Christians are the most persecuted group in the world - (only the most ridiculed on this forum)

hammertime

I had

no idea woodboy was molested as a small bird....errr boy.

but if in fact it’s true I hope your not dealing with it alone, and the priest should die.

.

LogicIsForSquares

When I was a kid, I went to a Wesleyan church. Our youth pastor washed his mouth out with buckshot and mentioned in his suicide note that it was because he had urges towards the boys at the church. Just glad he did that before acting on his urges.

jbluhm86

@calfoxwc said:

...I can't imagine a priest who would do something so perverse and vile - being an actual Christian...

Except that God condones rape and sexual slavery in the Bible. So there's that little speed-bump, I guess...

Westside Steve

Here's my take on this. I have had a lot of discussions about Christianity with a lot of friends that I respect. I guess one reason I haven't been able to fully embrace the faith is the idea of self sacrifice and humility. From what I've heard the Bible teaches that a Christian should expect some persecution from non-believers. When the people on the left and the bitter atheists throw shit it seems the way to handle that, in a Christian matter anyway, is to just forgive them, they know not what they do. Throwing a raft of shit back their way seems like missing the entire point. Old Browns fan could probably speak to that better than I could.

WSS

jbluhm86

@westside-steve said:

Here's my take on this. I have had a lot of discussions about Christianity with a lot of friends that I respect. I guess one reason I haven't been able to fully embrace the faith is the idea of self sacrifice and humility. From what I've heard the Bible teaches that a Christian should expect some persecution from non-believers. When the people on the left and the bitter atheists throw shit it seems the way to handle that, in a Christian matter anyway, is to just forgive them, they know not what they do. Throwing a raft of shit back their way seems like missing the entire point. Old Browns fan could probably speak to that better than I could.

WSS

As you know, I'm a pretty staunch atheist, but here is my thoughts:

First and foremost, although I think all religions are equal in the probability of being false, I also believe that every person has the right to practice or not practice any religion they wish, as long as they do so peacefully and keep it to their private homes, churches or respective religious communities. The First Amendment guarantees this.

Secondly, any attacks on religious people peacefully practicing their beliefs is abhorrent and should be condemned universally. And it is a fact that in many parts of the world, the Christian communities have been specifically targeted for persecution by other religious groups, and it too should be universally condemned.

However...

Once the religious among us bring their beliefs into the public arena, or try to inject parts of their religious ideology into government policy, that is when a line is crossed for me. And once religious beliefs are in the public forum, that opens them to critique, up to and including mockery.

And, Steve, if the majority of Christians were indeed humble and self sacrificing, then it probably would be a more benign religion than it is. But, it is a fact that a significant amount of the Christian community are some of the most self-aggrandizing and self-centered people around, because they believe that their religious beliefs somehow places them on a pedestal above everyone else.

That's just a brief synopsis of my views on religion.

calfoxwc

Your views are fine - their yours. But may I question a few, hoping for some rational explanation?

1. Why do you feel that a Christian isn't allowed to decide things in gov, based on his religion? I mean, he's supposed to violate what he believes?

2. By inference, then, you believe that an atheist is absolutely fine to make decisions based on what HE belives, and DOESN'T believe.

Is this true? How to do you figure those two beliefs are not directly contradictory?

3. Just because you are a CHRISTAIN (edit), in public. like at a rally in support of pro-life, it's fine for mockery? Is anybody mocking you for being an atheist? Think about that maybe?

Westside Steve

@calfoxwc said:

Your views are fine - their yours. But may I question a few, hoping for some rational explanation?

1. Why do you feel that a Christian isn't allowed to decide things in gov, based on his religion? I mean, he's supposed to violate what he believes?

unfortunately in a lot of cases that's exactly what he has to do. No different than I would expect from the Muslims who actually believe Sharia law should be the law of their community. Besides abortion I don't see too many issues that are contrary to what a true Christian might feel strongly about. Maybe the death penalty? It honesty how about any kind of punishment if we are truly meant to turn the other cheek?

2. By inference, then, you believe that an atheist is absolutely fine to make decisions based on what HE belives, and DOESN'T believe.

again as far as law or decision-making religion doesn't really come into it.

Is this true? How to do you figure those two beliefs are not directly contradictory?

if there is a conflict I suppose you should render unto Caesar what is Caesars or accept the consequences happily because you were following your God's law and you know that you will sit with him in eternity

3. Just because you are an atheist, in public. like at a rally in support of pro-life, it's fine more mockery? Is anybody mocking you for being an atheist? Think about that maybe?

what's the difference? Like I said I've been told Christians understand that they will be mocked and chastised and discriminated against even tortured and killed. Who cares if atheists mock you? If you truly believe you are following the true path it shouldn't matter at all. You should mostly feel sorry for them for being too blind to see the road to Salvation. Not worrying about name calling.

WSS