Questioinng the forcing of change onto Christianity is my duty.
Al, if what you are talking about IS "Christianity", then I'm really better off not being Christian.
Rather than try to work anything more out with you, or talking about it through your lens, I'll take it up with God.
And you really don't define Chrsitianity for each person who actually has a relationship with God/Jesus; you merely give your view of what you think/believe the parameters of Christianity may be.
I'm not going to contend with
you anymore because it became fruitless. I believe God ultimately uses reality (WHAT IS) to winnow out truth to/for all of us. And that can be frustrating to humanity at times, because we can really only know
PART of WHAT (actually) IS.
I think it's clear enough that we disagree on core issues, and we've likely learned something from that disagreement. But I don't
worship "learning" enough per se, to subject myself to
any and
everything that comes off of others, just to "learn" some new or missing thing (from my collection of knowledge); there are billions of opinions and real consensus involves more than I can achieve with you here. Some of the effects of things you say (true or not), aren't worth enduring (at least not on a
repeated basis); the way we interact is negative (I'm sure, for me at least). I have tried.
I can't talk to a Christain who is offended and reacts negatively, every time
their view of "Christianity" is
challenged. I used to be that way, but contrary to those who interpret the Bible in a way that leads to continuous CONFLICT between people, I see something else. I don't mind discussion and disagreement, but I can't answer for every position and/or emotion from people who feel so strongly about all of it, that they are DIFFICULT.
I think the primary power true Christians possess, is found in love, not much of what you consistently embrace as fact and opinion. Since I don't know YOU really, I realize it's better to not further contend anything, to a point where I might think of you as a BAD GUY; the simple fact is that we just disagree and the format that this forum represents, makes finding a consensus with you impossible for
me. Perhaps if you really knew me, it might all make a bit more sense; but not here...this is exhausting (in part because of me, you and reality itself).
Maybe some desire to argue this (Christian) stuff for their entire lives, I know I cannot and I won't. If the love/compassion I'm willing to show others doesn't translate (by God's grace) into what is "Christian", then I can only answer to God for that. I can't answer to every person who has an interpretation of "Christianity" (what they believe it is). At some point, God will just show me the truth/s I need to know (though I still won't know ALL); I've always had enough faith to believe that.
And honestly, I have to remember, to not
debate anything with
you; perhaps if I find something we
agree upon I may mention it. Even so, I've learned that I shouldn't argue with you (in particular) any longer. What's going on between us right now, feels a lot to me like the things that are happening in France; it's very
negative stuff.
Peace and grace to you,
-Mel-