BS: Qu: Regarding Religion

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 05:12 AM

Go into any CofE church and find numerous memorials to those who died fighting, and to the glory of their sacrifice.
All beautifully tended.

Methodist church is quite close to endorsing pacifism.

No they are not.
I often attend a Methodist church, my wife's, and they also pray for our armed forces and there are ex soldiers in the congregation.

Just about every Christian understands that the commandment is about murder not killing.
Ask some.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 05:23 AM

..as I just posted: "...then I guess it's up to your 'political' or 'religious' spin whether you agree, or not....but,at least get it accurate"

Are you guys just arguing for the sake of arguing??...trying to rag on Christianity, as an institution??....or actually considering murdering somebody, and just want to find a loophole, that makes it 'alright'???

...Just thought I'd ask.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 06:18 AM

Of course there are plaques in churches. What has that to do with anything? The whole point here is the hypocrisy of organised religion. Dylan's God on our side springs to mind.

I just googled your Ten Commandments. Every hit I checked said kill, not murder.

Luckily for you, your neighbour will look over to your garden and see the goat I'm going to tether in it, and so long as he doesn't confuse it with an ox, he shouldn't necessarily covet it.

Ok, to be fair, elsewhere in it, I'm sure there are loop holes allowing you to kill. After all, three hundred years ago, the bloody code was propped up by a church edict that said man was in the image of God therefore killing a man or depriving him of property was blasphemous.

You can do anything with a concept that you make up as you go along.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Stu
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 06:21 AM

"Btw, I don't actually call it literalism but reading according to the genre , and you could see the difference as far as the NT is concerned."

Very handy! So you can basically use any passage in the bible to support any argument you make? You know The Clangers weren't real, right?


"Just about every Christian understands that the commandment is about murder not killing."

Yay! They can kill with justification! God's on their side! Blast the arms and legs of small children, stick a paveway into a wedding party and STILL get into heaven because it wasn't murder, just collateral damage! Yay!

Up to your nuts in blood and guts and still on the way to sit at god's right hand. Damn, that must feel good.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 06:55 AM

"Go into any CofE church and find numerous memorials to those who died fighting, and to the glory of their sacrifice."
Sod all to do with the scriptures - the various churches are the greatest compromisers on their beliefs - always have been (want to attempt to assess how much the Catholic Church is worth - d'you not think Jesus would have his work cut out throwing out the money-changers of the Vatican?
Chritianity has based its existence on its claimed belief in the sanctity of human life - it's opposition is based on that tenet
Now you're telling us it was all a con (as if we didn't know already!!)
"Just about every Christian understands that the commandment is about murder not killing."
How do you know - do you know "just about every Christian.
The question of what the commandment means hasn't crossed their minds - even if they are even aware of it.
SDon't be daft Keith - you have trouble speaking for yourself , let alone "just about every Christian".
The instincts of just about every human being is probably that it is wrong to kill - our streets would be littered with dead bodies if that were not the case.
People don't kill each other because it is a human instinct not to - sod what either the church or the state says.
But if you want to continue to claim that your religion promotes killing - please feel free - suits me down to the ground.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 07:27 AM

"Just about every Christian understands that the commandment is about murder not killing."
How do you know - know "just about every Christian.

I do know that no Christian denomination except Quakers take a pacifist line, and I knew a Quaker who served in the TA.

Musket, re hypocrisy, did you not marry and attempt to remarry in church, and were not all your children baptised into it?

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 08:07 AM

"I do know that no Christian denomination except Quakers take a pacifist line,"
That's the Church Keith - SFA to do with "Just about every Christian"
We already know they are a bunch of hypocrites
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 08:14 AM

No hypocrisy at all, you fool.

As someone who sings traditional songs, I might ask if you are with the Irish republican sentiment in some, or the need to get pissed all the time in others?

I married first time in a church because it was the thing to do. I doubt anybody who is rational actually listens to the "what God put together" nonsense. It's a tradition. Christening is a tradition. I did the Santa Claus and tooth fairy bit too, not to mention getting them reading Tolkien and JK Rowling at an early age.

Mrs Musket is a bell ringer and although not superstitious, gave years of service as a bell ringer at the cathedral, up till going to university and still rings there when visiting family. It seemed logical to marry there. Unfortunately, I'm a heathen due to being divorced so God said no. At the same time, a divorced employee of the cathedral was told God said yes.

We got married in a hotel. The beer was better, the roast lamb beats dry wafers any day and we didn't need the hypocrisy.

You confuse tradition and family with superstition. I was in church singing hymns only yesterday. The deceased believed in God, as did many others of his advanced years, and I was doing it for his widow and the memory of him. As, I suspect, were the rest of us.

A couple of weeks ago I was back at a Sikh temple for the second time, for the equivalent of christening of our friends' latest offspring. I doubt I or any of the other non Sikhs there had a desire to grow our hair round a turban. Chance would be a fine thing in my case.

This assumption that making use of the traditional community service churches, mosques, synagogues and temples offer is somehow to do with believing nonsense is all part of what Prof Dawkins called "the God delusion." You try to rope intelligent people into your mumbo jumbo to hide your own intellectual embarrassment. (That's a compliment by the way.)

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 08:22 AM

This is what the Methodist Church actually says on the subject:

"The Methodist Church teaches that war is contrary to the spirit, teaching and purpose of Jesus Christ. On the other hand Jesus did not condemn the Centurion (Luke 7:1-10) or even Pilate himself for being part of the military arm. Instead he reminded Pilate that he had received his authority from a greater power and remained accountable to that power (John 19:10-11)."

Of course people pray for soldiers in Methodist churches, as they pray for the sick, for victims of natural disasters and for sinners. And of course there are ex-soldiers as there will be ex-burglars. Possibly even ex-murderers, even by your definition. That doesn't mean they endorse war.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 08:34 AM

Keith always has had trouble in distinguishing the difference between church and laity - pretty much as he has with British politicians and the British people as a whole
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 08:40 AM

With the Methodistchurch, United Reformed, and many other reformed churched, the laity are the church.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 09:06 AM

Gosh 😱 Are you sure that's what the Methodist church says??

Only I was all up for believing Keith.

You can't be too careful.

As the actress said to... Etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Greg F.
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 09:17 AM

Greg, can you ever give it a rest?

Either the Bible its the incontrovertible "Word Of God" or it isn't.

It can be sort of the word of God - kinda like being "a little bit pregnant", dontcha think?

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 10:26 AM

"The Methodist Church teaches that war is contrary to the spirit, teaching and purpose of Jesus Christ.

So does every other Christian Church, but it is not pacifism.

This is from a CofE site,
"5. In just war theory, criteria are set out for the legitimate resort to warfare. A war
must have a just cause, be waged by a proper authority and with a right intention,
be undertaken only if there is a reasonable chance of success and if the total good
outweighs the total evil expected (overall proportionality). It must also be waged as
a last resort and in pursuit of peace. Criteria are also set out for the conduct of war.
These are discrimination (avoiding intentional harm to non-combatants) and
proportionality of means (using such force as is essential to pursue the just cause).
6. Just war theory does not constitute a Christian ideal. The application of just war
theory is a Christian practice, not a doctrine. It is reflected in international law, but
for Christians who accept it, it is an expedient response to the challenges of living in
a fallen world."
https://www.churchofengland.org/media/1376267/defence%20policy%20may%202010.pdf

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 10:30 AM

Musket, you excoriate all religions and ridicule people of faith, but you are happy to indulge in Christian ritual and prayer when it suits you.
Seeing that as hypocrisy does not make me a fool Musket.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 10:44 AM

I'm incredibly tempted to ask Keith how be squares that just war theory with the activities of the Israeli regime that he so vehemently defends, but I'm not going to. It might be better for him not to call other people hypocrites though.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 10:51 AM

"This is from a CofE site,"
Church again - not people
The probably would have come up with a similar statement regarding acquisition
Are you really trying to present your church as a bunch of killers?
Fine by me.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 11:05 AM

Dave, this is what the Methodists say about pacifism.
The bit you left out.

"The Christian pacifist does not necessarily condemn the use of every kind of force, but refuses to employ force unaccountably or to destroy others, for example in either personal or State violence.

The Christian non-pacifist does not justify every war, but reluctantly recognises that violence (force) may be used when authorised to defend against aggression, to rectify a breach of a boundary, or to restrain or replace a 'notorious and tyrannical' despot. The Church upholds the right of individual members conscientiously to choose between these positions, and offers pastoral support to those on both sides of the debate."
http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/views-of-the-church/peace-and-war

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 11:08 AM

Jim,
The probably would have come up with a similar statement regarding acquisition
They do not.
Are you really trying to present your church as a bunch of killers?
No.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 11:10 AM

Steve, I discussed the actions of the IDF in terms of International Law, not Christian principles which I accept most here do not share.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 11:52 AM

"They do not."
Yes they do - it is not a sin to gain wealth in the Christian Church - christ told his followers to take their possessions and give them to the poor, he threw the money-changers out of the temple and told the rich that they had about as much chance of getting into heaven as a camel would have trying to pass through the eye of a needle... go down a bomb with today's christians
The 'Big Yin' would find himself banged up as a raving red if he preached that today.
Go read your bible and stop stupidly denying things that the rest of us have known since we gave up the tit.
You are saying that what purports to be a pacifist religion (Christianity, that is, can't speak for you particular sect) selectively advocates that it is fine to kill some people.
I asked for a a list of who it was OK to kill - and answer came there none - just waffle.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 12:12 PM

Indulging in the tradition for the sake of others is hardly hypocritical, you oaf.

I used to be in a band with a melodeon player who played for his local Morris team. Is he a hypocrit for using cow shit and fertiliser on his vegetables rather than rely on the good fortune in the dance?

If I happened to be a Christian, should I have snubbed our Sikh friends by saying it would be hypocritical to attend their temple? Or even better, should I have murdered them for not being Christian? After all, we can't be hypocrites can we?

There is no hypocrisy if you don't believe in all that bollocks. Just decency in supporting others in their need and enjoying traditions. Which, I might add, is the main reason some people go to church in the first place. Mrs Musket isn't religious but on Sunday, when we travel down and take her mother out from the nursing home for Mother's Day, she will take her to church (whilst I go for a walk, there are limits...)

Just think, if normal people took heed of your hypocrisy confusion, churches would all shut because they all depend on marriages, christenings and funerals for existence, and if normal people didn't turn up....

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 12:13 PM

Interesting link gfs, . Tekton apolologetics do some thoughtful stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:04 PM

Keith, yes they offer pastoral support to those who espouse both, and uphold the right of individuals to hold either view, but the position of the Church is fairly clearly one not the other. A bit like the position of the Anglican Church on gay priests.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:07 PM

Tekton apologetics are a bizarre outfit. Or, really, a bizarre individual. This is he.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:10 PM

And Pete, before you leap to his defence, he doesn't think that much of fundamentalists.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:41 PM

Dave,
the position of the Church is fairly clearly one not the other

No.
Their position is, as you said, ""The Methodist Church teaches that war is contrary to the spirit, teaching and purpose of Jesus Christ."

As I said, that is the position of all Christian Churches, and mine.
I am not pacifist and nor are the Methodist Church.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:46 PM

As I said, that is the position of all Christian Churches, and it is also my own.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:54 PM

"The Christian pacifist does not necessarily condemn the use of every kind of force, but refuses to employ force unaccountably or to destroy others, for example in either personal or State violence"

I wonder consider the most important phrase her is "OR DESTROY OTHERS"

That is do not KILL them, you can put whatever spin you want on it, as you no doubt will.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 03:55 PM

Keith states the position of all Christian churches.

I'll bet he hasn't even heard of some Christian cults, let alone state their position.

After all, Pete is Christian and he states something very different to Keith's assertion. Poor Keith can't even state the view of Christians on Mudcat let alone the rest of the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Greg F.
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 04:35 PM

the position of all Christian Churches

You bet, Professor - just like your "All Historians" & etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 02:45 AM

Boy!!..The bigots are out, and alive and well on THIS thread!!

BTW, I checked with a guy today, who reads, writes, and can speak Hebrew, went to Hebrew school, and is pretty straight with his answers..doesn't know about the argument going on in this thread....and wouldn't care if he did.....and he said that, in the Hebrew text, it definitely refers to murder, or murder for gain.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Stu
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:17 AM

"and he said that, in the Hebrew text, it definitely refers to murder, or murder for gain."

Excellent news! So you can murder for the joy of it and still get to sit at the right tentacle of the flying spaghetti monster?

Is this the sort of bilge the Judaeo/Christian/Islamic moral code is built on? No wonder the world is so utterly fucked and full of needles misery, and explains why they're all such violent lunatics who at the very least are passive in the face of the mindless slaughter their creeds condone.

Unbelievable.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:48 AM

Keith states the position of all Christian churches.
I'll bet he hasn't even heard of some Christian cults, let alone state their position.

The teaching of Jesus are quite unequivocal, and can only be seen as stated.
He preached love and forgiveness.
"The Methodist Church teaches that war is contrary to the spirit, teaching and purpose of Jesus Christ."
It is not just the Methodists.
That is my position and that of any Christian Church.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:49 AM

My first re-action to reading your hateful babble, was to ask, 'What the fuck are you frothing about'?...but then, it was quite apparent....nothing, just bitter meaningless babble....encased within the frothing foam around your mouth.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:50 AM

Cross threaded:

My post was directed at Stu.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:06 AM

"He preached love and forgiveness."
And once again you choose the bits of your religion which suit you and ignore the bits that don't.
The modern-day church has rationalised and adapted the Christian teaching to suit their own political agendas which is why it is in the moral mess that it is today - today it flies in the face if its own teaching by serving two masters 'God and Mammon'.
You deny that you and your church support killing for gain - perhaps you would care to respond to the examples given.
It is "Christianity" such as your that has made the church and your religion non-event that it has become - 'more power to your elbow' as they say in Ireland.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:08 AM

The Catholic Church is moving closer and closer toward pacifism. I've heard tell that Pope John Paul spoke out 52 times against the first Bush war in Iraq. And the Catholic Church no longer approves of the death penalty, and it has more-or-less disposed of the "just war theory."
Self-defense is still permissible, but only as a last resort.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:41 AM

Well I condemned the Iraq war. I condemn the death penalty. The just war theory is a ludicrous contruction and I'll use self-defence only as a last resort. Am I a pacifist? Not a bit of it. Less of the non-sequiturs, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:43 AM

Musket, Keith definitely does know of the Quakers, there is a Meeting House in Hertford for a start, and they have a proud and long-held position of refusing to fight in wars. They set up the Friends Ambulance Brigade and not only Quakers, but many other Christians will join that rather than fight.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Stu
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 05:41 AM

"just bitter meaningless babble"

Whoooossssshhhhh! Again.

The only religion that has any credence in my unasked for opinion is Buddhism, which is centred around compassion for all living beings (and dominion over none) and selflessness. In fact, Zen buddhism is a quite remarkable philosophical system that still seems along way ahead of western medicine when it comes to understanding the mind and how it works.

In fact, you can be a Buddhist without even believing in a jot of the supernatural baggage that comes along it. It is a truly life-enhancing way of living, and quite compatible with science too.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 01:10 PM

Jim,
And once again you choose the bits of your religion which suit you and ignore the bits that don't.

So, which bits do you claim I ignore?

You deny that you and your church support killing for gain - perhaps you would care to respond to the examples given.

Of course I deny it.
What examples?

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 01:38 PM

"So, which bits do you claim I ignore?}
Try -"Turn the other Cheek" - it's been up several times
Talso - he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword
Both of these are indications of built-in pacifism.
I've pointed out the contradiction contradiction between the gospels opposition to acquisition and the Church; attitude
Only getting started with these 0- you have yet to respond to one.
I've asked you a number of times if it's ok to fight wars for territory or political power - no answer
"What examples?"
These ****** examples - which you have already been given.
I gave you a whole list of such wars - a denial they happened
Here they re again - all endorsed by the Church:
You have been given a list of examples of the slaughter they have carried out for political power and wealth - I might have added The Crusades - which were simply to open the Trades routs - plenty more of this sort of thing - or the opening up of Empires to 'civilise' the conquered.
Christian Spain wiped out entire cultures in pursuit of gold
Britain took part in the mass slaughter of entire generations in the name of "God, King and Country"
The Borgias (2 popes among that lot) were masters of war, avarice, rape and murder.
Now - cut the crap and answer.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,dave
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 02:24 PM

Jim, I think the problem is in the refusal to throw off the baggage of the medieval mindset. You may stop reading here and say that the Church is the baggage of the medieval mindset, but it doesn't have to be. The conflation of the church with the authority structure probably dates from Constantine the Great, often it is thought that Constantine introduced Christianity to the west, but he did no such thing. He appropriated Christianity as part of his power structure, and it has remained so to this day. After him, the schism between Rome and Byzantium, in 1054, all the business with Henry VIII and his daughters, right down to the seats of the bishops in the house of lords, these are examples of Christianity being manipulated by people of power, not the other way round. The problems in Ireland for goodness sake, and you know more about this from first hand than me. And people of power need wars. The problem that the church has, and there are many honourable exceptions, is in refusing to reject that explicitly. And I don't mean a particular church, all of them, or most of them, with exceptions such as the Quakers, such as Bonhoffer, such as Huddleston.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:20 PM

"medieval mindset. "
I think it's a bit more fundamental than that Dave.
The Church, rather than being a source of spiritual guidance, is little more than an arm of the State - on hand to lend a hand in wars, if necessary, or to pacify civil disorder..... and more or less anything it is called on to do.
The Church of England was deliberately created by England's head of state, Henry VIII in order to guarantee his and his heirs' position as rulers of England
I think Joe is right to a degree, that in some ways the Catholic Church is becoming more liberal, but I'm not sure whether this is enlightenment or simply pragmatism, in the light of ongoing the clerical abuse scandals and especially what happened in Ireland with the same-sex referendum - unthinkable even a decade ago.
I think the Bishop of Dublin hit the nail on the head when he said that the referendum result was a "wake-up call for the Church.
I noticed while thumbing through the internet that there are a number of substantial calls from progressive groups for a return to "the real meaning of the gospel".
It will be interesting to see if they have any success, and if so, what the reaction of the various hierarchies will be.
Interesting days, eigh - I knew a lot of lapsed Catholics who would have loved to have loved to see it!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:35 PM

I asked a real Christian yesterday.

He said it states "thou shalt not kill"

Not satisfied, I did another search. Seems it says "thou shalt not kill."

It's been a few years since Jim was on the throne and time enough for edits, yet the latest print seems to say "thou shalt not kill."

In English

Oh and my vicar friend? I recall that after a reading from the pulpit he ends with "this is the word of God". After reading from KJV.

Good enough for me. Stop lying Keith. Stop pressing random keys Goofus.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:41 PM

OK Musk. Just go on believing that the Bible was written in English & bound in black & dropped from heaven on the Archbish of Cant's head in 1616. & we all hope it keeps fine 4U.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:16 PM

Musket, ask them what it means.
Everyone gives the KJ quote, but anyone who cares knows it is a mistranslation.
It is a fact not a lie that the original Hebrew is mistranslated in the KJ bible.

Jim,
Both of these are indications of built-in pacifism.
No they are not. I subscribe to both.

I've asked you a number of times if it's ok to fight wars for territory or political power - no answer

The answer is no, and I do not need to answer for events many hundreds of years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:56 PM

The only religion that has any credence in my unasked for opinion is Buddhism, which is centred around compassion for all living beings

Except Muslim living beings in Myanmar it would appear.

Subject: RE: BS: Qu: Regarding Religion
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 07:31 PM

"No they are not. I subscribe to both."
Yes they are -it is inbult in wahat they say - it is wrong to kill,,(no qualifications)
The answer is no, and I do not need to answer for events many hundreds of years ago."
Yes you do - Christianity didn't start last week - it is what its history has made it.
The massacres that took place in Spain and Chile were not "hundreds of years ago" - Chile took place during my adulthood and Spain was happening during when I was an adult.
The oil wars that Britain is supporting are to ascertain that cars are filled up at the best profitable price - is that acceptable to you as a Christian?
If it is wrong to kill for gain, is it not equally wrong to trade in arms for profit?
Britain is the 6th greatest arms trader on the planet - for profit, trading to despots and human rights abusers unconditionally - their arms minister has admitted the same.
Can we assume that you, as a Christian condemn that trade?
That'll be the day!!
Jim Carroll