Your Religion?

[thewiz]

There is no such thing as a "cultural" Christian. The term "Christian" was first used as an insult to the growing sect in the Roman Empire: it meant that they were "of Christ" or "annointed." Jesus the Christ (Christ was not his last name, contrary to what many "believers" think) is the Greek translated from the Hebrew "mashiyach" or "Messiah." If you are a Christian, then you are part of a group professed to the beliefs, understanding, and obedience to what Jesus the Christ preached (and fulfilled from the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament). If one understood the basis for the "Christian" faith as fulfillment of the Hebrew or First Covenant, they would likely not make up the term "cultural Christian." Another word for "cultural Christian" would be a non-believer and one can not be truly Christian if they are a non-believer. One would also ascribe to all parts of what Jesus preached which would likely not leave them a Republican for the party today is a "Right to Birth" organization. The First Covenant (aka Old Testament, Hebrew Scriptures, etc) was probably the gold standard you want, based on the ten commandments that were bastardized by the religious of Jesus' day.

It is why he simplified everything with "love God and love your neighbor as yourself." If we truly loved, we would not be spreading hate, ignoring the poor, throwing people off health insurance, eliminating support programs, and exploding a military (mostly in the area of equipment procurement -- the people serving get shit on regularly).

 

[Kyanimal]

Interesting thought about Jesus's actual, every day, name.

There is a lot of agreement that it was likely "Yeshua BarYoseph", translating to Joshua, Son of Joseph.

Hey, Josh!

 

[palemale]

That is cool that your church allows priests to actually have sex lives. Celibacy is just not psychologically healthy for humans. We are sexual creatures and it does not do us any good to deny our urges. Probably the only group that wouldn't really hurt to be permanently celibate is asexuals as they pretty much have no real attraction to anyone.

The Roman Catholic Church has married priests.

 

[palemale]

There is no such thing as a "cultural" Christian.

On this I sort of agree with Ben. I was raised Catholic, but am atheist. Having come out of a large, Catholic family, and having had a strong, Catholic education, I recognize that I am culturally Catholic, even if I don't believe. I'm really a Catholic Atheist (thank God).

 

[marqau]

I was raised as a Catholic and went to Catholic schools, but even in high school I was interested in Eastern religions.

I seriously considered joining the Hare Krishnas at one point and later of going to Thailand to become a Buddhist monk. Actually it was on a meditation retreat that I first really admitted to myself that I am gay.

Later I joined a Zen group and I was heavily involved. I left the group after an unfortunate period where one of the long time members of the group fell in love with me and I had a brief affair with her. When I broke up with her, I no longer felt welcome there.

I still practice meditation and consider myself a Zen Buddhist, though I have no connection to any group anymore. My partner was raised as a Muslim but he no longer believes in it.

 

[TickTockMan]

Thanks everyone. Interesting thread.

 

[Franco Verum]

Pentecostal born and raised.

 

[TickTockMan]

Thanks for the bump, Franco. I don't remember this thread, but still a good read.

 

[Franco Verum]

Not much going on in this JUB section. Hopefully, I'll change that.

 

[TickTockMan]

Not much going on in this JUB section. Hopefully, I'll change that.

Yeah the Religion, Spirituality & Philosophy section has mostly always been dead. I would love some good topics.

 

[Rickrock]

Roman Catholic. I believe its doctrine and generally believe its clergy, but occasionally take their statements with a grain of salt, mostly agreeing with them.

 

[Franco Verum]

Roman Catholic. I believe its doctrine and generally believe its clergy, but occasionally take their statements with a grain of salt, mostly agreeing with them.

What do you think of the new Pope?

 

[Rickrock]

I don't know him well. I assume he is okay.

 

[Franco Verum]

Pope Leo said the Church should be more inclusive and welcoming. When the Vatican hosted hundreds of LGBTQ Catholics, conservative Catholics the world over lost they're damn mind over it.

 

[FrodoTX]

Born and raised Catholic. Then I grew up and started asking questions. Just watched a course on the Crusades. Study that history and ask yourself how "Christian " these invaders were. I started rooting for Salaman, the awesome Islamic ruler. Religions were developed for people who don't want to die. When I die, I'm gone. Don't need religion.