Christianity used as a tool of oppression?

zaim187 · 12-16-2006, 11:05 PM

Christians always argue that their religion is one of peace, where violence is completely prohibited. Yet the sins commited by Christians under the guise of this peaceful non-violent religion are extraordinary.

aburaees · 12-16-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Christians always argue that their religion is one of peace, where violence is completely prohibited. Yet the sins commited by Christians under the guise of this peaceful non-violent religion are extraordinary.

Yes, and these things are done when people ignore scripture... says more about the individual than the religion as a whole.
When an injustice is comitted in the name of Christianity, it is actually done by disobeying a direct order from Jesus....

However, there are other worldly traditions that actually permit, even command the use of the type of violence you are referring to.

Faithfulservant · 12-16-2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Christians always argue that their religion is one of peace, where violence is completely prohibited. Yet the sins commited by Christians under the guise of this peaceful non-violent religion are extraordinary.

Lol I can think of another abrahamic religion that this could be said of too..

zaim187 · 12-16-2006, 11:29 PM

Stick to the question instead of diverting attention towards other religions. The murders commited in the spreading of the cross outweigh probably the murders comitted by any other religious group

pattimax · 12-16-2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Stick to the question instead of diverting attention towards other religions. The murders commited in the spreading of the cross outweigh probably the murders comitted by any other religious group

It is heart-breaking to think of the atrocities that have been committed in Christ’s name. Are you blaming Christianity as a whole?

Faithfulservant · 12-16-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Stick to the question instead of diverting attention towards other religions. The murders commited in the spreading of the cross outweigh probably the murders comitted by any other religious group

Hold on.. you are new here so let me welcome you

Now... Im not sticking to this question because the intention of it is to cause arguments and divisiveness.. Ive never murdered a person in my life even though I admit to the sin of thinking about it on occasion. So dont stereotype me thanks

path_of_one · 12-16-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Christians always argue that their religion is one of peace, where violence is completely prohibited. Yet the sins commited by Christians under the guise of this peaceful non-violent religion are extraordinary.

I would say that the sins committed by human beings are extraordinary, and violence has been a problem in every religious and political group I know of, save a few small sects/denominations (the Amish or Quakers, for example) that have always been minority groups rather than those in power. It isn't any one religion that is the problem, people are the problem. Lust for power, materialistic greed, and fear are the problem, and this seems to be universal.

Christians are defined differently by different people. I define a Christian as a follower of Jesus Christ, and we are told by the scriptures that the fruit (actions) of a person will indicate the state of their spirit and salvation. Those with the Holy Spirit become more kind, self-disciplined, humble, forgiving... essentially they become more like Jesus Christ over time.

Those that do not show such fruit indicate that no matter what they claim to be (Christian or otherwise), they are not following the path and teachings of Jesus Christ.

People can claim any label they want, but it doesn't make them so, at least when you're dealing with spirituality.

I think it is unjust and inaccurate to lump the two billion people who are Christians as all the same and blame Christianity for some of their violent actions. Likewise, it is unfair to blame modern Christians for what happened in the past (the Inquisition, Crusades, etc.). These were historical events that were as much political as religious (if not more so), and many minority sect Christians also died in these events. The history of violence in "Christianity" is far more complex than your brief statement, since some sects of Christianity have been used by and wrapped up in politics since the time of Constantine.

From what I've studied (for years in both social science and religious studies), most Christians (individually) have been non-violent, and there is a long history in the religion of completely pacifist individuals. How Christianity has been used by those in power is another matter all together, but you cannot really blame other Christians or the religion itself for this.

pattimax · 12-17-2006, 12:05 AM

Well said...

BlaznFattyz · 12-17-2006, 12:08 AM

the bad things people did under the name of christianity actually goes against christianity. it takes a little brainpower on your part to determine that those were just bad people.

pattimax · 12-17-2006, 12:37 AM

Another "well said."

Although, Path of One, I am sure that in all of your studies, you probably have realized one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth. To overcome human nature.(Lust for power, materialistic greed, and fear ) TRUE Christians understand this.

path_of_one · 12-17-2006, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattimax

Another "well said."

Although, Path of One, I am sure that in all of your studies, you probably have realized one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth. To overcome human nature.(Lust for power, materialistic greed, and fear ) TRUE Christians understand this.

Oh, yes. I would say that human nature is both all those vices and all of the good stuff that comes from being created by God.

Underneath our self-centered nature is God's light, our spirit that is alive in the Spirit, just waiting to be revealed. In dying to ourselves, as Paul says, we make the choice to have faith in Christ and follow Him, to accept God's grace. In that Gift of grace, upon our acceptance of it, is the seed of what we will become if we stay true to following Jesus. We pour out ourselves- our fears, our desires- so that God will fill us up with His love and His will. Jesus is this pure and beautiful Gift from God- not only to personify God's grace and love to everyone, but also to give us a perfect example of that for which we should be striving.

wil · 12-17-2006, 03:51 AM

It is the same on both sides of the fence, Islam cannot be blamed for the terrorists that exist. Who remembers when Cassius Clay and Lou Alcinder converted to Islam and attempted to utilize their peaceful religion in order to escape the draft?

At the same time we need to accept and own upto what has happened clear the air and move on. Not to say there aren't many Christians and Muslims who may very soon show up on this thread quoting chapter and verse on righteous judgement and why war is acceptable.

Quahom1 · 12-17-2006, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Christians always argue that their religion is one of peace, where violence is completely prohibited. Yet the sins commited by Christians under the guise of this peaceful non-violent religion are extraordinary.

Really? And the expansionism of the Moors and the Islamic state were not and are not as extraordinary? Please. The manifest destiny of Islam is not extraordinary? When confronted by Muslims I am given three choices. Convert to Islam, become subjugated, or die...guess what, there is always another choice...

Do not tell me, I don't know what I am talking about. I lived with Arab Muslims for 18 years of my life. The moderates pose no problem, true. But then the moderates are not the issue we face today, now are they.

And I thought Muslims did not consider sin...after all, they don't seem to regard their own scripture with any authority. Maybe in non Arab lands Muslims do, but in Arab lands, the old ways come first, the Qu'ran second. Isn't that right... yes it is. And the old ways are full of violence, and torture and death. And that is right in one's own home.

Before you talk to Christians about the speck in their eye, consider getting the beam out of your own.

v/r

Joshua

Quahom1 · 12-17-2006, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaim187

Stick to the question instead of diverting attention towards other religions. The murders commited in the spreading of the cross outweigh probably the murders comitted by any other religious group

In a pig's eye. In the Arab lands hundreds of thousands of people have been killed within the last 30 years, without trial, without justification or judication, just...wiped out. Not so in America or Europe. Only in Arab lands and Asia...I wonder where the peaceful religion is?

Quahom1 · 12-17-2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

It is the same on both sides of the fence, Islam cannot be blamed for the terrorists that exist. Who remembers when Cassius Clay and Lou Alcinder converted to Islam and attempted to utilize their peaceful religion in order to escape the draft?

At the same time we need to accept and own upto what has happened clear the air and move on. Not to say there aren't many Christians and Muslims who may very soon show up on this thread quoting chapter and verse on righteous judgement and why war is acceptable.

No, we, do not. We did not cause that pain and suffering years ago. And excuse me if I defend the Christian forum for what it is, thank you very much.

You can take all the blame you want for the greed and stupidity of the LEADERS of the Arab world that got rich from doing business with us while the people got nothing. I have no such intention.

Iraq had a golden opportunity to leap ahead and become a shining example of how societies in the Middle East could be, and they blew it. We all but handed them the golden key, and they blew it up.

That is not our fault. I'll tell you something else. The news focuses on three provinces in Iraq to show us how bad we've done...but there are 15 other provinces quietly fixing their problems, that you NEVER HEAR ABOUT.

You're an environmentalist...wouldn't you want to know that the United States Army and Corps of Engineers restored the old marsh lands nearly back to original within two years? They'd been dead for nearly 20 years.

Do you know why Saddam never had problems with insurgents? think about it...he had them and their families wiped out at the first hint of discord.

Maybe the US should act the same way...eh?