ask your born again friends to quote just 3 things that Jesus said

[mopaul]

jesus didn't say all that much, but the beatitudes pretty much sum up his teachings. ask the fundie you have to share an office with to name just three things that jesus said.

he'll probably go first for the 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you', and then...if he can choke up another two quotes from the lord, ask him to explain how well he personally is adhering to them. and how well bush is adhering to them.

strictly for laughs you understand.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. (Verse 4)
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

[On the Road]

1. For Those Who Say We "Blame America First"

I believe they have a problem with taking the log out their own eye first.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. I had one tell me that Jesus said....

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

That definitely warranted laughing in his face.

[kliljedahl]

4. GWB philosophy

Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, he's warm for the rest of his life.


http://www.kliljedahl.net

[shadowknows69]

23. uh..the whole do unto others thing

is a lot older than JC sorry.

[annabanana]

27. roflmao!

[tjwash]

3. Well he DID say all that librul thinkin' stuff.

Although I would like the average freeper fundamentalist to show me in the bible where Jesus supports greedy multi-national capitalist companies, tax cuts for the ultra wealthy, and an imperialistic military overseas policy.

Oops. It doesn't. It says that greed is a sin (1 Corinthians 6:10), and even (OMG) Jesus says to PAY YOUR TAXES! (Mark 12:17). "Turn the other cheek" must be code for bomb the shit out of the middle east or something...

[elehhhhna]

5. Jesus was friendly towards prostitutes. At least they've got THAT covered

[tjwash]

9. Yeah, but the archaeological evidence about Mary Magdalene...

...is showing that her allegedly being a prostitute, is not entirely accurate either.

[elehhhhna]

14. Yep, I know/. The guys made it up later to discedit her..

Imagine trashing Jesus' WIFE (if indeed she was...)!

Preachers. I tell ya.

[LostinVA]

25. The prostitute mentioned in the Gospels was never named

The Magdalene is mentioned as a follower of Jesus. No correlation at all.

[RevCheesehead]

6. That could work, provided it be asked in a non-confrontational way.

Otherwise, I fear, you're looking at polarization and the inevitable fallout of anger and nasty work-relationships.

I would suggest asking it in a tone of genuine curiosity. Simply respond, "oh, OK, what does that mean? Help me to understand your religion better." Let them keep talking, no matter what buttons get pushed. Then, ask about the beatitudes, and wonder aloud if perhaps they aren't more important than the 10 Commandments.

Just a friendly, non-confrontational suggestion.

[stanwyck]

7. You certainly won't hear about

when Jesus recounted the story of the rich man who bragged about how much money he gave to the church. Though it was just a tiny fraction of his wealth. Meanwhile the beggar woman gave only a few coins. But it was all she had.
No. The "culture of greed" fostered by the Bushies is about CEOs taking the whole pie for themselves while laying off the cooks who baked the pie.
Homosexuality is barely mentioned in The Bible. Adultery, however, including remarrying, merits numerous condemnations.
You won't hear much about that, either. The fundies like their divorces.
It's the hypocrisy. It oozes from conservatives.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Yep

So true. You never hear them talk about that. Just how they're being persecuted and everything. :eyes: Please. If you look at Bush's policies nothing he does is conservative or Christian.

[deutsey]

8. I quoted the Beatitudes and other things Jesus said in the Gospels

to a conservative recently during a debate we were having.

I basically made the case that Jesus said pray for and forgive your enemies, turn the other cheek, love everyone (even those outside your own group), seek peace and justice, etc. And, although he's a Baptist Christian, he said he could not live by these admonitions.

Another conservative I debated a while ago said the same thing when I pointed out to him the actual teachings and example of Jesus.

It seems to me that many of these people seem to see Jesus as a superhuman being sent to earth on a mission to die on the cross, which magically absolves people from sin. It's like, once they "accept Jesus" as their savior, they're off the hook. Jesus "died for them" and now they can live nice, comfortable lives as a result. They don't know or care about the kind of life Jesus taught and how revolutionary it was and remains.

[Tux]

11. There is the problem

I always felt that Christianity wasn't the way as it was intended. Maybe it's those flashes of being in ancient Judea I sometimes get when I meditate.

Fundies are fundies Jews - Jewish culture - Jewish intelligence - Jesus' teachings + "saved from sin" + "i get to do as I please since I am saved" = violence, hate, greed, etc.

I always felt that Christianity would be better if it was required they follow Jesus' teachings, try to connect to god spiritually, and cut the "child like faith" crap. Seems to be better and more what Jesus was doing. Paul sucked when he screwed it up.

With a new Pope, Evangelicals on the rise, and liberal religious traditions in danger, liberal Christians must now try to change the tide and aid those that also want freedom of religion.

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Ugh

These people have it so backwards. Just because you're saved through Jesus doesn't mean you're off the hook. You still have to live your life faithfully and do good works. As James said "Faith without works is dead." You can't just pick and choose what to follow from Christ.

[deutsey]

15. They seem to overlook the part where Jesus says his followers

have to take up THEIR cross and follow him.

[gordianot]

10. It is not 100% clear Jesus authored the Beatitudes.

He probably spoke them but there were also similar quotes in the Dead Sea Scrolls which is supposed to be before Jesus times.

I have heard fundies completely twist the Beatitudes in a right wing, hellfire damnation rant. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Nag Hamadi documents greatly worries many theologians and are completely ignored by fundies.

Ask a fundie who compiled the Bible, they will say God. I have yet to meet one who ever heard of the "Council of Nicea". If you really want to have fun suggest since it was the "Council of Nicea" the Roman Catholic Church compiled the Bible.

[LiberallyInclined]

20. ask a fundy if they've ever heard of emperor constantine...?

and you'll get a nice blank stare back at you.

[gordianot]

24. Who never clearly converted to Christianity.

He also helped mixed Pagan, Sol Invictus, Mithirism into Christianity in order to become a State religion. This is also what the neo-cons talk about when they make claims about creating their own reality. Bush would have got along well with Constantine, there are some parallels when you think about it.

[LiberallyInclined]

28. constantine dabbled in a lot of religions-

he was looking for the best deal in the afterlife.
if the fundies ever sat down and researched the history of their blessed scriptures, and early christianity they'd probably have an embolism.

[catmandu57]

16. The bottom line is these people don't think

they haven't a desire to learn, to delve beneath something turning it over to examine every facet, no, they are lemmings who want to be told.
Told how to act, what to think, given simple lines to regurgitate and actions like this hurt their heads make them question their beliefs and put their world in danger.
They're safe and comfortable in their cocoons, and it's easier for them to hate than to love.

[kiki]

17. self-delete

[TrogL]

18. Many fundies are steeped in heresy

[LiberallyInclined]

19. "i thirst"

wasn't he supposed to have said that on the cross...?

[Abelman]

21. Good discussion

I had an ex-friend (his choice, not mine) who cited the passage in Deuteronomy or whereever condemning homosexuality. The one right next to the stuff about selling your daughter into slavery. I pointed this out to him and he said it was not a good example so he'd find another.

Still waiting.

The thing NO one seems to think about is how Jesus said not a lot of people are getting through the door.

Council of Nicea - I feel your pain. "The what?" It is ridiculous not to know the history of your religion, especially if it is the main driving force of your life. I can't stand the treating of the Bible as the all-encompassing authority on religious issues. It was compiled by MEN and written by MEN. I'm sure God tried to steer them a little, but people don't have the best history of listening to him.

Ontopic: No. They never really know what he said.

[tinonedown]

22. Don't ask me!!!

I don't respond to religous questions from those who loathe Christianity.
I already know the intent is not good, in this particular case admitted.
Pro-choice is not a position, it is a right. You have the right to choose a religion and if one bothers you then please, choose another.
I will not mock you just for laughs.
I will be happy for you.

[gordianot]

26. I agree live and let live.

My problem is when they knock on your door spout this and are not dissuaded by comment "not interested". These people often especially family members get in your face. When they are in a position to legislate beliefs or interject them into law, I have a severe problem.