PJS895S@SMSVMA (Pat Shepard) (02/11/90)
In response to the recent posts regarding the fruits of Christianity and
the fruits of non-Christian groups:
I think it is important to realize that the greatest fruits of all are a
proper (i.e. honest, correct, heartfelt and truthful) love and respect towards
God, His commandments and his atoning sacrifice for all. The second greatest
fruit is eternal salvation. Sorry, but the Mormon's and the Daoists, no matter
how nice they are, don't have that.
Also, I think it is incredibly pointless to bring up the crusades and the
inquisition. First, they are an example of pre-counter-reformation Catholicism
and nobody on here is that (we are all protestants, eastern [are there any of
those on here?], or post-counter-reformation Catholics). Second, Do you have
any idea how long ago that was? Or how little those events shaped future
doctrines, except to re-emphasize the role of love over violence?
Obviously the crusaders and the members of the inquisition weren't acting
according to the will of the Holy Spirit. Humans, you must remember, are full
of sin, and Christians are not immune (indeed, I think we are tempted by Satan
all the more). Part of the Christian message is that we need to judge
Christianity by the word of Scripture and the life of Jesus Christ. The
crusaders weren't up to that level of scrutiny, but then neither am I.
In His Love,
Pat Shepard
PJS895S at SMSVMA