Prez wrote on Jan 31, 2012, 22:17:
Put as simply as it can be stated, the Westboro idiots are not Christians because they do not behave the way Christ is purported to have behaved in the Bible.

Prez wrote on Jan 31, 2012, 23:00:

Sepharo wrote on Jan 31, 2012, 22:40:
So what do you think about Mormons? Are they not Christians? Who decides if they are or if they aren't? The Pope? Isn't he the anti-christ?

I understand the point your making but there is no authority behind "Christian". Do you think The Bible, with its multiple books, authors, revisions, translations, and interpretations, can be definitive?

Well a Christian would tell you the "authority" is Christ himself, but since he hasn't been around in 2000 + years (historically speaking there seems to be little doubt that a man by that name did exist around 33 A.D.)

Prez wrote on Jan 31, 2012, 23:00:
They are the common thread among all branches of Christianity from 7th Day Adventist to Jehovah's Witness. Though they vary wildly in other aeas, this seems pretty constant.

More important (or at least more pertinent to the original topic) is what Christians believe their Biblically-mandated duty to oppose homosexuality actaully entails. All it really ends up being is voting 'no' on gay marriage referendums and electing officials who will vote against gay marriage legislation in Congress at the State and Federal level. Truth be told, many I have talked to are willing to allow homosexual unions that are afforded the same recognition and benefits that hetero marriages currently have as long as the word "marriage" remains defined as being between a man and a woman. This stems from their belief that "holy matrimony" is a blessed sacrament given to man by God and to allow same-sex marriages would be a perversion of a divine gift.

Prez wrote on Jan 31, 2012, 23:00:
All in all, I really don't think any of that, while a bit goofy, should qualify them for most of the scorn and ridicule they constantly endure. It certainly doesn't put them in the same class as goddamn Shariah Law barbarians or terrorists.