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To: Terriergal
I agree you should be able to read whatever you want. And NOT read whatever you want, without being labeled a fundamentalist like an Islamic fundamentalist. But...we also did not do the Santa thing, nor the Easter Bunny, in our house. Didn’t bother the kids not to make believe those things. There is a difference betwee reading fantasy and reading fantasy that is put forth by many as having a Christian message when it doesn’t. I wouldn’t even say LOTR is a Christian allegory, nor Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, although it seems closer.

J.K. Rowling has long described herself as Christian so I take her at her word ... I believe she is a member of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian). The tales she writes about are essentially good versus evil (the message of ALL religion) and I see no harm in the fantasy. I do, however, see harm in practically all fundamental religious philosophy as, IMO, it gave rise to the Dark Ages of history, the Inquisition, witch burnings, and modern-day lunatics such as the Reverends Ike, Phelps, Jim Jones, David Koresh, racists such as Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright and groups like Al Qaeda and Hammas. If we all had been following fundamental preaching, we would be stoning to death those committing adultery and what we believe to be blasphemy instead of the "love thy neighbor" principles of Jesus Christ.

237 posted on 03/17/2008 10:17:19 AM PDT by meandog (Please pray for future President McCain--day minus 308 and counting! Stay home and get Baraked!)
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To: meandog

Do you realize that Jesus was summing up the 10 Commandments when He said “Love the Lord God with all your heart, and soul and mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Within the 10 commandments these 10 Commandments are also summary statements, summing up all the laws given in Leviticus. One is “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

How is sleeping with your neighbor’s wife loving your neighbor, as Jesus instructed?

Jesus talked about forgiveness, but that doesn’t get rid of negative consequences for what you do. If we shouldn’t stone adulterers anymore, are you for not executing murderers? Are there no temporal or eternal consequences for sin anymore? No, there are both. Jesus said forgive. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any penalties to those that commit terrible sins.

A big reason to forgive is for your own health. Hate stops your life from moving on. You need to forgive because it will eat you up spiritually. Part of being able to forgive is knowing justice will be done, now and in the future.


253 posted on 03/17/2008 10:30:43 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man
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