...I'm still incredulous of many of the televangelists out there. I hate to say it, but there are a lot of loose cannons and "me first" charlatans. It's no wonder many don't trust the whole "Christianity" concept. Shoot, even the Scriptures relate in Matthew Chapter 7 (The Message Translation):
So long as there are people they will try to gain money immorally and way they can and through any medium- religion, politics, legal system.... It's always been that way and always will.
I am not a Christian but I do know the words attributed to Jesus where he cursed and condemned those who did not feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and prisoners, etc. Funny, nothing about gays getting married or abortion or birth control. And yet, sorry ABM, but this is the reality, when I hear someone self-identify as CHRISTIAN (as opposed to "I'm Catholic" or "I'm Methodist" or what have you) and talk about "Christian values" my immediate thought isn't soup kitchens, it's gay bashing and forced vaginal probes and "legitimate rape". Then there was "sell all that thou hast and give to the poor" - how does one justify millionaire preachers?
There are many great stories about Jesus showing this grace. One was when a mob was ready to stone a prostitute. Jesus walked in front of them and said "the man without sin cast the first stone". That scripture has etched deep into my morality. I see it at one of my life verses. There is no man or woman that has any right to judge on this planet. Only God has that right and his judgment is all can receive God. It's sad that so many Christians will turn their back on people because their lifestyle. I left a church years ago because they kicked an entire family out because their son was gay. That's not Christian, IMO.
Have you followed much about the new Pope? He is actually a refreshing champion of the poor. and instead of taking his private popemobile, he rode out with the cardinals.
No I haven't and that's really refreshing! So many years the Catholic Church have abused their power to oppress impoverished people. Now let's see if the Catholic Church will open their artifacts for the public to study.
Good on you mags. My sister once joined an Orthodox Jewish congregation, she left when they ostracized a straight couple who were cohabiting unmarried. She would have been OK with disagreeing with the other congregants if they were consistent, but she knew that single guys in the congregation were constantly hitting on the single women while condemning this couple for their relationship. As to the new pope, yes, he is rejecting extravagance. But in Argentina his concern for the poor explicitly opposed actual social changes to benefit poor and working people, instead he said they should seek spiritual riches or some such (but only if they were straight). To me it's just same meal, different sauce, defending the privileged by saying the unprivileged should pray and not change the world.
in my mind, god will punish false prophets above all others his one pet peeve, imo in the words of jesus “I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.” — Mark 3:28-29 (CEV) i have always interpreted the meaning of this as bearing false witness, saying you are speaking for the lord, when in fact you are a shitbird
and yeah "christians" that are selfish, greedy, judgemental, etc dont like to be reminded of this fact, thats why they tend to hang out with others like themselves
