Christianity and the Hobby

[Guest050911]

This is a great discussion, but I am moving it to the Sandbox as it is more of a Spiritual themed thread.

I am looking forward to more perspective as I read.

PPE

[filbone]

Okay, I'll bite.

I am a Christian, born and raised in the church, attend church multiple times a week, and in the past have served on the deacon board.

I do believe in sin and believe that I am a sinner. If my occasional hobby visits were my worst sin, I'd be a much better person. There is no reconciling hobbying and following Christ. I ask for, and receive, forgiveness for all of my sins. Unfortunately, you run into Christians every day who consider other people's sins worse than their own. They condemn the outward behavior of others while masking their own sinful desires and actions.

It's a shame that Christians have given Jesus and Christianity a bad name. Whether you believe Jesus is the son God (which I do because He is), you can't deny that this world would be a much better place if Christians would follow His example instead of picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to beat people over the head with. He condemned the religious leaders of His day and hung out with the poor, the sick, lepers, and prostitutes.

If Christians and Christianity have turned you off of Jesus, find Him for yourself. Pick up a Bible and read (or re-read) the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and Paul's letter to the Romans.

[monkish]

@ Dharma and TTH:

Buddhism may be just a philosophy and not a religion to you and me, but it is a religion to millions and millions of followers in asia and elsewhere, where it is a religion in the same sense that Christianity is for millions and millions as well.

The same argument could be made that Christianity is a philosophy and not a religion, as well.

While I do sympathize with your point of view I don't think it's necessarily a true statement. Religion/philosophy is what one makes of it.

In my opinion, all of the major faiths at their core could be considered philosophies rather than religions.

There seems to be an innate need to believe in something and to dictate what others should do and believe as well too. It seems that the founders of these faiths try to address these issues but the followers lose sight of the message.

I don't subscribe to any of them in particular but I think that Buddha fellow and that Jesus guy too were probably nice guys and may have been on to something.

Originally Posted by Dharma

Yes, you are correct. Buddhism is a philosophy and not a religion. And religion doesn't fit me. I'm happy the way I am.

[filbone]

Originally Posted by monkish

@ I don't subscribe to any of them in particular but I think that Buddha fellow and that Jesus guy too were probably nice guys and may have been on to something.

You can't call Jesus a nice guy and leave it at that. You can't say He was just a good and honest person, a prophet, a healer, or whatever. Either He is who He says He is (the son of God) or He is a false leader and has condemned millions of people to hell.

To another point, Christianity is more than a religion or a philosophy. It's a relationship.

[Guest030911]

Mary was a prostitute. Jesus hung out with her. I am just walking in his footsteps.

[JohnJohn]

I'm a heathen...nuff said

[TheHeretic]

Sin, smin... did you know it is a considered a sin to mix wool and cotton (Leviticus 19:19)? So those that wore those warm cozy socks this winter, you're going to Hell!

If people would live and let live, this world would be a better place.
I live by three simple rules:

Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Judge not lest you be judged.
He who has never done wrong cast the first stone.

"Keep your stick on the ice. We're all in this together." -- Red Green

[filbone]

Originally Posted by TheHeretic

If people would live and let live, this world would be a better place.
I live by three simple rules:

Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Judge not lest you be judged.
He who has never done wrong cast the first stone.

Three great biblical philosophies to live by.

That "Judge not..." scripture does not relieve us of the resposibility to discern right from wrong. It warns agains hypocritical judgment. If you're going to judge, you better be ready to be judged by the same criteria.

Leviticus is the old covenant. We live under the new covenant.

[jkerouac]

Originally Posted by cpi3000

Mary was a prostitute. Jesus hung out with her. I am just walking in his footsteps.

LOL - I think you're following His example in a sort of steroid-induced manner, CPI.

[Guest012211-3]

Anyone who can turn water into wine is a Hero in my book

[Juan Pablo de Marco]

repent you sinner... it's not too late to change your life. Reverend Billy and the Church of Life after Shopping offer eternal salvation from the consumer culture:

http://www.revbilly.com/

can i get an amen?!

JPdM

btw... i'm a born-again pagan...and a deadhead.

[Chainsaw Anthropologist]

Originally Posted by Nicole Preston

Anyone who can turn water into wine is a Hero in my book

Have I ever told you about the time I made sushi for the masses with five rice balls, two fish, and a rusty pocket knife?

[monkish]

Originally Posted by filbone

Either He is who He says He is (the son of God) or He is a false leader and has condemned millions of people to hell.

I'm sorry. I'll take 'C' - none of the above.

[dlc2003]

I think great sex is a spiritual awakening or fulfillment.

[Ron Mexico]

Religion plays no role in my hobby life. I grew up a Christian (Church of England then Southern Baptist) but I abandoned that belief system a while ago. I've read the bible cover to cover and spent many-a Sunday and Wednesday in church. Even as a kid none of that made sense. High School and college put everything in perspective for me. Studying Psychics, Chemistry, History, Literature and Psychology pretty much told me what I need to know about the universe and what motivates people to do what they do. Including starting religions. The law of the Old Testament is so irrational I don't see how anyone could take it seriously. That "mysterious ways" spiel never jibed with me. Even Jesus himself said he didn't come to change the law of the prophets(of the Old Testament like Moses).

All anyone can do is live their life the best they can without doing harm to others and treating people how they would like to be treated. Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Jewish, Muslims, whatever. We're all just Human Beings on a small wet rock in space.