2007-08-31 03:14:07 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In some ways, it's much easier to live a moral life than a loving one.
Unfortunately, there are many Christians who are more focused on outward cleanliness than having the heart and mind of Christ, which reaches out to the world in love and acceptance, trying to make it better, no matter what the personal cost might be.
When it's all boiled down, Pharisee-ism allowed the person to (however subconsciously) believe that they were better than those who did not follow the law as strictly as they did. Fundamentalism can slide into this same trap--instead of seeing the knowledge of Jesus as a grace we've been given, that we should lovingly share with others, we pat ourselves on the back because we are so much better than "the world."
It's a sad situation--I think the main thing that keeps people from believing in Jesus is the actions and attitudes of many of his followers. (Which are NOT what he taught at all.)
2007-08-31 03:27:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only way your question could work is to ask it in regard to the universal educators who came after Christ. Then it would hold up logically because they were taking issue that Christ was the Messiah. The Pharisees rejected Christ because he didn't fit their LITERAL interpretation and understanding of their own scriptures. Is there instruction in that?
2007-08-31 10:22:05 · answer #2 · answered by jaicee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You make an interesting observation.
When your religion is based upon following rules of conduct, everyone becomes a judge as to how well you comply with the rules. And by judging themselves among themselves, they can feel better about themselves if someone isn't doing as well keeping the rules as they are.
Then, when one comes along and says the rules are immaterial and ridiculous, they all turn on that one, rise up on their self-righteous hind legs and yell, "heretic!"
.
2007-08-31 10:20:14 · answer #3 · answered by Hogie 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Pharisees rejected Jesus as the way to heaven. No fundamentalist does that.
Your straw man is dead.
2007-08-31 10:17:31 · answer #4 · answered by CJ 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Jesus hated the traditions of man over scripture. There's another group that does this...can you name it? I think you can.
†
2007-08-31 10:18:34 · answer #5 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
We have our share of bad apples in Christianity......
But the majority of us realize that man is sinful......and that we are forgiven of sin through Christ alone
2007-08-31 10:17:31 · answer #6 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋