Originally posted by Fishermage

Originally posted by Praetoriani

I'm an atheist, however, I've read everything Fishermage wrote in this thread, and I like what I read. I wish many more people of faith could think of their God the way you do.

 

If you ever want to know more about the great tradition of Christian Universalism and/or inclusivism, let me know :)

I might just take you up on that in the future - thanks! I do not see myself having faith anytime in the near future, however, I believe people could definitely learn from the views on Christianity you have.

I've been away for a few days and just had the chance to read through the recent posts in this thread.  Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for contributing to a very civil and interesting debate.

In 1610, Galileo challenged the Aristotelian and Ptolemaic views of the universe as a canopy of crystalline spheres above the stationary Earth, showing that the Sun is the center of the solar system and the planets revolve around it.
The rcc remained stagnate in its beliefs; church dogma adopted in 1545 at the Council of Trent tightened the organization of religious institutions, condemned the reforms of Protestantism, dictated that the church's interpretation of the nt was final and individual interpretations by Christians were heretical, and reaffirmed practices such as the sale of indulgences to move deceased people out of purgatory, pilgrimages, veneration of saints and relics, and veneration of the Virgin Mary.

In 1619, Kepler established the planetary laws. In 1687, Newton published the Principia Mathematica, which revolutionized humankind's understanding of how the celestial bodies remained in orbit.
During that time, the rcc viciously persecuted and executed men and women in Europe if their beliefs ran afoul of the church's first-century belief system.

Fundamentalist churches are known for their intolerance, divisiveness, and anti-intellectualism. They remain adamant that the first-century texts described G and were the standards for spirituality, frozen in time. The church still recites the Nicene Creed from the fourth century CE as its statement of belief.
Maybe "Christians" would have a better understanding of the Gospel, if they studied the original teachings of Yeshua, rather than a Greek copy of His teachings.
Books of the new testament (nt) were originally penned in Aramaic (the Lingua Franca of the Persian Empire), and were later translated into Greek by first-century gentile Christians in the West; then the Aramaic originals were discarded.

Exodus 3:18 tells us that YHWH (third person singular form) is the G of the Hebrews

Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

The Seven Last statements of Christ:
The First Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. lk 23:34
The Second I assure you, today you will be with me in Paradise. lk 23:43
The Third Dear woman, here is your son. john 19:26
The Fourth My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? mk 15:34
The Fifth I am thirsty. john 19:28
The Sixth It is finished. john 19:30
The Seventh Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. lk 24:46