Christian Discussion Thread V

[The United Neptumousian Empire]

Just because I'm not having sex doesn't mean I'm "sexually repressing" myself. I'm a virgin. I've never had sex ever. But I still have totally embraced my femininity. I love being a girl, I love who I am as an individual, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that's how it should be.

That's the difference between sexual repression and...well, Theology of the Body. Understanding
the latter brings one fulfillment and peace in life, knowing that I can totally and happily be a girl-sexual being-and I can express my sexuality in ways besides hopping in bed with people. The former indeed brings pain and confusion, but if we take the time to learn who we are and how beautiful our bodies are, we don't have to live and to be afraid of ourselves.

I'm a cisgender guy and I'll most likely never have sex in my life. Not because of some desire to remain celibate, but because I consider myself asexual and I'm okay with that. So, another difference from 'sexual repression' is just a lack of interest in having sex in the first place.

I am also asexual... sort of. I am attracted to women, but I've never had any desire to have sex, not even in a dream.

[Idzequitch]

Was the disciple Thomas (the Doubter, remember!) wrong when he fell at Jesus' feet and declared, "My Lord and my God!"? (cf. John 20:24)

Exactly. All words in the Bible are inspired by God, so I wouldn't say that is wrong.

For the sake of argument though, there are instances recorded in the Bible where people are either lying or wrong, so who's to say that Thomas was not either deceptive or errant? Of course, Jesus doesn't correct him, so it seems fair to say that it was a title that Jesus accepted, but I'm not sure that dialogue in a narrative is the most compelling evidence.

[Gim]

Exactly. All words in the Bible are inspired by God, so I wouldn't say that is wrong.

For the sake of argument though, there are instances recorded in the Bible where people are either lying or wrong, so who's to say that Thomas was not either deceptive or errant? Of course, Jesus doesn't correct him, so it seems fair to say that it was a title that Jesus accepted, but I'm not sure that dialogue in a narrative is the most compelling evidence.

Those words lead to either some other person correcting or rebuking himself in order to redeem himself. It is an inspiration by God to uplift those people. I mean, it's a choice that the sinners sinned and failed to repent.

[Salus Maior]

Exactly. All words in the Bible are inspired by God, so I wouldn't say that is wrong.

For the sake of argument though, there are instances recorded in the Bible where people are either lying or wrong, so who's to say that Thomas was not either deceptive or errant? Of course, Jesus doesn't correct him, so it seems fair to say that it was a title that Jesus accepted, but I'm not sure that dialogue in a narrative is the most compelling evidence.

It is pretty damn compelling. If Jesus were a mere prophet, he would have immediately corrected Thomas, as saying such a thing to a man is blasphemy.

[Grand Calvert]

Seems that a lot of protestant churches are becoming more theologically liberal.

Indeed. Fortunately there are still some good conservative Protestant churches.

I noticed mainline Protestants tend to be more liberal while evangelicals are more conservative. At least, that's my experience.

It really depends on the church. For example, Missouri Synod Lutherans are far more conservative than ECLA Lutherans, PCA Presbyterians are more conservative than PCUSA Presbyterians, etc. There are liberal Baptist churches too but I can't think of any specifics off the top of my head. The church I go to is very conservative, but also very welcoming. I agree that many Protestant churches are becoming liberal, but it isn't because of Protestantism, it's in spite of it. No one who actually believes in Sola Scriptura would actually practice what many liberal churches practice...

[Diopolis]

Indeed. Fortunately there are still some good conservative Protestant churches.

I noticed mainline Protestants tend to be more liberal while evangelicals are more conservative. At least, that's my experience.

It really depends on the church. For example, Missouri Synod Lutherans are far more conservative than ECLA Lutherans, PCA Presbyterians are more conservative than PCUSA Presbyterians, etc. There are liberal Baptist churches too but I can't think of any specifics off the top of my head. The church I go to is very conservative, but also very welcoming. I agree that many Protestant churches are becoming liberal, but it isn't because of Protestantism, it's in spite of it. No one who actually believes in Sola Scriptura would actually practice what many liberal churches practice...

I agree that liberal protestantism is incompatible with the bible under all but the most contrived interpretations, but surely the protestant idea of religion being democratized surely bears some responsibility- after all, most people want their vices affirmed rather than being challenged to overcome them.

[Salus Maior]

after all, most people want their vices affirmed rather than being challenged to overcome them.

In my experience I have never been to a Protestant church that encourages vice. Quite the opposite, actually.

[Gim]

after all, most people want their vices affirmed rather than being challenged to overcome them.

In my experience I have never been to a Protestant church that encourages vice. Quite the opposite, actually.

I don't think any Christian church supports vice.

[Salus Maior]

In my experience I have never been to a Protestant church that encourages vice. Quite the opposite, actually.

I don't think any Christian church supports vice.

*And then someone posts a link to a Church that supports vice*

[Gim]

I don't think any Christian church supports vice.

*And then someone posts a link to a Church that supports vice*

So far, no one has.

[Aelex]

Same. And I'm gonna be a sister, so yeah! No sex for me, and I'm fine with that. :3

Damn, I find this determination and resolution both quite inspirational yet in the same time a little depressing... :/

[Aelex]

So far, no one has.

*link to an episode of "the Borgia"*
*sip some wine while everybody lose their minds"

[Herskerstad]

So far, no one has.

*link to an episode of "the Borgia"*
*sip some wine while everybody lose their minds"

Does it come with an I rating?

I for impeccable.

[The Princes of the Universe]

(Image)
You sure this is what you meant?

Precisely

How many bakeries do they have working 24/7 to keep that thing from being eaten into oblivion?

after all, most people want their vices affirmed rather than being challenged to overcome them.

In my experience I have never been to a Protestant church that encourages vice. Quite the opposite, actually.

Ask them to define vice though. I don't mean that in a "GOTCHA!" kind of way, for the record.

[Herskerstad]

Same. And I'm gonna be a sister, so yeah! No sex for me, and I'm fine with that. :3

Damn, I find this determination and resolution both quite inspirational yet in the same time a little depressing... :/

I theorize that the one sure fire way to make God laugh is to announce the future.

Funnily enough I moved in right next to a dominican order here in Oslo. Black and white robes and everything. It's a somewhat . . . distanced living in a city to be fair. They don't seem to interested to talk to others to my observation much less evangelize, which brings a question if monasticism is kind of an over-reaction that in certain forms can come at the cost of the great commission. Then I guess in modern times the Jesuits have kind of taken over the role as the apologists of the Catholic church, and I have my significant doubt that the order I live next to have allowed many digital aspects which would seriously hamper any kind of doctrinal research, not to mention apologetics and polemics.

Still, I've at least come in contact with one by general passer-by conversations. Not entirely willing to show my hand just yet as I am intensely curious to if they have those large tome-like books on say Aquinas, and it would make for some interesting qualitative research to see how they go about their day to day business should I manage to gain an invitation.

[Aelex]

I theorize that the one sure fire way to make God laugh is to announce the future.

Funnily enough I moved in right next to a dominican order here in Oslo. Black and white robes and everything. It's a somewhat . . . distanced living in a city to be fair. They don't seem to interested to talk to others to my observation much less evangelize, which brings a question if monasticism is kind of an over-reaction that in certain forms can come at the cost of the great commission. Then I guess in modern times the Jesuits have kind of taken over the role as the apologists of the Catholic church, and I have my significant doubt that the order I live next to have allowed many digital aspects which would seriously hamper any kind of doctrinal research, not to mention apologetics and polemics.

Still, I've at least come in contact with one by general passer-by conversations. Not entirely willing to show my hand just yet as I am intensely curious to if they have those large tome-like books on say Aquinas, and it would make for some interesting qualitative research to see how they go about their day to day business should I manage to gain an invitation.

What make me smile is that I think that, if you ever engage in a debate with them, you might actually manage to defrockate and convert one or two...

[Herskerstad]

I theorize that the one sure fire way to make God laugh is to announce the future.

Funnily enough I moved in right next to a dominican order here in Oslo. Black and white robes and everything. It's a somewhat . . . distanced living in a city to be fair. They don't seem to interested to talk to others to my observation much less evangelize, which brings a question if monasticism is kind of an over-reaction that in certain forms can come at the cost of the great commission. Then I guess in modern times the Jesuits have kind of taken over the role as the apologists of the Catholic church, and I have my significant doubt that the order I live next to have allowed many digital aspects which would seriously hamper any kind of doctrinal research, not to mention apologetics and polemics.

Still, I've at least come in contact with one by general passer-by conversations. Not entirely willing to show my hand just yet as I am intensely curious to if they have those large tome-like books on say Aquinas, and it would make for some interesting qualitative research to see how they go about their day to day business should I manage to gain an invitation.

What make me smile is that I think that, if you ever engage in a debate with them, you might actually manage to defrockate and convert one or two...

Do they still do the whole defrocking, placing a false mitre titled heretic with some devil figure on top of it and say they commit said individual soul to the devil thing?

[The Alexanderians]

I'm a cisgender guy and I'll most likely never have sex in my life. Not because of some desire to remain celibate, but because I consider myself asexual and I'm okay with that. So, another difference from 'sexual repression' is just a lack of interest in having sex in the first place.

I am also asexual... sort of. I am attracted to women, but I've never had any desire to have sex, not even in a dream.

Demi then?

[Diopolis]

after all, most people want their vices affirmed rather than being challenged to overcome them.

In my experience I have never been to a Protestant church that encourages vice. Quite the opposite, actually.

Almost all protestant churches have a fairly spotty record on moral issues, especially issues of sexuality, and liberal protestant churches are basically defined by having a particularly spotty record.

[Salus Maior]

In my experience I have never been to a Protestant church that encourages vice. Quite the opposite, actually.

Almost all protestant churches have a fairly spotty record on moral issues, especially issues of sexuality, and liberal protestant churches are basically defined by having a particularly spotty record.

Good to know that you, a clearly unbiased Catholic, know my denomination more than I do.

I am aware that some churches are ambivalent towards sexuality and such, but they are not as common as you assume they are. Let alone "almost all" of them.

[New confederate ramenia]

I don't think any Christian church supports vice.

*And then someone posts a link to a Church that supports vice*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e5lbnBMP2U
These people are all real preachers.

[Grand Calvert]

It really depends on the church. For example, Missouri Synod Lutherans are far more conservative than ECLA Lutherans, PCA Presbyterians are more conservative than PCUSA Presbyterians, etc. There are liberal Baptist churches too but I can't think of any specifics off the top of my head. The church I go to is very conservative, but also very welcoming. I agree that many Protestant churches are becoming liberal, but it isn't because of Protestantism, it's in spite of it. No one who actually believes in Sola Scriptura would actually practice what many liberal churches practice...

I agree that liberal protestantism is incompatible with the bible under all but the most contrived interpretations, but surely the protestant idea of religion being democratized surely bears some responsibility- after all, most people want their vices affirmed rather than being challenged to overcome them.

Well, I (along with the rest of my congregation) agree that democracy has no place in the Church. Now, that doesn't make some people less valuable than others, it's just that church elders are more experienced than the rest of the congregation, and therefore are responsible for making the more important decisions. If a church operates with democracy, then it's essentially saying that it's o.k. to do whatever you want, so long as the majority agrees with you, as opposed to actually considering what the Bible has to say. Also, most, if not all, conservative protestant churches are willing to help people overcome their vices.

[Salus Maior]

*And then someone posts a link to a Church that supports vice*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e5lbnBMP2U
These people are all real preachers.

Sounds like the 17th century Dutch.

[Constantinopolis]

*And then someone posts a link to a Church that supports vice*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e5lbnBMP2U
These people are all real preachers.

Brace yourselves, it's the "Prosperity Gospel"!

I say we take off and nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[Salus Maior]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e5lbnBMP2U
These people are all real preachers.

Brace yourselves, it's the "Prosperity Gospel"!

I say we take off and nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

"If you ain't got no money, then you're not going to know peace"... That's probably the saddest thing I've ever heard coming from a Christian's mouth.