Corruption of Christianity

[joystickd]

Evidence? Especially the picture angle.

 

CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY OR DIE

Here's a start. I can go on and on. I'm not like Conservatives who avoid providing proof for statements

[TheFinalWord]

CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY OR DIE

Here's a start. I can go on and on. I'm not like Conservatives who avoid providing proof for statements

 

Of course, Europeans forced conversion. The same happened during the Reformation, if you didn't accept the Roman Catholic church you were burned at the stake. I'm sure Native Americans and African tribes forced other tribes in their areas to convert to their religions as well. I'm not disputing that, but this idea about a picture of Jesus to get people to think Europeans were gods is what I am asking about. I am asking for evidence of a link between pictures of Jesus and using that to brainwash people (is that what you are claiming?).

 

I found this link, which seems to suggest various early churches contextualized the image of Jesus as reflective of their culture:

 

The Coptic Church of Egypt separated in the 5th century, and has a distinctive depiction of Jesus, consistent with Coptic art. The Ethiopian Church, also Coptic, developed on Coptic traditions, but shows Jesus and all Biblical figures with the Ethiopian appearance of its members

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depiction_of_Jesus

Edited May 20, 2016 by TheFinalWord

[joystickd]

Of course, Europeans forced conversion. The same happened during the Reformation, if you didn't accept the Roman Catholic church you were burned at the stake. I'm sure Native Americans and African tribes forced other tribes in their areas to convert to their religions as well. I'm not disputing that, but this idea about a picture of Jesus to get people to think Europeans were gods is what I am asking about. I am asking for evidence of a link between pictures of Jesus and using that to brainwash people (is that what you are claiming?).

 

I found this link, which seems to suggest various early churches contextualized the image of Jesus as reflective of their culture:

 

The Coptic Church of Egypt separated in the 5th century, and has a distinctive depiction of Jesus, consistent with Coptic art. The Ethiopian Church, also Coptic, developed on Coptic traditions, but shows Jesus and all Biblical figures with the Ethiopian appearance of its members

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depiction_of_Jesus

 

The Egyptians and Ethiopians separated themselves from the Roman corrupt version of Christianity. When I speak about itbin this thread I'm talking about what Europeans did and not any other group

[BetheButterfly]

When I speak about itbin this thread I'm talking about what Europeans did and not any other group

 

Which Europeans? I think one of the main issues why many people believe that Christianity has been corrupted is because of how "Christianity" has changed from the time of Jesus Christ and His apostles till now in certain ways.

 

Jesus Christ did not start a new religion. Christianity is actually an interpretation of God's promises to King David and other Hebrew prophets (including Moses) being fulfilled.

 

Many Jewish scholars both then and now do not believe Jesus (Yeshua or a variant) to truly be the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, which is their right.

 

However, Jesus' Jewish followers did believe this. Peter, for example, mentioned one of the most important prophecies in the Torah when talking about Jesus. (I boldened some.)

 

“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.

 

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

 

For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[Deut. 18:15,18,19]

- Acts 3:17-23 (NIV)

 

It is highly ironic that nowadays, many people think that one cannot be Jewish and follow Jesus Christ, when nearly 2,000 years ago, the circumcised believers (Jewish) were astonished that Gentiles could be led by God's Holy Spirit too! (Acts 10)

 

I'm a Gentile, and I'm so glad God brought Jew and Gentile together, and that Jesus destroyed the dividing wall of hostility between us! (Ephesians 2:11-18)

 

Sadly, many Jewish people have horribly faced persecution at the hands of Christians, which is evil and against Jesus' commands to love neighbors as oneself, each other, and enemies. I think one of the main corruptions that crept into Hellenized Christianity in Europe is antisemitism.

 

You see this in the USA as well, in groups like the KKK who hate Jewish people, completely ignoring the fact that Jesus, Mary, and Jesus' apostles are all Jewish and that Christ is the "King of the Jews" - as well as the light/salvation of the nations.

 

"Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” - Luke 1:31b-32 (NIV)

 

Yea, He saith: 'It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the offspring of Israel; I will also give thee for a light of the nations, that My salvation may be unto the end of the earth. - Isaiah 49:6

Isaiah 49 / Hebrew - English Bible / Mechon-Mamre

Edited May 20, 2016 by BetheButterfly

[BetheButterfly]

CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY OR DIE

Here's a start. I can go on and on. I'm not like Conservatives who avoid providing proof for statements

 

Killing people who reject Jesus as the Christ (Messiah/Anointed One) is disobedience to Jesus Christ's commands to love neighbors as oneself, each other, and enemies.

 

While I understand how is called corruption of Christianity, it's actually disobedience to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ showed his disciples what to do when people didn't want to follow him:

 

"Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

 

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” - John 6:64-69 (NIV)

 

 

Did Jesus say to kill or persecute those who don't believe in him? Nope. He just let those who didn't believe go and focused on his faithful followers.

 

To follow Jesus is costly and not popular. It's not supposed to be popular. It's very important decision where the follower voluntarily makes the decision to follow Jesus.

 

This is an awesome song, "I have decided to follow Jesus."

One of the lines is "Though none go with me, I still will follow."

[Tayla]

One story of Paul seems to emulate the journey of one life into the faith of another...

 

I do not proclaim deep faith in the words of the bible, I tend to have found that we live the life, and from that our faith is restored.

 

When a missionary goes out to enhance some folks into understanding the ways of christianty, I do sometimes take pause... Perhaps God doesn't ask that we "convert" those of a love that already exists within them...To them its enough to have faith in something beyond humanity and more glorious. Peace I give to you and peace you shall receive....

[BetheButterfly]

One story of Paul seems to emulate the journey of one life into the faith of another...

 

Aye. That's such a cool way to say it!

I do not proclaim deep faith in the words of the bible, I tend to have found that we live the life, and from that our faith is restored.

That's beautiful. While I do have deep faith in the words of the Bible, I understand what you mean.

 

When a missionary goes out to enhance some folks into understanding the ways of christianty, I do sometimes take pause... Perhaps God doesn't ask that we "convert" those ...

Understood. The thing is, Jesus Christ commanded his followers to go "make disciples." Sadly, that has been interpreted as force convert, but Jesus Christ and his disciples did not force convert anyone.

 

"Making disciples" is an invitation to follow Jesus, and is a life journey in obeying Jesus' commands. I boldened some below:

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

 

So, it's a part of obeying Jesus, to invite people to follow Him along with us.

 

Now, it's also very important to not force them. Jesus taught us this by not forcing people to follow Him. It's their choice, same as it's our choice. If I ever decide to no longer follow Jesus, I can stop. However, I don't want to ever decide that, because I love Jesus.

 

Because I love Jesus, I also can't help but talk and write about Him!

 

of a love that already exists within them...To them its enough to have faith in something beyond humanity and more glorious.

Peace I give to you and peace you shall receive....

Understood.

 

That is beautiful, by the way.

[Taramere]

It's not about recruitment because I have no affilitation with a church but Revelation points this out. I just want truth.

 

 

You say that as though it's not much to ask for J, but the quest for truth has been pursued over many centuries by hundreds of brilliant minds...and humanity still manages to come into conflict over the simplest of matters, due to the elusive and (in so many cases) subjective nature of truth. Then there are those horribly complex dilemmas which religion and political ideology alike seek to provide perfect answers to. A friend and I were discussing abortion, and he wanted me to present an honest view of it.

 

My view was "I think it should be legal until the point where the foetus is viable outside the womb, but I also believe it should be stigmatised. But I don't want to be the person doing the stigmatising of a woman with difficult and painful choices to make, which makes me a hypocrite." Moreover, I disapprove of the approach a lot of other people take to this task of creating social stigma around abortion. Though I can't come up with any ideas for what an "appropriate, proportionate, socially acceptable and not too damaging" approach to stigmatising abortion would be. Perhaps because there isn't one, I don't know.

 

Religion can rescue me from that sense of imperfection (of thought) and uncertainty by telling me to just have a fixed view of it being the worst option in all circumstances and therefore something which should always be unlawful. But does the person who holds that view, because it's the religiously correct one, have a greater grasp of truth than I do? Or are they just taking an easy course of following a prescribed way of thinking in order to avoid too much introspection or the endless uncertainty that is created by "seeing both sides"?

 

Christianity has provided the world with some of its worst moments historically. So has Islam. So has atheism. Any organised belief system, political or religious, has the potential to prop up an extremely authoritarian (to the point of being completely brutal and inhumane) system. Particularly if it's promoted in times and within a culture where questioning its central tenets has become taboo and is liable to invoke serious punishment or even death.

 

There are problems inherent in the deification of any historical figure. Colluding with that deification inhibits us from thinking with much degree of depth or independence...because the pressure is always on to come up with solutions (to every problem) that would meet with the deified figure's approval. What would Jesus do? As opposed to "who am I at my best, and how does the best version of myself handle this difficult situation or approach this complex conflict?"

 

Truth is a simple straightforward thing to ask of a person if it's of the "did you or did you not eat those biscuits that were in the cupboard/have sex with our next door neighbour/go shopping for personal stuff when you were supposed to be on a work related errand?" variety. But when it comes to the philosophical beliefs that help us to find "good enough" (for us) answers to complex ethical dilemmas, asking somebody for a truthful answer to an ethical dilemma is asking a huge thing of them. They will never be able to provide you with a "beyond reproach" answer...because answers to ethical dilemmas never are beyond reproach. So I think at best, you will get a response that acknowledges its own hypocritical aspects. In other words, a corrupt response.

 

If an ideology sits quite well with you in lots of ways but you find imperfections and inconsistencies in it, or corruption in the way it is commonly practiced, does that mean you throw it out as being useless? If you find another ideology to replace it with, there's no guarantee that you won't find flaws and corruptions in its practice too. In fact you almost certainly will, unless you've been brainwashed to the point where challenging that ideology with an independent mind is impossible.

 

Beware of those who believe theirs is the perfect, beyond reproach ideology with no corrupt elements to it. That's exactly the mindset which creates an environment in which the worst corruption of all tends to take place.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Taramere

[BetheButterfly]

Christianity has provided the world with some of its worst moments historically. So has Islam. So has atheism. Any organised belief system, political or religious, has the potential to prop up an extremely authoritarian (to the point of being completely brutal and inhumane) system. Particularly if it's promoted in times and within a culture where questioning its central tenets has become taboo and is liable to invoke serious punishment or even death.

 

True.

 

There are problems inherent in the deification of any historical figure. Colluding with that deification inhibits us from thinking with much degree of depth or independence...because the pressure is always on to come up with solutions (to every problem) that would meet with the deified figure's approval. What would Jesus do? As opposed to "who am I at my best, and how does the best version of myself handle this difficult situation or approach this complex conflict?"

Some people might think they are at their "best" when doing whatever they can (including exploiting the poor) for $ or fame or power. They may think that's when they are at their "best" since they are achieving their personal goals. However, those who are exploited by them would not agree.

 

For me personally, Jesus Christ guides my way of thinking by showing me the importance of caring for other people and standing up for the rights of poorer people who are in danger of being exploited by the rich.

 

James said the following while rebuking Christians who showed favoritism to the rich: (I boldened some.)

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.

 

If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

 

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor.

 

Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

 

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[Lev. 19:18] you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. - James 2:1-8 (NIV)

 

 

So, as one can see above, James had to rebuke some of Christ's followers for wandering away from Christ's teachings and example. Why did they wander away? Maybe they thought it was "best" to cater to the rich? Clearly, that was not "best" for James, who walked and talked with Jesus Christ.

 

People do have the freedom to decide whether they want to obey Jesus Christ or not. If they think they are at their personal best by not obeying him, that's their decision. Personally, I know I am at my personal best when obeying Jesus Christ's commands.

 

If an ideology sits quite well with you in lots of ways but you find imperfections and inconsistencies in it, or corruption in the way it is commonly practiced, does that mean you throw it out as being useless?

Nope.

 

 

If you find another ideology to replace it with, there's no guarantee that you won't find flaws and corruptions in its practice too.

True.

 

In fact you almost certainly will, unless you've been brainwashed to the point where challenging that ideology with an independent mind is impossible.

Or, if you have been 100% convicted to the point wher

 

Beware of those who believe theirs is the perfect, beyond reproach ideology with no corrupt elements to it. That's exactly the mindset which creates an environment in which the worst corruption of all tends to take place.

Do you believe Jesus considered his way "perfect"? Why or why not?

 

Thanks.

Edited May 23, 2016 by BetheButterfly

[Cablebandit]

as an atheist, what horrors have been done in the name of atheism? it isn't an ideology. That's like saying "the horrors committed in the name of a-fairyism".

[Taramere]

as an atheist, what horrors have been done in the name of atheism? it isn't an ideology. That's like saying "the horrors committed in the name of a-fairyism".

 

Atheism was a central tenet of Marxist ideology.

 

Do you disagree that eliminating religious beliefs within the society, and replacing them with universal atheism was the goal of the USSR in the Stalinist era? The state seized property owned by the Church, subjected religious leaders and believers to public ridicule - and in some cases sent them to prison or to gulags for their beliefs. There was a zealousness about the way the more extreme enthusiasts of atheism conducted themselves in that very unfortunate period of human history.

 

I'm not averse to atheism per se, in the same way that I'm not averse to religion per se. There are plenty of decent, honourable atheists in the same way that there are plenty of decent, honourable people of religious faith. However, both religious belief and atheism have underpinned philosophies that formed an important aspect of tyrannical regimes.

 

There's something intellectually inconsistent, or perhaps just cherry-picking, about the way some atheists seek to distance atheism from the atrocities of Stalinism while at the same time faulting specific religious belief systems for the atrocities of those who ally themselves with those religions. History has proved that atheists are not somehow immune from zealousness to the point of cruelty in attempting to implement their perspective as the "right" one.

 

When atheism becomes a central tenet of a political ideology, as it did with Marxism - and Lenin's then Stalin's interpretation of Marxism - and that political ideology seeks to drive out the influence of other ideologies through force and persecution how different can it really be to a fervent religious ideology gone corrupt, that persecutes and destroys in the name of strengthening its power within a society?

Edited May 25, 2016 by Taramere

[Taramere]

Do you believe Jesus considered his way "perfect"? Why or why not?

 

Thanks.

 

Well, yes I think he did if heaven symbolises a level of truth and perfection that we never find in this existence, and if he viewed himself as the only path to heaven.

 

Perhaps a perfect "way" would involve an ideology that was incapable of being employed by those who seek to oppress or persecute others - but is such a "peacefully cure humanity of all its evils" ideology (whether one of faith or an atheistic one) possible? The teachings of Jesus, from what I've read, don't strike me as constituting a philosophy that could or should be used in a hateful way...but nonetheless, Christian extremists have, along with extremists of other faiths or ideologies, behaved in hateful and persecutory ways at times.

 

You would probably say that the flaw is in the deformed psyche of the practitioner and not in the ideology, and I would agree. Perhaps there is a perfect ideology out there whose truth will be so blindingly obvious that all will be converted to it, without force and without pressure, immediately. One that will transform humanity into something close to perfection. It hasn't emerged yet, though.

[FleshNBones]

My issue is this how in the hell can the head of a religion that started in Israel be in Rome. Anyone looking objectively would see it as corruption and a way to promote an agenda. People have been sheep and accepted it but not me. I've really read and researched and this is the conclusion I've come up with. I believe in God just like others but I'm just not going to accept something because it's the way it's always been.

I think you are being disingenuous.

I remember you rejecting Jesus on the count of him being too white.

[FleshNBones]

Of course, Europeans forced conversion. The same happened during the Reformation, if you didn't accept the Roman Catholic church you were burned at the stake. I'm sure Native Americans and African tribes forced other tribes in their areas to convert to their religions as well. I'm not disputing that, but this idea about a picture of Jesus to get people to think Europeans were gods is what I am asking about. I am asking for evidence of a link between pictures of Jesus and using that to brainwash people (is that what you are claiming?).

 

I found this link, which seems to suggest various early churches contextualized the image of Jesus as reflective of their culture:

 

The Coptic Church of Egypt separated in the 5th century, and has a distinctive depiction of Jesus, consistent with Coptic art. The Ethiopian Church, also Coptic, developed on Coptic traditions, but shows Jesus and all Biblical figures with the Ethiopian appearance of its members

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depiction_of_Jesus

I would like to add that the people who performed the forced conversions usually knew nothing about Christ's teachings. It wasn't uncommon during that time to come across priests who didn't know the ten commandments, or even know the lord's prayer.

 

At that time, Europe's nobility often populated the upper ranks of the Catholic church. These were a bunch of pompous arrogant bastards who never took Catholicism seriously (Kind of like how Obama doesn't take this country seriously but that is a different topic). I am sure their offspring are still running everything in Europe today.

[UpwardForward]

as an atheist, what horrors have been done in the name of atheism? it isn't an ideology. That's like saying "the horrors committed in the name of a-fairyism".

 

 

Crimes of abuse, murder, suicide, theft happen everyday.

 

 

Reports do not say: Suspect was an atheist or non-believer. However, IMO people are less likely to commit crime if they know God, have Faith in Him.

[joystickd]

Crimes of abuse, murder, suicide, theft happen everyday.

 

 

Reports do not say: Suspect was an atheist or non-believer. However, IMO people are less likely to commit crime if they know God, have Faith in Him.

 

Numerous people were forced to become Christian. Numerous crimes committed in the name of the Roman perversion of Christianity.

[BetheButterfly]

Numerous people were forced to become Christian. Numerous crimes committed in the name of the Roman perversion of Christianity.

 

This is sad but very true.

 

Forcing someone to convert to Christianity is in disobedience to Jesus Christ. Sadly, many Christians are guilty of disobeying Jesus Christ.

 

While Jesus said to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), we don't have any evidence that Jesus Christ and his apostles forced people to convert. Jesus invited people to follow him, and people either did or didn't.

 

Making disciples for Jesus = testifying about Jesus to others via the Holy Spirit (John 15:26-27) and inviting them to follow Jesus too. Inviting = being able to accept or reject the invitation. Those who accept, join the body of believers.

 

Those who reject are still neighbors, who Jesus commands us to love (Matthew 22:35-40; Luke 10:25-37). Those who hate us are in the category of enemies, and Jesus commands us to love them too (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-37). Loving = blessing, doing good to them, and praying for them. Love does not include killing or forcing them to convert.

 

Sadly, many Christians have not learned a very important lesson that Jesus indirectly taught us via example. In John 6, the author accounts how many disciples left Jesus. Jesus did not tell his faithful followers to go kill or force convert them back to being his followers no! He only focused on the faith of his faithful (John 6:60-69).

 

That's why it's so important for Christians to heed Jesus Christ, not men (or women) who claim to speak for Jesus Christ. It's one of the greatest tragedies in the world, when Christians disobey their Christ.

[Cablebandit]

Crimes of abuse, murder, suicide, theft happen everyday.

 

 

Reports do not say: Suspect was an atheist or non-believer. However, IMO people are less likely to commit crime if they know God, have Faith in Him.

 

Prison statistics would prove you wrong.

[FleshNBones]

This is sad but very true.

 

Forcing someone to convert to Christianity is in disobedience to Jesus Christ. Sadly, many Christians are guilty of disobeying Jesus Christ.

 

While Jesus said to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), we don't have any evidence that Jesus Christ and his apostles forced people to convert. Jesus invited people to follow him, and people either did or didn't.

 

Making disciples for Jesus = testifying about Jesus to others via the Holy Spirit (John 15:26-27) and inviting them to follow Jesus too. Inviting = being able to accept or reject the invitation. Those who accept, join the body of believers.

 

Those who reject are still neighbors, who Jesus commands us to love (Matthew 22:35-40; Luke 10:25-37). Those who hate us are in the category of enemies, and Jesus commands us to love them too (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-37). Loving = blessing, doing good to them, and praying for them. Love does not include killing or forcing them to convert.

 

Sadly, many Christians have not learned a very important lesson that Jesus indirectly taught us via example. In John 6, the author accounts how many disciples left Jesus. Jesus did not tell his faithful followers to go kill or force convert them back to being his followers no! He only focused on the faith of his faithful (John 6:60-69).

 

That's why it's so important for Christians to heed Jesus Christ, not men (or women) who claim to speak for Jesus Christ. It's one of the greatest tragedies in the world, when Christians disobey their Christ.

At this time they all read the bible. Oh wait! They didn't.

The printing press came much later along with widespread literacy.

Heck, most of the priests at the time didn't have a bible.

[BetheButterfly]

At this time they all read the bible. Oh wait! They didn't.

The printing press came much later along with widespread literacy.

Heck, most of the priests at the time didn't have a bible.

 

Sad but true. Very important point.

 

It's vital for Christians to read the Bible and obey what Jesus Christ commands.

[FleshNBones]

It's vital for Christians to read the Bible and obey what Jesus Christ commands.

Christians are servants not slaves so they aren't forced to obey anything. There is also theology in Christianity from which new teachings, and ideas can flow from.

 

We can compare this to Islam where there is no theology. Everything there is recite, repeat, and obey under pain of death. It is unchanging, and unbending. I believe it is even forbidden to add new words to Arabic.

[BetheButterfly]

Christians are servants not slaves so they aren't forced to obey anything.

 

Definitely we are not forced to obey. However, Jesus Christ made it clear that those who love him, obey his commands (John 14:15).

 

Jesus Christ said:

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.This is my command: Love each other. - John 15:14-17 (NIV)

 

 

There is also theology in Christianity from which new teachings, and ideas can flow from.

 

Jesus warned however that there would be false prophets (Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11, 24). Because of this, it's very important to test every new teaching by Jesus Christ's commands and teachings.

[Cablebandit]

Definitely we are not forced to obey. However, Jesus Christ made it clear that those who love him, obey his commands (John 14:15).

 

Jesus Christ said:

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.This is my command: Love each other. - John 15:14-17 (NIV)

 

 

 

 

Jesus warned however that there would be false prophets (Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11, 24). Because of this, it's very important to test every new teaching by Jesus Christ's commands and teachings.

 

Jesus was deemed a false prophet and dealt with accordingly.

[BetheButterfly]

Jesus was deemed a false prophet and dealt with accordingly.

 

Jesus' followers believed Jesus is the Prophet like Moses and the Anointed One (Mashiach/Christ) on the throne of King David forever. I also believe the same.

 

Of course people who don't believe in him have the right to not believe, and explain why.

 

One of the corruptions in Christian circles is when Christians begin to persecute the people who did not accept who Jesus said He is. That is horrible, because it goes against Jesus' commands to love even enemies. Antisemitism in Hellenized Christianity begin when Gentile Christians got mad at Jewish people who rejected Jesus Christ.

 

My Jewish Orthodox friends reject what I believe about Jesus Christ, and I understand why. They have explained to me why they don't believe in him. They have the right and I love them no matter what they think about Jesus. I have no desire to hurt them or force what I believe on them. They know what I believe and as long as I'm not hurting them or forcing them to believe the same, they are fine with me.

 

One of the greatest crimes in Christian history is when Gentile Christians began to persecute Jewish people, as well as when Christians begin to persecute Natives and other people groups who did not accept Jesus. This has happened off and on for centuries, and I do believe God will hold Christians accountable for how they treat other people.

[joystickd]

Christians are servants not slaves so they aren't forced to obey anything. There is also theology in Christianity from which new teachings, and ideas can flow from.

 

We can compare this to Islam where there is no theology. Everything there is recite, repeat, and obey under pain of death. It is unchanging, and unbending. I believe it is even forbidden to add new words to Arabic.

 

And your proof of this is ..........

We all are waiting