You know, I tend to try avoiding preaching when I post on here…as in, trying to talk about Christianity as a religion in any way, shape or form…yet, the subject does enter into my opinions on things like teaching Intelligent Design in our public (non-Christian) schools. Therefore, let me digress from “the norm” a bit…and in light of that, let me quickly propose my definition of a “good Christian:”
One who believes not only that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He gave His life for us, but also that this person lives their life as an example of what God envisions for His people.
If you have an addendum to that statement, please post a comment. Personally, I think it’s the latter part of that definition that gives people some contention, since many of us tend to disagree as to what “God envisions for His people.”
I, therefore, wish to put forth a statement from someone I consider to be a “bad Christian:”
“I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover (Pennsylvania): if there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city. And don’t wonder why He hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, don’t ask for His help because he might not be there.”
This statement is not an example of what a “good Christian” would say, for obvious reasons. A good Christian does not wish ill will upon others. As the Bible dictates, Jesus was all about living his life and being an example of what we should be doing, even though that may be difficult. At no point in my recollection of the Bible (and I could be wrong…and I’ll correct this if proved otherwise…) does Jesus ever wish God’s wrath upon anyone. Note: the statement written above does not explicitly express “ill-will,” but I think it’s implied…again, perhaps I’m wrong on that…
Pat Robertson, you are indeed a terrible Christian and a very bad example of what Christians are taught and seeking to accomplish. You are, however, doing an incredible job of putting lies in the heads of non-Christians who now, due to your innate stupidity, have no good reason to change their minds about the religion. Good job, you worthless, lying, bastard.
It feels like there are more “terrible Christians” around than “good Christians.”
From my memory, Christians are supposed to leave judging to God. Texas (hugely religious) disallowed civil unions on tuesday on a margin of 75 to 25 for entirely religious reasons. The first amendment that REMOVES rights in Texas history.
Do you think it is possible that what you refer to as “terrible Christianity” is actually how the religion is intended? Is it possible that you are living an idealized version of the faith since you disagree with so many others Christians?
By the way, I am not trying to slam your faith. You are one of the few people that gives religion credibility in my eyes. I mean that as a huge compliment, because the religious right is absolutely driving me fucking insane lately.
Yeah, man, I think it’s possible…but I guess, not to sound terribly cheesy, that’s kinda what faith is. I mean, if Christianity is actually as the “religious right” intends, then it doesn’t deserve my belief in it. Did the Bible say anything about abortion? No. Assisted suicide? No, not really.
The religious right doesn’t get the point of the Bible and they use it to their own ends. That’s not Christianity, dude. And it shames me that the religious right is putting a such an incorrect face on it. Unfortunately, it seems that, as with anything, the views of the world are shaped by the bad apples, not by the good ones. Some day, I hope…
So why do you believe what you believe? The bible? What people have told you?
Perhaps the problem with things is people making christianity what they think it should be..
To quote relient K’s NEW SONG.. ,”sometimes the hardest thing to believe is the truth..”
whatdoya think
I guess I believe what I believe based on past experiences, what I’ve heard from other people, and what I’ve read out of the Bible. Everyone has their own interpretation of events…unfortunately, the events we’re told about can easily be “skewed” to lead people toward a different interpretation than what was originally intended…and after 2000 years, it’s difficult to determine what that original intention was. And, I guess I would agree with the “what people think it should be” part…
Unfortunately, as with many things, there is no way to “prove” what the “truth” is. I could be right…Robertson could be right…Marilyn Manson could be right… All I’m saying is that I have faith not only in God, but also in the interpretation that I’ve made on what He has said/done. In my opinion, Robertson’s “interpretation” is flawed…and I hope that, if given the chance, I could better defend my opinion than he could.
I like it.
you know, I think many people tend to use the wrong equation with God. You can’t use the physical to proove the metaphysical. This, I realize could evoke arguments due to a mis-read, so I grant that perhaps a better understanding of God can be come to through the physical, if one believes all this _came_ from Him (in whatever way)… but to proove something? Maybe we need some metaphysical way to show His metaphysical existance. I propose that faith is proof’s metaphysical brother.
I know this makes things complicated, as God is in the physical… but I think it’s okay for me to say He is metaphysical, because he couldn’t have made himself.
maybe I should say, ‘right faith’ or, faith which comes to us via something we deem appropriate, not ‘cop-out faith’ or faith that is used to shield us (ahem.. pat robertson..) and our words/deeds from others.
this also makes me kind of liken pat robertson to a pharisee. And I bet wherever old pat lives, there are probably tons of abominations with less political implications , and to that I tell pat that he should move into seclusion or risk the fury of God Almighty.
yeah… he’s dumb.
But I digress
😉
I dunno about that “metaphysical” stuff, yo…and I guess I can agree that Robertson is similar to a pharisee. I mean, for the most part, the pharisees meant well…they believed what they were doing was right (and at all costs…seeing as they paid to have Jesus knocked off…), yet they were ultimately “proved” wrong…
Sadly, you’re right, there can be no proof…only faith in a truth that isn’t provable…which is why they call it “faith” and not “truth”…heh…let that statement tumble around in your head for awhile 😉
Pat is a cyborg, you can safely ignore anything he says. Out of curiosity, does anyone have an independent stats on how many viewers this nutjob has for a given show? I think that would be enlightening. Just how much damage is he causing, anyway?
In an article at The National Review (http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200508250914.asp), posted on August 25th, 2005, the following is stated:
“According to Nielsen Media Research, The 700 Club, aired each weekday, has averaged 863,000 viewers in the last year. While that is not enough to call it a popular program, it is still a significant audience. It is, for example, more than the average primetime audience for CNN last month ? 713,000 viewers ? or MSNBC, which averaged 280,000 viewers in prime time. It is also greater than the viewership of CNBC and Headline News.”
Ah. very englightening, thanks man!