NationStates Jolt Archive

Why does it seem that the people who most fervently push Christianity are the ones who have read the Bible the least?

I'm not a Christian myself, but I agree pretty much with Jesus' teachings. But it seems like the republicans and certain conservative TV and radio personalities strongly push Christianity, even though what they say goes directly against most of Jesus' message.

Heck, didn't he say 'Blessed are those persecuted in the name of virtuousness, they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven'? Don't neo-cons spend most of their public time persecuting in the name of virtuousness?!

It seems that these 'Christians' completely skipped over the entire gospels except for the part about the crucifiction. (But they've sure read Revelations!)

Why does it seem that the people who most fervently push Christianity are the ones who have read the Bible the least?

I'm not a Christian myself, but I agree pretty much with Jesus' teachings. But it seems like the republicans and certain conservative TV and radio personalities strongly push Christianity, even though what they say goes directly against most of Jesus' message.

Heck, didn't he say 'Blessed are those persecuted in the name of virtuousness, they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven'? Don't neo-cons spend most of their public time persecuting in the name of virtuousness?!

It seems that these 'Christians' completely skipped over the entire gospels except for the part about the crucifiction. (But they've sure read Revelations!)
I think you are mistaking people with large bases with people who push it more, old people and youth minister push it most, you just don't have as much personal ex with them as you do the tv.

It seems that these 'Christians' completely skipped over the entire gospels except for the part about the crucifiction. (But they've sure read Revelations!)
Thats because revelations is so cool :p. No, seriously your right they use Christianity to further their own political goals, which is no different than what al-Qeada does with Islam. Need proof, both bin Laden and Jerry Falwell have said we deserved 9/11. Falwell blamed it on the gays. If they were really Christians they would care about the poor and single parents, etc. But they dont, they only care about gay marriage, something Jesus could care less about.

Actually, I think these people do think it is their duty to pass this kind of legislation. They think that they are serving God by forming America to their views of Christianity. How they managed to extract these views from scripture or religious teachings, I don't know.

Things never change.

Jesus condemned the Pharasees and Saducees the most. They were the Conservative religious leaders of the time. They also didn't have a clue. I guess it has something to do with when you're in the majority and in power you believe what you want to believe not what your religious texts say is the correct thing to do.

Things never change.

Jesus condemned the Pharasees and Saducees the most. They were the Conservative religious leaders of the time. They also didn't have a clue. I guess it has something to do with when you're in the majority and in power you believe what you want to believe not what your religious texts say is the correct thing to do.

It's all about power. You'll have a better chance of finding a Fascist Commie than you will trying to see any sincere altruistic nature in these fundies. It's all about power.

Things never change.

Jesus condemned the Pharasees and Saducees the most. They were the Conservative religious leaders of the time. They also didn't have a clue. I guess it has something to do with when you're in the majority and in power you believe what you want to believe not what your religious texts say is the correct thing to do.

Wow! Incorrect! The Pharisees were the liberals of their day and the Sadducees were the conservatives. The Zealots were rambo maniacs and the Essenes were the hard left.

Next time you see a street preacher, use this on them:

Matthew 6:5

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Instead, go into your closet and pray there"

Wow! Incorrect! The Pharisees were the liberals of their day and the Sadducees were the conservatives. The Zealots were rambo maniacs and the Essenes were the hard left.
Where did you get that from?? The Pharisees were working with the Romans so they could maintain their power. They were the ones that looked at every rule except the one to love the people they came in contact with. They were the ones that liked the positions of honor that political and social power had given them. In other words they were the fundies.

Why does it seem that the people who most fervently push Christianity are the ones who have read the Bible the least?

Or alternatively they read the bible and think it was written for people living in the early 21st century. How many people here think Jesus was a poor carpenter? Nowadays we might consider carpenters to be kind of poor but 2,000 years ago someone with tools and carpentary skills was well off. Then theirs the fact that Jesus's family owned land in several places. Just like Muhammad Jusus came from the well off section of society. He was a rich guy who spoke up for the poor, not one of them.

Where did you get that from?? The Pharisees were working with the Romans so they could maintain their power. They were the ones that looked at every rule except the one to love the people they came in contact with. They were the ones that liked the positions of honor that political and social power had given them. In other words they were the fundies.

The Pharisees are considered liberal because most advocated a more figurative interpretation of their sacred writings. The Sadduccees were the conservatives because they were more literalist. In actuality, it was primarily the Sadduccees who were working with the Romans. Although the Pharisees were guilty to a lesser degree. They were dominant because to the Sadduccees their religious life centered around the Temple(a big revenue generator), which is why they died off after the Temple was destroyed. This is what I learned in my religion class at school. Also liking positions of power is no way connected with fundamentalism. Liking positions of power simply makes you an ambitious jerk.

I think they do it because they realize that they didn't read the entire Bible, so they try to make up for it by pressing their views on everyone else.

Yeah their taking selective pieces of the bible to further their political goals, It's probably been going on for centuries, hell I'll go as far to say that the bible has been changed through out history to Further the catholic church's goal's. I mean honestly anything with that much power is going to be exploited eventually.

Yeah their taking selective pieces of the bible to further their political goals, It's probably been going on for centuries, hell I'll go as far to say that the bible has been changed through out history to Further the catholic church's goal's. I mean honestly anything with that much power is going to be exploited eventually.

Eh that's true. I wonder what the original Bible was like though. That would be exciting to read.

I wonder what the original Bible was like though.That would be exciting to read.
I'll bet you it wouldn't.

Why does it seem that the people who most fervently push Christianity are the ones who have read the Bible the least?

I'm not a Christian myself, but I agree pretty much with Jesus' teachings. But it seems like the republicans and certain conservative TV and radio personalities strongly push Christianity, even though what they say goes directly against most of Jesus' message.

Heck, didn't he say 'Blessed are those persecuted in the name of virtuousness, they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven'? Don't neo-cons spend most of their public time persecuting in the name of virtuousness?!

It seems that these 'Christians' completely skipped over the entire gospels except for the part about the crucifiction. (But they've sure read Revelations!)
Hey man i totally agree with you. people like Bush claim to be Christians, but the dont seem to mind throwing away countless lives on pointless wars. He's got it all wrong. Im a christian myself, and as christians we're supposed to love our neighbour, and to bless those who curse us, not overrun their country. I understand your frustration and its difficult for me to see people be so hypocritical.

I'll bet you it wouldn't.

Bet you it would. Read Romans ch.7, its not exactly exciting but its freaking amazing.

The Pharisees are considered liberal because most advocated a more figurative interpretation of their sacred writings. The Sadduccees were the conservatives because they were more literalist. In actuality, it was primarily the Sadduccees who were working with the Romans. Although the Pharisees were guilty to a lesser degree. They were dominant because to the Sadduccees their religious life centered around the Temple(a big revenue generator), which is why they died off after the Temple was destroyed. This is what I learned in my religion class at school. Also liking positions of power is no way connected with fundamentalism. Liking positions of power simply makes you an ambitious jerk.
The Pharisees were demanding the law as they saw it (just like the fundies) not the spirit of the law. MT 12:2 12:10-14 15:1-3 transgress for the sake of tradition (conservative) 15:11-12 eating tradition (conservative) 23:2-7 (almost exact description of fundies) 23:15-39 Everything Jesus hated is being duplicated by fundies.

And this is just Matthew.

Why does it seem that the people who most fervently push Christianity are the ones who have read the Bible the least?

I'm not a Christian myself, but I agree pretty much with Jesus' teachings. But it seems like the republicans and certain conservative TV and radio personalities strongly push Christianity, even though what they say goes directly against most of Jesus' message.

Heck, didn't he say 'Blessed are those persecuted in the name of virtuousness, they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven'? Don't neo-cons spend most of their public time persecuting in the name of virtuousness?!

It seems that these 'Christians' completely skipped over the entire gospels except for the part about the crucifiction. (But they've sure read Revelations!)

Sadly, I think a lot of these people are more interested in gaining glory for themselves and giving the impression of righteousness than they are with loving God and their neighbor. As I'm sure you're aware, Jesus had a lot to say about people like this.

Eh that's true. I wonder what the original Bible was like though. That would be exciting to read.
not really. you know he comes back in the end! :p

(couldn't help it)