to think many politicians who claim to be Christians and who say this is a Christian country really aren't Christians and would criticise the teachings of Jesus

[cakeorwine]

Lee Anderson saying this is a Christian country and complaining about some councils celebrating Ramada with lights.

"But let’s turn our attention back to traditional values for a second. The last time I checked Britain is a Christian country, it is enshrined in our law. So why is it that one of the most important religious festivals in the country is not proudly celebrated in the nation’s capital? Just like Labour, the Tories also refuse to stand up for Christian values it seems. Their candidate for the Westminster constituency said the lights were to be “welcomed” before paying trivial lip service to the promotion of other religions and their holy days. Under successive Tory governments British culture, identity, and values have ebbed away, and the rate at which they are doing so seems to be rapidly increasing.
Let me be clear, this isn’t an attack on Islam or any other religion. I firmly and absolutely respect the rights of individuals to celebrate their faith, but who in the establishment is standing up for the Christian values that made our country so great and revered across the globe? Can you honestly believe that if the shoe were on the other foot, a Muslim country would decorate its capital city with Easter decorations during Ramadan?"

'UK is Christian – it's time to demand our country back' | Express Comment | Comment | Express.co.uk

Farage saying that he has stopped going to church because of what someone said

"Mr Farage said: "I won't go to my local church, I won't go. I am christened and confirmed in the Church of England, all my family on both sides have been Church of England.
"I used to believe in it, I used to attend, not every Sunday but regularly during the year, I will not go. It is hopeless, they've given up, they've surrendered."
Nigel Farage reveals why he has stopped going to church: 'It is hopeless!' | Politics | News | Express.co.uk

I firmly believe that these two, as well as other politicians who claim to be Christian and to believe in Christian values would be the first to have Jesus locked up for his views. They would not understand the story of the Good Samaritan.

I say this as someone who is not a Christian but who can see what Jesus was trying to say about helping others and particular values.

The thing is, telling people they're 'taking things out of context' is a tad hypocritical, being as the whole ancient bible was written in a completely different time. Most xtians cherry pick and interpret a certain way because another xtian told them so. It's a book, an entertaining book perhaps, but just a book.

I hope all the Christians on here are treating their slaves as the bible instructs. With particular attention to the differences between male and female slaves that the good book seems to make a distinction about.

Or is that taking things "out of context" ? What context do we put biblical slavery in ?

This thread is NOT supposed to be an attack on Christianity or Christians.

It is purely about the hypocrisy of certain politicians who seem to be hijacking / using Christianity in their articles when, from what I can see of their views, and from what I understood of the teachings of Jesus -based on the parables, the Sermon on the Mount, that I thought Jesus stood for and hoped that his followers would believe in.

Politicians who claim to believe in Christian values should state what Christian values (and by that, I should really mean the morals of Jesus and what he said people should do) believe in.

I think the lessons from Jesus in his parables would be lost on some politicians.

38 Parables of Jesus — Life, Hope and Truth (bibilium.com)

The bible has been rewritten many times to make it more palatable. Combine that with the genuine mistranslations and it's near impossible to know what was actually written so I'm not sure that interpretations that make it seem less awful are truly "context" so much as they are attempts to explain away passages that are bloody disturbing to someone just reading the words on the page.

I think Cold War Steve gets your point OP

I think he does

Discussing or criticising is not attacking, and talking about the teachings of jesus and what's actually in the bible is an important part of any discussion about whether someone is Christian and how Christians should behave but fair enough, I'll leave it alone.

No non-xtians are attacking, merely pointing out how hypocritical and illogical it is. The bible is just a book, written and rewritten by man.

This thread is NOT supposed to be an attack on Christianity or Christians.

It is purely about the hypocrisy of certain politicians who seem to be hijacking / using Christianity in their articles when, from what I can see of their views, and from what I understood of the teachings of Jesus -based on the parables, the Sermon on the Mount, that I thought Jesus stood for and hoped that his followers would believe in.

It's all part of the same issue. These politicians get away with their perverted versions of Christianity because they are addressing people who have already corrupted Christianity for themselves anyway. If the UK were truly Christian, then the likes of Farage et al would not get any attention for their views.

People can believe what they like. As long as they remember it doesn't make them special.

You seem to have a very poor understanding of who Christ was and what he taught yourself.

Christianity, at its core, is not about being good, but about being saved, Being saved through faith in Christ. The Church of England core message is ‘by faith alone’. It actually is about salvation through faith, not deeds.

I am not a Christian. I was brought up on Bible stories, ,lessons from the Bible - as many people in the UK were.

I have my own views in religion and society - and the Established Church. However, that's not for this thread - and especially not at this time of year.

It's purely about the hypocrisy of certain politicians - Farage and Anderson in particular, who have written articles in the papers in the last few days about the Church and Christian values - and I really struggle to believe that they understand the lessons of Jesus and the way he wanted people to live their lives.

I think that image from Cold War Steve nails it.

Christianity, at its core, is not about being good, but about being saved, Being saved through faith in Christ. The Church of England core message is ‘by faith alone’. It actually is about salvation through faith, not deeds

That's your take. It clearly isn't everyones.

Harry Hill knows how to sort this, I believe ...

I thought that "Love thy neighbour", "Do unto others what you would have them do to you" were pretty high up in the teachings of Jesus.

I am not a Christian. I was brought up on Bible stories, ,lessons from the Bible - as many people in the UK were.

Well, you'd think. Repeated surveys show that not much sticks - just look at the fuss over the Lyles tin recently. I know for a fact that story was told to us at school - if not primary then middle school.

So all those parables, the Sermon on the Mount etc were just Jesus talking eh?
They can be ignored?

With all due respect, the thread is about xtianity, so thus we can discuss it's shortcomings.

Yes, they can be ignored. The whole book can be ignored. It's just another several times altered historical text, there's nothing special about it.

I thought that "Love thy neighbour", "Do unto others what you would have them do to you" were pretty high up in the teachings of Jesus.

Remember the context though. And if you're unsure, then I am sure someone will explain it to you - possibly by example (looks at various churches around the world).

The only reason politicians can't be more cynical in their use of religion, is the priests got there first.

Hang on ! There are some great stories in the Bible. It is an historical document after all.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

And I like parables. The one about the virgins and the tin openers especially.

It is, that is core to Christianity. God loves you, Jesus came to save you but it's only through him and his teachings.

I did say it was a historical text, thus, it should be respected like all other historical texts.
It should not be used as a rule book for life.
Better?

That's your Christianity. (Which has no qualms about immediately calling people who don't believe it "sinners". Talk about othering).

There will be other Christians who have a different view.

Happy bunny 😀

That's what the men wrote in the book, yes. Lots of men, and women, have written lots of interesting things in books, that doesn't make it truth.

Lots of men, and women,

Hang on - there are women in the bible ?