The Conservative Bible

[Lilias]

Sounds like a RC influence to me. I wasn't taught anything like that while growing up in Greece (the concept was that repentance and the sacrament of confession are the only way to forgiveness of any sin, only more serious ones make it harder for someone to admit them and go through the process), and I can't find any similar reference to any of the more academic resources I use now.

[Cythieus]

Sounds like a RC influence to me. I wasn't taught anything like that while growing up in Greece (the concept was that repentance and the sacrament of confession are the only way to forgiveness of any sin, only more serious ones make it harder for someone to admit them and go through the process), and I can't find any similar reference to any of the more academic resources I use now.

When a Church crosses a border or sea sometimes they bleed into each other their traditions and the like. I can go to Catholic Churches which seem more like Baptist ones in some ways than most. (they even say the extra part of the Our Father).

[Avi]

Basically in Job all of Job's possessions and things are taken away to prove that he will still love God despite losing all of his possessions. Then there is the part in the New Testament where Christ says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

The way that I've heard the whole prosperity thing taught was this:  It's foolish and wrong to actively and greedily pursue objects, money, etc. just for the sake of having them.  However, as a believer, Christians believe that God will provide for them what they need, as long as they continue to work hard and be faithful to His Word.

At least, that's what most reasonable Christians I know take it to mean.

Back to the topic at hand, though.  Interpretation of the Bible has been going on since before it was even compiled into a single volume.  The problem is when people actively change what is written in the Bible in order to fit their worldview.  To me, if the Bible is the Word of God, which I believe it is, it's wrong to change it, since you're putting words into his mouth or taking them away.

You can interpret the words however you wish, just don't change the words themselves.

[kylie]

Prosperity doctrine or prosperity gospel, something like that ... it seems to be an American phenomenon. Some of the Christians I've discussed it with elsewhere really don't like the idea of it.

Weber wrote that historically, capitalism and Protestantism grew together in Europe; Protestantism provided a moral imperative in those places where capitalism succeeded.  Marx was also very concerned that religion was serving to distract everyone away from attaining class consciousness. 

     Perhaps the European association between "heavenly rewards" and Earthly prosperity is not so strong now as it once was in Europe.  I have pretty limited experience with Europe to go by.  When I passed through North and Central Europe some years ago, I had the impression there was a general faith in civil order and quite bureaucratic (sometimes rather smug) bustle and technical efficiency.  I did feel like quite a few service people looked down on me a bit as a stingy, cautious ("what am I buying exactly") and simply dressed budget traveler. 

     But I would also agree, there is definitely plenty of "heavenly entitlement or moral uprightness should equal earthly prosperity" in American rightist philosophy. 

[Chea]

These people literally hate liberalism. I have seen Christian morning shows call liberalism direct road to Hell. And its not even because of things like gays and other things you would think. They literally associate liberals with socialists and somehow sharing with the group means you're totally evil.

You're totally right, if ya'll look at any of Conservapedia's articles on Socialism, Atheism, Homosexuality, and Liberalism you'll see that they closely associate the three and say they're doing " the Devil's work".

[OldSchoolGamer]

Conservapedia=propaganda.

[Serephino]

No…let’s get that straight. YOU may be god’s ‘bitch’…not I.


I didn’t ask for this shit…I didn’t ask to be created and get dumped on this rock with you glorified monkeys and your trivial crap. But now that I’m here, I want some damned answers.

I don’t fear god, if god wants to face me down go for it. I’ll tell him straight up I want answers.

He wants my acknowledgment? What the hell do I care about how many levels up god may or may not be?

Through one cause or another, natural, god-given, or pure accident, I am cosmic material sprung up and evolved to the point that I can ask questions.

If a creator is so base and twisted that he wants to condemn me for the very thing he gave me the aptitude for, then I say bring that shit on. Don’t you dare send me to your opposite number…I’ll gladly work for him.

You know what... I'm sick and tired of all this shit.  I'm sick and tired of being belittled.  I'm sick and tired of being called stupid.  I was having a good day until I came on here and read this.  So I just have one thing to say


FUCK YOU

[Valerian]

Right, that does it.  This thread is no longer open for business.