Sharpton & Drugs

If Sharpton was approached, and turned down the deal, but HBO didn't make that clear, I'd say that they were in some trouble.

Otherwise, truth it an absolute defense against libel or slander.

Let's see what happens...

 

i didnt realize Sharpton got so much attention outside of here in New York, where he is nothing but a bad toothache.

 

Jesse Jackson's a "Christian minister"???

By what criteria should he be considered by any stretch of the imagination to be a minister of the Gospel?

 

The same criteria I use when you claim to be Christian.

I'm vaguely aware that the judging of who is and isn't Christian is reserved for one person alone, and you're not Him.

 

The same criteria I use when you claim to be Christian.

I'm vaguely aware that the judging of who is and isn't Christian is reserved for one person alone, and you're not Him.</font>[/QUOTE]Morat, I didn't say anything even remotely questioning his salvation. I don't put words in your mouth. Please show me the same courtesy.

When did I say he was or wasn't a Christian? Who knows, he may well be. I don't understand, however, how he reconciles his serial adultery, shady business practices (including tax evasion) or going on national TV and spreading outright lies about his enemies with his Christianity.

Every Christian "stumbles" at one point sooner or later, but what does the Bible say about someone who lives in deliberate sin, defying God's word?

Are they Christians according to God's word?

If you'll go back and re-read my post a little more carefully, you'll see that I asked by what criteria he is to be considered a minister of the Gospel.

In addition to his behavior, which most non-Christians wouldn't even engage in, his doctrinal stands don't line up with orthodox Christianity.

While I think you'd be hard pressed to make a Biblical case for his having been regenerated, for the sake of charity I'll say that he may very well be a Christian, albeit a carnal one.

But again, I ask how does anyone take him seriously as a "minister".

You can call yourself "reverend" all day but that doesn't make you one.

 

Well, I may have erred. Jackson was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1968.

Of course, how good a Christian that makes him, is open to discussion.

I realize that among the Pharaisees, discussing which Christians are "real" Christians is a popular sport.

So I'll leave that discussion to those of you who enjoy that sort of thing.

 

just a comment...we make judgements every day...it gets tiresome when people take the bible out of context and say we ought not to judge....just shouldnt judge others for something we ourselves are currently guilty of..."remove the plank from our own eye first" (paraphrased)

 

A subtle distintion perhaps, but Galatian did not say "judging", he said, "discussing which Christians are "real" Christians".

[ July 25, 2002, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: trying2understand ]

 

actually i never said my comment was directed at "The Galation" i was referring to another post by someone else in this thread.

 

In my opinion, only God knows what is in a man's heart; you (I assume) are not God. Which of those two statements do you think is wrong?

Since they are both Baptists, I'm not all that surprised.

Are you claiming to be a Christian?

If you want to be the Pharaisee, do what you think is right according to your understanding.

I suggest you read C.S. Lewis' &lt;i&gt;The Screwtape Letters&lt;/i&gt;. If you don't read much, just go to the last page or so. The last entry. Read it and learn.

Only God knows what's in your heart. But is your behavior something you'd want others to take as an example of Christianity? Follow your conscience. All things you do have consequences.

If so, God is doing it, not me. As I said, Phairasees love to judge who is and who isn't a "real Christian". Up to you what you do.

 

Justine says:

1) In my opinion, only God knows what is in a man's heart; you (I assume) are not God. Which of those two statements do you think is wrong?

But you're telling me what is in the hearts of these people you seem to hate. I see a contradiction there.

You didn't know Jesus was God? Oh, yes I guess you did. So why did you ask?

Galatian, in reference to Justine's comments about people claiming to be Christians:
2) Are you claiming to be a Christian?

And I can take your word for it, but not other people's words? Hmmm...

Galatian, regarding Justine's habit of judging what's in the hearts of others:
3) If you want to be the Pharaisee, do what you think is right according to your understanding.

(Justine denies any such possibility)

Galation, earlier:
4) I suggest you read C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. Last section. Read and learn.

I guess you're going to continue to extract motes from everyone's eyes, then.

Galatian, earlier:
(2) Only God knows what's in your heart. But is your behavior something you'd want others to take as an example of Christianity? Follow your conscience. All things you do have consequences.

It's an appeal to your better nature.

It's not obvious from your posts. You should be an imitation of Christ. You're not doing as well as you should at this point.

Galatian, earlier:
If so, God is doing it, not me. As I said, Phairasees love to judge who is and who isn't a "real Christian". Up to you what you do.

It's a Christian thing. We are not to judge what is in the hearts of others. Nor are we to suggest that they fall short of being "real Christians" until we are first perfect ourselves.

Hey! Gal! What's all of this have to do with Al "the Drug Lord" Sharpton and Jesse "the Terrorist" Jackson?

 

Justine:

Yep. Yer a savant. Fer sure.

I think so, too. I bet Sharpton isn't going to think it's so funny. BTW, you do know that if you're under 18, your parents are legally responsible for any libels you commit, don't you?

No, it doesn't seem so. It was some guy trying the old "send the blacks back to Africa" stuff. Then you accused Sharpton of being a drug lord and Jackson of being a terrorist. That's asking for trouble.

At this point, you might go check what scripture says about false witness. And you might ask God to give you another chance, and make sure these folks don't hear about your libel. Of course, if you can prove that they did those things, you're in the clear.

Luke 7:34 The Son of man came feasting, and you say, Here is a lover of food and wine, a friend of tax-farmers and sinners.

Jesus drank and feasted, and hung out with all sorts of disreputable characters. And the phairasees criticised him for being in the bar.

It's not a good idea to be one of those folks, Justine.

 

Hmm. Let's play a logic game.

Let's assume, for the time being, that Person X most likely belongs to a church that believes that only true Christians go to heaven, because if you're not a true Christian, you obviously aren't saved.

This would seem to be a common belief among conservative Protestants.

Now, if Person X then accuses Person Y of not being a "True Christian" or even a "Christian" at all, he would therefore be making comments about the state of Person Y's salvation.

Thus, Person X is judging who is fit for salvation, who is saved, and who is going to heaven.

A judgement he is, IIRC, expressly forbidden to make. One would hope that Person X would concern himself with his own salvation, and leave Person Y's status as "True Christian" up to God.