From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Subject: Re: Jesus Would Gag
Date: 27 Jul 92 03:13:10 GMT
Organization: SPSS Inc.

jxs52@po.CWRU.Edu (Jonathan Sheir) writes:


>I don't know that much about Christianity.
I agree with this statment...

>I do not believe in  God,
Ok, I can accept this...

>but from what I have heard about the teachings of Christ, he would
>be sickened by what Christianity has become.  
If you rephrase this with what 'part of ogranized Christianity has become,'
I'll agree with you.  But individual persons surely live good Christian
lives.  Or at least try to.

>Televangelists have used it to make money. 
Sure have.  But they do not appear to me to be true to the word.  There are
many who use the media without abusing it.  For evey Jim Bakker or Jimmy
Swagert, you'll find at leat 10 Chuck Swindolls, Steve Browns or James
Dobsons.

>Many others have used it to spread fear and hatred.
The Spanish Inquisition was no fun...nor are those who spread a Gospel that
does not preach love and tolerance.

>From what I have seen, Christians believe in an evil God.  
No, not at all.  Most Christians will claim that God is perfectly good, 
others that he is perfectly just.  At worst, you'll find some who claim he
is less than perfect in this area, but not many will claim He is evil.  I
say that God is perfectly just...'good' and 'evil' have no real relation to
God.  (That's another discussion)

>Unless you follow what the Church believes God wants, you are going to hell.
Depends who you ask.  First of all, the Bible contains clear instructions
for acheiving salvation.  No 'Church' is necessary.  Secondly, not all
Christians have or do beleive that people are consigned to Hell.  Ireneus,
an important Bishop in the 2nd Cetury AD, believe that in the end everyone
was saved.  Some Christians follow this teaching...

>Any God that is so cruel would not deserve to be worshipped.  
In your opinion.  But remember, it is *OUR* actions that cause God to
consign us to Hell.  God would prefer that we don't go there.

>The thing that sickens me most about Christians is how many of them look 
>down on other religions or lifestyles.
Christians do not hold a lock on doing this.  And yes, it's true that many
do this.  Others of us don't.  You just have haven't been in touch with
those of us who don't do this.

>Just because someone is not Christian does not mean they are inferior.  
No kidding.  No one is inferior.  In fact, Christ's mission was to the
downtrodden, the outcast, the lepper.  He damned those who were
self-rightous.

>And I can understand why someone would not approve of homosexual activity, 
>but why hold it against them in other aspects of their life.
The same can be said for other people and other reasons.  It's not just
Christians who do this.  Again, there are a number of denominations that
ignore sexual preference...and many individuals in other denominations who
ignore it, too.

>Most Christians really make me sick.
I'm sorry to hear that...not all Christians are bad.  In fact, most aren't.

 -Steve
-- 
 The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
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     adams@spss.com                           Phone: (312) 329-3522
     Steve Adams                              Fax:   (312) 329-3558