Well to answer the first part of the question as I see it there is a little wiggle room even within the tight constraints of any strict religion. x<1 and x>0 isn't much room to vary if it is in inches and we're talking about something the size of a football field but it does allow for x to be 0.1,0.2,0.3 ect... So there is pretty much an indefinably number of minor alterations all supposedly true within the law. That's not to say it is right but it is apparently right. Any concept past the one single act of fully accepting Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for one's sin is an effort to please God. A lot of extra information on God pleasing is given but the when push comes to shove all Christian sects will agree on that last sentence. Being so important it is no surprise everyone wants to please God best. But I think no one is likely to argue that a true God focused heart isn't going to be caught up in picking fights over these details. Debate all day long but that isn't same as fighting. Of course there are many 'wolves in sheep skin' out to make problems but they are disguised as Christians only.
Catholicism as far as I am concerned is really pushing Christianity. It has had so many problems, so many additions to the Gospel and such a power driven negative history I do not consider it Christian. I know not many people would disagree but I think Christ would be against that one. The Bible does not show a major interest in the Mary, the Bible does not list the sacraments, the Bible doesn't do so much that the Roman Church has. All these extra focal points take away from what should be focused on Christ. Jesus never worshiped any saint. He only put full faith in God. I personally disagree with the Roman Catholic church and find it worse than unbelievers.
I have read a decent bit about the Roman Catholic church being the structure set for the anti-Christ and I am not comfortable with the similarities. I think it would be wonderfully ironic and tasty to be Satan rising from a church supposedly devoted to its opposite. I suppose any structure is open to this potential danger but I am not comfortable with the church for that reason too. There are just too many extra things that get people distracted from the one single thing that saves them: Christ. The Pope is not the person between the individual and God. No one is. That is what Jesus is for.
As long as the Quakers are focusing on God then I don't see anything wrong with it. If they want to exclude fighting to be closer to God then I am happy they are willing to do that. I see that as being one of those variables that X could be between 0 and 1. It fits the rules. They are doing it to please God not because they are adding any extra requirements to faith. I disagree with the policy but not the intention and expect to meet many of them in Heaven.
About the Muslims, I really don't know. I mean to read the Quran but haven't yet. So anything I say about that would be an unfounded guess really. But I do imagine there are weak followers of that faith too, and from what I understand of Allah, he would enjoy a lukewarm Muslim about as much as Jesus enjoys a lukewarm Christian... not that much. And yes Christianity can be abused as I would argue is the case for the entire Roman Catholic church. But sometimes bad religions are as close as a person can get to God in their culture/time. (I believe) God punishes the willfully ignorant, not honest people who truly are confused, undecided or only have a certain religion available. God doesn't "set people up" to fail. Yes I know Job but that's different. I really do wish all the time I could convert people (or at least someone!) over to my faith but it is such a subjective decision all I can do is work to be as persuasive as I can when I write and hope it pushes someone it the right direction. I really recommend anyone giving it an honest shot. I gave magic a honest shot and look where I wound up.
Haha and as for the merlot, as good as it sounds I think I'll pass and take the water of truth God saves for the thirsty righteous. I'll need a clear head if we're going to keep this discussion going. Good points in general though I think. (IMG:
style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
This post has been edited by ☞Tomber☜: Sep 7 2010, 11:19 PM
Us Church To Burn Qurans On 9/11, This is disgusting...
monkman418 Us Church To Burn Qurans On 9/11 Sep 7 2010, 03:06 PM
Sep 7 2010, 03:06 PM
