One of the things that always annoys me is when a Christian will be an outright jerk. They will call people names, exhalt themselves by putting others down and claiming them to be sinners, not listen to what you are saying but debate semantics, refuse to admit that it is possible that they are wrong, etc.
Have you ever debated an atheist? It's quite the vitriol and elitism fest coming from their side of the debate.
Then they will say, "I don't care if you hate me. "Before they hated you, they hated me."
Truth is not important?
The prostitutes and tax collectors didn't want to kill Jesus. It was the Pharisees who planned to kill him and trap him.
Ah yes, the educated elites. The regular people flocked to Him. Sense a theme here? The pagans and secularists did executed Him though. I'm sure some were hookers and IRS agents. It just stands to reason.
Jesus usurped their power, and they didn't like that.
Hmm, sounds like the Intelligent Design vs. Evolution debate to me. Look who the elites are now.
Not everyone hated Jesus. He was followed by a crowd who wanted to hear what he had to say. Zaccheus, the tax collect, climbed a tree to see him. The prostitute came to wash his feet.
Keep preaching accurately my dear Buddhist co-debater.
Just because you are hated doesn't make you Christ-like.
I wonder if you know how I truly want to answer that question.
Hitler hated by almost everyone.
Hitler ruled a nation of devoted followers. He was truly "loved" by millions and millions. Hitler was also a socialist.
Does that equal acting like Christ???
The followers of Jesus were called Christians, as an epithet, first, in Antioch. It was a slight on them being holier than thou of the Greeks and romans living tehn. My how things do not change.
Jesus told us that if someone asks for something, give them more than they ask for.
He also said that hell is real, that marriage is a man and a woman, and that a brother that refuses to repent should be treated like a pagan or a tax collector. The lovey-dovey side of Jesus was only one side of Him.
That will be labeled "liberalism", and hated by some, because that means you aren't to hoard your wealth, as they did in Sodom and Gomorrah, but to share with those in need, and when you do this, you have done the same to Christ.
Virtually all of Hollywood is composed of "Liberals." Cruise around the Real Estate market and see what kinds of communities are places where the rich live and the poor can't afford to live in an out house on a rich liberals "estate." "Study, to show yourslef approved . . ."
Whatever "liberalism" was, it has been redefined and altered. Sound familiar?
And to stand up for this, you will be hated, called a Lie-beral. Expect it. Man is full of greed and selfishness, and to challenge that will result in insult and defensiveness.
Just about every single abortion is done for the benefit of the woman and man and not the innocent unborn child, which of course it kills. Care to debate that? And, we'll even stick to only science as our guide.
If you stand up to your church, and speak out when you know they are acting unChristlike, and not loving their neighbor as themselves, you will be thought to be a "mamby pamby" Christian for handholding them to hell, but Christ dined with the sinners, a gesture of honour, so will be labeled the same.
Where do I find the scriptural support for your perspective?
Shouldn't you, as a Buddhist, be presenting enlightenment theory?
He allowed the prostitute to wash his feet, and was judged by Simon for allowing her to approach. You will be, too.
Umm, I'm lost a bit. Where does it say that the woman washing His feet was a hooker? She was a "sinner" yes, but I wouldn't want to judge her about what kind she was. Aren't you the guy that chastises Christians for misstating the scriptures?
If one's goal is simply to be hated, it's very easy. Man is full of the ability to easily make anyone hate them. Act selfishly. Don't listen to the other. Don't have sympathy. Demand that you are always right. Blame others and condemn them, while barely knowing them, let alone their heart.
Have you ever "listened" to what Liberals say about those that reject their secular worldviews? Listen to Air America for one day. It is vitriol and elitism 24/7.
Be haughty about your salvation, and wave it in front of the unsaved like a, "Nyah nyah", showing that you really don't care about their eternity at all, but only your own.
Now wait a minute. Let's stay on track. I thought you despised the evangelical approach. That witnessing was rudeness. What's your position again?
Condemn generosity, helping others, helping the sick, approaching others in love rather than wrath, and your karma will to have all of that return back on you.
"Karma?" Where do I find that in "Biblical" scripture? This is a Christian website sir. And, as far as generosity and helping others goes, the Evangelicals are all over this planet DOING that very thing.
Then don't stop for a minute to question your actions, but think that you must be doing something right.
Have your ever read "Test ALL things and hold fast to that which is truth?" Have you ever heard of Christian music? It is 100% self examination. Stop learning about Christianity from Freethinker and Skeptic websites and your leftie professors in college.
A teacher told me once that there is that person in church, the one everyone wants to come sit by them because of their kindness, their gentleness, the love for others, and the warmth they bring. He said to go out and be that person in the world, the one everyone greets with such happiness, because of all that you give to them in Spirit.
What Buddhist told you that? I have never heard a Buddhist encourage someone to go to a Christian Church. Now, granted, many Buddhists are the nicest people around, but they hardly ever evangelize for thr Church. In fact, never.
Is such a person hated? Yes - by the people that are full of envy, like the Pharisees, of the people they usurp, like those that claim to have a BatPhone to God, for those that are humbled when they try to humble others to exhalt themselves to be exposed for the imposters they are. But this person is also loved very much as well, and that is what one should be focused on, and not let the hatred of such hard hearts make them stall for a moment.
You have a question to ask, but I see you are having a very difficult time asking it. If you desire to know that Jesus is the Lord, I will tell you honestly that He is. If you desire to become a Christian, I will be honest with you and tell you that it has its ups and downs, but it is the most exciting and beautiful way of life "of all time."
Other than that, my dear sir, you presentation is a bit askewed.
Why not become the Christian you seem to admire so much?
The world needs more Evangelicals out their helping the poor and the needy the lost and the hurting.
You seem to desiring to be that kind of person.
