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gberardi · 11-22-2006, 05:52 PM

1) Where did you find this history?
I admit that I am not as knowledgeable as others when it comes to religious history, and obviously my education as a Catholic will be biased, but I would like to know more about Jehovah vs Elohim, Jesus being hung vs crucified, etc. Also, I read that one atheist historian claimed that Jesus was a man who had followers who thought he was God. Offhand, I don't know the historian's name.

2) "Christianity springs from people's interpretations of other people's interpretations of Jesus' words and deeds." As I understood it, Christianity was originally just called "The Way" because this sect of Judaism hadn't been given a name yet. The Apostles of Jesus originally acted as the leaders. Who claims that Christianity is just interpretation of interpretation? I guess this might just be another part of the first question, but this claim seemed to dismiss Christianity as a rumor that got out of hand. I imagine you didn't mean for it to be so, but I'd still like to know more about it.

As for your question, I was born into the religion, and while I am no longer practicing as a Catholic (I'm bothered by the leadership, personally), I haven't yet given up my belief in Jesus as Christ. I am, however, finding myself questioning the idea of a "personal" god, but I am not ready to dismiss the possibility as make-believe or fairy tales.

And a general question: I remember singing songs with the line "They will know we are Christians by our love", and yet a lot of big names seem to spread hate in the name of Christianity. When you think of Christianity (whether you are a Christian or aren't), what do you see? Do you see generally loving people, or do you see vitriol being passed as doctrine? I ask because I've grown up in a predominantly Catholic life, not really being exposed to people of other religions or even denominations.

11-22-2006, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
gberardi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Des Moines, IA, USA Posts: 239	1) Where did you find this history? I admit that I am not as knowledgeable as others when it comes to religious history, and obviously my education as a Catholic will be biased, but I would like to know more about Jehovah vs Elohim, Jesus being hung vs crucified, etc. Also, I read that one atheist historian claimed that Jesus was a man who had followers who thought he was God. Offhand, I don't know the historian's name. 2) "Christianity springs from people's interpretations of other people's interpretations of Jesus' words and deeds." As I understood it, Christianity was originally just called "The Way" because this sect of Judaism hadn't been given a name yet. The Apostles of Jesus originally acted as the leaders. Who claims that Christianity is just interpretation of interpretation? I guess this might just be another part of the first question, but this claim seemed to dismiss Christianity as a rumor that got out of hand. I imagine you didn't mean for it to be so, but I'd still like to know more about it. As for your question, I was born into the religion, and while I am no longer practicing as a Catholic (I'm bothered by the leadership, personally), I haven't yet given up my belief in Jesus as Christ. I am, however, finding myself questioning the idea of a "personal" god, but I am not ready to dismiss the possibility as make-believe or fairy tales. And a general question: I remember singing songs with the line "They will know we are Christians by our love", and yet a lot of big names seem to spread hate in the name of Christianity. When you think of Christianity (whether you are a Christian or aren't), what do you see? Do you see generally loving people, or do you see vitriol being passed as doctrine? I ask because I've grown up in a predominantly Catholic life, not really being exposed to people of other religions or even denominations.