I have been to many churches of many different denominations. I have been to church nearly every Sunday for over fifty years. I have yet to hear a sermon advocating violence or prescribing violence as being the will of God.
I see frequent reference to the New Testament in the replies here, but how do we reconcile the Old Testament, which clearly condones violence against non-believers. Do we say Christians have evolved and only abide by the New Testament? Is there a level of hypocrisy going on here?
As to the role of Christianity in that founding, we might remember that the same Jefferson who believed that each individual should use reason to question even the existence of God, also penned our Declaration of Independence which, he wrote, reflected "the American mind" of the time and included references to a Supreme Being in four distinct manifestations--as “Creator” and source of rights; as “Divine Providence”; as “Supreme Judge of the world”; and as the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”.
In others of Jefferson's writings, he asserted that Jesus "preached philanthropy and universal charity and benevolence," that "a system of morals is presented to us [by Jesus], which, if filled up in the style and spirit of the rich fragments he left us, would be the most perfect and sublime that has ever been taught by man."
He wrote, "His (Jesus's) moral doctrines...were more pure and perfect than those of the most correct of the philosophers...and they went far beyond both in inculcating universal philanthropy, not only to kindred and friends, to neighbors and countrymen, but to all mankind, gathering all into one family, under the bonds of love, charity, peace, common wants, and common aids," which, Jefferson said, "will evince the peculiar superiority of the system of Jesus over all others."
Comparing the Hebrew code which, according to Jefferson, "laid hold of actions only," "He [Jesus] pushed his scrutinies into the heart of man; erected his tribunal in the region of his thoughts, and purified the waters at the fountain head."
That Jefferson cut out the statements which he believed to be directly attributable to Jesus, pasted them into a little book which he kept by his bed and, by his family's words, read from them daily, might lead one to conclude that his political philosphy probably was influenced by what he considered to be the superiority of the "philosophy" of Jesus.
Jefferson's talents and abilities were legend. His devotion to individual liberty and to the ideas essential to liberty were based on simple principles, some of which, undoubtedly, came from his understanding of the basic law underlying all valid human law: do unto others as you would have them do unto you," which is an individual response to the challenge of Jesus.
Perhaps Jefferson understood that the philosophy capsulated in that idea has the power to make people in a society more individually benevolent, more loving, more caring, and more willing to take care of each other.
There is a sharp contrast between a philosophy of love and the politics which seem to motivate the radical Left which now spouts its coercive policies in our partisan politics.
Likewise, there is a sharp contrast between a philosophy which calls for individually motivated charity and benevolence and one which requires that some individuals claim some superior right to coercively take the hard earned wages of other individuals in order to "redistribute" to others of their choosing, in the name of the Gospel of Jesus.
One idea allows individual liberty: the other idea demands coercive enforcers who use the idea of "benevolence" to buy votes which allow them power over others.
What Burke, in his Speech on Conciliation..." 1775, called the colonists' "fierce spirit of liberty" is still alive in the hearts of many citizens and some still "augur misgovernment at a distance and sniff the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze." And, just as he observed then, their religion, "under a variety of denominations agreeing in nothing but in the communion of the spirit of liberty" underlies their devotion to freedom.
Politicians promising goodies and buying votes in exchange for power over other people's lives is popular political sport. Such sport should not, however, be associated nor confused with the philosophy of Jesus, however.
One major problem with Islam is that it is approximately 700 years behind Christianity in its evolution toward modernity. Even within Christendom, the last major war of religion ended as recently as 1648 (Thirty Years War). Unless the pace of cultural evolution within Islam increases unexpectedly, it will be centuries before Islam is ready to leave the Middle Ages, enter the modern world, and adopt peaceful standards of behavior.
She needs to name the last terrorist attack done “in the name of Jesus”.
Yes. Those Christians who iniate violence against the innocent are disobedient to Christ’s teachings.
Those Muslims who initiate violence against the innocent are obeying Mohamed’s teachings.
Christians resort to violence only in defense of self or others.
Muslims commit violence as Jihad.
It’s amazing how every time a Muzzy commits terror, liberals think it’s a great time to spew hate towards Christians.
Christianity “outgrew” violence long ago, except in a few pockets in Africa.
It persisted in Ireland until the end of last century, but that’s over.
The number one most violent religion responsible for most and all major wars and genocides is godless atheism. Islam is number two, all other religions are not even close to these two.
Remember Satan is the god of all people other than faithful Christians and Jews.
Say what?
Check out this website: https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Quotations_on_Islam_from_Notable_Non-Muslims
As indicated, notable non-Muslims comment on Islam.
Worth spending some time there; for example:
“William Ewart Gladstone
“William Ewart Gladstone (1809 – 1898) was a British Liberal statesman. He served as Prime Minister four separate times (1868–1874, 1880–1885, February–July 1886 and 1892–1894), more than any other person.
“Qur’an… an accursed book… So long as there is this book there will be no peace in the world.”
"Speaking after 'appreciating the congrats' on the Orlando shootings...."
BUZZZZZZZZZ----> Shameless Lie just 9 entire words into the rest of the lying meme. No need to read beyond.
"Kill the infidel wherever you find them" isn't open to interpretation, and neither are the 108 other koranic verses promoting violence against nonbelievers.