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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on May 21, 2018 10:16:55 GMT -5
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Post by minx on May 22, 2018 11:08:37 GMT -5
I know that I am lacking, and I try to remember this constantly so I can try to do more than I am.
I like this pastor's approach on a broad scale, but what I would also like to see is religious leaders and other activists calling out what people can do on an everyday level. It's not enough just to vote, and then wash your hands of the process. We all should be doing something to help others, even if it's small. And of course, we should take the scripture verse to heart "To whom much is given, much is asked"
It's not enough to say "I gave a box of cereal to the food bank this month" if you have the wherewithal to donate 20 boxes. Likewise, it shouldn't be expected that you donate a box of cereal, if you yourself have to rely on the food bank. However, you might be able to help a neighbor with a simple repair or something along those lines.
I think too many people are getting into the mindset that all they have to do is vote or 'educate' people about what needs to be changed. We also need to all go out and actually 'do' something as well.
Because like John noted, there will come a point where you will have to answer for your actions, regardless of your religion. Do you want to sit on your deathbed alone realizing that others are saying you were a cold-hearted son of a bitch, or do you want caring people around you telling you that however small, your life did have meaning?
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Post by bobathon on May 22, 2018 11:14:51 GMT -5
That's all well and good, as long as you leave super rich fatcats out of it.
PS God killed a couple for trying to hide their assets. If you believe in that sort of thing. Acts 5, just after Acts 4 reveals you need to sell all your property and help the less fortunate. #MAGA.
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on May 22, 2018 14:39:39 GMT -5
Absolutely.
It says "take this all of you...." not ""but first pee in this cup".
I think where he's coming from and what he's getting to is the heyuuuge disconnect between Christianity and conservatism, and the massive hypocrisy by those who claim to be both. That's important morally but also politically because the fact of the matter is; if and I mean IF we are really a Christian nation as they are always so quick to point out, then we are doing it entirely wrong.
This would be a great message to run on for Democrats.
By the way, I'm more of a NT kind of guy when it comes to believing if it is His word than the straight up fairy tales from the old one. See Matthew 6:2
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Post by minx on May 22, 2018 16:20:49 GMT -5
While I love all the smiting in the OT, I am definitely a NT type of person, and if most of these so-called conservative Christians actually READ the NT, they would see that Jesus actually says that he is the 'New Covenant' which basically means that his teachings are meant to replace the OT completely.
The speaker at my daughter's commencement this weekend was in the first integrated class after TN struck down it's segregation laws (originally the college was integrated, but in 1904 TN passed a law making it illegal to educate whites and blacks in the same school or college - so progressive!). Anyway, her message was 'Rise Up!', and the gist of it was that when you saw inequity, poverty or discrimination to rise up and try to do something to help bring about a change. Even if the only change that was within your ability was to help one person, it was important to try.
I think that's what all of the 'conservative christians' are missing. We all, regardless of our religion or personal beliefs need to 'Rise Up' and make a difference for the better.
And as I said before, the more you have, the more you need to do so. Sadly, there are too many studies that show the people who volunteer and give the most are the ones who have the least to give.
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Post by bobathon on May 22, 2018 17:11:48 GMT -5
Funny, minx, I hear that holds true for tipping wait staff as well.
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Post by minx on May 23, 2018 8:19:31 GMT -5
Well, you don't get rich by helping others you know.....
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