I choose willful ignorance? I'm not the one decrying "cherry-picked" verses while extolling the virtues of various cultures picking and choosing which bits of scripture to adhere to, and in what context. One or the other, Simval, you cannot have it both ways.
Many Christians claim the Bible comes direct from God, through those inspired to contribute to Scripture, but it is ultimately men who decide what is and is not canonical Scripture, just as it was ultimately a man and many of his followers who decided what was and was not canonical for the Quran, and how to interpret it. I see no meaningful difference between the two. Feel free to enlighten me, if you're able.
And yes, Jesus came to "set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in-law against her mother-in-law." He says he comes not to bring peace, but a sword. Those are Jesus' own words, which you would know if you'd bothered to look up my citations of Scripture.
And if you think Christianity spread peacefully throughout Europe, you are either delusional or willfully ignorant. The Roman Emperor Constantine the First converted to and favored Christianity after his Christian banners rallied his forces against his brother in law and rival for the throne, and promptly outlawed worship of any other gods after securing victory. He then started a massive campaign to conquer and convert much of Europe, wiping out indigenous peoples and faiths along the way. Failing to convert usually meant exile or death.
And do you really expect me to believe that Christians today DON'T want their faith written into the laws of our lands? Abortion. Gay marriage. Prayer in schools. These are just a few issues I have heard Christians say should be informed, if not outright DECIDED, by Scripture.
You want violence against slaves? Here's Exodus 21:20-22; "If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property."
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@simval
I choose willful ignorance? I'm not the one decrying "cherry-picked" verses while extolling the virtues of various cultures picking and choosing which bits of scripture to adhere to, and in what context. One or the other, Simval, you cannot have it both ways.
Many Christians claim the Bible comes direct from God, through those inspired to contribute to Scripture, but it is ultimately men who decide what is and is not canonical Scripture, just as it was ultimately a man and many of his followers who decided what was and was not canonical for the Quran, and how to interpret it. I see no meaningful difference between the two. Feel free to enlighten me, if you're able.
And yes, Jesus came to "set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in-law against her mother-in-law." He says he comes not to bring peace, but a sword. Those are Jesus' own words, which you would know if you'd bothered to look up my citations of Scripture.
And if you think Christianity spread peacefully throughout Europe, you are either delusional or willfully ignorant. The Roman Emperor Constantine the First converted to and favored Christianity after his Christian banners rallied his forces against his brother in law and rival for the throne, and promptly outlawed worship of any other gods after securing victory. He then started a massive campaign to conquer and convert much of Europe, wiping out indigenous peoples and faiths along the way. Failing to convert usually meant exile or death.
And do you really expect me to believe that Christians today DON'T want their faith written into the laws of our lands? Abortion. Gay marriage. Prayer in schools. These are just a few issues I have heard Christians say should be informed, if not outright DECIDED, by Scripture.
You want violence against slaves? Here's Exodus 21:20-22; "If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property."