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#1 2007-04-06 4:49 pm

resedit
Chicken Little
Royal Wombat
From: /dev/null
Registered: 1999-11-01
Posts: 50371
Website

Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

If there really is so much dispute about what it means to be a christian, is the word even worth using, or has the word become meaningless?

If there is not a set of core beliefs that christian defines, should it then simply no longer be used, and instead, more specific terms (like evangelical, fundamentalist, mormon, adventist, Jehovas Witness, etc.) be used when discussing beliefs related to offspring of the religion started by the followers of the man called Christ?

Personally I say no - but it seems that some want the word to be meaningless as far as what it means someone believes, as they do not want "christian" to mean any specific set of core beliefs.

Sorry for starting a new thread, but the chocolate jesus thread I think went in too many directions.


In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor

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#2 2007-04-06 5:12 pm

Phydeaux
Watching, Listening and Waiting
From: Hopin You'll Turn Out Th'Light
Registered: 2001-05-11
Posts: 29999
Website

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

All words are meaningless.


Spirit was crushed; now is fading, But I want to help make things right.
Because I can see and I can feel, and you can see and you can feel
So why don't we both either stand up and fight
Or at least together we'll call it a night.

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#3 2007-04-06 5:17 pm

robco
Curmudgeon
From: Sodom
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 7940
Website

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

and forgettable


It is an odd thing, but every one who disappears is said to be seen at San Francisco. It must be a delightful city, and possess all the attractions of the next world.
- Oscar Wilde

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#4 2007-04-06 5:29 pm

Ribtorus
Member
Registered: 2002-07-11
Posts: 13736

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

To me christianity doesn't mean as much as it implies.

To me it implies a North American protestantism identified with absolutism, greed and hypocrisy; world Catholisism identified with a once glorious past scarred by excess and descended into a moribund authoritarianism; old mysticism identified with the eastern gnostic ideals of query and journey; Byzantine belief identified by continuity and structure; and the worst of it all, the  watered down, feel-good, modernist, anything-goes pap of the ecumenical type movements.


when surrounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
and the women come out to cut up what remains,
just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains,
and go to your god like a soldier...

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#5 2007-04-06 5:51 pm

ShnickyShnack
::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
From: Rockin' out
Registered: 2001-05-25
Posts: 22237

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

robco wrote:

and forgettable

Nice reference!


Note: please delete this post.

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#6 2007-04-06 5:56 pm

Phydeaux
Watching, Listening and Waiting
From: Hopin You'll Turn Out Th'Light
Registered: 2001-05-11
Posts: 29999
Website

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

ShnickyShnack wrote:

robco wrote:

and forgettable

Nice reference!

I need the Cliff's Notes.


Spirit was crushed; now is fading, But I want to help make things right.
Because I can see and I can feel, and you can see and you can feel
So why don't we both either stand up and fight
Or at least together we'll call it a night.

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#7 2007-04-06 6:30 pm

ShnickyShnack
::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
From: Rockin' out
Registered: 2001-05-25
Posts: 22237

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Depeche Mode:

Enjoy the Silence

Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world

Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand
Oh my little girl

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm

Vows are spoken
To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable


All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm

Enjoy the silence


Note: please delete this post.

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#8 2007-04-06 7:19 pm

Drew1369
Member
Registered: 2007-01-10
Posts: 394

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

robco wrote:

and forgettable

huh?

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#9 2007-04-06 7:20 pm

bratboy
laden with emotion
Royal Wombat
From: Austin, Texas
Registered: 2003-01-19
Posts: 34106

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

It was just explained to you.


"One thing we've learned is there's a difference between being disappointed and having madmen in authority."

                                                                   --Paul Krugman

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#10 2007-04-06 7:35 pm

Pariah
James Carville Fan..
From: Belly Of The Beast, Oklahoma!
Registered: 2001-05-24
Posts: 18394

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Phydeaux wrote:

All words are meaningless.

You used words to communicate that idea.


"and it's not surprising that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Barack Obama

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#11 2007-04-06 7:47 pm

user
Your plastic pal who's fun to be with
From: I'm not getting you down, am I
Registered: 2001-10-15
Posts: 16016

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Eventually Christianity will become a historical footnote when it is finally absorbed into Scientology.


Aw, he's no fun, he fell right over.

Unless you become as little children, there's no way you will believe this crap.

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#12 2007-04-06 7:52 pm

ShnickyShnack
::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
From: Rockin' out
Registered: 2001-05-25
Posts: 22237

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

TOM CRUISE WILL SAVE US ALL


Note: please delete this post.

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#13 2007-04-06 7:57 pm

D'Eyncourt
OMGDICTATOR
Registered: 2001-12-27
Posts: 8798
Website

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

user wrote:

Eventually Christianity will become a historical footnote when it is finally absorbed into Scientology.

Did you mean a "comma"?


BOYCOTT SONY

"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992

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#14 2007-04-06 7:59 pm

Phydeaux
Watching, Listening and Waiting
From: Hopin You'll Turn Out Th'Light
Registered: 2001-05-11
Posts: 29999
Website

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Pariah wrote:

Phydeaux wrote:

All words are meaningless.

You used words to communicate that idea.

My keystrokes are worthless. :emomax:


Spirit was crushed; now is fading, But I want to help make things right.
Because I can see and I can feel, and you can see and you can feel
So why don't we both either stand up and fight
Or at least together we'll call it a night.

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#15 2007-04-07 11:28 am

Pithecanthropus
Roast Master
From: St. Cloud, MN
Registered: 2002-12-30
Posts: 4448
Website

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

To me, a non-christian, I say that if you worship Jesus Christ as part of your religion you are Christian.  It's that simple.

If you say that a certain sect or a certain brand isn't you are splitting hairs.

Wars have begun that way, the age-old reason of, "you pray wrong."

Look at Iraq.  Shiites and Sunnis killing each other over what?  Very small differences in their religion.  But here in the US we call them both Muslims.

It's no different.

And, res, you can argue all you want, you can site any passage of any encyclopedia and you can quote the Bible until you are blue in the face and it won't change my opinion.

Have a nice day.


Grandfatherly advice:  You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.

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#16 2007-04-07 11:37 am

Pariah
James Carville Fan..
From: Belly Of The Beast, Oklahoma!
Registered: 2001-05-24
Posts: 18394

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Christianity has always been an aggressive political movement more than anything.
The religious aspects are just a small part of the larger movement.

Last edited by Pariah (2007-04-07 11:37 am)


"and it's not surprising that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Barack Obama

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#17 2007-04-07 12:08 pm

Daddyo
hoochie coochie man
From: the last juke joint
Registered: 2004-01-24
Posts: 1880

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Pariah wrote:

Christianity has always been an aggressive political movement more than anything.
The religious aspects are just a small part of the larger movement.

I disagree, I think it started with devout followers that, with time, grew into large numbers and acquired political influence.


A million seconds is 12 days.
A billion seconds is 31 years.
A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.
Hope and change could be forever.

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#18 2007-04-07 12:10 pm

mo' ron
PS3 4 EVA
From: NC, USA
Registered: 2002-10-15
Posts: 14242

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Daddyo wrote:

Pariah wrote:

Christianity has always been an aggressive political movement more than anything.
The religious aspects are just a small part of the larger movement.

I disagree, I think it started with devout followers that, with time, grew into large numbers and acquired political influence.

I disagree. There's no reason for someone to pretend to be a god or form a religion and gain followers, unless they are demented or have other political goals.

Last edited by mo' ron (2007-04-07 12:10 pm)


What is the difference between Vista and OSX?
- Microsoft employees are excited about OSX.

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#19 2007-04-07 12:12 pm

Ribtorus
Member
Registered: 2002-07-11
Posts: 13736

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

mo' ron wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

Pariah wrote:

Christianity has always been an aggressive political movement more than anything.
The religious aspects are just a small part of the larger movement.

I disagree, I think it started with devout followers that, with time, grew into large numbers and acquired political influence.

I disagree. There's no reason for someone to pretend to be a god or form a religion and gain followers, unless they are demented or have other political goals.

Romanus eunt Domus!


when surrounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
and the women come out to cut up what remains,
just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains,
and go to your god like a soldier...

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#20 2007-04-07 12:13 pm

Pariah
James Carville Fan..
From: Belly Of The Beast, Oklahoma!
Registered: 2001-05-24
Posts: 18394

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Daddyo wrote:

Pariah wrote:

Christianity has always been an aggressive political movement more than anything.
The religious aspects are just a small part of the larger movement.

I disagree, I think it started with devout followers that, with time, grew into large numbers and acquired political influence.

Ya, but that was 1800 years ago. Hardly relevant today.


"and it's not surprising that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Barack Obama

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#21 2007-04-07 4:25 pm

[MA] Flying_Meat
Member
From: Frisco?
Registered: 2001-03-31
Posts: 8515

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

i tend to think of the peace loving, turn the other cheek, do unto others... folk as fundies, and the rest are evangelicals/extremists.

i personally hop on one foot while worshiping the sandal.


...and watch out for the flying meat!

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#22 2007-04-08 8:34 am

Daddyo
hoochie coochie man
From: the last juke joint
Registered: 2004-01-24
Posts: 1880

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Ribtorus wrote:

There's no reason for someone to pretend to be a god or form a religion

I agree with this statement.
Jesus did neither of these.


A million seconds is 12 days.
A billion seconds is 31 years.
A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.
Hope and change could be forever.

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#23 2007-04-08 9:09 am

user
Your plastic pal who's fun to be with
From: I'm not getting you down, am I
Registered: 2001-10-15
Posts: 16016

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Daddyo wrote:

Ribtorus wrote:

There's no reason for someone to pretend to be a god or form a religion

I agree with this statement.
Jesus did neither of these.

That's not a statement, that's a partial phrase clipped out of the rest of his post.

Here's a full statement: Jesus did neither of these because he never existed.


Aw, he's no fun, he fell right over.

Unless you become as little children, there's no way you will believe this crap.

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#24 2007-04-08 9:22 am

Ribtorus
Member
Registered: 2002-07-11
Posts: 13736

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

Daddyo wrote:

Ribtorus wrote:

There's no reason for someone to pretend to be a god or form a religion

I agree with this statement.
Jesus did neither of these.

Don't mistake me for a mo'ron.


when surrounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
and the women come out to cut up what remains,
just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains,
and go to your god like a soldier...

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#25 2007-04-08 9:53 am

Ribtorus
Member
Registered: 2002-07-11
Posts: 13736

Re: Does the word Christianity have meaning anymore?

A practical example of the meaning of Christianity;

The Pope says, "...nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees."

"Nothing positive" is a pretty unambiguous characterisation.

So, with his presumed special link to the disciples and to god, are christians to accept his claim, and are good catholics bound to it, even unoficially? Or is it just so much boiler plate lamentation that may be dismissed at some timely junction?


when surrounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
and the women come out to cut up what remains,
just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains,
and go to your god like a soldier...

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