This thread which started on a very positive note has turned into a hatefest.
Any points bible-only believers have scored with me in the past have been offset by their malignant hatred of anyone or anything that doesn't conform to their rigid and narrow interpretation of the scriptures.
I would never want to associate with any church who makes their "raison d'etre" hatred of another sect rather than their love for Jesus Christ.
It seems to me some Christians need to get the beam out of their asses.
As a side note, our parish did a 9 day novena that ended on mercy sunday this past Easter season. I loved it. It compelled me to go back and re-read a good portion of her diary. One would think that reading a nuns diary would be boring, but it isn't. Its actually very inspiring. =)
And yet, now more than ever in my lifetime, it seems to me to be important that we Christians reach out to one another with love and tolerance. And especially that we develop some kind of unity between us.
At a time when the gulags of the USSR are not looking so unusual, and beheadings by crazed islamics are becoming commonplace, we would do well to join hands and accept our differences. Twenty years ago I never dreamed I might have to talk to my children about dying for Christ, but today I think it is a distinct possibility.
What we all need to do is practise love for each other as Christ did for the least of those he met. If we cannot love a near stranger on the internet, how can we profess to love God? Let us remember, myself chief among those called to remember this, that Blessed are the Peacemakers.
Hatefest? Hardly. I see two groups vigorously defending their beliefs. I see no hate.