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The folly of arguing about religion

Mark Dohle

Well-Known Member
agape.jpg

The folly of arguing about religion

‘Overcoming evil with weapons of love becomes the way in which each person can contribute to the peace of all. Christians and believers of different religions are called to walk this path, together with those who accept the universal moral law. Dear brothers and sisters, promoting peace in the world is our common mission!’

Homily on 38th World Day of Peace, January 1, 2005

As a Christian, I do believe that Jesus Christ is a revelation given to the world that points to a deep truth. A basic truth that is often denied by Christians, myself included, lived out for all to see, in how we speak and treat others who think and believe differently.

‘Agape” is the love taught by Jesus, and he asks us to live out of that reality. What is this love, “Agape”. It is the revelation of Christ Jesus, teaching about the love of the Father. In the story of the “prodigal son”, which I believe is the heart of our faith, pointing to the infinite loving Heart, of the Father.

Who is our neighbor? For Christians, as taught us by Christ Jesus, it is the one that we fear, perhaps hate, be it a person, or group. When we fail (when I fail) we as Christians allow violence, hatred, and contempt to grow, which is more or less the default position of mankind, since it seems to be instinctive, to distrust ‘others’.

I do not see, or experience, any difference from Christians as I do with other people who are defensive of others, and freely express their disdain towards those who believe and think differently. It leads only to further chaos and the growth of the cancer of hatred.

For me it is only by allowing the love of God to break open our hearts, to make them flesh again, can we grow in our love of God and others. My heart still has many stony areas in it. I experience them when I get angry, or anxious when my defenses go up and I want to defend myself from others. It is in these times that I seek the Lord more deeply since I know from experience that it is only by grace, by responding to God’s call, that healing can come. When it is experienced, I do not always know where it came from, or how it happened, sort of like the Holy Spirit, who breathes where He wills. It is the Spirit that groans within my heart, and I believe in the hearts of all men, who seek healing, peace, and reconciliation with others.

Love of self has to come first, for once we understand the God loved us from eternity, in spite of our sins, that we can learn to love ourselves. We learn to love others more deeply the more we understand God’s love for us. To love others more deeply, we need to grow in understanding of their own faith walk, even if it is from a tradition different from ours. God, belongs to no one, we are God’s children, God is not our pet.—Br.MD
 
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PruePhillip

Well-Known Member
There should be no argument about Christian behavior. We are given the
Example of Jesus. Asking "What would Jesus do?" sounds corny and
simplistic,but He gave us his life for a reason.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Can someone explain to me what the title of the post has to do with the content?
Because in winter sometimes it snows and that's why people use green tablecloths when eating bread products.
 

Erebus

Well-Known Member
Can someone explain to me what the title of the post has to do with the content?

I can't swear to the intended meaning but I'm a little suspicious that this thread brought up both the folly of arguing about religion and statements like this:

For me it is only by allowing the love of God to break open our hearts, to make them flesh again, can we grow in our love of God and others.

Seems that might be a point of contention for some people. Better not to argue about it I guess?
 

Mark Dohle

Well-Known Member
Can someone explain to me what the title of the post has to do with the content?
Has to do with how we relate to others who are different than us in faith and other areas of our lives.


To love others more deeply, we need to grow in understanding of their own faith walk, even if it is from a tradition different from ours. God, belongs to no one, we are God’s children, God is not our pet.—Br.MD
 

Mark Dohle

Well-Known Member
Because in winter sometimes it snows and that's why people use green tablecloths when eating bread products.
Exactly! However, I prefer red tablecloths when eating bread, mostly "Wonder-Bread".

peace
Mark
 
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Mark Dohle

Well-Known Member
I can't swear to the intended meaning but I'm a little suspicious that this thread brought up both the folly of arguing about religion and statements like this:



Seems that might be a point of contention for some people. Better not to argue about it I guess?
Everything can be a bone of contention, I choose not to argue, let others think and believe what they want.
 

John muir

Member
View attachment 31358

The folly of arguing about religion

‘Overcoming evil with weapons of love becomes the way in which each person can contribute to the peace of all. Christians and believers of different religions are called to walk this path, together with those who accept the universal moral law. Dear brothers and sisters, promoting peace in the world is our common mission!’

Homily on 38th World Day of Peace, January 1, 2005

As a Christian, I do believe that Jesus Christ is a revelation given to the world that points to a deep truth. A basic truth that is often denied by Christians, myself included, lived out for all to see, in how we speak and treat others who think and believe differently.

‘Agape” is the love taught by Jesus, and he asks us to live out of that reality. What is this love, “Agape”. It is the revelation of Christ Jesus, teaching about the love of the Father. In the story of the “prodigal son”, which I believe is the heart of our faith, pointing to the infinite loving Heart, of the Father.

Who is our neighbor? For Christians, as taught us by Christ Jesus, it is the one that we fear, perhaps hate, be it a person, or group. When we fail (when I fail) we as Christians allow violence, hatred, and contempt to grow, which is more or less the default position of mankind, since it seems to be instinctive, to distrust ‘others’.

I do not see, or experience, any difference from Christians as I do with other people who are defensive of others, and freely express their disdain towards those who believe and think differently. It leads only to further chaos and the growth of the cancer of hatred.

For me it is only by allowing the love of God to break open our hearts, to make them flesh again, can we grow in our love of God and others. My heart still has many stony areas in it. I experience them when I get angry, or anxious when my defenses go up and I want to defend myself from others. It is in these times that I seek the Lord more deeply since I know from experience that it is only by grace, by responding to God’s call, that healing can come. When it is experienced, I do not always know where it came from, or how it happened, sort of like the Holy Spirit, who breathes where He wills. It is the Spirit that groans within my heart, and I believe in the hearts of all men, who seek healing, peace, and reconciliation with others.

Love of self has to come first, for once we understand the God loved us from eternity, in spite of our sins, that we can learn to love ourselves. We learn to love others more deeply the more we understand God’s love for us. To love others more deeply, we need to grow in understanding of their own faith walk, even if it is from a tradition different from ours. God, belongs to no one, we are God’s children, God is not our pet.—Br.MD
Agape is the heart and kairos are the eyes. Christ was the agape to socrates Kairos.

When the debate begins in particularly religion its chronos/eros vs eros/chronos convinced they understand. They look at each other as opposites, in that i have to laugh.

When we slide into dawrin the debate that rages on, eros/chronos vs chronos/eros deny or seek for their gods in the gap. Understand agape kairos and you can see darwin is but half told. That is an unfolding even as we speak. No one controls that ever, that is clear if you have eyes to see. Agape kairos two teachers, one being, being one. In battle with eros/chronos also two beings being one being, being one. The battle was over even before it began. For agape kairos has always been, and eros/chronos never was.

What is the name of eros/chronos? Snake. Kill the snake and you are set free. Christ died and the snake was revealed. Thats why he died to allow you to see and kill the snake of the'i and eye". Always there waiting in the brush ready to jump up and say "i eye". No matter who you are. Even christ himself knew he too had that affliction to. He simply refused to be that and never was the snake allowed to speak. Christ was a snake charmer, today many charming snakes speak as if they are christ. Careful of the charming snakes flock. They are eros/chronos in disguise and all about unaware of what they are.
 
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pearl

Well-Known Member
God, belongs to no one

My friend and I went to the fair. The World Fair of Religions. Not a trade fair. But the competition was as fierce, the propaganda loud.

At the Jewish stall we were given handouts that said that God was all-compassionate and the Jews were his Chosen People. The Jews. No other people were as chosen as they.

At the Muslim stall we learned that God was all-merciful and Mohammed is his only Prophet. Salvation comes from listening to God's Prophet.

At the Christian stall we discovered that God is love and there is no salvation outside the Church. Join the Church or risk eternal damnation.

On the way out I asked my friend, "What do you think of God?" He replied, "He is bigoted, fanatical, and cruel."

Back home, I said to God, "How do you put up with this sort of thing, Lord? Don't you see they have been giving you a bad name for centuries?"

God said, "It wasn't I who organized the fair. In fact, I'd be too ashamed to visit it."
del Mello
 

John muir

Member
My friend and I went to the fair. The World Fair of Religions. Not a trade fair. But the competition was as fierce, the propaganda loud.

At the Jewish stall we were given handouts that said that God was all-compassionate and the Jews were his Chosen People. The Jews. No other people were as chosen as they.

At the Muslim stall we learned that God was all-merciful and Mohammed is his only Prophet. Salvation comes from listening to God's Prophet.

At the Christian stall we discovered that God is love and there is no salvation outside the Church. Join the Church or risk eternal damnation.

On the way out I asked my friend, "What do you think of God?" He replied, "He is bigoted, fanatical, and cruel."

Back home, I said to God, "How do you put up with this sort of thing, Lord? Don't you see they have been giving you a bad name for centuries?"

God said, "It wasn't I who organized the fair. In fact, I'd be too ashamed to visit it."
del Mello
And jesus said upon exiting the fair, "thank god i am jesus and not christian why i would be totally confused about myself and need serious therapy. lets have a beer maybe everything will be clearer after that. Although i doubt it"
 

pearl

Well-Known Member
And jesus said upon exiting the fair, "thank god i am jesus and not christian why i would be totally confused about myself and need serious therapy. lets have a beer maybe everything will be clearer after that. Although i doubt it"

Whether sharing a beer or bread it invites dialogue which, I think is the point of the thread. But true dialogue is not a closing off as in debate, it requires a respective listening, beginning with what is held in common. I think EVERY religion has its own brand of ultra orthodoxy which turns a deaf ear to any other possibility as it is closed in on itself.
 

John muir

Member
Whether sharing a beer or bread it invites dialogue which, I think is the point of the thread. But true dialogue is not a closing off as in debate, it requires a respective listening, beginning with what is held in common. I think EVERY religion has its own brand of ultra orthodoxy which turns a deaf ear to any other possibility as it is closed in on itself.
Whether sharing a beer or bread it invites dialogue which, I think is the point of the thread. But true dialogue is not a closing off as in debate, it requires a respective listening, beginning with what is held in common. I think EVERY religion has its own brand of ultra orthodoxy which turns a deaf ear to any other possibility as it is closed in on itself.
oh yes the intellect. Theology into philosophy into political into madness.

Suddenly love disappears from the conversation! So now when you see a debate is it love as i define it or is it love? . There ya go, understand the difference and the debates will now be seen as mad arguing with mad. Love is love till we label, quantify, classify, and create, an infinite set of wrongs intellectually! And now we watch two rocks argue and debate. Scientificially vs religiously. And an infinite set more. Rocks will be rocks dead. Alive barely with some tiny flicker of love in there somewhere barely.

Hell my river river rocks are more alive i love em. I listen to the voice as the water caresses over the rocks making a sound of many tongues and becoming one song.
 

Mark Dohle

Well-Known Member
My friend and I went to the fair. The World Fair of Religions. Not a trade fair. But the competition was as fierce, the propaganda loud.

At the Jewish stall we were given handouts that said that God was all-compassionate and the Jews were his Chosen People. The Jews. No other people were as chosen as they.

At the Muslim stall we learned that God was all-merciful and Mohammed is his only Prophet. Salvation comes from listening to God's Prophet.

At the Christian stall we discovered that God is love and there is no salvation outside the Church. Join the Church or risk eternal damnation.

On the way out I asked my friend, "What do you think of God?" He replied, "He is bigoted, fanatical, and cruel."

Back home, I said to God, "How do you put up with this sort of thing, Lord? Don't you see they have been giving you a bad name for centuries?"

God said, "It wasn't I who organized the fair. In fact, I'd be too ashamed to visit it."
del Mello
Personal infallibility is the problem....... we (well I still struggle with it) still worship a god of our own making, so perhaps most of us are still pagan. God is not a nature God, He reveals himself as Infinite and loving, we reduce God to something we can understand, which is a god just like us

Peace
Mark
 
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