Theology aside, it always seemed to me like Jesus cared more about making sure people were treating each other well, than being worshiped as God-incarnate (didn't he actually tell people not to worship him?).
However, the Christianity I actually see (which is what I'm referring to as Christianity-by-Apostle. I didn't necessarily mean them specifically, btw) seems to be MUCH more focused on Jesus's Divinity, less on God himself (focusing instead on Jesus). Despite the fact Jesus talked about following God and loving thy neighbor, I see/hear a religion that follows Jesus (and through the Trinity, God, but sometimes that almost sounds like sneakily not worshiping God) and cares more about theology and the magical-forgiveness-ticket, than deeds.
Blagh. I'm not really explaining myself very well. It just appears to me that Jesus cared far more for people behaving in a loving manner, while the Christian religion cares more for Jesus' divine actions than what his actual message was.
Kind of like a really awesome professor who teaches this amazing class full of information!! And then in the middle of the semester, he dies in a car wreck. He would want his students to remember the knowledge...his students just remember that he died in a car wreck on the way to teach them. His substitutes spend more time talking about how awesome the professor was than actually teaching the course material, or they teach their own course material, and if the students don't praise the Professor enough, the Dean won't let them graduate even if they pass the class.
Does that make sense? >_>
I hope so. As I said, this is just how I see it from what I know and what I see and hear. Most of my religious knowledge comes from "common knowledge", a small smattering of my own readings, here, and church at Christmas with my grandparents. It could be my ideas line up with only a few or no christian sects. That's cool. If you, Ghav, Danny, whoever, want to share your knowledge, that's fine with me
However, the Christianity I actually see (which is what I'm referring to as Christianity-by-Apostle. I didn't necessarily mean them specifically, btw) seems to be MUCH more focused on Jesus's Divinity, less on God himself (focusing instead on Jesus). Despite the fact Jesus talked about following God and loving thy neighbor, I see/hear a religion that follows Jesus (and through the Trinity, God, but sometimes that almost sounds like sneakily not worshiping God) and cares more about theology and the magical-forgiveness-ticket, than deeds.
Blagh. I'm not really explaining myself very well. It just appears to me that Jesus cared far more for people behaving in a loving manner, while the Christian religion cares more for Jesus' divine actions than what his actual message was.
Kind of like a really awesome professor who teaches this amazing class full of information!! And then in the middle of the semester, he dies in a car wreck. He would want his students to remember the knowledge...his students just remember that he died in a car wreck on the way to teach them. His substitutes spend more time talking about how awesome the professor was than actually teaching the course material, or they teach their own course material, and if the students don't praise the Professor enough, the Dean won't let them graduate even if they pass the class.
Does that make sense? >_>
I hope so. As I said, this is just how I see it from what I know and what I see and hear. Most of my religious knowledge comes from "common knowledge", a small smattering of my own readings, here, and church at Christmas with my grandparents. It could be my ideas line up with only a few or no christian sects. That's cool. If you, Ghav, Danny, whoever, want to share your knowledge, that's fine with me

Still Empress of the Poofy Purple Pillow Pile Palace!!
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
This message last edited by LadyLorraine on 01/09/2010 at 07:35:11 PM
Preaching the Word: You're doing it wrong.
31/08/2010 08:22:14 AM
- 1407 Views
Lots of good stuff
31/08/2010 12:43:57 PM
- 867 Views
Is my church the exception?
31/08/2010 05:33:36 PM
- 870 Views
Believe it or not...
31/08/2010 06:58:56 PM
- 826 Views
I'm not so full of myself....
31/08/2010 07:14:29 PM
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I wouldn't blame you much if you did...
31/08/2010 07:18:19 PM
- 743 Views
A little fire & brimstone for thy stomach's sake?
31/08/2010 07:29:20 PM
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passionate preachers make me uneasy.
31/08/2010 08:38:05 PM
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Passion doesn't need to be...
01/09/2010 03:50:22 PM
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Why do you take what he says so personally?
01/09/2010 08:51:06 PM
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I'm not taking anything personally....
01/09/2010 09:20:55 PM
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good question,why would they?
01/09/2010 09:32:25 PM
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Your assumption...
01/09/2010 09:44:28 PM
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Look him in the eye?
01/09/2010 09:59:02 PM
- 784 Views
Ok...
01/09/2010 10:34:56 PM
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yah I know. I just always feel like they're trying to sell me something. *NM*
01/09/2010 09:09:13 PM
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Wouldn't this be....
01/09/2010 09:22:27 PM
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nah, i generally feel that way about that particular behavior. it's not exclusive to preachers
*NM*
01/09/2010 09:29:23 PM
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*throws panties at you*
31/08/2010 08:35:13 PM
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There are churches where people throw panties at each other?
31/08/2010 09:42:17 PM
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I think you would also have to move to where she lives. I don't know any ones that do that here... *NM*
31/08/2010 09:47:21 PM
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I could just visit
31/08/2010 09:55:50 PM
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but it'd be fun to WATCH
31/08/2010 10:02:58 PM
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if the panties are the size of revival tents it wouldn't be all that fun
*NM*
31/08/2010 10:20:32 PM
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(as if this was the first time) I remember that night at kit & wooly's place..... *NM*
01/09/2010 09:51:17 PM
- 470 Views
If people don't see their need for Jesus as savior, we're doing it wrong.
31/08/2010 08:44:36 PM
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Well, at least you didn't include the vague "personal."
31/08/2010 08:59:55 PM
- 804 Views
....what?
31/08/2010 09:02:05 PM
- 804 Views
The word used for "sin" in the New Testament is ἁμαρτία, which means "to miss the mark."
31/08/2010 10:02:04 PM
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Re: The word used for "sin" in the New Testament is ἁμαρτία, which means "to miss the mark."
31/08/2010 10:29:16 PM
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I love the smell of Calvinism in the morning. It smells like... self-loathing.
01/09/2010 02:49:24 AM
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*picks up the thrown glove*
01/09/2010 03:44:53 AM
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You didn't say anything I disagree with.
01/09/2010 05:02:59 AM
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One of your statements suma great deal of Christianity, actually
01/09/2010 12:39:52 PM
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So then in your estimation....
01/09/2010 03:52:12 PM
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From what I do know...
01/09/2010 07:33:14 PM
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How about some homework first?
01/09/2010 09:32:32 PM
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You do understand
01/09/2010 09:35:25 PM
- 824 Views
You'd be suprised...
01/09/2010 09:50:12 PM
- 752 Views
Because I find theology interesting
01/09/2010 10:04:23 PM
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Re: I love the smell of Calvinism in the morning. It smells like... self-loathing.
01/09/2010 03:09:46 PM
- 1002 Views
Re: I love the smell of Calvinism in the morning. It smells like... self-loathing.
01/09/2010 11:59:47 PM
- 1045 Views
Re: I love the smell of Calvinism in the morning. It smells like... self-loathing.
02/09/2010 01:03:42 AM
- 888 Views
It isn't henosis. It's a union with God. That's the whole point of the Eucharist, anyway.
02/09/2010 01:13:39 AM
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Moralistic, therapeutic Deism sounds like the perfect religion to me... *NM*
01/09/2010 04:35:51 PM
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Bummer Jesus couldn't figure that one out.
01/09/2010 03:48:03 AM
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"That ye love one another; as I have loved you" is actually somewhat terrifying.
01/09/2010 07:25:19 AM
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Jesus talked about Hell more than anyone else in the Bible, AFAIK.
01/09/2010 02:39:59 PM
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You might want to research that some
01/09/2010 02:56:58 PM
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Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, for instance.
01/09/2010 03:38:00 PM
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Nice try, but you will notice that the term "Hell" is entirely absent in the King James version
01/09/2010 06:25:12 PM
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the weeds will be gathered and burned does seem a little suggestive *NM*
01/09/2010 06:55:44 PM
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yes of burning.
01/09/2010 07:38:07 PM
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to each their own...
01/09/2010 11:02:41 PM
- 853 Views