Religious Tolerance

[Montalban]

Montalban said people who act un-Christlike are not Christians. Even though I have nothing personal against the Roman Catholic Church, I have to conclude by his statement that the Roman Catholic Church of the middle ages was not Christian at least in their actions.

There are some things we continue to agree on, but I don't state that the whole church was un-Christian.

So, why can't people who act Christ-like and forgive others while being intolerant of sin(Gandhi, for example) be considered real Christians even though they don't openly say so?

This is a very interesting question. You can be 'Christ-like' without having know Christ (Romans 2), however we are not saved through works (deeds) alone, but through the Grace of God (through faith and works).

Gandhi was a great man. You are probably driving towards the issue - is Gandhi 'saved'? (or in heaven/hell) To which I could not answer.

 

[Montalban]

I don't think that's necessary.............

So you're back to innuendo again! Thanks very much

 

[Montalban]

This wasn't supposed to be a debate.... aren't there enough threads for that already???

He's asked me some very good questions and I enjoy these. You seem to be quite happy to call me 'hateful' and to try to dominate a thread that other people have decided to use. Why not be a little more tolerant of other people's wishes to use this public thread?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

There are some things we continue to agree on, but I don't state that the whole church was un-Christian.

This is a very interesting question. You can be 'Christ-like' without having know Christ (Romans 2), however we are not saved through works (deeds) alone, but through the Grace of God (through faith and works).

Gandhi was a great man. You are probably driving towards the issue - is Gandhi 'saved'? (or in heaven/hell) To which I could not answer.

People like Gandhi and Mother Teresa, in my humble opinion, didn't give too much thought to whether they were "saved" or not. But they devoted their lives to saving others, just like Christ. I don't equate them to Christ. I'm just saying, at least in this real world, works are more important. The concept of Christ is in no way less important than the person of Christ. Even though Gandhi was worshipping another deity, he was actually worshipping Christ through his actions. I think this is where we differ. This is an historical difference between Hinduism and Christianity and we both alone can't solve it.

 

[Montalban]

People like Gandhi and Mother Teresa, in my humble opinion, didn't give too much thought to whether they were "saved" or not. But they devoted their lives to saving others, just like Christ.

I don't equate them to Christ.

Sorry, I was using Orthodox terminology. We believe we are called to be 'Christ-like' (deification)
In that Jesus did everything He did, in the sight of God; He did everything for God.

I'm just saying, at least in this real world, works are more important. The concept of Christ is in no way less important than the person of Christ. Even though Gandhi was worshipping another deity, he was actually worshipping Christ through his actions. I think this is where we differ. This is an historical difference between Hinduism and Christianity and we both alone can't solve it.

Well, as stated above, I'm not even sure what the Christian stance on this is.

 

[thirsty]

People like Gandhi and Mother Teresa, in my humble opinion, didn't give too much thought to whether they were "saved" or not. But they devoted their lives to saving others, just like Christ. I don't equate them to Christ. I'm just saying, at least in this real world, works are more important. The concept of Christ is in no way less important than the person of Christ. Even though Gandhi was worshipping another deity, he was actually worshipping Christ through his actions. I think this is where we differ. This is an historical difference between Hinduism and Christianity and we both alone can't solve it.

We are not saved by our works,we our saved by the Blood of Christ through the forgivness of sins and repentance. All our good works will be nothing but dirty rags. Christ has done it all.
But as Christians we are obligated to help the needy. Faith without good works is dead.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

We are not saved by our works,we our saved by the Blood of Christ through the forgivness of sins and repentance. All our good works will be nothing but dirty rags. Christ has done it all.
But as Christians we are obligated to help the needy. Faith without good works is dead.

I'm not trying to say you are wrong.

But don't you think the words you employ turn people away from Christ instead of turning them towards Him?

Getting 'saved' is an individual issue, don't you think?

 

[thirsty]

I'm not trying to say you are wrong.

But don't you think the words you employ turn people away from Christ instead of turning them towards Him?

Getting 'saved' is an individual issue, don't you think?

Yes it is an individual issue that is why it is relationship not religion and good works.
My brother in law who was a terrible alcoholic asked for forgivness on his death bed and is now with Lord. He was a nice man and helped many people despite his drinking. His good works are worth nothing.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

Yes it is an individual issue that is why it is relationship not religion and good works.
My brother in law who was a terrible alcoholic asked for forgivness on his death bed and is now with Lord. He was a nice man and helped many people despite his drinking. His good works are worth nothing.

Even Krishna, the Hindu God, says whoever thinks of Him in his/her deathbed will be 'saved' in the Hindu sense.

I am not trying to say that there is some kind of link between Hinduism and Christianity.

Personally, when I look at the New Testament with my Hindu eyes, I see some of the deepest and profound philosophy in Jesus' teachings.

I personally can never turn my back on my Hindu traditions. I feel like betraying my mother if I do so.

You all might not understand how I feel, as most of you grew up in Christian surroundings for many centuries now.

I still believe when Jesus says "You have to hate your father, mother, land, possessions, etc.. to know ME", he says people to be not attached to worldly things just like Buddha said.

Again, I'm not equating Buddha with Christ.

 

[Montalban]

You all might not understand how I feel, as most of you grew up in Christian surroundings for many centuries now.

How old do you think I am?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

How old do you think I am?

I don't know. Maybe 50 ?!

I'm 25, BTW.

 

[Montalban]

I don't know. Maybe 50 ?!

I'm 25, BTW.

It's just that you mentioned 'centuries'. I'm a child of the 60s.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

It's just that you mentioned 'centuries'. I'm a child of the 60s.

I was talking about the "West"(including those who settled in Australia) and their Christian ways of life for atleast a few centuries now.

 

[Montalban]

I was talking about the "West"(including those who settled in Australia) and their Christian ways of life for atleast a few centuries now.

Personally I was not born a Christian. I was baptised Catholic aged 7 (when my mum married a Catholic). I looked seriously into Islam, Ba'hai, and Protestantism, before becoming Orthodox.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

In a Hindu society, accepting Christ results in divisions in the family.

But its not the case in the West.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to get at.

 

[Montalban]

In a Hindu society, accepting Christ results in divisions in the family.

But its not the case in the West.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to get at.

I'd get upset if a kid of mine became Catholic!

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

I'd get upset if a kid of mine became Catholic!

My dad would be flustered if he comes to know that his only son has reneged on the family ways.

He will even deny me the responsibility to lay the torch on his heart(I hope that day is very far).

He would think he gave birth to a 'bad seed'.

 

[CrownCaster]

One thread.... can we not have one thread that is just about tolerance and not dissing other religions?

I am not "dissing" anything and if you want a thread where the Gospel is not preached, maybe you need to look into 'pagans r us' or something.

 

[CrownCaster]

Well this is a non-christian forum right? So if you don't like what goes on in here you could go ealewhere as well.

This was the way the kings had control over the human mind in medieval times. And now people like you are useing this idea as well.

Its really sad.

This happens to just about every thread in the non-christian forum, just like the missionary are doing all around the world.

Yes I could but I will not. I am a Christian and will post in any area I choose. If you do not want to hear about Jesus, uh, bye bye.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

Yes I could but I will not. I am a Christian and will post in any area I choose. If you do not want to hear about Jesus, uh, bye bye.

Hi there Crown Caster!