I really love Jesus

[nPeace]

I don't claim I Love God, because IMO that would mean that I never do something I know I should not do (I just ate ice cream; better I don't, as body is temple of God, so I better eat wholesome food always, IF I love God, I also love myself, so I ONLY do what is best for body)

Do you think there is anyone, who can live like this? Could you, or do you live like this?

Better to show than to claim. Better to let others be the ones to make an observation of that. 1 John 2:3-6 ; 1 John 5:3

 

[firedragon]

I love Jesus with all my heart. I grew up with Christianity, so maybe that's why he means so much to me. But I think it's also because I'm very sure he's a very holy soul and has taught us a lot of important things about kindness, forgiveness and other useful wisdom.

What does your religion think of Jesus?

My religion thinks the same. Actually all the big strands and little strands of my so called "religion', all think the same.

 

[Deeje]

I'm going by what the Bible says. Like the so-called "Golden Rule," which is gilded faeces as it leaves open many potential loopholes and problems because what one person wants will not always be what another one wants.

The “Golden Rule” is to “do to others as you would have them do to you”.....how is that a situation with potential “loopholes”. The onus is on you, not the other person, because it is binding whether they reciprocate in kind or not. You have no regrets, and the actions of others never becomes an excuse to sink to their level.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

The “Golden Rule” is to “do to others as you would have them do to you”.....how is that a situation with potential “loopholes”.

Shopping carts.
If I were working at a grocery store I would love it when people leave carts about in the parking lot because it's more time outside. But that's rude, it creates extra work, and creates a risk of a cart slamming into something. I would love this, but I shouldn't do that and instead should return the cart to a cart corral.

 

[Valjean]

I see him (what's written about him) as an ordinary man. I do believe energies/spirits but not of those I'm not related to by blood line and in person.

And here's the rub: "what's written about him."
What's written has some problems, as do the various interpretations of what's written; and the fact that there are no first-person sources further complicates the situation.

The books we have in the standard New Testament are not the only books/gospels about Jesus. There are many others, but certain ones were chosen -- by committees -- with agendas.
The modern Bible was compiled to fit the doctrines of an existing sect, not vice versa.

Even given the standard books, there are and have been many very different interpretations of Jesus' nature, who he was and what his concerns were, among various sects and churches and sects through the ages.
The Jesus' of today's Baptists, Gnostics, JWs and LDS are not the same person.
Which churches have been declared heretical seems to have been decided politically.
The bible is ambiguous.

Bring in the rejected gospels, and the picture of Jesus and the early church becomes even more clouded.
Include known alterations, copy errors and embellishments and the occlusion grows.

Finally, there are the particular interpretations, spins and cherry-picks of individual churches.
The faithful are brought up in a specific church, familiar with a particular doctrine, unexposed to alternate interpretations, and discouraged from investigating alternatives or critically analyzing their own churches' doctrines. The ontological truth of their beliefs is questionable.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I love Jesus with all my heart. I grew up with Christianity, so maybe that's why he means so much to me. But I think it's also because I'm very sure he's a very holy soul and has taught us a lot of important things about kindness, forgiveness and other useful wisdom.

What does your religion think of Jesus?

We believe in Him and that He has returned already.

 

[stvdv]

The “Golden Rule” is to “do to others as you would have them do to you”.....how is that a situation with potential “loopholes”. The onus is on you, not the other person, because it is binding whether they reciprocate in kind or not. You have no regrets, and the actions of others never becomes an excuse to sink to their level.

IMO:

"Do (not) unto others what you do (not) want others to do unto you" is given as a tool to people who are sincere and want to act righteously (dharmic), and it works perfect. People who try to find faults with this tool, are not interested in the Truth, hence the tool is not even meant for them

 

[Valjean]

Shadow Wolf said: ↑

Jesus is a toxin to life, a misguided nut who would have us squandering love on those undeserving of it, have us vowing our lives to poverty, and worshipping a savagely cruel and heinously violent god. He's such a clown he thinks proper morality can begin with what "I" want, and that our existence and being as humans is so damnable that even thoughts we don't act on or speak on are considered sin.

You knew him personally? (no sarcasm intended)

This is just an observation but the same emphasis of emotion as people who believe in christ just the opposite end of the coin. They save they know he loves and you say he is misguided.

How do you guys know this-personally?

Edit... because I never got that strong emotion and opinion of him from reading a book about him but never written by him.

The divisiveness, wars and unrest engendered by the followers of the Prince of Peace are historical facts. The discontinuity between doctrine and 'believers' behavior is clear. Common ideas of fairness justice are very different from God's "justice" as outlined in the Bible.

 

[Valjean]

Shopping carts.
If I were working at a grocery store I would love it when people leave carts about in the parking lot because it's more time outside. But that's rude, it creates extra work, and creates a risk of a cart slamming into something. I would love this, but I shouldn't do that and instead should return the cart to a cart corral.

Those who abandon their carts in the open parking lot are wicked, anti-social minions of Satan; possibly even Republicans.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

And here's the rub: "what's written about him."
What's written has some problems, as do the various interpretations of what's written; and the fact that there are no first-person sources further complicates the situation.

The books we have in the standard New Testament are not the only books/gospels about Jesus. There are many others, but certain ones were chosen -- by committees -- with agendas.
The modern Bible was compiled to fit the doctrines of an existing sect, not vice versa.

Even given the standard books, there are and have been many very different interpretations of Jesus' nature, who he was and what his concerns were, among various sects and churches and sects through the ages.
The Jesus' of today's Baptists, Gnostics, JWs and LDS are not the same person.
Which churches have been declared heretical seems to have been decided politically.
The bible is ambiguous.

Bring in the rejected gospels, and the picture of Jesus and the early church becomes even more clouded.
Include known alterations, copy errors and embellishments and the occlusion grows.

Finally, there are the particular interpretations, spins and cherry-picks of individual churches.
The faithful are brought up in a specific church, familiar with a particular doctrine, unexposed to alternate interpretations, and discouraged from investigating alternatives or critically analyzing their own churches' doctrines. The ontological truth of their beliefs is questionable.

Shrugs. I don't know much history behind it. When I read I can take it as good or bad. Nothing wrong with that unless both good and bad lead people to harm.

Here's something interesting. If killing women and children was what god wanted, Christians today should do the same. Do you feel they are not following their own laws?

'Should' they do what god told the israelites to do when they colonated other people's lands?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Shadow Wolf said: ↑

Jesus is a toxin to life, a misguided nut who would have us squandering love on those undeserving of it, have us vowing our lives to poverty, and worshipping a savagely cruel and heinously violent god. He's such a clown he thinks proper morality can begin with what "I" want, and that our existence and being as humans is so damnable that even thoughts we don't act on or speak on are considered sin.

The divisiveness, wars and unrest engendered by the followers of the Prince of Peace are historical facts. The discontinuity between doctrine and 'believers' behavior is clear. Common ideas of fairness justice are very different from God's "justice" as outlined in the Bible.

Hm? I don't see how this related to my comment. Nicely saying.

 

[BilliardsBall]

I love Jesus with all my heart. I grew up with Christianity, so maybe that's why he means so much to me. But I think it's also because I'm very sure he's a very holy soul and has taught us a lot of important things about kindness, forgiveness and other useful wisdom.

What does your religion think of Jesus?

Would you agree or disagree, then, with the Bible's teaching that salvation comes via trusting Jesus, not ourselves, for (future) moral perfection?

 

[nPeace]

I love Jesus with all my heart. I grew up with Christianity, so maybe that's why he means so much to me. But I think it's also because I'm very sure he's a very holy soul and has taught us a lot of important things about kindness, forgiveness and other useful wisdom.

What does your religion think of Jesus?

I'm curious as to what you think. What are your thoughts?
My religion teaches that one who loves Jesus, obeys his commandments... Not picking and choosing which to obey and which not to.
Jesus himself said, "If you love me, you will observe my commandments." (John 14:15)
Among other things, Jesus commanded this... 18 “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Matthew 28:18-20

So for example, if we say, "Well, I cannot do this." Do we show that we love Jesus?
Some persons actually have thought that they could not do this, but then their love really shone through... not only for Jesus, but God and neighbor, and they were move to obey... not merely out of duty, but out of love.

Some however, have bluntly refused to obey... making excuses. For example, some do not consider it necessary to bear witness as Paul and the apostles did.

Spoiler

2 Timothy 4:2, 3 - 2 Preach the word; be at it urgently in favorable times and difficult times; reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all patience and art of teaching. 3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.

Luke 8:1 - Shortly afterward he traveled from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him. . .

Acts 5:42 - And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.

Acts 20:20 - I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.

Luke 10:1, 2 - 1 After these things the Lord designated 70 others and sent them out by twos ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go. 2 Then he said to them: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Do you think that a person who refuses to obey the command to go and preach and teach the good news with urgency, really loves Jesus? Or does it rather not show a lack of both faith, and love? (Romans 10:11-17)

 

[nPeace]

Shrugs. I don't know much history behind it. When I read I can take it as good or bad. Nothing wrong with that unless both good and bad lead people to harm.

Here's something interesting. If killing women and children was what god wanted, Christians today should do the same. Do you feel they are not following their own laws?

'Should' they do what god told the israelites to do when they colonated other people's lands?

If killing women and children was what god wanted?

 

[Valjean]

Hm? I don't see how this related to my comment. Nicely saying.

My post was a reaction to your commentary on shadow Wolf's post. It was explaining some of Wolf's criticisms.

 

[Valjean]

If killing women and children was what god wanted?

The Old testament is full of that sort of stuff.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

If killing women and children was what god wanted?

It was colonization so his people can be on the promise land. If it's historical, no. I don't believe that's what "he" wanted. Think about it.

If it can't be replayed today, I don't believe God can do it then. How would he?

 

[nPeace]

The Old testament is full of that sort of stuff.

What sort of stuff? Killing of women and children?
I read that men women and children were killed. I never read that God wanted the killing of women and children.

Suppose you picked up a newspaper and read, "The US wanted to kill the Japanese." Or maybe you read, "The US wanted to kill men and women... and children... whether armed or unarmed."

What would you think of the editors of the newspaper?
I would think, they either don't know how to properly represent facts, or they have an agenda to deliberately color facts to paint a picture they want people to focus on... without knowing the facts.
The media is famous for stuff like that.

 

[nPeace]

It was colonization so his people can be on the promise land.

If that were true, God could make the deserts the Israelites walked, the most luxurious of all the land, and have his people colonize it.
So evidently you are missing some details that were written.

If it's historical, no. I don't believe that's what "he" wanted. Think about it.

I believe it's historical. It is written as such. Why do you dismiss it as anything else but history?

If it can't be replayed today, I don't believe God can do it then. How would he?

I don't understand what you mean. What do you mean you don't believe "God can do it then"? Do what?

 

[Quintessence]

The religious demographics that describe me aren't dogmatic/creedal religions that require practitioners to think any particular way about anything, so each individual speaks for themselves.

On the whole Unitarian Universalists may incorporate elements of Christianity into their path for inspiration and it is probably the most common tradition to draw inspiration from given the history of UU. In general, UU is a tradition that has few qualms about drawing wisdom from many sources and teachers, and Christianity/Jesus is among those if the individual so desires.

On the whole contemporary Paganism (including traditions within that like Druidry) doesn't care about Christianity or its mythos beyond being forced to deal with it due to its cultural dominance. At most, Jesus is regarded as just another god (or human) among many who has had power and influence over the course of human history. There are also some syncretists - those who blend Paganism and Christianity - this is relatively uncommon and can be somewhat taboo to both communities.

Personally? I'm mostly in the UU/Pagan/Druid "don't care" category. I'm not particularly interested in Christian mythos but at somehow expected to have an opinion on it. Sometimes, that gets kind of annoying because it's a reminder of the cultural hegemony Christianity enjoys that constantly risks drowning out minority voices and paths like my own.