Controversial Religion Billboard.

[Dreamliner]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

I don't care what Jews think of Jesus; I care what Jesus/God thinks of the Jews (hint: He is in favor of them).

You're about 2,000 years late on this.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by rampartgator

And what might that critical step be?

That these were - relayed, poorly translated, etc. - the words of Christ.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

I don't care what Jews think of Jesus; I care what Jesus/God thinks of the Jews (hint: He is in favor of them).

Similarly, I'd not try to speak for Jesus as to what he might have though of Islam.

[rampartgator]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

That these were - relayed, poorly translated, etc. - the words of Christ.

So, sort of a scriptural game of telephone. That was precisely my point. Neither you nor I know exactly what Jesus said, since it was all relayed through second or third parties, some of whom (like Saul of Tarsus) never met him.

[Dreamliner]

Originally Posted by rampartgator

So, sort of a scriptural game of telephone. That was precisely my point. Neither you nor I know exactly what Jesus said, since it was all relayed through second or third parties, some of whom (like Saul of Tarsus) never met him.

Some by eyewitnesses whom Paul had access to.

[rampartgator]

Like I said, a game of telephone; So Jesus told X and years later X told Paul what he understood Jesus to have said, and Paul wrote down what he understood X to have understood Jesus to have said years after X heard what he remembered Jesus to have said.

Surprised no one has played the "divinely inspired" card yet. That's a doozy.

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

Some by eyewitnesses whom Paul had access to.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by rampartgator

So, sort of a scriptural game of telephone. That was precisely my point.

No, your point was that it decidedly was not the words of Christ. You don't know that. Whether you choose to believe or not is largely a matter of whether you're Christian.

[108]

regardless of the potential words of Christ, what about the instances of mysticism of Jesus or others in the Bible(s)

walking on water, healing, resurrection, etc...

do people really believe these accounts when they have no zero proof of it in their own life experiences?

to me, the core of what's worthwhile in Christianity is quite simple: Love thyself and thy neighbor

this is what is practical and can be practiced in real life and have tangible effects

all else is dogma to me

[Dreamliner]

Originally Posted by rampartgator

Like I said, a game of telephone; So Jesus told X and years later X told Paul what he understood Jesus to have said, and Paul wrote down what he understood X to have understood Jesus to have said years after X heard what he remembered Jesus to have said.

Surprised no one has played the "divinely inspired" card yet. That's a doozy.

So ? And ? are you saying you're too dim to remember the gist of a phone conversation or even a relayed phone conversation ?

And you're the one who played the divine inspiration card. What does that mean to you, that the Bible dropped "Thud!" fully-edited from Heaven ?

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by 108

regardless of the potential words of Christ, what about the instances of mysticism of Jesus or others in the Bible(s)

walking on water, healing, resurrection, etc...

do people really believe these accounts when they have no zero proof of it in their own life experiences?

to me, the core of what's worthwhile in Christianity is quite simple: Love thyself and thy neighbor

this is what is practical and can be practiced in real life and have tangible effects

all else is dogma to me

I'm not actually a Biblical literalist. The "word of Christ" relates more to his message and teachings than the specific sentences, etc.

I see most of the allegories and demonstrations of the Bible as symbolic. What I believe, however, is Christ's message has survived in the text.

[108]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

I'm not actually a Biblical literalist. The "word of Christ" relates more to his message and teachings than the specific sentences, etc.

I see most of the allegories and demonstrations of the Bible as symbolic. What I believe, however, is Christ's message has survived in the text.

and to me, it boils down to what I mentioned

none of the rest is within your control

try your best to do those things, the Golden Rule, and let go

i can't even believe if I don't actually believe it

[Dreamliner]

The things that Jesus was reported to have done are a red-herring. I mean, it's not like anyone really takes what Jesus *said* seriously.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by 108

i can't even believe if I don't actually believe it

Thanks, Yogi.

[108]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

The things that Jesus was reported to have done are a red-herring. I mean, it's not like anyone really takes what Jesus *said* seriously.

just enough to make them feel guilty

[Dreamliner]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

Thanks, Yogi.

Watch him take a fork in the road as the argument grows more complex.

[jimgata]

All religion should be reduced to one simple statement, "The Golden Rule".
We get so involved into the small details regarding religion and the meaning of this act or that act, what one said and what one did not say, that we forget the basics of true religion and it doesn't take a biblical scholar to come to a conclusion of what one believes.

[rivergator]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

I don't care what Jews think of Jesus; I care what Jesus/God thinks of the Jews (hint: He is in favor of them).

anyone he/they are not in favor of?

[Dreamliner]

Originally Posted by 108

just enough to make them feel guilty

Well, it would never do to make the guilty feel guilty. Probably one reason why we'd be as apt to kill Jesus today as they were way back then.

[AmericaFirst]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

I don't care what Jews think of Jesus; I care what Jesus/God thinks of the Jews (hint: He is in favor of them).

That's open to interpretation.

[lacuna]

The Golden Rule or the ethic of reciprocity is a central teaching in all faiths. All religions but one state in a variety of ways - either in the positive or negative - that we should treat all other people in the way we wish to be treated or to not deal with them as we ourselves don't want to be dealt with.

The one exception is Islam which states "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself" or alternate translation "Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." It is the only one to exclude all but fellow believers in Islam. And knowing how women are discriminated against, perhaps it even excludes them from the maxim and justifies their mistreatment.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc2.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc3.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/mor_dive3.htm