For those who pay homage to christianity

[Todd]

The Bible:

Some, Parts, all?

Literal{just as it is}, figurative{ideas and thoughts}, symbolic{its all pictures of something else}.

What do you believe?

Why?

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

The Bible:

Some, Parts, all?

All

Literal{just as it is}, figurative{ideas and thoughts}, symbolic{its all pictures of something else}.

All of the above - there are parts of the Bible where it is obvious that the meaning is Literal, parts Figurative, parts Symbolic - even the most dogmatic of the Fundamentalist scholars believe that. Some who proclaim to be Fundamentalist might argue that any but a literal meaning is heretical, but they have usually not read the Bible or had any scholarly teaching of it.

What do you believe?

The basic fundamental tenets - which is the true meaning of a "fundamentalist", not the common caricature of a dogmatic fanatic.

Why?

Upbringing and I think of all of the organized religions Christianity makes the most sense.

All that said, I believe in truth above all, as far as I can know what is true - if/when truth conflicts with my religious beliefs, truth wins out.

STG

 

[Todd]

Re: Re: For those who pay homage to christianity

All

All of the above - there are parts of the Bible where it is obvious that the meaning is Literal, parts Figurative, parts Symbolic - even the most dogmatic of the Fundamentalist scholars believe that. Some who proclaim to be Fundamentalist might argue that any but a literal meaning is heretical, but they have usually not read the Bible or had any scholarly teaching of it.

The basic fundamental tenets - which is the true meaning of a "fundamentalist", not the common caricature of a dogmatic fanatic.

Upbringing and I think of all of the organized religions Christianity makes the most sense.

All that said, I believe in truth above all, as far as I can know what is true - if/when truth conflicts with my religious beliefs, truth wins out.

STG

Kool, you absolutely rock, thank you for taking time to answer in a kind way.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Re: Re: Re: For those who pay homage to christianity

Kool, you absolutely rock, thank you for taking time to answer in a kind way.

Why should I answer any other way?

I know you meant that as a compliment, but reading some of the other threads where Christianity is discussed, I get the distinct idea that some people would not expect a Christian to be on an erotic website bulletin board (for any purpose other than to tell people how perverted they are for visiting such a site), much less be open minded enough to discuss many of the topics with some degree of rationality.

I will admit that some who profess to be Christian would indeed be shocked to find Christians here, and would condemn and judge me, but those that would miss one of the basic tenets of Christianity; not to judge others. They would also miss that Christians can be and are erotic people, and that sexuality and eroticism is not something a Christian need be ashamed of.

I usualy don't discuss my religious beliefs in non religious/philosophy forums unless it is relevant. I am aware that some have had bad experiences with judgemental and dogmatic Christians, but you know, the same is true of many other religions - it is just more common with Christianity because it is the most common religion, especially in the "Western" world. Religions sometimes give some people an excuse to be exclusionary, dogmatic and judgemental of others - it is how they make themselves feel superior.

STG

 

[BlondGirl]

TSG,

You stated things very well. This sums it up for me also. (Althought i do not think I could have stated it with such perfection.)

I do have some problems with conflicts between my desires/behaviors and the beliefs that are common to Christianity--I like to think that all Christians have questions and things they don't understand.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

TSG,

You stated things very well. This sums it up for me also. (Althought i do not think I could have stated it with such perfection.)

I do have some problems with conflicts between my desires/behaviors and the beliefs that are common to Christianity--I like to think that all Christians have questions and things they don't understand.

I did have conflicts too, but after some thought I realized I should have much less of a problem with such desires, if indeed they conflict with my Christianity, than others who decry such desires/behavior as "immoral"/etc. and profess hate for those who practice them. Such people are violating several basic tenet of Christianity, whereas the people they are being so judgemental of are maybe violating some old testament Levitican law, most of which many Christians don't even know about, much less observe.

Religious institutions, especially Christian sects, have used sexuality and associated guilt as a tool to control people for centuries. Once their congregations realize the truth they eventually break free of that control. Christians and Christian institutions are a lot less uptight about sexuality than they have been in the past - but there are still those that insist on using their puritanical beliefs to try to control others.

STG

 

[Curious Guy]

There are some parts of the bible that we can all read and get the same message. There are some parts of the same bible that will say different things to me than you, whoever you are.

I believe what it says to me. It is your choice to believe or not.

 

[Shylady]

First I want to say it isn't christianity I pay homage to, it is God.

Second I believe in the whole bible, just as it is.

Do I have problems sometimes with being here on a porn site? yes I do. But that is something I have to answer to God for no one else.
Do I have problems reading how alot of people on this board think that christians are lower than slime? Yes I do, but I also know that it is the radical ones that dont actually know what the bible says, that cause that.
I don't post alot on these threads because I am here for fun and laughter. If I want to argue I can do that in RL.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

First I want to say it isn't christianity I pay homage to, it is God.

Well said.

I don't post alot on these threads because I am here for fun and laughter. If I want to argue I can do that in RL.

I don't mind discussing religion in a general forum as long as it isn't terribly off topic. I don't mind debating my religious views as long as the people I am debating with don't get sarcastic or insulting.

Lauren

 

[Quiet Smiles]

Wow - great thread!

Those were some very thoughtful, well-stated explanations of Christianity I just read - awesome. Couldn't have said it better myself, so I'll just say:
"what they said!"

 

[The_old_man]

GOD told Adam & Eve not to eat of the tree of knoledge.
They did.

HE then gave Moses the TEN COMANDMENTS.
Moses had to explain them with 6000 laws.

HE then gave us JESUS who told us "Love one another as I have loved you!"
The multitude of priests are still arguing about that.

Then there was Mohamid.
Nuf said!

 

[ranajja]

Re: Wow - great thread!

Couldn't have said it better myself, so I'll just say:
"what they said!"

Yeah--what you said...

 

[willywanker]

I agree with STG. The Bible has all three elements in it, Literal, Figurative, and Symbolic. Reading the book of Revalations and expecting a literal fulfillment of the end times as described would have some strange characters roaming the earth. John was writing from prison and used symbolism to get his true meaning to the folks he was writhing to.

I've talked before about someone being a confessing Christian spending time at an erotic site. But in God's eyes, its no worse than someone spending all their time on a board totally devoted to building their own personal wealth. It come down to what we make most important in our lives.

I've had several chats with a young lady on this board on this subject. My final answer comes down to the fact that thru Jesus, I am not perfect, but I am forgiven.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

I've talked before about someone being a confessing Christian spending time at an erotic site. But in God's eyes, its no worse than someone spending all their time on a board totally devoted to building their own personal wealth. It come down to what we make most important in our lives.

And a lot better than those doing "God's work" by professing hate for homo/bisexuals.

I don't have any problem at all with Christians being erotic/sexual - to deny that part of your character is to deny your God given nature. There are some aspects of sexuality that Christianity has a conflict with, but much less of a conflict than professing hatred for others.

STG

 

[livin_simple]

I think where I stand would be a composite of ShyTallGuy and ShyLady.

I am a strongly sexual person which brings me to this board. But I don't desire to engage in the destructive aspects of sexuality - where I would consider most sexual practices outside the boundaries of a committed relationship as destructive.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

I think where I stand would be a composite of ShyTallGuy and ShyLady.

I am a strongly sexual person which brings me to this board. But I don't desire to engage in the destructive aspects of sexuality - where I would consider most sexual practices outside the boundaries of a committed relationship as destructive.

I can agree with that - I do not engage in casual sex due to its the possible destructive consequences, some of which I have experienced personally. If others wish to engage in casual sex that is their life - but not mine.

STG