August 21, 201313 yr ........This entire conversation, while enlightening and well written, I think goes to underscore the answer to this thread title. Highly educated and spiritual people, a couple of which I count in my circle of friends, one in my tightest and most dear, are arguing over the meanings of a writing written 50-100 years after Jesus died, written by someone (most assuredly NOT the disciple Matthew) we don't know, based on that person's readings and stories passed down. I think many Christians put too much stock in the physical book to defend their stances on things (gay marriage, abortion, death penalty, homosexuality in general) and not enough stock in the common sense approach of love your neighbor and be kind to people. Instead of waving a book filled with 2nd and 3rd accounts at people and saying "do this", we should call on people to use their heart to set their course, have faith in something bigger then themselves, and allow kindness to be their roadmap. As I've said to many people in my congregation when asked, as I'm not one to hold back, YES, I think there are humans in all faiths that will experience a heavenly after-life who may have never heard of Jesus. For me, I am a practicing Catholic who attends Mass and is raising my children Catholic. Jesus Christ is my savior and I pray to God and the Holy Mary frequently. That said, I hope people view me first and foremost as a kind person, and while a sinner, one who truly tries to do the right thing. Sorry to be on a soapbox, I just hate how groups / people so often use the Bible as their tool to spew hatred, close-mindedness, and bigotry.
August 21, 201313 yr Author Sorry to be on a soapbox, I just hate how groups / people so often use the Bible as their tool to spew hatred, close-mindedness, and bigotry. Thanks for your honesty, MTGT. Do you think anyone in this thread has spewed hatred, close-mindedness or bigotry?
August 21, 201313 yr Thanks for your honesty, MTGT. Do you think anyone in this thread has spewed hatred, close-mindedness or bigotry? No; I'm speaking of groups like Westboro Baptist that are nasty, closeminded, and hateful, and wave the Bible while attacking blacks, gays, or pretty much anyone not white and living in Kansas.
August 21, 201313 yr Author No; I'm speaking of groups like Westboro Baptist that are nasty, closeminded, and hateful, and wave the Bible while attacking blacks, gays, or pretty much anyone not white and living in Kansas.I agree with you 100% on that. Too many groups hide behind the Bible and try to justify their hate. It is disgusting, and it is no wonder people see that and get a bad impression of Christianity, when in reality those groups do not represent Christ in any shape or form.
September 4, 201313 yr You don't wake up one day and decide you're coming to Jesus. There must be intervention from the Holy Spirit to dedicate one's life to Faith in Christ....
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