But before we get too hard on a Catholic church let us not forget that European church history in the last 500 years has been a pretty bloody one. Pretty much only the the Anabaptist movement does not have blood on it's hands. For them church membership has been voluntary from the start. At least Zwingli's Reformed church in Zurich Switzerland recently formally apologized for their persecution against the Anabaptists in 16th and 17th century. Anabaptists by the way were the first to call for the separation of church and state, something we all take for granted today.
God has ordained governments (Romans 13:1-4) to protect the innocent and punish the evil doer. But I read no where where Christ gives His followers that authority. This is no light matter and we may soon find out who Christ' true followers are and who the compromisers are who respond like the world does when they are reviled.
God has ordained governments (Romans 13:1-4) to protect the innocent and punish the evil doer. But I read no where where Christ gives His followers that authority. This is no light matter and we may soon find out who Christ' true followers are and who the compromisers are who respond like the world does when they are reviled.
I just hope Mr. Falwell doesn't imagine he's speaking for Christ or that he leaves people with the impression that his solution is is from a Christian perspective.
The reasons and the answers are quite complex, not a, "just do this and everything will be fine". But I would have to agree that lack of personal holiness and godliness is at the top of the list. The world and even fellow Christians today will cry "legalism!" When a individual Christian or even a Church sets a godly standard to live by.
This decision is regrettable. If it indicates anything it indicates a society which has lost its moral bearings and sense of chivalry and is descending ever faster into barbarism.
If I were Brad Pitt and read some of these comments I would sigh a breath of relief knowing now that my unbelief was merely God not granting me a predetermined salvation. I might as well live it up now sense I'm predestined for hell anyway. Careful now all ye believers, this sort of erroneous thinking has emboldened many unbelievers to feel justified in their unbelief.
It's a sad day when you can no longer call a spade, "a spade". Or when we must all play along and say the emperor is wearing clothes when in fact he's not.
We must understand that for many many people the term "Christian" is merely a worldview to which they hold to, it satisfies their basic philosophical questions about life.
A imminent debt crisis is no longer mere speculation, but rather a virtual certainty. This article explains why, it's interesting that it received no comment.
Subjects like this one become controversial when people refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. This particular subject is especially controversial because it is PC charged from the start.
Simple common sense should tell us to dress sensibly and responsibly. Why invite trouble. God teaches modesty in dress not because He'a an old fashioned prude, but to protect women from evil minded men. After all who knows the hearts of men better than God Himself. By the same token, if I were wealthy I certainly would not walk downtown with $100 dollar bills sticking out of my pockets and then act surprised when I'm assaulted.