blackbird Posted March 27 Report Share Posted March 27 (edited) It is tragic. I don't know who offered the prayer, but the person who offered a prayer started by addressing the god who is known by many different names. He ended with an Amen but no mention of Jesus Christ. Obviously this was a politically correct prayer meant to try to appease all religions. But not a true prayer. Praying to all the gods is not a Christian prayer. According to the Bible, the only access to the true God is through Jesus Christ. That is why Christians end their prayers with In Jesus name, Amen. Edited March 27 by blackbird 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 9 hours ago, blackbird said: It is tragic. I don't know who offered the prayer, but the person who offered a prayer started by addressing the god who is known by many different names. He ended with an Amen but no mention of Jesus Christ. Obviously this was a politically correct prayer meant to try to appease all religions. But not a true prayer. Praying to all the gods is not a Christian prayer. According to the Bible, the only access to the true God is through Jesus Christ. That is why Christians end their prayers with In Jesus name, Amen. Does this mean they’re going to hell now? What are the consequences exactly? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 10 hours ago, TreeBeard said: Does this mean they’re going to hell now? What are the consequences exactly? I think a way to help your centrism, is to attend Church, Synagogue or a Mosque once a month. Is best as a centrist, as you said you are, to force yourself into uncomfortable situations, to understand people's views. This radical centrist does not consider someone a centrist which is into militant atheism. Best, Contrarian. Edited March 28 by Contrarian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 Multifaith public ceremonies tend to omit Jesus' name. I think there's a prohibition for Jews to attend "Christian" ceremonies, so they do that as a matter of course. There's no cite in the OP (I peeked) so it's hard to tell if this is true or just somebody that said something. If it was actually a "funeral" then one would think the family would be at least consulted. But the poster who gave his personal account is a noted culture warrior who uses his personal scripture to rationalize public policy so who knows. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 2 hours ago, Michael Hardner said: But the poster who gave his personal account is a noted culture warrior who uses his personal scripture to rationalize public policy so who knows. The memorial service was broadcast on CTV (and probably CBC) and I heard the man myself say the prayer from the podium and took note of the omission. Odd that you would categorize me that way, yet you have claimed to be a Christian in the past. Edited March 28 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonbox Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) I'm offended that they didn't mention the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I really love outrage politics. 🙄 Edited March 28 by Moonbox 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 8 minutes ago, blackbird said: Odd that you would categorize me that way, yet you have claimed to be a Christian in the past. Incorrect - I am a Christian today. Especially so because I respect pluralism, the right for individuals to choose their faith (or not), and the necessity of keeping metaphysics OUT of public policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 4 hours ago, Contrarian said: I think a way to help your centrism What are you going on about? You keep spamming the board with the same reply to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 18 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: What are you going on about? The intolerance of militant atheists like you towards religious folk which is part of this division. We can agree that the religious program is simplistic, your militancy is what we disagree on. But will stop now, I am not a troll, well kind of not, but just reminding you that I can play your game too. Ask questions to agitate then run away in a box thinking you have it all. "Hit" and "Run" should be your nickname. Edited March 28 by Contrarian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 49 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said: I respect pluralism, the right for individuals to choose their faith (or not), and the necessity of keeping metaphysics OUT of public policy. I respect pluralism, the right of the individuals to choose their faith (or not). But that does not mean everyone should lose their freedom of speech and not able to comment on matters of faith. You say you believe in freedom of religion, but not freedom of expression, Strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExFlyer Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 They said a prayer to God, the Father. No need to mention His children. Please respect the Officers and their families and do not make this your political or denominational crusade. blackbird, you are completely our of line and disrespectful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aristides Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 Is there a particular reason you assume these two officers were Christians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 10 minutes ago, blackbird said: I respect pluralism, the right of the individuals to choose their faith (or not). Does the bible say to respect pluralism? I don’t think it does. The 1st Commandment specifically says not to respect pluralism. If you need more…. John 3:18, following one of the most often quoted passage in the bible, advocates against pluralism, not for it. John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 20 minutes ago, Contrarian said: militant atheists It’s militant to ask questions and have discussion on an Internet forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 5 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: It’s militant to ask questions and have discussion on an Internet forum? Questions, no. I can do those too, to agitate, but @ExFlyer has a point when he says this is turning political and is not fair to the officers. but, needed to give my opinion on your first message. Edited March 28 by Contrarian edit design 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExFlyer Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 5 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: It’s militant to ask questions and have discussion on an Internet forum? The OP is not asking questions, he made statements that it was not christian. The person giving the prayer can do and say what he wishes and does not have to get permission from blackbird or anyone. The ceremony was for the friends and family of the deceased officers and not a place for a religious evangelist to make some kind of point. He was completely out of line. He was disrespectful to the families and friends to say Jesus Christ was "the only access to the true God ". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 16 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: Does the bible say to respect pluralism? I don’t think it does. The 1st Commandment specifically says not to respect pluralism. If you need more…. John 3:18, following one of the most often quoted passage in the bible, advocates against pluralism, not for it. John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. The Bible does not advocate harassing, persecuting, insulting those who do not believe the Bible and are not Christian. Jesus said to love thy neighbour as thyself. The way I interpret pluralism is it means freedom of religion or no religion. I don't think the Bible is saying not to respect pluralism. You seem to be trying to invent something that is not there. Are you on a continuing crusade to undermine or discredit the Bible? You are failing in that. The Bible does teach Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and that there is only one God, the God of the Bible. But it does not say to harass or persecute anyone who does not believe it. That is a false claim you are making. Every religion has their beliefs. But Christianity / Bible does not teach to spread its message by force. It only advocates the preaching of the gospel, which is peaceful. That does not deny pluralism. I don't think you understand the difference. Edited March 28 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 Just now, ExFlyer said: The OP is not asking questions, he made statements that it was not christian. The person giving the prayer can do and say what he wishes and does not have to get permission from blackbird or anyone. The ceremony was for the friends and family of the deceased officers and not a place for a religious evangelist to make some kind of point. He was completely out of line. He was disrespectful to the families and friends to say Jesus Christ was "the only access to the true God ". You weren’t paying attention to whom my post was replying. It had nothing to do with the OP, but the contention by @Contrarian that I’m a “militant atheist”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 1 minute ago, blackbird said: The Bible does not advocate harassing, persecuting, insulting those who do not believe the Bible and are not Christian. Jesus said to love thy neighbour as thyself. The way I interpret pluralism is it means freedom of religion or no religion. I don't think the Bible is saying not to respect pluralism. You seem to be trying to invent something that is not there. Are you on a continuing crusade to undermine or discredit the Bible? You are failing in that. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that you embrace pluralistic society. We’re all better for it. Cherry picking the bible is the way forward for Christianity to fit into today’s more tolerant society. I just don’t think the view is very biblical. Hopefully, you will also take this view with LGBTQ folks in the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 13 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: You weren’t paying attention to whom my post was replying. It had nothing to do with the OP, but the contention by @Contrarian that I’m a “militant atheist”. Yes, correct, you were replying to me because you could not stand that someone called you on your agitation instead of bringing a rational point like "Maybe it offends the memories of the officers". ---> The work starts with us my centrist friend. Is hard, trust me, I engage in mockery daily. Edited March 28 by Contrarian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExFlyer Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 7 minutes ago, blackbird said: The Bible does not advocate harassing, persecuting, insulting those who do not believe the Bible and are not Christian. Jesus said to love thy neighbour as thyself. The way I interpret pluralism is it means freedom of religion or no religion. I don't think the Bible is saying not to respect pluralism. You seem to be trying to invent something that is not there. Are you on a continuing crusade to undermine or discredit the Bible? You are failing in that. Yet, you are constantly insulting or harassing persons that disagree with your religious rantings. 6 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: You weren’t paying attention to whom my post was replying. It had nothing to do with the OP, but the contention by @Contrarian that I’m a “militant atheist”. Yes, I was paying attention to whom you were replying. I was reiterating what the OP said. As I said, the OP never asked questions, he made statements. Edited March 28 by ExFlyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 30 minutes ago, ExFlyer said: They said a prayer to God, the Father. No need to mention His children. Please respect the Officers and their families and do not make this your political or denominational crusade. blackbird, you are completely our of line and disrespectful. No, I wasn't. This was a public, national memorial service. Therefore it is reasonable to comment on the fact the prayer was not a Christian prayer in my view. It was a politically-correct prayer and therefore open to comment on, whether you agree or not. Naturally someone who is not Christian is going to see it differently as you do. That's fair too, but you are mistaken in thinking nobody has a right to comment on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 (edited) 19 minutes ago, TreeBeard said: Cherry picking the bible is the way forward for Christianity to fit into today’s more tolerant society. I just don’t think the view is very biblical. Hopefully, you will also take this view with LGBTQ folks in the future. No, I am not cherry picking. Biblical Christianity does not fit into today's more tolerant society if you mean agree with society. But Biblical Christianity is a belief system, not a political system. It is nonsense to try to say it must fit in with society's views on anything. The world is in general an evil system. The Bible gives the answer to that and what an individual must do to be saved. Everyone must choose whom they will follow. You've made your choice. Edited March 28 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeBeard Posted March 28 Report Share Posted March 28 12 minutes ago, Contrarian said: you could not stand that someone called you on your agitation instead of bringing a rational point No, I enjoy the conversation. I just didn’t understand your point about militant atheists. I thought it would be an interesting question to know what the OP thought the consequences would be of not invoking Jesus in a prayer at a memorial. That was the entire premise of the OP, so why not ask about it? Do you think it should be taboo to question religious doctrine? On another point, you sure like labels, don’t you? You take great pride in being a “centrist” and seem to be offended and quick to rip the centrist badge off my chest if I say something you don’t agree with. Did I even call my self a centrist at some point? If so, feel free to re-label me as “militant atheist”, “radical leftist”, or whatever would make you feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 28 Author Report Share Posted March 28 11 minutes ago, blackbird said: They said a prayer to God, the Father. No need to mention His children. According to the Bible teaching, there is no access to God except through His Son, Jesus Christ. So the prayer is meaningless from a Biblical Christian point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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