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Western christianity didn't leave all violence behind, see for example anti-abortion violence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#United_States

by Simp 12y ago

Western christianity didn't leave all violence behind, see for example anti-abortion violence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#United_States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#United_S...

fafner 12y ago
I think neals meant "modern" Christianity, as in what has become of Christianity thanks to the age of reason. This excludes some Western (especially US) branches of Christianity.
- thret 12y ago
  Christianity was pacifist from the beginning. Jesus was all about non-violence: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:38-39 ESV
  - cottonseed 12y ago
    I'm not sure why you're being downvoted. This was also my understanding. I highly recommend Mark Kurlansky's Nonviolence: History of a Dangerous Idea, which discusses non-violence in the history of early Christianity: http://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-History-Dangerous-Mark-Kurlansky-ebook/dp/B0017SWRTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421167288&sr=8-1&keywords=history+dangerous+idea+kurlansky http://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-History-Dangerous-Mark-Kur...
bkmartin 12y ago
Violent acts against those who disagree with you is not a Christian principal and goes directly against the teaching of our faith. Period. Anyone who supports or performs acts of violence as you are referencing are sinning and blaspheming when using a reference to God for their actions. No excuses, those are evil acts.
- bkmartin 12y ago
  Hmmm, that's interesting. I got downvoted for saying that violent acts on abortion clinics are evil and go against a religious principal? Would the downvoter care to actually engage in a conversation about why they thought I an deemed worthy of a downvote? Is it because I identified myself with a religious belief? Please, please do engage with me.
tomjen3 12y ago
That is a little bit different, at least they are pissed or what they consider murders of human beings whereas these terrorists were pissed over writings.

by Simp 12y ago

fafner 12y ago

I think neals meant "modern" Christianity, as in what has become of Christianity thanks to the age of reason. This excludes some Western (especially US) branches of Christianity.

thret 12y ago
Christianity was pacifist from the beginning. Jesus was all about non-violence: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:38-39 ESV
- cottonseed 12y ago
  I'm not sure why you're being downvoted. This was also my understanding. I highly recommend Mark Kurlansky's Nonviolence: History of a Dangerous Idea, which discusses non-violence in the history of early Christianity: http://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-History-Dangerous-Mark-Kurlansky-ebook/dp/B0017SWRTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421167288&sr=8-1&keywords=history+dangerous+idea+kurlansky http://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-History-Dangerous-Mark-Kur...

bkmartin 12y ago

Violent acts against those who disagree with you is not a Christian principal and goes directly against the teaching of our faith. Period. Anyone who supports or performs acts of violence as you are referencing are sinning and blaspheming when using a reference to God for their actions. No excuses, those are evil acts.

bkmartin 12y ago
Hmmm, that's interesting. I got downvoted for saying that violent acts on abortion clinics are evil and go against a religious principal? Would the downvoter care to actually engage in a conversation about why they thought I an deemed worthy of a downvote? Is it because I identified myself with a religious belief? Please, please do engage with me.

tomjen3 12y ago

That is a little bit different, at least they are pissed or what they consider murders of human beings whereas these terrorists were pissed over writings.