That's what secular means.
That's just a semantic commentary. In a sense, the question could be stated, "Is there any reason for creating a secular society - a society apart from Christ?"
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That's what secular means.
That's just a semantic commentary. In a sense, the question could be stated, "Is there any reason for creating a secular society - a society apart from Christ?"
Interesting. I did not know Australia was built upon a religious foundation. I thought it was used by the British to imprison their criminals.I have been pondering this question for a little while now and was wondering what others thought. Lately I have noticed that more people, organizations and governments are talking about the irrelevance of religion or religious belief. I am mainly talking about Christianity as in my country Australia we seem to be moving away from it pretty fast. Considering that we were built on Christian values it seems that we are forgetting our foundations.
I think this has been spurred on from the troubles we have had with some of the extremist groups like ISIS which is giving all religion a bad name. I know that there has been less people involved in religion over the pasts few decades and today's young generation are the least religious. I think at least in Australia because we are a multicultural country we are seeing other religions come in and the government is saying we can have any one religion being dominant. They are being too politically correct and saying it may offend other religions if we promote our own christian beliefs.
So now we can't have traditional celebrations like Christmas or Easter and now it is not being acknowledged anymore. In fact the commercial aspect of these occasions is becoming bigger and kids are more likely to believe in Santa Clause. It seems some are even getting angry or intolerant of any religion now and see it as not being relevant in today's world. Do you think this trend will continue and will Christianity eventually be totally removed from all public places.
I think one should be free to practice their religion, but I do fundamentally believe in the separation of church and state.
For example, in Canada the government still pays for the Catholic School Board on top of the public school board, and I think this is wrong.
Where I live I haven't experienced intolerance of religion though, most are happy to let you do your own thing.
I agree on your observation (I work in one of the most secular anti-religious environments in the land of Oz), but I don't think (Christian) religion is removing itself from secular society fast enough! If secular society wishes to half reject Christ Jesus and all he stands for then we should, in imitation of Our Lord, allow them the complete freedom to do so, completely. Then the holy message of Christ will stand in contrast to the darkness.
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2)
Its not difference for the sake of difference, rather it is difference for the sake of the Kingdom of Love.Sure (Luke 5:16). But the point is not to be different to be different. If one drives the Church to be different just to be able to tell it's different, that's nonsense. Nor is the point to drive out the sinners. That assumes there is someone perfect who can remain behind (usually the person who is driving people out).
Seeking comfort from the Church is not the same as a litmus test.
I have been pondering this question for a little while now and was wondering what others thought. Lately I have noticed that more people, organizations and governments are talking about the irrelevance of religion or religious belief. I am mainly talking about Christianity as in my country Australia we seem to be moving away from it pretty fast. Considering that we were built on Christian values it seems that we are forgetting our foundations.
I think this has been spurred on from the troubles we have had with some of the extremist groups like ISIS which is giving all religion a bad name. I know that there has been less people involved in religion over the pasts few decades and today's young generation are the least religious. I think at least in Australia because we are a multicultural country we are seeing other religions come in and the government is saying we can have any one religion being dominant. They are being too politically correct and saying it may offend other religions if we promote our own christian beliefs.
So now we can't have traditional celebrations like Christmas or Easter and now it is not being acknowledged anymore. In fact the commercial aspect of these occasions is becoming bigger and kids are more likely to believe in Santa Clause. It seems some are even getting angry or intolerant of any religion now and see it as not being relevant in today's world. Do you think this trend will continue and will Christianity eventually be totally removed from all public places.
Its all been said before, for about 2000 years now: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2)Were you a REAL Christian, then you would not be celebrating Christmas, Advent, Lent, OR Easter, for the Holy Scriptures NEVER commanded you to follow those holidays, plus they are ALL Luciferian in origin. Furthermore, Thomas Nast, an atheist and Christian and Jew hating cartoonists, made your present form of Santa Claus. While the man by the name of Saint Nicholas was, for the most part, a nice stand up guy (except for his involvement with the Council of Nicea and the Roman Catholic "church"), he did not deserve to be made fun of in such a manner, even IF Roman Catholicism is one of the biggest Luciferian cults in the world. The holy days that you ARE supposed to be following are the ones that were mentioned for the Israelites to follow, namely, the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, and such. Finally, the actual birth date of YAHASHUA HA'MASHIACH was more likely in the MIDDLE of the year, or, more specifically, the end of the Jewish year and the middle of the Gregorian year, as opposed to the end of the Gregorian year. I will tell you more information on that material should you need that in your life.
Yes. Scripture states that not all will follow Jesus
and even those who do will sin. So secular society
handles here that which takes place before final judgment.
Sinners are not part of the Church ...
So by all means invite people to our rituals, services and social clubs, but it should be realized that nobody is a part of the Church unless they are first made righteous through Christ Jesus.
I am saying that I and anybody else who believes are righteous by virtue of Christ Jesus, as opposed to one who rejects Him and remains in sin.Are you saying you don't sin?
The gift of salvation is free to all who believe and look to Christ Jesus alone for their righteousness.Do you know who is in and who is out? Is it the ... lawyers.
The gift of salvation is free to all who believe and look to Christ Jesus alone for their righteousness.
A small anecdote: After having run over the material of 101 accounting, I was hardly ever prouder of my wife than when she failed her accounting paper at university the first time around. It showed that she had a great difficulty with being anything other than face value honest.Thanks for the clarification. As I read your earlier replies, I agreed with most of what you wrote, but it took some odd turns here and there (lawyers and accountants?). I think we agree for the most part.
Its all been said before, for about 2000 years now: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2)
I live by the Spirit and I am free....and that gives you justification to disobey what YAHWEH EL ELOHIM has COMMANDED us to do as well as what He commanded us NOT to do in our lives? You represent Romans 1.
Thanks for that, I should have said do you think society is becoming more secular.That's what secular means.
But dont you think they are by taking actions like they have in Australia for example in changing Christmas from the traditional way most have known it with the manger and three wise men to a more politically correct version of happy holidays. At the same time they seem to allow Christmas with Santa Clause and more kids are believing in good old St Nick.Separation of church and state IS government not interfering with religious practices.
They are the same issue.
But dont you think they are by taking actions like they have in Australia for example in changing Christmas from the traditional way most have known it with the manger and three wise men to a more politically correct version of happy holidays. At the same time they seem to allow Christmas with Santa Clause and more kids are believing in good old St Nick.
Then when they want to stand up to the extremists and how their version of religion is destroying the world they want to stand on their Christian values. It seems they are sending a lot of mixed messages and its a wonder that people end up taking sides and blaming religion for everything. That is probably the point that its humans who are projecting their interpretations of what belief is when we already have an example in Jesus.
Thanks for that, I should have said do you think society is becoming more secular.