"The Purpose Driven Life" why so many Christians love the book:

[hector459]

They don't read the Bible. There isn't any thing in the book that isn't in scripture. The problem is too many Chrisitans like to be spoon fed almost everything they need to give some thought to. If they would only spend half as much time in the Gospel of Christ and the New Testament as they do taking Old Testament scripture out of context to justify their intolerance and war-mongering, this book would not have been so stunning to them.

[imenja]

1. My question: Does Terry Schiavo live a purpose driven life?

I wonder how the Republicans would answer that one.

Irreverence aside, I also wish they would take the New Testament far more seriously.

[Ilsa]

3. I'm sure they could come up with something.

My guess is that they'd say that her purpose is to teach the rest of us the importance of .... taking care of disabled people. Yeah, that's it. That's the ticket.

I do believe people have learned something really important from TS: get your damn Advanced Directives/Living Wills/Healthcare Proxies done!

[madeline_con]

4. I can't resist...

I gotta give this one a shot. Schiavo's a lesson in "Christian" morals, and humility for 'know it all' doctors.

It's to teach Democrats a lesson about 'activist judges' appointed by Clinton. When she finally dies, her death will be blamed on Democrats!

I know it sounds like a paranoid rant, but I'm not that busy tonight...:freak:

[boomboom]

6. I actually agree with you here

This has very little to do with faith. I mean, it does, or it should, but it's become just another fight between which party has a claim to God.

[imenja]

8. I don't think it's paranoid.

another member posted a very interesting thread arguing that the whole point of this circus was for the Republicans to stack the federal bench. They wrote a law that refereed the case to federal courts, knowing full well that the feds would refuse to reconnect the tube. They then develop an excuse to railroad their uber right wing appointees through the Senate. It made sense to me.

[ktowntennesseedem]

11. It's all just "issue-de-jour" for Republicans.

Repubs in general, and religious-right fanatics in particular, don't see the connections between one issue and another.

[classof56]

2. Amen to that. Bless you for saying this! n/t

[boomboom]

5. ok, being a devout Christian and a devout Democrat

or, actually independent...i vote, just not registered.........A purpose driven life is not meant to include those unable to make a conscious decision to choose Christ. God protects all innocents....children, disabled, etc. Why so much anger at those who choose to believe? I understand anger at those pushing their belief down your throat. But give us true Christians a break....we're on your side. And the Lord's.

[RandomKoolzip]

7. It's getting harder and harder to distinguish between

"Good" and "Bad" christians these days because you guys simply aren't vocal enough about how fascists have taken over your religion. If you're upset about it, complain to THEM, not us.

[boomboom]

10. That's a good point

But, unless you're a Christian you can't discern the good from the bad. Only the loudest. Once you become a Christian you realize, truly realize, that it's not for us to judge anyone. Or, in my opinion, claim the right to speak for God.... but you're right.....I should write more to my pastor, ministers......I've been talking to my family and friends. Just not leaders.

But again, as a Bible student, I constantly pray that I have it right...it's all about our relationship with God. Not what politicians, with absolutely no theological training, tell us.

[thinkingwoman]

12. bull

"But, unless you're a Christian you can't discern the good from the bad. Only the loudest."

That's bull. And it's spiritually condescending. And it's just plain wrong.

[boomboom]

15. i'm sorry

I thought I was discussing how to discern one claimed Christian from another. Maybe I phrased it wrong. My point was that it is important to be able to separate those who claim to be from those who truly are. Hope this helps

[thinkingwoman]

21. I may have read you wrong

In that case, I'm sorry too.

I do agree with your point.

Peace.

[RandomKoolzip]

13. Thank you for realizing where the problem really lies.

To be on the side of the angels, you don't necessarily have to believe in angels.

[Tux]

14. SURE

Why so much anger at those who choose to believe?
Tell the next "witness" that you're a Buddhist, atheist, Wiccan, or Druid and see what responce you get then satori will occur.

But give us true Christians a break....we're on your side. And the Lord's.
"True Christians" died decades after Jesus. You may seem to be on our side but I seen Christians go from understanding me to acting hateful to me over 2 words: gay marriage.

Isn't arogant to assume god is on your side? How do you know god has a side assuming it cares?

[boomboom]

17. I'm not sure what satori means......

I'd be interested.....I love discussing stuff like this.

True Chistians did not die decades after Jesus. True Christians are what has spread the good news of our salvation through Christ and our Lord.

I'm on the side of all humanity. Gay or straight. I don't think sexuality is the deciding factor of salvation. I believe faith is the deciding factor of salvation. And that there is no human on earth struggling less or more than another to get there. You put your life, and and your faith, in the Lord. It's not a restricion, it's a freedom. As John Kerry said in the debates, I don't presume God in on my side. I pray that I am on his side.

Overall, I guess, my desire is that all people realize God is not our enemy. Those who distort God are.

[Tux]

18. Satori is, basicly,

That brief period of joy from Enlightenment. Ever have a problem you couldn't solve or concept you couldn't get but then did and felt good?

If you said yes to the past or now once the question made sense, that is satori.

[boomboom]

19. That's cool, seems rather Zen

I assume it's an eastern religion concept....

Eastern religions, in my very superficial knowledge, seem to deal more with how to function in this life. And I've been told, there's only one eastern religious leader who ever attained true enlightenment....

Is there a one of us who would ever attain everlasting life withoug Christ? God's grace or forgiveness? There IS more to life than these few years we struggle and survive on earth. I'm not saying eastern religion is exclusive of God. I haven't figured all that out yet. And, once again, it's probably not up to me..........

[mhr]

9. Been Doing A Lot Reading On Consciousness Lately

Best book read so far is Ken Wilber's Spectrum of Consciousness.



http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=Al4lAl9BLL&isbn=0835606953&itm=23

He makes the point that mystical Christianity and Eastern Mysticism are more similar than different.

I wonder how many Fundamentalist Christians would stomach knowing they have much in common with aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Ah, but comparative religious studies are not high on the list of Fundies, I am sure.

[LittleClarkie]

16. Oddly enough, I'm right in the middle of a bible study of that book

It's not bad. I've also discovered a group of Baptists that aren't bad either. I didn't know there were Baptist churches that were "accepting and affirming" or however that goes. They sort of accept a person as they are. Very individual church-driven. The central group doesn't tell them what to do. One of the saner groups I've run into. And here I thought the Baptists were all fundy and extreme and homophobic. Color me surprised.

Eh, that'll teach me to be prejudiced.

I understand what you say, but it's not a univeral truth. Some Christians do indeed not read the Bible. I remember listening to a Baptist pastor rail against those who outwardly do all the "right" things that "good" Baptists are supposed to do, but are miserable S.O.B.'s otherwise. I think it was a sermon on Pharasees.

Yessir, we ain't all bad. But I'd be the first to admit there are those out there who make my teeth itch and my butt pucker.

[boomboom]

20. Teeth itch

What a great description!

[sarcasmo]

22. Because they are sheep and when one of the flock tells them it is a great

book they will all eat it up. This is classic case of Kool Aid syndrome. Look at all of the Love Wins stickers on Jesus freaks cars one tells them it is what Jesus wants then they all do it. These people are so easily manipulated by the "good book" that is why the Repukes went after this section of society.