You are free to criticize, preach, disagree with, or say whatever you want to to any of your fellow FReepers as long as it's not profane, of course! In response to your post, a few scriptures come to mind to me too (I can look up the exact quotes and citations if you need them)..."Judge not, lest ye be judged"..."Now we see as in a mirror, dimly"..."I give you a new commandment"..."the time is not yours to know" (referring to the coming of the Kingdom of God)..."In my Father's house, there are many mansions"...
My point is, people who should be more or less on the same side should not waste time arguing amongst themselves about personal individual religious beliefs when the country is going to "Heck" (as you would say) in a handbasket!
This thread was originally in "breaking news/activism", which is how I wound up here in the first place...by mistake, clearly, and I will be more careful in future!
Any one that's handy.
NIV mostly, because it is quite readable.
KJV when remembering the beauty of the English language (and the way I studied it LONG ago.)
(I can look up the exact quotes and citations if you need them)
This must be the favorite verse of those who do n ot want their doctrine looked at too closely.
I'm QUITE sure you are aware of the OTHER verse that speak of judging; right?
But maybe their are some lurkers who are NOT familiar with them.
So...
Judge NOT???Sigh............
Jesus has commanded us to judge!
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?... And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?... Do you not know that we shall judge angels?... How much more, things that pertain to this life?.. If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge ? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).
Many commands of God require the exercise of righteous judgment.
“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
“And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14,15).
“Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself” (2 Timothy 6:2b-5).
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18).
All these commands require the careful exercise of righteousness judgment. Do not be deceived by smooth words and flattering speech. Beware of wolves who come to you with a sheep’s skin.
We must be careful not to make unqualified judgments. But we must judge appropriately when commanded to do so.
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24).
The same POLITICAL side, perhaps; but a great gulf fixed in another.
I worry about souls going to HELL and NOT in a handbasket.
When 'personal religious beliefs' amount to HERESY of Christianity; I damrn sure will be speaking up about it!