<< the bible also did a pretty good job - says that gods name is mocked among the non-believers, because of the "believers">> I wish that the gospels and teachings of Christ had been seperated from the other books in the Bible. Although the other books were "inspired by God", they're not necessarily doctrine to live our lives by. Likewise the writings of Paul in the New Testament may be God-inspired but it doesn't take a theologian to see that his condemnations of women and homosexuals are not "Christlike". Yet because the text is placed in the same book as the teachings of Christ, many Christians put it all on the same plane. I read all those non-gospel portions of the Bible, and try to read it in that context, as a study of God's covenant with Man, and not as a guide to behavior. By the same token, I think that John Irving's "A Prayer For Owen Meany" is inspired by God as much as the canon of the Bible! In some ways I thought the whole "WWJD" was a little corny, but then again it helps I think to use the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as a litmus test as opposed to other portions of the book. << on the subject of religion and politics. i find it absolutely impossible to believe that *any* person can possibly have christian beliefs and be successful in the dirty business of politics. >> It has to be emphasized that Christianity is a journey and not a destination. While calling myself a Christian, I have done some things that I'm not proud of. Doesn't mean I'm a hypocrite, but it means that I serve a loving and forgiving God who blesses me and encourages me to overcome my faults. In church every Sunday, we sing "Jesus Loves Me" to bring the kids back into the sanctuary from Children's Church. It sometimes makes we tear up when I consider that Jesus Loves Me, after all the hateful deceitful wrongful things I have done. It is that love that inspires me & makes me a better person and brings me to reflect the same to others. End of sermon Bob
