Hmm, I believe than humans are basically good not evil and yet I consider
myself a christian as well. I'll have to work on this.
Gene: Faith in Christ does improve this state, but men are still able to
sin until the redemption of the body when it seems that things will
change. Moral improvement does not take place without human effort
however--God isn't going to fight those battles for us.
Which is to a certain extent a contradiction. Can God not fight those
battles for us ? Can God not defeat evil ? If not then he is not all
powerful, if yes then he appears to be uncaring.
Gene: Since the Church is an organization of humans (whatever else it
might be)
I think that comparing it to other human organizations is a fair
comparison. When the Church is compared to other human organizations, I
think it stacks up pretty well in terms of good wrought vs crimes
committed. I have mentioned the comparison between the Marxist state and
the Church in other postings.
I wonder how well the two would do in a comparisson of good and evil in
their times.
Gene: I doubt people will disagree that the Church wins that one. I think
it is a fair comparison because the Marxist state held so much "promise"
by its own lights and it failed rather spectacularly.
As christianity failed in the Spanish inquisition ? But I disagree with
you that the Church wins such a comparisson.
Or what about the Catholic church's position on birth control ? How do we
establish the damage done by this doctrine of expansion ?
Gene: Another reason that I think the Marxist state to be a good
control is that it sought to eliminate the practice of Christianity and
Christians were consciously discriminated *against* when it was time to
fill governmental leadership positions.
And Elen Craswell stated in the WA state elections she was going to
appoint only christians to positions in her government. Or the position of
many churches on gays or/and women ?
Gene: And I'm not saying let's not count the atrocities the Church has
committed, but then, let's not overlook the good that it has done, either.
Agreed.
Regards
Pim