Neat! Thanks for jumping in. :) Also, if you don’t mind me asking, why the Geneva and Harper Collins Bibles? My go-to translations are ESV, NASB, and (if I need some interpretive ideas or affirmation) NLT b/c those are the most word-for-word precise translations of the original manuscripts.

Yes, sure should. When you do, you'll likely be shocked at just how far off most of our "teachers" were growing up. Everyone from our parents, to the priests/preachers to the Sunday, Facebook warriors. What it says in the gospels and how a large proportion of today's Christians conduct themselves are basically polar opposites of one another.

The Bible has been edited so much over the generations, that I'm personally very skeptical of which Bible's I read. The Harper Collins Bible is a NRSV, and includes Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and 60 different Biblical scholars who gives personal footnotes and things like that.  

Hmm… quick note: I don’t like the idea of judging Christians according to how they “conduct themselves.” No one person is any better than another in the eyes of God according to the ways in which we “conduct [our]selves.” Show unconditional mercy and forgiveness (i.e. grace) to all: this is the will of God, for this is the very definition of agapē (“love”) as per Scripture.

Ah I see. Well, that’s cool to see how the Holy Spirit is working within you. I agree that the number of edits (or, well, more so the lack of knowledge as to whether there was editing/revision in the gospel between the time of original composition of manuscripts and the earliest manuscripts we currently have access to) can be a little intimidating.

Paraphrasing here, but when Christ said do unto others as you would have done unto you (golden rule), and that treating the least of us poorly is like treating Him poorly... I just can't support the modern behavior of most people claiming to be Christian. Being Christian means loving people unconditionally. It means letting God judge and decide, not you. It means that humanity is paramount, not whom someone sleeps with or what pronouns they go by. It means welcoming everyone into the house of the Lord, not just straight people, or republicans, or people with white skin and perfect teeth. It means feeding the hungry, clothing the homeless, having compassion for those most desperate and in need (illegals, anyone?) and not wanting to take food stamps and healthcare away from the most vulnerable (because remember: he who does to the least of us...).

Christ Himself was asked why He was keeping company with prostitutes and deplorables (according to the rabbis/leaders of the time), and He told them that those are the people who need Him the most, not the already-devout. But somehow, I don't see many of my fellow Christians adhering to much of what He said. All I see is the preaching of hate and persecution and judgment and the gleeful condemnation of the least of us. All I see is hate in the Lord's name.

That is not my religion, and it's not following the teachings of my savior.

I'm Catholic and I would be interested.

I do agree with a lot of things you say here: too many wolves in sheep’s clothing use the Lord name not for the sake of good, but in vain. (Whether for power, pride, or whatever else.) It’s a sad issue that plagues the present day Church, especially within the USA.

That said, we war not with flesh and blood, but with principalities. No man is any less nor more evil than another by their actions alone in the eyes of God. I remain firm that even though some may be led astray into believing things which are not of God, so long as they profess Jesus as Lord and they mean it with their whole hearts, then they may take comfort in knowing that they are forgiven for their iniquities. In fact, this is precisely why the death of Jesus on a cross is so transformative! It is the greatest act of love, the most powerful demonstration of grace and mercy, that one can conceive. :)

p.s. My intention is not to be argumentative, so I hope this response doesn’t come off in such a way. I believe it is good to have discussions such as these as this exchange of thoughts is what leads a brother/sister closer to truth.

All, I will open a new thread sometime tomorrow or Saturday. So be on the lookout! I will tag everyone who has mentioned an interest in participating.

What I have in mind: I’ll come into the thread whenever a thought or question comes up. There is no obligation to respond (though activity would help keep the thread alive, so it is encouraged).

My only hope is to encourage you all in your walks of faith, to strengthen my own faith, and to create a space for those who long to know the love of God through the Christ Jesus, but have struggled to find Him, to maybe have better insight on how to find Him. We are lights in this world: I pray that in creating this thread, we may live according to the calling which God has placed in our hearts as children of God.

Cradle Catholic here.

Long time VGChartz member, but mostly just as a stealth member. Having great fun reading your posts and interaction with the VGChartz community.

That’s very nice of you to say! Thank you :)