Confronting Right Wing Christians: Is it worth it or are we going about it the wrong

[MrsSmith]

So let me get this straight - the "non-regular Christians" are:

The Catholics,

Jehovah Witnesses,

and, maybe, The Mormons?

Neither Jehovah's Witnesses nor Mormons follow standard Christian theology. There are some points of difference between Catholic theology and conservative Protestant, but they are generally very close...probably closer than some of the more liberal Protestant churches.

In general, the "regular" Christians, however, are all the people who have accepted a personal relationship with Christ, regardless of anything else. As a huge part of theology is resident in the relationship with the Holy Spirit, the points of disagreement are much diminished.

[Gingersnap]

To clarify a bit on Mrs. Smith's excellent point: Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe the Trinity and they do believe that the battle between Christ and Satan has already happened (in 1914). The LDS also do not believe in an orthodox conception of the Trinity and have divergent views on salvation. The Catholics have a salvation perspective that is more dependent on works than most Protestant views although virtually all Protestants consider them Christian - just "funny".

The first two (as well as Oneness Pentecostals) are usually not considered Christian by traditional or orthodox Christians - they are Christian-Lite. The latter are Christians. Mostly. :p

[LogansPapa]

Sounds like a separatism fest to me. My God’s better than your God. Jesus wept.

[Nathan S.]

This thread took a while to catch up on. You know, I believe in the Lord of the Bible. I don't belong to any denomination, I haven't studied for years at a seminary. As for that, the Word is meant to be plain to those who read it.

It's wasn't written so only the elite teachers could disperse it's wisdom. So having said that, I feel I have a good understanding of His Word and no where do I find justification for the horrible things Fred has done. It's easy to lay blame on christianity for so many wrongs done in His name, but that doesn't make it so, that Christianity, or Christ himself is to blame.

At the same time I understand it seems like an "out" to "fall back" on something like this (we won't take credit for the bad, only the good) as I hear in other forums. But there it is all the same. The easiest way to see if something is advocated is to study the top advocate - Jesus, in this case.

Does the bible really seem so convoluted to most non-believers? Well. . . just as I wrote that I remember back when I was a very ticked-off angry atheist liberal. And yea, I guess it was to me.

[MrsSmith]

Sounds like a separatism fest to me. My God’s better than your God. Jesus wept.

There is only one God. He did weep, for us, for our misery and pain. What an awesome God!

[MrsSmith]

This thread took a while to catch up on. You know, I believe in the Lord of the Bible. I don't belong to any denomination, I haven't studied for years at a seminary. As for that, the Word is meant to be plain to those who read it.

It's wasn't written so only the elite teachers could disperse it's wisdom. So having said that, I feel I have a good understanding of His Word and no where do I find justification for the horrible things Fred has done. It's easy to lay blame on christianity for so many wrongs done in His name, but that doesn't make it so, that Christianity, or Christ himself is to blame.

At the same time I understand it seems like an "out" to "fall back" on something like this (we won't take credit for the bad, only the good) as I hear in other forums. But there it is all the same. The easiest way to see if something is advocated is to study the top advocate - Jesus, in this case.

Does the bible really seem so convoluted to most non-believers? Well. . . just as I wrote that I remember back when I was a very ticked-off angry atheist liberal. And yea, I guess it was to me.

I wonder how many actually read it...and how many fall back on the anti-Bible websites and books that cherry-pick verses to create the "proper" slant?

I know that I used to have a very hard time reading the New Testament. I'd always bought the "Jesus, meek and mild" description, with no variation, and that just isn't the Jesus speaking in the Gospel. That is a man full of power, He actually sounded so arrogant to my inner ear. One of the clearest signs of the Holy Spririt, to me, was my change of attitude.

[AmPat]

Sounds like a separatism fest to me. My God’s better than your God. Jesus wept.

OR...............My understanding of My God is more accurate in MY OPINION than your understanding.

[The Night Owl]

...He actually sounded so arrogant...

Something we can agree on.

[Phillygirl]

To clarify a bit on Mrs. Smith's excellent point: Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe the Trinity and they do believe that the battle between Christ and Satan has already happened (in 1914). The LDS also do not believe in an orthodox conception of the Trinity and have divergent views on salvation. The Catholics have a salvation perspective that is more dependent on works than most Protestant views although virtually all Protestants consider them Christian - just "funny".

The first two (as well as Oneness Pentecostals) are usually not considered Christian by traditional or orthodox Christians - they are Christian-Lite. The latter are Christians. Mostly. :p

When I was in high school we were studying something related to the Catholic Church and the teacher asked who was Catholic and familiar with what was being talked about. When I raised my hand I was schocked to see only about 4 others out of 30 raise their hands. A girl in front of me who I had been friendly with looked at me with surprise and blurted out "I didn't know you were Catholic. It was odd. Up until then I had never thought about my being Catholic as being different at all. I also realized that just about all of my close friends were Catholic. I guess all those years of CCD sort of did it.

[LogansPapa]

OR...............My understanding of My God is more accurate in MY OPINION than your understanding.

OR..........you're comfortable with living in a communal system and your supposed understanding just gives you comfort about being a communist?