Archbishop of Canterbury losing the plot?

[Frederick]

As a practising Christian I never thought I hear or see the day when the person meant to be leading our synod stands up and says "let's do things the Muslim's way."
He and Prince Charles - "I'm prepared to be Defender of Faiths but not THE Faith, seeing as Christianity is now a minority religion." should get together. I am positively embarassed to have people come up to me and say: "Do you know what your archbishop's just come out with." It's enough to make a man get down off a cross! Grrr!

[JM]

Originally Posted by Frederick

As a practising Christian I never thought I hear or see the day when the person meant to be leading our synod stands up and says "let's do things the Muslim's way."
He and Prince Charles - "I'm prepared to be Defender of Faiths but not THE Faith, seeing as Christianity is now a minority religion." should get together. I am positively embarassed to have people come up to me and say: "Do you know what your archbishop's just come out with." It's enough to make a man get down off a cross! Grrr!

I actually think this is a sign of respect, something that christianity is badly lacking

The only reason someone is going to get up in arms over this is if they feel They are absolutely right and everyone else is wrong.

And quite frankly.. That is just an assumption

Its also the work of the Ego

[Frederick]

Originally Posted by JM

I actually think this is a sign of respect, something that christianity is badly lacking

The only reason someone is going to get up in arms over this is if they feel They are absolutely right and everyone else is wrong.

And quite frankly.. That is just an assumption

Its also the work of the Ego

Now I've heard everything. Of all people - the Muslim faith finding an ally in YOU! Certainly I am not going to preach to you. Suffice only to quote what our Saviour's most famous of passages. "I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the light. NOBODY comes to the father except through the Son." I don't need somebody to say to me:"Well, I don't know, let's sit down over a cup of tea and discuss it/pray about it."
If that's what makes me an egocentric bigot, then so be it.

In a word, I know that my Redeemer lives!

[JM]

Originally Posted by Frederick

Now I've heard everything. Of all people - the Muslim faith finding an ally in YOU! Certainly I am not going to preach to you. Suffice only to quote what our Saviour's most famous of passages. "I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the light. NOBODY comes to the father except through the Son." I don't need somebody to say to me:"Well, I don't know, let's sit down over a cup of tea and discuss it/pray about it."
If that's what makes me an egocentric bigot, then so be it.

In a word, I know that my Redeemer lives!

Its funny how everyone thinks they know what that means..when all else fails lets grab the scripture about Jesus saying he is the Way LOL...

That scripture I think is possibly one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the bible

You know what the bible tells you.. thats all you know...all the rest is faith in the unknown and assumption and while that can be sufficient for you.. for others its not and so the continuation of trying to have a one sided world will only ever lead to frustration and resentment and ingratitude for what is..

When you cant show gratitude for what is, you will find loving will become conditional and not unconditional.

[Frederick]

Originally Posted by JM

Its funny how everyone thinks they know what that means..when all else fails lets grab the scripture about Jesus saying he is the Way LOL...

That scripture I think is possibly one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the bible

You know what the bible tells you.. thats all you know...all the rest is faith in the unknown and assumption and while that can be sufficient for you.. for others its not and so the continuation of trying to have a one sided world will only ever lead to frustration and resentment and ingratitude for what is..

When you cant show gratitude for what is, you will find loving will become conditional and not unconditional.

He's seen me alright for sixty-odd years. When I first became a born-again Christian, I committed the age old sin - pride. I wanted to shout about what Jesus had done for me personally from the rooftops of every building. I wanted to get out there and sort out all His problems, as if he didn't have zilllions of His children to whom he could use as one of His vessels. It's a sin every newly converted Christian commits, and as I said, I was no different. I wanted to know what He wanted in return. The answer, of course, was nothing. He just loves me unconditionally for myself. I couldn't possibly go out to Central America and start preaching the Good News. Thus said, I firmly believe the Holy Spirit gives us certain gifts, and it is our duty and responsibility to use those gifts accordingly. With me, it is the written word - that is why I am still trying to get my book on private/public testimonials together.
Each day, ever so slowly, He enlightens and instructs me in my daily life. I don't know what God has planned for me, neither do I want to. All I can do is what I do now - put my trust and life 100% into His loving care. I'm just a man, with human failings.
If you asked me who John the Baptist's second cousin twice removed was, I wouldn't have a clue. Working my way through the bible with a flea comb is not my scene, but if you asked me how my life has changed, I could write a book on it. My Saviour to me is as alive and as personal as is my wife.
As a Christian I try to love everybody, but it isn't easy when autrocities surface. I just leave it in the hands of God, and let Him take control.
And believe me, I am very, very grateful for how He has changed my life.

Sorry for the long epistle!

[JM]

Originally Posted by Frederick

He's seen me alright for sixty-odd years. When I first became a born-again Christian, I committed the age old sin - pride. I wanted to shout about what Jesus had done for me personally from the rooftops of every building. I wanted to get out there and sort out all His problems, as if he didn't have zilllions of His children to whom he could use as one of His vessels. It's a sin every newly converted Christian commits, and as I said, I was no different. I wanted to know what He wanted in return. The answer, of course, was nothing. He just loves me unconditionally for myself. I couldn't possibly go out to Central America and start preaching the Good News. Thus said, I firmly believe the Holy Spirit gives us certain gifts, and it is our duty and responsibility to use those gifts accordingly. With me, it is the written word - that is why I am still trying to get my book on private/public testimonials together.
Each day, ever so slowly, He enlightens and instructs me in my daily life. I don't know what God has planned for me, neither do I want to. All I can do is what I do now - put my trust and life 100% into His loving care. I'm just a man, with human failings.
If you asked me who John the Baptist's second cousin twice removed was, I wouldn't have a clue. Working my way through the bible with a flea comb is not my scene, but if you asked me how my life has changed, I could write a book on it. My Saviour to me is as alive and as personal as is my wife.
As a Christian I try to love everybody, but it isn't easy when autrocities surface. I just leave it in the hands of God, and let Him take control.
And believe me, I am very, very grateful for how He has changed my life.

Sorry for the long epistle!

Well hey Frederick that is good you can share that.. Ultimately its only ourselves we can change

[Sazzy]

While I find the idea of the C of E advocating Sharia laws alarming, I don't find it surprising.

What bothers me about the whole thing is even the suggestion of implementing different laws or 'rules' for people of different cultures. We are expected to abide by the laws of other countries when we visit or immigrate, and if we don't, then we pay the price as any other citizen would. And if we don't like their rules and laws then we are invited to leave. And that's the way it should be.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Frederick

As a Christian I try to love everybody, but it isn't easy when autrocities surface. I just leave it in the hands of God, and let Him take control.

So, in fact, you absolve yourself of responsibility? You have control over your life, but you defer to a god?

How easy is that. What a cop out. How despicable...

And you wonder why such as I do not believe? How can we 'unbelievers', faced with such arguments, fail to disparage your beliefs.

[Frederick]

Originally Posted by Brad

So, in fact, you absolve yourself of responsibility? You have control over your life, but you defer to a god?

How easy is that. What a cop out. How despicable...

And you wonder why such as I do not believe? How can we 'unbelievers', faced with such arguments, fail to disparage your beliefs.

My learned friend, it is not a cop out, and there is certainly no easy answer. You say you do not believe - that's your prerogative.

OK, Let's try this Chinese proverb then as a Christian parallel: to fight injustice is to fight the wind - a fight you can never win.

When I say I leave it in the Hands of God, people like you love throwing it back in my face saying "What about all the six million Jews who died in Belsen and other places? Did God **** a deaf'un?" Etc. etc. I don't know why God didn't hear the cries of those whose lives are taken asunder under terrible circumstances, any more than I have the answer of when a little girl stands crying and asks: "If God loved Granny, why did He let her die of cancer?" I don't know these answers, and I never will, but instead of blaming God for every disease and woe that befalls our society, I PREFER TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS GIVEN ME PERSONALLY - A WONDERFUL AND HEALTHY LIFE!

[friendly hardline atheist]

Hello Frederick,

Originally Posted by Frederick

I don't know why God didn't hear the cries of those whose lives are taken asunder under terrible circumstances, any more than I have the answer of when a little girl stands crying and asks: "If God loved Granny, why did He let her die of cancer?" I don't know these answers, and I never will, but instead of blaming God for every disease and woe that befalls our society, I PREFER TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS GIVEN ME PERSONALLY - A WONDERFUL AND HEALTHY LIFE!

Is this not a proclamation of blind faith? You see things happening that you yourself describe as terrible. And you say you don't understand why god (omniscient and omnipotent in your view I presume?) didn't hear them. Yet there is gratitude from your side. To me, that reads pretty much like 'I will hold up god as good, even when so much of what I see in the world tells me to do the opposite'.

You mention being grateful for the good life you personally have. I assume you're not advocating turning a blind eye to what believers would see as terrible things happening everywhere, as long as you get a comfy life yourself?

greets,
Peter