Religion, Secularism and Homosexuality

[radind]

(06-14-2016, 03:29 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:

(06-14-2016, 03:23 PM)radind Wrote:

(06-14-2016, 12:16 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:

(06-14-2016, 10:29 AM)radind Wrote:

(06-14-2016, 09:38 AM)Eric the Green Wrote: What would the courts rule that would take away your religious liberty (again, other than what we already discussed) ?
 
Saying "through the courts" does not answer my question. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear. I didn't mean what institution would act; I meant what liberties would be taken away.

I understand that you "do have to accept the fact that the secular majority will do whatever they choose.( I do not have to approve)." If you don't approve, what actions would you support in order to alter what the secular majority does?

I am concerned about freedom of speech and freedom of religion. There does not seem to be much tolerance for Christian values. 

Based on my conclusion that Christians are now a minority, there are no effective political actions open to alter the plans of the secularists majority. I can only pray for the country & my family and try to influence those around me. 

I joined this forum because of my interest in the Generations theory. One of the reasons I have stayed is to dialogue with others with different views. However, I doubt that many are interested in religious discussions.

Obviously, you don't have to answer my questions if you don't want to.
(as you did not)

You don't seem too concerned about the fact that "Christian values" is a vague term. "Love your neighbor as yourself" is generally accepted as a value. The Beatitudes are respected. Jesus' statements may be hard to live up to, but they are certainly an accepted and valued part of our heritage.

Christian values as you seem to sometimes define them, have to do with opposing abortion and gay marriage. There may not be much "tolerance" for these views, in the sense that others disagree, and don't want them instituted as national policy. So far you don't seem to be getting your way on these "values." So that, as you say, means that "Christians are now a minority." But that is not true as a fact; only according to your definition that "Christian values" must include social/cultural conservatism on such issues as abortion and homosexuality.

But Jesus said nothing about those things. He said to seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. He said to love your neighbor, and your enemies. He said don't judge; take out the moat from your own eye first. He said to forgive 70 times 7 times. He said to invest and share your talents, and don't hide your light. He said to commune with God privately, not proclaim your faith loudly like the hypocrites do. He said to believe that if he could do miracles, you can too. Those are the real Christian values.

I am interested in religious discussions, but primarily spiritual ones. Most people here are not ready to examine their experience and take the veil down from their eyes.

As I pointed out, if you are interested in generations theory, that is a "secular" pursuit.

I know that generations theory is secular. I have multiple interests.
I  tend to us Barna's( I know that you do not agree) definition for a Biblical worldview because barna.org is the only group that I am aware of that does such polling. Otherwise , I prefer other  religious writers (eg,  N. T Wright, John Lennox, Ravi Zacharias, William Lane Craig)and do not follow the other barna publications.

I do have some concern that this may not be a good forum for religious discussions.

The gallup poll found that 75% of Americans are Christians. That is relevant "polling." Barna does polling about how many agree with their specific ideas about Christianity.

In my opinion the Barna poll is a more accurate representation of reality.( This is one reason that so many can approve of  such things as abortion and pornography).  I think that most popular opinion polls ignore what is actually happening. This was the situation described by Bonhoeffer as 'cheap grace' where the majority were professing Christians , but lacked true faith. In my opinion, the US is in much the same state. John MacArthur describes this in the US as 'easy believeism'.