God in the flesh

Clive Durdle wrote:

God in the flesh

Please explain more of your beliefs - I think that is from a Creed, but I would like to know what flavour you are.

Why do we have white vans, fridges and washing machines?

non denominational

Boston University religion scholar Stephen Prothero argues that nondenominationalism hides the fundamental theological and spiritual issues that drove the division of Christianity into denominations in the first place behind a veneer of "Christian unity". He argues that nondenominationalism encourages a descent of Christianity—and indeed, all religions—into comfortable "general moralism" rather than being a focus for facing the complexities of churchgoers' culture and spirituality. Prothero further argues that it also encourages ignorance of the Scriptures, which in turn reduces overall religious literacy, increasing the potential for inter-religious misunderstandings and conflict.[3]

Fr. Jonathan A. Mitchican, a traditionalist Anglican priest, has also argued that the term non-denominational is essentially misleading: "If an American church calls itself “non-denominational,” nine times out of ten what that means is Baptist. Altar calls and appeals to personal conversion replace the sacraments as the means of grace. Baptism is a symbol of one’s personal conversion, nothing more, and it is only appropriate for adults", however this both misstates what baptists believe and what evangelical and 'low-church' anglicans believe. - A sacrament is a 'ministration of grace', whereas the 16th century reformation was based upon salvation by grace through faith wholly removed from the works of the flesh, furthermore baptists do not limit baptism to adults, Amish and Mennonites (who believe in baptismal salvation) do such, baptists believe in believer's baptism, if a child of 8 or 9 is able to make a believable profession of faith then they may (must) be baptized.[4]

Clive Durdle wrote:It isn't actually! I thought it was down to Cromwell

Clive Durdle wrote:Ok, are you born again? Have you been baptised in the holy spirit?

If you are agin xmas so was Cromwell!

Churches used to be multimedia experiences before they were whitewashed by the puritans, Canal boats and gypsy caravans have kept some of the traditions of painting stuff, but the puritans won with fridges and white vans!

So we have had colour (I see fun as related) painted out of our lives! BBC2 Colour snooker was of course the beginnings of the second coming!

Onyx8 wrote:And that whole Job story, many a belly laugh in that.

Clive Durdle wrote:Is there a reason why primarily some of the monotheisms seem to be against fun? I know there are exceptions like the Orthodoxy and Judaism, but why did Islam and Western xianities go puritan and agin sin?

jinxu wrote:

CdesignProponentsist wrote:Controlling one's thoughts (good thoughts vs bad thoughts) is a staple of any cult. Having fun usually involves free thought.

But in the course of having fun I hurt someone else wouldn't that be wrong? I see your point about cults and mind-control but good is good and bad is bad isn't it?

*edit*
If what is good for you is bad for me then what then?

jinxu wrote:I define "fun" as something that provides me a sense of happiness. Funny movies are fun. Joking with friends is fun. Working on a project at work and seeing progress is fun.

Can't speak for all religions, only mine, and I don't find anything in the Bible condemning fun. Just because the Bible espouses the benefits of hard work doesn't equal condemnation of having fun. The Bible does point out many things that are considered sinful and if those things are what you find fun then of course you are being sinful. Now, if what I find fun impacts someone else in a negative way then I wouldn't do it in front of them.