If you were accused of not being a Christian, could you prove them wrong?

No it's because Jesus' life and teachings exemplify the values I choose to live my life by--values that can head troubled souls like yours. I do believe what I think Jesus believed. I just don't believe literally everything that's written in the creeds that were imposed on Christians by the winning sides in the political wars of the first few centuries of Christianity. In this , I'm not alone. I've been quite open about that so I'm not welcome in the circles of traditional Christians, to our mutual satisfaction.

I think I do believe in Christ, to the extent I'm able to discern what He did believe. Biblical inerrantists behave as the Pharisees did, and swallow legends that grew up about Jesus over the centuries after His death. Far from grazing, smorgasbord style, picking and choosing what I like, I devote a considerable part of my days figuring out what Jesus really said and meant. I call myself Christian because that's what I am. My question is why the "reactionary goons" don't call themselves Pharisees, because that's what they are.

 

Congratulations

 

Knowledge flows freely into an open mind. The bible has nothing to do with it.
Communion with god is an eureka moment precipitated by invitation. Our first and principle teaching is oral, the bible followed. It is the same now. I know of no person who converted his mind by virtue of reading the bible.

 

I sorta agree, but I think it requires a lot of effort, critical analysis and rational judgment. There ain't no easy way out.

 

Know thyself. The effort is in dismantling our previous conditioning, creating space for new information. Our cultural conditioning is both overt and subliminal and consuming to the point of hypnotic suggestion.
I think you are correct as to the amount of effort or attention required and it is demonstrated in the greatest commandment.

 

To me that sure sounds like you're unsure of who or what you believe in, Otis. It sounds as if, had self-designated "decent" Christian society chosen Captain Marvel or Matt Dillon instead of a bogus Jewish messiah as their paradigm of all that is moral, merciful, worshipful and "decent," you'd be saying the same of him/them.​

 

Thank you

ZW

 

verry cool !!!!

 

Thank you Ezerbet. This is an actual religion... as of this year, over 80,000 Priests ordained worldwide since 2005.

I guess I can no longer say I'm not religious! :sunny:

ZW

 

True. Their tiny minds are indoctrinated with Biblical Christinsanity in their cribs. Especially in America.

 

There is no "biblical" christianity, the bible must be interpreted. What you are looking at is cultural conditioning, which is why you can say "especially in America."

 

Especially in Utah

ZW

 

Geriatric , have you always had this opinion of God and Christianity,
or did it develope as you got older , and did something happen that
made you feel as you do ?
You just seem very angry at God and religious beliefs , as if you have
a personal grudge or something.

 

...Yeah GD, or did you just get banned from Landover Baptist? :devil: (giggle)

ZW

 

Now we're talking! Too right it's cultural conditioning, Calvinist cultural conditioning. It is this God's Avenging Angel conditioning that Americans use, conciously or subconciously, to reconcile their national conscience whenever they attack and occupy piss-weak Lilliputian countries for financial and strategic reasons.

De-programme the communal American mind from this cradle to grave Calvinazi inculcation and the world will be a far more peaceful place.

Link

 

You post has a tinge of incredulity about it, Erzebet. As if I was the Jesus freak instead of you. Conversely I could ask you, "Erzebet, have you always had this opinion of God and Christianity, or did it develope as you got older , and did something happen that made you feel as you do ? You just seem very deceived by God and religious beliefs , as if you have an inabilty to reason or something."

 

Doncha just love Betty Bowers?!!

 

For the more studious among Ye

 

As a matter of fact , YES , I was raised with the faith I have now....and as for my being decieved by God , if it turns out I am , the only person hurt is me .
And as for my ability to reason , I question the pearly gates and Heaven in the clouds , and Hell being a burning lake of fire.....I have FAITH....not BLIND FAITH.

 

The offender is the cult, culture. No matter it's premises of high or low, it seeks to encourage defenses, instill fear, through the use of taboo and hero worship. It is a power play plain and simple by the leaders to encourage solidarity among the followers against a common enemy, or to emulate a common ideal. Always however, it starts with the premise of guilt. The enemy is guilty of some offense or we may find ourselves guilty of not measuring up to the ideal, "rule of law", or "decent behavior". Whether it is nationalism, god, family, or any ideal which requires compliant behavior
creates a pathology.