Freethought & Rationalism Archive

happyboy · 04-02-2003, 05:39 AM

the only difference is, atheism isn't based off delusionary sky faeries.

happyboy

HelenM · 04-02-2003, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by emotional
Maybe not explicitly, but the fact that the heretic is hellbound gives implicit permission to treat him badly.

Why?

I don't see the believers I know acting as if it does.

Quote:

And even if you avoid the implications of the passages about hell, the NT explicitly tells believers to be separate from unbelievers (the "unequally yoked" stuff).

'Don't be unequally yoked' is not the same as being separate. Being yoked signifies being forced to go in the same direction. A believer doesn't have to be separate from nonbelievers to avoid going in the same direction as them; he/she just has to be careful not to put themself in situations where he/she is forced to go against what he/she believes is right.

Quote:

The scriptures of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, taken at face value, foster separation and hatred between human beings. If one is liberal, one could reject those parts of scripture that encourage polarity; but the fundamentalist has no choice, so this is why liberalism is harmless while fundamentalism is harmful.

Christians don't regard their situation living among nonbelievers the same way as the Jews who were encouraged to be separate as a nation. The Jews were a[n earthly] nation; they are not.

On the contrary, Christians are encouraged to be 'salt and light', according to what the gospels have as the words of Jesus. That's impossible if they separate themselves. That implies being among nonbelievers.

I can't speak for Islam because I know little about it.

Helen

emotional · 04-02-2003, 06:06 AM

This fundy preacher thinks separation is a Biblical, God-mandated command. And he cites scripture to support that view.

HelenM · 04-02-2003, 06:12 AM

emotional I grant that some conservative Christians emphasize separation more than others.

In fact one thing that sets 'fundamentalist' Christians apart from other Bible-believing Christians (using 'fundamentalist' as it is used by Christians, to denote a specific historical movement within conservative Christianity) is that they are very separatist.

Not all conservative Christians are separatists. And anyway the Internet is a good place to find the most extreme, crazy versions of anything

Helen

beth · 04-02-2003, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HelenM
emotional I grant that some conservative Christians emphasize separation more than others.

In fact one thing that sets 'fundamentalist' Christians apart from other Bible-believing Christians (using 'fundamentalist' as it is used by Christians, to denote a specific historical movement within conservative Christianity) is that they are very separatist.

This is very true. Even in my church, which is a mix of liberalism with fundism(yes, it's possible), it is frowned upon to separate yourself from the world. It is thought that it is acceptable to be with all levels of sinners as long as you aren't led into temptation.

Quote:

Not all conservative Christians are separatists. And anyway the Internet is a good place to find the most extreme, crazy versions of anything

heh heh

The Other Michael · 04-02-2003, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blondegoddess
There are some really good Christians out there who truly have a loving heart and they practice their faith in love. The best woman I know is a Christian. She put up with me and gave me guidance when I had none. She was a devout Church of Christ woman, but saw in her Bible a message of love and humility and servitude. She always had injured animals that she was nursing. She took care of the sick and infirmed elderly. This is an example of goodness coming out of religion. I never heard one bad thing toward another person come out of her mouth. This is what I think a true Christian should be. If more Christians were like her, this world would be a better place.

What do you think the chances are that she'd be that way even if she wasn't a Christian?

Though some of them act like it, I don't think that Christians have cornered the market on being good and caring humans.

cheers,
Michael

happyboy · 04-02-2003, 07:30 AM

yeah

i'm a big believer that the "kind and loving and gentle" christians would be kind and loving and gentle regardless of their beliefs in a God or gods. christianity is full of shit.....but some christians are loving and tolerant folk, despite the atrocities their God has supposedly commited.

happyboy

Enlighten Me · 04-02-2003, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blondegoddess
There are some really good Christians out there who truly have a loving heart and they practice their faith in love. The best woman I know is a Christian. She put up with me and gave me guidance when I had none. She was a devout Church of Christ woman, but saw in her Bible a message of love and humility and servitude. She always had injured animals that she was nursing. She took care of the sick and infirmed elderly. This is an example of goodness coming out of religion. I never heard one bad thing toward another person come out of her mouth. This is what I think a true Christian should be. If more Christians were like her, this world would be a better place.

This woman would probably have lived out a life of servitude and humility even if she had not had the hook of Christianity
on which to hang her hat....

emotional · 04-02-2003, 07:36 AM

Diabolo est advocatus: but had she been a bad person, it would be because of her Christianity, wouldn't it?

beth · 04-02-2003, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Other Michael
What do you think the chances are that she'd be that way even if she wasn't a Christian?

Though some of them act like it, I don't think that Christians have cornered the market on being good and caring humans.

cheers,
Michael

I am sure it is in her nature. My point was, just because someone is a Christian, it does not mean they are bad people. There are some really good people who happen to be Christians and their faith only encourages strengthens their goodness.

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04-02-2003, 05:39 AM	#21
happyboy Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the border between here and there, WV Posts: 373	the only difference is, atheism isn't based off delusionary sky faeries. happyboy

04-02-2003, 06:06 AM	#23
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	This fundy preacher thinks separation is a Biblical, God-mandated command. And he cites scripture to support that view.

04-02-2003, 06:12 AM	#24
HelenM Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ill Posts: 6,577	emotional I grant that some conservative Christians emphasize separation more than others. In fact one thing that sets 'fundamentalist' Christians apart from other Bible-believing Christians (using 'fundamentalist' as it is used by Christians, to denote a specific historical movement within conservative Christianity) is that they are very separatist. Not all conservative Christians are separatists. And anyway the Internet is a good place to find the most extreme, crazy versions of anything Helen

04-02-2003, 07:30 AM	#27
happyboy Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the border between here and there, WV Posts: 373	yeah i'm a big believer that the "kind and loving and gentle" christians would be kind and loving and gentle regardless of their beliefs in a God or gods. christianity is full of shit.....but some christians are loving and tolerant folk, despite the atrocities their God has supposedly commited. happyboy

04-02-2003, 07:36 AM	#29
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	Diabolo est advocatus: but had she been a bad person, it would be because of her Christianity, wouldn't it?

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