Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [RELIGION] Defining a Christian act... was Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

[Rick <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Christian M. Cepel wrote:
> And why do folks on your side of the fence always group these two 
> extremes together when they belong distantly apart.

Precisely because of what you state below...

> You've been told time and time again that all but a very very small 
> minority of those who appose abortion decry the heinous actions of those 
> psychos who do such things that are an abomination before God.
>
> If you're asking how Judgment and Condemnation are a Christian act, then 
> you've missed the point of Christianity (on certain levels) entirely.  
> The basis of most Christian's beliefs in The God of Abraham and Issac, 
> His Son Jesus Christ, and his guidance to us in the form of scripture is 
> the belief in an absolute truth.  We believe that there is absolutely 
> one God, and that the only guidance for moral and life decisions comes 
> from Him, and that the path to Salvation is solely through His Son.
>
> By this, the opposition loves to point out that Christians are:
> a) intolerant
> b) judgmental
> c) condemning
>
> The real answer to this is, "Well Duh!"

So, Christian cedes these points to the opposition =)

> When one believes in an absolute, and especially when that belief is in 
> a God who has stated absolutely that he's absolute, there's not really 
> any wiggle room there.

And what, exactly, is the difference between someone who believes in an 
"Christian who believe in absolute truth" and an "Islamic fanatic" 
besides the doctrine they follow?

> Ah, but you are forgetting two of God's most comforting values, those of 
> love and compassion. (and through compassion, grace and forgiveness)
>
> This is the whole basis for 'hate the sin, love the sinner.'
>
> Someone who is leading an opening homosexual lifestyle, or chooses to 
> have an abortion is no more or less a sinner than someone who mumbles 
> profanity under their breath at the motorist who just cut him off.
>
> These people who are picketing abortion clinics are doing just that, 
> 'hating the sin and loving the sinner'.  They believe that abortion is 
> murder, and murder a sin and that it should not be done.  They don't 
> hate the person who's doing it.  You might be surprised to think and 
> realize that many of those out picketing are just as active in trying to 
> provide loving, caring alternatives to abortions such as maternity homes 
> and counseling centers where they are given assistance, counseling, 
> support, and in many cases a clinic where they will be helped in all 
> stages of pregnancy both medically and financially.  They are there 
> after the birth as well, to assist if the mother wishes to place her 
> child with different parents, or with things like diapers, cribs and 
> formula and new-mother parenting skills education.  Indeed, this is why 
> Open Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center is located less than a block 
> kitty-corner from Planned Parenthood.

And I applaud the "win them with love" approach. If it was more 
prevalent, I'd almost begin to see it as a doctrine instead of a strategy.

> This is a major difference between the counseling offered at PP and Open 
> Arms.  A mother or mother-to-be is counseled by both organizations 
> before the decision to abort or carry a baby to term.  However, after an 
> abortion, PP is not there to support and assist a mother who's just had 
> an abortion.  Many times these women carry emotional scars for the rest 
> of their lives.  With Open Arms, they are there after the fact with help 
> for postpartum depression and crisis, Medicare, assistance, and such.  
> Places like Open Arms are even there to help those that PP has abandoned 
> after an abortion procedure.
>
> How can judging an action they see as murder, and condemning the act 
> (not the person) be a non-Christian act if the bible also judges murder 
> to be wrong and condemns the act.  It seems that this is a very positive 
> Christian act.  It's also a very Christian act to do the part you've 
> left out....   loving and extending compassion to these women regardless 
> of what their decision is.

I don't know that I agree with you that *most* of these people are 
hating the sin but not the sinner. Certainly, there are some, but to 
hear some of the vile things these people say to girls trying to get 
past them really, really bothers me.

Rick

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