Posted on 07/12/2006 10:43:24 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Forget about traditional morality—Christianity should focus on eradicating poverty, protecting the environment and ending the war in Iraq, according to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Bob Edgar.
“Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion,” said Dr. Edgar to CBS News at a recent gathering of liberal Christian leaders in Washington.
The gathering was the latest effort by the “religious left” to gain back some of the political power the group enjoyed during the 60’s and early 70’s. 30 years ago liberal religious leaders used their political influence to lead demonstrations against social injustices such as civil rights abuses and the Vietnam War. Once those issues left the spotlight, liberal Christianity lost focus and faded to the background.
Now, liberal Christian leaders are attempting to stage a return to power, targeting young voters and concentrating on increasing childcare funding and raising the minimum wage. The group wants to build a strong voter base to counter what it calls the “ground game” of the Christian right—the powerful voting block of traditional Christians that has significant influence on the country’s politics.
Finding a unifying message that will allow the group to achieve political clout has been a struggle, observers have said. The New York Times reported in May on an earlier meeting by liberal Christian activists in Washington, a brainstorming session concentrating on identifying the group’s goals.
During a session on ethical sexual behavior, the meeting bypassed discussion of concrete issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Instead, Rev. Ama Zenya of First Congregational Church in Oakland, California, directed the gathering to discuss their spiritual values and “to practice fully our authentic being,” reported the Times.
The results of the gathering were disappointing, said liberal Baptist minister Rev. Tony Campolo, who once acted as spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton, and attended the conference.
“We didn’t get on the same page with everyone, and it is about getting on the same page. The thing about the left is that they want everybody to feel good.”
Dr. Edgar, who has been general secretary of the NCC since 2000, was applauded by homosexual activist organizations shortly after his election for withdrawing his signature from an ecumenical statement in defence of traditional marriage, “A Christian Declaration on Marriage.”
Dr. Edgar also apologized to members of the homosexual community for originally endorsing the document, which was co-signed by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the National Association of Evangelicals.
Lead up to the abomination of desolation.
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
Matthew 18
1 The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
1 18:1-5pp — Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,Mt 19:14; 1Pe 2:2 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.S Mt 3:2 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.S Mk 9:35 4 Mt 19:14; 1Pe 2:2
5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.Mt 10:40 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,S Mt 5:29 it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.Mk 9:42Lk 17:2 6 Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48; 17:2
Can I have this fool at the National Council of Chruches job? Or someone at least send the dolt a Bible, pronto.
My God, have they gone that far?
"He never said anything about protecting the environment, either"
That is only because he didn't like to brag. Jesus did his part in protecting the environment by driving a Honda. But he didn't like to talk about it:
"For I did not speak of my own Accord…" - John 12:49
The Supreme Soviet of the former Soviet Union was to the right of this bunch.
If those NCC people are Christians, then I'm a Martian.
First, no one can say definitely that Jesus never spoke on a specific topic, they can only say that no record of such an utterance exists.
Second, in the New Testament Jesus insisted on standards of sexual behavior that preclude homosexuality and which he specifically characterizes as more stringent than the behavioral requirements of the Torah - and we know exactly what the Torah has to say about homosexuality.
Third, Jesus specifically declares in the New Testament that marriage is between one man and woman.
Fourth, Jesus specifically enjoins treatment of children that precludes abortion.
Fifth, the New Testament makes the illicitness of sodomy and the nature of marriage quite explicit.
ACLU, where are you guys complaining about separation of church & state?
The portions of the Law specifically identified and explained in thge New Testament, particularly Romans, Galatians and Hebrews.
For example, Hebrews states that we no longer sacrifice lambs, etc as a covering for sin, because Jesus was sacrificed once and for all.
Every part of the Law which no longer binds us as Christians is addressed as such.
Oh agreed. And they shame the gospel.
I have been looking throughout the NT and cannot find where Jesus talks about global warming or eliminating poverty or same sex marriage. Perhaps it is in code. Was the Sermon on the Mount really about post modern western secular morals and values? No doubt. That must be it.
I mean, this is grade school-level logic, and he's so hot to say that statement on C!B!S! National TV!!! that he doesn't even think for three seconds about its complete worthlessness.
I am being very serious in this response:
Nobody knows the true answer to your question. This is why Christians are charged to search the scriptures and learn for themselves how they are to live. It is also why there are so many denominations and libraries full of books arguing 8 million sides of the issue.
Each denomination has a different answer.
As a general rule, dietary rules and ceremonial practices proscribed in the Old Testament are not followed by most Christians.
Jesus said "OBEY THE LAWS" what else is there to say?
The laws are really specific if one reads the books and laws he was talking about. Those laws were given to man by G-d. And we were told to follow them or suffer the consequences. And I am not talking about the laws that have been altered by someone’s translation like "Thou Shalt Not Kill” which was never a law. The law was "Thou shalt not commit Murder” Some of these so-called Christians need to read the laws as passed from G-d to the prophets and to Moses.
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
The woman at the well was guilty of adultery, which violated civil and sacred marraige, and Christ told her she was wrong, and to "go and sin no more." And "Thou Shalt Not Murder" seems pretty straightforward to me.
All of God's laws still apply, God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
What does not apply is Jewish ceremonial law, animal sacrificies, etc. The purpose of those laws was to point towards Jesus as the Messiah. Once that was done, their purpose was fullfilled and they no longer apply.
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