Are the values we hold 'Christian values'?

[Rath]

Jumpin said:

Rath said:

Jumpin said:
Christian values include: forgiveness; the equality of humanity under God; sharing with the poor, the widows, the orphans, the sick, and elderly; etc... The principals of modern Democracy are rooted in Christianity - there was democracy in classical antiquity, but it was class-based - and people were not granted equal rights.

Christianity was also a very liberal and revolutionary religion: The bringer of peace, Lord, son of God, Saviour, etc... are not titles unique to Christianity, but rather titles that were bestowed upon Jesus to put him on the same standing as the Roman Emperor. In the first century AD, if you asked someone about those titles in Latin or Greek, they would be the titles commonly attributed to Augustus. The difference being Augustus used violence, Jesus used peaceful tactics.

The first Christians were Hellenized Jews, living in the Roman Empire, who lived around the crossroads of the African trade (egypt was newly conquered) and the silk road passing from India (also newly secured) - so given that environment with the obvious flow of tradition. So essentially the first Christians were Jewish philosophers who were likely initiates in the mystery cults with influence from Buddhism and Zoroastrianism (Judaism already was heavily influenced by this faith, it's where Angels and Archangels, as well as monotheism, originated). The way I see Christianity is that it is an evolution of the greater Indo-European religion.

Also, followers of Liberal Christianity for a big part believe in religious pluralism: that there are cultural differences between religions, but also core similarities. Liberal Christians believe that the Bible is metaphorical, and that spiritual enlightenment is not exclusive to Christianity.

I don't really see how it can be claimed that liberal democracy is related to Christianity, democracy as we know it didn't rise until after the French Revolution changed everything up.

And it was justified on biblical authority.

Well over a thousand years after Christianity had become the dominant religion. During which time absolute monarchs had ruled with what they claimed to be biblical authority.

Edit: And in any case how was democracy based on biblical authority? It was based on enlightenment principles of liberty, equality and reason. It was actually born during a period of decline in religious influence.

Edit 2: Divine right of kings stuff from the New Testament

"Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

 

"and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

 ²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

   Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”"

 

" ¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

 ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."