Major Divisions of Belief in Christianity

Major Divisions of Belief in Christianity

Christian “Eschatological views on the Second Coming”

There are Anti-Millenialists; those who hold this belief usually refer to the books of Daniel and Revelations. They normally do not hold that Revelations writes of literal things that actually will happen. Then there are the Non-Millenialists or Amillenialists, who believe that the Kingdom of God is on earth, right now. Then there are the Post-Millenialists, who hold that we are approaching the point where we will have the Kingdom of God. They believe that when they have converted enough people to Christianity then Jesus Christ will return and reign for 1000 years, judging people and resurrecting the dead. They normally do not have much to say about the “Rapture” or the “Tribulation” as do the Pre-Millenialists, who hold that the Kingdom of God will be preceded by a “rapture,” or taking up of those who believe in Jesus Christ both dead and alive after a period known as the “great tribulation.” There are presently three primary Christian sectarian views Orthodox, Liberal, and Fundamentalist.

Why do you think the Christian Fundamentalists are primarily Pre-Millenialists?

GODISNOWHERE

It is a wonder that we humans can even communicate. However, we do; words relatively mean the same thing for the most part for most of us. Although, we do not understand the truth in the absolute sense we do often have a sense of it.
When talking about truth it is easy to make the word mean two different things at the very same time. It can mean relative truth, which is owned by the observer or refer to absolute truth, which may or may not exist. However, if it does exist, absolute truth that is, it is flawless, unchanging, timeless, and it explains and unifies everything. It is confusing when the reference is not clear as to what one is talking about.
If absolute truth cannot exist, the rational mind concludes that God is an illusion. This thought is based on the valid assumption that truth is rational and can be known. If relative truth or the truth that we perceive as individuals is so different from anyone else’s belief than it can explain why we have problems communicating. However, once again, the rational mind questions if relative truth is not shared and thus "understandable" then; how are we communicating?
If one concludes that relative truth is shared enough for us to come to a meeting of the minds, it begs the question of How? If there is no basis for rational truth to compass from, or be based on...How then does it work?

Relative truth can be both true and untrue at the very same time. The Koans of Zen use this attribute of relative truth to cause the shock of reflectivity to the initiate. They use questions such as: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" (Deals with conflict) or "If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?" (This deals with understanding that just because one does not understand or observe something; it does not make it untrue or nonexistent.) Here is a classic example of relative truth showing two opposing viewpoints at the very same time:

GODISNOWHERE

What does it say?

God is now here –or– God is nowhere?

Parables, Stories, and Allegorical Statements

Parables, Stories, and Allegorical Statements

One of the reasons religions use parables, stories, and allegorical statements is that they can address many people at different levels of development. It can also be fuel for those who disagree with the primary principles put forth... as well as a basis for a higher state of awareness for those that do agree. When we stop seeing authority as truth we do begin to see the authority of truth. Similarly a country that is ruled by law will normally seek to destroy those that are following the rule of law. Using the rule by law dogma can be used to maintain a dictatorship or to build one by removing the natural rights of the people using "the imposed law" to do so. This has often been done historically using the pretext of "protecting" the people from some form of "catastrophe" that those in power can stop, fight, or in some way defeat.

Paul Coehlo in the "The Alchemist" suggests through the book that one follow a personal myth. That when one "truly believes" in something the universe will support bringing it about. This is also a prominent belief in many New Age books such as "The Secret." All myths begin with humans looking at something that they cannot fathom or is ineffable and causes them anxiety. From there they look for causal relationships. For example: The volcano is erupting but when the young virgin died it stopped. Therefore, it takes a virgins death...and then after the causality they polarize: They find the up and down, the good and bad, the right and wrong, the devil and the angel...From there they begin creating a narrative they can share with others of their perceptions of reality. These parables, stories, and allegories can often be used in ritual to bring about a neuro-chemical response similar to those who first found the "causality" and with this they too begin the process of accepting the dualities that define their new found perceptions whether it is based on reality or close to it or on the "volcano scenario."

Fundamentalists and Terrorists

What it means to be a Terrorist Fanatic
We need to be able to make sound decisions and look at people with fairness. We need to look at some very important aspects concerning fairness. In the study of religion we use the label "fundamentalist" and attach it to a large variety of religions to segment a certain type of activities people are taking that delineate them as "being" a Fundamentalist. What is most important is that we maintain our ability to very quickly judge actions as being right or wrong and very slowly if at all judge people.
I believe you will find that there is a gray area of those who consider themselves to be "Fundamentalists" in all of these groups. These are those who hold their religion is the "only" source of truth, their scripture the "only" inspired "word of God, Allah, G-d" and they are "willing" to defend their position with physical force if needed in their mind. Being "willing" to defend a position that cannot be proven with fact as true is not terrorism. Taking action to preemptively attack a supposed "enemy" as part of their "willingness to defend their position" is terroristic in nature.
Though groups that are founded on hate and hating others exist and sponsor terrorism and promote the belief in terror as a viable process of social change; that alone does not make all of their adherents as culpable as those who own, operate and perform the tactical aspects of their organization.

Ku Klux Klan

Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan has not changed much at all. What changed are the people who are around them and the laws that stop them. Here is a partial shot of their web site. I had to blank out certain portions. (This is as of 5/3/2008)
If you are not of the White race, this web site is not for the likes of YOU! We reserve the right of free speech to state our views whether our enemies like it or not. The IKA hates: M***, s***, k**** and n****. This is our God given right! In no way do we advocate violence. We believe in educating our people to the monopolistic Jewish control of the world's banks, governments, and media. White education is what ZOG hates and why it tries to imprison White Racialists. http://kkkk.net/home.htm
ZOG stands for Zionist Occupation Government. It is their belief that our government, the government of the United States of America is controlled by Jewish Foreigners. This is their present web site. At the same time they say they are promoting love this is also what appears.

Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism

A really good book on the topic of Religious Fundamentalism is called "The Battle for God" by Karen Armstrong. She has this on tape if like me you have to drive a lot. Here is a web site with a brief description.
http://www.bookbrowse.com/excerpts/index.cfm?book_number=543
She shows compassion and an insight into this matter that is amazing!
Neither, Judaism, Islam nor Christianity produces terrorists. Terrorists are produced by hate, and it takes hate to maintain their activities.

Are there Christian Terrorists?

Are there Christian Terrorists?

You may want to look at this site from Northeastern University concerning "Hate Crimes" and the involvement of the KKK. Keep in mind that using judgment is not the same as being judgmental. I have friends in all walks of life. Having them as friends does not for me qualify them for a special dispensation from reality. If someone promotes racism and violence they are promoting hate.
Northeastern University: http://www.violence.neu.edu/in_the_news/past_news/hate_crimes/
You can also look at the Air Force University Library for the identification of known Hate Groups and Terrorists organizations operating in the United States. The KKK is part of the Christian Identity Group which is a larger known Hate Group (i.e. Terrorist Organization, this one is hiding behind “Christianity”) responsible for murdering Nurses, Doctors and Judges. http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/bibs/tergps/tgdom.htm

I am a retired United States Military Officer who has over twenty one years of service and have personal as well as professional knowledge of the subject at hand. You cannot be a part of any such hate group and be in the US Military. This is not said to offend but to inform. If a stove is hot to not say so would be dereliction.

I believe you will find that there is a gray area of those who consider themselves to be "Fundamentalists" in all of these groups. These are those who hold their religion is the "only" source of truth, their scripture the "only" inspired "word of God, Allah, G-d" and they are "willing" to defend their position with physical force if needed in their mind. Being "willing" to defend a position that cannot be proven with fact as true is not terrorism. Taking action to preemptively attack a supposed "enemy" as part of their "willingness to defend their position" is terroristic in nature.