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.

[nygreenguy]

It was well known that many of the founding fathers were deists. Others were Christians. Still others are in dispute. Obviously, in the face of such disagreement, their Creator would mean simply whatever it was that lead to their existence. I might refer to Mother Nature, without implying any kind of literal pagan beliefs. It is a metaphor.

I would not infer too much from capital letters in writings of that period.

Im not really sure of the point of the whole argument but it should be noted that god was left out of all the legal documents.

[Zzyzx]

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It was well known that many of the founding fathers were deists. Others were Christians. Still others are in dispute. Obviously, in the face of such disagreement, their Creator would mean simply whatever it was that lead to their existence. I might refer to Mother Nature, without implying any kind of literal pagan beliefs. It is a metaphor.

I would not infer too much from capital letters in writings of that period.

Im not really sure of the point of the whole argument but it should be noted that god was left out of all the legal documents.

There was no point. Earl was attempting to demonstrate that the "Golden Rule" was responsible for "calm" and wandered all over in the failed attempt. It has nothing to do with the OP or with the discussion.

[OnceConvinced]

The Jesus of the Bible asks that his followers take up their cross and follow him. He asks for complete obedience. I don't see how that can not reduce the level of freedom that the believer has. Can you?

"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."(John 8

I have found the more I follow Jesus and his teaching the freer I become.

But does the truth really set you free? I think that is one of those scriptures that means well, but really doesn't work in reality. I think the church is way too full of rules, expectations and required standards of behavior to really allow freedom. A lot of condemnation, but probably not a lot of freedom. Of course one can argue that it shouldn't be that way, but it is.

BTW, I did not feel that I was being restricted as a Christan. Now that I look back, I could see that I was restricted in ways that I am not restricted now.

[Fisherking]

But does the truth really set you free?

I have found the more I follow Jesus and his teaching the freer I become.

[Goat]

But does the truth really set you free?

I have found the more I follow Jesus and his teaching the freer I become.

This shows me that truth is subjective. OnceConvinced feels he is freer without Christianity, you feel you are freer with it.

[Fisherking]

But does the truth really set you free?

I have found the more I follow Jesus and his teaching the freer I become.

This shows me that truth is subjective. OnceConvinced feels he is freer without Christianity, you feel you are freer with it.

These statements may show that the feeling of freedom is subjective but I fail to see how they say anything about the objectivity or subjectivity of truth.

[Goat]

But does the truth really set you free?

I have found the more I follow Jesus and his teaching the freer I become.

This shows me that truth is subjective. OnceConvinced feels he is freer without Christianity, you feel you are freer with it.

These statements may show that the feeling of freedom is subjective but I fail to see how they say anything about the objectivity or subjectivity of truth.

It depends on what you call 'truth'. There are several types. One are called 'facts' . When it comes to spirituality, the TRUTH of Jesus is what you follow, and for Onceconvinced, the TRUTH that Jesus is a myth is what he follows.

[Catharsis]

>>>Does Christianity restrict your freedom?<<<

It depends how one defines 'Freedom'. To answer this definitions for 'Person' and 'Human Nature' are also needed.

The traditional Christian definition of Freedom completely differs from the secular/worldly one.

[Beto]

>>>Does Christianity restrict your freedom?<<<

It depends how one defines 'Freedom'. To answer this definitions for 'Person' and 'Human Nature' are also needed.

The traditional Christian definition of Freedom completely differs from the secular/worldly one.

Under any context? Or just when applied to a god/human relationship?

[Zzyzx]

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Does Christianity restrict your freedom?

It depends how one defines 'Freedom'.

Freedom has been defined in this thread (posts #20 and 24). Do you disagree with the definitions or offer another to be considered?

To answer this definitions for 'Person' and 'Human Nature' are also needed.

Of course, and definitions of “definition� and “answer� and “needed� are also needed.

Are you in doubt about the meaning of “person�?

Do you have access to a dictionary?

The traditional Christian definition of Freedom completely differs from the secular/worldly one.

Since we are not all Christians but since we all DO live in the world, it would seem appropriate that we speak in terms of the world if we intend to communicate.

Kindly provide the “Christian Definition� of freedom and cite your sources.

Is your "Christian definition" generally acceptable to Christians? Unless you can show that it is, how can it be regarded as the "Christian definition"?