Don't Ask, Don't Tell Deemed Unconstitutional

Easy Money wrote: There is no verse in the Bible that praises those that accumulate wealth, yet there are plenty that are condemning of such a practice.

There are none condemning such a practice.

Easy Money wrote: Epignosis wrote: Easy Money wrote: There is no verse in the Bible that praises those that accumulate wealth, yet there are plenty that are condemning of such a practice. There are none condemning such a practice. OK, lets ignore much of what Jesus taught and exemplified with his life, just give me one verse that praises those that accumulate wealth.

I never said the Bible praises those that accumulate wealth.  I am saying (contrary to you) that the Bible does not condemn those who accumulate wealth just because they accumulate wealth.  Do you understand?

The Bible, does in fact, frown upon wealth. There are no two ways about it. Wealth is a distraction. Anyone who thinks that spending their life's energy accumulating wealth is in accords with a Christian way of life is simply deluding themselves. Just have the fortitude to say that you don't have it in you to live fully by Christ's example. Excuses are excuses.

Negoba wrote: Jesus did not condemn wealth, but saw it as an enormous distraction to what was important. Camels and eyes of needles and such. Economics is about the system of interchange of goods and services. Yes the interaction of individuals drives this system, but economics is about a higher level of organization of those interactions. The Bible is about one on one how to treat each other. And it certainly isn't looking out for #1 or do the best for yourself.   But we'll all twist thing the way we want no matter what's staring us in the eyeball.

Epignosis wrote: The T wrote: Epignosis wrote: Chris S wrote: In the modern world and  hopefully more tolerant world, sexual preference should have no bearing on whether military or federal parties agree or disagree. Either soldier I would be proud to stand next to in a line of battle. They deserve medals just for showing up for their country regardless whether they are gay or hetero or where they are going and why? Democarts may not agree on Iraq etc but every soldier has the governments full backing. The army should not decide on sexual preference either, that is wrong, they just need to spend their budget dollars more wisely in managing ' digs"   ps: Non citizen/permanet resident POV You would stand next to a gay solider, fine.Would you shower with one? That tells us more about your fears than about the wisdom or lack thereof in the resolution. My fears?  I don't fear gay people. Should women and men in the military shower together?  Why or why not?

Epignosis wrote: Negoba wrote: The Bible, does in fact, frown upon wealth. There are no two ways about it. Wealth is a distraction. Anyone who thinks that spending their life's energy accumulating wealth is in accords with a Christian way of life is simply deluding themselves. What you say in bold is true.  Spending your life's energy accumulating wealth is not what Christ would have us do.  But what if you inherit your fortune?  Or you are merely a diligent person who doesn't squander money? What is Christ's example?  Should I travel a lot on foot?  Should I turn water into wine?  Should I be a carpenter?  Should I teach crowds of people?  Should I get the government to crucify me (Jesus did say "take up your cross," by the way)?  How far do you take it? Negoba wrote: Just have the fortitude to say that you don't have it in you to live fully by Christ's example. Excuses are excuses. I don't have it in me to live fully by Christ's example.  The Bible tells me that.

Equality 7-2521 wrote:   A majority?   Take yourself. You are incredibly wealthy to a majority of the world. How many of those descriptions fit you.

Slartibartfast wrote: I don't live my life by a book of religion.  However, I do believe it important to be nice to other people.

You pretty much summed up the essence of the New Testament to me, especially as pertains to Jesus' challenges to the Sagucees and Pharisees, ie the religious leaders of his time.

Love thy neighbor shall become the whole of the law - paraphrased somewhat by me from memory.

thellama73 wrote: I think anyone who thinks the take away message of the New Testament is "be nice to people" is missing a large part of the point.

The New Testament is about love, God's love for his creation including mankind. We learn from the example of God's love and apply it to our personal life. Jesus' sacrifice of his own life was the ultimate gift of love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that he who believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" - from memory.

Edited by Easy Money - September 14 2010 at 12:08

Easy Money wrote: thellama73 wrote: I think anyone who thinks the take away message of the New Testament is "be nice to people" is missing a large part of the point. The New Testament is about love, God's love for his creation including mankind. We learn from the example of God's love and apply it to our personal life. Jesus' sacrifice of his own life was the ultimate gift of love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that he who believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" - from memory.

Jesus wasn't some meek pacifist, he was a revolutionary. He came not bearing peace, but with a sword. He was happy to turn brother against brother or father against son if that's what it took.