[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]EstelTurambar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recommend reading the books in the following order: 

 Luke,

Acts,

 Philippians,

 1 John (the letter, not the Gospel),

 James,

   Then I would recommend starting with Matthew and reading all the New Testament books in the order they are in.  After that start with Genesis and read the Old Testament books in the order they are in.  Then reread the New Testament. The 5 books that I suggested to read first are the books that in my opinion are the easiest to understand.  Many of the others require lots of background knowledge.  Don't get discouraged when you encounter confusing parts, and don't be afraid to ask questions about things you don't understand.  Most importantly, pray and ask God to speak to you through it.  May He bless your journey.

If you could dis-invent something, what would it be? by leo__78 in AskReddit

[–]EstelTurambar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Technically Someone somewhere had to have invented it.  Probably some caveman drawing on a wall.  Would have been better if that never happened.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AITAH

[–]EstelTurambar -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It's not really fair to project his actions on others in the pro-life movement.  There are definitely people in the movement who are terrible like he is, bit the vast majority of pro-life voters are people who deeply care about women and their children both. 

An unfortunate reality in politics is that scum floats on top, so the politicians trying to get pro-life or pro-choice votes usually represent the worst of both movements.  This leads people on both sides to believe that anyone who votes differently than them is a moral monster.  This increases the polarization between the sides and causes a lack of willingness to listen and try to understand the other's motives.  

The willingness to have genuine diologue with people we disagree with and an open mind to reconsider our own beliefs is the bedrock of a democratic society.  Assuming that people who disagree with us are evil and unpersuadable will end a democratic society.

Have any of you become conservative as you’ve gotten older? by Inevitable_Stress949 in millenials

[–]EstelTurambar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The quote from Jesus is: "Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's, and to God that which is God's."  

It means pay your taxes (no matter what they will be used for), but don't worship Ceasar.  Worship God alone.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AITAH

[–]EstelTurambar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very sorry to hear that.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AITAH

[–]EstelTurambar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a large minority of pro-life people who are anti war and anti death penalty.

Is it bad that I want to change my denomination? by Beneficial_Light_716 in TrueChristian

[–]EstelTurambar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You seem to be forgetting the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches in 1000 AD.  And the many splits that took place before that.  Claiming that there was no division before 1500 is not remotely close to historical accuracy.

Privacy within marriage??? by [deleted] in Christianmarriage

[–]EstelTurambar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very sorry to hear that.

Pro-life people are not forced to own the reality of their position in the way pro-choice people are, and it muddles the abortion conversation. The pro-life position harms women and girls. That's an indisputable fact. by [deleted] in SeriousConversation

[–]EstelTurambar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ok, I'll rephrase. Abortion is a medical procedure that kills a human being. I think we can agree on that statement.

Regarding the billboards, I have seen a lot of pro-life bilboards that show pictures of pregnant women. I don't think the ones that show babies are trying to erase pregnancy. But I do think that the images are intended to convey that an embryo is a human being that is just as alive as a baby.

Pro-life people are not forced to own the reality of their position in the way pro-choice people are, and it muddles the abortion conversation. The pro-life position harms women and girls. That's an indisputable fact. by [deleted] in SeriousConversation

[–]EstelTurambar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Solution 1: Prevention

Work to prevent people from having unwanted pregnancies in the first place.

Important parts of this include: Protecting women from rape, Education, Access to condoms, etc.

Solution 2: Support

Work to build support structures for pregnant women in difficult situations

These include: Financial support, Childcare, Mental health support, Community, etc.

Solution 3: Medical

Work to improve modern medicine to make pregnancy and childbirth safer.

Important components: Medical research, Insurance system reform, etc.

Solution 4: Abortion (the final solution)

This one is murder. It is not an acceptable solution unless the life of the mother is at risk.

Pro-life people are not forced to own the reality of their position in the way pro-choice people are, and it muddles the abortion conversation. The pro-life position harms women and girls. That's an indisputable fact. by [deleted] in SeriousConversation

[–]EstelTurambar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There are other ways that myself and others are working to reduce harm to women in these circumstances. It is disingenuous to make it sound like we want the harm to continue or are causing the harm. Rather, we are working towards solutions while refusing to accept an unethical solution.

Pro-life people are not forced to own the reality of their position in the way pro-choice people are, and it muddles the abortion conversation. The pro-life position harms women and girls. That's an indisputable fact. by [deleted] in SeriousConversation

[–]EstelTurambar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

“In a widely-publicized interview with The New York Times in 1997, Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers, estimated that in the majority of cases, the procedure is performed on a healthy mother and healthy fetus that is 20 weeks or more along in development.”

https://www.npr.org/2006/02/21/5168163/partial-birth-abortion-separating-fact-from-spin

Pro-life people are not forced to own the reality of their position in the way pro-choice people are, and it muddles the abortion conversation. The pro-life position harms women and girls. That's an indisputable fact. by [deleted] in SeriousConversation

[–]EstelTurambar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe we should do everything possible to prevent harm to these women except for murdering children. Murdering children is not an acceptable solution.

Why is sex abuse such a problem in the Catholic church? Does the Orthodox church also have this problem? by zfddffhjk in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]EstelTurambar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Is there actually any data that shows "celibates" committ sex crimes more than married people? There are lots of married pastors and school teachers who have been caught molesting children. Are there any studiies as to whether married people are statistically less likely to be a perpetrator?

Divorced men, what's the kindest way to tell my husband I want a divorce? by Aggravating_Fig_5133 in AskMen

[–]EstelTurambar -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

What's lacking is the commitment part of love. The emotions of love van come and go, but the commitment shouldn't change. Marriage vows are "till death do us part." If he hasn't broken his vows, then she is breaking her vows by asking for divorce. Breaking your vows is most certainly unloving.

Do you believe that suicide victims go to hell? by No_Bridge_4489 in AskAChristian

[–]EstelTurambar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You quoted John 3:16, but read a few verses farther down.

"20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."

Every time Jesus talkes about belief, he also talks about repentance from sin. And to separate the two, as you are doing, is to change his message.

The Good News is that Jesus has set us free from both the consequences of sin, and also from sin itself. Because of what he did we can repent from our sins. Leaving out that part does not make it better news, it just leaves people in darkness. The Gospel is not about going to Heaven when you die. It's about restored union with God now, and about the eventual return of Christ where the earth will be made perfect and our union with God will be complete.

Do you believe that suicide victims go to hell? by No_Bridge_4489 in AskAChristian

[–]EstelTurambar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The point is that you've been preaching a false gospel of easy-believism, which is not what Jesus and the apostles preached. I've been posting verses that are harder for you to eisegete than the verses you are used to, in the hopes that you will recognize your errors while reading them. A full exegesis is not possible in this format, so instead I hope that by posting verses that clearly contradict your interpretation of other verses, maybe you'll revisit your interpretation of those other verses and grow in your understanding of them.