Monkfellow
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EDIT: Whoa, “Viral” is disorientating. Well, before we go jumping into arguments with Kurt or making sass, please read the comments section. In addition, I urge all people not acquainted with hermeneutics and theology to please look into these fields of study. All parts of the Bible are -not- created equal. As Christians, Jesus takes precedent over anything written before or since, especially those things which seem to negate a co-suffering, forgiving and “God-as-a-human” Messiah. Additionally, the canon we’re familiar with was shaped by thousands of years of history, with thousands of different movements and influences within and without the religion. Please, please, please fellow Imgurians - study! And bless you all, friends and enemies alike.
lawideas
To be fair, like 8 of the 10 commandments are laws no one disagrees with. Like "don't kill people" and "don't steal shit"
ElbowDeepinaTinyOctopus
1. Jealous god. 2. still jealous god. 3. wild guess. 4. Holy day is holy. The rest are decent enough, I suppose.
lawideas
I guess adultery isn't illegal, though it is frowned upon socially.
ElbowDeepinaTinyOctopus
Coveting your neighbor's shit also isn't illegal (though, again, frowned-upon).
BelleBlackOcean
I love Jesus!
WaltherWater
as usual, it's the radicals who lost sight of the way that take the forefront by being the loudest
LasciviousHedgehog
YETTAGAIN
Blessed are the pizzamakers
Emracruel
Thank fuck there was a life of Biran reference in the first few comments. I would have had to give up on Imgur if there wasn't.
MantisTobagganMD
Well obviously it's not meant to be taken literally; it refers to any manufacturer of dairy products
Nahmy
I think he's referring to dairy producers in general.
Brunitski
Ohh. Blessed are the meek. That’s nice, I’m glad they’re getting something.
xiaodown
They have a hell of a time!
modalnode
shut it, big nose.
vagimite
Where are you two from? Nose city?
mindolluin
"If you call me big nose one more time, I'll take you to the cleaners!"
modalnode
"What Jesus fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem" I think Reg would do quite well in modern politics...
tekkblade
Ten Commandments are Yahweh, not Moses.
Monkfellow
“Which of these is the greatest?” He was asked. “Love God and, like it, love your neighbor,” was his response.
AIComments
I have a neighbor that seriously has the ten commandments posted in his yard. I wave when he's out doing yardwork on Saturday.
curtan309
Don't forget the oft forgotten 11th commandment: Do not eat of the banana, for it is the penis of the Lord.
CitizenDickbag
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen
gaaaaalavant
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23-26
CitizenDickbag
"by others." Matthew 6:5
Attaroo
Before that it specifically talks about not letting people know when you are giving to the poor, because it's not about your glorification
Attaroo
It specifically says if you blow trumpets to get attention for generosity you are going to hell. Matthew 6:1-4
Monkfellow
Amen.
Monkfellow
Are we thinking of Westboro and the lot?
CitizenDickbag
Why go as radical as Westboro? Televangelists, "National Prayer Breakfast," etc. Showing off praying is mainstream in the U.S.
SerialChillinSpree
Good point. I hate to say it though but spreading the news is most effective by a vast communication channel. Something is off by Joel et al
IAmASprinkler
I would say there is a difference between collective prayer, and self-promotional prayer though.
Monkfellow
I agree.
bawdeepinsheep
not just praying;what about anthem singing+flag flying?Most countries don't feel the need to do that as much as usa does.Over compensating?
Thornaxe
Not even those people. Assholes who slap a cross on their vehicle are in this group even.
78Hamster
Old testament = Israelites, New testament = Christian. Not every Israelite is a Jew but every Jew is a Israelite.
DoctorSpaceDog
daily reminder that kurt vonnegut didn't think skin had moisture
SerialChillinSpree
Which lead him to moisturize, a lot? Not a bad thing though we know.
jursamaj
Source?
DoctorSpaceDog
i'm just shitting on cat's cradle because ice-9
sowillo
Clearly has never been to Ireland
losersarethenewwinners
I love how people pick and choose which parts of the Christian faith they want to follow
SerialChillinSpree
Denominations
losersarethenewwinners
Yup, bout sums it up
snarflex
What other consequence of "sola scriptura" could there be? It's a license to invent your own religion.
chinarider1
That's the point of individualized religion. It's possible to not believe all of the bible is true, but see it has some valuable wisdom
losersarethenewwinners
That is how I personally view it. I don’t believe the stories are true, but believe they hold a lot of moral values.
barnwolf
I feel like this unfairly categorizes all christian's, this is entirely different from my personal experiences growing up in the church.
barnwolf
There are definitely some outspoken "Christians" but, protestants are very independent and don't really acknowledge hierarchical authority.
Monkfellow
We acknowledge gurus, as the Hindus do. Evangelicals have Francis Chan and J. Piper. Anabaptists, Menno Simon. Open theists, Greg Boyd. Etc.
Monkfellow
I am a Christian here, talking about other Christians.
barnwolf
Ah, ya I guess you weren't talking about all Christians. I got overly defensive.
Monkfellow
It’s ok!
Scaramucci
If Jesus was in USA today he'd shit all over Republicans. And they'd have branded him a filthy communist and crucify him all over again.
Monkfellow
Well, Jesus was executed by priests and politicians.
bearfilm
Just like many non christians quote the old testament and forget that Jesus came to CHANGE the Old to the New.
kanashimi444
I'm an atheist, but this is ridiculous. They want to because the 10 Commandments are laws. "The meek shall inherit the Earth" isn't.
Monkfellow
Most Christians view Jesus’ exhortations as equivalent to God speaking directly. Thereby, laying things straight for the practitioner.
Monkfellow
Law by the way, in Hebrew, means “instruction/teachings,” More likely you will find that Jesus’ entire life is viewed as Law.
kanashimi444
That's all well and good, but abstract concepts like a lot of Jesus' teachings are difficult to codify into laws.
Attaroo
Jesus says pay your taxes, don't let anyone know you give to the poor, and take care of the sick and hungry. Somehow this becomes don't
Attaroo
let taxes go to the poor, sick or hungry in America.
SerialChillinSpree
Medicaid, charitable hospitals, WIC, EBT, Comm Kitchens, Disability, shelters, benevolent orgs, lowest unemployment currently...
cslewisck
There is a big difference between individual responsibility, and mandating that the government fulfill that function.
ITalkAboutGoats
And Jesus said "Let not your taxes go to the hungry, so that you can decide, personally, if someone is worthy of help, or scorn."
ElbowDeepinaTinyOctopus
"wage-slaves, obey your masters."
cslewisck
It’s a pretty big assumption to say that if you don’t support certain government expenditures it’s because you have scorn for those people.
ITalkAboutGoats
If the government expenditures are keeping people healthy, safe, and alive and you oppose that, it's hard to imagine otherwise.
Monkfellow
True, but Jesus makes it all personal. So as we might say, any form of government ought to administer with the Beatitudes as guidepost.
cslewisck
Jesus does make morality personal (not that it wasn’t before) but he also makes very clear distinctions between the corporate actions of
cslewisck
Jews connecting their church and state, and the reality of the Gentiles living in secular governmental societies. If anything, Jesus’ rebuke
Monkfellow
As I replied to another, trying to separate religious from non-religious sentiment in a public capacity is tricky. What qualifies either?
IThinkYouGotAFineBrainJack
I think it helped that the Ten Commandments appeared in a few Hollywood films before.
DreadPierateRoberts
The 15 commandments
cmdrcat
Buckbeak1486
That was Mel Brooks' History of the World Part 1, right? Sometimes, Mel's and Monty Python's humour styles are similar.
Kyrorayne
You're correct
VelvetCorgi
So good enough for America, then.
jaminjimmyjames
Funny enough, a lot of the stone commandment statues were part of the movie's promotion stunts.
jaminjimmyjames
http://variety.com/2005/film/news/set-in-stone-by-demille-1117918905/
darkness1970
"Say you're the Metatron, and everyone stares at you blankly. Mention something from a Charleston Heston film and everyone's a theology sch
ImFrank
Yea, what was that one with Charlton Heston. All about Moses and the Commandments and stuff? Darn, it’s on the top of my tongue..
Kyrorayne
Also the flaming bush and plagues
ColostomyBrag
Burning bush. Flaming bush is an STD
GearSol
Are you sure it's not another term for fire crotch?
ThatsMySecretCapImAlwaysHorny
Creeping Death by Metallica
Hamncheezsandwich
What's that have to do with posting on buildings?
IThinkYouGotAFineBrainJack
It made the Commandments feel like an all important cornerstone of Christianity, that people tend to forget the as important smaller bits.
godIhatepickingdumbusernames
Yes.
Hamncheezsandwich
While I agree with your comment, attributing modern American dogma to a symptom of this very dogma is misguided. Power corrupts.
kibos
The commandments in front of courts were originally a publicity stunt to get people to watch the movie
Hamncheezsandwich
I don't believe Vonnegut was thinking that specifically when he wrote "Cold Turkey." He was speaking in terms of the American power-drunk.
OmnibusLatinName
Or one of the most widely sold books on the planet :) I think you're right though, any little bit helps.
godIhatepickingdumbusernames
Yeah, the Beatitudes are in there too, just in the New Testament. You know, the Christian part.
morelikeconsham
I think his point is that the ten commandments are more prominent than the beautitudes for this reason.
Maboroshi1994
Widely sold does not mean widely read.
OmnibusLatinName
Lol. Like the difference between knowing and believing :)
TiroDvD
It's because Mosaic Law is a huge milestone of Western civil law. The Code of Hamurabi, the 12 Tables, and Codex Justinianus would (1)
TiroDvD
be included if they were more commonly known and foundational to United States Law. As is they have reliefs int he Capital Building (2)
TiroDvD
List of Reliefs https://www.aoc.gov/art/relief-portrait-plaques-lawgivers/about-relief-portrait-plaques-lawgivers
Monkfellow
Thank you for the even-tempered contribution brother.
VariousGoatNoises
Monkfellow
Tacocatisapalindrom
Regardless of where you stand on this, news flash: Ten commandments didn't come from Moses....
CaliforniaBear55
Take these 15...oops, (drops a tablet) 10 commandments...
Scuttlebutte
MarshallDaemon
Newsflash: Moses went up there and wrote them and came back down... Or chiseled if you will.
vegetariangardener
Newsflash: they were all Trippin on rotten food because they didn’t have refrigeration and everybody thought they saw God.
dingdongbannu
They were praying to a golden donkey when he came back were they not?
TheMelancoholic
golden calf.
IThinkYouGotAFineBrainJack
Right, he went up the mountain and God dictated it to him.
TheGhostofElizabethShue
And Joseph Smith read his out of a bag.
Catfoood
Dum dum dum dum dum
MacRockatansky
Can't have a post that mentions religion without the fedoras coming out. It's unheard of.
SomeCrazyNerd
I think that's a reference to the Joseph Smith bit on South Park.
Dramacian
*wrote it with his fingers. Or did this guy Moses also brought marble/stone tools ?
turianfleet
-1 for the improper use of past simple
DakotaWolf
go read new testament and notice how Christ did away with them but his own. love Thu neighbour. do on to others as you would have done.
inoiknownothing
But he didn’t do away. If you notice the 2 Commandments Christ gives: love God (1-3/10) and love thy neighbor (4-10) of the Ten Commandments
AlbinoPanther
Yep. Jesus summarize the commandments in two simple principles.
inoiknownothing
2/3) they are a fulfillment. Christ is saying, don’t focus on just the law. The law by itself can’t save you if you don’t have faith
inoiknownothing
3/3 And if you don’t love God and your neighbors.
ITalkAboutGoats
Even if you believe in the fulfillment thing, the conversation about the commandments was basically badgering- "What's the most important 1"
ITalkAboutGoats
"They're all important." "Naw, man, seriously, like, if you just had to pick onnne?" "Uh, love thy neighbor? I guess? Do em all tho."
Snarkwell
Mathew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
KeezieWeezie
But how do you love thy neighbor? By not murdering him, sleeping with his wife, stealing his stuff...
Snarkwell
Jesus provides a spiritual example of how to live in accordance with the law, but makes it clear that he does not get rid of it.
Attaroo
5:18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means
Attaroo
disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Attaroo
Yep. And Odin gained the knowledge of runes from Mimir's severed head.
xzhous
They technically did. They were given to him by Jehova but they very much did come from Moses. Vonnegut's technically correct, the best kind
ProfessorMatt
It was like a game of telephone. (Which could also explain the garbled messages we're getting today...)
FlyingInABlueDream
Upvoting for 'the best kind of correct' :)
AlbinoPanther
According to Exodus, the commandments and law were literally inscribed by God himself.
xzhous
Moses brought them down from the mountain. Which is why they *technically* came from Moses. They came from God sure but they came from Moses
comehomefransbrauder
Never mention the other sins either like divorce or fornication either when going on about homosexuality. Hypocrites.
Attaroo
The Bible belt has the highest number of divorces in the US. Jesus says divorce is a sin and remarrying is adultery.
Monkfellow
But did not require it as did some other Jewish fringe movements of the time. (End)
Monkfellow
What a marriage “joined by God” actually looks like. In addition to these things, it’s important to remember Jesus suggested celibacy (3)
Monkfellow
And a true or “joined by God” marriage - it is these that no man may separate. We might deduce based on his other life teachings (3)
Attaroo
Mark 10:11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
Attaroo
12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
Attaroo
The only exception was marital infidelity. And Leviticus says that's rason for death.
Monkfellow
This then severely harmed the woman socially and economically, we are also told. Further, Jesus distinguishes between institutions (2)
Monkfellow
It’s important to have some context on why he says these things. We are told, Jews in his day divorced their wives for petty reasons (1)
Attaroo
Yes, as opposed to divorce today, which is always for perfectly just and holy reasons. LOL.
Monkfellow
The point still stands then! You get it. Lol
ITalkAboutGoats
He's saying, divorcing you abusive other half probs isn't a sin.
MoyerTheDestroyer47
Or the fact that loans being bad are mentioned more times than the 7 times homosexuality is. The verse about it is mistranslated too. 1/2
MoyerTheDestroyer47
The verses in Leviticus about homosexuality in the original Hebrew are referring to a type of idolatry that Caananites would practice. 2/2
cslewisck
And then Paul talks about it again in Romans...
Monkfellow
It is very useful to mention that sexual immorality is commonly an ancient way of deriding idolaters. Equal useful to point out most (1)
Monkfellow
Of the Old Testament in its chronological production exists as a monolatrous religion rather than true monotheism. (2)
cslewisck
True. But the reading of the prohibition in Leviticus is about as clear as it gets. It’s translated to “man laying with another man.” And
TheseArentTheDroidsImLookingFor
He is mistaken. I have heard of those that argued to have the Beatitudes posted in the state capitol. I for one agree with them.
ChipCheese
Every church I've been to spends at least a month a year preaching on the Beatitudes.
Icantbeli3vethisisstillavailable
I, for one, love Roman numerals
kevlarburrito
ratammer
...No it needs to be "like" not "love", or the joke doesn't work, does it?
Icantbeli3vethisisstillavailable
Better
kevlarburrito
You must've missed the part where he said "I have never heard..."
TheseArentTheDroidsImLookingFor
I refer to the first two sentences of the quote.
MrMightyMackerelMan
Nah man. Separation of church and state is important.
ButterfaceTaintClown
See "dissolution of the monasteries" if you disagree.
purgethefilthyheretics
They shouldn't be exempted from tax tho
HMardukas
All non profits or.just religious non profits?
CreateYourOwnNormality
Not all non-profits are tax exempt, there are rules. The Organisational test has to be passed, you get tax free status if you are working 1]
CreateYourOwnNormality
in Education, Preventing child Cruelty, Charity, etc. You currently pass the test purely for being 'Religious', and that's bullshit. 2]
purgethefilthyheretics
We were talking of religion tho weren't we? Non-profit can be basically anything if I understand you correctly.
HMardukas
But if all non profits are tax advantaged, how do you distinguish the religious non profits from the rest? I guess that's my question
AlbinoPanther
It sounds like you don't understand correctly. If a church is operating for-profit, then yeah, they should pay taxes. 1/2
CreateYourOwnNormality
If you happen to be religious or irreligious and you pass the Charitable test, sure, tax exemption. But having a deity isn't enough alone 3]
annielittlewolf8888
Cuz posting “Blessed are the Peacemakers” would essentially put the US and the Pentagon out of business.
Nuttsy
Wouldn't it be better to put that shit in Langley?
iLikeMu
Si vis pacem, para bellum
IAmASprinkler
"If you want peace, prepare for war" - The Punisher
kongurous
semper fidelis tyrannosaurus rex
Muhfuckingodzilla
Piecemakers..
KnightTsusaynee
The VOCAL Christians are only in it for the political power in numbers. Some are like Jesus. "Blessed are the poor" and "Woe to you rich".
Munchman347
'Empty kettles make the most noise'...
AzgarOgly
Vocal minority is always based on a silent majority. At least the one getting to any degree of success.
TielKiri
This isn't even an educated guess. You're not basing it on anything. It's an uneducated guess that you're presenting as concrete fact.
Cananybodyreallyreadlikethis
Bullshit.
TielKiri
[Citation needed]
paul289
Like flat earthers, those with the greatest ignorance have the loudest opinions.
Recurve254
Proof of this? I think you're generalizing dangerously.
Tredgy
Uhhh no not actually how vocal minorities work. They do not stem from nor represent a successful majority... like ever. Are you retarded?
MrHaynies
I doubt it's a majority of people acting like Jesus. Religion in my experience has been majority of filling there lives with 1/2
AzgarOgly
That's not the point. The point is that a large silent group feels connected to the Idea. And when the vocal minority expresses //
AzgarOgly
in the line with the Idea, even in the way silent people not completely agree with, majority would support or at least won't object.
MrHaynies
Something they didn't have. Or couldn't figure out. Community, meaning, just a feeling of belonging. Not even in it for the religion 2/3
AzgarOgly
That amplifies the effect. "I am not a good *ist in everyday life, these people are for *ism alone against the world, I have to support."
MrHaynies
Most people didn't act any more goddly or followed the tenets. I also think some of it is just habit and it's been explained in them 3/4
MrHaynies
Engrained into them.* that's just my two cents. 4/4
Arcanum3000
In my experience, there are a lot that are for peace, love, and forgiveness in general terms, but for the opposite when you talk specifics.
danishjuggler21
Christian Republicans believe in Supply Side Jesus https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cE0_JhLsgPQ
ScrooblyDoobles
And some take the Old Testament wayyy too literally and seriously.
jursamaj
You mean the ones who actually believe the book?
Monkfellow
Agreed!
modalnode
Vonnegut was a wise man. Read Slaughterhouse 5 and Cat's Cradle if you get the chance.
imullofmachine
And sirens of Titan and player piano and mother night
TheYellowKnives
I'd put off Player Piano until you become more familiar with him, and want to go deeper. It is his first novel, least thorough.
imullofmachine
I reeeally enjoyed it. But I think sirens is my favorite
TheYellowKnives
I liked it, but It doesn't hold a candle to his other novels.
WishiWasParkerSchnabel
I dont think anyone should take religion advise from this site.
Monkfellow
You’re probably right. I’ll pack up now.
Superwomanwithtities
Or any advice for that matter. For all we know I could be 10 raccoons in a trench coat. Btw trash cans are delicious.
WishiWasParkerSchnabel
well lets not go overboard. I might listen to 10 Raccons.
Hendlton
I don't think we have to worry about the Pentagon taking advice from Imgur.
Attaroo
You never know. A future two star general might be upvoting dank memes right now.
jursamaj
I don't think anyone should take *any* advice from churches…
Recurve254
Why?
jursamaj
Because churches give a lot of spectacularly bad advice.
Recurve254
Such as? As long as the church is in line with Christ's teachings I've never heard bad advice come out of one.
jursamaj
"Give no thought for the morrow"? His was a doomsday cult, and his advice assumes the world is about to end, so fuck everything.
Recurve254
Most churches tend to reinforce making positive decisions, taking responsibility for your actions, and helping/loving others in myexperience
jursamaj
LOL!
paul289
So I should not take the advice to help the poor, respect women, love everyone (including enemies), etc.?
jursamaj
If you feel those are good things, you will still feel they are without the church telling you so. (Not that most churches respect women.) +
jursamaj
But if you take the advice of religions, you will take a lot of bad advice along with the good.
abbiistabbii
To be fair, Matt 5 contains the one thing most people don't want to hear, that the old testament still counts. Matt 5:17-19.
CapnShanty
No! Romans 10, Galatians 3, Ephesians 2, Luke 24... Jesus is saying he fulfilled the law, not destroyed it. You're taking it out of context
Monkfellow
In Romans, Paul asserts there is “neither male nor female” in Christ, endorsing equality. However, he never abolishes those distinctions (2)
Monkfellow
Wherein we are told that should these people become disciples of Jesus’ teaching, the social dynamic becomes sacrificial, brotherly love (4)
Monkfellow
Which is in many ways, abolishing the oppressive power dynamic that defines not just slavery but all institutions of violence. (5)
Monkfellow
This is the purview of theology. Jesus reinterprets the OT in several ways. In addition, Paul adjusts his evangelism to the audience (1)
Monkfellow
I submit for you that Christ’s main thrust as a Jew is in reassembling Judaism as an institution of mercy, love and non-violence. (6)
Monkfellow
A Judaism using his specific interpretation of the OT, his parables and sacrificial death on the Cross as a template to be followed. (End)
Monkfellow
Outright. Much the same with respect to Jew and Gentile. This is more obvious and shared in Jesus’ comments about slavery (3)
Dolewhipper
But, those people want the old testament when its convenient to them, like. When it's anti gay propaganda, Old testament is A OK.
Recurve254
It should never be anti-gay propaganda or hate, Jesus showed/said that it's about love for God and each other. Everything else follows.
Dolewhipper
NOT THEM GAYS THO. they won't listen man thats what sucks.
Recurve254
Sin is sin, but it's sad that they (other "Christians") focus on hating sinners more than loving them in spite of it. All have sinned.
Dolewhipper
almost like its all politics and they don't give a shit about jesus' message
Attaroo
Yep. The intrepretation that it didn't was all over proselytizing the gentiles, because Paul didn't want to have to have men cut off their
GilaMonsieur
The interpretation over -how- the old testament applied was in part because Paul was a christian-hunting pharisee before his conversion. So,
GilaMonsieur
his old application of the old testament hadn't kept him from going directly against God's will. He had to question then, where Torah fits.
Attaroo
foreskin. That had a negative impact on recruiting for some reason. That is LITERALLY the covenant the Jews have with God.
paul289
It was only commanded for Israel. Lev 12:2-3 "Speak to the people of Israel... on the 8th day, he shall be circumcised."
paul289
Basically any Levitical law that says "For Israel," "To the sons of Israel," etc, is only for Israel.
RichardPicture
Convenient for Christianity. No "requirement" for "works". Can eat pork. and a few others.
AxelBeingCivil
Catholicism sees works as proof of faith. If you don't act with love and compassion, you can't be said to truly believe.
paul289
The direction of causation is important. We do works because we have been saved, not the other way round. Protestant, here.
ManiaGamine
Because the modern Christianity is mostly politics under the guise of faith and those ideals are against their politics.
TheShadowsLengthen
Organised religion has always been politics under the guise of faith...see: any history book. The religion of INDIVIDUALS can be sincere.
Recurve254
What happens when sincere individuals get organized? All churches should look to be that, but sadly you are correct about most of them.
TheShadowsLengthen
I believe most organised religions were started by sincere people; but as the organisation gained power, it attracted less sincere people...
Recurve254
Yeah, it's funny that even the Bible warns about those people.
SorenAziz
I consider myself very religious but reject organized religion. Jesus is my dude but I don't want to do anything with popes and priests.
AzgarOgly
Well, you can be sincere in supporting some political line. Being organized won't make you hypocrite by itself.
TheShadowsLengthen
Most organised religion's objective is to promote a singular vision on a religion; in that way, it is necessarily political.
DerpyMcDerper
Christianity is christianity, regardless of how one follows it. Religions change over time. Start out as philosophy, change through politics
DerpyMcDerper
Let me state that i am not attacking religion, but asking who defines whether someone is part of a religion or not
purgethefilthyheretics
Yeah and that's what's fucking stupid. If you don't follow the same beliefs you shouldn't be categorized in the same belief system.
DerpyMcDerper
Then what defines the correct and incorrect believer? The head of the religion? They can be just as prejudiced. what if prejudice is in book
AlbinoPanther
The believer who doesn't follow Christ's directives is incorrect. The word "Christian" implies that one is trying to imitate Christ.
DerpyMcDerper
You have been the closest to answering my question. But in order to imitate christ, you have to believe that the bible is telling you what
purgethefilthyheretics
A correct believer would be someone who follows the book word by word, if you interpret and pick whatever you want, you're fucking stupid.
purgethefilthyheretics
Or smart, if you get people to follow your interpretation. Which I'd call fraud as well. But you can't be fucking stupid to trick others.
BenSnow97
But they do follow most of the same beliefs, just change a few small details. After all, the only guy capable of deciding what (1/?)
BenSnow97
Christianity is about died around 2000 years ago. (2/2)
purgethefilthyheretics
Small details? It's all written in the book, if you don't follow it word by word you're not an astute believer in that book 1/?
purgethefilthyheretics
Or what it stands for. People pick what they want to feel like a better person by following some guidelines. Which is fucking stupid.
MoyerTheDestroyer47
I wouldn't say that's the case. If anything, Christianity is less political now than it used to be.
SerialChillinSpree
Everything can be boiled down to politics. Plug-in said institution to political machine and there you have it.
CloudberryMoose
Religion has always been a factor and tool in politics. Has happened to any major religion both for good and bad. Just how it works.
Recurve254
Just please always remember that anyone can call themselves a Christian. You will know true Christians by their actions and love.
AzgarOgly
To be honest, the Holy Book is quite versatile, you can find verses there which could be used to support pretty much any political agenda.
ChipCheese
No. This is media's portrayal of modern Christianity. It is absolutely not what happens in 95% of churches across the country.
Monkfellow
See: Evangelicalism. A tiny slice of modern Christianity.
StonedLikeACheatingMuslimWoman
If only it really were tiny.
FinneganBojangles
... which has managed to hijack the Republican party.
TielKiri
More like the opposite. I've read recently about how a lot of evangelicals don't want to be called that anymore because of the bad rep.
Scaramucci
Evangelicanism is huge, but it's not a uniform body. It's not a denomination itself and evangelical groups are worlds apart from each other.
Monkfellow
This is true and worth mentioning; many people who formerly would be described or self-describe as Evangelical cannot and do not (1)
Monkfellow
Due to the climate created by a few powerful and outspoken groups of brothers and sisters. (2)
DrO3
One in four Americans identify as evangelical. http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/
Monkfellow
A pledge to the cause of abolition. Later on, Evangelicals along with Unitarians threw their clout behind the Suffragette movement.
Monkfellow
Fun fact: Evangelicals have always been politically charged. In the 1800’s, a condition of baptism at many Evangelical churches was (1)
jursamaj
You are aware of the old adage about a stopped clock?
Monkfellow
Indeed.
sunnychick325
I couldn’t disagree more. As with any group, it’s the vocal minority that are the craziest.
BenSnow97
Vocal minorities are just one tool for politicians (although a very useful one), the real danger is the leaders of those cults/religions
davecorona
Its been taken over by Zionist
LeastInterestingManInTheWorld
"Everything I Don't Like is a Jewish Conspiracy" and other serious arguments made by adults.
davecorona
Well too bad.
davecorona
What you don't like is the truth.
residentolive
True! Exactly like modern Islam... few will get that though
AzgarOgly
Only Pastafarian is sincere in this world. For glory of Holy Pasta and Meatballs, R'amen!
dashers
*Modern American Christianity. It's not universal.
applesforjuice
I'm a modern American Christian who has spent my life with other modern, American Christians, and never heard politics involved except on tv
ThatTransformersDude
Thank you, and to them Jesus was born in America and hates others that are not like him for some reason
BenSnow97
It was pretty much the same everywhere until the Age of Enlightenment, and every country has stupid people controllable through religion.
Ikeepforgettingmyusername8
The actual Christians will be the ones handing out food, blankets and comfort after the loud idiots leave their wake of discontent.
dashers
Ironically in the UK where there is no separation of Church and state, there is less of this sort of fundamentalism.
TheAngryMarineBiologist
The US always brags about being the most free nation on earth. But in truth the freedom they have more of than anyone else is the freedom 1
TheAngryMarineBiologist
To go completely and utterly full retard 2/2
jenigrl85
As a former catholic and a US citizen you are absolutely right, unfortunately.
VioletMoonRising
Yeah, other similar modern in europe countries aren't as backwards have far less religiosity.
BenSnow97
As someone living in a "modern" European country, nope. The mindset is the same, we're just too lazy to bring out the pitchforks.
VioletMoonRising
thats... the literal definition of having less religiosity. I mean, 100% the same.
BenSnow97
It still doesn't ease up the hate, here in the former Eastern Bloc people are just too depressed to become Amish or go on a crusade.
Guitarizard
10 Commandments are iconic, but not binding law on Christians today due to being part of the OT. Basic study teaches this.
MikeReese9
You made a vital point: study.
Monkfellow
Indeed. We are under the Greatest Commandment and the example of God crucified.
Guitarizard
Law of Grace. Kills me that Christians don't realize that we were never meant to observe the 10C's in their original form.
Monkfellow
Comes from A. ROTE memorization over actual reading and B. Bad theology