Is being a Evangelical Christian supposed to impress people, when they promote bombings & nuclear genocide?
337466
Well, I feel that politics and religion should be keep separate but then how would the republicans get a vote . So, I will continue to watch Bush make a fool of himself on the Letterman Show.
301725
Well its, not just you.  They bother Wiccans and New Agers and Neo-pagans all the time too.  I think that Athiests and pagans are their favorite targets, because most Christians are so misinformed about our beliefs by their religion and religious authorities.  \n\nAnd fundamentally, protstyltizing is less about a farith then it is about ego and disrespect.  Evangelical Christians think they are better then everyone else because their brand of God is better then any other.  Anyone who isn't in their jolly little cult is an inferior being, not worthy of respect, whom they have to save from themselves.  On a basic level, that is egotistical and rude.  It assumes that athiests or Wiccans or Buddhists are stupid or brainwashed for having different ideas.  \n\nI have a Hindu friend who was tired of people giving her little "Jesus Saves" brochures, so she made up some fakey ironic brochures about how Hinduism saves.  She would take their jesus brochure if they would take hers.  The idea was to get them to understand what it felt like to be treated like an idiot child, and to teach them a little about her beliefs.  It didn't stop the prostylytizing all together, but it taught some people a few things and scared some of them away.  Amazingly, they don't like being prostyltized to.
812751
Christians should be known for acting, talking and loving like Christ...that is if they are really a Christians.  We also have the responsibility to proclaim righteousness on certain ungodly issues like abortion and gay marriage to prevent people from falling into condemnation
891300
He didn't admit to actually saying this, so, it is hard to say 'why' he might have said it.  However, theologically, the far-right born again evangelicals (not all are far-right) hold some ideas most of us would consider somewhat extreme.  Such as the idea that the book of revelation has fortold the third world war and that the USA must be destroyed for Jesus to return... I know, because I was raised in this fear based tradition.
810688
every day a good evangelical republican gets exposed!!!\n\n\nyep! it is pretty damn funny.
1051532
The popular Christian vision of heaven is somewhat frightening I must admit. Yes hell seems more exciting indeed. I mean talking to the devil, wild parties, exceedingly loud music, drinking, (sex orgies without condemnation?), making fun of the devil to piss him off, etc. Well you know, people love fun, and for that you have to be a little naughty (or a lot). And we also need to consider that the Christians have demonised hell (like they demonise everything they don't understand), so yes I'll take my chances with hell and I bet it turns out to rock.
1043932
Geez..Bush is quick to pronounce himself a "good Christian" and good Christians have been murdering people and cultures for centuries all under the belief that they are improving the world.   With Christianity on the rise, why would you think this will stop anytime soon?\n\nBesides Bushbaby and his cronies are making a ton off the "rebuilding" of Iraq, waiting to pounce on IRAN and trying to salvage a presidency and republican control of the houses by masking the fact he's an idiot!
374862
This is one of those standard retorts that drives a stake through the hearts of bleedin' heart christians and their rabid war-mongering associates even.\nIt's a stumper for some, an opportunity for trotting out the prepared church answer for others.\nI am not one of either of these, thank the Dog!
163963
Have you noticed that asking for human beings to simply love one another has caused other people to hate you?  You're going to get yourself killed by one of those "peace-loving" religious types if you are not careful.  Look at the examples set by other prophets; they get killed for saying let's be nice to each other.  Even if you are successful in bringing about world peace, some religious nut is going to say that you are the "anti-christ" and kill you.  The religious world does not want to hear your message.  The rest of us are already trying to live it.  Thanks for the good thoughts and try not to get killed for them.
377016
I'm a Christian, but many times I think if I wasn't I'd be so turned off by how some other Christians behave/act/talk.  In the name of Christ, they do some really outrageous stuff or twist the scriptures to fit their own agenda. Or act SO radically ridiculous  that it is a total turnoff to those who maybe are seeking. It's only a small handful of people, mind you, but those few can really spoil it for those that are genuinely trying to walk day to day and show God's love in every circumstance.  I consider myself a radical Christian, but mellowed by age, and a general sense of not wanting to turn off and offend every person I meet!
1122094
It is true that some are over-zealous.  I, like you, believe that the faiths of others are to be respected... after all most faiths aspire to the same thing--happiness. Many of the principles of my own faith I see in the faiths of others.\n\nWhile serving a mission in Madagascar and the surrounding islands for my Church, I had the opportunity to learn a lot of other people's faiths.  I am a Christian... or I'd like to think I am.  I'm not always as good as I should be, but I do try to emulate the example of Jesus Christ whom I revere as the Son of God.  While I was there, I taught many Christians who belonged to other denominations, I also taught some people who worshiped their ancestors, others who were Islamic and so forth.  While on the Island of Mauritius, my American missionary companion was threatened by a man who said that if any bombs were to drop on Iraq he would kill him... but the experiences that I remember and cherish the most were not those of the extremists, the fanatics or the zealots, but that of those who silently lived their religions.  \n\nThe media likes to capture the bizarre the strange, the amazing and the horrific tales that do not occur on a daily basis.  It is often for this reason that we hear more about the extremists and fanatics, but I believe that despite the negative influences of those who take their religion too far, the often common and silent influences of those who live out their religions and their lives as they know best, far outway those fanatics.\n\nI once taught a muslim, an old fellow, who has marked my life and taught me one of my greatest lessons.  He had heard the news of Iraq and of September 11th.  He was not a rich man, indeed he was rather poor.  He let my companion and I enter his home, where he blessed us.  He was kind man, and showed us his Qu'ran whose cover was worn a faded with use, and whose pages and become undone and needed binding.  It was evident that he lived his religion, and had no problem in hearing my companion and I chat with him of ours.  We listened to him as he eagerly shared with us his faith, and recounted his desire to go to Mecca, which he had just acheived.  When we presented him with a copy of the Book of Mormon, he wept with gratitude, as he considered a book a very great present, and that he value of this particular gift was substantial.  I really loved our "partage" and exchange that we had.  Of all the things he wanted us to know most was that not all muslims were extremists, and that the actions of a few should not be representative of the whole of Islam.  He gave us food and drink before we parted, and unfortunately I have not heard of him since, but I will always remember him, and when I think of muslims, if ever I find myself stereotyping the actions of a few for the whole, I will think of that old man, and not of the September 11th bombings.\n\nI believe that that story can be applied to all religions.  \n\nI greatly admire those who seek to share their faith with others, whether it be knocking on door after door or whether they share their faith through their examples of quiet living.  It is important to have standards, to have faith, to have dreams, hopes and aspirations, but we must be careful that when we share these things with others that we do not impose them on them.  We must invite, but never compel others to believe as we do.\n\n"And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." Ether 4:12
989621
Rev. Barry Lynn is a member of the United Church of Christ, see http://www.auok.org/who_is_barry_lynn.htm This is one of the evangelical churches that see any association of Christianity with the government as evil  or bad. Like the Jehovah Witnesses will not celebrate any holidays, even birthdays, some evangelical groups feel that any involvement of government with religion corrupts religion. I do not share this view, but that is where he is coming from.
657385
Well, how pleasantly surprising to find that only 75% of the people responding to this are ignorant proselytizing judgmental morons...I was expecting something like 90-100%.\n\nHonestly, how is Christianity supposed to keep its flocks on the straight and narrow path (that leads to the collection plate) if they don't do a little scaremongering?  And you, my friend, are the perfect target...why, your NAME, according to my religion, implies evil incarnate; I might as well take my preacher at his word and not bother to find out anything more for myself.  I'll just keep my eyes and ears closed to anyone that might try to enlighten me on the subject...they're only after my soul, of course; they will only lead me astray...if I just trust in the people to whom I give my money I'll go to heaven and be all right...\n\nAhem.  Sorry.  I just get going.  No, seriously, it's the name, buddy.  Most people in the US are Christians and your namesake is their arch-nemesis.  But you don't need to be told that, am I right?  It probably wouldn't do a lot of good, but you could put a link with your question to a site that might enlighten the uninitiated.
811062
There is a lot of difference between claiming to be Christian and actually being one.  Many churches blessed the weapons of WWII Germans, while their brethren are doing the same thing here.
1080950
That is typical christian behavior and I would say somehing of bully status but dont condemn all christians because some of them actually are good ppl.even though they have been misguided. I do not fear jesus nor do I even know him.that theory that brought forth your question is a mind control device I think its up to you whether you take it or leave it.I left it sometime ago
641453
People who feel that way are responsible for all kinds of atrocities, because your religion devalues life.  There are even people who think a nuclear holocaust would be a good thing, for the same reason.  It's absolutely nuts, and I would urge you to seek professional help before you start killing people.
760093
None of them. \nI am not impressed with a god who forces me to believe under threats. \nI'm not impressed with the word "love" because it's used in so many contexts that how am I to know if he loves me in a caring way or if he loves me in the same way some people love marshmallows?\nI'm not impressed with the given good things stuff because both believers and non-believers alike have good things and nasty things in life. \n\nHere's what impresses me: a person who can love people and treat them good. You ask them why and they tell you that they want to be good people and believing in God has helped them to be that way. They do this without giving unasked-for sermons. It's exactly that approach that has encouraged me to believe.