I think the simplest answer is simply don't preach. Then any accusations will be groundless and easily ignored. At least I find such things easy to ignore.

As for Christianity breeding hate, as Lucid Lunacy stated, I have to disagree. A closed, fearful mind breeds hate. Any exclusive organization, including but far from limited to Christianity, is just a convenient excuse.

Originally posted by TravelerintheDark

As for Christianity breeding hate, as Lucid Lunacy stated, I have to disagree. A closed, fearful mind breeds hate. Any exclusive organization, including but far from limited to Christianity, is just a convenient excuse.

I think it goes a little beyond a convenient excuse...but I do not entirely disagree with that...

Christianity imho facilitates a medium and a justification for those fearful close-minded people to breed hate through it. It encourages it imho, as long as it is inline with scriptural belief. i.e homosexuals being inherently wrong, and so Christians with homophobia use this belief as a means and a justification to express their ill contempt. Just one example, as it is prevalent.

[edit on 20-11-2008 by Lucid Lunacy]

Christianity as a hierarchical religion has never made sense to me personally. I do still practice Christianity, however. That organization's pursuit of profit and converts has yet failed to make me a cynic. At least in my heart I know I'm a true practitioner of that belief.

Originally posted by Lucid Lunacy
It encourages it imho, as long as it is inline with scriptural belief. i.e homosexuals being inherently wrong, and so Christians with homophobia use this belief as a means and a justification to express their ill contempt. Just one example, as it is prevalent.

It is definitely.

And then the message of Jesus, as the blood of the new covenant and their messiah, was to love above all, even those things we know are wrong. This is why I see the problem as reconciling the message over an agenda, and so I don't blame Christianity, but rather it's bigoted members, who I think would likely be bigots no matter what religion they practiced.

[edit on 20-11-2008 by TravelerintheDark]

Originally posted by Good Wolf
I think it's a problem of two halves. On one side you us atheists and non christians who don't recognise the bible as a "divine" item.

Then you have the devout preachy type who feel the need to "enlighten" the first group and to do so just quote scripture. This just ticks of the first group, and it happens a hell of a lot.

[edit on 20/11/2008 by Good Wolf]

Oh so its the Christians trying t enlighten everyone huh? Well I think You need to get Your head out of your ass because thats where it is apparently. Both sides are guilty and from my opinion there is more people that attack christians than the other way around. How about this don't even read posts based on faith and don't even comment because I don't want to read it. How bout You leave out the posts were Jesus was a ?%^&& too and then things will be peaceful.

To add to what I have already said, and I apologize if this is getting of topic from the OP (mods feel free to delete this if needed), but I do feel it offers an understanding of the question asked by the OP.

Jesus has been tied to the Church, and the Church has not evolved, but we as spiritual beings have. We have constantly sought a deeper understanding and relationship with God.

When the Gnostic texts were discovered, scholars studying them concluded that they were accounts of Jesus's teachings, written during his lifetime. Keeping in mind that the current New Testament was authored after the life and death of Jesus. The Gnostic texts speak of a much more intimate relationship with God, one that can be fostered internally and personally. In other words without a mediator/church. Why have these texts not been accepted by the modern Church?

I believe it is because it takes control away from the Church, if you feel you can define your own relationship with God, free of others interpretations, what need for the Church then? Religion is control of the masses, government in the guise of a Church.

The majority of, what is labelled as "New Age", does not discount the message of Jesus. It expands upon it. It encourages us to explore our relationship with God on a more personal level.

The original Church as Jesus spoke of it, was a meeting of the like-minded. An opportunity to come together and share, to find joy and comfort in a shared brotherhood. It was not intended to be place of rules and rituals, that limit our relationship with Him and layout the Terms and Conditions.

So OP as to your original question. "Preaching" about Jesus is all most people have ever heard, and when people ask about Jesus they are generally looking for answer that would be supplied by the Church or the Bible. Not everyones relationship with God is defined by these things. I will never listen to someone Preach, but I will have a discussion anytime.

One final note for clarity. I use the word Jesus and God interchangebly here. One is the same as the other.

Peace

It would seem that the largest majory of people like to carry around a soap box and/or pull along a trojan horse. Those types will take every change to get upon the soap box or high horse.



Have you truly questions your truest intentions of asking questions? Jesus once upon the time taught by asking questions, but this has been muddied by the bastard understandings of this simplest of things. Would you not agree?

To ask questions about Jesus you should make clear your reasons before a question mark ever comes out of your statements. the false nature of the selfrightous christStain religion makes this a required function of interaction about any topic.

Do you really want to know the answer to such questions or are you just looking for a reason to bloat your own ego in thinking yourself a great theacher? Did you ever stop to question that?

Originally posted by TravelerintheDark
I think the simplest answer is simply don't preach. Then any accusations will be groundless and easily ignored. At least I find such things easy to ignore.

As for Christianity breeding hate, as Lucid Lunacy stated, I have to disagree. A closed, fearful mind breeds hate. Any exclusive organization, including but far from limited to Christianity, is just a convenient excuse.

In many Christian denominations preaching is mandatory so it is not such a simple answer.

[edit on 20-11-2008 by centrifugal]

Originally posted by TravelerintheDark
This is why I see the problem as reconciling the message over an agenda, and so I don't blame Christianity, but rather it's bigoted members, who I think would likely be bigots no matter what religion they practiced.

That could very well be the case.

The chicken and egg paradox, regardless of which is the true cause, doesn't change the prevalence of this, and that it is manifesting through Christianity. Perhaps if Christianity was gone these bigots would choose Islam. I do not know. That is more speculative, and I am trying to be more tangible I guess...

If I were to attempt it, my first post would go something like this:

(Question goes here.)

This is not meant to be a thread to debate the issue. It is simply my asking what is each and everyones opinion on it, so please give your opinion on the question and nothing more. (One post only please.)

Thank you.



I would hope that other members would be able to understand that and not get worked up over what others say.
As has been said before, everyone has their own opinions. If you don't like what others think, it's perfectly ok to give them a smile and walk away.