Re: Vektek, define Legalism, please

have you ever heard the saying that "religion gets in the way of our relationship with God?"

>> "Belief and following Christ is indeed a basic requirement for salvation." <<

No, it is not...

It is, only from the Christian "religion" point of view... not from the vast majority of the rest of the world that believes something else... many different things... including over 1,000 variations on Christianity.

Christ, the Holy Spirit, Virgin Mary, etc. etc. are NOT to whom anyone should be praying...

In Christ's name we pray.... where in the heck did that come from? Why not talk directly to God? Are our minds that fluoridated/polluted?

I am not challenging anyone's faith or doctrine... I am challenging the strength of their beliefs.

The more argumentative and violent the attack, the less sure they are likely to be with what they believe. Perhaps they are angry or bitter about the forced belief due to familial and societal pressures, government oppression, etc.

I considered seminary at one time and have served on many missions, Christian retreats as a sponsor, councilor, and primary speaker... served on a church board of trusties, etc. etc.

While I may view things very differently than most, I encourage everyone's spiritual growth in the faith of their choice; it does not "need" to be Christianity.

However, I also encourage them to work on the strength of their beliefs so that they can not only respectfully deal with, but also understand, and more importantly, respect (I said "respect" twice on purpose) the belief systems of another without believing that they have to "convert" them to "save" them; they are already "saved" and do not need "our" help if they are working hard at respecting and living within God's laws as best they can, Christ or not, Holy Spirit or not... whether their faith believes in "God" or not.

And when one talks to them about their behavior if necessary, relate to them through their belief system... they will respect YOUR belief system for it.

I have known many people of various faiths, including agnostics and atheists, that have lived and respected God's laws MUCH better than most "Christians" I have known.

grz-