Even though I do not follow a particular denomination or go to church I do believe in God, a higher power, one who believes in moral truths and morality. I thought I would give a few observations about the stae of Christianity in the United States.
It is undoubtedly under attack for numerous reasons, some having to do with the modern "need" to be politically correct, but as with many things it really comes down to money. Greed. Profit. Megacorporations. A few who think it's ok to flood the world with unwholesome, unintellectual, uneducational things just as long as they get their $500,000 house and $80,000 car.
The most important thing in our world are children, obviously, they are the future. And to build the future through them there has to be a highy structured system to teach them right from wrong, and the numerous things that stem from this philosophy.
I will say there are things about Christianity's past that I don't agree with, but that sort of goes without saying because if one were to weigh the pluses and minuses of any philosophical movement, there always WILL be some bad things, it is for certain.
But as far as modern Christianity, the most imperative thing that seems to be on the minds of pastors and activists and the like, is "revival".
From an objective standpoint there is only one way a revival is going to work. The modern Christianity movement has to put more of an emphasis on the *virtues* of God, and less on the things God condemns.
I find it sort of counter productive, when reading through Christian websites and news sites, when I see nothing but a long list of articles about "Corrupt youth" and "abortion" and "television filth" and "gay culture invading the world" and so forth. It would make much more sense in my opinion to simply regard these issues as secondary to the virtues of scripture - the GOOD things God wants for his children.
For every one Christian web site that reminds us that he who follows God shall have an overflowing cup, and a life of peace and livelihood, there are 10 that talk about what God condemns.
This is not faith! It does not require faith to simply report all of the world's ills. God wants his children to be happy, be young, have fun, and follow simple rules of morality.
Following the bible literally should be secondary in comparison. Faith is the key! The bible says many things, about talking animals and great plagues and viloence, but Hebrew and English are 2 different languages! Also, it was written 2000 years ago. It's anyone's guess what was intended as literal and what was intended as metaphor.
Those with a true heart and a yearning for peace should focus on peace itself. That would be the best of any revival. Where there is peace morality follows, and vice versa. And peace cannot exist if all people want to talk about are the things God condemns and the punishment for sin and so forth. Just like it's impossible to feel peaceful when watching the 10 o'clock news full of car crashes and terrorism and violence.
No matter what happens I am God's child until the day I die, and God will be pleased that I tried to set a good example, for peace. Sure I have "sinned" but I am human, who hasn't? "He who has never sinned shall cast the first stone" is probably the most obvious of ALL the scriptures and it is so commony forgotten!!!!
This is about all I have to say, forgive my spelling, my computer is acting weird tonight.
Go with God,
James
It is undoubtedly under attack for numerous reasons, some having to do with the modern "need" to be politically correct, but as with many things it really comes down to money. Greed. Profit. Megacorporations. A few who think it's ok to flood the world with unwholesome, unintellectual, uneducational things just as long as they get their $500,000 house and $80,000 car.
The most important thing in our world are children, obviously, they are the future. And to build the future through them there has to be a highy structured system to teach them right from wrong, and the numerous things that stem from this philosophy.
I will say there are things about Christianity's past that I don't agree with, but that sort of goes without saying because if one were to weigh the pluses and minuses of any philosophical movement, there always WILL be some bad things, it is for certain.
But as far as modern Christianity, the most imperative thing that seems to be on the minds of pastors and activists and the like, is "revival".
From an objective standpoint there is only one way a revival is going to work. The modern Christianity movement has to put more of an emphasis on the *virtues* of God, and less on the things God condemns.
I find it sort of counter productive, when reading through Christian websites and news sites, when I see nothing but a long list of articles about "Corrupt youth" and "abortion" and "television filth" and "gay culture invading the world" and so forth. It would make much more sense in my opinion to simply regard these issues as secondary to the virtues of scripture - the GOOD things God wants for his children.
For every one Christian web site that reminds us that he who follows God shall have an overflowing cup, and a life of peace and livelihood, there are 10 that talk about what God condemns.
This is not faith! It does not require faith to simply report all of the world's ills. God wants his children to be happy, be young, have fun, and follow simple rules of morality.
Following the bible literally should be secondary in comparison. Faith is the key! The bible says many things, about talking animals and great plagues and viloence, but Hebrew and English are 2 different languages! Also, it was written 2000 years ago. It's anyone's guess what was intended as literal and what was intended as metaphor.
Those with a true heart and a yearning for peace should focus on peace itself. That would be the best of any revival. Where there is peace morality follows, and vice versa. And peace cannot exist if all people want to talk about are the things God condemns and the punishment for sin and so forth. Just like it's impossible to feel peaceful when watching the 10 o'clock news full of car crashes and terrorism and violence.
No matter what happens I am God's child until the day I die, and God will be pleased that I tried to set a good example, for peace. Sure I have "sinned" but I am human, who hasn't? "He who has never sinned shall cast the first stone" is probably the most obvious of ALL the scriptures and it is so commony forgotten!!!!
This is about all I have to say, forgive my spelling, my computer is acting weird tonight.
Go with God,
James
