Vampyroteuthis

How does christianity account for the people living in mesoamerica during the time the bible was written? Where the early American peoples excluded from the omnipotent god or does it make more sense to assume that since no one from that time period knew of their existence they were not included. What I'm getting at is if everyone is supposed to be converted to christianity are those early peoples considered to be hell bound or what? Has anyone ever heard someone from the "otherside" attempt to address this issue at all? I'm sure this topic has been covered before but I'm new. : )

Aimee

Thor Q. Mada

Well you see these people were not the "chosen" people.
It goes like this:
You make yourself a god who then promptly appoints you as his chosen people. (a bit like the US now).
This god then promises you then a promised land.

I guess the Mesoamericans didn't follow the correct procedure.

Toto

Some Christians think the Native Americans are the lost tribes of Israel. Or is that the Mormons?

Vinnie

Welcome to the board Aimee.

The anthology or collection of books known as the "Bible" was probably written over a span of a thousand years (at least) by many different authors. Through many of those years Christianity did not exist so you have to make your question a little bit more specific.

If you believe explicit knowledge of and intellectual faith in Jesus is required to save one from going to a place of eternal fire, darkness and torture then yes. If not, no.

On a side note, I don't think Moses ever uttered the sinners prayer or converted to the non-existent religion known as Christianity during his time. Abraham probably didn't either and with all those animals he had to tend on the ark, it is unlikely Noah had the time to ponder the merits of Christianity either. Lot was probably busy fending off his drunken daughters and Solomon had too many concubines to be bothered by anything else.

Of course, Christians usually don't think Moses, Noah, Bob, Abraham et al are roasting in hell. Then again Christians have varying views on hell. Welcome to post-printing press Christianity--the land where private-individualistic interpretations abound. Of course its been a mixed blessing as Borg tells us:

"Positively, it has resulted in a democratization of Christianity. No longer are the riches of the Bible known only to an educated elite. But it has also had negative consequences. It has made possible individualistic interpretation of the Bible; and that, coupled with the elevated status given to the Bible by the protestant Reformation, has led to the fragmentation of Christianity into a multitude of denominations and sectarian movements, each grounded in different interpretations of the Bible."

Or maybe it went like this:

God made a world (from a big nebula) and people (through evolution of course).
Then God appointed some people as his special chosen people.
Then God led them to the secular web....er the land of milk and honey. I get the dates mixed up. Its years later that they were led to the sec web to witness

Vinnie

[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: ilgwamh ]</p>

HelenM

Bob???

What Bible version are you reading, Vinnie?

Vorkosigan

But it has also had negative consequences. It has made possible individualistic interpretation of the Bible; and that, coupled with the elevated status given to the Bible by the protestant Reformation, has led to the fragmentation of Christianity into a multitude of denominations and sectarian movements, each grounded in different interpretations of the Bible."

Borg obviously thinks this is (a) recent and (b) negative. It is neither. Prior to the Reformation, we had the Catholic Church, the various Orthodox Churchs, the Eastern Churches, the Coptic Church, the Indian Church, the Nestorians.....probably dozens of others I haven't thought about, including the heretical movements like the Bogomils, the Cathars....the only difference is that today "difference" is accepted and nobody gets killed.

And what's bad about it? Does Borg really think that a single authoritarian institution is a loving solution to human problems? And how does he think such an institution will enforce its authority? By loving kindness?

Vorkosigan

Wasatch

The Book of Mormon is about a group that left Jerusalem about 600 BC came to the west side of South America formed a huge nation that flourished until about 400 AD. The remnants of which are the North and South America Indians.
Oh, and Jesus Christ appeared on the American Continent shortly after his crucifixion.

Wasatch

Vinnie

""""Borg obviously thinks this is (a) recent and (b) negative."""

Umm, maybe you missed the part of the quote where Borg said: "But it has also had negative consequences" which means there are positive aspects to it as was mentioned.

And the printing-press and Protestant Reformation were cleary "late"! And by individualistic interpretation I take it that it means everyone now has a copy of the Bible in their house and can read it. Back in the day literacy was lower and it was probably hard getting books or at least harder than it was in the post-printing press era.

I think Borg would argue that the differeneces are greater. After all, aren't there said to be over 30,000 Christian denominations today?

Probably not. I did not get that impression from his words. Nor was that impression given in the book as far as I can recall.

Vinnie

Vinnie

Aint you never heard of the VIN (Vinnie's International Version)?

How be you, anyways?

HelenM

I be fine!

But what about Bob? That's what I want to know!

And how be you?

take care
Helen