Dangerous Christianity?

[Theland]

Why is Christianity considered dangerous by some people? After all, for all of the shortcomings of various Christian denominations, and individuals that can justifiably be criticised, Christianity was, for hundreds of years in this country, one of the glues that held society together, and influenced its direction and standards of morality.
Only in the late twentieth century, as atheistic secular humanism really took off, did we see the demise of Christian influence.
So, how has it been dangerous?

[wizard69]

like Mani's head should be

[naomi24]

Theland, 'why should we tear our hair out pondering the minutea of the old testament?' That's rich coming from you who bleats on continually about prophesies!

[naomi24]

Wizard - I had to think about that for a minute - it only took a minute though!!

[Theland]

Imagine if we were all at the bar in the, "Answerbank Arms," having a pint, and had just finished talking about football and the weather, and then somebody says, "Did you see that debate on the telly last night about Christianity and Atheism?"
Would we still be sipping our drinks an hour later, or would the place be crawling with police and overturned tables?

[Theland]

naomi - prophecies are not as important as the basic message, love God and love neighbour.
We don't have to be degree level theologians to understand Jesus' message of love, which is not threatening in the least.

[wizard69]

I rather suspect that I would be arrested for GBH...

[Theland]

God Before Humanity?

[wizard69]

No..God Botherers, harmed

[Theland]

And all we asked you to do was buy a round!

[naomi24]

Fingerprint, I know some Christians have done good work. I was a Christian for years and know that according to the Christian church sin is inherent in men. However it's abhorrent to me to brand children sinners from the time they are born. Christianity seems to mean guilty until proven innocent - and that verdict only comes after you're dead - and then only if you're lucky.

Jumping to your answer to Chakka. Christians seem to want it all ways. They say the bible is the literal word of god, but as soon as something that doesn't entirely fit their ideology rears its ugly head, they introduce a 'but' and say it doesn't really mean that, or it needs to be interpreted by a theologian because we mere mortals are incapable of understanding it (which I might say I find rather patronising). Well, theologians have different opinions, so which you do opt for? I've studied the bible, both at church and alone, and I know what it contains - and whichever way you look at it, it's not all milk and honey that's for sure!

[naomi24]

Theland, if you were talking about football, I'd have been long gone - but I'd have bailed you all out the following morning!

[naomi24]

Theland, you're right, Jesus message of love is not threatening, but your church's message of eternal damnation is.

[naomi24]

Mani, is that your defence for me trying to open your eyes to what the bible really contains? If it makes you feel better, believe what you're taught and keep the blinkers on then - that's your choice.

[Fingerprint]

Thanks for your answer Naomi, I don't really agree with what you said about my answer to Chakka.

When you consider that the Bible was written so long ago in a different culture, context and language you simply cannot just read it as something that was written yesterday. For example when the Bible refers to things like homosexuality, rape or slavery it is generally actually refering to completely different things to how we would understand these things today.

[Theland]

Fingerprint is right. The Bible is a jewish book, written for jewish people in their culture at their particular time. To understand it, we need to remember this.
If you google "Moriel" you come to a site run by a Christian Jewish American pastor, James Jacob Prasch who is an authority on this. (He lives in the U.K.)

[naomi24]

Fingerprint and Theland - I know that of course - I have studied the bible along with many other ancient texts - but the fact remains that the bible as we know it is in general use today - and that's what the majority go by.

[Lonnie]

I'm not trying to be awkward, but how do you get a Christian Jew, both are different faiths, one beieves Jesus is the messiah, the other doesn't.

You can convert from one to the other, but to do that, the convertee has to give up a good part of his/hers original religion.

[Theland]

They are called Messianic Jews, that is, Jews who recognise Jesus as the Messiah.

[Lonnie]

I understand that, but then they are not Jews, even if they once were. Real Jews are still waiting for the first coming.