I, as a Jewish guy, have a question about Christianity or, more specifically, fundamentalist

[Karadeniz]

24. Okay, here's the deal. Christianity did not age well. It's possible to access the original movement

in the scriptures, but either no one knows how or dares to. I do dare.

The original Christians lived in small communities where they lived simply, were probably vegetarian and eschewed alcohol, displayed honesty and integrity and helped one another. St. Paul wasn't crazy about sex. Their honesty was admired. If an outsider was attracted by what he saw, he would discuss things to assess if he was ready to live up to their teachings, disdain for materialism, lifestyle. If so, his commitment would be formalized by a ceremonial baptism by immersion.

Their headquarters was Jerusalem. Approved teachers went to the communities to discuss teachings, give pep talks, answer questions and make sure the members lived up to their standards. After only about 100 years, the first snag. One "church" broke away from Jerusalem, deciding to follow their own leader. They should've been excommunicated, but there probably wasn't such a thing. Oh, well, two wars with Rome wouldn't have helped to keep the movement intact.

NOTE: What is the role of faith back then, since today's Christians seem to think faith in Jesus is what makes one a Christian. If faith had a role, it was as the first step in dedicating one's life to unselfishness and lovingkindness.

We know that instead of faith being all important, knowledge was. We know this from John, Paul and Jesus. Knowledge as it led to truth, understanding. "You will know(by experience) the truth and the truth will set you free." Free from what? Most Christians can't tell you.

The acquisition of knowledge means that the members should be what Paul called maturing. At some point deemed appropriate by a teacher...rabbi...some or all in a community would be ready for the mystery to be revealed. There were several mysteries in antiquity...one lasted for about 500 years. In all that time, with thousands undergoing the mystery ceremony, the initiates basically stuck to their sworn silence. We can only surmise. The mystery had something to do with experiencing death and experiencing the reality of spirit, that eternity exists, the physical world is just one facet of reality. One Roman said that after his initiation, he could not fear dying. When his daughter died, he knew she was not dead and could cope with losing her. When Jesus was arrested, a young man was there, naked except for a cloak. When Lazarus ' sisters feared he was dead in a cave...but he'd been wrapped for a funeral, so why were they thinking he shouldn't be dead?...Jesus knew he wasn't dead. These episodes make most sense as the mystery initiation where the candidate somehow experienced the world usually unseen.

So, there never was one level of being Christian. In the mysteries , a beginner was a chrestos, an initiate a christos. Today's evangelicals could, at best, be called chresti. But, if the mystery religion is Christianity (the Way), chresti is probably overstating it. What made Christianity different from other mysteries is that while they taught one how to die with peace of mind, Christianity taught one how to live as well and why. Evangelicals do not know how to live, much less why.

Christianity 's problems increased after your Jewish ancestors got themselves evicted from Jerusalem for 2000 years. !!!! The seat of authority passed to Rome, altho some leaders stayed in Jerusalem because they weren't considered Jews. Some emphasis on maturing diminished. Christianity was all but done in when the Roman emperor decided to legalize it and become one himself, nevermind his being a murdering, power hungry materialist. So much for the Way. Later emperors gave Christians tax breaks, it was the state religion, job holders needed to be Christian. The coup de grace, in understanding, came when an emperor led a convention to create a creed of beliefs that everyone could support, no more squabbling about beliefs.

At this point, Christianity had evolved from being a way of life leading to knowledge to a state religion where one was a Christian if one mouthed a creed. One might suppose the religion was dead.

In the 20th century, Billy Sunday came up with "Do you accept Jesus as your personal savior?" Christianity became simpler. Big houses, fancy cars, vanity, rank materialism, all fine because you had faith that Jesus would save you.

Jesus said his truths were hidden in his parables, so you'd think no Christian would rest until those pesky items were decoded. Believe me. I've been in church classes. They don't have a clue because they try to make the message fit their dogma and it can't be done. That's such a shame because some of the teachings have been investigated using scientific method. The survival of Mind after death. Thoughts are things. Reincarnation. If one can accept psychics and mediums...karma. A multilevel spirit world. All in the teachings.

To tackle your professor posed. In this case, the requirements for being Christian still exist even tho not understood. If one claims to be a billionaire but the bank says otherwise, one's lying. This is why you've heard that evangelicals aren't Christian. They don't meet the requirements. They think Trump's wealth is an indication of God's blessing; I heard them. Jesus said a camel could walk thru the eye of a needle more easily than a rich man enter heaven. Even at the most basic, easily understood level, they flunk. Love your neighbor? Okay, if they can afford the neighborhood. Love your enemy. No way. Give as much as you can, sacrificing. Okay, as long as there's plenty left for me. They just don't fit the bill.