Thanks for pinging me to the thread. I really have no comment on this article, though. I have always recognized the influence of religion on society, and would agree that it generally has a positive effect.
Christianity has done a fair job of influencing society for good...at least in recent years. There have been times, however, when the influence was not so positive. Even today, we can see the remnants of those times in Northern Ireland.
Overall, though, it has provided a center of belief that has held people more or less together. I wonder, though, whether that can last. Christianity, in the past couple hundred years, has fractionated itself into a vast multitude of sects and denominations, each believing that it has the correct interpretation of Christianity.
We see this every day here on Free Republic, and even here in the Religion topic. Even though the Religion Moderator does a fine job of keeping the dissension among Christians to a low roar, I'm alarmed at the number of posts that discount one denomination or another as somehow not "true" Christianity.
It is a shame, and it is divisive. I'm sure it's not what Jesus would have taught.
For me, as an outsider, but a former believer, there is a core to Jesus' teachings that should suffice to unite all Christians. It used to, I think, mostly. These days, I am not sure.
I'm sure someone will come along now and ask me, in either a nasty or reasonable way, what right I have to even discuss Christianity, since I am an atheist. Well...I've been studying Christianity (along with other religions) all my life. It is the most successful of all modern religions, reaching worldwide. Islam is probably the second most successful.
Christians should unite, despite their differences, it seems to me. Islam has far less sectarianism in it. It is that unity that makes it such a dangerous enemy.
Please don't judge Christians and Christianity by what you see posted on FR. This forum is a self-selected group of vocal people who come to FR for reasons of their own and is in no way representative of Christianity any more than it is representative of the silent majority of conservatives.
As to Northern Ireland, are those really religious problems or a historical political fight dressed up in religous clothing for cover by people seeking power?
Were the Crusades religious violence or a response to an Islamic invasion of Europe? Was the Inquistion really a witchhunt or a response to injustices and depredations occuring in the feudal and civil courts at the time?
A great many beliefs about historical Christianity are misguided or propaganda by those who dispise the idea of a Creator God and those who worship Him.
There is a lot of unhistorical history being taught these days.
Spot on.
For me, as an outsider, but a former believer, there is a core to Jesus' teachings that should suffice to unite all Christians. It used to, I think, mostly. These days, I am not sure.
As Jesus said in John 13:35--
"A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."
You just demonstrated the contrapositive. :-)
I'm sure someone will come along now and ask me, in either a nasty or reasonable way, what right I have to even discuss Christianity, since I am an atheist. Well...I've been studying Christianity (along with other religions) all my life. It is the most successful of all modern religions, reaching worldwide. Islam is probably the second most successful.
Everyone has a right to discuss Christianity.
But there are differences between Christianity and Islam.
Jesus did not adjure his followers to kill, rape, bend, fold, staple, and mutilate; and the doctrinal attitude towards Judaism (say, Romans 11) is quite different from the saw quoted from about "Oh servant of Allah, there is a Jew hiding behind me, do thou come and kill him."
Christians should unite, despite their differences, it seems to me.
Hail and well met. Romans 14 is a good starting point.
Cheers!
Your welcome
Overall, though, it has provided a center of belief that has held people more or less together. I wonder, though, whether that can last. Christianity, in the past couple hundred years, has fractionated itself into a vast multitude of sects and denominations, each believing that it has the correct interpretation of Christianity.
Yes that true. I believe its part of the “divide and conquer” tactic that has been used against the church by satan. However in Matthew 16:18 Christ makes this statement “And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it “
So there is no danger of the body of Christ not continuing. However the divide makes the church less effective at communicating the Good News of the gospel.
We see this every day here on Free Republic, and even here in the Religion topic. Even though the Religion Moderator does a fine job of keeping the dissension among Christians to a low roar, I'm alarmed at the number of posts that discount one denomination or another as somehow not "true" Christianity....It is a shame, and it is divisive. I'm sure it's not what Jesus would have taught.
Yes. you are right. I have been guilty of that myself on occasion.
2 Timothy 2:24 “And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
Because if one believes the Scripture, Jesus was the Son of God, He died for our sins, He was buried and arose from the dead to re-establish a fellowship with the Lord, than we are all of the body of Christ, regardless of denomination. (Although I am sure you know that there are “false prophets” who promote a different Gospel. (Jer. 14:14, Ezekiel 22:28, Matt 24:11, etc.)
For me, as an outsider, but a former believer, there is a core to Jesus' teachings that should suffice to unite all Christians. It used to, I think, mostly. These days, I am not sure.
I find it interesting that you say you are a “ former believer”. James said, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." James 2: 19
So "believing" isn’t really being “saved” Unless of course you are a believer like the Heb. 6 :4-6 former believer. By being “saved’ I mean, simply having a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
I DO know that if you really did at one time have a relationship with Jesus you would NEVER turn away to deny Him. To me the really tragic thing is that you are missing out on the greatest love you will ever know