I applaud your post-modernist diatribe, Trisha. Your position is well
thought-out and expounded. My point is two-fold: This is not the forum
for theological apologetics. It is of, by, and for folks with Cerebral
Palsy. Hence, my comment to "take it outside". The other, regarding
Christendom, I agree that horrible societal acts have been (and continue
to be) performed in the name of Christ, but that does not Christianity
make. You'll not find a cookbook for the Inquisition, Witch-hunts,
Crusades, etc. in the canon of the four Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and
John's Revelation. In fact, such are anathema to the message of Christ.
Also, I can't fathom your thesis that antiquity has bearing on the
validity of a faith system.
Regarding the bible-thumpers, yes, as a Christian I'm called to share my
faith. I'm also told by the same God to "shake the dust from my
sandals" and leave (in other words, 'Shut Up') if my message is not well
received. In this, yes, I think many Christians have done an incredible
disservice to the God they worship by beating people about the head and
shoulders with a bible when these folks would rather be left alone.
-Kyle
Trisha Cummings wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am totally curious what "alternate truth" systems are. Many many
> of what seems to get put in these catergories are belief systems that have
> been around a lot longer than Christianity. The earliest recorded proof of
> Paganaism - is a record of Isis that dates back to 7000 BCE - adding the
> 2000 CE years on makes Paganism 9,000 years old. Hardly an alternative.
>
> There are 12, long established, major world religions, each with over 3
> million followers: Baha'i Faith( est - 1844 BCE), Buddhism ( est
> 550 BCE), Christianity ( est - aprox 33 CE, Confucianism (est 500 BCE) ,
> Hinduism (4000 BCE) , Islam(600 CE), Jainism (550 BCE), Judaism ( est
> apprx 4000 BCE) , Shinto ( 500 BCE), Sikhism (est 1500 CE ) , Taoism (est
> 600,BCE), Vodun (Voodoo) (est 18th century).
>
> BCE - Before Common Era
> CE - Common Era
>
> Please note the number - there are oodles of smaller ones - Neopagan
> faiths are modern-day reconstructions of ancient Pagan religions from
> various countries and eras. They experience a high level of discrimination
> and persecution in North America, and are usually not practiced in public
> for reasons of safety. They are Asatru (Norse Paganism), Druidism ,
> Goddess Worship, Wicca ,and Witchcraft
>
> THe Christians borrowed heavily from Paganism (Perhaps even right down to
> the Jesus figure) - and managed to eradicated on most continents and
> Islands - they declared as their own. They warred with the others.
> Horrendous things have been done thru the 2 centuries - Christianity has
> been evolving - The Crusades - the Witch Trials - etc. Today, as Pagans can
> walk in freedom ( in some places) it is a growing Religion.
>
> There are about 1,200 formal Christian organizations in North America.
> Christianity is a severely divided faith with beliefs ranging from very
> conservative to very liberal. Unfortunately, many believers are aware of
> their own denomination's beliefs, but lack knowledge of what other
> Christians believe.
>
> Some the smaller religions are
>
> These are smaller religions, with a well defined belief in deity, humanity
> and the rest of the universe. Of the many hundreds of faith groups in the
> world, we have chosen these because of their historical significance, or
> because of the massive amount of misinformation that has been spread about
> them in North America:
>
> Caodaism, Druse, Eckankar, Gnosticism, [(Gypsies), Rom, Roma, Romani,
> Rroma ] , [Hare Krishna - ISKCON] , Lukumi , Macumba ,Mowahhidoon , Native
> American Spirituality, New Age Spirituality, Osho ® (followers of
> Rajneesh),
> Santeria , Satanism , Scientology , Thelema, Unitarian-Universalism
> and
> Zoroastrianism
>
> Other Ethical Groups and Spiritual Paths: Atheism, Agnosticism and
> Humanism
> Deism, and the Teachings of Dadaji.
>
> It seems to me there was leap in evolution of thought around 600-550
> BCE. Note the beliefs systems seem to cluster around similiar time frames -
> probably times that are pivotal to human development.
>
> Only 33% of the world is Christian - placed into perspective yet? I get
> many of facts and figures from a great site
> http://www.religioustolerance.org/ . To learn lots about really ancient
> Christianity - recommend - http://www.hemisfear.com/wcs/index.htm The site
> has an obnoxious Name - Why Christians Suck - but has excellent research on
> it. And to be purely fair and equally to counter WCS site - see
> http://www.sounddoctrine.com/ptimes/ - The Perilous Times. Tammy has a way
> words and graphics.
>
> There is no one right way - but there are more user and planet friendly
> beliefs. I am sorry the Christians don't like open season on them - None of
> us " alternative belief systems" do either. There is a Pagan Law called the
> Three Fold Law - which states basically - whatever you do comes back to
> you - threefold.
>
> Blessed Be
> Trisha
>
> >>Oh, Bobby, I agree whole-heartedly. I think the fad these days is to
> >>promote "alternative truth" systems, and because Christianity represents
> >>absolute, as opposed to relative, truth, it's become a modern-day
> >>whipping boy.
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