Posted on 07/12/2006 10:43:24 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Forget about traditional morality—Christianity should focus on eradicating poverty, protecting the environment and ending the war in Iraq, according to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Bob Edgar.
“Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion,” said Dr. Edgar to CBS News at a recent gathering of liberal Christian leaders in Washington.
The gathering was the latest effort by the “religious left” to gain back some of the political power the group enjoyed during the 60’s and early 70’s. 30 years ago liberal religious leaders used their political influence to lead demonstrations against social injustices such as civil rights abuses and the Vietnam War. Once those issues left the spotlight, liberal Christianity lost focus and faded to the background.
Now, liberal Christian leaders are attempting to stage a return to power, targeting young voters and concentrating on increasing childcare funding and raising the minimum wage. The group wants to build a strong voter base to counter what it calls the “ground game” of the Christian right—the powerful voting block of traditional Christians that has significant influence on the country’s politics.
Finding a unifying message that will allow the group to achieve political clout has been a struggle, observers have said. The New York Times reported in May on an earlier meeting by liberal Christian activists in Washington, a brainstorming session concentrating on identifying the group’s goals.
During a session on ethical sexual behavior, the meeting bypassed discussion of concrete issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Instead, Rev. Ama Zenya of First Congregational Church in Oakland, California, directed the gathering to discuss their spiritual values and “to practice fully our authentic being,” reported the Times.
The results of the gathering were disappointing, said liberal Baptist minister Rev. Tony Campolo, who once acted as spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton, and attended the conference.
“We didn’t get on the same page with everyone, and it is about getting on the same page. The thing about the left is that they want everybody to feel good.”
Dr. Edgar, who has been general secretary of the NCC since 2000, was applauded by homosexual activist organizations shortly after his election for withdrawing his signature from an ecumenical statement in defence of traditional marriage, “A Christian Declaration on Marriage.”
Dr. Edgar also apologized to members of the homosexual community for originally endorsing the document, which was co-signed by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the National Association of Evangelicals.
Another pick and chooser, never mind the fact that Chrisitanity relies on the entire bible and not just the portions that discuss when Jesus was alive.
Sickening.
The Eastern Orthodox believe in apostolic tradition, which most certainly does have something to say about sexual morality. Are they still going to support the National Council of Churches?
Jesus never said anything about cannibalism either, what's their point?
I can't; I have to assume that many of Jehovah's laws are so profoundly immoral by today's standards that Jesus can not and would not condone them.
That explains a LOT...
The reason he never spoke about any of these topics is that they were so against thousands of years of Jewish tradition and teachings that there was no need to discuss them.
As was the case in most Christian religions' traditions until late in the 20th century.
There is not the slightest implication in the original text that forcible intercourse is at issue.
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." (Romans 1:1 RSV)
OK, sure.
I will say that Paul's words are the hardest to believe.
In moments of doubt I can envision a clever and brilliant man, working for the Roman authorities who, I hope, was contacted by God and then created the modern church. I hope he has not led the world astray.
I say this not to damage the Church(as if I could), but because I believe the worst in people sometimes, and it is easier to have faith in God than in man.
NAS Hebrew Lexicon H8610 taphas H8610 taphas a prim. root; to lay hold of, wield Usage: arrested(2), capture(2), captured(8), caught(5), grasp(1), grasps(1), handle(4), handled(1), hold(1), lay hold(1), lays hold(1), occupy(1), overlaid(1), play(1), profane(1), seize(5), seized(13), seizes(1), surely be captured(1), take(3), taken over(1), took(3), took hold(3), wielding(1), wields(1).
We can see in Judges here that the word for rape is different from the Deut 22:28
NASB with Strong's Numbers Judges 19:25 25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and brought her out to them; and they raped H3045 her and abused her all night until morning, then let her go at the approach of dawn.
NAS Hebrew Lexicon H3045 yada H3045 yada a prim. root; to know Usage: ability(1), acknowledge(4), acknowledged(2), acquaintances(5), acquainted(1), aware(6), becomes known(1), bring forth(1), cared(1), chosen(2), clearly understand(2), cohabit(1), comprehend(1), concern(2), concerned(1), consider(3), declare(1), detected(1), directed(1), discern(2), disciplined(1), discovered(3), distinguish(1), endowed(3), experienced(4), experiences(1), familiar friend(1), find(5), found(1), gain(1), had knowledge(1), had relations(6), had...relations(1), has(1), has regard(1), has...knowledge(1), have(4), have relations(3), have...knowledge(2), ignorant*(1), illiterate*(1), indeed learn(1), inform(1), informed(4), instruct(3), instructed(1), intimate friends(1), investigate(2), knew(38), know(542), know for certain(4), know with certainty(1), know assuredly(1), know well(1), knowing(5), knowledge(4), known(65), knows(54), knows well(1), lain*(1), leading(1), learn(7), learned(1), literate*(1), made himself known(2), made it known(1), made myself known(2), made known(10), make himself known(1), make his known(1), make it known(1), make my known(1), make myself known(4), make them known(1), make your known(1), make yourself known(1), make known(14), notice(2), observe(2), perceive(1), perceived(1), possibly know(1), predict(1), professional mourners(1), provided(1), raped(1), read*(1), realize(1), realized(5), recognize(2), recognized(1), regard(1), satisfied*(1), seems(1), show(3), shown(1), skillful(3), sure(1), take knowledge(1), take note(1), take notice(1), taught(2), teach(6), tell(3), tells(1), took notice(1), unaware*(1), unawares*(1), understand(10), understands(1), understood(3), unknown*(1), very well know(1), well aware(1).
Judaism recognized the need for divorce. Where it differs with Christianity in its avoidance of an impossible ideal and the need to live life in accodance with God's will...
"Judaism recognized the need for divorce."
So did Jesus.
"Where it differs with Christianity in its avoidance of an impossible ideal and the need to live life in accodance with God's will."
You seem to be missing the original intent. One man, one woman was God's will. An adulterous relationship? No. That was NOT God's will.
Up until the last 50 years ago in the USA, especially since "no fault" divorce has been implemented, continued faithful marraige relationships "until death do us part" was assumed. It was NOT the "impossible ideal" as you say. Nowadays, people are brainwashed by the liberals to think it is.
Let God be true and every man a liar.
"I'm not a Christian, but I do have a question. Which old laws not longer applied after Christ and which ones still do? Any resources on this? I've always been curious about this aspect of Christianity."
The laws that Jesus made reference to. Example: When asked what is the greated law? Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,....Love your neighbor as yourself." Matt. 22:37-39. You might say that is only two. What about the other eight? If you recall, the first 3 commandments are about God. The other 7 commandments are about relationship to fellow men.
I have never heard anyone make that claim before.
But even should I concede your point, what about the genocide?
What about instructing the army to keep virgin girls as spoils of war? What about being required to marry rdead brother's wife? What about slavery.
Jehovah's laws are full of things which we will rightly reject today.
LOL!
I used TNIV but again this verse is just one of many.
Jehovah's laws were very often evil by today's standards.
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