The Christian Thread.

[Theland]

A thread to discuss Christianity, as it is presented in the New Testament.
Hopefully, exchanges made with Christian love, or your love based on the Higher Power you worship.
And in that Spirit, a warm appreciation of any contributions made by atheists, agnostics, or religionists.
So to begin with a question, is Christianity as it is presented in the New Testament a good blueprint for our lives, and our society?

[Theland]

Nailit, you fibber!
I don't believe that for a minute!

[Theland]

Oh my word, success.
I'm defending myself!
I'm not sliding away from difficult questions. Ask away!
If I don't know the answer I will say so.
My faith is sound in spite of the knocks it takes.

[nailit]

//My faith is sound in spite of the knocks it takes//

If you were an old testament Jew, could you stone your own son to death?
Would you stone your own daughter to death?
(Both commanded by the God of 'love')

[fiveleaves]

You can summarise the Gospel into two commandments (see Matthew Ch22 v37-40)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,with all your soul and all your mind, and
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
Follow these two and you wont go far wrong. I would suggests this trumps the teachings of every other religion and major philosophy, but then as a Christian I probably would say that

[nailit]

//You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,with all your soul and all your mind//
How do you do that then fiveleaves?

I cant MAKE myself love someome!
Much less some one that I find abhorrent?

[Theland]

The Jewish historians are quite accurate.
Are there ANY proven instances of a child being executed?
Was it not a tool to convey to the child, (adolescent?), ''this is the path you are on, look where it could end!''

[nailit]

//Are there ANY proven instances of a child being executed?//
Try reading your bible.
I give up...

(Just how do you debate someone who hasn't got a clue about his own defence??)

[nailit]

Theland,
Try reading the Bible for once and then get back to me,,,

[Spungle]

"I cant MAKE myself love someome!
Much less some one that I find abhorrent?" God loved us when we were unlovable But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // I'm not sliding away from difficult questions. Ask away! //

Why - if we are all God's children, does 'charity begin at home'? You can't have it both ways.

Why does your 'loving' God allow children to starve?
(Hint - piffle about 'free will' is not acceptable, it's a cop-out).

[Theland]

Nailit, I study the scriptures daily. I listen to lectures. Have done for years. Don't you approve?
I don't doubt your superior knowledge, but is it really necessary?
Jesus recruited fisherman etc, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, the world was changed.

[andy-hughes]

fiveleaves - // You shall love your neighbour as yourself. //

So charity does not begin at home?

I wish you fervents could learn a common policy, it's very confusing!!!

[Theland]

Andy, if you love your neighbour as yourself, and we do take care of ourselves, (don't we?), then the same care is required for our neighbour?

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // Andy, if you love your neighbour as yourself, and we do take care of ourselves, (don't we?), then the same care is required for our neighbour? //

But according to you, our 'neighbour' is only defined by some pre-determined distance, which you have not advised.

Therefore my neighbour is clearly next door, but not as far as Africa.

What's the demarcation line - at what distance does my 'neighbour' cease to be someone I need to help, because I am helping 'our own' as you so delicately put it?

[Theland]

Drat! Lost my reply!

Lines of demarcation :-
China - Nuclear power, second largest economy, space programme, appalling human rights policies, (Hong Kong?)
Pakistan - Appalling human rights, nuclear power, Heteronomous politics ruled by Islam.
India - Worlds largest democracy, space and nuclear, hold the worlds record for public defecation.
Africa - Corruption means all monies finds its way directly or indirectly into the pockets of their elite. Easy to check.
On the other hand, food bought closer to home, feeds people closer to home, and they eat the food, not buying bullets.
Easy peasy. Nn

[Theland]

For sheer tenacity, BA to Andy :-)

[woofgang]

andy hughes...this may not be Theland's answer but its what is in the NT
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

[Theland]

Woolf - great answer.

[archibaldy]

// You shall love your neighbour as yourself. //

*As long as said neighbour isn't gay, does evil in the eyes of the lord, or anything nasty like that.

[Theland]

No, we are to accept our neighbour, not judge them.
Judgement is reserved for the Lord.