[Basheva]

First let me say - I am not a Christian - I am a Jew.

But, next let me say, that events like this grieve me. I don't like to see Christians who repudiate, deny, or water down their faith. I don't like to see churches in trouble, like the Catholic Church with the recent scandals.

Our civilization - our Judeo/Christian civilization - needs Christians to be strong in their faith, strong in their belief and united in their defense of that faith. We need one another.

Together, Christians and Jews, albeit with many stumbles along the way - have created a worthy civilization, a means for people to govern themselves through representative republics (often mistakenly called democracies), through self-imposed justice rather than the king's justice, and with peaceful transition of power every few years.

These are fantastic accomplishments. And, it is all being tested and threatened by an alien religious ethic that believes in none of the above. Islam preaches precisely the opposite.

Just at a time when our faith and resolve are being tested by the "other" - our own house is not strong, even crumbling. The churches of Europe are empty, the mosques are full.

To defend our house, we need strong faith.

[ConservativeDude]

outstanding post

[shrinkermd]

Yes, Basheva a good post. Thank you.

[Recon Dad]

Bravo!

[Dudoight]

Basheva, your rational thinking impresses me. As a Christian, I am with you!

[Stashiu]

Hear, hear, Basheva!

I am a long inactive Lutheran just getting back into circulation once again. I prefer the liturgical church as it provides a connection to our past that is the underpinnings of our present and future.

IMHO, the main line churches have strayed into side issues instead of stressing faith and spiritual development. The core issues of faith are important. How we live our lives and treat our fellow man and ourselves are certainly important, but should come from the inside out. In a sense, our lives ideally reflect our inner life.

Many of my social views might be viewed as having theologically liberal underpinnings (although that would be mistaken), but, again, these are distractions from the spiritual life. In the spirit of Martin Luther, I question theologies, but in the Zen tradition, I recognize that these are man's attempts to intellectualize the spiritual.

I am opposed to gay 'marriage' in my church, because it is not traditional. I believe it also to be a human distraction from the divine. Gay, not gay? I'll let God sort that out.

I think that the singleness of purpose, the core beliefs of the church, is what needs to be focused on. As humans, we can interpret what that means for us to live our lives. As usual, it is always subject to human error.

The gospel of Jesus is always relevant. The gospel about Jesus is always a temptation to succumb to the mundane.

As we have balkanized this country, we have balkanized our churches, while arguing about the number of saints to fit on the head of a pin on any number of social issues. This is a distraction. We are under assault by a death cult intent on our demise.

Stashiu.... an antique Lutheran, been there, done that, still praying (I stole that!).

[rochester_veteran]

Basheva,

This Roman Catholic and many others that I know, stand with you and our Jewish brothers and sisters! I agree with you that together, we have created a worthy and I must add, free civilization. We are all being tested and are living in trying times. The Jewish people are included in my daily prayers. We must stand together!

[rlmorel]

A very well worded and thought out post, Basheva.

[LibreOuMort]

I agree completely, Basheva. Thank you for speaking out to us. Christianity, like Judaism, is under attack and must be defended. The situation in Europe is disheartening, to say the least. I recently visited the church in Paris where my great grandfather was baptized. While the church was full of visitors, when Mass began few people lingered to participate. A few "regulars" (about 35 or so) occupied the front rows of chairs. It was a moving experience for me in many ways, but what affected me most was the emptiness of the Madeleine and the other churches I visited in Paris. They tell me that Evangelical Christianity is "growing" over there, but I saw no evidence of that, nor was there ven a trace of Christian values in public life. Alas, France! Perhaps Europe is paying the price for the sins of its missionaries?

[Empireoftheatom48]

Right on my friend!

[mel]

I liked your post also