Catfish,

What are your views about the gay movement? Will you be accept if your son comes and ask if you would approve of his gay relationship?

What about the non Christians? How about the Muslims? Have a look at the Middle East issue and see how critical and judgmental they are. (No offense here.)

All I can say that in all Christianity is never an enforced issue. Never dogmatic and certainly not a fanatic kind of religion. As a matter of fact, it is never a religion too.

Care to disagree?

I think we are going to see the various sects go to very great extremes in one direction before they start turning back in the other direction. But I think this will eventually be a transition that turns religion back into something that enriches people's lives instead of limiting them.

I think that the attitudes of younger people will force the older religious leaders to make changes in order for the religion to survive. Remember when the Catholic church absolutely forbade any kind of birth control except abstinence? They had to change with the times.

Of course, I don't see this happening any time soon. I figure I'll be long dead by the time anything positive happens in any of the religions of the world. But then, I'm not a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew, etc., etc., even though I'm not an atheist.

And Lecter, I totally disagree. Christianity is often a forced issue - much more often with our current administration, in fact. Christianity is absolutely dogmatic and frequently fanatical. Are you familiar with "speaking in tongues" or handling snakes or boycotting Disney because they employ gays?

And what???? Christianity is most definitely a religion. From Mirriam-Webster Online;

Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈli-jən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely
Date: 13th century
1 a: the state of a religious b (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

That's m-w.com. I suggest you make use of it in the future.

The thing that caused the most problems, in my opinion, is when Christianity became politicized. Falwell may have thought he was doing the Lord's work, but all he did is bring about a turn against Christianity that will play out over the next decade or more.

Let me explain myself better. I turned away from Christianity before it really became a political force. With that, people tell me that I'm not a good Christian, and I shrug my shoulders and give some smartass reply such as, "Yeah, thanks." But when it became politicized and the word Republican became synonymous with religion, there was a turning point. Soon, with a Republican Presidency and Congress, not only was I not a good Christian (which I could live with since that label didn't apply to me), but I was not a good citizen. Huh?? As far as I knew, I put my hand over my heart at the pledge, I paid my taxes WITHOUT cheating, I stopped at stop signs and drove within the speed limit, and I even knew all four verses of "The Star Spangled Banner". It wasn't enough that I wasn't having an abortion or abstaining from sex so that I didn't need an abortion. Suddenly, I was a bad citizen because I didn't hate people who did have one. Now, the government in charge took all of the moral thoughts that are supposed to be governed by your own personal actions and whatever God you believe in, and said that it was part of your being a good Ahhh-merkin (look up the word merkin if you aren't familiar. You'll get a laugh).

And with a two party system, it's fatal. It's saying that this is the party in charge, and stray from them on one relatively minor issue, and you're completely worthless.

And not that I was asked, but I have children and I don't give a damn if they tell me they are gay. In fact, I'm very liable to respond, "Good for you? What? Are you waiting for me to kick you out or something?? Hell no, let's go shoe shopping to celebrate. Call your boyfriend. He can come too." :D

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PW, ROFLMAO! Merkin is an oddity. I've known what it is for a long time now, but only recently rediscovered it. I'm really into Tool right now, and the lead singer started a vineyard named Merkin. I read it and sprayed Diet Coke all over my monitor, because I just can't reconcile that with being the name of a wine producing vineyard. Hell of a logo though. :D

As far as insults go, I think it could become a classic. Until it really breaks through in popularity, I'm using it in the same way I did above. Standing in the grocery store checkout line, softly singing, "Ah'm prowd tuh beee en uh merkin..."

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merkin! ha!!!!!! love it!!!!!

as for christianity...it is too bad that fundamentalist/bible belt variety christianity is the only thing a lot of young people have heard about and therefore judge all other christians by. i know plenty of other christian denominations that are tolerant and loving. they just keep to themselves and therefore dont make the 6 oclock news for banning gay marriage and bombing abortion clinics.

i grew up christian, with a catholic dad and a christian scientist mom, went to episcopal and catholic schools, became enamored with buddhism, now only consider myself spiritual rather than religious......and to be honest, in all my life wasnt exposed to religous resentment towards homosexuals, etc.

then you've got he more exotic, snake biting , speaking in tongues variety....but dont get me started on that! LOL!

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Catfish and Pussy Willow

I have a more simplistic defination for religion and I wonder if you will all agree with me. Religion has always been man (sorry no discrimination here)seeking after God. But if you look at Christianity closely in a simple way it is just the opposite. From the old testament to the new testament and right till now it has always been God seeking after us.

In case I am wrong but I am very definite that the Christian church does not have anything against the lowlys, gays, lesbians, and even prostitutes. How they live their lives will be up to them, certainly not for us to say. However, at present they seem to be rejected by the majority and it isn't just from the Christian corner. Homosexuality in general is not widely acceptable be it from the religious but from the social stand point as well. So an article on the fallacies on Christianity is not a really objective fair view.

Intricate Girl

I am really sorry that your community has turned out to be "too political" for your liking but I don't think you should blame other Christian's failure for your decision to drop your faith. Yes, you may be spiritually and legally abiding but that is nothing to do with your own accountability to God. And you would certainly know by now that salvation isn't from your own doing and contribution to the church and/or society. I am sure you would be able to find another church if you really want to. What others want to do with their lives definitely won't be our business, but it is really what you really want with God, right? Quote me if I am wrong.

In conclusion, no one is ever perfect and that certainly includes me. We all have our own fallacies and that is who and what we are. Aren't non Christians equally critical to social abnormalities? Yes, the gays may feel that the Christian corner is being too critical and judgemental.....But they had failed to say that they were being accepted into the church in the first place. And I dare add that they were never treated as society's outcast from a true church, it is just that they are being discouraged from continuing with their lifestyle which has social and medical implications. Further I dare add, certainly not in the eyes of God from Jesus stand point!!

You have completely misread what I wrote. I did not leave because they became too political. And I never once said that I blame Christians for anything. I was responding, the same as you were. In my opinion, people are turning away form Christianity because of social factors more than religious ones. Also, yes, I'm sure I could find a different church if such a thing interested me. It doesn't.

"Not all who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

A Rolex watch is one of the finest timepieces made. Many people would jump at the opportunity to own one. That’s why my friends who recently traveled abroad thought it would be fun to pick up a few of them to give to their children as souvenirs.

Souvenirs? Yes. You see, these watches were "knockoffs"—imitations of the real thing easily passed off to tourists at ridiculously cheap prices. The ones they chose for their family members did have a slight difference from the ones you would buy at a fine jewelry store—the name on these watches was spelled R-O-L-E-X-X.

Few things of value are inexpensive. Fewer still are free. But salvation—the most important gift of all—is free. Unlike the imitation Rolex, salvation is of infinite value. Yet it is free because, as one hymn reminds us, "Jesus paid it all." No one can earn salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). We need only believe and receive the gift of eternal life that God offers (Rom. 6:23).

It’s a paradoxical truth that while salvation is free, its cost was great. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony at Calvary."

Anyone who teaches something else is simply pushing a "knockoff" of the real thing.

This is something I don't usually share since it's such a important thing to each individual. But, I'm not a Christian ~ as in, I don't believe in Christ as the lord and saviour. I remain Catholic because I - well, I'm not in a big hurry to find something new. I'm open to Judaism, but not enough to actually pursue converting ~ YET. (I'm sure there are some of you nodding your head and thinking a lot of stuff makes more sense now, huh???)
So, for me, I see this article as a great piece! We need to look at the whole of Christianity and ask questions! I'm not saying I want everyone to stop believing like I have. Not at all. But, we need to look at the sins of the past, the sins of the present and make changes. Anyone heard of the group - Christains of Zion? (er, I think that's what they're called!) On the surface they sound great. A bunch of Christians working toward the future of Israel. Until, that is, you look a little deeper and see that it's all about politics! And worse! Trying to bring about the "end of days"! Yep, they're gonna love the Jews until the rapture ~ then the lot of them will fry in hell while they ascend to heaven! Ya, nice group!
And, even as a Catholic, I was told for years as a kid that I wasn't a true Christian! Why? Because true Christians don't follow pagean-like rituals! Er, excuse me????
Ah, I give up! I once posted that we should dismantle all organized religion! Of course, that could never happen. But, I would like to see a return to the "old" and attention being put on our own doings and not the doings of others. Hell, I still celebrate Christmas! Though, the others ~ including Easter ~ go unaknowlaged in my home. I no longer fast or give up anything for Lent. But, everyone else can do as they like! Just, love thy neighbor ~ don't rape, kill or mame ~ don't covet ~ don't lie ~ don't steal ~ honor your elders ~ love ALL mankind! Funny, how NONE of that is actively practiced by most churches!

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