Good Christians

[Minimalist]

Always wise to recall Steven Weinberg's observation:

“Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things.
But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.”
― Steven Weinberg

[SteveII]

Chapter and verse?

Matthew 10:5

And I'll save you some embarrassment – it is not out of context.

Boru

Jesus was talking to the 12 disciples about a finite mission that they went out and did and came back. Try Acts 9, specifically verse 15.

[account_inactive]

I know virtually all threads here turn into a debate or go off topic rather quickly.

I'll just say that I think these threads from Bella are awesome.  

Most atheists immediately take religion in a bad light and that's the type of press we automatically give it.

It's a breath of fresh air for something positive to be posted occasionally.

Thanks for the effort, Bella.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate that.

[Edwardo Piet]

I know virtually all threads here turn into a debate or go off topic rather quickly.

I'll just say that I think these threads from Bella are awesome.  

Most atheists immediately take religion in a bad light and that's the type of press we automatically give it.

It's a breath of fresh air for something positive to be posted occasionally.

Thanks for the effort, Bella.

Dear Beccs,

I may be drunk,

But I am speaking in spite or even perhaps because of that, from the heart,

And I just want to say that,

I love it when you are sweet like this. That's so sweet.

Thanks.

Much love from,

That creepy lame dude obsessed with mayo.

[Anomalocaris]

For the first couple of centuries, Christians were very serious about peace. One of the problems they presented for the Romans was that legionnaires the converted would refuse to fight. I can't help but admire the discipline of their nonviolent resistance to the Romans. Essentially overcoming Rome seems to be a testament to their will, although that victory changed the character of the religion considerably. Religious purity is the first thing to go when it becomes entwined with government. Still, that commitment to nonviolence keeps popping up: the Albigensians, the Quakers, and others.

Do not confuse obstinacy resulting from deep stupidity and profound delusion with will and discipline.   Any totally lobotomized vegetable would have the will and discipline to act as if brain dead. Real will and discipline is when you do what you deem right without any delusion about an infinite reward awaiting you for doing it.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Matthew 10:5

And I'll save you some embarrassment – it is not out of context.

Boru

Jesus was talking to the 12 disciples about a finite mission that they went out and did and came back. Try Acts 9, specifically verse 15.

It doesn't help your case, as Acts contradicts Paul's own account of his conversion (Galatians). But that's as may be. You can't get round the fact that the disciples were to preach only to the 'lost sheep of Israel'. Your point is further weakened by 2 Corinthians, in which the followers of Christ are instructed to not have interactions with unbelievers ('be ye separate and touch no unclean thing'); by this time, an 'unbeliever' (from the POV of that well-known lunatic Paul, at least) was anyone who wasn't a Christian.

You're sinking, lad. Paddle faster.

Boru

[SteveII]

Jesus was talking to the 12 disciples about a finite mission that they went out and did and came back. Try Acts 9, specifically verse 15.

It doesn't help your case, as Acts contradicts Paul's own account of his conversion (Galatians).  But that's as may be.  You can't get round the fact that the disciples were to preach only to the 'lost sheep of Israel'.  Your point is further weakened by 2 Corinthians, in which the followers of Christ are instructed to not have interactions with unbelievers ('be ye separate and touch no unclean thing'); by this time, an 'unbeliever' (from the POV of that well-known lunatic Paul, at least) was anyone who wasn't a Christian.

You're sinking, lad.  Paddle faster.

Boru

Taking verses out of context will prove nothing. There are NO contradictions on this subject. No one has ever believed the way you are suggesting the instructions are given. 

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

[Jesster]

I know virtually all threads here turn into a debate or go off topic rather quickly.

I'll just say that I think these threads from Bella are awesome.  

Most atheists immediately take religion in a bad light and that's the type of press we automatically give it.

It's a breath of fresh air for something positive to be posted occasionally.

Thanks for the effort, Bella.

I agree. I'd really like to see more positive thoughts around here. All the negativity has made it hard for me to even want to post anywhere. This was a good move, Bella. I'll add some posts with what you had in mind if I find anything instead of adding to the debate.

[Mister Agenda]

One of the problems they presented for the Romans was that legionnaires the converted would refuse to fight.

Mythology.  The Western Roman Empire lasted a century after jesusism became the state religion and 150 years after it was 'legalized' by the Edict of Milan.  They would have had  no trouble getting the legionaries to fight except Constantine had done away with the legion system.  Prior to the Edict of Milan it is estimated that no more than 5% of the population was xtian and even those were broken down into numerous sects all of which competed with each other far more than the pagans.

And the Eastern Roman Empire was xtian for a thousand years before it fell and was seemingly always fighting someone for that time.

By the time Christianity was legalized, it no longer seemed to have a problem with violence. I'm referring to the time when it was a small minority, still illegal, and Roman legionnaires converting to Christianity was rare. That Christianity became violent once it was no longer a persecuted minority religion was my point.

[Edwardo Piet]

#iamdrunk

Beccs, I hope you know that every time you kudos me it practically gives me an orgasm.