Charles Barkley slams "Fake Christians" on CNN

[T Park]

Seeing as DRob is mensa like, id say so.

[Findog]

Seeing as DRob is mensa like, id say so.

Just keep him away from foreign policy

[efrem1]

No I believe he said that being judgemental of others is un-Christian; so judgemental conservative Christians are fake. He's right. But unfortunately most will hear it as the poster I quoted did. So if advertisers pull out and the TV people flip out, it will probably be because they misunderstood. Gawd I hope he doesn't apologize!!!

That judgement argument is so lame. Everyday people make judgements about people's character no matter what religion they are. The left slams Christians as being Neandethals and out of step so they judge also.

[T Park]

Just keep him away from foreign policy

I'd say hed do better than barack.

[mrsmaalox]

forgive me that i oppose what i believe is killing babies. IS THAT WRONG???

i can understand the gay marriage argument, but...unbelievable.

-Mars

Another example of not hearing what he said. He stated that he was pro-choice and did not oppose gay marriage. He did not say those who believe otherwise are fake Christians. He said those who are judgemental of others are fake Christians.

[Findog]

I'd say hed do better than barack.

Yes, things have worked out so well in Iraq.

[mrsmaalox]

That judgement argument is so lame. Everyday people make judgements about people's character no matter what religion they are. The left slams Christians as being Neandethals and out of step so they judge also.

That may be. But all the same, the person I quoted misunderstood what he really said. That's my only argument; at least take issue with what he really said.

[efrem1]

I must let you in on something, "everybody is religious" is a FALSE statement. You fail.

From the Oxford Englsih Dictionary:

"Action or conduct indicating a belief in, reverence for, and desire to please, a divine ruling power; the exercise or practice of rites or observances implying this."

As an old proverb said "the voice of the people, is the voice of God" hence everybody has a reglious nature to please a higher power than himself. In your case its the people.

[Fillmoe]

barkley for president

[remingtonbo2001]

Isn't Charles being judgmental himself? (Serious Question)

In response to Charles question, he is referring to an aspect of Christianity, forgivness. However, I believe he failed to mention other teachings of Jesus.
On the surface, his claim is valid. However, I believe some wish to create an enviroment which promotes life, not to restrict or withhold forgiveness. It's a complex argument, which would require at least an hour of your time.

IMHO, Jesus didn't speak about religion, he spoke about truths. People mearly interpted these truths (correctly or incorrectly) into a religion.

[carina_gino20]

That may be. But all the same, the person I quoted misunderstood what he really said. That's my only argument; at least take issue with what he really said.

He did lump them altogether in his first statement. Now I know he clarified that in the end. But I still stand with what I first said. Barkley said that they are unforgiving and judgmental and I assume he's saying this because of the pro-choice, pro-gay marriage issue. But just because the Christians he's talking about are against the aforementioned issue, that doesn't mean they're fake or judgmental. They're just following their religious values. It also doesn't mean they're unforgiving. It's possible to think someone is wrong and still forgive them.

IMO, it was a bad choice of word by Sir Charles. Pointing out a Christian who lives out his religious beliefs != Fake.

[remingtonbo2001]

Secondly, I would like to ask this question.

Isn't gay marriage essentially a double negitive? (I can't think of the literary term)

The Church created the idea of marriage, thus defining it as a union between a male and female. Does this not give the Church sole property of such an idea?

Gay activist are barking up the wrong tree. Their argument should be with the Church. (Good luck)

Now, civil unions are an entirely different story, something which is regulated by the government. If you're looking for a similar tax benefit comparable to marriage, the yes, I believe the government should afford gay citizens equal rights.

[Findog]

Secondly, I would like to ask this question.

Isn't gay marriage essentially a double negitive? (I can't think of the literary term)

The Church created the idea of marriage, thus defining it as a union between a male and female. Does this not give the Church sole property of such an idea?

Gay activist are barking up the wrong tree. Their argument should be with the Church. (Good luck)

Now, civil unions are an entirely different story, something which is regulated by the government. If you're looking for a similar tax benefit comparable to marriage, the yes, I believe the government should afford gay citizens equal rights.

You can call it civil unions or gay marriage, but it's essentially the same thing. Two people getting up in front of their family and friends at a ceremony to pledge their love for one another, and then file a joint tax return afterwards. Why that bothers some people, I don't know. Maybe that offends some, but if it doesn't affect you, then STFU and let people live their lives. Maybe people who practice "alternative lifestyles" find "normal" stuff offensive. There's so many bigger problems, like the war in Iraq, the economy, global warming, long-term concerns over renewable energy versus fossil fuels, and politicians fixate on baseball players using steroids and gay marriage. infuriates me.

[some_user86]

Secondly, I would like to ask this question.

Isn't gay marriage essentially a double negitive? (I can't think of the literary term)

The Church created the idea of marriage, thus defining it as a union between a male and female. Does this not give the Church sole property of such an idea?

Gay activist are barking up the wrong tree. Their argument should be with the Church. (Good luck)

Now, civil unions are an entirely different story, something which is regulated by the government. If you're looking for a similar tax benefit comparable to marriage, the yes, I believe the government should afford gay citizens equal rights.

Marriage existed long before the Church (TM) did.

[Cry Havoc]

Religion as a whole is fake. It's all bull to control the masses and raise a ton of cash. I died and found out there is no heavent, the joke is on me...

1/10

Rarely are more translucent attempts at trolling to be found on ST.

You actually get -3/10 because using a dead guy's name is the opposite direction of originality.

[mbass]

No I believe he said that being judgemental of others is un-Christian; so judgemental conservative Christians are fake. He's right. But unfortunately most will hear it as the poster I quoted did. So if advertisers pull out and the TV people flip out, it will probably be because they misunderstood. Gawd I hope he doesn't apologize!!!

So isn't Barkley being Judgmental of conservative Christians? I like Barkley but he's being a hypocrlte here (as am I for judging Barkley).

I think that one needs to learn the difference between being judgmental and having discernment. The first is outer-directed judgment and the second is internally-directed judgment. The Christian practices discernment.

[mrsmaalox]

So isn't Barkley being Judgmental of conservative Christians? I like Barkley but he's being a hypocrlte here (as am I for judging Barkley).

I think that one needs to learn the difference between being judgmental and having discernment. The first is outer-directed judgment and the second is internally-directed judgment. The Christian practices discernment.

Yes he is absolutely being judgemental of judgemental, conservative Christians. And he never claimed to be Christian or conservative. And he didn't call out true Christians or their beliefs; just those conservative Christians (the judgemental ones) he believes to be fake. And you are right, a true Christian practices discernment--those are not the ones he was referring to.

[JMarkJohns]

If I could I'd be unrelenting in my voiced disdain for the Westboro clan. I hate them so much that I've actually required some counseling to move past them. They are a "Baptist" sect, but have been ousted and aren't affiliated with any real Christian branch. They preach hate, calling gays, " s," and laughing at the deaths of humans, whether they be from the 2004(05?) Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Warfare or whatnot. They picket funeral for soldiers killed defending their right to do such. I sickens me and I honestly cannot say if I could meet their "leader" without killing him.

They belittle everything that the Christ of the Bible preached, such as he who is without sin, cast the first stone, and they will know you are Christians by your love.

No part of this cults rantings back up these notions of goodness and love.

If Barkley was railing on fake Christians such as these, then good for him.

I'm not pro anything else he mentioned, but having convictions is important. Being able to speak on them is as well.

[O-Factor]

Charles, go lose another 400 grand somewhere. I want your basketball commentary, not your "political" thoughts.

I hate how celebrity = political scientist in this country.

[JMarkJohns]

Barkley is politicin' because he announced he'll make a run for Governor of Alabama in a few years. I don't have any issue with him expressing his opinions on CNN. Had he done so during the TNT broadcasts over the weekend, then I'd agree, but that appearance was specifically for this.

[hater]

Sir Charles is the mother ing man.

he should have thrown a "GINOBLEEEEEEE!!!!!" at the end

[LB7]

I agree with some of the other posters. He just judged Christians or what he calls "fake Christians" so then he is also a hypocrite. We could go round and round all day. Yes I am against gay marriage...its pretty clear in the bible what side of this matter Christianity falls on so Barkley might need to read more into it. Am I going to go tell someone sexual who got married that they're going to . No, thats not my job. Do I believe its wrong...yes. Just like Barkley thinks its fine. To each his own. Its not judgemental to have a belief and practice that belief. Barkley did nothing different than he is accusing "fake Christians" of doing. He is taking the other stance and acting like that makes him better. I don't get what he is trying to say. To me, he is doing the same thing with the opposite point of view. Judgement is judgement whether you're a Christian or otherwise.

[remingtonbo2001]

If I could I'd be unrelenting in my voiced disdain for the Westboro clan. I hate them so much that I've actually required some counseling to move past them. They are a "Baptist" sect, but have been ousted and aren't affiliated with any real Christian branch. They preach hate, calling gays, " s," and laughing at the deaths of humans, whether they be from the 2004(05?) Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Warfare or whatnot. They picket funeral for soldiers killed defending their right to do such. I sickens me and I honestly cannot say if I could meet their "leader" without killing him.

They belittle everything that the Christ of the Bible preached, such as he who is without sin, cast the first stone, and they will know you are Christians by your love.

No part of this cults rantings back up these notions of goodness and love.

If Barkley was railing on fake Christians such as these, then good for him.

I'm not pro anything else he mentioned, but having convictions is important. Being able to speak on them is as well.

Thank you for clarifying his target. Again, I didn't see the episode, but was curious as to what his comments were in regard to.

Well, if that be the case, then I applaud him.

Hate should not be tolerated.

[JMarkJohns]

I didn't see the broadcast, but have a feeling this is the group his rant were targeted at. They've been getting some pretty significant press and, since Katrina affected Alabama as well, I'm quite sure he's aware of their glee over the death and destruction.

They are a sick, sick group to delight in death and despair in the name of self-affirming righteousness. They deserve all the scorn they get. I just wish more of organized Christianity would speak out against them.

[E20]

Chris Duel try to quote me on this:

E20 from Concord California says:
Who the cares, everybody quit ing and whining and stfu and take your panties out of a bunch.