R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Should Christians 'Respect' Other Religions?

ep1433 »

Wed May 27, 2009 3:17 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

This is so blindingly simple but this article manages to make it far too complex. Our Muslims friends and neighbors should be able to count on us as Christians to offer them respect. What is meant by respect? Obviously it doesn't extend in such a way that we are required to appreciate, enjoy, support or encourage all Muslim beliefs. That is what Muslims are expected to do. Is it possible there are Muslim beliefs that we might appreciate? Sure. I can think of many, especially those that find a duplicate in Christianity. But to see something worthy of respect in every Muslim tenet is TO BE MUSLIM. So in much the same way, I do not expect Muslims to respect all my beliefs as a Christian.

I hope the respect I extend to my Muslim friends (or friends of any faith for that matter) could be expected to include a sincerely friendly demeanor, a genuine desire to see them equally enjoy the blessings of liberty, and a general hope for their welfare. This would seem like appropriate Christian behaviour.

It might equally include an admiration for cultural aspects (as describned in the article).

I don't think anyone using their common sense saw the term "respect" as having any greater meaning that what I've outlined here. And I think the author is creating a bit of a strawman to imply that the Pope sees this any differently. The Pope described "respect" for a culture. A very different thing than respect for a faith that is different that Christianity.

Huckabee Says Farewell to '08 Presidential Race

ep1433 »

Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:13 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 9

Funny thing is, the Huckster still wasn't able to break into second place even with Mitt out for a few weeks. UNless you count Michigan's re-apporetionment of delegates. Which is silly since Mitt handily won the state.

Go McCain!

Republicans Split on Huckabee Staying in Race

ep1433 »

Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:32 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

citsonga - Please tell me what exactly you disagree with in my earlier post. My only point was that people will valuable skills aren't poor, and Obama wants people with non-valuable or low-value skills to not be poor as well. Tell me what I got wrong or what you disagree with.

In a general sense, I suppose I wish no one was poor. And as a Christian I believe 1.) Christ is the great equalizer, and 2.) wealth is only of this earth, and 3.) true wealth is not measure in dollars anyway. But I also don't want a government to be interceding and trying to force a market to pay all skills a high-wage. First, it is economically impossible, and second is is undesireable. It is undesireable because such policies cause people to not gain skills and knowledge our country needs. If I could make 50K delivering newspapers I might quit my job in finance and just do something like that. But the world needs accountants (thats why you don't know any poor accountants) and soon we'd have a shortage of similar valued skills and a surplus of low-valued skills.

This is all just basic economics. Either Obama lacks that simple knowledge (scary) or is lying that he thinks he can change reality (bad) or he truly wants to subvert a history of economic free-markets in favor of socialism (very, very bad).

Huckabee Surprised by Hagee's McCain Endorsement

ep1433 »

Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:23 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

schmippie - Funny thing is, you and I agree on all principal points, but methinks you overplay your hand just a bit.

I'm a believer. I think atheists are wrong. But your threats of damnation seem a bit paranoid fanatic rather than concerned believer.

And while I won't be voting for Barack, your subjective, non-specific problems with him (saleman smile & LIES) seem to mask a more specific reason for not liking him.

I am with you on the whole progay unions, pro-abortion, etc. but you aren't a very effective mouthpiece for my position.

Huckabee Surprised by Hagee's McCain Endorsement

ep1433 »

Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:18 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

Cheisa - Let me clarify my point. I never said there aren't other fields that are valuable. I merely picked a few obvious examples of valuable skills. No one can dispute that being a thoracic surgeon is a valuable skill. But there are many other skills that are valuable. However, I would completely dispute your claim that my "view of what's valuable needs some serious rethinking." I was speaking in context to Obama's claim that no one who works should be poor. If we can assume that salary and poverty are correlated in some way (a fairly safe assumption), then Obama is saying that any working person deserves a good salary. However in the worls I live in, the market determines what salaries are paid. If, as you claim, many hard-working people are underpaid, I would absolutely claim that the marketplace does not value their skills. It's very simple. Here's an example. Almost every Friday night I get a take-out pizza for my families dinner. If you go to a pizza joint on a Friday you see people working very hard. But they aren't generally paid well to make pizzas. Why is that? Because it is easy to make a pizza. And despite the fat that Obama doesn't like that reality, the marketplace will continue to not value those skills highly.

You mentioned many examples of other hard-working professions. Funny thing is, many of these are well paid, valuable skills. Bot as valuable as a thoracic surgeon but many crane operators make six-figure slalries and I do not. Becuase, as you said, I can't operate a crane and few people can. I didn't claim that only highly educated fields are valuable. But that is often true. All I calimed is that if you are poorly compemsated, then obviously your skills aren't valued. And no amount of Obama farting lollipops and rainbows will change that reality.

Huckabee Surprised by Hagee's McCain Endorsement

ep1433 »

Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:19 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

citsonga - I'll grant you that Obama is intelligent and articulate. It isn't his abilities that worry me. It is his positions I have a serious problem with, as should any free-market conservative. He says "no one who works should be poor". Huh? really? See, in the world I live in, no one who works at a vlued skill IS poor. I've never met a poor doctor. I've never met a poor college professor. gain a valuable skill and you'll never bo poor. If you are poor, you're skills aren't valuable. It's that simple. But for Obama to try and subvert reality shows us his true colors. He's a socialist.

Huickabee still lacks the delgates of Romney. Mitt could rejoin after a feww weeks off and be ahead of Huck. That's pathetic. Huck jumped the shark long ago. Conservative need to get behing McCain or live through four years of Obama's bizarro world policies, where reality is suspended in favor of lollipops and rainbows.

Republicans Split on Huckabee Staying in Race

ep1433 »

Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:20 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

citsonga - I'll grant you that Obama is intelligent and articulate. It isn't his abilities that worry me. It is his positions I have a serious problem with, as should any free-market conservative. He says "no one who works should be poor". Huh? really? See, in the world I live in, no one who works at a valued skill IS poor. I've never met a poor doctor. I've never met a poor college professor. Gain a valuable skill and you'll never be poor. If you are poor, you're skills apparently aren't valued by the market. It's that simple. But for Obama to try and subvert reality shows us his true colors - he's a socialist.

Huckabee still lacks the delgates of Romney. Mitt could rejoin after a few weeks off and be ahead of Huck. That's pathetic. Huck jumped the shark long ago. Conservative need to get behing McCain or live through four years of Obama's bizarro-world policies, where reality is suspended in favor of lollipops and rainbows.

McCain Gets Endorsement of Texas Evangelical Leader

ep1433 »

Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:13 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

And to you Huck fans, do you really believe Huckabee is the best the Evagelical Christian world can muster? If so count me even more happy to not be counted among you. Huckabee is a weak candidate.

McCain Gets Endorsement of Texas Evangelical Leader

ep1433 »

Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:10 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

citsonga - I'll grant you that Obama is intelligent and articulate. It isn't his abilities that worry me. It is his positions I have a serious problem with, as should any free-market conservative. He says "no one who works should be poor". Huh? really? See, in the world I live in, no one who works at a vlued skill IS poor. I've never met a poor doctor. I've never met a poor college professor. gain a valuable skill and you'll never bo poor. If you are poor, you're skills aren't valuable. It's that simple. But for Obama to try and subvert reality shows us his true colors. He's a socialist.

Huickabee still lacks the delgates of Romney. Mitt could rejoin after a feww weeks off and be ahead of Huck. That's pathetic. Huck jumped the shark long ago. Conservative need to get behing McCain or live through four years of Obama's bizarro world policies, where reality is suspended in favor of lollipops and rainbows.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:28 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

OK, done watching that. The first 25 minutes are dull as tombs. The final few minutes I'll admit the bald guy got the best of him. But that I would be "shattered" by any of this material is laughable. That a Philosophy Professor (not an LDS theologian by any means) didn't win a debate with a professional apologist should surprise no one. Why didn't the bald guy find an LDS theologian? They are hardly rare in Utah. Fact is no Mormon has ever heard of this Potter guy. I had to google him to find out who he was.

Thanks konewone, that's 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:37 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

So the Dr. Potter guy (LDS) actually flat-out says "I don't what to present myself as representing the LDS position". He basically says on several occassions he is only speaking for himself. THis is just some guy with a PHd in Philsophy. He's hardly an LDS doctrinal expert. Man konewone, you sure made a mountain out of a molehill.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:27 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

To be honest (and I don't mean to offend the LDS guy in the video) I don't know that he is even representing LDS beliefs correctly. On several instances he seemed to depart from LDS doctrine. He admits himself he is no theologian. And we do have theologians in my faith. We just don't pay them (unless they are College Professors).

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:23 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Konewone - Are you serious?! You thought that debate was damaging to the LDS faith? I haven't finished it yet but so far it has been a snooze fest. First off whoever the LDS guy is, he is a bit out there himself. He is hardly a proper representitive of the faith. H'e just some guy at the U of U. and the evangelical guy is just as bad. His questions are so convoluted the audience is laughing just at the questions he is asking. MOre than anything he sounds like he is trying to be erudite. He is trying to hard. This is haydly the bloodbath you promised.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:06 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Konewone and online4hm - Do you two not hear how snarky and obnoxious you sounds? Knowledge of the Gospel should not result in pridefulness. And Konewone, I'm sorry but your assumption that the LDS are somehow ignorant to the criticisms found in this website is rediculous. You do realize we don't live under a rock somewhere right. In fact I would absolutely challenge you that the members of our faith, because they evangelize, are more familiar with the arguements against their faith than those in your faith are. 60,000 missionaries are in the world right now knocking on doors where people will challenge their faith daily. As a missionary, I was exposed to frequent and varied arguements against my faith. What I found is that there was often and obvious and easy answer. And when there wasn't, a small amount of study yielded a satisfactory answer.

Onlineorhim - Don't worry about my feeling. I'm not made of glass. What you should be worried about is providing a satisfactory response as to why those of your faith feel it is important to approach the LDs in such a contentious manner, devoid of any charitable intentions. don't apologize, offer me an explanation. I mean, how do any of your expect to have any persuasive influence on those that are LDS. By offering snarky comments like "I sure hope our Mormon friends do not get too shattered by these debates, it's very painful to be proven wrong" Oh please. I you people expect to have any influence on the LDS, why not show me the fruits of your faith. If your faith is so much better as you claim it will be obvious. I'll be impressed by those of your faith. I'll see them as exemplars of Christ himself. I certainly won't find people who act like I am a disease to be scorned wen they find out I am LDS. Don't worry about my feeling onlineforhim, worry about why your faith represents itself this way to those they claim to care about. Otherwise such claims will always ring hollow and be seen for the fake pretense they are rather than true Christian behaviour they should be.

Pastor Poses Sex Challenge to Churchgoers

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:43 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

I sincerely hope that for the Singles, only a minority would be troubled by abstaining from sex for 30 days. This isn't exactly a new teaching - abstinence before marriage.

'Prosperity' Preacher Moves to Sell Jet

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:38 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

What a bunch of bunk. I am baffled that anyone who truly knows something about God would teach and beleive that God wants us to be rich and have material things. What a bunch of bunk. Do I think God wants us to be clothed, fed, and moderately comfortable? Sure. Do I think he gives a rip if I drive a fancy car? No way. In fact, if I do care what I drive I think it tells God a good deal about me and what I love.

People have an absolute legal right to the finances and to do with them as we please. And no govewrnment should attempt to tell us what to do with our funds. But I believe we have a Chrisitan, moral obligation to share our excess with those in need.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:03 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Prophet - Thanks for your candor. I will do my best to be openminded about my interactions with evangelicals as well. What I find sad is that here we have two groups with equally good moral values. These should be the kind of people i want as neighbors and friends. Instead I find myself reluctant to engage them due to past experience.

To Evangelicals who might be guilty of alienating your LDS neighbors with your attitudes, you might ask yourself "wouldn't you be better positioned to influence those you think have wrong ideas if you BEfriend rather than Ofend?" Just a thought.

This kind of attitude is so important. If you look at this election cycle, we acted like siblings fighting over a cookie and Mom finally said, "OK, neither of you can have it". Now we are left with a moderate Presidential candidate. Or I guess we can keep fighting over the cookie and get bupkis in 2012 as well.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:39 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

For Starters - Luke 10:1 This verse refers to a group of "seventy" being formally organized and appointed. that's where the concept comes from. The word quorum is a word that means group. It is not in and of itself a doctrinal concept and I wouldn't expect it to be used in the Bible. If someone said "quorums" were restored they should have said "quorum of seventy". Seventies are what was restored and they are organized into quorums or groups.

But "Rapture" is very different. It is truly a doctinal concept. And it is found nowhere in the Bible as such. I agree that concepts similar to what some describe when they describe the rapture are found in the Bible. Some have taken the word to mean a great deal more that I belive is extra-Biblical but that's just my opinion.

So ultimately I would agree that quorum is not in the Bible nor need it be. The concept of Seventy is what is found and what was restored.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:05 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

Bigondrums is big on brains.

Quecat, I think you can find the scripture on "quorums" the same place you find the scripture on "rapture" in the KJV. The only way you'd find teh word rapture in the Bible is if you'd written it on the bottom of the page.

And regarding the DNA testing, if I understand your objection correctly you think there should be DNA proof that the native Americans are descended from Jews. Why? There is no DNA proof that expatriate Jews are descended from Jews. This is per a Harvard study but the gist of it is that Jews that left Israel hundred of years in the past and were still living in exile were not found conclusively to be genetically related to the Jews of Israel. So why would those in the New World be expected to abide by such a false standard?

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing 'Churches' in U.S.

ep1433 »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:07 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

I've always wondered why Evangelicals react the way they do when they find out I am a Mormon. To give you an idea of what the reaction is, they stop just short of hiding the women and children and lighting their torches. No one has ever asked me to wear a scarlet "M" on my chest.....yet. But to be honest, most evagelicals react as if they have seen the devil and are very quick to lose all interest in getting to know me when they find out I am LDS. The reactions to this artcile provide an interesting window into the possible reasons for this reaction. I had always assumed Evangelicals had sincere doctrinal issues even if thier reactions seemed a bit over the top. I now realize it is nothing more than insecurity over LDS church growth.

To wit - the debate here started by centering around the claim that LDS growth rates were "inflated" and "lies". After I and others suggested otherwise, the conversation turned to false claims that the LDS faith is a cult. This was again disputed and the conversation turned to other issues. I think the reason for this musical chairs debate is a lack of a concrete dispute with the LDS...other than the aforementioned growth. Evagelicals feel threatened. Plain and simple.

I have never had these negative reactions from Catholics and many Protestants. They seem to exude the confidence of faiths with a long history in this country. I am sure they are thinking in their heads that the disagree with my faith but they aren't frightened by me. They seem secure. Much as I react to a Bhuddist I meet. I don't agree with bhuddists but I don't feel threatened by them.

I have to tell you, this is based upon my experience, I have never been particularly impressed by the Evangelicals I meet. There are certainly exceptions. But by and large they seems ot have this superstitious, insecure reaction when they meet me. Some, like a few of you, seem to be obsessed with my faith. Too often them seem to be the religous equivalent of conspiracy theorists and the people that have seen UFO's. But hey, that's just my view. I'm sure some of you all are fine folks.

Just my thoughts.