Does Christianity restrict your freedom?

[Allie]

I am here to talk about what I see as the misconception of all Christians being un-free.

Before we begin, however, (the people who have seen me before will be reading this again) I will say that I come to you in the humblest of circumstances, I am still very young.

So, I will start off -- I do not believe that Christians are not free. Oh, and before I begin, know that many of my arguments will be repetitions of what Ben Stuart has said. I listened to one of his sermons ('Shouldn't we Find our own Way?' -- Free on iTunes) and have been inspired to start this debate.

A response to some general commandments in the Bible, which I know will come up:
Yes, there are commandments in the Bible; they were given to us because of Christ's love for us, they were given to us for our own well-being. He wants us to live fully satisfying, joyful, and fulfilled lives, which we could not do without his guidance.

I'm not sure how much I should say before I actually start debating (Oh, the lack of experience!) so I'll leave it at that.

Okay, I'm ready. Go ahead.

[Zzyzx]

[Catharsis]

[Zzyzx]

.
Talking about military service:

I never once heard anyone in the family say either of them regretted joining the services, but in fact they were each honored with many medals. I would assume each was proud to be a vital part of that war effort. Difficult though it must have been, they chose the jobs they took.

Have you served in the military?

Are you somehow NOT aware that military service imposes very stringent limitations upon a person’s freedom to make decisions? Limitation on freedom is the topic of this discussion.

When I volunteered to serve in the US Army many years ago I KNEW beyond all doubt that my choices of what to wear, when to get up, where to work, where to live, with whom to work, how to behave, etc WOULD be very strictly limited.

I accepted those limitations at that time and served proudly in the 101st Airborne Division. However, my accepting the limitations did NOT make them non-existent. They were there very prominently, as we who broke the rules discovered.

[earl]

Allie wrote,
I am here to talk about what I see as the misconception of all christians being un-free.


Will clarifying this statement as 'Christians being in captivity' be more accurate?
I think it will .



Long ago a person said in a religious text he saw those who overcome the beast.
In another religious text a person said that his master led a multitude of captives.

Yes, man is experiencing captivity or un -free as Allie said.
Persecution to execution is evident in history and will be tomorrow.
There are both moral and immoral persons who call themselves Christians .
However, a person who de values morals and ethics resort to barbaric methods of self gratification and greed where as the Christian is supposively taught greed and extended amounts of self gratification are not profitable neither is it human meekness.
The standard idea taught to Christians is modest living and self denial of certain immodest,immoral and unvaluable unproductive living.
The standard is frequently lowered as many are attracted to morally objectional conduct and the purpose of the Christian's living--the golden rule-- is jepoadized.
The standard is raised when one exercizes the golden rule.

There is saving truth and there is everything else to seperate one from another.
Creeds and rightuals in organized religious groups maintain that in addition to saving truth one must have uniformity .
Religion has always been a personal matter and always will be.When this is realized no man or the title he/she may wear is able to put chains on you.

Un-Free or more correctly stated captivity is dominant on our world -no physical peace on Earth.There is always someone who desires to restrict our living standards,physically and spiritually.Commonly refered to as the beast-the ungodly.

[earl]

To add,
Civilization's effective use of the golden rule is directly proportionate to he level of how free he becomes.
The part does not move without the whole.

[Zzyzx]

.

To add,
Civilization's effective use of the golden rule is directly proportionate to he level of how free he becomes.
The part does not move without the whole.

Can you document or credit any of this or is it just your opinion?

[earl]

Zzyzx wrote,
Can you document or credit any of this or is it just your opinion?

This country is a good reference.Tolerance toward others is a major factor.
All known races of people reside here.
All known religions practise here.
Catholics,christians and communists reside here.
Atheists live next door to religionists .
All go to school ,supermarket and the theater together .
Except for national security most all have enlisted in the military branches.
Regardless of creeds,social,religious,gender or sexual differences etc. man is at his best when he treats others as if he would like others to treat him.
He knows that his tratment to others is proportionate to how he is going to be treated when the word gets out on his behavior to others.

[Zzyzx]

.

Zzyzx wrote,
Can you document or credit any of this or is it just your opinion?

This country is a good reference.Tolerance toward others is a major factor.
All known races of people reside here.
All known religions practise here.
Catholics,christians and communists reside here.
Atheists live next door to religionists .
All go to school ,supermarket and the theater together .
Except for national security most all have enlisted in the military branches.
Regardless of creeds,social,religious,gender or sexual differences etc. man is at his best when he treats others as if he would like others to treat him.
He knows that his tratment to others is proportionate to how he is going to be treated when the word gets out on his behavior to others.

Is this your way of "documenting"

Civilization's effective use of the golden rule is directly proportionate to he level of how free he becomes.
The part does not move without the whole.

Kindly show the readers how you have verified your original statement about the golden rule by whatever it is that you are attempting to say in response to my request.

Are you aware that the "golden rule" is not "Christian" but is offered by many of the world's religions and philosophies (some of which predate Christianity)?

[earl]

Zzyzx,
True-The golden rule predates Christianity.
As you already know,It is in early religious history ,except in the Koran, spoken by religionists from the past and will be spoken tomorrow our future.An American Indian leader taught it to his students before long range sea travel became possible.
It is interesting how word travels.

As you know,It is widely used and is encouraged by those who teach or converse and apply values in their life.

I have observed ,
It is understood by many, religious or not, that the golden rule ,recognized as such or not,when effectively lived,will increase social order in that tolerance toward others is increased.Is this commonly refered to as peace talks between neighbors or countries?
I have observed,
It's value is good but some times ,as observed ,neighborly peace is usually just talk.In reverse ,would there be any peace at all if no golden rule existed?

What do you know of that frees man from his current ,as I recognize it,captive condition more than the golden rule?

[Zzyzx]