Must we really hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters?

Never met a loving Christian. Mostly condemning those with wrong beliefs.

 

I am sorry to hear that. Before I was a Christian, at 25 years of age, I had a completely different experience.

 

Then again, many of the prophets including our Savior Jesus Christ and many of his followers were murdered by those who esteemed the truth offensive because it revealed their wickedness. That said, sometimes when rehearsing the truth to another, one forgets to do so with an eye single to Gods glory. And in so doing, one takes glory to ones own self instead, thereby also forgetting that it is for the love of mankind or the listener that God came. As such the speaker takes an adversarial stance, thus driving away those whom he first imagined to rescue. In truth, God is good. It is we who fall short. But that should not be laid upon our creator without remorse, nor fashioned to distort his intentions for our own self serving reasons, which in the end only results in fooling and robbing ourselves. Whether it is our Parents who say look both ways before crossing the street. Or our nations laws regarding behavior which is acceptable and un acceptable. Or the Savior who says ye must be born again. All good strictures are for the cause of love and to the glory of God. It can only be so because there is no light or love in ourselves but that which God gives us. Were it not so, the whole world would be filled with darkness and woe. And our autonomy, an exercise in vanity. Still God bears it in patience and long suffering. And while we cannot see the connection between our higher nature and our God. The very fact of the existence of our higher nature is evidentiary that the source or origin is elsewhere and eternal. Our hearts and consciences betray rationalizations and situational ethics, and put down stodgy tyranny and thrust wickedness down, that we may be free to soar like eagles and alight where we may, to make camp and worship God in truth. What is so strange to behold the hand of our design and adore the heart that moves it...from whence comes the breaking of hearts and cleaving to truth. Yes there is science in mortality. But why seek glory in death when greater is life in God?

 

Lol! That’s the typical Christian non-answer. If you were my mom you would have said that one day when I die I can ask God about it.

 

Aristotle ,This post has been on my mind and I finally decided to respond. It is apparent to me that there is a very large effort among those who would divide the Body of Christ by doing their best to discount the teachings of Paul. I am not saying neccesarily that you are among them, but those I would ask "do you also discount the teachings of James? John? How 'bout Peter?? These are three who had physical contact with Jesus while he walked the earth. Beyond them, how does anyone even know about Jesus? Jesus even gave special responsibility to Peter as he was over the 1st Church at Jerusalem. In light of this, and the fact you seem to feel you know something about Paul, I wonder if you would even consider what Peter said in his second Epistle about the subject?
2nd Peter 15-16
Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

 

Just so you know, Jesus is not my lord. I am not a Christian.

 

Yes, but you speak as though you have knowledge of the issue. Note, I do not attack you, but I acknowledge you. There are others I refuse to acknowledge. I hope you take that as a positive.

 

Good, want it clear that I do not buy into Christianity at all. I've studied some of the Bible in the original Greek. I probably have studied more theology than many Christians. So, in the end, I just don't find it very interesting or inspiring.

 

I do know many that have a pretty good intellectual understanding of the scriptures that are far from God. That alone does not cut it. There's something greater than that.
I know people that weep over those they view as lost. I personally do not draw any conclusions. I leave the weeping to God 'cause only He knows. Scripture also says "no one comes to the Lord unless the Spirit draws him." I know we all have a choice and that is given because of love. I do believe it is my own responsibility to share "truth" as that Spirit has led me. Nothing at all personal.

 

As a philosopher I share my truth. And debate those making truth claims.

 

Me? I've never met a loving Progressive. They are the ones who condemn wrong beliefs.

 

Progressives are just citizens, not representatives of a religion.

 

Beg to differ. Secular Humanism is a Philosophy as well as a religion in a ruling by the supreme court. No such thing as our thoughts and desires existing in a void. Your influence bears no more weight as does mine!

 

Where did that come from? What does "Secular Humanism" have to do with what we were discussing?

 

Progressives to a person seem to reject the idea rights come from God in favor of the idea that rights are dispensed by men/women/ government. Therefore, and you are free to disagree, They put human wisdom in place of God. Obviously, Progressives have their own "Religion" but they try to play loosey goosey with it so as to supercede those of faith! You said progressives are void of religion and I will contend they do not exist in a void.

 

I am a progressive and I believe none of what you asserted.

 

And yet, somehow, they are the most self-ighteous pricks you are likely to meet.

 

Okay.

 

Most demonstrate an unwarranted sense of superiority and are often hypocritical in my observation. The most disturbing characteristic is a total lack of critical thinking.

 

Agree. Not saying they are overtly mean, but the subtext is always condemnation.

 

Hilarious that such as story is accepted with no evidence based on anonymous hearsay accounts.

 

We are all human and the door does swing both ways. If you don't want to be hypocritical....stand for nothing! Sure, a sense of superiority is an indication of pride. "God resists the proud but gives Grace to the humble." How's that for critical thinking?? Com'on, be fair!

 

Some people often condemn themselves. Introspection is a good thing not to be confused with condemnation. If there is such a thing as "right and wrong" there is always an issue when some want to excuse the wrong.....or even embrace it. Personally I believe there is right and wrong, good and evil. Is there a problem with that?

 

Problem? No idea why you posted that in reply to mine.

 

because you said this.....

By saying that, it appears you are condemning all Christians which is the exact same as you are criticizing them of. Is that at least a little hypocritical? I only engage you because I see you as somewhat of a "critical thinker". Sometimes you might border on "bashing" but I don't see you so full of hate as so many!