention to. And maybe that's the really important message of religion. Any of them.

[The Duggler]

Originally Posted by GameMaster

Just wanted to post that, please carry on where Xantar left off.

I don't understand you.

[GameMaster]

Originally Posted by Nitram

I don't understand you.

Why focus on my picture when there's a wealth of good conversation and debate going on right now within this thread? I've seen what you got, now go get them, friend!

[Canyarion]

BTW: welcome 'back' Xanny.

So they let you out of your lab????

Something I want to say about this matter:
People that think that every religion is good enough, back it up by saying opinions.
We say that there's only 1 religion and we back it up by what the bible says....

Problem is, that first group can easily dismiss our arguments by saying you shouldn't trust the bible that well...

[Dark Samurai]

Im Christian Catholic... for those that still want to know...

..continue...

[DimHalo]

Originally Posted by Dark Samurai

Im Christian Catholic... for those that still want to know...

..continue...

What other kind of Catholic is there?