Posted on 05/31/2004 9:00:49 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
The great bulk of the populations of Europe and America need to see and hear these things, often and in forums which they are likely to view and accept them. NO, the bulk of western civilization does not believe the seriousness of the threat from radical Islam -- the bulk of western civilization still believes that if you treat anyone, no matter how radical, "fairly" they will like you and be rational with you.
I'd much rather have a first-person mouthpiece out there in the "mainstream" telling their story than a dead, silent martyr whom no one would hear of again and whose story would never be told.
My bad. My original post should have had the word "appears" in it.
Forgiving sins doesn't necessarily mean the consequences of sin will be removed. God may help soften consequences but if a christian kills someone, they still have to go to jail. King David is a perfect example. I hope I would do the right thing, but I'm not so sure.
Yeah, I think some people do see G-d as a G-d waiting to hit them with a stick. Just waiting.....
Good post.
Applause. You must have LOVE in your heart.
Who knows what Muslims will do? Their sins belong to them alone...
I read something once that I liked: If you were put on trial for being Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
I just cannot bring myself to condemn this man for what he did, in denying his faith. If I, a mere fallible human cannot fault him, how much more safe is he in Christ's infinite mercy and love! Even Christians sin, and must be forgiven, in this life.
And here he is a witness to the world of what the Muslims did, killing on the basis of religion... a lesson for us all to choose where we will stand.
I never stated that. Quit trying to put words in my mouth.
Maybe he can work on being forgiven --- but he certainly came close to eternal damnation. He threw away his faith and denied God just seconds before he might have been killed --- you have to wonder what you would do --- but you do have to keep in mind the muslims might just decide to kill you or might not believe you --- so you're going to be dead right after you gave up your faith.
Read the thread. This has already been addressed.
Ernest found the link where an article was posted about the mutilation and cutting of throats.
I know, it's the same thing I thought of.
Still --- if the Devil comes for you -- and it could easily be in the form of a Muslim, would you want to tell the Devil you've just joined his side right before he takes your life?
You know what they say about discussing religion and politics, LOL!(no offense intended, humor)
I think it important to clarify something here. The consequence of sin plays itself out in one way - death. While there are certainly temporal ramifications upon our life the penalty for sin is no less than death. God most certainly relieved us of the consequence (the true penalty of sin) by offering his own son upon the cross in our place.
Fundamental rule in reading scripture: every verse modifies the entirety of scripture and the entirety of scripture modifies every verse.
This man was tested at a point and failed but God never fails.
I do not know. I have stated on this thread several times that I would hope God would give me the strength not to fail this kind of a test.
What is with the people on this thread who can't read English these days?
The question that's not being discussed at all, though, is whether or not the guy was really ever a saved Christian to begin with, or was just raised in a home that called itself Christian. There are a lot of people in our own country that would call themselves Christians if polled, yet have never accepted Christ and are therefore hellbound.
Another interesting question: Assuming you're a Christian, what would you do? I think I would answer CHRISTIAN, but it's way easy to talk about what you'd do and way different when a gun's in your face. (I've had a loaded, cocked gun against my temple and it was nothing like it looks on TV.) As already noted, Peter denied Him three times when the heat was on.
MM
Even though I am not happy with the word "Diverse," I would never condemn anyone in here for their beliefs.
FR is full of thousands of people and we are all different. I wasn't very happy with the other poster putting words in our mouths.
It's always comforting to find someone in here of like mind, though. :)
Relax man. Take a look at my original post. I wrote,"from an Orthodox perspective..." We Orthodox believe Christ himself established the church, and thus the Nicean Creed and the canons of the ecumenical councils are to be followed because they have the authority of Christ and are tradition as handed down by the fathers of the church. Perhaps you are a Protestant and don't accept such tenets of Christianity. That's certainly your perogative; I was just posting an Orthodox perspective. Peace.
Right, I understand that. And while there may be unavoidable consequences, it does not mean you are going to hell. And we do not receive what we should according to our sins, we do receive forgiveness.
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