Belly,

"Christ, one of the many we invented,..."

Care to back that up with a bit of evidence and a reference or two?

Is Mise,

Still master baiting ...

Foxy,

"What do our beliefs have to do with you?"

Nothing at all, I was merely stating my unassailable position.

mhaze, the information, limited to 350 words, came out of a Christian publication, this weeks edition of the Salvation Army's 'WARCRY' which I read regularly, and I discuss with a mate, a Major in the Army, about things from time to time. Not everything is on the 'Internet' old chum. Thanks for your vote of confidence.

P1405: Does religion allow Buddhist to look down at those who they see as less enlightened. Hindu's can look down on those with less karma.

Actually Buddhism & Hinduism aren't strictly Religions. Although Hinduism does have Gods. Buddhism doesn't.

These two are really Philosophies. Much of what Jesus preached is Philosophy taken from Hinduist & Buddhist Philosophies & melded in to a Jewish World.

Foxy: In many African churches on the other hand statues and
portraits of Jesus show him with dark, Negroid features.

& in South East Asia they show Jesus as South East Asian or even Chinese. I even have a Statue of the Virgin Mary that is very Chinese looking.

NNS: Each religion has it's own answer.

Actually I would say that, each Religion has it's own Agenda.

NNS: This basically goes further then pointing out wrongs, and standing for truth but also says that if you're not Christian you aren't going to get to God. The only way is with Jesus.

Yes, I've had this screamed at me from across the Street by those lovely Southern Baptist Preachers that get on Street Corners. "You, you are a Sinner, Repent in Jesus name now." Now, isn't that divisive?

Mind you I been told the same thing by JW's & 7DA's. Very Divisive.

I've been told that, "I am only an Animal & can be shot, no problem", by an Islamic Imam. Now, that is Divisive.

I can't say I had that problem with Hindu's or Buddhists.

All the problems, I remember growing up between the Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists & Anglicans. Do you remember the old Ditties. "Anglicans, Anglicans sitting on a log, eating gutses out of a Frog." Etc. That was divisive.

Then, of course, there was the Masons, Boy, they were supposed to be bad news. Sex with Goats, etc. Does that mean moslims are Masons? Divisive?

Of course Religion is Divisive. Fortunately, most people don't take it too seriously now-a-days. Just the old, Dyed in the Wool Hardliners, who no-one takes seriously anymore anyway.

To Jayb.

I actually think there are more aspects in Christianity that bring people together and are wholesome then there are that divide people apart. Nonetheless there are aspects of division within Christianity, and that's the question on this topic. I pointed out that "turn from your sins" is one of those aspects of division. I don't think this is a bad thing either. If people took that bit of teaching more often to turn from our sins, the world would be a better place. If people also turn to God then it makes the struggle to get away from your sins easier also, so I think both are valid and need to stay together.

I'm sorry for you if you got screamed at from someone. I think this has a larger society interacting with itself kind of element that causes the preemptive yelling, then it is about the person yelling at you. Like I said ongoing reactions can cause bitterness and anger. Just having a different position and having the gall to voice that position is divisive in the same way because it'll cause a reaction. Try not to take it personally, the people I've found yelling at me for one thing or another seemed like there was baggage there before they talked to me. In other words regardless if they are right or not, the yelling wasn't aimed at you, it's probabley something or someone else they are angry at from before. Christianity has a soothing element to help the baggage from continuing on. The verse to turn the other cheek is awesome social responsibility that lets the baggage someone gives you just get absorbed instead of passing it on or passing it back.