Zone1 What separates Christianity from all other religions

[Lisa558]

I have been condemned by other Christians because I believe there are at least some elements of truth/benefit/righteousness in almost all religions and I can happily allow people harmless beliefs that I do not share myself. If they believe their denomination or religious discipline is the only right one, I allow them that. I don't have to believe their opinions of me and mine or let that bother me.

I am probably enlightened because my life experience has exposed me to so many many differing religious disciplines and I have enjoyed having that experience.

So the LDS folks, the flat Earthers, the most dogmatic charismatic, the most staunchly religious Roman Catholic, the Protestant groups who think all the rest of us are going to hell have no threat from me. If pushed and appropriate I might debate them on this or that point so long as that debate remains friendly and non confrontational. I might tell them I can't accept this or that belief myself, but I won't put them down because they believe it.

As for the Jews, I believe there would be no Christians had there been no Jewish history. I do not expect someone like you to accept my Christian beliefs that depart from orthodox Judaism, but in my perspective I cannot separate the two. I have a JudeoChristian faith and I think most Christians also do whether or not they acknowledge that.

I don’t accept your beliefs FOR MYSELF but I can certainly respect the fact that you believe them. All Jews really want is to be left alone to worship as we wish, and I’m sure you know our religion does not believe in proselytizing (although of course we welcome anyone who wants to convert to Judaism).

My issue comes in when non-Jews (obviously not you) feel it is anything other than disrespectful to Jews to tell us we are wrong, that we will go to hell, or that Gd is angry with us for rejecting whom they believe to be his son. I have been told all these repeatedly, despite my request not to have it said.

I think if our paths ever crossed, we’d be friends.

 

[Dante]

What separates Christianity from all other religions​

I believe it is what they have in common that unites them all. A requirement to suspend disbelief. Like viewing a movie and believing it's real. It makes people feel good or something. I've seen End Times Christians celebrate what they see as their final solution on Earth. They go to some heaven and others hell.​

 

[Foxfyre]

I don’t accept your beliefs FOR MYSELF but I can certainly respect the fact that you believe them. All Jews really want is to be left alone to worship as we wish, and I’m sure you know our religion does not believe in proselytizing (although of course we welcome anyone who wants to convert to Judaism).

My issue comes in when non-Jews (obviously not you) feel it is anything other than disrespectful to Jews to tell us we are wrong, that we will go to hell, or that Gd is angry with us for rejecting whom they believe to be his son. I have been told all these repeatedly, despite my request not to have it said.

I think if our paths ever crossed, we’d be friends.

I agree. I think of us already as friends.

It gets easier I think if 'allowing others their beliefs' allows them to believe I'm going to hell. I think Jesus would strongly disapprove of that. I do admonish those who use that approach in their Christian witness as I believe it is harmful. I don't know a single soul who ever became a Christian by being told he/she was going to hell. (I doubt that works in Judaism either.) I am grieved at all the people who reject God because of the unpleasant way He was introduced or represented to them.

And I believe those who attack other people's harmless religious beliefs are doing evil. I will never stop saying so because I believe it harmful, especially with those who are vulnerable.

I will forever speak out against so-called Christian groups like the Westboro Baptists who I cannot believe are Christian at all because of the truly harmful/malicious/evil things they do.

But if my friend believes the Earth is flat or that the Eucharist/communion/Lord's Supper must be understood and taken in a specific way or that baptism must be done a specific way or many other teachings/practices/traditions/doctrine that I may not share, or even believes I'm going to hell, how does that harm me or anybody else in any way? It is meaningful and important to them and I respect that.

I was moved by Pere Henri's Easter sermon in "Chocolat" one of my all time favorite movies. Clip takes a minute to watch:

 

[Lisa558]

I agree. I think of us already as friends.

It gets easier I think if 'allowing others their beliefs' allows them to believe I'm going to hell. I think Jesus would strongly disapprove of that. I do admonish those who use that approach in their Christian witness as I believe it is harmful. I don't know a single soul who ever became a Christian by being told he/she was going to hell. (I doubt that works in Judaism either.) I am grieved at all the people who reject God because of the unpleasant way He was introduced or represented to them.

And I believe those who attack other people's harmless religious beliefs are doing evil. I will never stop saying so because I believe it harmful, especially with those who are vulnerable.

I will forever speak out against so-called Christian groups like the Westboro Baptists who I cannot believe are Christian at all because of the truly harmful/malicious/evil things they do.

But if my friend believes the Earth is flat or that the Eucharist/communion/Lord's Supper must be understood and taken in a specific way or that baptism must be done a specific way or many other teachings/practices/traditions/doctrine that I may not share, or even believes I'm going to hell, how does that harm me or anybody else in any way? It is meaningful and important to them and I respect that.

I was moved by Pere Henri's Easter sermon in "Chocolat" one of my all time favorite movies. Clip takes a minute to watch:

Thank you, my friend!

And that was a wonderful clip. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone thought that way?

And I agree with you, of course. It never ceased to amaze me that Christians thought they could badger or scare me into abandoning my beliefs and adopting theirs by telling me how angry Gd is at Jews or that the only way to “the Father is through the Son.” They always acted as though they were giving me information I’ve never heard before, and that the only reason I remain Jewish is because I don’t know any better.

I do, of course, have Christian friends. They are the ones who respect my religious beliefs and know not to harass me about them. By the same token, I would never question Jesus to any Christian for the same reason - it’s disrespectful.

 

[GLASNOST]

What separates Christianity from all other religions​

What separates them is believing what Christians say Jesus was rather than what other religions say Jesus was.

 

[kjw47]

It's not about behavior modification; it's about a heart transformation.

Jesus is with 1 single Christian religion, yet there are hundreds of them-A house divided will not stand. Did you make the correct choice? There is no division in the religion that has Jesus( 1 Cor 1:10)-99% have chosen wrong.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

Jesus is with 1 single Christian religion, yet there are hundreds of them-A house divided will not stand. Did you make the correct choice? There is no division in the religion that has Jesus( 1 Cor 1:10)-99% have chosen wrong.

Of course the JWs didn't choose wrong.
The Mormons will tell you only they know the real Jesus.
And the Catholics on this board will tell you you must be part of their "original" church.
Yet all of those I listed, including YOU, REJECTS THE REAL Jesus

 

[Carl in Michigan]

I agree. I think of us already as friends.

It gets easier I think if 'allowing others their beliefs' allows them to believe I'm going to hell. I think Jesus would strongly disapprove of that. I do admonish those who use that approach in their Christian witness as I believe it is harmful. I don't know a single soul who ever became a Christian by being told he/she was going to hell. (I doubt that works in Judaism either.) I am grieved at all the people who reject God because of the unpleasant way He was introduced or represented to them.

And I believe those who attack other people's harmless religious beliefs are doing evil. I will never stop saying so because I believe it harmful, especially with those who are vulnerable.

I will forever speak out against so-called Christian groups like the Westboro Baptists who I cannot believe are Christian at all because of the truly harmful/malicious/evil things they do.

But if my friend believes the Earth is flat or that the Eucharist/communion/Lord's Supper must be understood and taken in a specific way or that baptism must be done a specific way or many other teachings/practices/traditions/doctrine that I may not share, or even believes I'm going to hell, how does that harm me or anybody else in any way? It is meaningful and important to them and I respect that.

I was moved by Pere Henri's Easter sermon in "Chocolat" one of my all time favorite movies. Clip takes a minute to watch:

You kind of conflict with the one you call "Lord" who said NO ONE can come to the Father except through Him

 

[BreezeWood]

I don’t accept your beliefs FOR MYSELF but I can certainly respect the fact that you believe them. All Jews really want is to be left alone to worship as we wish

- quite disingenuous when their claims are heavenly personifications that have never been witnessed and used, the moses false 10 commandments to persecute and victimize the innocent or hereditary idolatry, religion of apartheid claimed by abraham et al or whoever claims the heavens would send a messiah to save the jews ...

the 1st century events are the repudiation of judaism and theological include islam and christianity all three having the same prologue in their bibles.

the jews are who defined jesus who gave their life in response - no he is not what they claimed.

 

[Foxfyre]

Thank you, my friend!

And that was a wonderful clip. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone thought that way?

And I agree with you, of course. It never ceased to amaze me that Christians thought they could badger or scare me into abandoning my beliefs and adopting theirs by telling me how angry Gd is at Jews or that the only way to “the Father is through the Son.” They always acted as though they were giving me information I’ve never heard before, and that the only reason I remain Jewish is because I don’t know any better.

I do, of course, have Christian friends. They are the ones who respect my religious beliefs and know not to harass me about them. By the same token, I would never question Jesus to any Christian for the same reason - it’s disrespectful.

Years ago I was teaching an adult Bible class and we were discussing how the ancient Jews observed the Sabbath. And somebody asked me how Jewish people knew when Sundown came to start the Sabbath if they happened to have no clock/watch and it was a cloudy day. I had absolutely no clue but said I would try to find out.

That was in the days of old AOL when chatrooms were a strong feature of that app and I sought out a couple of Jewish chatrooms. I was quickly advised that I was not welcome there and was strongly urged to leave. I fully understood that unkind people often trolled those rooms to mock or denigrate them and their faith/beliefs and I did not take it personally. I did try to explain I wasn't trolling but I wasn't believed.

Shortly after leaving the second chatroom I received an instant message from a gentleman I didn't know. He identified himself as a person in the chatroom I had just summarily been dismissed from and chatted with me a bit. I was grateful he was convinced I wasn't a troll and wasn't out to harass or criticize anybody. And he said he couldn't speak for everybody but in his opinion, the Sabbath began when dinner was on the table.

Such a simple and elegant answer. I thanked him and will always think kindly of that gentleman. And he was typical of almost all experiences I have had with Jewish people since that day.

What does this have to do with the OP? Nothing really except that Christians can't claim to have the market cornered on kindness.

 

[ding]

what jesus taught is the heavens are for all living beings equally - their contempt is for those that chose their own path, jews et al as a selectivity - is the heart and soul of the 1st century and its closing scene.

How do you know what Jesus taught?

 

[TNHarley]

That was your take away? If so, I'm glad you aren't a part of it.

Yes, me too. Luckily, I grew up.

 

[ding]

Yes, me too. Luckily, I grew up.

So happy for you. You must be extremely successful being so intelligent.

 

[Lisa558]

- quite disingenuous when their claims are heavenly personifications that have never been witnessed and used, the moses false 10 commandments to persecute and victimize the innocent or hereditary idolatry, religion of apartheid claimed by abraham et al or whoever claims the heavens would send a messiah to save the jews ...

the 1st century events are the repudiation of judaism and theological include islam and christianity all three having the same prologue in their bibles.

the jews are who defined jesus who gave their life in response - no he is not what they claimed.

Yes, we already know you hate Jews. No need to keep proving it.

Just leave us alone to worship as we wish, and stop spreading antisemitic rhetoric.

 

[BreezeWood]

How do you know what Jesus taught?

you are just lipservice ...

for the uninterrupted recorded history of false commandments, hereditary idolatry religion of apartheid et al used to persecute and victimize the innocent. all three desert religions.

the jews are who defined jesus who gave their life in response - no he is not what they claimed.

your pretension, the 4th century christian bible written by jews/crucifiers is what is your issue and nowhere found in true religious lexicon - their false heavenly personifications.

- provide your proof the heavens have ever planned to send a messiah to save the jews.

 

[BreezeWood]

Yes, we already know you hate Jews. No need to keep proving it.

Just leave us alone to worship as we wish, and stop spreading antisemitic rhetoric.

- quite disingenuous when their claims are heavenly personifications that have never been witnessed and used, the moses false 10 commandments to persecute and victimize the innocent

that is you who hats jesus - we know the outcome of your discontent ...

 

[ding]

you are just lipservice ...

for the uninterrupted recorded history of false commandments, hereditary idolatry religion of apartheid et al used to persecute and victimize the innocent. all three desert religions.



your pretension, the 4th century christian bible written by jews/crucifiers is what is your issue and nowhere found in true religious lexicon - their false heavenly personifications.

- provide your proof the heavens have ever planned to send a messiah to save the jews.

That didn't answer my question. How do you know what Jesus taught?

 

[kjw47]

Of course the JWs didn't choose wrong.
The Mormons will tell you only they know the real Jesus.
And the Catholics on this board will tell you you must be part of their "original" church.
Yet all of those I listed, including YOU, REJECTS THE REAL Jesus

The teachings of Jesus in every translation on Earth back the JW religion. You should learn them correctly.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

It's not about behavior modification; it's about a heart transformation.

This bit about the heart is senseless. Like your hand, your eyes, your ears, the heart is a body part, a muscle. Some pastors like to do this sleight of hand like a magician and compare the heart to a foot, an eye, etc. but then say the heart is different because it is where spirit and/or good and bad thoughts live. We all know that is not true at all but this is the game believers play with beginning believers to make it seem that they have something special. It is in the MIND or brain that thoughts reside and the heart is a body part like a hand or ears. Using his analogy one can say evil comes from the heart as well. It is just a word trick that they use to capture and control believers.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Religions are different, for sure. But many have a central theme; fear (and/or violence) and magic.
And then we have some religions with the exact same stories slightly modified. Like the abrahamic religions and Sumerians.

I am getting dissent from ardent believers here on my premise that Christianity is sold through the numbers one indoctrination tactic of fear.