OpenChristian

In the 1930s, the rise of Nazism brought centuries of animosity between Europe’s Catholics and Protestants to an end. Why?

In-depth analysis, crossposted from https://reddthat.com/post/45736754

Archbishop Thomas Wenski criticized the remote location of the detention site called "Alligator Alcatraz" and the rhetoric surrounding it.

Crossposted from https://lemmy.world/post/32916664

“But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:34

As much as it pains me to say there’s plenty of people who claim to be Christians but spew hateful lies. What made me a progressive Christian however? It had something to do with growing up and seeing the world. I grow up being taught to love thy neighbor, be good to others, and hold no hate. I grew up and I go through ups and downs. I get hate thrown at me and I learn more about myself. All this time I hold my morals of caring for others and find comfort in my religion. My religion helps me and I want to keep doing good and makes me want to make up for some of the pain caused by those who spew their hateful lies. I hope everyone has a good day and thanks for reading

> > > JERUSALEM (RNS) — Organizers said the ceremony must be performed before the Jewish Temple can be rebuilt in Jerusalem, ushering in a messianic age of peace. > >

Forcing divinity to act seems kind of opposed to https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40%3A31&version=KJV

Crosspost linked. An excerpt from the poll is in comments.

I saw this article on Mastodon and thought the community would like to read it as well

Cross-posted from https://lemmy.world/post/32778380

I learned about the Friend through This video I believe it was a really good deep dive and respectful to the friend who not only experienced hate for the the Friend‘s gender identify at the time but later historians attempts to discredit the Friend‘s identity. Also Public Universal Friend wished “referred only to "the Public Universal Friend" or short forms such as "the Friend" or "P.U.F.", and many avoided gender-specific pronouns even in private diaries” so I'm using these terms instead of they.

This is one I’ve wondered about for a while. Common ways the Abrahamic God (I'm focusing on Christianity‘s interpretation of god but if anyone has examples from other religions please let me know) is described are. The father, a Shepard. There are also some instances which while not directly referring to God use female analogies.

Examples To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:20

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

Isaiah 49:15

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice Psalm 95:6

Wikipedia has a good article about the topic for those interested. I lean more towards the “divine gender” as the article puts it or as God being a being which doesn’t have the human concept of gender. What does the community think about the topic?

During my research about Christianity I’ve discovered there is a lot more cross variations than I knew about. What’s some of your favorite ones?

Edit

NOT THE ONES USED FOR Crucifixion I mean the cross used as symbols forgot to say that part sorry!

It’s amazing to see this community grow as quickly as it has!

I know meditation isn't necessarily a christian thing. Maybe prayer.

I figure, buddist or christian, we're all studying the same reality. Whatever we call it or however we describe it. And in our process of investigation we will all do that same self-cultivating and deeper seeing.

I do shikantaza (zen meditation).

Many modern Christians say principalities and powers represent the Kingdom of Hell and demonic entities. I can't recall all the sources, but in my meanderings over the years, I've heard both Rabbis and hermetic kabbalahists argue that this is something we should take literally. Ancient Israel existed in a time of kingdoms and empires, principalities were areas ruled by kings and emperors, the powers were themselves and their appointments.

Does anyone have any logical disagreement?

Romans 8:38

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come...

Hey y’all I watched this video a while ago and it got me wondering about any other interesting Christian relics let me know of any you find interesting

In the fifth chapter of Matthew, Yeshua gave the Sermon on the Mount, the verse quoted is the third. I always had trouble with that, and a YT channel I recently watched said that it means when we realize how little we know, let alone fully comprehend, we are humble before God, and while we fall short, we stay humble. That makes sense to me, and as I learn more about my faith, I realize how many layers of kenning there are to single words of the Rabbai, let alone entire sentences and whole teachings.

I've been thinking a lot the last couple of days about the spiritually curious or spiritual babes. Jesus demonstrates a special soft spot for these, the outcasts, and those dwellers outside of Israel. Not a single miracle I can name was performed in Israel, and Jesus himself was born in Palestine.

Jesus told the story of religious clergy passing by a man beaten, robbed, and left for dead, in their way to Temple, and of the good Samaritan. He asked who among the crowd that would lure him into speaking in favor of breaking the law would leave a lamb that in the well on the Sabbath, demonstrating that legal and moral/Godly aren't necessarily the same. Questioning, seeking, not being hell-bound on moral relativism is a good thing

I don't remember which movie it was in a couple of decades or so ago, when an archangel assured a sinner that is when you feel most lost is when you're closest to being found. Indeed. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven, that isn't lo, here, or lo there, but within you.

By: u/Lone-Wolf-6314

Some argue that video games are a fictional outlet—an immersive experience where we can play as morally complex characters, even criminals, or in "bad guy vs. bad guy" scenarios.

After going through a long period of inner conflict, I decided that I would only play video games where the protagonist aligns with Christian values. If a game asks me to do something I wouldn’t agree with in real life, then I choose not to play it. However, this feels extremely limiting and cuts out so much content for me.

So, if I’m playing as a cowboy or a samurai seeking revenge against other wrongdoers—something I wouldn’t do in real life—then I feel I shouldn’t be engaging with a game like that, especially if it doesn’t emphasize forgiveness or reflect what we, as Christians, are called to do.

This personal standard has really limited the kinds of stories I feel comfortable engaging with in games.

I do want to play the video games and stories for the arc, storytelling, climax, plot, but the guilt and anxiety I feel from virtually playing as a gray or evil character upsets me even if it's for the storyline and game.

There's also another thing to consider: Everything is permissible, but not all things are spiritually beneficial. I feel like by playing as a worldly character, it can alter or change me. The other side of me however argues that I want to explore fiction and imaginative scenarios told through video games and art.

By: u/That_Chikkabu

So I’ve been kind of deconstructing the concept of hell, I’ve been talking to a fellow about it and they said that Matthew 25:41-46 depicts an actual eternal hell punishment.

They’ve mentioned depending how we use the Greek word, if we use eternal as a different way that most scholars do than the eternal also used for eternal life would be the same thing as well. Meaning, eternal life isn’t actually eternal but it is sort of temporary.

What do you guys think? Do you think hell is actually ever depicted eternally and concious? Is this more of a God issue than a Bible issue?

By: u/Bignosedog

There are certain aspects of our faiths that differ, but I truly believe some divides need to be understood as what the spirit of the action or belief is with the desire to find similarities rather than differences.

We are all attempting to be part of Jesus's flock which is what he desires. Please keep that in mind when you think about our differences. Though Jesus's sheep dog (pig?) may need to work harder on some of us than others, we are still looking and wanting that guidance.

The animosity I see between Christians is heartbreaking. We disagree on many things even within denominations, but we are all trying to follow the same God. I have strong feelings towards some and believe their actions hurt the cause, but on some levels we are all still trying. Viewing it through that lens will soften the heart and allow for a discourse that might, probably not, but might actually lead to the change we wish to see.

By: u/Emotional_Click_9970

I have had a hard time figuring out how biblical modesty about wealth should be applied today.

If we follow the scripture literally, then braided hair and gold are banned, which seems excessive.

On the other end it's obvious that someone with excessive wealth should distribute what they don't need.

The thing I'm specifically wondering is where is that line.

Like someone could survive just on food, water, and shelter, but saying that having any joy in life from possessions is a sin feels unreasonable.

At what point is using wealth for yourself a sin?

By: u/MistrRobott

Hey everyone!

So as the title says, I am currently looking for some progressive Christian who are accepting. Unfortunately, all the channels I have come across were conservative-leaning, and were not accepting. I would appreciate some good recommendations!

By: u/redheaded_olive12349

In my specific faith, I believe that the bible was mistranslated or misinterpreted over time.

Such things as homosexuality and stuff (you know all kinds of stuff) were never condemned in the original bible.

We believe that early Christians never believed these things and that was the original bible.

Not sure if I'm technically Christian anymore, but for the sake of the discussion let's just pretend that I am. I still believe in a soul and a god in any case. I've been reading about determinism, and it really disturbs me. The idea that everything we do is determined solely by a chain of external factors that have happened to us, and we have no hypothetical ability to make any other choice than the one we do.

I see mostly pysicalist atheists argueing for this, but I fail to see how it changes much even if God is in the picture. This means that feeling proud of people, feeling disappointed in people, choosing to be better or to stagnate, being encouraged by people with good hearts or discouraged by people who 'choose' to do evil, and most importantly moral culpability.....it's all an illusion. A practically useful one in our day to day, but an illusion. Courage, justice, choice, compassion, creativity, freedom, all of these concepts that make us human are paper-thin under this framework. We are incapable of choosing our own paths, and we always have been. We were never capable of making different choices. Autonomy isn't real.

Now I don't want this to be true. I want there to be, ultimately, some cohesive self that is capable of making free (not uninfluenced, but free) decisions of whether or not we act in ways that are good or evil, by some complex and unknowable system. But even with the existence of God and a soul taken into account, I can't understand how that could be. Physics or the existence of the spiritual aside, it just becomes a logic problem at a certain point. Either everything we do has a reason, which ultimately has to be external, or the things we do are entirely random.

Which feels pretty bleak. No one can claim ownership of any of their 'decisions,' good or evil. No one can claim they chose to rise above themselves and no one can claim anyone else could have chosen differently when they do something wrong. There is no such thing as responsibility. Who we are is entirely governed by chance. 'Humanity' is mechanical. Does it have to be this way, even under the Christian view? Am I thinking in too severe black and white?

Focus on The family as an organization genuinely beyond confuses me.

How in the world are you gonna promote helping families and leading with Jesus example then proceed to refuse service to lgbtq people and call transitioning a "devastating condition"???

How is calling children of gay and lesbian parents "Human guinea pigs in the same sex experiment" ANYTHING LIKE JESUS??

I'm aware there are many Christian organizations that are against lgbtq, duh!

But how does ANYONE no matter belief, think this is a good way to lead??

Maybe its just me, but I dont think this is the way to guide ppl to Christ?

I believe the president Jim Daly said marriage equality is the downfall of civilization.

Again ppl can believe whatever they want to, but I'm really struggling to see where this counts as leading with Jesus' example 😭

This is one of the most common criticisms about Christianity that I have heard.

BEFORE YOU GUYS START A WAR. PLEASE HEAR ME OUT!!!!

(and Sorry for using the expression “unalive,” but this is important and I need you to read this! And I don't want it to be taken down, so sorry) Recently I found out about the founder of Save a Fox unalived (an organization that saves animals I think) unalived herself. And I told my mom, and what she said was: “Well, she shouldn't have done that” She said that unaliving yourself in a deadly sin.

But I believe she's just wrong, I don't believe god would eternally torture you because for me that would be like giving a victim of SA a life sentence. For some reason, it looks like many Christians believe people unalive themselves because of some dumb trend or something, when in reality Unalimentation is connected to things like depression, and depression is caused by things like: bullying. Witsh the save a Fox founder’s husband said that her wife was dealing with a lot of cyberbullying. People like her just needed help, but unfortunately, they didn't get it on time. That’s why I say that god punishing people that unalived themselves is like giving a victim of AS a life sentence. Those people are victims, they just needed help, and instead of giving them the help that they need, we are here just pressuring them not to unalive themselves. Witsh in fact is just making people unaliving themselves even more!

We need to understand that people don't unalive themselves because they believe it is funny or something, but because they are having a very hard time and then their brain just starts asking to end it all. And no, you just can't brush that thought. Trying not to have unaluvement thoughts is fighting your own brain, and fighting your own brain is like saying to a bird not to fly. And it doesn't matter if you say that unalaving in a sin. That is just saying to a bird not to fly because if they do you would shoot them. The same way they won't listen to you and just fly regardless of the consequences, your brain is going to have unalivement thoughts until or you end it all. Or you go get some help.

And the expression of: life is a gift from god just sounds stupid and a dumb way to justify those beliefs. In the same way some gifts can be terrible so as life. And instead of you trying to help that person fix their gift you’re just telling them that you get what you get and you can’t throw it away. Otherwise, there will be consequences.

And now talking about God handling unalivement. If god can see you so he would be able to see your sadness. And if God is all-powerful so he would be able to feel what you feel. Then having a lot of sympathy for you. So if god can see and feel you and your sadness and still choose to send you for internal torture that just would make God a horrible God. And then we get another big problem I have with a lot of other Christians. How they make God look like some sort of horrible being that has no mercy.

A good example if this is back when the wildfires were happening in California., how a lot of them say that the wildfires were a punishment by God. And at the same time, they say that God is love. But in the same way I can’t unalive 75 people and say I'm a good person so can’t god. Seriously whole forest where being destroyed. People were losing their homes and lives. And they were just making that horrible event as a deserved punishment. All of that just because some dumb dudes compared god to some guys. And for me, they are making god look like someone who can’t ignore dumb people and unalives everyone around to scare people off. Witsh that isn’t a lovely God, that is basically a tyrant.

That's why I don't believe that god made the wildfires, condemns unalivement, homosexuality, people from other faiths, or that who don’t believe in him. Or even hell to begin with. Because God is a god of love, not some monster that wants power, control, and attention.

That was my opinion, Thank you for the time. And sorry if something doesn't add up or there are a lot of misspells I'm a little tired of writing this and English is not my first language. Also, I'm better at speaking than writing. Also sorry if some information is wrong. But what I just want to say is that I don't believe god punishes people who unalived themslefs because it’s not their fault they were going through a difficult time.

That's a phrase that I heard recently, and I think that it's from some famous philosopher, but uhm...

I don't know how to debunk it.

I'm doing my best to believe without thinking too much about that.

Some days it gets hard tho, so I'd like to hear you guys' take on it.

Title kind of says it all, but I sometimes don’t get why he couldn’t have forgiven humanity.

I get time and time again he has but we didn’t listen, but I find it kind of hard to understand how an all loving God is able to give up his son.

I still love God ofc but this kind of confuses me.

Any thoughts?

Let me say that I'm not opposed to consensual adult sex work, at least in a secular sense, I don't believe that it should be illegal for the seller or even buyer (although Swaggert was never charged, also legally the correct decision as the evidence to meet the standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt was not there.)

But in Swaggert's case it makes him a rather blatant hypocrite not to mention clear sinner considering he was married.

What makes it even worse was his tearful apology video in 1988 only for him to get caught with another prostitute just three years later and showing the whole thing was likely an act.

But that's far from the worst that he did. Aside from his general promotion of hate in the 80s he engaged in fundraising for the Mozambique rebel group RENAMO, RENAMO was fighting to topple the Marxist government of Mozambique but engaged in such brutality and atrocities that even the US government opted not to back them.

And thus Swaggert opted to engage in fundraising for them and used a lot of his ministry funds to provide support.

Not much different from what funding ISIS or the Lord's Resistance Army would be.

Definitely his greatest crime and one he doesn't get enough attention for.

So he's with God now...I can only imagine what's being said. I am also trying not to rejoice in anyone's death.