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My Problem with Christianism
Time.com ^ | Sunday, May 7, 2006 | Andrew Sullivan

Posted on 05/10/2006 6:28:01 AM PDT by bondjamesbond

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To: Ikemeister
I don't see how someone can be a Christian and a liberal at the same time.

The liberals I've met in the conservative Christian churches I've been a part of over the years are liberals because of their compassion for the poor. They believe that government programs for the poor are the means by which we fulfull Jesus command to take care of the needy. I disagree completely; Jesus command was for his followers to do it voluntarily. His command wasn't for people to steal everyone's money and give it to others. But, for the liberal Christian, the end (the poor get taken care of) justifies the means.

21 posted on 05/10/2006 6:40:15 AM PDT by cantfindagoodscreenname (Is it OK to steal tag lines from tee-shirts and bumper stickers?)
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To: frogjerk

What ever happened to that business where Christians were to be a light unto the World? Aren't Christians called to share their faith, convert the wayward, and bring the lost sheep to Christ?

Sullivan seems to think Christianity is all about personal growth and navel gazing. Is it really possible to save just oneself? Can faith have any meaning if it is so timid that it can't be shared?


22 posted on 05/10/2006 6:42:28 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Rice 2008)
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To: Lunatic Fringe
He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace.

And we Conservatives will have none of that crap!!

Is that what you're saying?

23 posted on 05/10/2006 6:42:35 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Never question Bruce Dickinson!)
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To: frogjerk

> sometimes you have to hit certain people between the eyes with a two-by-four to get their attention...

And sometimes they hit back.


24 posted on 05/10/2006 6:45:16 AM PDT by orionblamblam (I'm interested in science and preventing its corruption, so here I am.)
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To: tcostell

Oh, I don't doubt he's a Chrisitian.

I just doubt he reads or understands much beyond the barest essentials of the Bible (e.g., Christ was God, died for our sins & defeated death).

A huge start. The Holy Spirit does the rest (did that part, too, really).


25 posted on 05/10/2006 6:45:39 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Many at FR would respond to Christ "Darn right, I'll cast the first stone!")
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To: Lunatic Fringe
He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace.

I missed the parts where he talked about equality and tolerance. Where are those parts?

Not that equality and tolerance are not fine ideals. I just find it odd that some people seem to think that every fine ideal can be ascribed to a statement of Christ.

26 posted on 05/10/2006 6:46:50 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Rice 2008)
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To: bondjamesbond
Sullivan essentially makes two points:

First, "nice" Christians won't be offended by Andrew Sullivan's homosexuality.

Second, "nice" Christians have no idea what God really wants, and thus are never to be caught saying "no" to Andrew Sullivan's homosexuality.

It's a sad fact that Andrew Sullivan's rectum is the be-all and end-all of everything he writes.

27 posted on 05/10/2006 6:47:44 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: bondjamesbond

Sorry, capitalize that "H". Typo.


28 posted on 05/10/2006 6:48:11 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Rice 2008)
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To: william clark
"In other words, the term "Christian" should be applied to anyone who thinks Jesus was a swell guy. Anyone more stringent than that is an extremist."

BINGO

29 posted on 05/10/2006 6:48:39 AM PDT by JWinNC (www.anailinhisplace.net)
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To: Lunatic Fringe

"He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace."

Last time I checked, Conservatives were for all of that as well.

But equality does not mean special rights. it means equality.

And sometimes the most love you can show someone is discipline.

And Compassion and Tolerance do not mean acceptance and celebration of sin. (He said "Go and sin no more." People always forget that.)

Jesus of the Bible (as opposed to say, Godspell) was not a hippy. He was (is!) pretty much a hardass.


30 posted on 05/10/2006 6:49:43 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Many at FR would respond to Christ "Darn right, I'll cast the first stone!")
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To: Lunatic Fringe
He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace.

I'm not liberal, and I believe in those things: equality of opportunity & equality under the law, voluntary compassion toward my neighbors in need, tolerance of diverse opinions, and peace through reasonable deterrence.

Liberals have perverted those things to mean: collectivism (the erosion of private property rights), enforced "compassion" to subsidize laziness, acceptance of sinful actions (all while practicing intolerance of divergent opinions), and weakness.

31 posted on 05/10/2006 6:50:43 AM PDT by Trailerpark Badass
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To: MeanWestTexan

Re: Your tagline... Reminds me of the old joke that ends, "Now cut that out, Mom!"


32 posted on 05/10/2006 6:52:08 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Rice 2008)
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To: bondjamesbond
Christianity, in this view, is simply a faith

Andy, the truth exists and the truth is exclusive: ...Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

33 posted on 05/10/2006 6:52:28 AM PDT by Theophilus (Abortion = Child Sacrifice = Future Sacrifice)
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To: bondjamesbond
This needs a Drivel Alert or something.

If Christians don't feel represented by the religious right, they wouldn't have all come out and voted for the religious right.
34 posted on 05/10/2006 6:55:22 AM PDT by JamesP81
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To: MeanWestTexan
(He said "Go and sin no more." People always forget that.)

I once had quite an argument with a person who was adamant that "Go and sin no more" was just a throwaway line. The mindset appears to be that Christ offers infinite forgiveness (which is true, I suppose, on the condition that one is repentant), and that all that talk about judgement is just talk.

35 posted on 05/10/2006 6:55:40 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: bondjamesbond

Right you are, JB. To paraphrase Vito Corleone: "Sullivan's a pimp."


36 posted on 05/10/2006 6:56:49 AM PDT by RexBeach ("There is no substitute for victory." -Douglas MacArthur)
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To: JamesP81
This needs a Drivel Alert or something.

That's kind of implied when Andrew Sullivan does a think piece on religion, don'tcha think?

37 posted on 05/10/2006 6:58:19 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Rice 2008)
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To: bondjamesbond

So-called "liberal Christians" have created a new god in their own image. He/She is a socially hip, feminist, gay-friendly, politically correct deity.

My God is a holy God, who doesn't change with the whims and fashions of men.


38 posted on 05/10/2006 6:59:07 AM PDT by Elpasser
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To: Lunatic Fringe
"He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace."

Jesus also spoke to his followers telling them if "equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace" is not returned back to you then dust your sandals off because hell will be waiting for them.

Also Jesus' said His second trip to earth will be a hell of a lot different than His first.

Moral of the story, believe in the Father, love others, and repent (From what, oh yes sin/evil). If not, Jesus will be one frightening Judge and Executioner.

Mathew 10: 5-16
39 posted on 05/10/2006 6:59:34 AM PDT by rollo tomasi (Working hard to pay for deadbeats and corrupt politicians.)
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To: Lunatic Fringe
If Jesus were alive today, 99.99% of FReepers would label him a "liberal". He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace.

"Jesus came to Galilee saying...'Repent, and believe in the gospel.'" Mark 1:15

"...Jesus began...to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" Matthew 4:17

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Andrew's problem is not with Christianism, it is with Jesus Christ.

Jesus commanded repentance.

None of us, Andrew included, is capable of truly repenting through our own works, but perhaps one day through God's grace, Andrew will receive the strength to repent and the forgiveness of his sins.

40 posted on 05/10/2006 7:01:07 AM PDT by SirJohnBarleycorn
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