Religion is man trying to get to God through good works.

Christianity is God trying to get to man through Jesus Christ.

I read this last night and thought some of you may find it as intriguing as I did.

I guess nobody finds it intriguing...

Oh well, I liked it.

It is intriguing MACS but you forgot to post a pic of a girl changing the TV or something to draw interest 🙂

God is God.

Religion is just man made practices and policies to try to understand something that can't be understood.

Jesus - Tough one to call - Jury is still out on this one - at least to me.

Christianity - Don't like it at all. Jesus certainly wouldn't like it in my opinion (he was after all an observant Jew - at least according to what I've read).

What were the two subjects that my mom told me not to discuss in polite conversation? I must be getting old, I can’t seem to remember ;-}

Macs,

With all the back-and-forth lately on the forum, I'm almost afraid to post a reply.

The thing about Christianity is that its a lifestyle. Most people don't get it. Being Christian isn't about following rules such as "don't do this or you'll end up in Hell," its about doing the things Jesus told us to do, and not doing the things he said to stay away from. Sometimes that means staying away from things that are not a problem for us but may cause somebody else to fall into addiction or worse.

So many well meaning people want to put Jesus into a category when he himself refused be labeled. Many people want to put Christianity itself into a category, something impossible to do when the object is a relationship, not obedience to a set of rules.

Many of the people who actively post on the forum are decidedly anti-religion in general, and anti-Christian in particular. To those people I would ask you to try it without the training wheels. Look beyond the rules man has assigned to Christians and look instead to the source thereof. There's something in Christianity for everybody, you just need to be willing to look for it.

camper, i think that what's missing for folks is the fundamental requirement for christianity, which is believing christ was the son of god. i think this pretty much determines whether you are a christian or not. i don't think following a set rules is the real determining factor here.

"...I think that what's missing for folks is the fundamental requirement for Christianity, which is believing Christ was the son of god."

Yep. That is one of the things that I've struggled with since I was about 4. Still trying but I haven't been able to get it to work. If you know what I mean?

Obviously, everything with Christianity begins and ends with this (the whole son of God). If you (me) can't get past this then nothing can fall into place with me and Christianity.

Appreciate the replies. Honestly, I wasn't trying to start another religious debate. I just wanted to share something I read that struck a chord.

We can close this up now, before it does go south.

MODERATORS?? Whooops. Don't have any of those here...

lofty1,

I agree. Really believing that, for people like me, takes time, takes talking with friends who are Christians about their relationship, and study.

I didn't wake up one morning and shout "I believe!" I didn't go to a tent meeting one night in July and shout "I believe!" Some people become believers in exactly that way. For me, it was another path, through talking with friends and neighbors, marrying a Christian woman, seeing faith lived in the everyday lives of people I respected and loved.

"So many well meaning people want to put Jesus into a category when he himself refused be labeled."

You mean like the labels, "Son of God", "Savior", & "Messiah"?

Very Well said Camper!!!!

"Obviously, everything with Christianity begins and ends with this (the whole son of God). If you (me) can't get past this then nothing can fall into place with me and Christianity"

Buckwheat.. who ever said you have to be a Christian to believe in Jesus as the son of God?? you don't have to be of any religion to fall in place with God ;0)

Hog

Buckwheat,

No, I meant labels like: Liberal Pacifist Populist Conservative Mysoginist Dreamer Martyr Nutcase Rulebreaker Conformist

or even possibly the "CCC" Cigarbid Christian Coalition ;0)~~~

Now thats a Frickin Lable Son!!!!

Hog

Julian... you're a good man in my book. No matter your religious beliefs.

:-)

Sorry Camp. That was a little below the belt. Here is a statement that I just found that I believe states most Christian's faith. Correct me if I'm wrong.

"What is Christianity?" is best answered by saying that it is a relationship with the true and living God through the person of Jesus Christ by whom we are forgiven of our sins and escape the righteous judgment of God."

I don't have a problem with this for others. I just don't have faith in the Jesus part. I never have. I'd rather die and go to hell than be a hypocrite and say that I do believe in the above without actually having faith in Jesus.

Others who have faith in this are probably better for it. Not me.

Thanks Shawn. It must be a character fault of mine to enter into some conversations. I hope that I didn't offend anyone's beliefs. They are after all their beliefs and faith is not something that should be easily talked away from someone.

i don't think there's anything wrong with the way this thread is progressing. nobody's insulting anyone, and we're having an open-minded discussion. the fact that a few people have a tendency to get over-passionate at times doesn't mean everyone should have to walk on eggshells. if we're mature, we can discuss anything reasonably: religion, politics, sex, etc.

No Offense taken here Buckwheat...

Shawn, I enjoyed your initial post... the Mrs. and I read all the signs posted on churches everywhere we go... many are very catchy also ;0)

Hog

Buckwheat,

I really am sorry. Below the belt wasn't my intent. I meant that people like to assign Jesus a label that suits them when they need him on their side. Jerry Falwell thinks Jesus is a conservative Republican while Jesse Jackson thinks Jesus is a liberal Democrat. That's what I meant by the list of labels.

I agree with Lofty1. We are having a conversation without the usual rancor. This is nice.

Too funny, Camp. What I meant was that I thought MY comment was a little below the belt. LOL

As you guys can probably tell this is something that I've given much thought on over the years. Someone told be that all of this isn't really an end but a journey. Either a past priest or a drug dealer. (Just kidding - it was the drug dealer) ;-}

Man, I need to go to one of these big town HERF's and meet you guys over a drink and a smoke.