Have Christians ever sought to conquer the World for Christianity ?

[hazek]

One just needs to look at present time and this poll which clearly shows how much more likely you are to get brainwashed by the media propaganda into following a big government psychopath "leader":

(taken from: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/nov/ISUpoll)

That is only 15% of all religious people are behind Ron vs almost 59% of atheists. Interesting right?

 

[oyarde]

Have Christians ever sought to conquer the world for Christianity ? Yes , have I considered conquering the world ? If , I ever did consider it , it would specifically to promote religious freedom to anyone peaceful .

 

[Pericles]

If you want to look at the parallels, Christianity went through periods of expansion via the use of force (not the religion itself, but those claiming to act on its behalf). First period at about 700 to 800 years in (Charlemagne), then another expansion to secure important territory controlled by hostile elements (Crusades), then expansion into "heathen" lands (Americas), and finally, reconciliation with the modern world (30 Years War). Looking at Islam, they seem to be running around 700 or so years behind the Christian cycle, so Islam might be able to reconcile with the modern world in about 300 years. Islam is now in the expansion into heathen lands for the purpose of conversion phase.

 

[Xenophage]

One of the raisons d'etre of the Roman church was to conquer the world by spreading Christianity to one and all; even if they had to kill those refusing to accept papal force (note I do not call it "authority" because there was none, save that of the sword). So the answer is "yes". What the base motives may have been, good or bad, are perhaps impossible to know and are irrelevant. What counts is what was DONE and not the underlying intentions.

The same may be said for the Muslims. The vast and overwhelming majority appear to be peaceable people who are uninterested in the politicization of their religion in terms of participating in it. That tiny minority is the fountainhead of the trouble. Who pulls their strings? Perhaps impossible to tell, but I do not discount any plausible explanation's candidacy.

Global politics is the great Gordian Knot of truth twisted into deceit. It is an endless and hopelessly unnavigable maze of smoke and mirrors. When you have considered it as pathologically deeply as have I, you get an inkling of that which we are up against. It is not so much the material reality that cannot be defeated as it is the psychological quagmire that has us fighting against our own ignorance and the inability to perceive certain aspects of the truth. The people who have contrived this circumstance are masters of a very black art. My hat is off to them for sheer nerve and drive to achieve. One can have nothing but respect for such master craftsmanship and unmitigated avarice.

I wonder if they are hiring.

Are you looking for a job? Sorry but all openings are filled right now. Send me a resume and I'll keep it on file in case something opens up in our call center.

 

[osan]

Maybe the religion itself didn't, but there can be no dispute certain small groups of people abused religion with ease for control of whole nations that did.

Of course it did not. People did. Without people there is no religion. I doubt gerbils pray to... something.

That's why I so vehemently oppose any type of religion, it's just too easy for someone to abuse it for control over the masses. When I say any type I also mean the state, rights, citizens.. anything that isn't based on facts and therefor doesn't exist.

I understand this position and it is not unreasonable. I am not against religion per se. If people wish to believe in unmitigatedly stupid things, so be it as long as they do not impose it upon others. The same may be said for anything else. People need to learn to leave each other alone. I doubt they every will, save for a very small proportion. The rest are all too willing to let a tiny minority lead them by their noses. People are capable of any atrocity. What is worth is that they will commit any atrocity so long as someone viewed as an authority tells them it is OK. How else is it that good Christian boys, brought up with "Thou shalt not kill" merrily go to foreign nations and commit murder en masse? They do it because what is otherwise unthinkable becomes not just acceptable, but one's honor bound duty to do for no other reason than the order escaped from the right pair of lips. The absurdity of this is almost impossible to over-state. This is the stuff of which madness is woven, and in this regard far too many people are far too gone down that path.

 

[erowe1]

What was Iraq invasion for? Religious racism/extremism was among the motivators along with greed/revenge.

You're talking about pro-Islamic religious extremism. Right?

Since that's the side we took in that war, against Christians.

 

[osan]

Respectfully Hazek, you don't oppose religion. Your religion is humanism, and it is responsible for more murder, oppression, and tyranny than all of these other religions combined.

I think it is dangerous water into which you wander when you begin telling another what he thinks or likes or intends.

It is one thing to question a statement, seeking clarification. It is quite the other to dictate thought.

I advise caution in such matters. FWIW.

 

[Sola_Fide]

I think it is dangerous water into which you wander when you begin telling another what he thinks or likes or intends.

It is one thing to question a statement, seeking clarification. It is quite the other to dictate thought.

I advise caution in such matters. FWIW.

Are you saying I shouldn't take his explicit and implicit statements of atheism at face value?

Or are you saying it is impossible to deduce a person's worldview by the ideas they communicate?

Or are you saying that even if the first two are possible, that one ought not ever mention or draw out the implications of a person's worldview?


I don't accept any of those.

 

[TER]

Christians are sojourners of this world, our battle cry is "Maranatha" "Oh Lord, come!"

The promises of Christ and the joy of the Kingdom are in the next life, after we are raised up again in the General Ressurection, the resurrection made possible because Christ came into the world and overcame the world and provided us the path to true life by uniting us and creation with Himself and saving it, that is, elevating it with the nature of God by His Grace.

Any person who seeks to conquer this world and rule over it and over other people treds a dangerous path, for they open themselves to be attacked by demons and often end up aligning themselves with the prince of this world, in fact trying to gain the whole world which is temporary and losing their very eternal souls.

Christians have tried to conquer other people not because of Christ, but rather in spite of Him, putting themselves and their ideologies above God's Word. This is why pray 'Lord have mercy!'

 

[osan]

Are you saying I shouldn't take his explicit and implicit statements of atheism at face value?

Or are you saying it is impossible to deduce a person's worldview by the ideas they communicate?

Or are you saying that even if the first two are possible, that one ought not ever mention or draw out the implications of a person's worldview?


I don't accept any of those.

I am not saying any of those. He said "...I so vehemently oppose any type of religion." to which you made the assertion, "...you don't oppose religion. Your religion is humanism...". Your response directly states he does not oppose religion, in diametric contradiction of his claim that he does. This is similar to the case where he says he like vanilla ice cream and you tell him that he really doesn't. Hence my statement about dangerous waters.

Do as you wish, of course. I was only attempting to point out the hazards of doing so. No offense was intended.

 

[oyarde]

Of course it did not. People did. Without people there is no religion. I doubt gerbils pray to... something.



I understand this position and it is not unreasonable. I am not against religion per se. If people wish to believe in unmitigatedly stupid things, so be it as long as they do not impose it upon others. The same may be said for anything else. People need to learn to leave each other alone. I doubt they every will, save for a very small proportion. The rest are all too willing to let a tiny minority lead them by their noses. People are capable of any atrocity. What is worth is that they will commit any atrocity so long as someone viewed as an authority tells them it is OK. How else is it that good Christian boys, brought up with "Thou shalt not kill" merrily go to foreign nations and commit murder en masse? They do it because what is otherwise unthinkable becomes not just acceptable, but one's honor bound duty to do for no other reason than the order escaped from the right pair of lips. The absurdity of this is almost impossible to over-state. This is the stuff of which madness is woven, and in this regard far too many people are far too gone down that path.

Now you have me wondering about gerbils ......

 

[Eagles' Wings]

Christians are sojourners of this world, our battle cry is "Maranatha" "Oh Lord, come!"

The promises of Christ and the joy of the Kingdom are in the next life, after we are raised up again in the General Ressurection, the resurrection made possible because Christ came into the world and overcame the world and provided us the path to true life by uniting us and creation with Himself and saving it, that is, elevating it with the nature of God by His Grace.

Any person who seeks to conquer this world and rule over it and over other people treds a dangerous path, for they open themselves to be attacked by demons and often end up aligning themselves with the prince of this world, in fact trying to gain the whole world which is temporary and losing their very eternal souls.

Christians have tried to conquer other people not because of Christ, but rather in spite of Him, putting themselves and their ideologies above God's Word. This is why pray 'Lord have mercy!'

This reminds me to consider Christ when I want to conquer others - especially my spouse, children, friends, siblings. It takes great humility to seek to love in kindness. I agree, TER, "Lord have mercy."

 

[Todd]

It wasn't Christians that started the Crusades. That was a perverted religion that called itself Christian.

Yes. When someone tells you wars are about ideology, that's rarely the case. They just use ideology to garner support. Most wars are about who controls land and resources.

 

[Dr.3D]

Now you have me wondering about gerbils ......

Well, if you put a gerbil in a cage full of mice, it will kill them all. So gerbils obviously want their world all to themselves.

 

[oyarde]

Well, if you put a gerbil in a cage full of mice, it will kill them all. So gerbils obviously want their world all to themselves.

Interesting , but not suprising .

 

[nbhadja]

All 3 of the Abrahamic religions have a cruel and violent history of being intolerant toward other religions. If Islam is number 1 in violence, Christianity along with Judaism are right behind it. Both also share a burning desire to convert as many as possible.

 

[hellsingfan]

Those who claim 'religion' is the source of mass murder.. You're statistically bsing... If the world was completely atheist you think we wouldn't be having wars? Learn about humans first because you guys need a reality check.. If majority of the world have religious beliefs, the likelihood of THEM doing something is far greater.

America has killed more people than any Islamic Army. And American reason to fight were not 'religious'.

 

[ExPatPaki]

Islam is now in the expansion into heathen lands for the purpose of conversion phase.

How do you figure that? I think the mass conversion is done. For example, Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country, but no conquering Muslim army ever went there.

 

[Pericles]

How do you figure that? I think the mass conversion is done. For example, Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country, but no conquering Muslim army ever went there.

Been to western Europe and parts of north America recently?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The reason I want to know is because the Neocon Right Wingers always tell me that the Islamists desire to conquer the World for Islam but don't all Religions do this ? Why just pick on Islam ? When Christians started the Crusades in the name of Christianity to conquer Palestine. I think Islamist Terrorism is caused by U.S. Foreign Policy rather then their desire for Empire Christians have had Christian Empires.

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

Jesus teaches us how to be in matthew 5 (sermon on the mount). Christians (real ones who actually obey Jesus) do not bring war,hatred to their neighbors and do not seek to conquer anyone physically for the sole purpose of forcing beliefs on someone else. Apostasy would be the word used to describe a person who claims to be a Christian but acts completely opposite of Christ.