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To: Melian
So if I point out the truth that Buddhism is a dead end path, a path to eternal ruination I am being “judgmental”?

I guess I should lie so I won't offend one’s sensabilities. After all, all paths are equal since they demand equal respect in your world.

So much for “I am the way the truth and the life...

The Operahization of Christanity continues...

241 posted on 11/26/2009 5:12:57 AM PST by ejonesie22
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To: ejonesie22

Happy Thanksgiving, EJ...

:)


243 posted on 11/26/2009 6:36:03 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: ejonesie22

“I am the way the truth and the life...
____________________________________________

and also...

“No man or woman comes to the Father except by ME” (Jesus Christ the Lord), John 14:6


244 posted on 11/26/2009 6:38:47 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: ejonesie22

All paths are not equal. All people are equal, however, and worthy of respect.

I think the Catholic Church has the fullest and most complete understanding of the faith Christ wants from us. That doesn’t give me the right to tell people I am positive they are going to Hell.

Only God can know the depths of a person’s soul, faith, and spiritual abilities. Only God can decide who goes to Heaven. As I have stated over and over on this thread, I believe the New Testament teaches us that God places great value on the way we live out our lives and treat our fellow man. I believe He takes our actions toward our fellow man into account when He sits in judgment of us.

I offer the parable of the Good Samaritan as proof for two reasons: first, because it illustrates that the Pharisee, who lived the Law to the letter but ignored the dignity of his fellow man, was not pleasing to Christ; second, because it showed that the misguided Samaritan who believed wrongly, but showed charity toward his fellow man, was more pleasing to God.

All paths are not equal. Christians have a tremendous responsibility once they have heard the word of Christ. In my opinion, a good, kind Buddhist or Mormon who lives his faith well and treats his neighbor kindly is at least as pleasing to God as a Pharisee-type Christian who is unkind, prideful, and strident. Neither is living the faith as Christ asked us to.

It is our responsibility as Christians to evangelize well. As I have said on this thread several times, I don’t think anger, bullying, calling people names, or being strident or condescending is a successful way to evangelize. Nor is it what Christ seems to be asking of us when we study Scripture. He asks that our lives be a witness.

I hope I have clarified my position. It is not being judgmental to say you disagree with someone’s views and show them why in a way that allows them to keep their dignity. It is being judgmental to say to anyone, “I know you’re going to Hell.” No one knows who goes to Hell, for sure. Christ alone is our judge. I believe faith and love for others can influence our ultimate salvation.


247 posted on 11/26/2009 9:47:25 AM PST by Melian ("Here's the moral of the story: Catholic witness has a cost." ~Archbishop Charles Chaput)
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