Starting over, I first need to make a correction. I used the word Liturgy when I meant Parish. My bad.
The responses have been great, and I could spend hours replying back, but I only want to say these few things. In its most base form, I believe that a Christian is defined strictly as one who believes that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, that he was crucified, and was resurrected. ANYTHING else is dogma, and subject to serious disagreement. My point overall, is that the term "Christian Values" can mean most anything. However, it is most commonly used as a tool to provide some evidence that because the values are associated with Christ, that that makes them the "right" values. Everyone who has responded to this thread has help me illustrate that the definition of Christian values encompass a wide range of values. This combined with the definition of what is a "Christian", it cannot be precisely defined, and is, in fact, filled with many contradictions. However, in most every case I hear the term "Christian Values" it is in the context that only those who have "Christian Values" are decent people, and the rest of the population is contributing to the destruction of the world, in what ever form. Commonly it is used as a directed attack in accusing others of NOT having Christian values, implying one is bad or evil. This really pisses me off... This exercise has helped me understand that I have little to complain about Christian Values. In reality, I have a strong opposition to the way in which the term itself is used. I, by no means, want to imply that a belief in Christ is in anyway depreciating. Nearly all of my friends are Christians. If I have made anyone feel bad, I apologize. My anger is at those who use "Christ" as a blunt weapon, in an attempt to depreciate other beliefs, values and actions. Is this clear? Nerd from Hell _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
