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Originally Posted by Ramrod
I didn't assert that religion is the only way to extremism. I have been careful to speak of religious fundamentalism leading to religious extremism....If I have given any other impression then I apologise 
I am simply trying to make the point that the further one immerses him/herself into religion, the closer one follows the scriptures, the more likely one is to become extreme in ones beliefs and actions..... |
I think you're shifting onto slightly new ground there. Are you saying that there comes a point where fundamentalism and extremism are essentially the same thing?
---------- Post added at 22:58 ---------- Previous post was at 22:47 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramrod
So say you.....others probably disagree and put a different slant on them.....who is to say who is correct?
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Thank you for your use of 'probably'. In fact, if you read the Gospels and become familiar with them, and especially with Jesus' style of teaching, it is blindingly obvious when he's using parables and when he's not. Even on the occasions when the text doesn't say, "and Jesus gave this parable...", which it most often does.
Jesus' teaching was mostly confined to certain basic, dare I say fundamental themes, with the more complex theology left to the apostles to bring afterwards. Again, if you allow yourself to become familiar with the entirety of the gospels these themes become clear enough because Jesus' teaching is consistent. That guards against the 'different slants' you talk about.
It doesn't make them impossible to fall into, but it certainly guards against them. Bear in mind that there is overwhelming agreement, even between Protestant, Catholic and Eastern Christian movements, about the basics of the Christian message and what is necessary for a person to be 'saved'. If it were as easy as you seem to believe for different, competing teachings to arise, then this would not be the case.
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Originally Posted by Xaccers
Does that make it acceptable then?
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Sorry, but I'm not indulging your obsession with the theoretical wrath of a god you don't believe in this evening. We've been round in circles on that point many times already.
Besides, I've already touched on the subject of national judgement and punishment earlier in this thread.
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Also, would an extremist realise that god is supposed to do the slaying personally, rather than use his followers to do his bidding as he has reportedly used them to do so before?
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I think you would have to find an extremist and ask him.