To: Neoliberalnot
I understand your point, but the alternative is to be in essence, cast out for challenging some of the most fundamental positions held by the church.
As an example, I offer up the topic of slavery. In the Bible slavery is condoned, codified, supported and even commanded in certain situations. But today's church treats slavery as immoral. I personally do not want to see the reestablishment of slavery as an institution, but I also believe that the scripture does not oppose slavery. Since I personally do not want and currently could not afford to own a slave, and since the topic does not widely come up, I have a disagreement, but it is not enough of a disagreement to cause me to leave the church or cause me to create a situation that would invite the church to cause me to leave. To clarify, I would find no fault in someone in the church who wished to own a slave, IF they could find a slave who would be WILLING to sell themselves into slavery as that is the only condition allowable under the US Constitution.
To: taxcontrol
I don't recall condonement of slavery in the New Testament. Also, one must put the Bible in context of the times. Slavery was accepted by owners and slaves alike. Some workers, government dependents, and immigrants don't live much different from slaves today.
Just a few of my thoughts for your consideration.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson