I'm amazed!

[conception_native_0123]

following Christ will not always necessarily bring peace, but often division.

just division for you and the rest. following christ pisses the world off. per the words:

the world hated me before it hated you

 

[conception_native_0123]

Christians around the world are in trouble

can you elaborate on why this is again? I did not follow,.

 

[conception_native_0123]

Why was it OK to close churches but keep Casinos open?

i didnt hear about that.

 

[Isaac]

They are persecuted throughout the Middle East except in Israel and we won't talk about Russia and China. And then there is the US. Why was it OK to close churches but keep Casinos open?

One of my favorite ministries to donate to when I do (which is not remotely nearly as much as I ought), is VOM ... persecution.org

They often help the families left behind in the wake of a family breadwinner who was arrested, harmed, dis-employed or "disappeared" all around the world for the simple crime of their Christianity. Those people know discipleship like few do.

 

[Isaac]

I sort of get why. My sister's a bible-basher and I think I might be inclined to persecute her a little, myself!

I sort of get why you would make that comment, as there's grounds for it on occasion. IF you base the perspective on USA Christians.

 

[NauticalGent]

I sort of get why you would make that comment, as there's grounds for it on occasion. IF you base the perspective on USA Christians.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Ghandi

 

[conception_native_0123]

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Ghandi

aint that the truth! WOW.

 

[Isaac]

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Ghandi

Yes, that perspective definitely has merit - but as I mentioned, mostly just if you base it on USA Christians.
The Christians I've met in Mexico (and that I consistently read about in many other countries) are vastly different.
Of course there are exceptions to everything I'm saying.

There is one other mistake that people like Ghandi may have made. Focusing exclusively on the Gospels rather than also on the other 98.9 % of the Bible. I'm not sure about that, it's just a hunch.

The last point is just that (in my opinion), it makes no sense to reject a truth, an ideal, a religion, or a God, simply because you have observed many of their followers who fail to live up to the ideal.

That would be like saying: "People are so unkind. I guess kindness must be fantasy of the weak and hypocritical!"

Where Ghandi's perspective is lacking is that following Christians was never the point, nor the ask. It's following Christ.

Last "point" is that following Christ is a very high ideal. You will commonly find people only half heartedly trying, and therefore it doesn't make much difference in their life.
This actually isn't unusual, nor unique to Christianity. It's like a person with addiction going to a 12 step meeting and learning to live by spiritual principles. It's very hard - and most people only attain a small % of what they might, or could, or want. Sometimes people discard it, claiming it didn't work when really they didn't work it. In fact, most initial attendees do just that. And yet, it lives on, a program never being discarded simply because 75% of its "followers" didn't work it.

Personally, I find an overwhelming number of inspiring Christians. Then again, there are all kinds of them and it's a busy world out there that we're receiving a lot of inputs for.

You find what you are looking for.

 

[conception_native_0123]

My mother-in-law was a church-going Catholic but I would never call her a Christian.

can I ask....why not?

 

[conception_native_0123]

makes perfect sense Pat.

 

[Harrybrigham]

I have always wondered why in places, where people are badly treated for their convictions, they still insist on proclaiming them. In some countries this amounts to virtual suicide. A little, life preserving, lie might save them.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

He made actual politicians look like the scumbag liars that they are.

Wait.... politicians are scumbags? Who'da thunk it?

 

[conception_native_0123]

Wait.... politicians are scumbags? Who'da thunk it?

they are not scumbags, they are liars!

 

[oleronesoftwares]

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Ghandi

it's difficult to believe Ghandi never saw one Christian who depicted Jesus Christ.

Also,if he truly liked Christ, he would have become a Christian(though i don't know if he did?)

 

[oleronesoftwares]

lawyers = liars

Not all.

 

[oleronesoftwares]

I have always wondered why in places, where people are badly treated for their convictions, they still insist on proclaiming them. In some countries this amounts to virtual suicide. A little, life preserving, lie might save them.

It had to see a motivation for this, Christianity is a personal race, and the level of one's convictions will determine the extent one will take his cross, carry it and follow Jesus Christ.

 

[oleronesoftwares]

You may ask but it is not something I care to talk about. Going to church does not a Christian make.

Yes, but a Christian will be eager to fellowship with other Christians, not necessarily in a conventional church building.

 

[oleronesoftwares]

My mother-in-law was a church-going Catholic but I would never call her a Christian.

She might or might not be a Christian, I guess it's because of her behavior, but we are all not perfect and flaws exist in our characters.

 

[NauticalGent]

Also,if he truly liked Christ, he would have become a Christian(though i don't know if he did?)

Not necessarily. Other religions acknowledge that there was a PERSON named Jesus "the" Christ, but he was a mere mortal and a prophet. Christians have to accept that he was God in human form and thus a divine spirit. Quite possible to like someone and not worship him.

 

[conception_native_0123]

lawyers = liars

strComp(lawyers, liars, 1). LOL