Acceptance of Christianity

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

I'd lke to point something obvious here (and in scripture) that hides in plane sight. For a Christian, Jesus is the way. For non-Christians, their path is a different one, though not neccessarily the wrong one for them.

According to Scripture, those who accept Jesus, are ransomed the instant they do. Jesus didn't force anyone to follow Him, He invited...

To ransom, means to pay for. A faithful Christian believes his/her life is paid for, right now, not at judgement time at the end.

Also according to (Christian) scripture, those who are not Christian will stand in judgement at the end, and the books will be opened to see if their name is in the book of life or not. No where does scripture state that those who do not accept Jesus are damned to hell, just they'll have to go through a process that faithful Christians do not, and they may end up being on the short end of the stick.
Q

Thank you for that perspective. I'm finding a lot of meaning and truth in what you say. I find it wondrous that Jesus gave us this amazing gift of his love and self-sacrifice, and we can choose to cling to it, which results in a change in us... a desire to follow him and his teachings. Not that eternal life is an exclusive club for Christians, but rather that taking Jesus as our Savior helps us immeasurably in our path toward eternal life.

[Bandit]

this is not an attack & i dont believe these things but it appears to me to be the main issues here & what some would like to claim.

1. Take out the virgin birth
2. Dethrone Jesus from the throne of God & remove him from the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
3. Take out Jesus is the way, the truth and the life & that we do not have to go via Jesus.
4. Remove Paul & most of his writings from the bible & any parts that some do not like.
5. Remove the blood & name of Jesus & his sacrifice for the remission of sins for mankind.

6. Remove all the commandments except for the first two.
7. Take out death, disobedience, hell, a place called heaven the grave & evil & a literal Satan.
8. Remove Jesus as Messiah & Savior because John asked if Jesus is the one & Jesus did not give a straight answer I am the one.
9. Remove the creation story & the book of Revelations.
10. Replace with the gnostic gospels.

these are some of the main issues that have gone round & round here at CR.

Is there anything else that should be removed in order to make it tolerant & acceptable for other religions & other beliefs.

[brucegdc]

Bandit - the issues here are not tolerance from the "others" towards Christians... it's more the other way around - self-identified "Christians" who demand that the only truth is the version they spout, and abusing others who believe differently. I'm sure if we hang around here long enough we'll get the same from each religious group... we just had a run with two in this class.... I'm sure we'll get a different proseletyzing "my way's the only one" flavor next week... until then, keep your faith, I'll keep mine, and maybe by discussion we can all learn .. both between and across the "big" groupings...

[Quahom1]

Interesting point, which makes me recall the history of Christian missionaries, and the success they have had through out the world.

Had theirs been a "my way or the highway" attitude, there might not be two billion professing Christians in the world today.

hmmm

v/r

Q

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by brucegdc

Bandit - the issues here are not tolerance from the "others" towards Christians... it's more the other way around - self-identified "Christians" who demand that the only truth is the version they spout, and abusing others who believe differently. I'm sure if we hang around here long enough we'll get the same from each religious group... we just had a run with two in this class.... I'm sure we'll get a different proseletyzing "my way's the only one" flavor next week... until then, keep your faith, I'll keep mine, and maybe by discussion we can all learn .. both between and across the "big" groupings...

yes Bruce you are correct. Though I see a big difference in tolerance & acceptance, questions & discussion & being 'challenged' to try & prove someone wrong in order to 'remove' beliefs.
i do not challenge or question others repeatedly for there beliefs.
thank you for allowing me to keep my faith & identity in the Lord Jesus.

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards all, especially to Bruce and Bandit!

Thank you Bruce, you beat me to the punch.

What I have to say now is spoken as a friend, to a friend. Bandit, please understand, I did not do what I did because of someone's beliefs, I did it because of the way he was coming across to others. At no time have I stifled anyone's beliefs here, on any board or thread, and I've participated on most of them at one time or another. Since Brian asked me to mod, I have felt it best to sit back and watch here for the most part. You do hear me chime in from time to time. But if what you said were true, I would have stifled conversation long ago. I don't think that is Brian's intention. Nor is it mine.

Yes, it might seem I have allowed some to run amok, or pretty close to it. My intent was to get everybody thinking and talking. With someone like Star I put up with her hoping everybody else would provide thoughtful replies, and for the most part it seemed to work, except when she got a little, well, weird. Yes, you end up repeating yourself a lot, and you end up defending your beliefs a lot, but I have too ever since I have been here. Some things I seem to end up repeating so often I get tired of it, just like you. But I have always felt welcome, and I want to continue that for everybody.

I have never intentionally cast doubt on your faith, or anybody's here. I have defended Christians in the past from disrespect from others, just as I will defend others from disrespect by Christians. At no time have any of the points you mentioned been called into judgement by me in my moderating, and so far as I know not by any other mod either, and I really don't think they would intentionally do so. Even so, this is a very diverse community. Some, not all, Christians are not so tolerant of other beliefs. That is all I have ever asked of anybody here is tolerance and respect. You are free to believe as you wish. There will be those who will discuss your beliefs with you, and may even disagree, that is the nature of conversation. As long as that conversation is respectful, and I have always found you to be respectful, then that is the whole point and purpose of this place. When things become disrespectful, that is when I have to do the job Brian asked me to do.

I do not like that I had to do what I did. I get no thrill from it. I have gone out of my way not to abuse the privilege Brian has given me, maybe too far at times. I would rather not mod enough than mod too much. But this last guy was openly disrespectful not only here but on other boards as well. I gave him every opportunity, and I made it open for all to see. He just didn't get it, even after I spelled it out very plainly. I will not accept intolerance from anybody, towards anybody, on my watch. As long as disagreements are respectful, that is tolerant and acceptable. Because someone is allowed to disagree with you does not mean your views are being cast aside, it allows you an opportunity to discuss your views. Then we all can learn from discussions like that.

[Bandit]

oh JT3 . you are wonderful. i know that (he) was not easy for you.. i dont think it was easy for anyone.
it is not you or any of the moderators. I feel all the mods do a great fair job here. I have tried to give them praise & honor. I have been a mod before at car clubs online & i know how hard it is to do at times...especially with the nitros racers who think they can beat everyone on the street because they have the best, coolest fastest ride...you know what i mean.


i know we all can get out of line at times especially if we feel we are being forced to defend or give up something that we love. i do appreciate CR. i say this because i know that i do have a certain belief that is not accepted by 99% of the Christians out there but I have been accepted for it here & i do remember that with others. it does get hard when someone wants to challenge or force someone else on many issues & i dont like that.

i regret that i will be away from here a lot for the summer, because i will miss out on some good things. You know, I even miss Star at times..the divine divine, divine head pincher.(tease)

we are all people & like Faithful saID, it would be boring if everyone was exactly the same (& yet we are), what can i say.

Chime In Juantoo3. I like your chimes...reminds me of fresh warm summer breeze. (find any new bones to examine lately )

& like truthseeker said, Plant the seed, water it, & let Jesus give the increase.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Faithfulservant

I have a good question that came up in a pm from a good friend.

Why is it that every belief in Christianity is accepted except that Jesus is the only way and the inerrancy of the bible? Even on this forum they both are disregarded at times as legitimate beliefs and looked on as intolerance or unacceptable. This troubles me and I would like to discuss it.

Faithful Servant

Issues of whether someone is conservative or liberal in their approach to Christianity simply isn't an issue from an administrative point of view - my aim has always been to allow a broad platform from which such views can be accepted and discussed.

Tolerance on CR is simply about accepting that other people can have different opinions, and that they are entitled to them, even if disagreed with.

The problem arises when someone sees CR as their personal preaching box - they do not simply wish to share and discuss their views, but also insist that other people hold them or be damned.

If someone wishes to woo the sheep gently then that's not a problem - but bashing other members on the head can be.

Hope that helps.

[Faithfulservant]

LOL Brian.. its like that even in real world society. I didnt understand what jt3's post was about now that I have had time to reread knowledge's post I can see he was just on the borderline of telling people to accept Christ or be doomed to hell.. I have a serious problem with people who do that and they undo everything that sincere Spirit filled Christians have accomplished in teaching the message of Christ.

I would be fine if this thread were closed since it was started on false premises. I also think everyone was eloquent in regards to what is acceptable and not acceptable.

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by Faithfulservant

I can see he was just on the borderline of telling people to accept Christ or be doomed to hell.. I have a serious problem with people who do that and they undo everything that sincere Spirit filled Christians have accomplished in teaching the message of Christ.

I completely agree. I honestly don't mind that many Christians believe in the inerrancy of the Bible and that Jesus is the only way. I just mind being told that I do not know Jesus, that he isn't my Savior, that I don't read my Bible, or that I'm headed for hell. To me, that just isn't productive or loving. It's hurtful and divisive. Even if I disagree with some things, and present an alternate interpretation, I still completely accept that others believe differently and I don't question their love of God or that they are Christians. I do not believe they are going to hell, nor would I ever tell them that.

I sincerely hope that my posts do not offend people who disagree with them. I am honestly not trying to convince others into believing differently than they do. But because my beliefs are outside the mainstream of Christianity quite frequently, I feel that it is a good idea that I outline where I got those beliefs from (scriptures, etc.) so that people don't just think I'm some random person posting on the wrong board who doesn't follow Jesus or read the Bible. I especially feel the necessity of defending my beliefs when I am being evangelized to, when I already believe in Jesus. As any of you would understand, it is upsetting to deeply love Jesus and be told by strangers that you don't even know him.

I wanted to say, too, Bandit- that you and I's discussion on one of the threads last week was a great example (I thought) of a very tolerant response, even though you and I have lots of different beliefs. After I said why I believed the way I did, you respectfully said you believed otherwise, but did not question my validity as a follower of Christ, nor did you imply that I didn't put any effort into my beliefs. I really appreciated that. I do not think any of the beliefs you stated above should be removed from posts. You have every right to state your beliefs and the reasons why you believe them. And I find it helpful and interesting to have those insights.

[Quahom1]

Hmmm,

I guess a good rule here would be: When pointing a finger at another, there are three fingers pointing back at the pointer (the thumb abstains of course...the noncommital B******)

v/r

Q

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Faithfulservant

I would be fine if this thread were closed since it was started on false premises. I also think everyone was eloquent in regards to what is acceptable and not acceptable.

No problem - I'm not against people asking about the forums - but rather than close it, I'll move it to Feedback.

[I, Brian]

EDIT: An interesting discussion on Gnosticism and Paul developed on this thread, but I've now split that to continue on the Mysticism board here:
http://www.comparative-religion.com/...ead.php?t=2591

And with that, I'll close this thread as it's purpose has been served - though if anyone wishes to raise additional questions about CR and its policies, feel free to ask.

[Conscience]

Originally Posted by Knowledge

The reason why people dont want to believe that Jesus is the ONLY way to God, is because it comes off as intolerant, and even mean. It basically says that no matter what Religion you are, if you dont have Jesus, you dont have God. But, is the saying true? Well, Jesus himself said that he is the ONLY way, and he showed why. He alone, died, and paid the price of our sins. No one else did that, because no one else could.

I believe the Lord!

I agree with you. Its funny, I saw that someone said that people like knowledge gets them mad. To be honest, its not people like knowledge, but the message that knowledge brought. This by the way, is the message that Jesus taught! This goes right to the heart of the matter. Jesus said that the world hates him because he is the truth.

For all those that dont believe in Jesus as the ONLY way, have you reconized how the world hates him? Wait a little while longer, you'll see, the world will hate Christians. The will hate them to the point of killing them? Why? Because the Christian's beliefs says that Jesus alone is the ONLY right way. And, thinking like that, will put a hault to what secular minded peopele are trying to do, which is achieve world peace.

This is just my personal beliefs. PLEASE dont kick me off your site!

[Ciel]

Conscience,
I understood this thread was closed, though it appears to still be accepting final renditions. As your post is here I feel the need to answer. In peace grows love and compassion and acceptance that all are as they are unto themselves.In the love of God we are not here to fuel the fire of hatred. In God's love there is only love and understanding, to walk or not to walk with Jesus, god granted us choice. Peace is the love of God to walk in his understanding. And many are the ways and byways to walk with God, all as equal, for it was God who paved the way.