I agree with you that today Islam is more threatening than Christianity to the non-believer. But I also believe Christians tend to downplay historical rationalization for violence which was based on their scripture.

That is a historically inaccurate statement.

N/A - see above.

Disagree - it is not such an either/or-neither/nor issue and there is much written which challenges that line of reasoning.

There are many of Josephus' writings which have been subject to dispute and the taint of his personal beliefs in his writings are as suspect as any other historian's (e.g., Herodotus, Hecataeus, etc).

My 'blanket' opinion - the result of personal study, experience, observation, and reason - have led me to most appreciate the logic behind the idea of 'the laws of nature and nature's god' vice the historical record of the actions taken by those major religious groups contrary to their theological underpinnings.

However - YMMV - and so it goes...;)

Richard's jaded $.02 :munchin

Who does Christianity threaten today?

How many people were killed last year in the name of Jesus?

Can you contrast that with Islam, where dozens are regularly killed by their Muslim brothers after an alleged slight?

We can rehash past wrongs by everyone, for exploitation, genocide, slavery, conversions, the Inquisition, etc.

I don't really care about that, unless it threatens my family, or my country. You believe whatever you want, worship whoever or whatever you desire. Your right to follow your religious creed (or none) ends where mine start. You make me and my fellow Americans the objects of your hatred and violence, then you can face the consequences.

As a soldier, I think I can see where the real threat lies.

TR

Everyone has an opinion...
 

http://www.alternet.org/story/47679/

The Rise of Christian Fascism and Its Threat to American Democracy
--"Chris Hedges is the former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times and the author of "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning."

He compares Christian right wingers to the Nazis and their church in social agenda.

There are many perspectives about religion; I agree with the assessment that no perspective is entitled to instigate attacks on our nation from within or without.

FWIW, As far as I'm concerned, I was born on this side, and I like it here.

It would appear to be quite popular these days to make sport of Christians and their beliefs.

TR

I do not agree with the article; I did not make sport of the Christian faith.

Never said you did.

TR

With all due respect Sir, we don't disagree about that. I disagree with some of the author's arguments. Christians have also used their religion in a way that was "callous to human suffering," and there have also been many blindly devoted Christians.

Muslim Idealogies
 

I still can't understand how these religious zealots get the kind of attention they do. Why does everybody submit to their supposed beliefs and thoughts. Even France is banning the wearing of the burka by Muslim females or anyone else for that matter. I never thought I'd see the day France took a stance and their citizens backed them up. I would also like to know if I could wash my feet at the Detroit airport, before a plane ride. LIVE FREE OR DIE

*

http://bigthink.com/ideas/4770

Just thought this was appropriate to the topic. I think I can see why so much can stir from a talk between different faiths, people put their self security in that faith, and contradictions challenge that, causing internal conflict perhaps? Just the social side that is, the political/military aspects is a different level.

Dr. Mabuse,

I'm not sure you follow me here, despite cultural differences on the value of life, people are willing to die for whatever it is in life they value. It could be the life of their child, the bond with their fellow soldiers, or their faith etc. I don't doubt the apostles believed in the divinity of Christ, this was their faith and they paid the price. The fact they were willing to die for their religious beliefs shows this is what they valued, I admire their devotion, but plenty of folks have been willing to die for Jewish, Hindu or other faiths as well.

As for the challenges faced by contemporary Jews under the Roman Empire they had to watch their step anytime it was felt they might disturb the status quo, think of the Masada. There was no bill of rights for them.

A lie is an issue of fact not faith. People will absolutely die for a lie, if there is something there they value more than factual truth. Once again, at Corregidor, Macarthur had told them he was coming right back with reinforcements, this was not true, they still fought and died, maybe because they valued their buddies in their unit more than life itself, or the factual truth of the situation, and didn't want to be the one to let them down. They knew the score.

Finally you mention faith as it regards to profession. There is a vast difference between a business that provides a service for a fee, and a faith based operating system for life. The doctor, the kid who mows your lawn, or the person who manages your money will be replaced if they don't show tangible results. Perhaps in time they earn your trust, but their results can be verified. Contrast this to matters of faith, verification of faith is just that, more faith. I am not without faith myself, I believe in God, I just don't see why calling him Yaweh, Krishna, or Allah matters?

I stand corrected.

Different sources vary on whether Hinduism or Buddhism is the 3rd largest faith, but unfortunately to Richards point, the Tamils and Sinhalese are still killing each other despite the peaceful teachings of both faiths.

I found this feature documentary by Pierre Rehov to be very thought provoking, a journey deep into a disturbing culture that few can comprehend...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...0264306422368#

Good find. Thanks.

dr. mabuse, this post and your other ones made me smile. There is no such thing as coincidence. What, where and how we were bring good use to be His instruments here and now. John Newton put it better than I can:
"I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am."



Touché Richard Sir, you follow the path Einstein took since he was 12.
I've long subscribed to the "fact" that perception is indeed reality and man is subjective creature. We ultimately choose (and selectively collects those that support our choice), and it is definitely a matter of faith. Even when one dissects science to its raw constituents, faith is abound there too. Having said that, I believe (there's the faith again) that we are accountable for our choices. Whether one of us or both of us are wrong, we will surely find out. As you wrote "YMMV - and so it goes." No disagreement here.

a. Marrying a Captive Woman: If one is attracted to a woman taken captive in battle he is to take her to his home, allow her one month to grieve her family loss and then to have relations with her thus making her his wife but he may also free (or divorce) her if she does not please him, though he may not mistreat her (21:10-14)