Christianity, the word derives from to be christ like
Actually it doesn't. It was the name first given to those who worshiped Christ in Antioch. But we must distinguish TRUE Christianity (those who have truly committed themselves to Christ and truly seek to follow the teachings of Christ - the minority) from nominal Christianity (those who are culturally 'Christians' because it is their culture who often don't really care about the teachings of Jesus Christ). The latter are not really a part of true Christianity at all.
has been the most offensive religion the world has ever known.
An absurd statement. The whole of the pre-Christian world was full of continuing atrocities, all carried out in the name of religion. Islam was established at the point of the sword, and has been so maintained ever since. In contrast Christianity was established by peace loving testimony to Christ for 300 years. It only became partly bastardised as a consequence of the interference of the Roman emperors which made 'being a Christian' a road to political power. That was not true Christianity..
From bombing abortion clinics,
Excuse me while I finish priming this bomb (not really). Come on all of you. Admit that you spend most of your time bombing abortion clinics. Its surprising there are any left. (Actually I wouldn't know how to prime a bomb, but never mind).
Of course some may feel that it is only a few fanatics who bomb abortion clinics. They may even claim they have never thought of doing it. Some may even claim that they see it as wrong and repudiate those who do it. You never know. The thing is, can we believe them? Turn out your pockets everyone. Bomb check!!!!
to taking up arms to fight isis in the name of Christ.
I was not aware that anyone was fighting ISIS in the name of Christ. I thought our governments were assisting those who did not want to be beheaded so that they could preserve their lives, and were doing it in the name of morality. (They include Muslims, Christians, large numbers of humanists, and so on).
Although why anyone should want to hurt those nice ISIS people just because their hobby is collecting peoples' heads I cannot think.
At least initially the aim was to defend those who were being slaughtered because they were Christians. Although it is true that most who were later involved in the crusades (with exceptions) were simply using them as an excuse to gain power and wealth. Religion was their excuse. And who were they fighting? Muslims who had taken over the land by force. They too had made religion an excuse to gain power and wealth. So who were most guilty?
Anti-Semitism is inexcusable (as is anti-anyone who is not belligerent). But most religions were anti-Semitic, especially in less tolerant days. (And vice-versa). Sadly we live in a fallen world. But I suspect that most on here are more pro-Semitic than anti-Semitic.
Christianity is by far the hardest religion to understand.
Its easy really. At the heart are those who have repented of sin and come to Jesus Christ to save them. They are being made more Christ-like day by day. But the vast majority do not truly follow Christ. They therefore live by the world's standards. That is what we would expect. It is not real Christianity. It is a sham.
I am a christian and though I take no part in any of the above I ask God to forgive those that do, regardless of what is true and holy saints these are our roots.
I am not quite sure what this sentence means, but your sentiment here is correct. I think we all agree with you where the violence is unjustified.
No wonder our effects on this world are becoming null and void.
Fortunately Christ is still at work and His efforts are not null and void. Truth has always had to combat hypocrisy.
Not that we should ever give up but the body of Christ needs Christ more than ever before.
But outward Christianity is NOT the body of Christ. The body of Christ is only composed of those who are truly HIS. A motley lot I agree, but that is why we need Christ. The early church were by heir own admission a sinful lot. How did they need Christ less than us?
If we were given the privilege of the great commission, to have stewardship untill the master comes back then we need to repent and ask forgiveness.
We can all agree on that
But I am not responsible for the sins of others (apart from a need to help my brothers and sisters in any way I can).
We need to return to our first love and stop fighting among ourselves.
Well if you have left your first love, you certainly must return to it. But who are you to judge your brothers and sisters in Christ?
We have become to arrogant, shallow, but most importantly we do not love as we should.
A danger for us all. But who do you refer to as 'we'? Are you in any positions to say what WE are?
Love is the most powerful message we could ever send to this fallen world.
Which is why Jesus proclaimed it, and calls on us to proclaim it too. But MOST IMPORTANT is that we proclaim God's saving love.
I think one of the most important stories in the bible is when Mary, Joseph, and Jesus went to the temple and they lost Jesus......ya see even though they were doing what God had asked and what was good ...their eyes were off Jesus.
But they were not doing what God asked when they neglected their son. Thereby Joseph and Mary SINNED. The goodness revealed in the aim of the enterprise, was countered by the sin committed in completing it. This is something we must all be aware of.
Saints let us pray without ceasing for the body of Christ. Peace
we can all say Amen to that.