Danica McKellar Becomes A Bible-Believing Christian After Leaving California

[Dukhat]

I was brought up Catholic. My parents and I went to church on Sunday, I went to Sunday school, did all the sacraments, etc. At some point around my high school years, my parents seemed to just lose interest in all of that, and as a result, so did I (although I was never super enthused about it to begin with so I was happy to not have to do it anymore.)

The way I feel about religion is this: If it makes your life better, great. If it works for you, fantastic. If you think God is the answer, wonderful. If you think the power of prayer works, that's Kool and the Gang. But don't push your beliefs onto me. If you think I'm going to hell because I don't believe in God, then keep that shit to yourself because that's your problem, not mine. I don't need to be saved, I don't need you to pray for me, and I certainly don't need to repent my so-called sins.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

When you bring out bigoted individuals to use as examples of your beliefs, you can probably expect some push back.

When you bring out bigoted individuals to use as examples of your beliefs, you can probably expect some push back.

A "bigot" is defined as "a person who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people or ideas", and by your description, I'm assuming you're referring to Frank Turek. Where did you get the impression that such an arbitrary label applies to him in any way? While its true that in 2008, he wrote a book detailing his objection to homosexuality and transgenderism, he was very careful for the most part, to avoid mentioning religious doctrine. So again, I reiterate - is someone a "bigot", for no other reason than that you don't like their ideas? Does freedom of thought and speech only apply to people you approve of?

 

[BillJ]

Not to offend anyone's sensibilities, but I had pegged Jesus in the same bucket as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny by the time I was 8.

It never made any sense. Could there be something more to what we are? Absolutely. Do I believe the secrets are in a two-thousand year old text that has been edited over and over since its inception? No.

 

[BillJ]

Does freedom of thought and speech only apply to people you approve of?

These things only apply to the government.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

I was brought up Catholic. My parents and I went to church on Sunday, I went to Sunday school, did all the sacraments, etc. At some point around my high school years, my parents seemed to just lose interest in all of that, and as a result, so did I (although I was never super enthused about it to begin with so I was happy to not have to do it anymore.)

The way I feel about religion is this: If it makes your life better, great. If it works for you, fantastic. If you think God is the answer, wonderful. If you think the power of prayer works, that's Kool and the Gang. But don't push your beliefs onto me. If you think I'm going to hell because I don't believe in God, then keep that shit to yourself because that's your problem, not mine. I don't need to be saved, I don't need you to pray for me, and I certainly don't need to repent my so-called sins.

I'm not forcing what I think on anybody. If people want to think or believe differently, that is their free choice. The main reason I'm even mentioning most of these things is because this thread began as one about a woman I respect who has embraced faith in God, and I personally share that conviction.

 

[BillJ]

The main reason I'm even mentioning most of these things is because this thread began as one about a woman I respect who has embraced faith in God, and I personally share that conviction.

Is she doing it for the right reasons? Or because it is an easy in to a new market?

 

[Dukhat]

I'm not forcing what I think on anybody.

Never said you were.

 

[UssGlenn]

Except I can’t find any explanation for how Jesus “evolved” to being white. I don’t get White Jesus.

There seems to be some weird mental block causing people to define White, very narrowly. Assuming that we consider White and Caucasian 100% synonyms, then Jesus was a darkish skinned white man, because he certainly wasn't Sub-saharan African or Asian, or Pacific islander, or Native American. Middle Eastern isn't a race.

 

[HotRod]

A "bigot" is defined as "a person who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people or ideas", and by your description, I'm assuming you're referring to Frank Turek. Where did you get the impression that such an arbitrary label applies to him in any way? While its true that in 2008, he wrote a book detailing his objection to homosexuality and transgenderism, he was very careful for the most part, to avoid mentioning religious doctrine. So again, I reiterate - is someone a "bigot", for no other reason than that you don't like their ideas? Does freedom of thought and speech only apply to people you approve of?

Yes. If you go to all the trouble of writing a book denouncing Homosexuality, you're a bigot. Regardless of how he tries to hide the religious aspects of his beliefs.

He's not fooling anyone.

 

[BillJ]

There seems to be some weird mental block causing people to define White, very narrowly. Assuming that we consider White and Caucasian 100% synonyms, then Jesus was a darkish skinned white man, because he certainly wasn't Sub-saharan African or Asian, or Pacific islander, or Native American. Middle Eastern isn't a race.

I remember my grandma having a painting of a very white American looking Jesus in her living room while I was growing up.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Is she doing it for the right reasons? Or because it is an easy in to a new market?

You'd have to contact her, to know for sure. But from the interviews I've seen, it seems her heart is in the right place.

 

[BillJ]

You'd have to contact her, to know for sure. But from the interviews I've seen, it seems her heart is in the right place.

No thanks. The discussion is more interesting than she ever has been.

 

[HotRod]

You'd have to contact her, to know for sure. But from the interviews I've seen, it seems her heart is in the right place.

Would you feel the same if she converted to Islam? Buddhism? Judaism?

 

[BillJ]

Would you feel the same if she converted to Islam? Buddhism? Judaism?

Winnie the ISIS!

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Yes. If you go to all the trouble of writing a book denouncing Homosexuality, you're a bigot. Regardless of how he tries to hide the religious aspects of his beliefs.

He's not fooling anyone.

He didn't hide it - he was simply focusing on other aspects of the subject to better clarify his points for a mass audience. If he had said at any point, "I'm only against this because I'm a Christian", no one would've bothered with him. But as I've said repeatedly, opposition does not automatically equal hate.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Would you feel the same if she converted to Islam? Buddhism? Judaism?

I wouldn't agree with her worldview, but I would still respect her right to have it. That said, having respect does not require silence, with regard to a different opinion.

 

[HotRod]

But as I've said repeatedly, opposition does not automatically equal hate.

Opposition to an entire segment of the population, based purely on who they love. If that isn't hate, I dunno what is.

*edited to remove the idea that people choose who they're attracted to.

 

[Oddish]

It's okay, you can do all sorts of heinous and then say sorry and it doesn't count.

I wouldn't take that gamble, and neither would any other Christian who understands their faith.

That's not what I was talking about, and you know it. Please do not purposely misrepresent what I say.

Annoying, isn't it?

I know you're being deliberately sarcastic, but allow me to clear one thing up - Heaven is not filled with flawless people, just forgiven people. If God required perfection for any of us to enter His kingdom, no one would ever get in.

I sure wouldn't. Someone once said if Heaven went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would get in.

I think everyone here is receptive to the conversation, they just express themselves in their own ways. Even in sarcasm, there are nuggets of truth.

And besides, sarcasm is fun.

@HotRod has you here. It is honestly more meaningful if we make our own way vs. being guided by an invisible hand that already knows how everything plays out.

I firmly believe in free will. God just knows the outcome because He's omnipresent in more than three dimensions.

But don't push your beliefs onto me.

Very well. Reciprocation is expected.

The main reason I'm even mentioning most of these things is because this thread began as one about a woman I respect who has embraced faith in God, and I personally share that conviction.

As do I. And quite a few others here.

Jesus was a darkish skinned white man, because he certainly wasn't Sub-saharan African or Asian, or Pacific islander, or Native American. Middle Eastern isn't a race.

I think the closest rendition is probably as He was rendered in "Risen". Dark complexion, curly hair, a man typical of Judea circa 30 AD.

I remember my grandma having a painting of a very white American looking Jesus in her living room while I was growing up.

Not the only liberty we take. If we took Doc Brown's time machine back to Bethlehem, 12-25-0, we would find... nothing. We would have to go to Nazareth, where we would find a boy of five or six, named Yēshua.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Opposition to an entire segment of the population, based purely on who they choose to love. If that isn't hate, I dunno what it.

Would you say the same, about an legally-innocent person who chose to love a convicted murderer? Everyone makes decisions that we either approve or oppose. That fact alone does not determine the boundaries for things like acceptance or rejection, speaking our mind or remaining silent. Freedom goes both ways, but it doesn't include a lack of consequence. We have temporary judges here on Earth, but God is the final one, and He knows what's at the deepest core of us all.

 

[HotRod]

Oy vey....