[arcura]

Smoked,
When I say that Christianity is a religion of attraction, I mean that Jesus did that. He attracted people to Him by what He said and did.
He set the example of how to be Christ-like.
He presented the story on how to live eternally and did so in a kind loving way.
Note that when some of His followers left Him He did not call them back or belittle them or harrass them for doing so.
It is also true that Jesus did put labels on certain people that described what they were doing. He IDENTIFIED them for what they were and for others to see them accurately.
In that way He was doing the others a favor and giving those He identified the opportunity to see themselves for what they were and change for the better.
He exposed the lying, twisting, hypocritical, bigots for what they were.
And Yes that was a part of the attraction to Him for others.
It is called being honest with though love, I believe.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Smoked]

Smoked,
When I say that Christianity is a religion of attraction, I mean that Jesus did that. He attracted people to Him by what He said and did.
He set the example of how to be Christ-like.
He presented the story on how to live eternally and did so in a kind loving way.
Note that when some of His followers left Him He did not call them back or belittle them or harrass them for doing so.
It is also true that Jesus did put labels on certain people that described what they were doing. He IDENTIFIED them for what they were and for others to see them accurately.
In that way He was doing the others a favor and giving those He identified the opportunity to see themselves for what they were and change for the better.
He exposed the lying, twisting, hypocritical, bigots for what they were.
And Yes that was a part of the attraction to Him for others.
It is called being honest with though love, I believe.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

I see what you meant now. Like I prefaced my "question/comments" I figured I was was not understanding clearly the point of your statement. Thank you for clarification. :D

[arcura]

Smoked,
You're welcome
Fred

[Galveston1]

Dear Altenweg, I guess I have fallen prey to something similar to what you describe. I have heard that "forced down my throat" comment so many times that I tend to react to it. Really didn't mean to irritate you.

[Alty]

Galveston, irritated, maybe a little, but no permanent damage done. ;)

Truce? :)

[NeedKarma]

Catholic Church says theory of evolution is compatible with the Bible

[Smoked]

Catholic Church says theory of evolution is compatible with the Bible

The catholic church holds a lot of heretical views that are not supported by the bible or Christians.

[NeedKarma]

The catholic church holds a lot of heretical views that are not supported by the bible or Christians.

I hate to break it to you but Catholics *are* Christians.

[Smoked]

I hate to break it to you, but if you follow catholic doctrine you are probably not actually a christian. Only one way to the father... Catholics hold a lot of rules, traditions, and general legalism that is not Christianity. Unfortunately people equate Christianity to this nonsense.

[NeedKarma]

That's a beautiful thought. Thank you for sharing.

[Capuchin]

I hate to break it to you, but if you follow catholic doctrine you are probably not actually a christian. Only one way to the father....Catholics hold a lot of rules, traditions, and general legalism that is not Christianity. Unfortunately people equate Christianity to this nonsense.

I thought the only prerequisite was a belief in Christ as the Son of God.

[Smoked]

I thought the only prerequisite was a belief in Christ as the Son of God.

Belief that Christ was the son of god, died on the cross for the sins of man, and was resurrected. A propitiatory act on behalf of man.

Catholicism is considered to be a "works based salvation". Which is contrary to what the bible teaches.

[Capuchin]

Belief that Christ was the son of god, died on the cross for the sins of man, and was resurrected. A propitiatory act on behalf of man.

Catholicism is considered to be a "works based salvation". Which is contrary to what the bible teaches.

But it's still Christianity, right?

[Smoked]

But it's still Christianity, right?

no..

Let me make it simple.. The previous statement I made. Add anything to that. Put any requirement beyond that and it is no longer Christianity. It would be defined as a un-biblical sect or cult.

[michealb]

I think I figured it out, the term Christian only refers to people that think like you and act properly.

For example if someone goes to a christian church every Sunday for 30 years but then kills someone. He is not a christian. He was an atheist. When he goes to jail and finds god he becomes a born again christian until he does something wrong again then he has to go to jail and become born again again.

I think I'm starting to get the christian mindset now.

[Smoked]

I think I figured it out, the term Christian only refers to people that think like you and act properly.

For example if someone goes to a christian church every Sunday for 30 years but then kills someone. He is not a christian. He was an atheist. When he goes to jail and finds god he becomes a born again christian until he does something wrong again then he has to go to jail and become born again again.

I think I'm starting to get the christian mindset now.

How did you come up with wild inference? Christianity, a true believer is defined clearly in the bible. Believe Christ is the savior, believe he died on the cross for your sins.. Jesus did this sacrifice to release man from the law (sin). Simple.

Does that mean that as a believer we have sinless perfection? By no means. BTW- the bible defines the only unforgivable sin also. Killing someone isn't it. Your example, although very ridiculous, is still wrong.

I hope people find security in what ever they believe. Just don't confuse the point. The bible defines what is and what it means to be a Christian. When a religion starts adding its own rules and regulations it would no longer be Christian (for example). Was it based on Christian beliefs? Sure, based on them but departed by their own differing views.

Catholicism for example says "You must go to church", "You must do good works", "You must", "You must...", "You must...", to get into heaven. This is just not the case. This is doctrine that they have added over the years and departs from the teaching of the bible. The bible, what "Christianity" believes to be god's inspired word and only resource to define it's religion.

I think I figured it out, the term Christian only refers to people that think like you and act properly.

The term only refers to those who believe the bible as the word of god, do not add to or subtract from that, and believe Christ is the savior, believe he died on the cross for your sins.. Jesus did this sacrifice to release man from the law (sin).

I think I'm starting to get the christian mindset now.

It is exciting to know you are actually thinking about it at all.

[Credendovidis]

Reference : Post # 109

I hate to break it to you, but if you follow catholic doctrine you are probably not actually a christian. Only one way to the father....Catholics hold a lot of rules, traditions, and general legalism that is not Christianity. Unfortunately people equate Christianity to this nonsense.

The developing threat is providing a very interesting view on Christianity.
"Smoked" turns out to be omniscient in judging others towards their religious intentions and belief experience. Within a few posts he (she?) has decimated Christianity into the second or third world religion, by declaring all Roman Catholics into some sekt of non-christians.

Out goes Final Judgment, as activist "christians" here are now deciding in their arrogant and intolerant manner who is Christian or not.
Next step is of course to dump the involved deity also in all three available versions, as our activist "christian" friends do not need these any longer in their "wisdom" and smallmindedness : they seem to believe they are omniscient themselves!!

I hate to break it to "Smoked" but may it not be that whatever "Smoked" believes is nothing more than a personal version of the Christian religion? A pure sektarian belief itself??

Next to that I thought that lines like "Unfortunately people equate Christianity to this nonsense" were not allowed on this board, as it is insulting to more than half of all Christians, and such statements are totally unnecesarry.

Has board management fallen asleep or are they silently sympathizing with similar thoughts ?

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

.

[inthebox]

I think I figured it out, the term Christian only refers to people that think like you and act properly.

For example if someone goes to a christian church every Sunday for 30 years but then kills someone. He is not a christian. He was an atheist. When he goes to jail and finds god he becomes a born again christian until he does something wrong again then he has to go to jail and become born again again.

I think I'm starting to get the christian mindset now.

No need to be born again and again, :D

Actually you can think of church as a club of acknowledged SINNERS, relying on the grace and forgiveness of God.

The adulterer in John 8 or the Samaritan in John 3 were NOT PERFECT people, it was the religious, who thought themselves as better, that saw these people as sinners. These sinners were the ones that Jesus personally talked to. Jesus said HE came for the sinners.

I do something "wrong" everyday and everyday I am not perfect or sinless. But at anytime I can confess to God and say oops, my bad, I screwed up, I was not loving or kind or patient or humble, or I lusted, or lied etc... and know I that He forgives! :D

[Galveston1]

The problem within "Christendom" is the simple fact that some accept the Bible, and some accept their tradition. There will never be a meeting of the minds. Time will prove which view is correct.

[Capuchin]

Time will prove which view is correct.

I doubt this.