Religious Extremism

[Dream]

We see terrorist attacks by Islamic groups continually. Most people just call them religious extremists, which is an accurate term. They are taking what their religion calls on them to do and take it to the extreme, even though it means killing many innocent people.

Now compare Islamic extremists to Christian extremists. Compare Osama Bin Laden to Mother Theresa. Both have taken their beliefs so seriously that they have dedicated their entire life to their faith.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with religious extremists, assuming it is a peaceful religion. Imagine how great this world would be if it were filled with Christian extremists.

 

[Michelina]

Imagine how great this world would be if it were filled with Christian extremists.

That's called "Heaven".

 

[Lutherrunner]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with religious extremists, assuming it is a peaceful religion. Imagine how great this world would be if it were filled with Christian extremists.

uh....you even mean people like Fred Phelps?

 

[Dream]

uh....you even mean people like Fred Phelps?

Would you consider him somebody who is truly following Christ's message? I wouldn't.

 

[seebs]

The distinction between different kinds of extremism is very important. Operation Rescue were extremists in their attempts to eliminate abortion. On the other hand, there's another group (I'm afraid I've forgotten their name) who are also extremists in their attempts to eliminate abortion; they will provide medical care, housing, food, and anything else a woman needs to go through with a pregnancy, in short, eliminating the pressure on her to think of herself instead of the baby.

I know some fairly extremist Muslims that I would love to have for neighbors.

In short, both Operation Rescue and Jesus People USA are extremists of the Christian faith. Extremism can be good or bad...

 

[seebs]

http://www.gabrielproject.com/

!!

I call attention to the fact that this is clearly a pro-life group, and yet, I know a lot of pro-choice people who really admire their work and would contribute to them.

Extremists? I don't know. But they take a thought further than some others do.

(BTW, for a related thought on abortion and how the community interacts with pregnant women, I call your attention to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Archdiocese; Harry Flynn, the local Archbishop (does that capitalize?) wrote this pastoral letter on the topic.

(In case this is all too much lovey-dovey people getting along despite doctrinal differences, let me point out that I recently suggested that pro-life people might want to consider carefully the implications of maternity leave policies for people who are dependent on their income to eat. I was generally ridiculed and mocked for trying to treat a "symptom" rather than the "problem".)