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I've noticed that despite the various commands found in the New Testament for Christians to be "separate from the world" and transcend the "Ways of the world," it always seems that it is the church that takes it cues from the same world (system) they are supposed to reject. It's not just today either. What was considered "worldly", sinful or questionable is now the norm.
The practice goes way back from the time the church glossed over pagan holidays with Christian elements and created holidays and holy days so that church folk could keep up with the world.
There are things to consider, yes, but do you think that a part of any success Christianity has today has to do with it reinventing itself to appeal to the masses as opposed to the message it preaches?
A good business will review and adjust their business plan often to keep their customers in the flock. Religion is nothing more than a business. It makes the minor adjustments of their teachings (Business Plan) to fit their flock’s level of human understanding. A good example is the adjustments on evolution the Catholic Church is making now, or the acceptance of a sun centered solar system in the past. They will come up with some religious excuse for the past error, gloss over all the harmed they did with their erroneous enforcement of the myths, and remind the flock of their leaders connection the god myth and power to send them to some eternal torture.
Sure it reinvents itself. Take the UPC brand of Christianity. At one time it was long sleeves for everyone because of the modesty issue. Then it was redefined and sleeves were okay to the elbow. Well now short sleeves are fine as long as you can't see the pits when your arms are lifted. So I'd have to vote for YES.
Sure it reinvents itself. Take the UPC brand of Christianity. At one time it was long sleeves for everyone because of the modesty issue. Then it was redefined and sleeves were okay to the elbow. Well now short sleeves are fine as long as you can't see the pits when your arms are lifted. So I'd have to vote for YES.
Yes Dani, you and I have a shared history when it comes to church, attending super legalistic churches and I can attest to that.
Looking back at the topic, I should have said "Christian churches" (which of course make up Christianity). The larger successful churches nowadays are using any means necessary to compete with the world. The world is certainly not paying attention to them and for the most part, their message rings hallow to many in the sense that most people take them serious. As a result, churches have to tone it down and become "cool."
I can remember as a kid fire and brimstone messages were bellowed from pulpits with passion. Nowadays it's not "cool" to affront people with such nonsense lest the loud mouth is laughed to scorn. Divorce, once completely out of the question, is accepted. After all, if Sandi Patti, popular TV minister Charles Stanley and popular singer, Marvin Winans can do it, why can't brother Joe?
Once upon a time, you were hard pressed to find a Christian accepting an idea that the world was older than 6,000 years or who even gave a thought that evolution is possible. Now you hear all kinds of concessions to seem "current."
Let's not even talk about the music. You have punk rock Gospel down to "hard core" Gospel rap and the excuse is often that "you have to become all things to all men" in order to win souls to Christ. Just another way of saying, "we don't want to appear constipated, boring and unappealing."
Just a few hundred years ago Christians tortured and executed people they thought might be witches or involved in some occult activity. There are many Christians today who believe in witches and the occult but thankfully they don't tend to hunt them down and kill them anymore. Society has changed a great deal over the centuries and it's only natural that Christianity is going to change as well.
Just a few hundred years ago Christians tortured and executed people they thought might be witches or involved in some occult activity. There are many Christians today who believe in witches and the occult but thankfully they don't tend to hunt them down and kill them anymore. Society has changed a great deal over the centuries and it's only natural that Christianity is going to change as well.
And I find this very interesting because the finger that is often pointed toward Islam is that it (well the radical fringe) attempts to KEEP adherents trapped in the 10th century with their archaic practices. Christianity (Christians) today try to distance themselves from anything closely resembling the "believers" of 2,500 years ago and if any of them tries to even suggest going back to a time when we stone people for being gay, for example, they would be laughed out of town.
ok. parts of mankind have brought themselves to some sort of civilization.
but christianity means a behavioral pattern based on sacred texts.
and their understanding and interpretation has left much to be desired. imho.
(i will not speak for other religions nor their cultural context.)
And I find this very interesting because the finger that is often pointed toward Islam is that it (well the radical fringe) attempts to KEEP adherents trapped in the 10th century with their archaic practices. Christianity (Christians) today try to distance themselves from anything closely resembling the "believers" of 2,500 years ago and if any of them tries to even suggest going back to a time when we stone people for being gay, for example, they would be laughed out of town.
1) Neither Christianity nor Islam are 2500 old.
2) The fact that some Muslims believe (and practice) today what Christians (among others) did 1000 years ago, speaks volumes.
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