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Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 16th, 2009, 10:06 pm
by john

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 16th, 2009, 10:44 pm
by deadwhitemale

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 16th, 2009, 11:14 pm
by postodave
DWM - Did you ever read John Bradshaw? http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VGCn ... m=6&pgis=1 You might find him interesting - a lot of his stuff is about what parents do to their children.

John - I've been wondering about this myself - what the compulsion behind some of these arguments is and by that I mean primarily what drives me in that kind of discussion - is it insecurity or a desire to win or convert or what - I much prefer the kinds of discussion where people can explore ideas together and get insights from different individuals or traditions as I think is happening in the Lewis/Anscombe thread at the moment.

I used to go on a site where the guy who ran it was a Christian and had this vision to change the world through what he was doing. As you might guess he got very frustrated at all the bickering and ended up closing down all the forums. I don't think it's only Christians though - there was a question in New Scientist a few months ago about why these arguments break out on forums and I suppose it could be the lack of face to face contact. Perhaps we'd all get on fine if we just met in a pub somewhere. Then again we'd probably all get really sheepish and mumble at each other.

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 16th, 2009, 11:16 pm
by john

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 3:30 am
by deadwhitemale

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 4:39 pm
by postodave
Hi DWM
Just to make it clear - I know you are not arguing or quarrelling - those comments were a response to something John was saying which in turn was a response to someone else. But there is a lot of arguing on this site and most internet forums and I can be as dogmatic as anyone, and although there are times when it's right to stick to your guns I think we lose our perspective sometimes.

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 5:55 pm
by john

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 6:34 pm
by rusmeister

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 7:02 pm
by Leslie

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 7:06 pm
by Tuke

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 7:12 pm
by Leslie

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 7:23 pm
by Leslie

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 9:31 pm
by john

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 9:52 pm
by john

Re: Differing definitions of "Christian"

PostPosted: May 17th, 2009, 10:06 pm
by john
Tuke, I truly mean no offense whatsoever in any of my comments. I was trying to describe how things appear to me. With multiple Christian churches, all teaching different things (some of them contradictory)...they simply can't all be right. Even those who just say they follow the Bible don't agree with each other on (for instance) how somebody should be baptized, or even if it's necessary at all.

I just simply don't understand, that's all.