Discrimination is another word for faculty of reason. It is natural and good, and everyone engages in it. This is not a matter of religious freedom; this is a matter of freedom, period. If we are not free to think speak and act sincerely then we are not free-at all. That is slavery, communism. Christians should NOT be forced to do something they do not stand for. But they should always remember love your neighbor so yourself.
Does religion freedom legitimize discrimination?
- Thread starter Mary96
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W
You can't have personal freedom without being able to make your own choices. One of those choices are going to offend another at some point. I don't think we should stand in the way of sinners or try to change the world through legislation, but we shouldn't help them or participate in their rebellion.
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
W
We would do what is necessary to avoid offending another, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, as long as doing so does not violate God's commandments.
We should rebuke and exhort sin in the Body of Christ, preferably in private with the one who is committing it. Such things will be offensive to those whose heart is not in the right place.
I apologize, I feel my response is lacking and should include scripture but my wife has arrived so I must log off
We should rebuke and exhort sin in the Body of Christ, preferably in private with the one who is committing it. Such things will be offensive to those whose heart is not in the right place.
I apologize, I feel my response is lacking and should include scripture but my wife has arrived so I must log off
Well, since we LIVE in the material world, it has a great deal of spiritual importance. Our culture is all around us and it DOES influence us, like it or not. Since this OP is, I think, referring to the Religious Freedom acts that are prominent in the news here in the US right now, we do need to be aware of how our faith impacts the world.
The only one who can "authenticate" my faith is Jesus Christ. But what I was meaning by using the term "authentic Christian" was someone who truly believes in Jesus Christ, and tries to follow His ways -- not just someone who goes to church on Christmas and Easter and forgets about God the rest of the year.
And as for sinful lifestyle -- this would refer to someone who is perpetually in sin -- like two unmarried people living together. In other words, an unrepentant sinner.
The only one who can "authenticate" my faith is Jesus Christ. But what I was meaning by using the term "authentic Christian" was someone who truly believes in Jesus Christ, and tries to follow His ways -- not just someone who goes to church on Christmas and Easter and forgets about God the rest of the year.
And as for sinful lifestyle -- this would refer to someone who is perpetually in sin -- like two unmarried people living together. In other words, an unrepentant sinner.
W
Sin is breaking God's commandments whether internally or externally. Those who live in sin are those who are usually premeditating their sins, which means they first break them "spiritually" or internally and then it proceeds outwards. Christ authenticates Christianity.
James 1:14
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
John 14
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Matthew 5
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
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27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
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43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
James 1:14
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
John 14
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Matthew 5
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
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27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
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43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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W
Living a sinful lifestyle is living according to the flesh. Feeding and satisfying it's ungodly lusts, desires and attitudes.
Galatians 5
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
O
in this imperfect world discrimination abounds beyond all bounderies -
from race to religion and to socio-economic standing.
we experience this from childhood on up -
it springs from insecurity, envy, jealousy, fear....satan's tools.
when the Holy Spirit leads us to recognize these emotions
in ourselves, then we can clearly see them in others, but
our duty is to put these 'worldly-habits-bad manners'
as far away from our selves as possible, a work/walk that
will convict the honest at heart.
but the world and its institutions, science, education, religion, business,
teaches one to be just the opposite of what our Father wants us to do /be;
it teaches us to think ourselves above others, and to strive to be better
than our neighbor, to win at any cost---and put another down so that
you may be exalted.
it's simple, but our Father looks upon those who are of
a contrite spirit and walk humbly before Him.
from race to religion and to socio-economic standing.
we experience this from childhood on up -
it springs from insecurity, envy, jealousy, fear....satan's tools.
when the Holy Spirit leads us to recognize these emotions
in ourselves, then we can clearly see them in others, but
our duty is to put these 'worldly-habits-bad manners'
as far away from our selves as possible, a work/walk that
will convict the honest at heart.
but the world and its institutions, science, education, religion, business,
teaches one to be just the opposite of what our Father wants us to do /be;
it teaches us to think ourselves above others, and to strive to be better
than our neighbor, to win at any cost---and put another down so that
you may be exalted.
it's simple, but our Father looks upon those who are of
a contrite spirit and walk humbly before Him.
We may treat others as non-believers, but to deliberately discriminate against anyone because they do not share our beliefs is not the Way.
We are to pray for our enemies and bless them, not what they do. Turning the other cheek.
We are to win others to us by our love...........
We are to conduct ourselves as much as did Jesus Christ as we are able.
Look at the Word and see, Christ died for all mankind, not just some. Unhappily, many will have chosen evil over good come the Day of our God, His great Day...........until then, we are not to begin to reign without our King present.
Do as we are taught, not with just lip service. God is good always, His sun shines on the just and the unjust alike, so His rain does fall, amen.
We are to pray for our enemies and bless them, not what they do. Turning the other cheek.
We are to win others to us by our love...........
We are to conduct ourselves as much as did Jesus Christ as we are able.
Look at the Word and see, Christ died for all mankind, not just some. Unhappily, many will have chosen evil over good come the Day of our God, His great Day...........until then, we are not to begin to reign without our King present.
Do as we are taught, not with just lip service. God is good always, His sun shines on the just and the unjust alike, so His rain does fall, amen.
V
Excellent post, Mary. You are wise beyond your years.
You are especially right in condemning, as I believe you are, the "politically correct" attitude of not saying or even thinking anything negative about anyone else. Not that insults or denigration are right or proper, but of course they carry it far beyond that, insisting we not think someone to be wrong, misguided, or biased.
Of course, they are free to think all those things about Christian thought and philosophy, which is what makes political correctness a huge farce, though the "politically correct" totally fail to recognize it as such.
You are especially right in condemning, as I believe you are, the "politically correct" attitude of not saying or even thinking anything negative about anyone else. Not that insults or denigration are right or proper, but of course they carry it far beyond that, insisting we not think someone to be wrong, misguided, or biased.
Of course, they are free to think all those things about Christian thought and philosophy, which is what makes political correctness a huge farce, though the "politically correct" totally fail to recognize it as such.
Just a note. Communism, the way it has been supposedly practiced, has meant slavery for many people. Agreed. However, we should have less illusions about the so-called freedom of the economic system that rules almost entirely the whole world of today. There are multiple things that we are forced to accept and do as part of same which leaves us with just about a little less than a nicer slavery than the communists could conjure up. The western church decided at some point to stay out of financial politics and left that to non-believers who suppress us by such means. Food for thought.