Well, does that mean that anyone who calls themselves a Christian, no matter how heinous their behavior or views, can still be a "true" Christian in your eyes?
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no. Can a Buddhist who calls himself so, be one if he does opposite the teachings of Buddha?
Yes, of course he is a Buddhist. Who am I to say otherwise? He could simply be not very successful at being a Buddhist.
Similarly, didn't you just say that you
couldn't actually judge who is a "true" Christian or not, and that the matter was between the individual and God? Which is it?
Let me explain. By "inconsistencies", I mean the fact that there are so very many religions that are currently practiced, or have been practiced in the past. Most of them claim to be the Truth, and that all the others are wrong. They can't all be right, and the largest determinant of what religion you will be is the place you were born combined with the religion of your parents.
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'Sheep have I that are not of this flock'...says the Christ. It simply means he has children everywhere. And the sheep know his voice and when he calls them to come to him, they will come. It's in the Bible.
O...Kaaaaay.
See, that's part of the stuff that every religion says, except with different dieties.
Saying "it's in the Bible" is meaningless when we can also say "It's in every other holy book and religious oral tradition."
I have no problem with whatever anyone believes. However, when people start to claim that theirs is the One True Faith, and that another faith, or lack of faith, is inferior to their view, I have a problem.
The Christians I have encountered on this board generally think it's normal to think their worldview is superior to all others.
That bugs me.
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so it bugs you, something has to, that's life.
It also has the potential to seriously endanger my freedoms and rights, if the people like this are not put in check.
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Again, Christ has sheep in other flocks, many, many, many. The Christians you mention will do well to think on that.
Yes, I'm sure it would be good for them to think on that, but in the mean time, they are not particularly encouraged to do so. In the meantime, they are imposing their views upon many other people in the world and in the US.
An oppressive group which thinks it's right with God is the hardest foe to beat.
No, I clearly have it better than you, because I can appreciate the beauty in Jesus, but I can also appreciate the beauty in Zen, in the Buddha, in the Great Spirit, and in Krishna. I would guess that you would not allow yourself to approach these religions in the open way that I can.
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You would guess incorrectly. For I have great appreciation for the sheep Christ has in other flocks. I am an adopted Cherokee because I understand and know the things of the Spirit they practice and believe, and I am told in a way few whites are able. I go weekly to a Chinese Christian church, I am different but only outwardly (ever eat a very black duck egg? Really yummy). I couldn't care less how people appear, but I do care if they are mean and wish to destroy.
Well, yes, on that we can agree.
...which makes me think of your rather negative stance on homosexuality.
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