Comments on: On Conservative and Extremist Christianity. http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/on-conservative-and-extremist-christianity/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:08:49 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: August Walters http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/on-conservative-and-extremist-christianity/#comment-312 August Walters Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:10:19 +0000 http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/?p=68#comment-312 I sympathize with your views on the dark side of Christianity, the preaching of hate and intolerance, and the errant use of certain passages in the Bible to enforce radical beliefs. A few thoughts on this general topic: the Bible was written by humans, and is not even complete; much was left out for various reasons by those in control at that time, and much had not even been discovered yet; while the general teachings are an excellent guideline for life, those who choose certain quotes or passages, often out of context, to enforce their own personal beliefs or emotions are very misguided and do not understand the Bible or its purpose; contradictions abound, and we should have reached the point where we see through those and understand the basic message, the big picture if you will. Context is really the important word here and should always be considered before any other factor. It is impossible to relate human consciousness at that time to the present. Homosexuality, for example, was thought then to be an evil choice of behavior. We understand now that it's a condition, a genetic error if you prefer. But do we hate and punish all the unusual 'conditions' in our society? No. Rather, we meet them with understanding and tolerance. Some human gods may preach intolerance, hate, and fear of punishment from the Almighty. But the real God teaches love, understanding, and tolerance, and we should likewise teach our children. I sympathize with your views on the dark side of Christianity, the preaching of hate and intolerance, and the errant use of certain passages in the Bible to enforce radical beliefs. A few thoughts on this general topic: the Bible was written by humans, and is not even complete; much was left out for various reasons by those in control at that time, and much had not even been discovered yet; while the general teachings are an excellent guideline for life, those who choose certain quotes or passages, often out of context, to enforce their own personal beliefs or emotions are very misguided and do not understand the Bible or its purpose; contradictions abound, and we should have reached the point where we see through those and understand the basic message, the big picture if you will.

Context is really the important word here and should always be considered before any other factor. It is impossible to relate human consciousness at that time to the present. Homosexuality, for example, was thought then to be an evil choice of behavior. We understand now that it’s a condition, a genetic error if you prefer. But do we hate and punish all the unusual ‘conditions’ in our society? No. Rather, we meet them with understanding and tolerance.

Some human gods may preach intolerance, hate, and fear of punishment from the Almighty. But the real God teaches love, understanding, and tolerance, and we should likewise teach our children.

]]> By: Alyssa http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/on-conservative-and-extremist-christianity/#comment-311 Alyssa Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:17:47 +0000 http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/?p=68#comment-311 Irish, Where I am glad you're not of the extremist Christian variety that is sent here to pass judgment. I don't think of my husband as the head of the household. We're equals. I make rules just as much as he does. I don't step down or submit to his commands. We both work for the money that comes into our household and he is nowhere above me on the grand scheme of things just because he possesses a penis. Sorry. The whole 'helpmate' idea was completely ruined for me after seeing last weeks "Wife Swap" because I saw what it really meant....At first I was like "oooooh, a help mate...that's a neato idea".... then I saw the truth. It's just another way of putting women in their place as the "weaker vessels"... Tell me if I'm wrong and that's not what you meant. ...but there's no chance in hell my husbands any further up to "God" in the grand scheme of things. If there is such a place as heaven or hell... I don't need his penis to get me into heaven. My vagina and my ability to be a good person and live a good life will get me there, whether we're divorced, whether I don't put him on a pedestal, etc... Irish,
Where I am glad you’re not of the extremist Christian variety that is sent here to pass judgment.

I don’t think of my husband as the head of the household.

We’re equals. I make rules just as much as he does. I don’t step down or submit to his commands. We both work for the money that comes into our household and he is nowhere above me on the grand scheme of things just because he possesses a penis. Sorry. The whole ‘helpmate’ idea was completely ruined for me after seeing last weeks “Wife Swap” because I saw what it really meant….At first I was like “oooooh, a help mate…that’s a neato idea”…. then I saw the truth. It’s just another way of putting women in their place as the “weaker vessels”…

Tell me if I’m wrong and that’s not what you meant.

…but there’s no chance in hell my husbands any further up to “God” in the grand scheme of things. If there is such a place as heaven or hell… I don’t need his penis to get me into heaven. My vagina and my ability to be a good person and live a good life will get me there, whether we’re divorced, whether I don’t put him on a pedestal, etc…

]]> By: Irish http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/on-conservative-and-extremist-christianity/#comment-310 Irish Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:58:10 +0000 http://withoutsanity.wordpress.com/?p=68#comment-310 I think you have some very good & valid points. I think it is VERY important to not take verses out of context. For example, when you read about a wife being submissive of her husband, RIGHT AFTER THAT is "men should love their wives like the love the church." (I'm paraphrasing obviously). Think of men like a head of a body..and women are the neck. They (we) can influence & turn our husband's heads & thinking. I think we are helpmates to eachother, but we can't be both the chef in the kitchen. With that being said, I also believe after reading and studying scripture, I don't think every man was cut out to be the "head of the family" I think there are gifts born unto people that makes them leaders, followers, servers/servants, etc. regardless of their sex. It's so important as Christians that we have read the entire "mission statement" (if you will) to fully understand it. It's about reading, listening, praying and then doing as God as asked us to do. I believe homosexuality is wrong, but I'll never turn away a person from his or her friendship because of it. I have family members that are gay. I love them just the same; but I do not condone their lifestyle. Ok, so where does the judging part come in? I talk to my kids (as their age allows) about what's right & wrong, what WE believe in as their parents and what we've interpreted from the Holy Bible. I hope that my children will ask questions; search for answers from scripture and prayer to finally step forward out on their own some day as adults. I also enjoy the sub title of your webpage! ;): "Because I don’t need to talk about my Hoo-Haa, Menstruation or Bowel Movements to Be Popular!!" Pun intended: AMEN SISTER! AMEN! I think you have some very good & valid points.
I think it is VERY important to not take verses out of context. For example, when you read about a wife being submissive of her husband, RIGHT AFTER THAT is “men should love their wives like the love the church.” (I’m paraphrasing obviously). Think of men like a head of a body..and women are the neck. They (we) can influence & turn our husband’s heads & thinking. I think we are helpmates to eachother, but we can’t be both the chef in the kitchen. With that being said, I also believe after reading and studying scripture, I don’t think every man was cut out to be the “head of the family” I think there are gifts born unto people that makes them leaders, followers, servers/servants, etc. regardless of their sex.

It’s so important as Christians that we have read the entire “mission statement” (if you will) to fully understand it. It’s about reading, listening, praying and then doing as God as asked us to do.

I believe homosexuality is wrong, but I’ll never turn away a person from his or her friendship because of it. I have family members that are gay. I love them just the same; but I do not condone their lifestyle. Ok, so where does the judging part come in? I talk to my kids (as their age allows) about what’s right & wrong, what WE believe in as their parents and what we’ve interpreted from the Holy Bible. I hope that my children will ask questions; search for answers from scripture and prayer to finally step forward out on their own some day as adults.

I also enjoy the sub title of your webpage! ;) : “Because I don’t need to talk about my Hoo-Haa, Menstruation or Bowel Movements to Be Popular!!”
Pun intended: AMEN SISTER! AMEN!

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