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Post by rowtide on Jul 21, 2009 3:13:46 GMT 10
It is true that organized religion can be divisive
Christians can be less than open, generous and loving in dealing with non-Christians, or lesbians and gay men, or any number of people who are different.
I've often heard that more wars have been fought, and people killed, in the name of religion than probably for any other cause.
Certainly organized religion has divided people throughout history. By their very nature, most organized religions define themselves according to what they believe, and that sets up an "us-them" dynamic.
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Post by rowtide on Jul 21, 2009 3:16:34 GMT 10
Are you allowing Christians to be human, or are you holding us to some super-human standard that we are bound to fail?
Do you further the divisions through defensiveness or even through a verbal challenge?
Can you respond lovingly, and set the example of how you would like to be treated?
Can you forgive Christians for being less than Christian?
Many of us in communities of faith face disillusionment with our churches when they disappoint us, or don't live up to our expectations.
As a Christian, I have certainly been through this.
I have experienced profound disappointment in the church.
I find that I gain much more when I decide to stay with it, and change things lovingly and constructively from within,
rather than just walking away angry
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Post by rowtide on Jul 21, 2009 3:18:50 GMT 10
There is an incredible amount of diversity in how people believe. And human beings seem to have this desire to want everyone to be just like them, and woe to those who are different!
Response from Rev. Pieters
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Post by rowtide on Jul 21, 2009 3:23:59 GMT 10
Karaniwan na na ang relihiyon ang nag lalayo sa ating mga kapwa tao.
Di ba at ang mga muslim ay may adhikain na maging one world religion?
sasabihin nating hindi dinala ni Kristo ang relihiyon kundi ang pananampalataya lamang.
pero hindi mai hihiwalay ang relihiyon sa pananampalataya?
Ang dahilan sa bibliya na may kanya kanyang interpretasyon kung kaya nagkakagalitgalit ang tao.
At dahilan din sa paniwala sa iisang Diyos ngunit magkakaiba ang intindi kung bakit nag kakarun ng "us- them dynamics.
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