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Not long ago this was actually brought up in our church about doing something like this and many of us rejected the idea for the plain and simple reason that we are supposed to go out spread God's word to all of the uttermost. How can we do that if we are staying in one spot? We are not going out into the surrounding communities. We are not going out into the other lands (foreign lands). We are not sharing God's word with people who are not saved, we are supposed to help bring people of all ages to believe in God...we can't do that in a commune. There is so much that we are supposed to do that being in commune that we cannot do that God commands of us.
I don't get why some religious people feel the need to force their religion on others. The choice isn't between laws based on Christianity, and laws based on modern morality... the better position to take is to have no ones morality forced on others. ie: People are free to do what they want, as long as it doesn't harm others.
That way, Christians are free to be Christians, and non-Christians are free to live by their worldview.
What you are basically saying is that you want to create a new Christian state, perhaps not even subject to the constitution. Well why would that be legitimate?
Isn't the church supposed to be a "Christian zone"? And how is that working out for all those millions who have been driven out of churches, and the churches that have dissolved amidst rancor, and the churches making bazillions on the back of the prosperity bible while teaching watered down drivel? I can see that living zone working out just like the church. Lots of polite talk upfront, but lots of back-stabbing and gossip behind closed doors.
And who decides what a real Christian is?
Let's start with the premise that the Bible contains instruction from God how people should behave in a Godly society. Secular laws contain instruction about how people should behave in modern society. Many Christians believe that laws should reflect, to an extent, Biblical teaching because a) such teaching is better for society and b) it allows them to practice and share their faith without persecution. On the other hand, secular society, and some Christians, believe that the law should reflect the current morals of society, and that a religious group shouldn't impose their beliefs on others.
First, you need to read 1 Peter. 1 Peter is the handbook of how Citizens of Heaven should live as aliens, pilgrims, and sojourners among non-believers.
After you've read that, you can come back to this discussion with more actual information about what the Bible says about it.
Let's start with the premise that the Bible contains instruction from God how people should behave in a Godly society. Secular laws contain instruction about how people should behave in modern society. Many Christians believe that laws should reflect, to an extent, Biblical teaching because a) such teaching is better for society and b) it allows them to practice and share their faith without persecution. On the other hand, secular society, and some Christians, believe that the law should reflect the current morals of society, and that a religious group shouldn't impose their beliefs on others.
The dynamic of these counter opinions has led to an ongoing struggle between the two camps, and a situation where many Christians are made to feel they are being unreasonable, and are even attacked, for suggesting certain aspects of our faith should be reflected in legislation. In some countries, in Europe in particular, governments are even creating legislation that could make some aspects of living a Christian life, Biblical parenting for example, open to prosecution.
So let's run this thought experiment (a thought experiment for now at least):
Let's say we have a zone, a bare plot of land where no one currently lives. The intention would be to develop this empty land so it will have houses and businesses etc., but even before that happens it will have political autonomy: the developers/managers could make their own rules before they even start.
So these zone developers could make rules and laws that reflect Bible teachings. There could be no argument that such rules would be imposed on the unwilling, there is no existing population, and new arrivals know exactly what they are getting into from the start: they would be 'voting with their feet' to show they are at least tolerant of such rules.
So there would be a mandate for everything that is too much, or would cause outrage, in modern societies. So all the great controversial things could be enshrined in law: marriage would be between a man and women, school prayer could not be simply be allowed, it could be mandatory.
We could go further: public officials, judges, police and school principals would have to demonstrate a Christian faith, Christian organisations incentivized to come, ISP's obliged to filter pornography etc. New residents would be asked to sign a declaration that they understand that are coming to a Christian zone, with all that entails (as they would do when enrolling a child in a Christian private school). And if people don't want any of that, well they don't have to come and live there.
The purpose of this relatively small zone would be to demonstrate that Biblical instruction works for society, and if anyone objects to that, well we say to them that we will grow and prosper if it is right, or fold and fail if it is not.
It could also be a place where World-weary or persecuted Christians could come and stay for a season, to re-charge before returning to their home countries.
Now, the questions to you are, if this were possible, would it be right to create such a zone? Would you support it? Would you move there? Would you help create it?
Well? As long as what she wants to doesn't hurt anyone, who DOES care? Hardly see why that would make anyone want a "Christians only" zone?Not a zone because that would be no better than what are Sharia law zones now. However, if a community of Christians, say a tight knit church group, wanted to buy land and create a Christian community on private property they're free to do so in America.
But be ready for screams of bigotry and whatnot. People sometimes shout for freedom of religion but when the religious hope to exercise their freedom in such ways they're called bigots, xenophobes, intolerant, etc....
I like the intolerant label myself. It is usually bandied about by those who are fallen so that they hate anyone that brings to their attention that immorality is unseemly. Even if sin is taken out of the equation. And those who believe they can be better people are seen as anathema. To their peril for eternity of course but that's something the faith it isn't true shall find out when this life is over.
I met a woman once who was a proud atheist. I knew this because she had a huge sticker on her car reading: PROUD ATHEIST!
Proud I'm going to Hell! Alrighty then. Anyway one day we're walking these files where they need to go and we're talking about this and that and she pipes up and says that in her world morality is a myth. As long as what she wants to do doesn't hurt others who cares?
If you've encountered people like that I can see why a Christian zone would seem appealing. However, just because someone claims they're Christian doesn't mean it's all going to be glorious peace and respect. Some of the worst people I encountered as a teenager were those who were adults in our church. Followed by the kids they raised.
Hurt is relative. And to an immoral carnal hedonist literally so. That's all I'll say about what she confided to me. Thanks.Well? As long as what she wants to doesn't hurt anyone, who DOES care? Hardly see why that would make anyone want a "Christians only" zone?
...o...kay...?Hurt is relative. And to an immoral carnal hedonist literally so. That's all I'll say about what she confided to me. Thanks.
The Kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends to sit among roses and lilies not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared?
Let's start with the premise that the Bible contains instruction from God how people should behave in a Godly society. Secular laws contain instruction about how people should behave in modern society. Many Christians believe that laws should reflect, to an extent, Biblical teaching because a) such teaching is better for society and b) it allows them to practice and share their faith without persecution. On the other hand, secular society, and some Christians, believe that the law should reflect the current morals of society, and that a religious group shouldn't impose their beliefs on others.
The dynamic of these counter opinions has led to an ongoing struggle between the two camps, and a situation where many Christians are made to feel they are being unreasonable, and are even attacked, for suggesting certain aspects of our faith should be reflected in legislation. In some countries, in Europe in particular, governments are even creating legislation that could make some aspects of living a Christian life, Biblical parenting for example, open to prosecution.
So let's run this thought experiment (a thought experiment for now at least):
Let's say we have a zone, a bare plot of land where no one currently lives. The intention would be to develop this empty land so it will have houses and businesses etc., but even before that happens it will have political autonomy: the developers/managers could make their own rules before they even start.
So these zone developers could make rules and laws that reflect Bible teachings. There could be no argument that such rules would be imposed on the unwilling, there is no existing population, and new arrivals know exactly what they are getting into from the start: they would be 'voting with their feet' to show they are at least tolerant of such rules.
So there would be a mandate for everything that is too much, or would cause outrage, in modern societies. So all the great controversial things could be enshrined in law: marriage would be between a man and women, school prayer could not be simply be allowed, it could be mandatory.
We could go further: public officials, judges, police and school principals would have to demonstrate a Christian faith, Christian organisations incentivized to come, ISP's obliged to filter pornography etc. New residents would be asked to sign a declaration that they understand that are coming to a Christian zone, with all that entails (as they would do when enrolling a child in a Christian private school). And if people don't want any of that, well they don't have to come and live there.
The purpose of this relatively small zone would be to demonstrate that Biblical instruction works for society, and if anyone objects to that, well we say to them that we will grow and prosper if it is right, or fold and fail if it is not.
It could also be a place where World-weary or persecuted Christians could come and stay for a season, to re-charge before returning to their home countries.
Now, the questions to you are, if this were possible, would it be right to create such a zone? Would you support it? Would you move there? Would you help create it?
What denominations would or would not be accepted in this zone? Would LDS or Scientologists be allowed?
THIS is what everything hinges on, indeed. Who gets to make that decision? The RCC? The Southern Baptist? And which faction within those denominations?
If they behaved as followers of Christ, there would be no such thing.
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