5 Reasons many American Christians wouldn't like the first ones

[safeinOhio]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/5-reasons-why-many-american-christians-wouldnt-like-the-first-ones/

[LuvNewcastle]

1. One thing I disagree with in the article is

"the scriptures haven't changed in 2000 years." The New Testament didn't exist 2000 years ago. We don't have any originals to compare the current books with, but we know that some of the books have been altered, some have unknown authors, and many books were left out.

The first Christians probably read the Jewish scriptures and the few books and letters that were being passed around at the time. The Christian Bible didn't exist for a few hundred years after the death of Jesus.

I think the rest of the article is spot on. I think that many American Christians live their lives in a manner that is nearly opposite of how the early Christians lived. Instead of being about helping others, it seems to be more about judging others.

[Fumesucker]

2. Judging others by standards you can't or won't even maintain yourself

It's not mere happenstance that the sin Jesus the Christ most often and vehemently denounced in the Gospels was that of hypocrisy.

[cbayer]

3. They certainly wouldn't recognize them.

Great article. I really enjoyed it and would like to see it get wider play.

These are the ideals that I was raised with and seem to be so absent in some christian sects.

[edhopper]

4. But this would also apply

to all Christians after Constantine.
Christianity rejected these ideals in favor of power and opulence.
Yes, they still gave it lip service, but any look at the churches built once Christianity was official will see that for most of it's history, it resembled today's religion more than the first years.

[cbayer]

5. That is not true of all christians sects.

[edhopper]

6. No

but over all for most of Christian history, it is.

I get the gist of the article, just saying it hasn't been like the "first Christians" for a very long time.

[cbayer]

7. Power and money are seductive things.

I had a wonderful time learning about Saint Francis last summer. He revolted against the church and recognized that it had completely lost it's way.

Of course, he is not the only one, and there remain active sects that embrace the things outlined in this article. It is ironic that they get very little attention, but it's not attention that they seek.

[edhopper]

8. It's also interesting that the

Baroque Anti-Reformation movement that culminated in St. Peters in Rome was combating the reformations brought on by Luther with more opulence and a grander Church. They wanted to impress people with God's greatness here on Earth.

[cbayer]

9. There is so much political history with the catholic church, of course.

I did not visit the vatican or St. Peters. I thought about it, but just couldn't get up for it.

On the other hand, the basilica in Assisi was awe inspiring.

I don't know enough of the history, not having been raised catholic, but I hope to delve further into it this summer.

[safeinOhio]

10. I'll visit both this year.

Going on a tour named "Popes, saints and sinners".

I have very mixed feelings about churches. I'm to the point that I neither like or hate them. Just find them very interesting to study. I accept a lot of general principles, but not the dogma. Like most cultures, each thinks the others are crazy.

[cbayer]

12. I'm so happy for you.

I love to visit churches of all kinds. I'm not religious but I feel steeped in history and drama in many churches.

I will try to get to the vatican this year. It's crazy crowded and I prefer places where I can quietly wander.

When will you be in Rome?

[safeinOhio]

16. First part of May

It's a tour for college kids that I get to tag along with. Don't have to stay with tour but I understand you don't have to wait in the lines if you are with one.
My friend is a Prof at the school and she really wanted to go and had no one to go with. I said "hell yes, I'll go".

[cbayer]

17. Hell yes, is right!

Have a great time. We live there part time now and will be coming in June.

[safeinOhio]

18. Hope i can find

a few antique shops to look for some smalls I can bring back in a suitcase.

[edhopper]

11. I have been to both several times

the art and architecture are too magnificent to bypass. The Sistine chapel may be the greatest painting on earth. Not to mention the Raphaels, etc...
Of course I look at it all with a secular eye. But i can't ignore the esthetic accomplishment.

[cbayer]

13. You are listing the reasons that I want to go, but

I was so turned off by the crowds.

They have some audio tours that I would consider. That way I could block out the surrounding mayhem to a degree.

[edhopper]

14. Last time I was there

Was in January. But yes the crowds can be overwhelming.
A tip is to go before 8 am when the tourist buses arrive.

[cbayer]

15. Unfortunately, I will be there in the summer when the place

is packed (and extremely hot).

We shall see. I will probably do it this time.