Religion

Permanut

(6,617 posts)

12. Fair question..

Mon Oct 8, 2018, 11:24 AM

Oct 2018

A couple of things that moderates can do. Speak out, of course, individually or as representatives of moderate Christianity. This has shown so far to have limited effect, but the potential is really there for growing numbers of voices of what I guess we could call the laity - Christians with no special status, power or authority.

The greater potential for action, however, lies with the leadership of every group that labels itself Christian. At the risk of getting entangled in the "No True Scotsman" jungle, or the "True Christian" arguments, leaders are charged with the obligation to represent a set of principles that represent the core of Christianity; as you say, the message of love, etc.

In these times, it seems though that moderates are trying to sweep back the ocean with a broom. The fundies are running amok, and I think it will be really difficult to stop them, no matter what is done. Not trying to sound pessimistic, I think the pendulum will eventually swing the other way,

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Highlight:

Yes, You Are Taking Those Verses out of Context: A Muslim Responds to Atheist Ali A. Rizvi [View all] guillaumeb Oct 2018 OP

Can't wait for the year 4018... Act_of_Reparation Oct 2018 #1

And other Muslims will accuse him of misreading the verses. trotsky Oct 2018 #2

I don't see moderates providing cover for fundamentalists marylandblue Oct 2018 #4

In Islamic countries where being an atheist can get Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #5

All the more reason to support moderate muslims marylandblue Oct 2018 #7

Moderates of all religions provide cover for fundamentalists. trotsky Oct 2018 #6

Do you know of anyone who thinks that because moderates exist marylandblue Oct 2018 #8

Lending legitimacy is not the same as saying they're okay.. Permanut Oct 2018 #9

What would you like moderate christians to do about fundamentalists? marylandblue Oct 2018 #10

Fair question.. Permanut Oct 2018 #12

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. trotsky Oct 2018 #11

I understand what you are saying, I just don't agree with it marylandblue Oct 2018 #13

... trotsky Oct 2018 #14

Point is, there would be fundamentalists no matter what marylandblue Oct 2018 #15

There probably would be, but they would be a lot more marginalized. trotsky Oct 2018 #16

Here is an example of enabling religious extremism Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #19

I am not sure how that enables religious extremism marylandblue Oct 2018 #20

The theist's go-to excuse Cartoonist Oct 2018 #3

His "debunks" are mind-boggling and utterly ridiculous: DetlefK Oct 2018 #17

It's basically the same message of religious "moderates" everywhere. trotsky Oct 2018 #18

You, perhaps inadvertently, confirmed the author's point. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #21

And what is this truth the Quran refers to? It is the existence of God. DetlefK Oct 2018 #22

And this deflection does not address my point. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #24

Fine. Here's my whole point for those too lazy to read. DetlefK Oct 2018 #25

What you said: guillaumeb Oct 2018 #31

Do you have any evidence for your claim? DetlefK Oct 2018 #37

It is literally directly addressing your argument Lordquinton Oct 2018 #26

Just like every other time he's tripped over his own Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #27

On the other hand, I have five fingers. MineralMan Oct 2018 #28

Focused on one line of a long post Lordquinton Oct 2018 #35

Those who conceal the truth Cartoonist Oct 2018 #23

Including our OP? MineralMan Oct 2018 #29

Yes, but he doesn't take it literally. Cartoonist Oct 2018 #30

No, those who conceal the truth guillaumeb Oct 2018 #32

We'll just agree Cartoonist Oct 2018 #33

Speaking of multiple personalities, guillaumeb Oct 2018 #34

Seconded Lordquinton Oct 2018 #36

Uh what? Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #38