the steps of saul...

[barbara]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

The christian religion is important to me because it provides a conscience. More to the point it not only provides (a conscience) for me but for others. At least we have a basic floor on which to stand.

My questions are along the same lines as others have asked.........your words imply that one can not have a conscience if one is not christian.
And yet......I consider myself a person with a conscience......I have a very solid base when it comes to my values..........how can that be if I am not a christain?

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

The christian religion is important to me because it provides a conscience. More to the point it not only provides (a conscience) for me but for others. At least we have a basic floor on which to stand.

Really? I know plenty of people who claim to be pretty devout who seem to have no conscience at all.

But, if it works that way for you GREAT!

Dave

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

The christian religion is important to me because it provides a conscience. More to the point it not only provides (a conscience) for me but for others. At least we have a basic floor on which to stand.

With all due respect I know many people who do not believe in any religion but are very moral and upstanding persons. Morality is a function of what one believes and is not the exclusive property of any religion.

Florence, my partner (and a former Catholic) and I (a former Methodist) now simply refer to ourselves a christians and the lower case c is intentional. We both sadly found more intolerance, back biting and sheer malevolance inside the church to the point that its survival as an institution became more important than its ministry.

So "where two or more are gathered together there will I be also" we take Him at his word.

Still as I noted earlier religion has not cornered the market on morality, Don covered that rather extensively.

[merrylander]

Budgie you want to read the Bible? Here is an assignment for you;

Matthew 6: 1 - 22

Barbara and others I don't know with absolute certainty if Jesus was the son of God, nor do I conceive of God as the bearded man in Michelangelo's painting. That said I do believe that what Jesus taught makes a great deal of sense as a way of life. Much as I believe there are many others who proposed sensible concepts from Socrates to Byron.

However, being human I do not always live up to those concepts, but I do try.

[d-ray657]

Jesus was a revolutionary. He rejected the status quo. He taught about the corrupting influence of wealth. He admonished us about our responsibility to care for the less fortunate. He associated with outcasts. He taught about overcoming ethnic boundaries. He praised the peacemakers.

And He provided free health care.

Regards,

D-Ray

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Jesus was a revolutionary. He rejected the status quo. He taught about the corrupting influence of wealth. He admonished us about our responsibility to care for the less fortunate. He associated with outcasts. He taught about overcoming ethnic boundaries. He praised the peacemakers.

And He provided free health care.

Regards,

D-Ray

Must be why conservatives are trying to rewrite the Bible?

[barbara]

Conversely,....... how do you reconcile all of the "christians" who commit henious acts seemingly without conscience?

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by barbara

Conversely,....... how do you reconcile all of the "christians" who commit henious acts seemingly without conscience?

Especially those committed in the name of religion.

John

[Boreas]

I'm gone to prepare a place
That where I am thou shall abide

So Jah seh

Fear not for mighty dread
'Cause I'll be there at your side

[BlueStreak]

Here's a religous influence, I'd like to share with you Dondillion;

My mother once whipped me with an extension cord for being reluctant to go to church with her. I was 10. I sat on the wooden pew with welts from my shoulder blades to the backs of my knees. I took it like a little soldier though....('Cuz if I didn't, I'd get it again after church.)

Ah, yes. Christianity has been my solace and guiding light, fer sure.

Dave