I respect people and their beliefs and refuse to be that pushy "religious salesman" that disgust me so much.

 

So, even though Jesus says in Matthew 28

The Great Commission

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

 

you choose to ignore what He instructed you and us to do? Your respect for others is more important than your respect for what Jesus wanted you to do?

So, even though Jesus says in Matthew 28

The Great Commission

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

 

you choose to ignore what He instructed you and us to do? Your respect for others is more important than your respect for what Jesus wanted you to do?

 

No it has nothing to do with that. I HATE when people preach religion, and I'm not going to become something I hate. It's incredibly rude and 100% disingenuous to try to persuade someone to Christianity behind the false guise that it's because the bible says to or because you care about the other person, when it's really for nothing more than wanting to make yourself "look good" and personal benefit.

I don't remember Jesus pressing Christianity down anyone's throat. Jesus instructs Christians to spread to Gospel, not to tell other people that they are stupid for their religious beliefs. Being intolerant of Muslims isn't going to convert anyone. Look at the Crusades, the reign of Mary I in England, or anyone else who has tried to establish their religion by force. You cannot make someone a Christian, and no one should be able to force their religious beliefs on another.

 

We all have our beliefs and feel that our religion is the right one. But as far as humanity and the world go, it's to each his own and that has to be okay with you.

.

How would you consider Jesus' treatment of the Pharisees and Saducees whose version of their faith was obviously different than Jesus' view of what SHOULD BE their version of faith?

 

Would you say he was pushy to them? Did he not treat them as they were ignorant and was very intolerant of their actions?

 

I agree that you cannot make anyone a Christian either by force or a parent making the choice for their infant.

 

Was to each his own okay for Jesus? And did He not tell us that the world will know Him via us?

 

And btw, we have not done a great job in that. I will agree. But still doesn't mean that we stop doing what He instructed us to do. Not just by TELLING them about Christ but also showing them the Love of Christ.

No it has nothing to do with that. I HATE when people preach religion, and I'm not going to become something I hate. It's incredibly rude and 100% disingenuous to try to persuade someone to Christianity behind the false guise that it's because the bible says to or because you care about the other person, when it's really for nothing more than wanting to make yourself "look good" and personal benefit.

 

Well, I can agree with you there. If it is about how you are viewed by the public or something else, than it is the wrong mindset.

 

It has to be that you care enough about that person that you don't want to see them run the risk of spending eternity in Hell that you are looking for an opportunity to discuss it with them.

 

I agree with you 100% that you don't push it when the opportunity is not there. You pray and look for the opportunity that it naturally happens.

 

Sometimes, as in the Bible, things take awhile to happen. It might be 2-3-10 years after you meet that person that it becomes right to push it. But you have to pray and open yourselves to the Holy Spirit's prompting on how to handle it.

 

I agree with you that you shouldn't define your relationship your friend by pushing the religion but disagree if you have the mindset that you will NEVER look for the opportunity to do it.

How would you consider Jesus' treatment of the Pharisees and Saducees whose version of their faith was obviously different than Jesus' view of what SHOULD BE their version of faith?

 

Would you say he was pushy to them? Did he not treat them as they were ignorant and was very intolerant of their actions?

 

I agree that you cannot make anyone a Christian either by force or a parent making the choice for their infant.

 

Was to each his own okay for Jesus? And did He not tell us that the world will know Him via us?

 

And btw, we have not done a great job in that. I will agree. But still doesn't mean that we stop doing what He instructed us to do. Not just by TELLING them about Christ but also showing them the Love of Christ.

 

Did Jesus want their rights taken away? Not allowing Muslims or any other religion is intolerant and Un-American. Remember we have no set religion in the US. And with Jesus, he was way more successful in converting followers by using "honey", and that is the road he is the most often depicted on. Jesus had compassion for all, not just his followers. What is he record of saying to the thieves on the cross, one was saved, the other mocked him. How did Jesus react?

Did Jesus want their rights taken away? Not allowing Muslims or any other religion is intolerant and Un-American. Remember we have no set religion in the US. And with Jesus, he was way more successful in converting followers by using "honey", and that is the road he is the most often depicted on. Jesus had compassion for all, not just his followers. What is he record of saying to the thieves on the cross, one was saved, the other mocked him. How did Jesus react?

 

Key word is depicted. In this always love society, Jesus is depicted that way.

 

How many pictures have you seen of Jesus overturning the money tables in the temple and whipping things with the cords? None. Because it does not fit into the image that people want to show Jesus in.

 

IMO, a person needs to have a complete vision of who Jesus was.

 

For example, Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace but division. Pitting family member vs family member.

 

He also said that this world will HATE Christians because of Jesus.

Or that Democrats are better than Republicans?

 

Well what can I say. We're all Democrats until we come across a little money, then we come to our senses and become Republicans.

I don't remember Jesus pressing Christianity down anyone's throat. Jesus instructs Christians to spread to Gospel, not to tell other people that they are stupid for their religious beliefs. Being intolerant of Muslims isn't going to convert anyone. Look at the Crusades, the reign of Mary I in England, or anyone else who has tried to establish their religion by force. You cannot make someone a Christian, and no one should be able to force their religious beliefs on another.

 

We all have our beliefs and feel that our religion is the right one. But as far as humanity and the world go, it's to each his own and that has to be okay with you.

 

 

 

Communism has never worked because the government should never have that much power and common people always get the shaft. But let's not act like the REPUBLIC we live in does not have it's own problems. Is it the government I prefer to live in? Absolutely, that doesn't make it 100% perfect.

 

 

Hmm. Sounds a lot like Islam to me.

from Matthew 10

26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny[d]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

 

34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

" 'a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -

36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[e]

 

37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

 

It would seem that the underlined parts should have concern for those that are not willing to share their faith with others.

 

The bolded is for Catscubed. That sure does not fit in with the honey approach alone. I think Jesus used both approaches and it just seems after a century or so of the "YOU ARE GOING TO HELL" approach of brimstone preachers we have swung the pendulum to the other extreme rather than using both approaches as Jesus did.

Well what can I say. We're all Democrats until we come across a little money, then we come to our senses and become Republicans.

 

Well being a public school teacher I wouldn't say I have come across a little money but I have switched most of my stances of my college days when I was firmly a Democrat to other positions as life has shown me things.

Did Jesus want their rights taken away? Not allowing Muslims or any other religion is intolerant and Un-American. Remember we have no set religion in the US. And with Jesus, he was way more successful in converting followers by using "honey", and that is the road he is the most often depicted on. Jesus had compassion for all, not just his followers. What is he record of saying to the thieves on the cross, one was saved, the other mocked him. How did Jesus react?

 

There is a Scripture somewhere and I would have to hunt for it but Jesus was teaching on Communion and how it represents his body. At the end, the crowd listening said this was too hard of a teaching for them to follow and they left Him.

 

We don't hear much about the thousands who rejected Jesus' words.

 

I agree that he had compassion for all but when they needed a kick in the rear, he gave them a kick in the rear. On one occasion, he called Peter the Devil. On another, he called his Disciples, IGNORANT!

Well being a public school teacher I wouldn't say I have come across a little money but I have switched most of my stances of my college days when I was firmly a Democrat to other positions as life has shown me things.

 

Yeah I think both sides are very extreme and completely ridiculous. They have gotten so against each other that they are forced to try and top one extreme with another, leaving out in the cold to die like the little match girl and forgetting about what I feel is the backbone of this country, the middle class working man.

Yeah I think both sides are very extreme and completely ridiculous. They have gotten so against each other that they are forced to try and top one extreme with another, leaving out in the cold to die like the little match girl and forgetting about what I feel is the backbone of this country, the middle class working man.

 

I agree that the focus is not on helping this country but pushing a certain agenda and for the political parties holding power by pandering to whatever special interest group that they think can keep them in power.

Jesus is a significant figure to Muslims. He is in the Quran and seen as a prophet of God. The very big difference between the Muslim view of Jesus and the Christian view is Christians believe Jesus is the son of God. Here is a simple way to look at these three religions - Jewish follow the Old Testament and don't believe Jesus is the Savior; Christians believe Jesus is the Savior and follow both the Old and New Testament; Muslims follow the Quran which includes the Old and New Testament and Jesus, and also teachings after Jesus up to Muhammad.

Jesus is a significant figure to Muslims. He is in the Quran and seen as a prophet of God. The very big difference between the Muslim view of Jesus and the Christian view is Christians believe Jesus is the son of God. Here is a simple way to look at these three religions - Jewish follow the Old Testament and don't believe Jesus is the Savior; Christians believe Jesus is the Savior and follow both the Old and New Testament; Muslims follow the Quran which includes the Old and New Testament and Jesus, and also teachings after Jesus up to Muhammad.

If they don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Way, the Truth and the Life, they must not follow all of the NT.

 

Jesus of the NT does not leave you with a 3rd choice. Either he is the Son of God or he is a crackpot.