A question about sin

I have always had a cynical attitude towards religion, due I suspect to a non-conformist upbringing. Some aspects of religion I respect and admire, while much of it I find quite unacceptable. Fundamentalism stinks as far as I am concerned. Tolerance and kindness should be the norms of human existence. Those who practise otherwise are hypocrites. What is going on in the east these days fills me with great anger yet conduct in the west leaves much to be desired. Answers? I don't have any, but I do have a good feeling about Jesus so I call myself a Christian. I think JC knew a lot more about human nature than we give him credit for and, after all, its human nature that is the cause of most of our problems.

I would go with Luke 15:7

I say unto you that likewise more joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.

soon You were not quoting the bible when you expressed your view that you 'personally' think that homosexuality is a wrong thing to do then as now.

I have seen the heartache caused to a dear friend due to people who hold the same view as you.

Surely in 2015 anyone with even the slightest knowledge of biology understands the reasons behind homosexuality.

Soontobe If your views are representative of mainstream Christianity, I'm rather glad that I'm not a Christian or a follower of any religion. I suspect, though, that Jesus would have disagreed with many of your comments.

papa I could have written your post. I was raised by a staunch Christian, non-conformist mother Her brand of Christianity was one of equality, and kindness.

Only just seen this thread.
I refuse to subscribe to any religion that bans the wearing of pearls!

Seriously, at the convent I was told the two types of sin were mortal and genial. Genial was things like lying, mortal things like murder!

Venal not genial!
What would a genial sin be?

Sounds like it would be good fun!!

Playing a prank on your poor old Granny?

Oh - I was just thinking I might like a bit of genial sin!

I suppose a genial sinner would be similar to a lovable rogue...

Definitely fun I think!, and certainly something the nuns would have highly disapproved of, hopefully!

Tut tut!

In French 'génial' means brilliant or fabulous- so I'll go for that ;)

! Would be fun finding out anyway!

This is the sort of Christian my mother was: she sang in the church choir and there was no one to look after us of an evening (my gran was the organist) - so the three of us would accompany her to choir practice. Bored stiff we would have "races" by lying on our backs and hanging on to the edge of the pews and scooting across the highly polished floors under the benches at the back of the church. One day we were caught and severely told off for disrespecting the house of God - I actually remember the woman saying "God sees you because he doesn't sleep" which was a bit scary, I was about 5 years old. Anyway my mother soon shut the complainant up by saying how delighted she was at our creativity at keeping ourselves occupied. And something about how God loves little children.

So maybe I had committed a genial sin!

I am very uncomfortable with fundamentalism in all its forms from IS murdering other Muslims because they are the wrong group, Christians murdering gay people in Uganda and Jewish extremists who brand anyone who questions what is happening in Palestine as being anti - semitic or holocaust deniers. There is no room for this intolerance in my.life and nowhere in among this behaviour do I see evidence of people being anything other than smugly self assured of their own salvation which behaviour in itself is surely blasphemous, ironically.

Grannyknot my son, when he was tiny, would play quietly with his little cars along the aisle during church services. Everyone would smile benignly, and the minister would mention him by name. That was a Methodist church.

Christians are in no way supposed to be murdering gays. We are supposed to be loving people, not murdering them.

soontobe in some African countries including Uganda homes homosexuality is punishable by death

Sorry meant 'homosexuality"

That is appalling.

That is absolutely the opposite to what God wants to happen.

How do you know? You do seem to be quite homophobic.

Have you got a direct line soon?

Yes. Prayer. No intermediaries required.

Plus we have the bible.

I think we will come full circle soon, so I will minimise my posts on here now you will be glad to know.