Its Prophet Ron really; I guess it has something to do with the propheteering business.
One thing that stamps a cult such as Scientology (or, say, "Mormonism") as a false way is the fact that it is for people of a particular type. By comparison, Christendom is universal, indeed, catholic. It might be added that cults tend also to prevent adherents breaking from the mould once "stamped".
One thing that stamps a cult such as Scientology (or, say, "Mormonism") as a false way is the fact that it is for people of a particular type. By comparison, Christendom is universal, indeed, catholic.
Goats to join sheep in heaven shock!
It might be added that cults tend also to prevent adherents breaking from the mould once "stamped".
Much as the Universal Church so graciously refrained from doing with heretics when it had the power to burn them alive.
Most Christians today belive that coercion has no place in the faith. In other words, they believe that such violence was wrong and totally against the spirit both of the Bible and of Jesus.
Indeed, some Christians go on marches to "repent" for past sins in respect of the Crusades or whatever. Personally, I believe that is rather phony and an example of the modern tendency to sentimentalisation. But, hopefully, it is founded on an awareness that coercion and violence are wrong.
In that case, I wonder how much of the Bible and Jesus' pronouncements most Christians have read. Jesus certainly did not shrink from coercion; when he wasn't promising wailing and gnashing of teeth for eternity to anyone who didn't listen to him, he was driving people he disliked out of the temple with a whip. He also proclaimed, if I remember right, that it is better for the body to be maimed than for the soul to be cast, by God's mercy, into hell; in which case a forced conversion in an Inquisitorial dungeon should presumably be considered little more than an inconvenience.
To be fair to Jesus, he didn't promise wailing and gnashing to those who didn't listen to him, but to those, among others, who did evil. It was the animals he drove out of the temple with a shepherd's style whip. And the "if your eye offends thee, pluck it out" was an example of his use of humour and hyperbole to make a serious point - something which you have in common.
those who didn't listen to him, ... those who did evil
A distinction which is almost as clear to most religious leaders as it is to most lesser mortals.
It was the animals he drove out of the temple with a shepherd's style whip
Well, possibly. He also threw a few tables about, which still sounds not altogether un-coercive to me.
I am pleased to advise that I have in my possession a newly acquired - just two days ago - Gideons bible (thank you, Mr. Marriott), and am thinking of a new use for it.
By comparison, Christendom is universal, indeed, catholic.
Is that catholic or Catholic?
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