(April 27, 2017 at 11:41 pm)Kernel Sohcahtoa Wrote: SteveII, regarding the op, and based on my experience at Abilene Christian University, I'm aware that NT Christians feel a special oneness and connection with their god, which feels absolutely true and objective to them; it is a part of who they are (IMO, like a nerve), as knowing that they are a part of a broader reality of love keeps them connected with their god for eternity.
Now, with all due respect, are NT Christians willing to share the world with people who think differently (different sense-making processes), and are they open/willing to see their particular beliefs as a viewpoint among many viewpoints that does not have the same meaning/validity for out-groups as it does for them? Hence, when putting your deity's love into practice, is there room for accepting peoples' differences and acknowledging the validity of other starting points? Thanks for your patience and understanding throughout this thread, SteveII.
NT Christians should be willing to share the world with other:
Quote:Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I respect everyone's beliefs and how they may have arrived at them, but there is a huge difference between respect and agreeing their beliefs are true. Christianity clearly makes a claim of exclusivity and there is no room for pluralistic thinking.
