Dwight, I am totally puzzled how your response could have even sprung from my post that you are seemingly answering.
Is there some connection between Jesus forgiving a prostitute and my daughter becoming one? Are you now acknowledging that you believe I have a daughter? Are you implying she is likely to become a prostitute because she is not a Christian?
I definitely believe that what comes down to us from Jesus' times is the message of "Love thy neighbor as thyself". So I don't really think we disagree.
In regard to your belief system necessarily being a harmful one, I have never said that, and I think you know that. I said that IF someone's belief system causes them to hurt another whole group of people, by extreme prejudice, discrimination, or violence, then at that point I think the issue goes beyond freedom of religion, which I support. I don't believe people have the inherent right to act out hatred. We only have to look to the persecution of the Jews by some Christians, or the activities of the KKK and other white Christian supremacist groups, to see that belief systems can sometimes be divisive, and sometimes teach hatred, and I think that is unfortunate when it happens.
I do not think most Christians engage in these activities, and I think most Christians are very decent people. I am puzzled that you would assume that I am saying something negative about all people with a particular belief system, when I am not.
As far as homosexuals, as long as anyone believes they are "sinners", they are discriminating against them. That does not necessarily mean the people calling them that hate them, and I have never said that.
I wish you would stop putting words in my mouth!!
P.S. Are you denying, by putting in quotes, that Christianity is a "belief system"? I am not sure what you are saying there. |
