Episcopalians refuse affirmation of Christ

Virtue Online ^ | June 20, 2006 | Hans Zeiger

[MountainMenace]

COLUMBUS, OHIO (6/20/06)-The House of Deputies of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church today overwhelmingly refused to even consider a resolution that affirmed Jesus Christ as the "only name by which any person may be saved."

[OmahaFields]

What list of sins? Or "sins"? What do you consider, from your religious perspective, to be a "sinner"? SD

Generally, that which creates some substantial, unjustified harm to my fellow man.

[OmahaFields]

What religious tradition are you?

Christion (Southern Baptist), now Independent married to a Buddhist.

[AnAmericanMother]

If you took that bet, you'd probably lose . . . I'm no spring chicken.

But I can't think of an organized Christian religion (and the Episcopalians don't count any more) that doesn't agree with the Biblical injunction that we are all sinners.

[Blessed]

>Generally, that which creates some substantial, unjustified harm to my fellow man.<

No sin = no need for a savior = God is a Liar

[SoothingDave]

Generally, that which creates some substantial, unjustified harm to my fellow man.

And you believe that you create no "substantial" harm? Or only the justified kind?

What is "substantial"? Who defines it? And how can you know the degree of harm you cause to others?

SD

[OmahaFields]

If you took that bet, you'd probably lose . . . I'm no spring chicken.

Ok, how many years have you spent living in Buddhist and Hindu cultures?

[OmahaFields]

Apparently you have serious issues with the death penalty and self-defense.

[OmahaFields]

No sin = no need for a savior = God is a Liar

No. Man is the liar.

[tioga]

But the good news is that all the deck chairs were arranged properly.

But, but what about bike paths?

[Blessed]

>No. Man is the liar.,

Is lieing a sin?

[Blessed]

>No. Man is the liar.,

Is lieing a sin?

[OmahaFields]

But I can't think of an organized Christian religion (and the Episcopalians don't count any more) that doesn't agree with the Biblical injunction that we are all sinners.

It doesn't follow that God would make us all sinners.

[OmahaFields]

Is lieing a sin?

If it results in substantial, unjustified harm.

[AnAmericanMother]

A good friend of mine is a Christian convert from Hinduism. I don't count any Buddhists among my friends or acquaintances (other than a couple of crunchy granola types who like the "idea" of Buddhism but don't know much about it and are really Unitarians in search of meaning). On the other hand, my late father in law made a close study of Buddhism (he taught a World Religions class for 20 years or so) and we have had some wide-ranging discussions. Outside view of course, but very detailed.

On still another hand, a long-time friend (since about 1977) is a Third Degree Wiccan Priestess . . . < top that! < wink > >

I will point out that there is a real cultural and social difficulty with someone raised in Western society truly integrating with an Eastern religion. On some levels it's virtually impossible (my Hindu friend has some pretty sharp words for the hippie types who showed up in India following the latest guru . . . and for those gurus themselves.)

[AnAmericanMother]

God does not MAKE us sinners.

We're quite capable of doing that on our own.

( . . . you know, free will, original sin, that stuff. . . )

[OmahaFields]

I think I won the "bet".

[AnAmericanMother]

"More years with more religious backgrounds" is rather vague. Doesn't Wicca count? And how about Unitarians and Quakers? Or American Indians, or Haitian voudon? (I lived in Haiti for a number of years and have also lived out West.)

You may think Eastern religions are more important, more virtuous, or more exotic . . . but that doesn't necessarily make it true.

[SoothingDave]

Apparently you have serious issues with the death penalty and self-defense.

Did you post this on the wrong thread? We were talking about sin and what makes one a sinner.

SD

[OmahaFields]

And you believe that you create no "substantial" harm? Or only the justified kind? What is "substantial"? Who defines it? And how can you know the degree of harm you cause to others?

Apparently you have serious issues with the death penalty and self-defense.

Did you post this on the wrong thread? We were talking about sin and what makes one a sinner.

No.

[SoothingDave]

If you don't want to answer, then don't bother posting. If you want to have a conversation, then explain how you got from me asking you what you think is "substantial" harm, to me being against the death penalty.

Non sequiturs followed by coyness is not a winning strategy.

SD