Christians DON'T really practice what they preach most days

[1MEAN18]

Stop changing the subject, no one is saying any of that shit here. This is exactly how fucking stupid you are. You can't debate so you switch subjects or post memes. I could literally run around circles playing whack-a-mole with your bullshit but it would get us nowhere as you are too fucking dense to actually read or comprehend anything outside of your small brainlet view of the world.

You literally have no clue about economics, immigration, law, anything that would require more than common sense to understand. The fact is President Trump has already said you're wrong but you're too inept to realize it. This isn't even a Republican vs Democrat issue as both sides are equally socialistic.

bjstang is the biggest troll on the forum, he butts in and has something to say about everything even if he's totally wrong. sorry to see that now he's targeted you with his stupidity as he's done me time and time again. He's just got a problem with a very thin skin and not knowing the difference between objective and subjective things. It's really too bad the forum mods let him get away with his bs here, I guess it goes un-noticed? I dunno.

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[CrashOverride]

I am a Christian, and you are correct that we don't always practice what we preach. Just like any other group of people out there, there are many different levels of Christians, and many different takes on the Bible and on doctrines. I am an evangelical, which I believe to be the least liked of all Christians. I also go to a church that preaches the Bible directly and offers no spin, apologies, or coloring of what it says. There are areas which are subject to interpretation and some pastors take it upon themselves to try and say what they believe it says - some more forceful than others.

That being said, I am a sinner. I do it all the time and despite the fact that I try not to, I'm human and will make mistakes up until the second I die. So I certainly don't always practice what I preach, but I do the best I can and I do my best to ask to Lord and the person from whom I've hurt for forgiveness. It's not always easy to do, but again, I'm human.

Despite being an evangelical, I firmly believe that I live my life as best I can, and that others may question why I am the way I am. When that point happens, then I explain my Christianity. I once had an employee who knew I was a Christian tell me I was a lousy evangelical because I wasn't trying to "convert" him. I explained to him that everything had it's place and that I allow others to come to me. I then opened up my desk drawer and showed him I had a Bible, and told him that if he really wanted to talk about it, that I could get it out and explain why I believe what I do. But it's as simple as that. Do I feel very strongly about hot bed issues? Of course, but I am entitled my opinion. I don't bring it up, but sometimes people get angry when they ask me my opinion. I have family that is like that. This is where I get upset because ideas such as tolerance/co-existence/open-mindedness fail when one side takes angst against the other when the one side asks the other their opinion. tolerance (et al.) should go both ways. I have both agnostic and atheistic family members. I've flat out asked them what they believe happens (for example) when one dies. I don't ask them to judge, I'm just curious what they believe. I have a Buddhist colleague and I have talked to her at length just to get an idea about what she believes. Likewise, when asked, I explain what I believe.

I am an independent voter. I vote with what I believe aligns the closest with the Bible. Sometimes that means voting for someone that may have several negative traits, but in my personal assessment of the person, they are closest to the Bible. There are important points about this though. We all should know that what comes out of the mouths of the politicians should be carefully scrutinized. They say what they are told will get them the highest number of voters. I prefer instead to see how they have voted in the past, and see what companies/organizations/unions.groups/individuals have financially backed them. Most people vote with their wallet.

It's always easy to attack a president because one has the hindsight to judge the current president compared to their prior incumbent, with which we know nothing about "what they would have done".

But to circle back to the thread opener, you are correct, we Christians don't always practice what we preach. Some of us more than others.

Some Christians have what they call a "Life Verse" - whether it be their favorite verse of the Bible, or one that they know they need to concentrate on. Mine is applicable here (Phillippeans 1:20, KJV)

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

 

[Briebee72]

I love how people confuse religion and politics and lump them together. As for who is president why waste so much time worrying about it. I would care more about the real people who run the country not the figure head that honestly doesn't do much but gets all the blame and or praise. The president is like steve jobs, the guy got all the credit for everything apple did or invented and the guy didn't invent anything. It was everyone under him. just like the president all this bitching and going on , the guy is worthless, not just trump any president. Every president someone wants to impeach, every president is a total moron or god depending on who you ask, every president his supporters are idiots, every president is ruining the country. It is a broken record with political types. I give it 6 months and the next president they will be talking about impeachment too.

Just go watch a old tonight show rerun from the 60s and 70s. And listen to all his political monologues. just substitute any presidents name in there and it sounds just like it was made today. 40 -50 plus years and political types are still going on about the same stupid crap saying the same stuff they do about every president and every presidents supporters and the way the country is run. it is a broken record.

Think about this, if all the money and energy that has been wasted over the years fighting like school children was actually put into bettering the country, imagine where we would be. But instead has our government done anything for the last 4 years except spend 100s of millions of dollars, of our hard earned money no less, fighting with each other over stupid crap. It is like a school yard full of kids who just want to be right instead of actually doing their job and working on making the country better. I mean that is money that could have been spent on schools, homeless, cancer research, any number of things to help the country instead of fighting with each other pointlessly. Hell trumps up california's ass to do something about the homeless. The government could have build everyone homeless in california a house and then some with the money that has been wasted on the childish fighting in the government.

Honestly politics are just stupid its all pointless bickering instead of anyone doing their job.

 

[BarberStang]

I was stunned when Christian pastors all over America started lining up in support behind Trump back in 2016. I mean I get it, 8 years of Obama nearly wore all of us conservatives out, those 8 years we were constantly losing battles to the left which caused a lot of angst. Now, after 3 solid years of daily immoral and abusive behavior out of their "chosen one", Trump is finally starting to lose grip on the leaders of American Christianity. I say what the hell took so long! Why, not being a Christian myself, but being a long time Republican conservative, was I able to be immune from the wish to get some political wins and some conservative judges to stop abortion and other immoral things in America while excusing all the other bad behaviors? In 2016, I didn't think what we'd get from Trump (any R would have appointed those judges actually) was worth selling your soul for. Now that a lot of Christians have done just that, for some political wins, was it worth it to them? I sure hope so because as a voting block, Christians sure did hurt the perception of Christianity around the world by making such a sad and fleeting choice. I'm heartened to see a tipping point happening now, a fresh look at who this con man really is, and his behavior and actions are finally catching up to him! I'm not saying the left is any better, they aren't in my opinion but at least they don't co-opt any religions to help them do their dirty deeds. Now you can instantly disregard this message if you'd like, I know a lot of Christians aren't really much into freedom of choice or getting news from any source that is not Fox News, so you can deny my message because its a news clip from a rival cable news source, but after watching a few this morning, I came to the conclusion that this one was the one that was the most concise and accurate at reporting what Graham said thru his magazine and the media. So I leave information for you, if you are willing to not judge the messenger (even though we know Christians are generally pretty horrible at the commandment "judge not, lest thee be.") which is a direct biblical quote from the only person who should be their lord and master, Jesus Christ. If your lord and master is the almighty dollar, a politician or anything else, well then I don't expect you to like this message at all and I'm sure I'll get some pretty judgemental and hateful comments here just pointing that fact out.

What youre referring to about "judging" is Mathew 7:1. That does not say to not judge. It says do not judge hypocritically. We are actually commanded to judge. Kind of why there are no verses in The Bible. Only books. You cant do like the media, and forget everything else the chapter says around it. It would be like taking all of this reply, and only using where I said "Only Books" and saying BarberStang cant look at magazines because he says only books! As for blindly supporting people, mmm, its a fair argument. I do see what I call "traditional Christians" who have always went to church could quote the entire book etc, and are dead spiritually follow blindly. I support whoever is the president democrat or republican. Yes, the republican party is more in line with judeo christian values, but it doesnt mean Im a worshipper of Trump. I dont think hes the spitting image I want my children to reiterate, but his policies are what I'm seeing.

 

[Caballus]

What youre referring to about "judging" is Mathew 7:1. That does not say to not judge. It says do not judge hypocritically. We are actually commanded to judge.

What about James 4:12?

 

[BarberStang]

What about James 4:12?

What about the whole chapter? This verse again isn't about making a "judgement" its about making arrogant slanderous remarks.

 

[Caballus]

What about the whole chapter? This verse again isn't about making a "judgement" its about making arrogant slanderous remarks.

I believe a different, equally legitimate interpretation would be that that the verse is consistent with the theme of the chapter. The chapter, in a nutshell, urges followers to eschew pettiness and instead to submit to God and His law. The specific verse is, indeed, about judgement, emphasizing that only God can judge in context of His law. By the way, I note that you have a different interpretation, but I won't judge you for it

 

[BarberStang]

Luke 17:3 1 Timothy 5:20 Romans 15:14
We are to judge righteously. Not hypocritically, not arrogantly, but righteously.

I believe a different, equally legitimate interpretation would be that that the verse is consistent with the theme of the chapter. The chapter, in a nutshell, urges followers to eschew pettiness and instead to submit to God and His law. The specific verse is, indeed, about judgement, emphasizing that only God can judge in context of His law. By the way, I note that you have a different interpretation, but I won't judge you for it

 

[Caballus]

Luke 17:3 1 Timothy 5:20 Romans 15:14
We are to judge righteously. Not hypocritically, not arrogantly, but righteously.

Yes, and that speaks to the contradictions one finds throughout the Bible, hence the wide range of interpretation and the application of the Scripture by many in support of vile and base actions (slavery, war, murder, etc).

 

[BarberStang]

Sir, respectfully, and lovingly you are wrong. There are no contradictions in The Bible. Your perspective of doctrine isn't an absolute truth. Colorblind people think colors are one thing when actually they are wrong. Not by their own choice (understandably), but nonetheless their view on the subject isnt correct. An interpretation doesn't indicate an undisputed truth when there is missing information whether ignorantly or by honest neglect.

Yes, and that speaks to the contradictions one finds throughout the Bible, hence the wide range of interpretation and the application of the Scripture by many in support of vile and base actions (slavery, war, murder, etc).

 

[Caballus]

Sir, respectfully, and lovingly you are wrong. There are no contradictions in The Bible. Your perspective of doctrine isn't an absolute truth. Colorblind people think colors are one thing when actually they are wrong. Not by their own choice (understandably), but nonetheless their view on the subject isnt correct. An interpretation doesn't indicate an undisputed truth when there is missing information whether ignorantly or by honest neglect.

Sir,

Respectfully I disagree with you. There are countless contradictions throughout The Bible, which many write off through interpretation, "well, it says this literally, but really means this..."

Further, I do not believe either of us can definitively declare ourselves correct in regard to The Bible. Neither of us has been endowed by the Creator with absolute truth. We are both interpreting based on our own perspectives and biases. So, no, I am not wrong.

What we CAN establish objectively are interpretations of The Bible that have led to peace and love, as well as interpretations that have led to war, enslavement, sexual abuse... Our own American history is replete with examples.

So, do Christians practice what they preach? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. However, even when it is "yes," the practice is based on interpretation (which is neither objectively right or wrong) and that interpretation can undergird some of the most vile of human actions.

As for The Bible condoning our propensity to judge our neighbor, that too is open to interpretation and complicated by contradiction (according to my, interpreptation).

 

[BarberStang]

Im so sorry that you think the way that you do. Have a good one.

Sir,

Respectfully I disagree with you. There are countless contradictions throughout The Bible, which many write off through interpretation, "well, it says this literally, but really means this..."

Further, I do not believe either of us can definitively declare ourselves correct in regard to The Bible. Neither of us has been endowed by the Creator with absolute truth. We are both interpreting based on our own perspectives and biases. So, no, I am not wrong.

What we CAN establish objectively are interpretations of The Bible that have led to peace and love, as well as interpretations that have led to war, enslavement, sexual abuse... Our own American history is replete with examples.

So, do Christians practice what they preach? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. However, even when it is "yes," the practice is based on interpretation (which is neither objectively right or wrong) and that interpretation can undergird some of the most vile of human actions.

As for The Bible condoning our propensity to judge our neighbor, that too is open to interpretation and complicated by contradiction (according to my, interpreptation).

 

[Caballus]

Im so sorry that you think the way that you do. Have a good one.

I'm honored that you think differently. That's what makes the world interesting. Have a good one as well.

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