To really understand the Bible requires it be read from the context of the authors - that requires an understanding of ancient Mid East culture and history, the geography, the Jewish people and Judaism, and even some knowledge of Hebrew and both Coptic and Koine Greek. That's far too much work for most people, particularly those who are satisfied with plucking out a verse here or there that seems to satisfy their bias.
Gay apparel? That is a good one. We need to use caution to rightfully divide the word of Truth. So much of it though is black and white. I think modern contemporary folks of our culture resist anything that resembles an absolute. If God gives an absolute, they resent it. That my friend is where the rubber meets the road. Are we looking for Truth or are we in rebellion?
No, I'm responding to Christians bringing their religion into government as if we had government to enforce their personal religious views on people who do not share their beliefs.
That's not a principle defining element of Socialism. Pretty much every nation in the world has systems for helping those in need. And, the funds for that don't appear by magic in any of them.
I have no problem with the examples you point out. Seems I read somewhere..."let no man judge you by the Sabbath you keep. I don't have a problem that some observe Saturday as their Sabbath. Personally I think government should stick to licensing dogs. In Arizona, we have an optional license called the Covenant Marriage. It is a Biblical marriage Contract and is binding. Christian lawyers designed it and the State approved it. I don't understand why the homosexual community can't do a "Gay Marriage Contract". I believe I know why...... their drive is to be recognized as the same as Christian marriage so they can diminish the sanctity of the institution we hold. There could also be a "pagan Marriage license".
If it were "black and white" there would be more agreement. You want to dump on all those who don't agree with your "absolutes". And, sorry, but there are just far too many who find other "absolutes" for you to have justification for that much self pride.
When I first read "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God" I thought rich men would never enter......but the scripture does continue....."with God all things are possible". Later I found out that the "eye of a needle" referred to one of the gates into Jerusalem where a man on a camel would have his animal stoop down low to enter. Guess if one has the proper humility, it is possible.
Ever hear of the Red Cross or Salvation Army? If it is not the principle of Socialism, Redistribution of Wealth backed up by a legal system, backed up by a police force backed up by an army, what is it? To those in need from those who are able? At the point of a gun? I prefer the adage "God loves a cheerful giver". I do not get very cheery when the government takes from me merely to line someone elses pockets.
You make my point. It seems there are no absolutes in your world because everyone has there own. It is called "moral relativism". I don't know why some with that belief even pretends to acknowledge the notion there is a God. Maybe you don't really.
Amen. How could one possibly interpret an allegory without a full understanding of the culture? I suspect the creation story has lost much of its meaning not due to lack of learning some language but in learni Jesus also told a rich guy who wanted to follow in his path to sell his belongings and give the proceeds to those in need. To me this is the same as the problem of reading one verse and determining that truth is now known. The title of this thread has to do with contradictions. However, any meaningful contradiction would need much more investigation. Are you right about the "eye of the needle"? Maybe, but it is far from obvious. Have you been around a loaded camel? Having the camel duck is by NO means the only issue. Plus, there could have been a variety of impediments related to taking treasure through that particular gate.
For those who are Christian and have their union consecrated by a duly recognized religious official, why would you suggest their marriage isn't absolutely identical to a "Christian marriage"??? Given that what we're talking about here is state marriage, why would the state care about your religious views? Why would it be of legitimate concern under our constitution? Does the state care at present? Do they ask you for a description of your religion when you apply for a marriage license?
No. We have adherents of many religions, and the religions do not agree on various subjects - even in cases where the Bible is seen as the authority. That's not "moral relativism".
Look up socialism. I hate it when someone is lining their pockets, too. For example, when Kushner sells his ideas to wealthy Chinese investors from the White House, I don't like it. But, those qualifying for food aid aren't "lining their pockets" - they are eating. As a society, we have chosen to not have people starving. Meeting that objective requires far more organization and far more money than is available simply by hoping individuals will find and help everyone who needs help.
The problem is not that poor people are lining their pockets, the problem is the govt using taxes to perform social engineering and lining the govt pockets with welfare program funds. That's inaccurate. Religious charities are very well organized, and far more efficient than the govt. For example, in funding the govt just takes money from people (taxes), while a private charity has to convince people to support its activities. The private charity has to show positive results or it loses donors and volunteers, when the govt fails it claims it failed because it did not have enough resources and simply takes more money from people. There is also a lot of work by charitable organizations in identifying people who are more likely to support its activities - private charitable organizations are (and always have been) deep into demographics and data analytics to identify who will support them and who will not. Private groups have to use their resources wisely.
6. Yeshua said that if a person is merciful he will receive mercy. Paul said that Yahweh plays favorites and shows mercy on whomever he wants to show mercy to. Matthew 5:7 (CEB) = “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy." Romans 9:18 (CEB) = "So then, God has mercy on whomever he wants to, but he makes resistant whomever he wants to." Who's right, Yeshua or Paul?
Catholic Charities, for example, is great! I support them. The catch isn't that there are no good groups - it is that they can not provide coverage of the USA. Plus, charitable giving today is a small fraction of the need.
Incorrect. http://www.softwaremetrics.com/Economics/Private Charity versus Government Entitlements.pdf https://www.theadvocates.org/effective-government-welfare-compared-private-charity/ Michael Tanner Director Health and Welfare Studies at the Cato Institute testified to Congress that 70 cents (or 70%) of every government entitlement dollar goes not to poor people, but to government bureaucrats (1). It is astonishing when we compare this figure to private charities........ This means, on average, that recipients receive 82 cents of every dollar compared to government programs where the recipient only receives 30 cents of every intended dollar. Hence, private charities are nearly 3 times as efficient in the allocation of funds than government programs. Private charities are far more efficient. <> How many dollars are involved? https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/cpid/42 Total giving to charitable organizations was $390.05 billion in 2016 (2.1% of GDP). For the govt its more complicated. If you include all programs associated with welfare and poverty reduction, including health care and tax credits and employment related programs, the federal govt spends $668 Billion (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-on-welfare-each-year/?utm_term=.9609759f59ad). This article put the spending at $1 Trillion, but that includes every program that could in any way be thought of as "welfare", it examines 83 programs: https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/m...ng The Largest Item In The Federal Budget.pdf CRS identified 83 overlapping federal welfare programs that together represented the single largest budget item in 2011—more than the nation spends on Social Security, Medicare, or national defense. The total amount spent on these 80-plus federal welfare programs amounts to roughly $1.03 trillion. Not that these are 83 overlapping programs - redundant and inefficient. <> 1 - Private charities are 3 times more efficient than the govt. 2 - The govt spends between 2.6 and 1.7 times what private charities spend. Combining the efficiency and dollar amount means private charities do more than the govt.
You wrote "The catch isn't that there are no good groups - it is that they can not provide coverage of the USA." Clearly the data shows that private charitable organizations can and do provide nationwide coverage. "Plus, charitable giving today is a small fraction of the need." True, I did not disprove that statement. But that requires a definition of "need", a very subjective definition. I will claim that the need is far smaller than the govt claims since the govt has a strong interest in exaggerating poverty and the need for welfare spending.
7. If you're a Christian whose advice should you follow when people need help, Yeshua's or Paul's? Yeshua said to do all of your good deeds in secret and to give people whatever they ask of you. http://www.bricktestament.com/the_teachings_of_jesus/on_giving/mt05_41.html 4 pictures Paul said screw that. If people don't work let them starve and don't help young widows because they should be trying to grab a husband to take care of them. 1 Timothy 5:1-16 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (TLB) = "Even while we were still there with you, we gave you this rule: “He who does not work shall not eat.”
In response to Jesus and the rich man.....those instructions were for that individual man. That's how Jesus deals with us as "individuals", not "collectives". Jesus, being God, knew the mans heart and it is why He made that challenge. Read on...... the man left because he knew his love of possessions would not let him do it. You need to be more insightful in your reading. Perhaps a little more prayer would help as you delve into scripture.
The states only concern is the "legal contract". If you would like to marry a llama, and the llama consented, the state could provide you with a "legal contract". Call it llama marriage". It is by no means Christian Marriage". Why do you say you need a "religious official"? Aren't you being a mite archaic? Why not an Elvis look alike, or an atheist judge? In this country, you can do it many ways.
Have you looked at poor Americans lately? It is not exactly Bangledesh. I would bet you the average "poor" American weighs 40% more than a poor citizen from India. Not all but most taking food stamps could be picking oranges or avocados and do rather well if they ate a lot of beans and rice. Instead, they're too good for that work and too good for rice and beans, so illegal aliens must do it. So instead you have government enslaving and stealing from the producers. If these "socialist nations" you keep raving about are so great, why do we have more immigrants coming here than all other nations combined??? One word answer.....FREEDOM!"
Then why use the Bible and assume its valued to know what this god being wants, if I was as powerful and intelligent as this god being the Bible is the last way I would want people to use to find out about me since its clearly screwed up at doing that so is this god a complete idiot or a moron or a trickster who gets off on the chaos. Here is a good idea plant the knowledge of god actively in the mind of all people at birth until death with what it wants of the person but leave freewill in play. Don't think this is going to be good Satan in your mythology saw god, knew god and spit in his face and rebelled so clearly its not an issue knowing god. And let all other gods and goddesses do this that exist. Then let people decide which one they take a shining to. I have issues with other holy books to they all suck so gods and goddesses seem lame as to PR they should maybe hire a consultant in social media and they can help.
