07-28-2003, 07:08 AM
*yawn*
Typical internet thread... more a platform for ranting than a desire to understand another's views... but, there's just one thing I feel compelled to respond to... I'm just an average Joe Van Smith, not an expert in these matters, but still, here goes!
Maybe that's because anyone who tries to excercise tolerance, real real-world tolerance, gets whacked in the head with Bibles by people who shout ALL!! THE!! ANSWERS!!
Here's my thoughts for you:
Christianity is about love. Love thy neighbor. Love thine enemy. Love your boss. Love that guy who wears Sheer Energy under his Poodle Skirt. Love Ellen.
(And don't forget, let the person who is without sin cast the first stone.)
Guess what else? In all the depictions I've seen, JESUS DIDN'T WEAR PANTS!!
Neither does God for that matter. But God's not male, right? The Bible says "He". So is "He" male? Does He wear pants? What kind of pants does God wear? Not blue jeans, I suppose, since many of us find it disrespectful to wear jeans to church. Lessee, he rested on the Seventh Day, after many Labours. Maybe he wears sweat pants. Hmm, maybe I should start up a denomination, where the Truly Faithful only wear sweatclothes. "Old Navy" is good, referring to Noah and his "Navy of One", but "The Gap" is not sanctioned, as it refers to, well we're not sure exactly, but it sounds dirty....
Okay, enough speculation about God's laundry ... push in the clutch ... shifting back to "real" mode...
Jesus went among the sinners and loved them. From what I read, Jesus seems to like their company better than the SELF!! RIGHTEOUS!! BLOWHARDS!! that led the local religious groups (those who seeked to use J's own arguments against him) or those that profit financially from religion (the money-changers). Of course, Mr. J was working to bring them to God, but had to actually associate with them first. You can't show them love and respect by snubbing them.
So, theoretically, or should I say "theologically", true Christians should be more tolerant and forgiving than just about anybody. And I've known many who are; these people are amazing. Then there are those who see everything in a "good vs. evil" light, telling everyone else that they must STOP!! THE!! SINNING!! else God is gonna come kill everybody, these people IMO are, um, harder to love.
-V
"All You Need Is Love! ... and this marvelous Armageddon Amulet, our gift to those who give a $29.95 contribution..."
Typical internet thread... more a platform for ranting than a desire to understand another's views... but, there's just one thing I feel compelled to respond to... I'm just an average Joe Van Smith, not an expert in these matters, but still, here goes!
Quote:I've never yet met any self-proclaimed 'tolerant' person who wasn't hostile to religion in general and Christianity in particular
Maybe that's because anyone who tries to excercise tolerance, real real-world tolerance, gets whacked in the head with Bibles by people who shout ALL!! THE!! ANSWERS!!
Here's my thoughts for you:
Christianity is about love. Love thy neighbor. Love thine enemy. Love your boss. Love that guy who wears Sheer Energy under his Poodle Skirt. Love Ellen.
(And don't forget, let the person who is without sin cast the first stone.)
Guess what else? In all the depictions I've seen, JESUS DIDN'T WEAR PANTS!!
Neither does God for that matter. But God's not male, right? The Bible says "He". So is "He" male? Does He wear pants? What kind of pants does God wear? Not blue jeans, I suppose, since many of us find it disrespectful to wear jeans to church. Lessee, he rested on the Seventh Day, after many Labours. Maybe he wears sweat pants. Hmm, maybe I should start up a denomination, where the Truly Faithful only wear sweatclothes. "Old Navy" is good, referring to Noah and his "Navy of One", but "The Gap" is not sanctioned, as it refers to, well we're not sure exactly, but it sounds dirty....
Okay, enough speculation about God's laundry ... push in the clutch ... shifting back to "real" mode...
Jesus went among the sinners and loved them. From what I read, Jesus seems to like their company better than the SELF!! RIGHTEOUS!! BLOWHARDS!! that led the local religious groups (those who seeked to use J's own arguments against him) or those that profit financially from religion (the money-changers). Of course, Mr. J was working to bring them to God, but had to actually associate with them first. You can't show them love and respect by snubbing them.
So, theoretically, or should I say "theologically", true Christians should be more tolerant and forgiving than just about anybody. And I've known many who are; these people are amazing. Then there are those who see everything in a "good vs. evil" light, telling everyone else that they must STOP!! THE!! SINNING!! else God is gonna come kill everybody, these people IMO are, um, harder to love.
-V
"All You Need Is Love! ... and this marvelous Armageddon Amulet, our gift to those who give a $29.95 contribution..."