I agree that somebody is on his/her high horse. “Bless your heart” was a way of saying that I think your read on my original post was stupid. “Good grief” is my expression of disbelief that anyone would get that upset with “bless your heart”. I can be more direct if you need it.
“The point is that you make no sense. You justify the hate - or at least you chastise Ted for calling for stopping the hate. But without justification.”
What part doesn’t make sense? You left that out. I never justified the hate. You made that up. I said it wasn’t the time for that lecture. Point out how I justified it. If I intended to justify it, I wouldn’t be arguing with you now. You are looking for nuance where there ain’t none.
“There were NO Christians in that room being slaughtered while Ted was speaking.”
That is pretty weak. I’d say those populations feel like they are being pummeled. I doubt there’s going to be any gay marriages in your church tomorrow, but I’d bet it’s still an issue for you.
“My assumption was the most reasonable conclusion for one to take from your original post...all of your other explanations make even less sense.”
Your assumption does not appear to have been based on reason. You still haven’t explained how you arrived at that conclusion. Is it possible that my original point was that this was not the time, nor the place, for Ted Cruz to give that lecture; and that doing so accomplished nothing? You see that as blaming Israel. That is NOT the most reasonable conclusion. It’s not reasonable at all. You are looking for nuance where there ain’t none.
“You use the US aid in your argument - the implication being that it is a justification for their actions...you were, after all, defending their actions to some degree. Now you concede it DOESN’T justify their actions...so WHY did you mention it? If it isn’t a statement to support your defense of their behavior, it is just superfluous blather.”
It’s THEIR state of mind. They do think they have been left out for slaughter. They do resent the aid the U.S. gives Israel. It’s not justified, but it’s what these people believe. Do you think THAT justifies their slaughter. I don’t think you believe that, but that’s the sort of reasoning you used with me.
“Read that quote again and see if you can find the paradox within it. Isn’t Christianity all about changing hearts, starting with our own?”
So, until such time as these people support Israel, and become better Christians (there’s that high horse again), you are fine with them being slaughtered. Again, I don’t think that about you, but I am making the point that your original reasoning was anything but.
“Finally, you justify the behavior of these “Christians” by listing a series of “What’s in it for me?” questions on their behalf. Odd.”
What’s not odd is that you didn’t address any of them. That was very much expected. If they began supporting Israel, what would happen?
“If they are the Christians they claim to be, their hatred of Israel is a very pertinent topic at a conference entitled with their Christianity. It is probably a more important topic than any other.”
More important than the genocide being committed against them? They are actually being literally killed for their faith. Oh, but the people in that room weren’t being killed right then and there, so no big deal. Right?
Well bless your heart - you can misunderstand with the best of them.
Saying “bless your heart” when you mean, “your post was stupid” is exactly the condescension I pointed out. How upset did you assume I was - I just told you to stop it, because I recognized the patronizing you were doing, and to say “bless your heart” when you mean “you’re an idiot” is indeed a form of lying.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one to read the condemnation of Israel in your words - so maybe you should check yourself.
You know I didn’t say if they aren’t being slaughtered right then, it didn’t matter. Why were they there, if they were so focused on being slaughtered? Your argument is pure fish-oil. They were certainly capable of listening to Cruz with attention and respect - and as I pointed out it was very timely. The reason they booed Cruz had nothing to do with the fact that muslims are slaughtering Christians - and you know it. They booed Cruz because he spoke about supporting Israel. They were obviously willing to listen to Cruz speak about other things, just not Israel...because they were being slaughtered - because folks just can’t tolerate mention of Israel when they are being slaughtered. Other things they can listen to, but not that! That is pure road-apples! They booed because they hate.
Ted was addressing their most obvious, most pressing issue in their Christianity - and they were there AS A CHRISTIAN GROUP - so his remarks were directly on point.
Yes, they are losing their lives, and it is horrific, and the US should be doing something to help them - but isn’t it wonderful that Christ wasn’t too worried about His portending crucifixion to deliver His message?
Yes, their lives are in danger for being Christians, but Cruz was pointing out a danger to their eternal souls. They were too caught up in the mortal to listen to an eternal message. But, I remember Jesus saying to love your neighbors as yourselves, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you - but only if your lives aren’t in danger, then you should focus only on yourselves, and support others, and do good to others, only if it will help you. Yes indeed, I remember those statements.
Let me reiterate - YES, the message Ted was bringing them, that their hatred of Israel is unchristian, that it puts their immortal souls in danger - yes, THAT message is more important than the danger to their mortal lives.
I would not hold any other group to that standard, but THEY are the ones who formed their group and called it a Christian group - therefor, they are rightfully held to a Christian standard.
I’m sure glad that Paul the Apostle did not follow your standard of what to say and when to say it and to whom. He spoke the truth, directly addressing the most pressing issues of the Christians at the time.
Yes, I did answer those questions you posed, you just were unable to understand the answer - so get down off of your shetland, and I’ll explain it. Christians should not be concerned about what’s in it for them, when the issue is supporting others - especially when it comes to supporting God’s chosen people. Christ loved the Jews in a special way. Christians are called to emulate Christ...even in His love for the Jews. So the answer to your whole series of questions is - none of them should matter to Christians, so the answers are irrelevant and should not deter them from listening to Cruz and considering his plea...