Larry asks:

> The question then is what is 'true' Christianity?

The kind of Christianity I learned as a child emphasized hope, tolerance,
faith, love and charity above all else, charity being the greatest of these. If
these values are to be held dear, then some form of communal life is mandated
by the faith. Unfortunately, I see almost no evidence of the expression of
these ideals in the current Christian leaders who pound pulpits on television,
defend the flag with manufactured hatreds, rail against the sins of others and
all the while plead for more money.

As for a core definition of the moral philosophy implicit to Christianity,
I'm perfectly pleased to let Paul speak for me:

=======================================

1 Corinthians, chapter 13

"1": Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

"2": And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

"3": And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

"4": Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

"5": Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil;

"6": Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

"7": Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things.

"8": Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.

"9": For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

"10": But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away.

"11": When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

"12": For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

"13": And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of
these is charity.

========================================

Wirt Atmar

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