I cannot remain silent any longer - maybe due to all the wonderful sunshine. Does anyone else have the same problem as I with Polly's opening line to this thread?

"...I and a brother in Christ, went to the State Library to share Christ ..."

If finding this sentence simultaneously repugnant and hilarious outs me as perverse, well I am guilty.

Even when I share a pack of Tim Tams, I'm not in them as well. Well usually.

Is this how all the EB's talk?

It matters most significantly that “most Muslims are moderate”, just as most Christians, Buddhists and Hindus are indeed moderate.
Most people just want to go about their lives living in quiet harmony with others and free from danger and discomfort.
It’s only the very few that take it upon themselves to force their beliefs on others – whether it’s by invoking culturally oppressive laws (as in Algeria) or by approaching people in public places – it’s just a matter of degree but the motivation is identical.

One side may think that martyrdom is a fasttrack to Paradise but the other may believe they are squirreling away “salvation dollars” to spend in heaven in the hope that they aren’t in deficit when the big day arrives. In both cases it’s really about the individual SELF, and a perpetuation of an "Us-and-Them” mentality.

“..what really counts is where this kind of thing comes from..and we both know that...don't we?”
The reality is that they both come from the same place, historically and philosophically. I feel they are each different sides of the same coin – both promising the same thing and both are victims of their own undeniable histories. Just ignore the many elephants in the room and they’ll eventually go away.

It’s only the misguided zealots that take it upon themselves to throw bombs or cast ever-widening nets of aspersion and mistrust and harm the innocent.

Some are deliberately used to carry out the sinister will of others and some create their own version of reality where they alone know The Truth and are compelled to demonstrate it to others.

Most people can even go for days without worrying about what's wrong with the world and simply enjoy what's right with it.

Fraccy..yes, you are a perverse evil woman :) but God loves you anyway.... after all.. He loved and loves me!

You might find repugnance in the idea of sharing Christ..but those who are politely asked if they wish to hear or not.. don't :)

Robert.. please spend less energy trying to 'trip' people ane more on how to 'walk' :)

Frac..I'm not EB...I'm just plain Christian..who happens to be in fellowship at an O.B. chapel. When I share the Gospel at the State Library.. I point across the street to the Swanston St Church of Christ.. as I know one of the elders there. I am happy to chanel any new believer into that fellowship because the issue is not about learning which one is 'right'.. but about Christ "Learn of me" said Jesus.

They have a good small group ministry and great follow up even extending to overseas.

The potential for world mission outcomes from evangelising people at the State Library is huge..Sikh's..Koreans.. Chinese... Tibetans..Muslims of various nationality...
Then again.. there might even be the occasional caucasian Aussie there who has not surcumbed to the mind deadening onslaught from secular atheism and be open to the Word of Salvation.

Why not drop along one day yourself and we can have a chat.. maybe even share a Tim Tam :)

But you better watch out for the Rebuplican Party lady.. she is a TERROR.. has a voice stronger than 3 blokes.. I swear she is scary :)
She doesn't mind giving a whack both verbally and physically to people who get up her nose.... I've thus far survived :)

But it was quite hilarious watching the 'Monarchist' who was 'illuminating people' going nose to nose with her at her lecturn.

Wobbles.. you better come down and meet him.. you would lean much young Jedi :) (about who runs Australia)

Silly me.

I almost forgot to ask.

Boaz, were any of the three Sikhs carrying a kirpan? After all the fuss you made about it in another thread, I would have thought it would be your first question.

I haven't been particularly curious about your specific church affiliation before, but there was something about your last post that began a chain of thought.

>>Frac..I'm not EB...I'm just plain Christian..who happens to be in fellowship at an O.B. chapel.<<

Now I cannot pretend that I have the faintest idea what an "O.B. chapel" is, but it presumably differs from the EBs, which Fractelle alluded to.

So in a spirit of genuine enquiry, Boaz, could you give me a quick thumbnail sketch as to why you are "in fellowship" at that particular place?

If you have time, you might give a few words on why you are an O.B. (if that is the term) and not Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist, Fundamentalist, Pentecostalist, Episcopalian, Orthodox (as in Greek, Russian etc.), Anabaptist, Adventist, Calvinist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Quaker, Methodist, Reformed, Wesleyan, Apostolic, Revivalist or Charismatic?

That is just a short-list, of course, as you well know.

Two further questions arise from this. One trivial, the other deadly serious.

How does anyone get to reject all those superfluous versions, and find the right one?

But that apart...

If you can accept that there are many versions of Christianity, reflecting different attitudes towards the various scriptures, how come you can't see the same can apply to Muslims?

Both groups have their terrorists, who are prepared to kill for their religious beliefs.

Or in the name of their religion, at least.

Here's one example, of many.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporals_killings

As I have tried to explain on many previous occasions, Boaz, terrorists are "merely" terrorists. The baggage they carry is not scriptural quotes, just a hatred of the "other".

They don't need any specific religious affiliation in order to be a terrorist, there is enough justification in their enemies simply being, in their eyes "non-believers".

"Robert.. please spend less energy trying to 'trip' people ane more on how to 'walk' :)"

David, you've tripped yourself, I'm trying to provide some suggestions which might help you walk (or at least expose your attempts to lead others down a path to darkness for what they are).

R0bert

Pericles: << Boaz, were any of the three Sikhs carrying a kirpan? >>

Of course they were - and this is another example of Boazy courageously risking life and limb to share Christ with the heathens.

He's a legend in his own mind.