Yeah, I can understand the archaic versions too - I used to be better at it, in my Shakespear studying days. I like Shakespear, he's a good writer. It's just most people can't read them, especially people who learn English as a second language (I spend a lot of time with foriegn students nowadays, it's really interesting)
I dunno - the whole women thing. I KNOW that males and females aren't the same, but I wouldn't go so far as to say we're not all equal.
You're right, the inverse of it is the 'eye for an eye' thingy. But I know what Jesus said about that:
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
The sermon on the mount :) it is fantastic. Probably the most influential speach ever ;) Well worth a read.
If we're talking about large-scale institutionalised religion, I don't think I've seen any benifits to the outside world from it (I guess one day I'll have to clarify what I mean :) ), I suppose it's been damaging. I guess, if you have a large pyramid, then people who climb it are probably looking for power. The early Church didn't really have layers, and at worst they had 3 or 4 - normal Christians, those in charge of churches, and apostles.
Just as an example close to home, one of the main reasons the entire industrial revelution happened was because of the preaching of Wesley (interesting guy) and the methodist movement. And the advanced cultures in the world today were all based on Christianity, and the most powerful, has been almost completly based on it. But it's all about the people, never about the organisations. That's why I love the American seperation of Church and State, the Church, while having influence there, only has as much influence as the people who believe it. No actual power.
I personally think the culture we live in is better than any other type. It has it's flaws, but it's really only nowadays that people aren't stuck in class segrigation. Choice, like you said.
And onto the Old Testament - most of those Laws, God was telling His people how to govern, and as such it's about dealing with the symptoms, the things people see. But Christianity isn't about that - it's a bit, but mostly it's about dealing with the person inside. Going for the root of the problem, as it were.
Anyways, I'm spouting off, so I'll stop.
Have a good one
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When life makes us sad, See clouds above head, Feel rain on cheek, Stones beneath feet, And just think, How indifferent are they to how we feel?
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dancing_serpent
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Date: 2003-10-07 03:02 am (UTC)I dunno - the whole women thing. I KNOW that males and females aren't the same, but I wouldn't go so far as to say we're not all equal.
You're right, the inverse of it is the 'eye for an eye' thingy. But I know what Jesus said about that:
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
The sermon on the mount :) it is fantastic. Probably the most influential speach ever ;) Well worth a read.
If we're talking about large-scale institutionalised religion, I don't think I've seen any benifits to the outside world from it (I guess one day I'll have to clarify what I mean :) ), I suppose it's been damaging. I guess, if you have a large pyramid, then people who climb it are probably looking for power. The early Church didn't really have layers, and at worst they had 3 or 4 - normal Christians, those in charge of churches, and apostles.
Just as an example close to home, one of the main reasons the entire industrial revelution happened was because of the preaching of Wesley (interesting guy) and the methodist movement. And the advanced cultures in the world today were all based on Christianity, and the most powerful, has been almost completly based on it. But it's all about the people, never about the organisations. That's why I love the American seperation of Church and State, the Church, while having influence there, only has as much influence as the people who believe it. No actual power.
I personally think the culture we live in is better than any other type. It has it's flaws, but it's really only nowadays that people aren't stuck in class segrigation. Choice, like you said.
And onto the Old Testament - most of those Laws, God was telling His people how to govern, and as such it's about dealing with the symptoms, the things people see. But Christianity isn't about that - it's a bit, but mostly it's about dealing with the person inside. Going for the root of the problem, as it were.
Anyways, I'm spouting off, so I'll stop.
Have a good one