Originally posted by PudgenikGood analogy although you may have missed the point with it. If I lived in the USA but did not believe that it was "the land of the free" in the way so many others claimed it was, what punishment would you say I deserved?
I live in the USA, land of the free, right? So if I break the laws, say rape someone, should I remain free to do as I want? Put away for a few years. Well what of 1st degree murder, life long sentence?
Originally posted by SuzianneI would include followers of Jesus Christ who do not believe he was a deity in my definition of "Christian". I'm guessing you would not.
As I said before, of course Christianity is a religion.
It's just become hugely popular lately to claim "It's not a religion, it's a way of life." Well, that's as may be, but yes, it IS still a religion.
And yes, of course you are a Christian if you follow Jesus Christ, that should be clear to anyone. Too many people want to put all kinds of fancy t ...[text shortened]... like arguing over what kind of ice cream to have. Be happy that we're having ice cream at all.
Originally posted by FMFI have no idea. I am glad I am not God too.
Good analogy although you may have missed the point with it. If I lived in the USA but did not believe that it was "the land of the free" in the way so many others claimed it was, what punishment would you say I deserved?
Originally posted by SwissGambitI used to say this to my parents, (old style catholic) really drove them up a tree. 🙂 There are those who are Christians that don't know they are. And there are Christians that don't know they are catholic.
I would include followers of Jesus Christ who do not believe he was a deity in my definition of "Christian". I'm guessing you would not.
2 edits
Originally posted by PudgenikYou think perhaps there could/should be a punishment for someone living in the USA who did not believe that it was "the land of the free"?
I have no idea. I am glad I am not God too.
Has your theology really so incapacitated you as a free moral agent [with free will] that you even have to bail out of a simple analogy [which you raised] such as this? Goodness me.
Originally posted by FMFPart of the meaning of "the land of the free" is the freedom of religion, meaning one can believe different from others without punishment for those beliefs.
You think perhaps there could/should be a punishment for someone living in the USA who did not believe that it was "the land of the free"?
Has your theology really so incapacitated you as a free moral agent [with free will] that you even have to bail out of a simple analogy [which you raised] such as this? Goodness me.
Punishment is meant to prevent those from breaking the established laws and our constitution is supposed to forbid the establishment of laws that prohibit the free practice of religion. However, the free practice aspect is not absolute when the actions conflict with established laws.
Freedom of speech is no longer absolute either and laws have been established to punish certain types of speech.
Originally posted by RJHindsThis sounds like something with a firmer moral basis that the ideology you espouse, in which a punishment of eternal excruciating torture is meted out to those with different beliefs.
Part of the meaning of "the land of the free" is the freedom of religion, meaning one can believe different from others without punishment for those beliefs.
Originally posted by FMFYou'll have to forgive me, I was tired at 1.30 am. Yes, it doesn't matter which country you are in, if you live there then you are subject to the laws of the land.
You think perhaps there could/should be a punishment for someone living in the USA who did not believe that it was "the land of the free"?
Has your theology really so incapacitated you as a free moral agent [with free will] that you even have to bail out of a simple analogy [which you raised] such as this? Goodness me.
Originally posted by PudgenikYou still don't get it ~ so what time is it now? Believing that the USA is "the land of the free" is not a law of the land to which anyone is subject.
You'll have to forgive me, I was tired at 1.30 am. Yes, it doesn't matter which country you are in, if you live there then you are subject to the laws of the land.
Originally posted by FMFother than all the one liner questions to me, which I've been honest in all my answers. Why not ask a pointed question, what do you really want to know from me? Be straight to the point.
Nine pages of this thread, which I started, and I've been posting throughout [and there's related stuff on the Lake Of Fire thread]. Have a read.
Originally posted by PudgenikOK, straight to the point.These last three pages ~ what on earth have you been on about?
other than all the one liner questions to me, which I've been honest in all my answers. Why not ask a pointed question, what do you really want to know from me? Be straight to the point.