Pastor admits to beating child....

[northcrunk]

My wife grew up and went to a school run by nuns. They didn't hesitate to beat a kid for asking questions or using logic to determine what they were being told was false. They used to make the kids hold rulers in their hands and then squeeze their little hands until they cried. This was not that long ago although not in Canada. I'm sure the catholic church has continued on with the beatings around the world where they can get away with it.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I don't know how that explains me questioning that Baptist is not a no-name sect of Christianity.

Ever hear of an entertaining little group called Westboro Baptist Church?

Youre referencing a very general term that does not imply membership, or even association, with any official organization or denomination. Any church can call themselves baptist... Doesn't necessarily mean they are associated with an official baptist denomination- of which there are hundreds. Baptist simply means they believe in baptism by choice, as opposed to infant baptism.

As far as I know, the Westboro BC is completely independent and would not associate themselves with virtually any other denomination or group.

Edit- I have looked at the statement of beliefs for the church in question in the OP. Even though they appear to be a fully independent church, the fundamentals more or less look to be in line with with what a good number of Evangelical churches believe, so no, I don't think referring to them as a no name sect, or even a fringe church, would be correct. Their viewpoint on pre-tribulation rapture is a contentious issue, but certainly agreed upon by millions of believers.

WBC certainly is a fringe church. Their statement of beliefs is very unique to them, they have a very small membership, and they likely believe they are the only true followers.

[Jude]

Originally Posted by MattyC

In a way, yes. The top-levels of religions have time and time again either defended or ignored deplorable behaviour in their ranks. The same way that Muslims are being associated with terrorism, the same way Communism is associated with laziness, or capitalism with corruption, or the Oilers with terribleness, Christian's will get associated with their worst aspects as well. Even just living in Calgary gets me associated with being an Oil-pumping anti-environmentalist by many standards. If you don't want the stigma of the club, you can leave the club, or change it. But to stand there while a pastor hits a kid, or a Jihadist takes a life and say "That's not me though!", well, yea it is. You belong to this family or group, You get to be associated with the good and the bad. You can pick and choose what you want to believe of course, but your still unde that umbrella. And until you change, or the umbrella changes, these associations will be made.

Just how many degrees of Kevin Bacon do you have to be before you are no longer affiliated with someone else's actions? What's next? Children are supposed to bear the sins of those before them (lol)?

The sheer breadth and girth of being associated with other Christians or with other religious individuals is about the same as you being associated with the misgivings of every person that shares the same gender/ethnic background/nationality as you. Absurd isn't it?

I am not questioning the existence of stereotypes, I am trying to reason with you that they are not true and shouldn't be passed around like they are facts.

I also lied about Hasbrouck Heights being a no-name district of New Jersey as apparently Frank Sinatra is from there.