Is it what we see from the Jim Bakers, or Jimmy Swaggarts of TV fame or is it from the exploits of people like Billy and Franklin Graham (both of whom I have met), or Mother Theresa. Everything good can be corrupted and will be. There is a saying about not throwing the baby out with the bath water. That is definitely relevant today. The practicing of true christianity does not threaten anyone or anything. What are the two most basic principles taught by Christ? Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and strength. The other part of that is to love your neighbor as yourself. Please, anyone tell me the evil in that.

Yes, terrible things have happened over the centuries in the name of Christianity. None of those things were taught by Jesus or any of the inscribers of the Bible. If I go on a killing spree and scream that I am doing this in the name of McDonalds, does that mean we condemn McDonalds? I am no fan of McDonalds but that is a preference not a condemnation.

All I ask is that you have an open mind and heart. Be critical in your thinking and examine facts. I did for about 27 years before I finally realized that there is a God, He does love me, and I have a place reserved at His table. Am I perfect? Yeah right and I am also the King of Spain, and a world class athelete.

I will say this again at the expense of being obtuse. If you are right and Christians are wrong what have we lost? If, on the other hand, Christians are right and you are wrong what have you lost?

What is real Christianity? Jesus is. Jesus is perfect theology. He walked among us and talked as Teacher and Councelor. 'Follow me' He admonished.'Greater miracles you will do' He prophesied. Jesus lived a human existance perfectly. All along the way His Father approved and was pleased. Even in the events leading up to His death, Jesus lead the way by simplistic willingness. Every action, word and deed uplifted Man as He revealed the Charactor of the Father. Jesus, a man of no Supernatural power of His own did the Miraculous. A man without ant special training dumbfounded the scholars of His day and of our day. Having no authority of His own He commanded the weather and the demonic. Even death could not reign against Him. True Christianity will do no less. Holy Spirit, COME!

It is the idea that we can be good and love each other.

I am not so sure about the "being good" part. We are evil by nature. Even Paul confessed that it was easier for him to do evil than good. I wish I were good then I wouldn't have to do anything but be me. Unfortuntely I am not good and so have to confess daily to Christ and ask the Father's forgiveness through Him.

Please, do not take this as an argument with you. I do not want discord amongst believers. Disagreements on practice, orders of service are fine, useless but, not dividing.

Good Will toward others!
But that is by no means a Blank Check!

I don't think we are evil by nature, unless you want to agree that "evil" is the same thing as ignorance. (It may be.)

Once a person becomes enlightened, ignorance fades, as does evil.

The age of Pisces is said to have been age of the Christ consciousness, which is a trans formative stage of spirit. We have just entered the age of Aquarius which is the age of enlightenment.

There is nothing wrong with argument or discussion. I'm sure we disagree on many things.

Would you agree that Paul as "enlightened?" If so then why his statement about crucifying the flesh daily? If man was good by nature w would not have a need for prisons, police or laws for that matter. "All habe sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Who does ALL not include?

I think if we practice good will toward others until we become enlightened, we have done well.

We are here to (hopefully) learn by our mistakes or vicariously.

To simplify Christianity in one word: LOVE

I did not say that man was good by nature. You said man was evil by nature.

A child is neither good nor evil, only innocent and ignorant.

P.s. I have no opinion about "Paul." I didn't know him, nor have I ever heard him speak.

Put 2 two year olds in a playpen with one toy and see if they share or fight. Been there done that.

As to Paul; I have never heard him, but will. I have read what he has written since it is most of the NT. His letters to the different churches of the first century are a guidepost for what we should be doing today. Unfortunately we ALL fall way short of the mark set for us. Funny thing is though that it is not an unattainable goal. Jesus proved it by living a sinless life.

Just as a thought about sin. We are told in the OT that sin is passed down from the father, not the mother. This is not to say that mom's are sinless (just to be obeyed without question under fear of death ). Jesus was born without sin yet did not break that scriptual truth because His mother was sinful but His Father was not.

Here's something to think about. Original sin, was it really Eve who sinned? Adam was created first and then God took somethng from Adam to create Eve. Adam was the head of the family. When Eve gave in to temptation Adam should have admonished her and brought her before God to confess his sin of not teaching and guiding his helpmeet. Instead he copped out, ate the fruit and then blamed his wife. Adam is the reason we are in the mess we are today, not Eve.

That is not because they are evil. It is because they have not learned love. They are ignorant.

Even animals can learn to share, but new borns and young ones are living off their God given survival instincts.







Sin is a term only used in Religion. For those who truly have no religion (as you claim you have none) the term "sin" is meaninless and a moot point.

You claim that you lost your religion, and yet you preach from the Bible just like rest as if you are starting your own cult. You preach your PERSONAL beliefs and your personal religion, and you use the Bible to do it.

That is not a "personal relationship with God." That is dogma.

P.S. as for blaming Adam for us being in the mess we are in today, that is a total cop out. How about we each take responsibility for our own mess?

Sorrry for the delay. I did not make myself clear. I equate " Religion" with rules and enforced ritual. A relationship is different. It is familiar and open. If you and I had a relationship it would be a different situation than if you were my boss.

Religion has caused more problems in this world than love. I love God He loves me. He tries to keep me on correct path. That may or may not be an easy one. I don't always follow directions well either.

I am sharing what I think God is telling me to. Your salvation is not my responsibility. Your conceptions aren't either. That is between you and Him.

I will not argue with you. I may disagree but that is all.

Now about Adam. God created man without sin. He was also given free will. Adam copped out on his responsibility to his wife and to God. Hence sin entered the world.

Jesus was born for only one reason and that was to be sacrificed tor that sin. You can believe it or not. It ain't my business. My business is to spread the Gospel not to worry about the fruit it bears. That is someone else's job.

I do hope you have a great day and that God blesses you in a special way.
Bill

Paul?
I'd call him a Schnorrer!

Well if a person is being paid to "spread the gospel" then I suppose they could call it "their business." But I understand the attitude.

I speak the truth as I understand it and I have the same attitude in that I don't worry about the fruit it bears.

What I don't do is repeat stories and myths if they don't ring true to me. I doubt that the Bible is truth so I don't believe it or repeat it or accept it as truth. It seems like a lot of plagiarized and fictional stories to me.

I equate "religion" as a set of beliefs based on these ancient written texts which I do not accept as fact. The "rules and enforced rituals" came later by the hands of the priests and rulers.

I believe we can all have a "relationship with God" unfettered by the Bible. "Source energy" is for everyone and there is no need to be influenced by ancient legend and myth or stories written by men.

WELL THEN WHY DON'T WE DO THAT HUH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Good Answer

We are told we do not know when his return will be. What we are told is the right way to be.

Yahshua gave us his example. Wanna know the true way. start over and look at what Yahshua did. Then its easy to know right from wrong

It's the antithesis of fake Christianity.

Uh, what good does it do to discuss this particular topic with people who either deny that the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact or who deny that God exists?