For all: How can we promote peace?

[OracleX]

How can we promote peace with others that we disagree with?

How can we discuss/debate about other beliefs without it turning in to a who is right and who is wrong thread?

Is being right about beliefs more important than having peace with those that we disagree with?

I am not trying to promote unity as I don't believe that that is possible in the Biblical sense because of our differences, but having peace and respect regardless of our differences.

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

I agree that thru peace one acts christlike.
but is one doing so by the flesh or the spirit is the question?

Yet

luke 12:51 suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, NO; but rather division

talks differently

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith

God divides His bride is nice....

 

[bleechers]

How can we promote peace with others that we disagree with?

How can we discuss/debate about other beliefs without it turning in to a who is right and who is wrong thread?

Is being right about beliefs more important than having peace with those that we disagree with?

I am not trying to promote unity as I don't believe that that is possible in the Biblical sense because of our differences, but having peace and respect regardless of our differences.

Let in the Mormons!

 

[bleechers]

I agree that thru peace one acts christlike.
but is one doing so by the flesh or the spirit is the question?

Yet

luke 12:51 suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, NO; but rather division

talks differently

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith

In Luke the "division" is between those in Christ (the saved) and those who reject the gospel. In Galatians, we not told to "unite" with "all men" we are told to "do good".

We are commanded to "EARNESTLY CONTEND for the Faith"... "REBUKE them sharply"... "REJECT such an one"... "REFUTE the gainsayers."

To be honest, I really don't do any of these in here... I merely point out distinctions from official teachings... and that is deemed as being "disrepectful".

So, I say again, LET IN THE MORMONS!! Unite! Unite! Unite!

 

[SumTinWong]

How can we promote peace with others that we disagree with?

I guess be willing to listen to what everyone has to say, and fight the urge to use the "H" word, and not defend what we believe without being asked to. There are way too many people that are willing to give you the chapter and verse of what they believe without you asking. This bothers me. I also think there are a great many people on CF that are very adept at baiting people. If you want to provoke a response from "B", say "A". It works everytime. If you want an example of baiting, go into the OBOB forum and say;"I can't see why you people worship Mary". That will provoke a response, that will not be favorable at the very least. It is done in a more subtile way than that most times, but I can spot a bait in a heart beat. So if we see someone baiting, we should just ignore them. Doesn't mean we will, but we should.

How can we discuss/debate about other beliefs without it turning in to a who is right and who is wrong thread?

I don't think we can to be honest with you. Unless we are allowed to debate these issues all this place will turn out to be is a position statement blog, and not a discussion forum. I do think however we all could be more mature about it in some cases. There are some doctrines/dogmas that are imo really out there theologically, but I force myself to try and see it fro their point of view. Sometimes I just have to let it out though, and that is really when the trouble starts.

Is being right about beliefs more important than having peace with those that we disagree with?

Well at the risk of sounding like a six year old we are not always the ones who are starting this fight. There are a great many people in CF that think they have God locked up in a bottle and teir arrogance makes me want to have an involuntary protein spill. As far as being right, I am willing to admit that i am not always right, and neither is my denomination on all things. Too bad there are those out there and in here who cannot say the same.

I am not trying to promote unity as I don't believe that that is possible in the Biblical sense because of our differences, but having peace and respect regardless of our differences.

You want honesty? What you want you won't have till heaven. I don't like it either and I am the first to admit I struggle with it, but that is how I feel. As long as there is mankind there will be good theological discussions and false doctrines. We can't help it.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge: "He who begins by loving Christianity better than truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all."

 

[9-iron]

How can we promote peace with others that we disagree with?

Stop telling each other you are wrong!

How can we discuss/debate about other beliefs without it turning in to a who is right and who is wrong thread?

Try real hard not to be arguementive. Once you see someone is being stubborn, don't 'go there' with them. It is usually best to drop it and move on. I try, although rarely successful to just ask questions and state less opinion when dealing with others whose beliefs are different.

Is being right about beliefs more important than having peace with those that we disagree with?

It is important to stand firm in your beliefs. It is also equally important to make sure your beliefs are the right one. We too often criticize others beliefs without taking a hard look at where we ourselves stand.

Above all things are we loving God? I think the Bible is clear on loving God and loving our brother. You can't love God without loving your brother.

One more thing. OBEDIENCE is more important that believing or not believing one pattern of theology or the other. Doesn't matter how much we are 'right', if we aren't obedient it is all for not.

 

[bleechers]

If you want an example of baiting, go into the OBOB forum and say "I can't see why you people worship Mary"

Exactly, that's why we should avoid paraphrasing an argument. I try to go to the direct source.

Above all things are we loving God? I think the Bible is clear on loving God and loving our brother. You can't love God without loving your brother.

Are Mormons our "bothers"? If not, why not?

 

[RED that's ME]

OracleX is not asking for members to check their beliefs or doctrines at the door.

What he is saying is how we treat other brothers and sisters in Christ is what is important. 1 Corinthians 13 is a good source to read.

We can't help what a person does to us sometimes but we can help how we react to situations.

When we stand before God we will answer for our own words and deeds not any other persons.

1 Corinthians 131 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

[bleechers]

What he is saying is how we treat other brothers and sisters in Christ is what is important. 1 Corinthians 13 is a good source to read.

I'll ask again: are Mormons our "bothers and sisters in Christ"? If not, why not? And how do you know?

 

[SumTinWong]

Okay I will bite, what do Mormons have to do with this conversation?

 

[bleechers]

Okay I will bite, what do Mormons have to do with this conversation?

Simple. We're being admonished to "love our brothers and sisters in Christ" which begs the question of "who are they?". Instead of opening the question that wide, I just tried to narrow it down to Mormons.

Are they our brothers and sisters in Christ?

If not, why not, and how do we know that?

Very simple questions.

 

[Crazy Liz]

I love it, Red!

 

[Iollain]

I'm not sure that disagreeing with someone over beliefs and telling them what you think is hurting them. If it's hurting them then they should take that as a warning sign. Like if someone told me that i was praying to myself, well that is their opinion and i'd rather they told me the truth than not. I would not take it personally.

There is a time to fellowship on things we agree on. Or a time of friendship on unreligious topics.

I would not think lowly on people because they do not have the same religious beliefs as me.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Simple. We're being admonished to "love our brothers and sisters in Christ" which begs the question of "who are they?". Instead of opening the question that wide, I just tried to narrow it down to Mormons.

Are they our brothers and sisters in Christ?

If not, why not, and how do we know that?

Very simple questions.

[bible]luke 10:25-37[/bible]

 

[bleechers]

That's "neighbor" not "brother".

When Paul refers to the "brethren" he does not mean all of mankind. Likewise, Jesus makes the distinction in Matthew 12 as to who are is his true brothers and sisters.

 

[RED that's ME]

Simple. We're being admonished to "love our brothers and sisters in Christ" which begs the question of "who are they?". Instead of opening the question that wide, I just tried to narrow it down to Mormons.

Are they our brothers and sisters in Christ?

If not, why not, and how do we know that?

Very simple questions.

Well personally, I think I used a "limited phrase" I think we should be Christlike to everyone. It is not always easy sometimes but we do need to be Christlike in all we do and say.

What harm do we cause the kingdom of God when we are not careful in our words. We can still get the point across without using some of the words/attitudes we do. Many times people are turned away from God because of the "little Christ-ians" they see. We are to be examples to the world. The world gives enough negativity without it coming from Christians too.

When people look at me at my words & actions I don't want it EVER said......If that is a Christian I don't ever want to be one.

I love it, Red!

Thanks Can you tell I have an addiction to smilies?

 

[bleechers]

Very nice, Red, unfortunately even when we don't say anything we can get in trouble.

I can't disagree with the sentiments.

 

[Crazy Liz]

That's "neighbor" not "brother".

When Paul refers to the "brethren" he does not mean all of mankind. Likewise, Jesus makes the distinction in Matthew 12 as to who are is his true brothers and sisters.

Clever. Ask the same question as the lawyer, but use the word "brother" instead of neighbor. That's the way to get biblical permission not to love somebody. [/sarcasm]

The lawyer was trying to get Jesus to tell him who it's OK not to love with a very similarly-phrased question.

The scripture says "Love your neighbor." When it says "love your brothers and sisters," do you think it's saying, "No longer are you to love your neighbor. Now you are only to love your brothers and sisters?

[bible]Matthew 5:43-48[/bible]

 

[SumTinWong]

Simple. We're being admonished to "love our brothers and sisters in Christ" which begs the question of "who are they?". Instead of opening the question that wide, I just tried to narrow it down to Mormons.

Are they our brothers and sisters in Christ?

If not, why not, and how do we know that?

Very simple questions.

It is a simple question, you are correct, but how do the Mormons even relate to Christianity and the context of keeping the peace? I can't tell you the first or last time anyone in here has had to tangle with a Mormon, so my question is still valid, what do the Mormons have to do with this? Nothing.

Are they our brothers and sisters in Christ? Well the code of the Mormon Church claims to be the only true church. In God's supposed revelation to Joe Smith, Jesus told him to join no other church for "they were all wrong...their creeds were an abomination". Mormons teach that after the NT all churches became heretical and no true saints existed until the latter day saints was organized. We are considered gentiles to the Mormons. Mormons except four books as scripture and the word of God. The KJV is one of them as long as it is correctly translated. Joe Smith corrected over 600 things himself to make sure it "was correct". The other standards are the Book of Mormon(BoM), Doctrine and Covenants(DoC), and the Pearl of Great Price(PoGP). According to the BoM the Bible is missing some "plain and precious parts", which the other three complete.

As they tell it the Israelites travelled to America in 600 B.C. and their tale was was preserved by Reformed Egyptians on golden plates. Old Joe received a gift from God as was able to translate the platters and then returned them to the angel Moroni who took them back to heaven.

Now as far as their theology: God is an exalted man. Elohim the God of this universe, was previously a man in the prior existance. As a result of having kept the laws of Mormonism, he was exalted to godhood and inherited his own universe(wow did he luck out!). God is confined to a body of flesh and bones and yet is thought to be all present and all powerful, but he can't be everywhere at once(so he picked Utah?). There are an infinate number of Gods with their own worlds, these two were previously men. Byt eh way Jesus Christ and Lucifer are Go's heavenly children.

So no I do not think we are in communion with them. What do you think?

 

[Gold Dragon]

The scripture says "Love your neighbor." When it says "love your brothers and sisters," do you think it's saying, "No longer are you to love your neighbor. Now you are only to love your brothers and sisters?

I guess only "Love your brother and sisters" is written "to" the church while "Love your neighbor" is for a different dispensation.