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To: Gengis Khan
Regardless of what Christianity or Islam actually teaches, many people can (and do) actually interpret it as a command to kill non believers and such interpreters of the word of God existed in most religions.

True, but these days, it would be very few Christians who would interpret the bible to say they should kill non-believers. For Muslims, it would be a heck of a lot more that interpret the Quran to say they should do so.

By the way I dont buy the argument that Islam teaches people to kill and Christianity does not.

Really? In this modern world you don't buy that? Wow.

Christians who carried out Inquisition, Crusades and killing of Jews and Pagans did so with a firm belief thats its their religious duty.

Yes, hundreds of years ago, and it was only one particular group of Christians that did so, not all. Two points: I will grant you that these things were done by the largest group of Christians at that time. I also believe they have since apologized for doing it.

IMO anyone who believes that not following a particular God will earn him/her hell, is only labouring under false indoctrination with no real understanding of God

And they believe you have no real understanding of God.

152 posted on 08/13/2007 10:25:36 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: MEGoody
“but these days, it would be very few Christians who would interpret the bible to say they should kill non-believers. “

Just because they have stopped killing for now does not mean ideologically they have changed. Rather Christians have figured a better way to convert. The methods may have changed however the agenda remained the same. Religions are little more then quasi political tools. And that was true in the past and is true even now.

“Really? In this modern world you don’t buy that?”

Judging from Christianity’s past ...NO.
Although in modern times their outlook has changed. ...But its the same Christian religion that was violent in the past has become relatively much more peaceful today. So how is that possible?
Again as I said its not what the religion teaches or claims to teach but what people understand from it and how they interpret it. And this could be not because of but in spite of what it teaches.

“And they believe you have no real understanding of God.”

I dont claim I do. And you too would be in for a surprise if you claim you do.

A very interesting aspect of Buddhism is that it actually says that it has very little understanding of the nature of God and it does even not attempt to answer the question about God. According to Buddhism the more important issue to address is the cause for human suffering and misery. Except for that all the abstruse transcendental metaphysics and the attempt at understanding God is futile exercise.

159 posted on 08/13/2007 11:57:18 AM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: MEGoody
I have known Indian Christians who belong to the Lesser Eastern churches, Eastern Orthodox or follow some pristine form of Christianity. They believe themselves to be Christians but think very differently form you. They dont believe that non believers will go to hell or all so-called “Christians” will get to heaven. Christianity according to them is not a free bus ride to heaven for every (and only) Christians. Western Christianity has developed a wrong understanding of the message of Bible and Jesus.

“And they believe you have no real understanding of God.”

I hope you are not saying that on behalf of all Christians. Christians come in many different shades and I dont think you represent all of them.

162 posted on 08/13/2007 12:21:23 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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