Mr_Right

I've been to church ~16 years, mostly in Canada and briefly in the US and HK.  I speak out of my own experience/perspective

We've seen a lot of cultural/technological changes in the past 20 years, the church and the people are also susceptible to changes.  To say "all churches/all Christians" have become a certain way, is perhaps a little over simplified.  

I'm in my 30s, and our generation have become much more intellectual and knowledgeable.  It is very very easy to place judgment/be critical about church, their thoughts/ideas etc... It's easy to google up and find out loads of information, and be judgmental/righteous.  I was like that too.  I have a great job, educated etc..  It's easy to step on the sideline, until I see that I'm also very weak and broken... until I experience forgiveness, care and I simply call it grace.

You know...  We Christians aren't better than non-believers..  There's nothing in us that make us better.  I have many non-christian friends who are really great friends, responsible person etc.  For Christians/me, I know I'm far from perfect, and much to learn in life, but when I get to build a relationship with a God that loves me, and experience a new ways of living/direction, I tend to start seeing the world differently.  

Many random thoughts... btw, I like Lik's quotation.  Here's another translation from "The Message":  " But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
   what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
   be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
   take God seriously. "

Mr_Right

chunsh, yes, i hear you.  It's very upsetting that in history, and even today, there's conflicts due to religion and different believes.  In terms of bible translation, I think today's christians/non-christians actually have the luxury where we can have a lot of various references of the bible, which in old days, we don't.  

My limited understanding is that the original language for which the bible is written is already a pretty precise language.  So translating it is already easier than translate another language, where many words can carry many different meanings depending on context.  (eg.  english  "band" aid, rubber "band", "band" sound)

Regarding "take God seriously", well, there's nothing wrong in itself.  In fact, in the world, many things can turn to be bad when we take it the wrong way.  Like...  I can "take driving a car seriously", but I take it the wrong way and it may turn into a weapon that hurts people.  

The same passage tells us to be fair and just to our neighbors, and to be compassionate and loyal in our love.  Don't take yourself too seriously (ie. too self-centered).. etc

Again, I echo you.. that god/religion can be used as a tool by people for their own desires (eg.  taking themselves too seriously), it is indeed sad.  On the flip side though, we are also encouraged that there are people who really would love and give because of their faith in God too.  When I think about stories of missionaries helping set up schools, medical facilities, some christian non-profit organizations etc.  

I agree with chunsh totally about "I think the God should come and being a judge to tell which groups of people are correct (assume that bible contains all of his words, no more and no less)"  because when I think about it again, he did come already.