When religions oppress others

[timothyu]

Did the early followers of Christ confiscate property, arrest members, imprison them, outlaw religions?

No but their adversaries no doubt did.

 

[Radagast]

It is like J Calvin having Severnus burnt at the stake

Which never happened, but never mind.

 

[drjean]

"When religions oppress others"

In reality, isn't that what religion does?
A religion--any religion--is man-made.
What does a religion do, exactly? Why?

 

[timothyu]

What does a religion do, exactly? Why?

Creates a league with no super bowl.

 

[Not David]

"When religions oppress others"

In reality, isn't that what religion does?
A religion--any religion--is man-made.
What does a religion do, exactly? Why?

Christianity is a religion, talk about how Christianity oppresses people and is man-made.

 

[NeedyFollower]

Which never happened, but never mind.

No ..I understand that Calvin according to the law of the land , turned MS over to civil authorities . I do not even suppose that Calvin relished Servetus' death although in published letters Calvin did indicate that he would not allow Servetus to leave Geneva alive .
I am aware from biblical text that Paul also dealt with heresies such as the galation /judizers problem but I am not aware that they were executed . I am sympathetic to the challenges confronting the protestant church and it's leaders immediately after the reformation but I would like to hope that our religion in practice is markedly different than Islam and the punishment often offered for heresy in theirs ..If it is not , then what ?

 

[Radagast]

No ..I understand that Calvin according to the law of the land , turned MS over to civil authorities

The civil authorities of Geneva arrested, tried, and executed Servetus. Calvin was a witness at one point, as were other people.

 

[NeedyFollower]

The civil authorities of Geneva arrested, tried, and executed Servetus. Calvin was a witness at one point, as were other people.

Yes ..I understand . It was law that one must attend church on Sunday in Geneva which is one reason that M Severtus was in the congregation after escaping the catholics . ( I think it probably a bad idea to force unbelievers by law to attend church but we have a history of doing many things not according to scripture nor according to love . ) My point remains however . He who is without sin , throw the first stone ...vengeance is mine , I will repay sayeth the Lord ...be as wise as serpent and harmless as doves " ...all these things we have a history of utterly failing ... Again , I think we should be different than other religions in things other than orthodox theology ...we should superior to them in love , in meekness , in longsuffering , in humility and I will say love again for it covers a multitude of sins . Grace and Peace in and through Jesus Christ .

 

[Radagast]

one reason that M Severtus was in the congregation after escaping the catholics

It remains a mystery why Servetus was in Geneva at all.

 

[NeedyFollower]

It remains a mystery why Servetus was in Geneva at all.

Oh brother ..I do not question that Servetus was both in error and probably a rabble rouser ...but I hope we can learn better . ( Calvin I believe ..still held to infant baptism which I am not so sure about ..being a " anabaptist " in believe ....you know ..the believers baptism . ) So I guess we could all be handing each other over to the authorites ...but I show you a better way . I think the better way is Corinthian 13 as I know you do as well !

 

[SaintCody777]

Jehovah's witnesses are harmless as long as members do not question official teaching. The moment that they do they become "apostate" and will be shunned. There is a film out of the UK called Apostate, made in 2017, about what happens with shunning. The film also touches on what happens what one of Jehovah's witnesses in need of a blood transfusion refuses it on religious grounds. For such people they are not harmless and shunning is a very cruel form of "restorative punishment".

I know that there are big problems WITHIN the group but what I am pointing out is that they do not pose any harm or threats to outsiders, unless, of course they are former members. They do not bomb up the buildings in Oklahoma like the followers of David Koersh did in 1995.

 

[timothyu]

I know that this is a big problem WITHIN the group but what I am pointing out is that they do not pose any harm to outsiders, unless, of course they are former members.

Curious. Does their view of the rebellious make them any different in nature than Christians who shun them or treat them badly?

 

[GingerBeer]

I know that this is a big problem WITHIN the group but what I am pointing out is that they do not pose any harm to outsiders, unless, of course they are former members. They do not bomb up the buildings in Oklahoma like the followers of David Koersh did in 1995.

Agreed.