Acts 1-3

[wolfpurplemoon]

Judas bought a field with the money he was given to betray Jesus and then fell and his intestines exploded, slightly random way to die. The remaining eleven apostles cast lots to decide on a replacement for Judas.

The holy spirit touches all the disciples and they become fluent in lots of languages which confuses all the other people, some of them decide the disciples are drunk, Peter's defence is that they can't be drunk because it's nine o'clock in the morning.

Peter's speech convinces three thousand people to repent and be baptised. They also all sell their possessions and use the money for those in need. Something that's very commendable.

Peter doesn't just try persuading people to follow them by healing people or promising salvation, he also slips in a threat about how people who don't obey will be destroyed.

Comments

[liedownlovely.livejournal.com]

I feel the need to say 'first' before the self-righteous commenters of late get here. That and it's been a while since I've commented.

There's always a clause about destruction in any thing regarding Christianity. You can't deny it's been a good working motivator for converting those to the religion. Plus, those who believe it get to threaten other people with it. Having been a believer once, I can say as a child I enjoyed knowing my enemies who refused to believed similarly would not be joining me in paradise.

Next time you get pissed off, you should try shouting YOU'RE GOING TO HELL. No wonder Christians foam at the mouth while they say it, it's as primal and stress relieving as yelling FUCK, but that is too naughty to say. Condemning people for eternity is okay, though.

[(Anonymous)]

Someone who condemns you in such a way is no christian.

Foaming...?

[ken stechauner (from livejournal.com)]

In my 26 years as a Christian I have never seen anyone shout "YOU'RE GOING TO HELL!" As for condemnation, everything carries consequences.

Post Script...

[ken stechauner (from livejournal.com)]

Just a thought: Few people change their ways as a result of a threat unless it is a real tangible threat in THIS life like the death sentence, or torture, or something. As a matter of fact all of those people lived in a society that severely punished anyone who got caught as a Christian. That is something that has not changed in the history of humans. Why is it, then, that non-Christians love to blame everyone's conversion on the threat of hell?

Re: Foaming...?

[liedownlovely.livejournal.com]

Glad for you you've avoided being told that. Not all of us are as lucky.

Re: Post Script...

[liedownlovely.livejournal.com]

What happens to humans after we die is one of the biggest fears we as a race have. Not many people say they're not afraid of death. The idea that what you do in this life impacts what happens in the next is not a new idea to religions of all kinds. Christianity doesn't have a monopoly on the ideas of paradise and damnation.

As far as I know in Westernized countries, no one is severely punished for believing in Jesus... so um, the idea of punishment HAS changed in the history of humans. Not really sure what you're trying to say here.

Again, fear of death and the unknown of what comes after is a genuine issue many many people have. Who wouldn't want to secure a 'good' life after death, if possible? It's pure selfishness to make sure you and your family are saved. Some people who are less self-absorbed spread the 'good news' around the world, but if you've ever sat in a pew in a church in America, Canada, Britain, or any other country that enjoys wealth and spiritual freedom, you may notice not many are suffering to spread the 'Word'. The ones who are genuinely trying to save their fellow man seem to be the ones who are under persecution in this age, just like the apostles in the bible were. I'm sure there's a psychology to that. I don't want to pull out any psychology textbooks so soon after the holidays, so I'll get back to you on that. Maybe.

Re: Foaming...?

[liedownlovely.livejournal.com]

http://www.godhatesfags.com/

Here's a good place to start learning about who is yelling it the loudest presently, but if you're not convinced, I'm positive a Google search of any mainstream Christian website with a wordfinder will find you the phrase and who it's in reference to.

Re: Foaming...?

[(Anonymous)]

The people behind the Godhatesfags stuff are not Christians in any way. They are a abhorrent cult who twist the teaching of the bible to fit their own disgusting hate filled ideologies. They show no submission to Christ and are certainly not exhibiting the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

As far as I know in Westernized countries, no one is severely punished for believing in Jesus

[leeslivehere.livejournal.com]

There may not be as much persecution of Christianity in some western cultures, but persecution of Christianity is still very much alive in much of the world. Take a look at http://www.persecution.com.au/ voice of the Martyrs is an organisation set up to assist Christians throughout the world who are being perecuted because of their faith in Christ. Often persecuted by other religious groups.

As far as GodHatesFags go there theories are not biblicly sound and are considered a cult by most Christians. I blatently disagree with what they stand for.