How Should a Christian Act?

I don't think I can help tou much here, Momma. I don't know too many people whom I would consider to be Christians. Oh, there are those who say they are and who attend church with fair regularity, but saying that I'm really a Martian doesn't entitle me to citizenship on that planet. I do have one very close friend who, along with his wife, claims to be 'born again.' He has four university degrees (include a Master's from Harvard) and he believes that every single word in the Bible is absolutely God's own truth. Go figure. I never argue the point with him, as it seems to be somehow important to his emotional well-being; so, if the subject of religion comes up, I try to change it. To his credit, I must say he has never tried to convert me, at least not any serious attempt, probably undertsanding the futility of that and realizing that, by and large, I live by a morality that is not far removed from the teachings of Jesus. This fellow, by the way, despite claiming to be 'born again' has never tried to get the date on his birth ceritficate changed. Me, I don't care to be born again. My mom did it right the first time around.

But that's a long ramble. To answer your question more directly, I expect Christians to act exactly like any other decent person would act in similar situations. I don't subscribe to the notion that one group is somehow the "elect" while the rest of us should sit back and learn from you who claim to be "saved."

Who cares?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Micah Clarke wrote:
I can clearly see that, in honesty, men must either give up war, or else they must confess that the words of the redeemer are too lofty for them, and that there is no longer any use in pretending that His teaching can be reduced to practice. I have seen a Christian minister blessing a cannon which had just been founded, and another blessing a warship as it glided from the slips. They, the so-called representatives of Christ, blessed these engines of destruction which cruel man has devised to destroy and tear his fellow-worms. What would we say if we read in holy writ of our Lord having blessed the battering-rams and catapults of the legions? Would we think that it was in agreement with his teaching?

Dok has trouble reconciling the OT and NT. Understandable. Most believers can't wrap their brains around it either.

neologist wrote:

Dok has trouble reconciling the OT and NT. Understandable. Most believers can't wrap their brains around it either.

why is that?

Dok has trouble reconciling the OT and NT. Understandable. Most believers can't wrap their brains around it either.

neologist wrote:

Dok has trouble reconciling the OT and NT. Understandable. Most believers can't wrap their brains around it either.

Well, sort of. Although the idea (excuse) of 'the new covenant replacing the old' seems a pretty weak justification for the almost complete opposite philosophies espoused by the OT and NT, the NT is self contradictory enough to justify my statement.
Do I REALLY need to build a case for this and present examples?

what the heck everyone is echoing me today - maybe I need to be more pointed

Momma
That Christians should practice what the preach. And in addition stop trying to ram their {fallacious] beliefs down our throats thru legislation.

" Boom" the hand grenade is about to explode.

I agree with what you posted. But, can you explain a bit more the ....until you've tried all other means. That intrigues me.

Thank you so much for posting Yitwail!

Yeah I don't need to ram anything any longer and don't think I've given up.