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If it were truly Christianity it could not be forced. I would propose you are referring to something more accurately described as politically selfish dogmatism

by gboone 4y ago

If it were truly Christianity it could not be forced. I would propose you are referring to something more accurately described as politically selfish dogmatism made possible by the current state of the culture's biblical illiteracy mixed with people's general need to resolve their identity crisis. I'm an American Christ-follower with a degree in biblical theology. In my view, there is a "brand of Christianity" that has nothing to do with following Christ. It's borrowed the name but not much else.

madspindel 4y ago
Amen. Reminded me about the Regensburg lecture: > The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God", he says, "is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably (σὺν λόγω) is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death..."
feet 4y ago
Well the people who are extremist are representing your views and none of these 'real' Christians seem to be speaking out against them It's only reasonable to assume that due to inaction, the ideas are supported
- gboone 4y ago
  You are missing the point that they are not. It is more reasonable to assume that one has heard what one has listened to.
  - feet 4y ago
    Yes, I must have missed all the Christian leaders coming out against the extremists in the media and in online communities I can't hear what isn't there. The extremists have been taking over the political parties and nobody has said or done anything. If you claim otherwise, perhaps you can inform me with citations It doesn't matter if you think they don't represent your views. The extremists are the ones in media constantly, they're the ones in the public eye. They're representing Christianity to the public at large. That is the important point
    - madspindel 4y ago
      There is no thing as Christian leaders. God is one. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2023&version=NIV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2023&ve...
      - vkou 4y ago
        We're dealing with earthly matters, here, not heavenly ones. God may be in charge in the metaphysical sense, but particular individuals are in charge in the physical sense. Heads of churches, pastors, the pope, directors of Christian schools, all sound to me like Christian leaders. They all have an incredible amount of influence over the laymen. Many of them have been, and continue to be actively involved in bringing us to the current state of affairs. Many others are deafeningly silent on the matter. Some of that silence is principled (in the apolitical sense), but much of it is also opportunistic.
      - gboone 4y ago
        I happen to disagree with this. The only real Christian leaders are those who are following Christ. In all authority, authority is granted. Leadership is essential, and Christians are warned to be on the lookout for wolves among the sheep. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A28%2D30&version=NIV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A28%...
        madspindel 4y ago
        English is not my native language but to me a Christian is a _follower_ of Christ. Christ is the leader. Edit: > “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
      - sofixa 4y ago
        I know a few people like the Pope, or any of the ~15 Patriarchs who might disagree with this.
beebeepka 4y ago
Preacher, some of us have tried reading the fascist piece of fiction known as the old testament. There's is no christianity brand that is not compromised exclusively of hypocrites. You follow a book that literally tells us certain people should rule us all.
- acdha 4y ago
  I’m an atheist but this argument is weak: Christianity explicitly breaks with the Old Testament and Christians of the non-fascist persuasion would non-unreasonably say that the problem is the people who are trying to make laws based on their religion (which Jesus explicitly told his followers not to do) and especially based on the superseded Israelite law.

by gboone 4y ago

madspindel 4y ago

Amen. Reminded me about the Regensburg lecture: > The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God", he says, "is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably (σὺν λόγω) is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death..."

feet 4y ago

Well the people who are extremist are representing your views and none of these 'real' Christians seem to be speaking out against them It's only reasonable to assume that due to inaction, the ideas are supported

gboone 4y ago
You are missing the point that they are not. It is more reasonable to assume that one has heard what one has listened to.
- feet 4y ago
  Yes, I must have missed all the Christian leaders coming out against the extremists in the media and in online communities I can't hear what isn't there. The extremists have been taking over the political parties and nobody has said or done anything. If you claim otherwise, perhaps you can inform me with citations It doesn't matter if you think they don't represent your views. The extremists are the ones in media constantly, they're the ones in the public eye. They're representing Christianity to the public at large. That is the important point
  - madspindel 4y ago
    There is no thing as Christian leaders. God is one. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2023&version=NIV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2023&ve...
    - vkou 4y ago
      We're dealing with earthly matters, here, not heavenly ones. God may be in charge in the metaphysical sense, but particular individuals are in charge in the physical sense. Heads of churches, pastors, the pope, directors of Christian schools, all sound to me like Christian leaders. They all have an incredible amount of influence over the laymen. Many of them have been, and continue to be actively involved in bringing us to the current state of affairs. Many others are deafeningly silent on the matter. Some of that silence is principled (in the apolitical sense), but much of it is also opportunistic.
    - gboone 4y ago
      I happen to disagree with this. The only real Christian leaders are those who are following Christ. In all authority, authority is granted. Leadership is essential, and Christians are warned to be on the lookout for wolves among the sheep. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A28%2D30&version=NIV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A28%...
      - madspindel 4y ago
        English is not my native language but to me a Christian is a _follower_ of Christ. Christ is the leader. Edit: > “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
    - sofixa 4y ago
      I know a few people like the Pope, or any of the ~15 Patriarchs who might disagree with this.

beebeepka 4y ago

Preacher, some of us have tried reading the fascist piece of fiction known as the old testament. There's is no christianity brand that is not compromised exclusively of hypocrites. You follow a book that literally tells us certain people should rule us all.

acdha 4y ago
I’m an atheist but this argument is weak: Christianity explicitly breaks with the Old Testament and Christians of the non-fascist persuasion would non-unreasonably say that the problem is the people who are trying to make laws based on their religion (which Jesus explicitly told his followers not to do) and especially based on the superseded Israelite law.