tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3068460074292084403.post3374307298735768361..comments2024-03-14T03:54:54.285-04:00Comments on A Personal Diaspora: Gandhi Had a PointKevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02264591251533350010noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3068460074292084403.post-47506897768965645122010-07-25T10:16:26.068-04:002010-07-25T10:16:26.068-04:00I think the line I disagree with you on is this: &...I think the line I disagree with you on is this: "I think this type of teaching necessitates that people approach others with a judgmental attitude."<br /><br />If judging someone caused them to change, our world would be perfect, wouldn't it? I mean, we certainly do enough judging. But unfortunately it does not. Instead, it creates dischord and hatred among people of different beliefs...even different beliefs within the Christian community (some Protestants vs. some Catholics, for example). <br /><br />Yes, I agree that Jesus called his believers to "preach the Gospel" in all the world. But the question then becomes how best to do it. I don't remember Jesus flatly judging people because of their actions; rather, I remember him eating and spending time with the marginalized and outcast in Jewish society: the prostitutes, tax collectors, lepors, etc. He loved people, and he reached and changed them that way. That makes me think that maybe we should follow his model, and not one of fire and brimstone and judgment.<br /><br />Lastly, anyone who tells you that you are going to hell for believing in evolution has a serious misunderstanding of Christian doctrine. Your friend should probably spend a few more years learning these things before he becomes a pastor. Just saying.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264591251533350010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3068460074292084403.post-13948639656466376392010-07-07T23:19:29.177-04:002010-07-07T23:19:29.177-04:00I think you have a great point. I always find it ...I think you have a great point. I always find it amazing that even beyond acting in a manner contradictory to people religious beliefs (or so-called 'beliefs') people throughout history have used religion as a justification for some of history’s worst atrocities (i.e. the "children's crusade" in 1212).<br /><br />I have a friend, though, who is an evangelical Christian and studying at Moody Bible institute to become a pastor. He has told me on numerous occasions (in sometimes hostile and offensive terms) that I am going to hell for believing in evolution. It pretty much sums up your thing about judging rather than loving. The problem is that part of his religious belief requires him to 'save' my soul, and he is absolutely convinced that my believing in evolution (as a relatively informed human being) will lead to my eternal damnation.<br /><br />I think situations like this are a big issue for your argument because Christianity, like most religions, teaches that you need to go out and help people reach heaven, which in reality is the most loving thing to do if you really believe in and eternal heaven and hell. I think this type of teaching necessitates that people approach others with a judgmental attitude. I mean, whose soul are you going to save if you just respect views and actions that are supposedly sinful? I would love more than anything for people to go around respecting other people's opinions and ways of life, and the fact that this isn't the case is one of the biggest reasons that I have grown less and less religious over the years, but I think the truth of the matter is that the emphasis that Christianity and other religions puts on evangelism is going to make it next to impossible for this kind of world to become a reality.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02189289710458314361noreply@blogger.com