Question
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Christianity
I have seen many posts here on SH where someone disagrees with another on religion and claim the 'other' person is not a 'real Christian"
If only the Christian God is " All Knowing" and Matt 7: 1-5 tells you to
Judge Not Least Ye be Judged. How can some Christians say they know who is a 'real christian' and who is not, without
A: Pretending they know what is in some ones else's heart.
B: Judging others in contradiction to scripture.
If only the Christian God is " All Knowing" and Matt 7: 1-5 tells you to
Judge Not Least Ye be Judged. How can some Christians say they know who is a 'real christian' and who is not, without
A: Pretending they know what is in some ones else's heart.
B: Judging others in contradiction to scripture.
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Answered None of the above
Actually, when scripture speaks of judgment here. It speaks of condemning someone to hell because of a sin they have committed. Not to exercising good common sense concerning the act its self. Scripture teaches us to love the sinner. But to hate the sin. How many parents can actually say that thy approve of every behavior enacted by their children? Yet our love for them is unconditional. Matthew teaches the fact that repentance allows an escape from judgement; And since one human cannot possibly know the heart or motivations of another, saying that this person is condemned to hell is presumptuous to say the least, and above our pay grade as humans. However, that being said, Luke 6;43-45 teaches, * 43.
* "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
* 44.
* Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.
* 45.
* The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. So we are not to judge (condemn the person) but we'd be fools not to say that "This is not Christian behavior" We are to be fruit inspectors if you will (and I think you will) I mean why not? we love our kids. But not always their actions. Just sayin" -
Answered I have always wondered this myself Molly and I don't know
I may not always agree with someone else's religious philosophy, but I don't condemn them. It's the same with atheists, agnostics, wicca, and others. But in turn, I ask that you don't question or condemn my convictions. -
Hi Dolfinfan. I didn't used to. Not until the Evangelicals starting voting with a platform and an agenda and a voting block, to taliban their christian scripture into law. i.e. gay rights, abortion, birth control, death with dignity. At the point where the faith was thrust into the Political Arena as a political party, it is now subject to criticism the same as any political party.
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That's why the old saying: “Religion and Politics don't mix” is so true. But I look at religion in politics differently then I do someone's personal convictions. Use your convictions to guide you in your judgments, but don't force it upon those who don't agree.
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HI Dolfin, I agree. But since personal people are religious and vote in that manner it is impossible to separate them. And the faith is the basis for the Political Party so there is no difference that I can see between criticizing that or the platform or basis of the Democrats or Republicans or the Independents. I am sorry the two (religion and political party) got mixed together. But it is, and they have money, and votes and can't run without being questioned.
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That's the great thing about living in America. Everyone has the right to criticize. As well as the right to be criticized. Including Christians. But you should know Molly, Christians should not be expected to abandon their faith in order to fully participate in government. A little thing called the free exercise clause in the constitution. Some people call it the establishment clause. Since everyone from gays to blacks to atheists an a slew of disaffected parties around the country are permitted, nay encouraged to vote as a block, I don't see why Christians shouldn't be permitted to. Christians seem to be the last socially acceptable target of bigotry in America.
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Hi Evan. Free excercise of religion I don't have a problem with. Now, turning your faith into a Political Party and attempting to Taliban that religions scriptures into legislation for all is not the same as Freedom of Religion. Christians that do this are the bigots and should be politically targeted as any other political party.
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Hi Evan. I am sure there are numbers of them. But the Christian Conservatives are the 'right wing' of the Republican Party and no more represent them than they do the Republican Moderates. Just like the 'far left' doesn't represent Dem Moderates. And neither party at the extreme end represents Independents. It's the extreme wing of the Right that I have a problem with, they are exactly like the Taliban.
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The thing is Molly, I'm a Christian conservative. A proud right winger; And when you compare me and my ilk to the Taliban, what you're doing is trivializing all that the Taliban does in the name of their God. No matter how right wing the republican right is, they haven't done any honor killings, or cut women's faces off with piano wire, beheaded anyone, raped or fed anyone into a woodchipers. I've heard extremists on the left call us Taliban, Nazi, racists, and all that does is make the accuser sound like a crazed nut case. Because everyone knows in their heart of hearts, that we at our worst have done nothing like that. If so , where are our 6 million victims to match Hitler? Where are our mass graves and rape rooms? Our amputees? Please Molly,. You're Better than that. Stop with the name calling.
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Hi Evan. Being a proud right winger you have though. It was right winger Taliban types that bombed abortion clinics ( I am sure in the name of Jesus) and shot doctors. And if you try to put your Scripture into Legislation you are the Taliban. By doing that you put your religion up as a Political Party and it is subject to criticism just like any other party.
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Answered I have always wondered this myself Molly and I don't know
Good question Molly. It would take some major heresy for me to come to the conclusion that someone else isn't a true Christian. In other words, one of the major doctrines. A person can have a lot of things screwed up and still be a Christian. Even someone living a life of sin we are supposed to try to help them in a spirit of gentleness. And we are supposed to judge nothing before the time (I Cor. 4:5). But if someone is teaching a MAJOR heresy, we need to confront them (II Tim. 4:2,3). -
Answered I have always wondered this myself Molly and I don't know
i have wondered why we 'as believers [Christians]' seem to want to disect and amputate at will.
One theological joke is that Christians shoot their wounded. That is sad to say in any manner of any Group.
I do think it proves the Grace and Mercy of a Loving God. I do know, I could not be patient enough to put up with some.
It is much like 'why are there so many Christian Denominations?'
Which is a good question.
Personally, I think that each 'break' in the Church has been an attempt by God to get the christians attention.
But we tend to have the attitude of a Kieth Green song--
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Answered I have always wondered this myself Molly and I don't know
That is the question of the century Molly! I've been wondering the same thing myself. I consider myself to be a Christian. I wasn't like that all my life. (you know... what one would consider to be a "True Christian") When I was younger, like so many... I knew I believed in God and he created me. And I always knew in my heart what kind of person I was and still am today. I'm no better today than I was back then, but I have a much better understanding. That tends to happen when you've been brought to your knees. I can always tell when I'm talking with, or dealing with a "Christian" that "Insinuates or Claims" to be a "Better Christian" than I am. The "Self Righteous Christians" that "Judge" and look down their nose... have a "Character Flaw" that won't likely change until they get off their pedestal -or- get brought down to their knees. I have learned one thing with my walk with God.... and I know this for sure... If you don't learn the first time, He will surely try to teach you again and again and again until you finally get it. And let's face it... it's doubtful that anyone will go through life here on earth and not go through hard times. And I just wonder.... if a fellow "Christian" is so "Bold to Judge" another Christian..... then they will natually have a problem with the rest of the world.
In my opinion.... a "True Christian" leads by example.
A little "Humility" can go a long way.That is the question of the century Molly! I've been wondering the same thing myself. I consider myself to be a Christian. I wasn't like that all my life. (you know... what one would consider to be a "True Christian") When I was younger, like so many... I knew I believed in God and he created me. And I always knew in my heart what kind of person I was and still am today. I'm no better today than I was back then, but I have a much better understanding. That tends to happen when you've been brought to your knees. I can always tell when I'm talking with, or dealing with a "Christian" that "Insinuates or Claims" to be a "Better Christian" than I am. The "Self Righteous Christians" that "Judge" and look down their nose... have a "Character Flaw" that won't likely change until they get off their pedestal -or- get brought down to their knees. I have learned one thing with my walk with God.... and I know this for sure... If you don't learn the first time, He will surely try to teach you again and again and again until you finally get it. And let's face it... it's doubtful that anyone will go through life here on earth and not go through hard times. And I just wonder.... if a fellow "Christian" is so "Bold to Judge" another Christian..... then they will natually have a problem with the rest of the world.
In my opinion.... a "True Christian" leads by example.
A little "Humility" can go a long way.(less) -
Answered None of the above
If you liken the Christian walk with driving a car you might see something there. When a person becomes a Christian they should read the Bible to find out how they are supposed to live. When you go for a driver's license you get a book to read to learn the rules of the road. When you're driving behind someone who is not obeying the rules of the road you both learned and you honk at them, are you judging them or are you pointing out something they did wrong and need to change? When a Christian sees another Christian doing something contrary to what they are told to do in the Bible and points that out, are they judging the other person or simply pointing out something wrong that they need to change? If the person in the car in front of you is a family member or a friend, would you not say something to them to keep them from harm? Since Christians are brothers in the Lord, should one not say anything to the other to keep them out of harm?
Answered I never say this about other people because
Only God can judge me. However, real Christians are the ones who will reach out to help you before condemning you to hell