Here's the way it is supposed to go: An imperfect and fallible individual accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal savior. The person's sins are washed away and this individual becomes a new person who walks in the way of the Lord. At least, that's what we're told.
For all this washing, Christians don't seem to be that different than everyone else, including all of us atheist heathens! They are subject to the same foibles, quirks and psychological needs. The newly cleansed seem to replicate much of the thought and actions that they exercised BEFORE they are washed clean.
To offer an example, Jim Moats of Newville, Pennsylvania, has had a life-long desire to be seen as a hero. His father was a hero in WWII and both of his sons fought in Iraq. Jim did serve in the Navy himself, but he has been telling people for some time that he was a Navy SEAL.
But it is not true. Jim not only never applied for the SEAL program, but he admits he doesn't even know what the qualifications are. That didn't stop Jim from purchasing a Trident Gold medal from a surplus store and putting it in a prominent place in his office.
And where exactly is that office? It's in the Christian Bible Fellowship Church -- the one that Rev. Jim Moats serves as pastor!!
Moats may be a fine Christian, a loving husband and a devoted minister. He may feed the hungry and save souls. I draw your attention to Jim Moats not to demonize this man who is guilty of nothing more than telling a fib to bolster his ego. He merely is one example that's in the news.
It is rather obvious that Jim's relationship with Jesus didn't dissuade him from fabricating a tale. It is just as obvious that being cleansed of past "sin" didn't change his need to feel important. I am guessing that the personality issues he had before accepting Jesus Christ as his personal lord and savior aren't altogether different than the ones he struggles with today.
Jim is no different than any other Christian and yet we're constantly told that Jesus makes a tremendous difference in people's lives.
The main difference that I can see is in words, not actions. If a person can't seem to live the change they say they have experienced, then what precisely has really changed?
For all this washing, Christians don't seem to be that different than everyone else, including all of us atheist heathens! They are subject to the same foibles, quirks and psychological needs. The newly cleansed seem to replicate much of the thought and actions that they exercised BEFORE they are washed clean.
To offer an example, Jim Moats of Newville, Pennsylvania, has had a life-long desire to be seen as a hero. His father was a hero in WWII and both of his sons fought in Iraq. Jim did serve in the Navy himself, but he has been telling people for some time that he was a Navy SEAL.
But it is not true. Jim not only never applied for the SEAL program, but he admits he doesn't even know what the qualifications are. That didn't stop Jim from purchasing a Trident Gold medal from a surplus store and putting it in a prominent place in his office.
And where exactly is that office? It's in the Christian Bible Fellowship Church -- the one that Rev. Jim Moats serves as pastor!!
Moats may be a fine Christian, a loving husband and a devoted minister. He may feed the hungry and save souls. I draw your attention to Jim Moats not to demonize this man who is guilty of nothing more than telling a fib to bolster his ego. He merely is one example that's in the news.
It is rather obvious that Jim's relationship with Jesus didn't dissuade him from fabricating a tale. It is just as obvious that being cleansed of past "sin" didn't change his need to feel important. I am guessing that the personality issues he had before accepting Jesus Christ as his personal lord and savior aren't altogether different than the ones he struggles with today.
Jim is no different than any other Christian and yet we're constantly told that Jesus makes a tremendous difference in people's lives.
The main difference that I can see is in words, not actions. If a person can't seem to live the change they say they have experienced, then what precisely has really changed?
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