Book burnings

It's a pretty rare occasion that I'm left speechless but I truly do not know what to say to that except to wonder if you dressed up in brown shirts and jackboots when you did it.

Gee, after that disply, I just can't imagine why Mormons, Budhists, Unitarians and Hindus wouldn't want to be Christians.

What a wonderful way to share the Gospel.

Mike

Christianity is an admirable religion. In fact, I might be persuaded to become a Christian if it weren't for the behaviour of other Christians. - Ghandi

 

Sure would have liked to known the titles of those unsuitable childrens novels. My kids love to read. And help me out here folks. Isnt the Vulgate the Bible translated into Latin? I know the RC uses it but WOW. Were did you guys FIND all this stuff? Must have a lot of yard sales over there. However, I believe your church has the right to do this. I find it morally wrong, and what I would fear most would be the slightest hint of government sponsorship of these deeds. (Shivers down the spine)

 

Smoke_Eater
I agree, it's not a very good witness. A person can with draw themselves from books they don't like in other ways.
Like I am wondering if these are christians why do they own these books in the first place?

 

Dear Mike of Ulster,

6 copies of the Roman Vulgate

Burning of the Holy Bible makes you proud? The Vulgate transalation of the Bible was used to spread Christianity throughout the world for over a thousand years.

Ireland needs our prayers.

Grace and peace,
Uncle Ray

 

Being familiar with the politics of Northern Ireland, I find that very hard to believe but this isn't the right thread for that. I would be very interested if you would start another one to elaborate on this.

How in the world does simply quoting an historical figure mean that I give "Greater credence [to him] over an above the Holy scripture and thewords of Jesus Christ? I don't by any stretch of the imagination but I think that his quote certainly illustrates the effect that people who perform hateful acts in Jesus' name has on the people that Christ died for.

Well, we certainly have our share of idiots here, too.

You know, in the last thirty years or so, the good people of Mississippi have worked really hard to overcome a very dark past of persecuting those who were different.

They've given themselves to work for reconciliation and healing and are to be commended for that.

The Gospel would be better served if you were to follow that example, instead.

I know which one Jesus would choose.

Mike

[ June 09, 2002, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Smoke_Eater ]

 

It's easy for a crowd to get worked up emotionally. We've all seen the movies of Hitler speaking to crowds.

I would be very careful in equating crowd emotion with 'the Holy Spirit moving'. I don't doubt that when the Holy Spirit is present in power, people will be emotionally moved.

However, that's not to say that whenever a group of Christians are emotional, it's 'the Holy Spirit'. I mean, think of sports games...

Is this book-burning church the same church that had to let go a pastor for saying gay is ok? They sound too radical to have hired anyone who would be close to such a position...

love
Helen

 

Originally posted by mikesnedding:

The minister in question joined us as a god-fearing man, but left us in disgrace, cheated on his wife, abandoned his children and is now in jail for arson. He was never saved in the first place.

How tragic.

I suppose he wasn't really God-fearing if he was never saved, though, was he? I mean, how can you be?

Mike is this your church?

Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster

Given what you have said about them I'm surprised that they don't take more of a stand on the correct mode of baptism. Does that bother you?

 

If Mike confirms that the link I gave is his church, we can write and ask them.

I think it might be interesting to see what they say.

 

Yep. Actually, I don't believe there are free Presbyterian churches that burn books and believe it's a great opportunity for witness and evangelism.

I might be wrong. I'm just stating my personal belief.

I would believe it of some small independent church, perhaps. They do sometimes do unusual things. But not of any big established one and not of one that's part of a denomination.

I think you can rest assured that in any Christian community with appropriate accountability and wise leadership (i.e. safety in numbers and teachable people there rather than one person running the show who doesn't listen to anyone else), the idea of burning books with church endorsement would be rejected. Although what people do with their own books or in their own small gatherings would be their choice - as long as they don't say the church approves of it as a way of showing their faith.

But again, I might be wrong.

 

OK..so you burn Bibles...either you're a troll making this up or you are intentionally doing the work of Satan. Whichever it is, I can't see any point in continuing this discussion.

Joshua

 

I am having trouble understanding some of the posts in this thread??????????///

If I am reading right if I find someone has brought pornographic material in my house then it is
wrong for me to burn it as it is a violation of free speech? Never mind the garbage about how
did it get there, etc. The point is we have a burn barrel at our house and I find it convenient to
burn obsolete paper materials periodically, but some of you here are saying that I am violating
someone’s right to free speech?

Does that sound ridiculous? Yes, but so does some of the rationale of those posting here. I
remember the time honored practice in the Philippines of burning or destroying religious icons
and relics as a statement of turning from a false religion to Jesus Christ in salvation. What is
wrong with this?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with bring worldly garbage to church and destroying it as a
statement that one has left the old life and turned to a new life in Christ? Is this concept foreign
to some of you. Do you profess to be saved and still cling to the old life? Do you blieve it is a
sin to depart from the filth of the world. When one gets saved and has a pile of filth in their
home are they to take it to the local thrift store? No, no, burn it as a testimony to your new life
in Christ!

If one was a Catholic or Mormon prior to salvation what is wrong with destroying the false
religious material from the dead religion? Is one to give it to a member of the false relion so
they can continue in error?

Some have the idea that free speech is more important than principal, if someone wants to curse
and take the Lord’s name in vain they have the right to free speech. Well this may be so, but
what of my right not to listen to this garbage? Wit freedom comes responsibility. The
responsibility to consider others feelings. When I was a child and through my teens, people used
to respect others in their speech today there is little respect. Sad.

By the way, what about the freedom to express one's self by destroying the relics of the old life?

Ernie.

 

Mike I'm not in Ireland so I can't judge you brethren on what you are doing. Ireland is sure not America and I don't know the religious atmosphere there. Thank you for the information from that part of the world and sorry to jump on you as I thought this was being done in our country. There may be an Ulster somewhere in this country so sorry for the mixup! I forgot this is the worldwide web and you brethren should identify yourself at the start if you are from a different country. We need to know this so we can answer according to where you are posting from... And especially another country!... Brother Glen

 

Here I go again apologizing for something I said and a misunderstanding I assure you!... Mike said:

So you learned this from a church in Mississippi? I'm surprised this didn't make front page news in the states? I think I agree with Ernie though and would like to add ungodly Cds and record albums to the pile!... Now who's going to bring marshmallows and weenies? This bonfire is making me hungry!... You know how us Baptist love to eat!... Brother Glen

 

Mike, I'm guessing that you've had some very disappointing church experiences, in your life...