Observer-Reporter forum

Amphikalein · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject:

Do tell, abomb! i have a few of my own insights regarding the worst of the "Conservative" "Christians". Not the least of which is that they are neither conservative nor do they appear to be very familiar with the Christ.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

I think I'm going to have to sit down and formulate the argument. I'll probably start a new thread on it so as not to hijack this one. My initial post will probably be 2-3 pages worth of essay. The theory I will be trying to prove is that christians who are conservatives are hypocrites because christian ideology is altruistic in nature and the core tenants of conservatism are based in ethical egoist beliefs. So it'll be sort of a religious AND political thread.
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Amphikalein · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

For most of my adult life i have rejected Christianity, indeed all organized religion. i guess i figured that its adherents had by and large rejected me, so turnabout's fair play. It was only within the past five years that i began to tentatively explore Judaism, Christianity and atheism with more of an opening heart. For me, that led to embracing Christianity, if not the brand of the faith that usually toots its own horn.

The most startling realization i had while participating in the New Members' Course at my parish was this: Other than some very specific expressions tied to particular times, locales and cultures, Christianity is not, and never has been, characterized by uniformity of belief. From the earliest days of the church disagreement & conflict about even the most basic doctrinal questions have existed in tension.

When any person claiming the label "Christian" claims to know the mind of God, or what constitutes the "one & only" correct belief or practice, it just illustrates their own ignorance. i do not exempt myself from that statement.
_________________
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

"May we, in our dealings with all the peoples of the earth, ever speak the truth and serve justice." ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

But I think we can all agree that the core tenants of christianity are altruistic in nature. Do unto others, Love thy neighbor, etc.
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Amphikalein · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject:

ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

You and your new words Smile

It was kind of a rhetorical question...

Jesus said a bunch of stuff that would be true and make sense... even if he weren't the son of god. That's more along the lines of my point Smile

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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Amphikalein · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

PlainJane · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:

I would like to ask each one of you who rejects Christianity...who do you turn to in desperate, life threatening situations involving yourself or a loved one? What if, God forbid, your wife, husband, child, brother, sister or best friend were dying and in desperate need of a miracle? Who would you turn to if you had to watch their body deteriorate before your eyes? What if you were in an accident and were helplessly trying to hang on to life with no means to communicate for help? It is said there are no atheists in foxholes. I believe you would not be so sure there is no God if put in that situation.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

I take the advice of doctors and I cram as much logical and actionable information into my skull as humanly possible.

When my grandfather was dying of cancer, I spent as much time as I could with him, knowing that it may be the last chance I had to see him.

When my grandmother got deathly ill 3 years ago, I was with her in the ICU at southwest medical center every day. I learned everything their is to know about the kidneys and the colon... as well as just about every disease that affects them.

The superstitions of 2000 year old jews wasn't going to regulate her body chemistry... bags of potassium, sodium, and saline did. Changing her diet did. Supplementing her diet with medication and vitamins did.

If all we did was pray, she would be dead. We put our "faith" in the incredible science that man has developed... and she is alive and well today.
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Brant · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:16 am Post subject:

If I faced difficult times, I would turn to my friends and family. If it were medical, like E, I would turn to the professionals in the field. If I were trapped in a car and injured, I'm pretty sure I'd swear a lot. But in none of these instances would I turn to some "guy in the sky" of whose existence I've seen no evidence whatsoever. I might as well pray to the Easter bunny or Santa Claus. They're every bit as real to me.
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PlainJane · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

My dearest friend is in the hospital with cancer. While she is in much pain and discomfort and getting the best of what doctors and medicine has to offer, she believes in God with all her heart and that is what gets her through the days and nights. We do not know what the future holds for her on this earth, but she and I take comfort in knowing that God is with her and while praying we feel His presence even in the hospital room. No doctor or drug can can offer the peace that is felt in knowing He is there.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

Whatever helps people cope... I am glad she is getting good medical care.

Believe what you want... but make sure you take the appropriate earthly action... much better than people who refuse medical care for their children under the belief that God will cure them
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