(July 26, 2011 at 7:55 pm)Rhythm Wrote: Are the myriad disagreements in modern christianity all red herrings? Why is that? You could always WIKI the number if you like Statler..(I know I did. lol)
If they don't have anything to do with the shooter's actions and the topic at hand then yes they are red herrings.
(July 26, 2011 at 7:56 pm)Shell B Wrote: Oh, yes. I did read it. You said that he would have been going against the teachings of his religion, implying that he was not a "real Christian." I responded accordinglyI was not implying those people were not real Christians, I was implying they were going against the teachings of their religion, which they were.
(July 26, 2011 at 7:56 pm)Shell B Wrote: I said a police officer, not a fraud. The analogy is, a man is working as a police officer. He is employed as such, legitimately. He kills someone out of anger. Does that mean he was never a police officer? Quit dodging
I agree that would not make the guy no longer a police officer (even though he’d probably lose his job and no longer be one); however you are begging the question, your analogy assumes the person is a police officer to begin with. That’s the very question we are discussing, how do we know this guy was a Christian to begin with?
I think a better analogy would be something that is defined by beliefs and actions much like Christianity is, not an occupation like a police officer. So let’s say someone claims to be a conservative republican. However, after claiming this, the person comes out and says they are pro-choice, anti-gun, support big government and social welfare, supports higher taxes, support affirmative action, and votes for liberal democrats. Is this person really a conservative republican? Of course not, their actions and ideology is completely contrary to the ideology that is conservatism. So that is all I am saying, the shooter may have claimed to be a Christian, but his actions and beliefs seem to prove he was not one.
(July 26, 2011 at 7:56 pm)Shell B Wrote: Let's say he is a christian and there is a god (this is a hypothetical, don't give me shit about it later. I am not agnostic.). Then, let's say god told him to do it. That it was god's will. You have no way of knowing this, so why inject what is essentially your opinion when you can't know god's plan?
I would know that he was lying because one of the core teachings of Christianity is that God’s revelation has ceased, so if he had claimed that God had revealed something to him he would be taking a position that was anti-Christian. You are confusing God’s decreed will and His efficacious will, we can know His decreed will because it is taught to us in scripture, it is this will we are not supposed to violate. Nobody is even able to violate His efficacious will because it is everything that comes to pass.
(July 26, 2011 at 7:56 pm)Shell B Wrote: According to the book you get that supposed legal will from, god has ordered men to kill other men, women and children. So, it is obvious that it is possible, according to your beliefs, that god ordered this man to do what he did. Of course, he is making no such claim to my knowledge, but I can't understand why you do not see the contradiction here. God says, kill all these assholes and steal whoever is left and then Christians say, "God wants us to love each other." What the fuck? Are you really surprised that people argue against that sort of belief system?
Sure I can see why people can be confused. God’s ordering of Israel to rage war was just that, a direct order to Israel. God is no longer revealing Himself that way to man since we are now living in the New Covenant, so anyone who says God revealed something to them is mistaken or being deceptive.
(July 26, 2011 at 8:00 pm)Judas BentHer Wrote: Oh I understand perfectly well that you selectively read and interpret your Bible in such a way as you can bear to think it's verses are not racist, sexist, homophobic, bigoted and elitist.
Christians can't even find peace among their own, due to the sectarian conflict and bias that cleaves the alleged teachings of the Christ apart. And amid all those groups claiming each one is the only "true" faith, they all hold one thing in common. They all imagine they're "Biblical Christians". Which they are, as they represent even in their infighting racism, sexism, homophobia, bigotry and deep seated pride, that one of the 7 deadly sins.
First of all you obviously do not understand what Christian denominationalism means, none of them claim to be the only “true” faith, they just disagree on doctrinal issues or church government issues but they all agree on Christian dogma.
Secondly, the 7 deadly sins never appear in the Bible.
Lastly, given your worldview, why would all of those things (racism etc) be morally wrong? Please be specific because I am interested to hear how you determine wrong from right. Thanks.