I've been a Christian for 40 years, and this 'legal', 'external' Christianity you describe is totally foreign to me. If Christianity were as you say, I would not believe in it.

Believing in Jesus Christ sets you free from all legalism, and opens up a way of spirituality which has depth and integrity. I continually question, because my understanding is inadequate. Often I have to let go of the view of God I hold because my view fails to describe God. I need to constantly grow both intellectually and spiritually.

But there are many 'versions' of Christianity around, and none of them is as limited as the one you attack.

Ted,

I'm an academic and encourage students to address and find fault in the Creed (if you like of the discipline). I found be far from being alone. This would be very different to the Mass or Protestant service. A priest or minister can say just about anything, without the audience being encouraged to question. There is regiment to the service and only one interpreter. The rest indwell (Polanyi) unquestionning in the performance.

In days gone by, the Laws of the Churches had more temporal signicance and people could be executed for disagreeing with them.

In Bisbane (I think) a Catholic priest is in trouble for deviating from the Faith's laws. The Anglicans have 39 Articles of Faith.

Peter et al
I have never been a Catholic.
My position with Christianity is that I have several friends who are Christians and at one stage I was considering joining them.
Before I did I decided to research Christianity to see if it had any substance. My research became my book 'What I have Written.' The title comes from the conversation between Pilot and the Priests about the sign nailed to the cross of Jesus.
It is ironic that in studying what Jesus reported to have said (from a Greek translation) I have become a converted fan of his philosophies, but totally opposed to the church that has hi-jacked his name.
Basically Christianity has become everything that Jesus opposed.
There seems to a misconception amongst some who post to OLO that I am anti-Christian as in people. I am not. I am anti the Christian hierarchy and the distortions and lies it represents. Any serious study of the beginnings and dogma of Christianity shows that it is impossible to support.
My book ends with a suggestion of a new Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus, not on the teachings of Paul. Maybe the second coming of Jesus could be Christians looking to Jesus not the Christian Hierarchy.
I remain an agnostic with leanings towards the existence of an entity beyond our comprehension. Call it 'God' if you must.
Unfortunately this entity (if it exists) has received extremely bad publicity from Christians/Jews/Muslims doing bad things and claiming them to be the will of God. Christianity/Judaism/Islam has nothing to do with God. They are just three legal firms who each claim to be God's lawyers on earth and have each conducted vicious campaigns to try and assert their will.
It is a pity that it seems impossible for many people to look beyond religion if they are seeking to find God.
I don't seek to destroy anyone's believe in God. I seek to clear away the debris of lies and misinformation spread by religions so the path is clear to find whatever may be at the end of the road.

Daviy, self assesses his motives and expresses them very well. People who dare question religions, churches or the bible are continually assessed as anti-Christian. Why can't they be pro-truth? Aren't Jesus' words supposed truth?

Ted, Daviy is correct when he describes it as a legal system but it is even more a multi-level marketing scheme. The Bible is full of religious laws allegedly from God hence the legal argument.

Feel free to comment on my discussion http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=2572 - don't be offended, please just read and if moved to, comment.

Daviy is like myself... attempting to broaden the Christian mind from the "I believe" mentality to, if it works out that way, a more intellectual belief.

What did they do to Jesus when he dared question the laws? Well Christians shouldn't make the same mistake. But many will!

A question I used to ask my Bible instructors was - How will I know when Jesus comes again - their answer - you will know it in your heart.

The people of Jesus' times didn't know it when he was allegedly amongst them so that answer is pretty illogical - which I pointed out. Don't question an unknowing Christian.

So Christians - don't take offence - think and answer the questions this article & others raise!

Runner - have a look at how much money the churches posses and assess that with your comment "God's free gift"... Was that a blooper?...lol

http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/16261.htm

The bible does blame women for lots of things. Paul even has the nerve to tell them to be quiet - 1 Timothy 11-12. Paul, not Jesus, Paul - doesn't allow them to teach! A single man inflicting his will over an entire gender!

Shadow Minister you might like to reassess your argument about the legal system - the bible is full of rules and punishments.

Reality Check - so you would jump ship to Muhammad if Jesus was a philosopher - Wow!

I would just love to see more committed Christians commenting - rather than sitting in their comfy little worlds - believing their God is less than intelligent!

Clarification: "I'm an academic and encourage students to address and find fault in the Creed (if you like of the discipline)." - Oliver

Should be: "I'm an academic and I encourage students to address and to find fault in the Creed (if you like) of the disciplines taught."

Maybe it was St Thomas Aquinas who is to blame for making Christianity earthly getting the message from Persian Islamists who strange to say, were still talking about the benefits of Socratic Reasoning.

Maybe it is a historical lesson for us to benefit from right now.