Disputes Among Christians

It's very frustrating to see so much enmity between Christians. Personally, I regret a few comments I have made to other Christians. I was just reading my Bible and found something I think is very important for Christians:

"Him that is weak of faith receive ye, not to criticizings of his thoughts... Who art thou that judgest another man's household servant? to his master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand: for the Lord is able to make him stand... For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For unto Christ both died, and rose, and lived (again), in order that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
- Romans 14: 1, 4, 7-10

"Let not your good be spoken evil of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that in these things serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved by men. Let us therefore pursue after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
- Romans 14: 16-19

Yep.

That is not only true for Christian to Christian but to Christian and Non-Christain or Non-Christain and Christian.

A certain Marcello and JIA should realize this, and stop alienating the people who support them.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
That is not only true for Christian to Christian but to Christian and Non-Christain or Non-Christain and Christian.

Well, I think this person has realized how backwards and illogical it is for a Christian to "persecute" another "Christian". When a person does that....how "Christ-like" is that? Exactly...they aren't being very "Christian" when they do that. Same as a Buddhist monk having crazy sex and being a real-estate connoisseur…they make a mockery of what they claim to be.

I think it is important that this person has discovered this. True, though, that in the same light, this young man should not be “persecuting” non-Christians as well. In fact, if you profess “Christianity”, you aren’t “persecuting” anyone.

Its because of this reason, faith wise, that the Muslims can/will overpower Christians.

They are, overall, more united. (with own problems of course)

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Its because of this reason, faith wise, that the Muslims can/will overpower Christians.

They are, overall, more united. (with own problems of course)

Interesting, but I doubt either side would really "overpower" anything. If Islam presented that much of a threat, secularists would unite just as vehemently as Christians. If anything, in most advanced nations (i.e. not 3rd world) christianity is on a very slow decline. If we're still around in a few hundred years, I would just expect a much less religious global society in general...rather than one or another religion dominating things.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Its because of this reason, faith wise, that the Muslims can/will overpower Christians.

They are, overall, more united. (with own problems of course)

But then, that is my own opinion, please take it as such.

Originally posted by Nellinator
It's very frustrating to see so much enmity between Christians.

Who is a Christian?

Originally posted by DigiMark007
Interesting, but I doubt either side would really "overpower" anything. If Islam presented that much of a threat, secularists would unite just as vehemently as Christians. If anything, in most advanced nations (i.e. not 3rd world) christianity is on a very slow decline. If we're still around in a few hundred years, I would just expect a much less religious global society in general...rather than one or another religion dominating things.

And secularist unite against a religion?!

That is laughable beyond reason. On one side, there are overfed, lazy, old people*, born with a silver spoon in their mouth, choking on political correctness, historical ignorance, trying to climb on the ethical moral high grounds over anybody not sharing their cultural values and morals.

On the other side, there are raw, young boys* (and girls) with an extremely strong ideology (Islam), who believe in it so much, they are not only ready to kill you for it, they are ready to kill themselves and anyone who stands in their way.

Secularists can only unite under the flag of ''I don't have a religion'' - they can and do differ in colour, age, political views, moral views, social class, ethnicity..etc.

Compare that to an ideology where status, race and age mean nothing - and the only goal is to get to Heaven, please God, and die for that very ideology - I think we have a clear winner.

*While in the first world, the medium age is, oh I don't know, somewhere around 36 years old (to be generous) the medium age of Muslims around the world is around 15 years old.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
If Islam presented that much of a threat, secularists would unite just as vehemently as Christians.

I find that hard to believe.

Yay disputes!

Maybe Christianity will implode upon itself! Huzzah!

Christians haven't adopted that "brotherhood" like the Muslims. However, social status always plays a role in this issue.

The rich Christians seperate from the poor Christian just like the rich Muslim with the poor muslim. I think it happens in many others ideologies like atheism, Scientology, and maybe....even marxist (self proclaim communist of course)

I think part of the problem with modern day Christianity is it's made out to be too big.I think if their was a Jesus Christ and he came back tommorow,he would very angry with a lot of people who claim to be Christian.It's hard for me to belive a guy on tv is really a follower of Christ when he seems so taimed and formal.Wearing his suit in his gigantic church.Jesus was a rebel who got people talking.A far cry from modern day followers.IMO.

Originally posted by dadudemon
Well, I think this person has realized how backwards and illogical it is for a Christian to "persecute" another "Christian". When a person does that....how "Christ-like" is that? Exactly...they aren't being very "Christian" when they do that.

We are discussing Marcello and JIA in particular.

But yes, Christians do attack other Christians, as much as they attack non Christians.

Individuals and Groups of the Christian Faith claim to be "more like Jesus" or that "they know God's will", and then if another Christian has a different intepretation, the other sees it as blasphemy.

The funny thing is that every Christian with a different perspective can use any quote in the Bible to back up thier stances, so whose to say whose right and whose wrong ?

Originally posted by dadudemon
Same as a Buddhist monk having crazy sex and being a real-estate connoisseur…they make a mockery of what they claim to be.

Not all Buddhists are monks, and I being Buddhist have no problem indulging in Sex. As long as I am not raping someone, there is nothing "immoral" about it.

Originally posted by dadudemon
I think it is important that this person has discovered this. True, though, that in the same light, this young man should not be “persecuting” non-Christians as well. In fact, if you profess “Christianity”, you aren’t “persecuting” anyone.

Well then Christianity has been mispracticed for centuries, since persecution has been a fundamental aspect of Christianity since the Age of the Roman Empire, uptil now.

Ofcourse, those are predominantly Christians in power. Hence, why no government or source of authority should claim one religion as thier own. Either be neutral, or embrace ALL religions, not just one.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
That is not only true for Christian to Christian but to Christian and Non-Christain or Non-Christain and Christian.

And non-Christian to non-Christian.

I think Islam is just as split as Christianity, its splintering is merely less easily observed due to the strong anti-islamic mentality of much of the world currently.

On a purely technical basis a lot of the conflict that one sees in a Iraq at the moment exists between two factions of the Islamic faith. However it has been seen in the past that the splintering in the Islamic faith is far less observable as:

a. Many nations with predominantly Muslim populations often have very "controlling" governments that don't let religious splits harm their stability (something Saddam was famous for in the way he handled Shi'ite and Sunnis)

b. Are prepared to unify (as you said with us vs. them) against people even less liked - some of those nations that have supported Palestinian terrorists have done so despite the fact that their own part of Islam doesn't particularly like the Palestinian part, but they dislike Israel more.

On the other side, there are raw, young boys* (and girls) with an extremely strong ideology (Islam), who believe in it so much, they are not only ready to kill you for it, they are ready to kill themselves and anyone who stands in their way.

Do you hold the view that their faith alone is the motivating factor for their violent discontent or would you agree that their are certain social/cultural influences that motivate as well and lay the ground work for manipulation from more educated fanatics of the faith?

Or, to make it simpler - if Islam was removed from the context would these misguided people suddenly turn into innocent lambs full of love for all or would they simply turn to another doctrine - be it political, ideological or religious - that says they are right to be angry, then endorses their anger at the world and is prepared to direct it against obvious targets?

If Islam presented that much of a threat, secularists would unite just as vehemently as Christians.

Secularists don't make good lobby groups simply because they are not a coordinated, singular organisation/group with goals beyond beyond secularism, and as such can be so very varied. Their are Islamic, Christian, Atheist secularists, and all the rest.

A secularist wouldn't be condemning either Islam or Christianity, but they will speak out against either attacking the values of a free and secular setting, and against things such as violence.

Factors such as poverty, territory, war, debt, and classism (between men and women, rich and poor) is what predominantly places the Third World in such a bad position.

Islam, which seems to be the one thing they rely on, only fuels this hostility which has existed for centuries.

Originally posted by Goddess Kali
Factors such as poverty, territory, war, debt, and classism (between men and women, rich and poor) is what predominantly places the Third World in such a bad position.

Islam, which seems to be the one thing they rely on, only fuels this hostility which has existed for centuries.

Exactly. Remove Islam and something would merely take its place. It is probably not a coincidence that the places where the big two monotheistic religions (Islam and Christianity) are doing best in the places where people have the most trouble in life.

As such the logical progression that would contribute to the soundest future would seem to be to concentrate not so much on the religions, but rather the aspects and issues that drive people to their fanatical branches.

Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
Exactly. Remove Islam and something would merely take its place. It is probably not a coincidence that the places where the big two monotheistic religions (Islam and Christianity) are doing best in the places where people have the most trouble in life.

As such the logical progression that would contribute to the soundest future would seem to be to concentrate not so much on the religions, but rather the aspects and issues that drive people to their fanatical branches.

Dreamer! 😉

😂

Originally posted by Nellinator
It's very frustrating to see so much enmity between Christians. Personally, I regret a few comments I have made to other Christians. I was just reading my Bible and found something I think is very important for Christians:

"Him that is weak of faith receive ye, not to criticizings of his thoughts... Who art thou that judgest another man's household servant? to his master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand: for the Lord is able to make him stand... For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For unto Christ both died, and rose, and lived (again), in order that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
- Romans 14: 1, 4, 7-10

[b]"Let not your good be spoken evil of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that in these things serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved by men. Let us therefore pursue after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
- Romans 14: 16-19

Yep. [/B]

I agree, I never understood the loathing of Catholics by other Christians, so I hope those bible-wavers will also read those verses and leave me alone.

Originally posted by Naz
I agree, I never understood the loathing of Catholics by other Christians, so I hope those bible-wavers will also read those verses and leave me alone.

Not just Catholics but Mormons, JW and so on. All trying to self-canibalise their own faith.

Yes, the biggest step towards less open disputes between what are essentially different factions of the same faith would be an open mind (less: "The way you are doing it wrong, you've got to do it like me"😉 and some common sense.

Really I can't help but feel if God really is all he is cracked up to be he wouldn't exclude massive numbers of Christians based upon what are essentially doctrinal issues based upon an imperfect, highly interpretable medium.

God: "Let's look at my Heaven invite list. Hmmm.... Catholics, pray to me, live by basic Christian rules, read Bible good, good... ooops, some bad doctrine there. They're out. Mormons... hmmm, same. Oh dear, this group, that group and them, oh and them... all off the list. And I am left with.... JIA and... Marchello. Sigh. Eternity is going to be hell."

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Dreamer! 😉

😂

You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one oooOOOOoooo.

*Sways arms above head*