Re: It seems...
Submitted by JohnDoe420 on 2002-09-3 19:39:15, Tuesday
In reply to Re: It seems... submitted by ATN on 2002-09-3 18:42:41, Tuesday
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Hmm. I admit my knowledge of the gospels is lacking, but I don't off hand recall where Mary's age was given... I thought this was just guessed at by modern scholars, in which case you are engaging in some circular reasoning, or at the least are basing arguments on practically non existent data. Please correct me if I err. True - I was relying on a consensus of biblical scholars; the bible itself never mentions a specific age. I don't like to speak for Drifter, but it's probably because in the experience of many Christians, atheists who openly dislike Christianity tend not to come into Christian discussion areas and ask general questions that do not in any way attack, or appear to attack, Christianity. Oh, my... now you're ascribing to me a religion, a hatred of another religion, and an intent to attack Christianity? I don't think 'creative' carries quite the connotations I seek, here... Well, Jesus' message seems to me to have been that everybody was worthwhile, and I think that's an important message for us. Then I must commend you for this! Embrace it! Run with it! Why was the Samaritan not condemned by Jesus for being a Samaritan, alone? And what, pray tell, accorded this one Samaritan the respect the ages have shown him? It is answers to these which interest me. At the same time, He did say "Go and sin no more," and talked of the need to save the lost. He did, didn't he - but he also did not spend much time helping men who were righteous and Godly in the sight of the people, saying that they already have their reward in full, and doing little but to condemn them. Why did 'upstanding, important citizens, and members of the priesthood' earn so much ire? Most of the Christians I know follow this, considering homosexuality a sin, but working to help homosexuals. Well, I dare say - that's far better than lynching them, IMO. There is of course decreased communion with such people today; this is partly the fault of Christians, but probably also partly because many such people are openly anitpathetic toward Christians and anybody who offers help without openly endorsing the lifestyle. Or perhaps there is yet a third, who calls themselves Christian, but on whose account the name of God is slandered by the unbelievers? Those who wash the outside of the cup, but inside are full of filth and unclean things? Who pray loudly and publicly to be noticed by men, laying heavy burdens which they themselves will not lift with but one finger? Persons who live by condemning the speck in the eye of their brother - but never look to their own, knowing themselves to be righteous and Godly men? Perhaps... it is just a hypothetical possibility, after all - but I often wonder, did Jesus teach us nothing? 2000 years later, how do we judge - by the scandal of it all, by the fact that they are one of 'them' - or by the heart, the love and goodness shown? 2000 years later - Samaritans now accepted - if a known pedophile showed kindess to an injured child, tending their wounds, taking their unconscious form to a hotel for an evening - is there a church in the land who would not fear for the child in the merciless clutches of such a predator? 2000 years later - I have to ask - is there a one who calls themselves 'Christian' who would not admonish Jesus to mend his ways, who would not suggest that he is an atheist who dislikes Christianity for the audacity of asking uncomfortable questions, who would not reject him outright for criticizing the priesthood while showing preference to the homosexuals, the pedophiles, the prostitutes, and the like? This is what I wonder - is there even Christianity? Some of the messages in this thread have given me some hope. |
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