Casting the first stone (Jesus, Moses, tradition, followers, minority)

[Jaymes]

John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Presumably, if we are to believe what the Bible says, Jesus was sinless. He could have stoned the woman if he wished and still have been true to what he said.

So why didn't he? If it is because he focused on mercy, why do so many sects of Christianity seem bent on condemnation?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Jensa

So why didn't he? If it is because he focused on mercy, why do so many sects of Christianity seem bent on condemnation?

I'm don't think it's so much the denominations that focus on condemnation but rather the individual members who do.

I've always thought people who are watch dogs for other's sins are somehow diverting away their own insecurities. Or, they feel they are pious enough to be the head sin rooting captain. Whatever their reason.....they are wrong. Most people are not won over to God's side by telling them they're sinning jerks. Most people respond much better to loving words. Too bad some find critiquing to be easier than loving.

[adilrockstar]

Originally Posted by Jensa

John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Presumably, if we are to believe what the Bible says, Jesus was sinless. He could have stoned the woman if he wished and still have been true to what he said.

So why didn't he? If it is because he focused on mercy, why do so many sects of Christianity seem bent on condemnation?

He did not stone her because he came give freedom and forgiveness to the world. He did not come to condemn but to set free. This story is an example for all of us to follow. Do not throw stones at other people because not one person is sinless.

[lizskid]

He did not stone her BECAUSE he was sinless, and was trying to teach the others a lesson. They acted as if they were sinless, and he knew the truth...once he said what he did, so did they. He was never about condemnation. That is a human invention. Good for us.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Jensa

If it is because he focused on mercy, why do so many sects of Christianity seem bent on condemnation?

I wish I knew. Maybe an RFer from one of those sects will be so kind as to explain it to both of us. Undoubtedly it will have something to do with love.

[Guitar's Cry]

Originally Posted by Jensa

John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Presumably, if we are to believe what the Bible says, Jesus was sinless. He could have stoned the woman if he wished and still have been true to what he said.

So why didn't he? If it is because he focused on mercy, why do so many sects of Christianity seem bent on condemnation?

You know, I never thought of that!

I think the condemnation is an excuse for other things. Take the whole condemnation of homosexuals (among the minority of Christians, I believe); it's really an excuse for their fear of the breakdown of traditional gender roles. I mean no offense to those who seriously think homosexuality is a sin, but from my perspective, that's what I've seen.

[!Fluffy!]

I guess if the supposition were that all of Christ's followers are sinless and perfect, then puzzlement at judgmentalism etc. would be kind of surprising. But no we are human and so we are as diverse in our natures and sins as any other culture or religion.

One of my favorite theologians said: Christ did not come to the world to make BAD people GOOD.

Christ came to the world to make DEAD people LIVE.