"Loving of enemies is another dogma of feigned morality, and has beside no meaning....Those who preach the doctrine of loving their enemies are in general the greatest prosecutors, and they act consistently by so doing; for the doctrine is hypocritical, and it is natural that hypocrisy should act the reverse of what it preaches." – Thomas Paine
"The Bible was established altogether by the sword, and that in the worst use of it -- not to terrify but to extirpate." --- Thomas Paine
"What is it the Bible teaches us? -- rape, cruelty, and murder." – Thomas Paine
Christianity cannot live in peace with any other form of faith. -- Robert Ingersoll
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2007-09-13 12:29:56 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yep it sure is. You only have to look at how fast it takes a Christian to tell a non- believer they are going to burn in hell. How nasty can you get?
2007-09-13 12:33:54 · answer #1 · answered by xanadu88 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
love your enemy !
Well, it is not easy I guess !!! that is a divine objective !!!
obviously in conflict with flesh !
Yet i think that the complete sentence would be ... "love even your enemy", meaning that you should love every one !
Obviously not easy to achieve with human means without the help of God.! so the result for some people (most including me) would be a type of hypocrisy which would be trying to be what one is not ! (it still is an attempt somewhere to become better ! it is not a machiavelic hypocrisy !)
The bible went through difficult periods ! where it was used as a tool of power by the vatican ... they were not always the bests ...
Read the bible, i do not think that it teaches rape cruelty and murder like thomas paine writes !!
To live in peace with other religions ? based on the previous issue, it should live in peace with other forms of faith !! although trying to convince them that christianity is the best choice, ... choices are free and they should be tolereated as such !
may God bless you,
2007-09-13 12:41:43 · answer #2 · answered by tomcat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't care what Robert Ingersoll says, but I have seen first hand that there is a great deal of hypocrisy with those who call themselves "true Christians"; in fact, the worst, so I don't really need anyone to tell me to read what someone else, a book writer, or author has to say about "false teachings and hypocrisy". I've seen it all first hand.
It does waiver one's faith when they think they belong to a true Christian organization only to find out that they've been shammed and scammed, duped even.
The Bible I believe, but the people who perpetuate themselves as being True Christians is another sickening thing entirely. They like to use the excuse "Everyone's imperfect" to shield themselves and mask their own terrible iniquities.
Blah for the excuse makers...just Blah...
2007-09-13 12:35:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The principles are about showing love and mercy to others in the same way that God shows love and mercy to us, by the sending of His Son Jesus to sacrifice himself for our sins.
While hypocrisy is a big problem for a lot of Christianity, aren't people who accuse Christians of being hypocritical making a judgement? And what is the ground on which they make the judgement? Passages in the Bible about judgement are used to warn people how they love and judge others because Jesus is the ultimate judge who will judge the living and the dead.
If this is not something you have looked into carefully, can I suggest you do? Thomas Paine isn't offering a whole lot of hope and encouragement to this world. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
2007-09-13 12:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by Gruntled Employee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian, and let me tell you it is hard. I, myself, don't have a problem with judging others. Mainly because I know where I came from. I know what God has delivered me from. That's what is wrong with most Christians today, they have forgotten where they once were. Now, when it comes to loving your enemies, that's the hard one for me. My dad explained it best to me. We are to look at others through the eyes of Jesus. He loves everyone, no matter what they do, what they look like, or what they say. In Matthew 5, it says we are to love our enemies and be perfect as our Father is perfect. That is the goal of a True Christian.
2016-05-18 23:34:54 · answer #5 · answered by meghann 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These aren't just "Christian sayings". They're Scripture. That we as humans have trouble living up to Scripture should come as no surprise. Everyone(sorry,but) Everyone is a hypocrite, including Thomas Paine, Robert Ingersoll, and you.
2007-09-13 12:36:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
anyone can quote pros and cons of the bible...We have always expected this type of treatment because people without God are already in conflict with Him. Anyway, yes we love our enemies not wanting them to die a death of someone apart from God in eternal punishment. I have an exhusband that was very awful to me and I still pray for him daily and its been years... My ex may hate me and live in sin and yet I still love him in Christ... it is the same for anyone who hates me...I dont wish hell for anyone and neither does God. As far as sin, I will not consider sin to be good and good to be sin... so I will say the truth and defend the truth. God is extremely patient...He waited a long time before doing away with any evil people in the past, today He is even more patient and one can know Jesus at his deathbed. The judgement is after we die. I dont judge people, God does and I dont hate people but I will not accept evil as acceptable in my home and in my community. The rights we are given as citizens is not an excuse to live in wickedness.
2007-09-13 12:44:14 · answer #7 · answered by Ms DeeAnn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You quoted......Christianity cannot live in peace with any other form of faith. -- Robert Ingersoll
Robert Ingersoll was very wrong. Christianity has been the most peaceful religion over the last Century.
2007-09-13 12:37:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
First of all "don't judge others" is badly misinterpreted. The phrase is meant for judging non-Christians and whether or not they will spend eternity in hell or heaven. It has nothing to do with sin. We are supposed to judge sin. Sin is wrong, any and all forms of sin are wrong. So for me to say homosexuality is a sin and if you are practicing a homosexual lifestyle, is not wrong or judging you. It is judging the sin, not whether you are going to heaven or hell. If a person truly loves someone, they will want them to know the truth and turn from their sinful ways to avoid an eternity of hell. I realize that many sinners do not understand that form of love. Until they accept Jesus, the world dictates that any form of discipline or correction is against the person and not for them.
2007-09-13 12:39:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
everyone is a hypocrite to some degree.
the bible gives us a goal to be like Christ.
to fall short is natural, but not everyone tries to be hypocritic.
i understand what you mean with the pastors that molest boys, and other preachers that sin, but that is a small percentage compared to christians who actually care and try to do better.
2007-09-13 12:38:35 · answer #10 · answered by Daniel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The NT is filled with hope, not with what thomas paine quotes. I try to live in peace with everyone, I live and let live, many christians can be hypocrites, but cant we all?
2007-09-13 12:32:33 · answer #11 · answered by Ally... 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋