[bagster]

I understand what you are saying, the early Church was very strict about conversion

As long as we can discuss this without people getting personally insulted (looks at BiggRed), I'll say this.

It's my understanding that the first Roman Emporer that converted to Christianity, and ordered that Rome was now Christian, did so out of political expediency and perhaps not holy conviction.

Maybe I'm wrong about that, but it seems right.

Further, my opinion is that men are not God or Jesus. They are men, and therefore susceptible to corruption.

I think it's preferable to worship God and Jesus rather than a 'church' or other men. And isn't that the real reason the Protestants (also guilty) protested? At least that's my understanding.

There. Now I've done it. I've talked about religion, against my better judgement. Just that pedo symbol the Pope wore tripped me out.

Let the drama begin.

[christianbasque]

“I think it’s preferable to worship God and Jesus rather than a ‘church’ or other men.”
***********************************
It’s not preferable, it’s an absolute...all
men are sinners...Christians as well.
*****************************************
“Further, my opinion is that men are not God or Jesus. They are men, and therefore susceptible to corruption.”
*******************************************************
Spot on. As you said Bagster, now you’ve done it.

[Conservative Gato]

There. Now I've done it. I've talked about religion, against my better judgement. Just that pedo symbol the Pope wore tripped me out.

Yeah, I try to avoid religion discussions as well. Being Catholic, I wondered too if that symbol showed up anywhere before in the Catholic Church.

After an extensive online search for Catholic symbols, emblems, design, vestments, cloth design, triangle, I couldn't find any other instance of that symbol being used in my online search. Crazy stuff.

CCat

[pbear8]

Let the drama begin.

In case you have not noticed, I do not do drama, I stick to facts.

Constantine, in 313AD made Christianity a religio licita thus ending official persecution. What were his private beliefs? Only God knows. His mother was an interesting person though, St Helena, read about her.

Men are sinners, that belongs in breaking news for sure.

[Keflavik76]

Just a friendly note to my brother patriot bagster. If anyone is interested in the history of the early church please read the book of Acts in the New Testament. It comes after the Gospel of John and is written by Luke who happens to be the same apostle that wrote the Gospel of Luke.

[bitt]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3768273/posts?page=1

Man learns mom’s body was sold to US military for ‘blast testing’
Fox 6 ^ | 30 July 2019

[bitt]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3768252/posts

JF’nKerry et al working to screw the Prez

[bitt]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/*/index

live debate thread..

[jacquej]

I completely agree with you, Bagster, and appreciate your comments.

Politics entered into the early church from the very beginning, when it seemed advantageous to the political leaders of the time.

Anyone who has studied the horrible atrocities encapsulated in the history of religious wars will understand what you and I understand.

It is not God that causes all this turmoil and conflict, but humans who seek power and control over others, for their own ends. God is not pleased by these religious institutions and He has thwarted them throughout the centuries.

We must pray that He can do it again, but also accept His will if He is totally fed up with the mess we have made.