For the continuation of the Brian Tamaki $35000 Harley thread that was closed

**jrandom** · 21st December 2004, 20:00

Originally Posted by MikeL

This type of situation and others are the inevitable consequence of individuals handing power and control of their own spirituality and morality to a specialized priestly caste...

Precisely why the original (as in, pre-200 AD or so) Christian organisational structure comprising a non-hierarchical group of active preachers, with no 'lay class', was a good idea.

Of course, that got junked, precisely *because* it sucks as a mechanism for populace control.

**manuboy** · 21st December 2004, 20:56

Hey people, dunno much about religion. Could quote a passage from the bible if you held it in front of me, but i just had a quick chat with a mate. This guy does not deal in untruths. At all. Fullstop.

He doesn't know Brian Tamaki all that well. But he attended Bible college with him around 1990 ish. They had numerous debates about the fact that even at that stage Brian believed firmly that becoming wealthy meant you were better in gods eyes.

I think Brian Tamaki is a business man. And a religious man. It's just that he wraps them up to tight together. The only shame being that according to you fulla's - his flock are the ones who are feeling the squeeze.

**Ghost Lemur** · 21st December 2004, 21:24

My best friend (a Christian) and I had a convo recently about among other things Brian Tamaki.

Some things we both agreed on...

- Tamaki has serious Pride, and Ego issue wish are holding him back from having a true relationship with God (Obviously not being a Christian I let him have the last portion of that sentance).

- Tamaki is doing more damage to "Christians" with his scued view of Christianity, than he is to non-Christians.

- He has about as much chance of getting into Heaven as I do (mate quoted me actual scripture, rough quote - not exact - was about "religious" men not getting into heaven).

We also discussed the Civil Unions Bill (how the convo started), but had to agree to disagree on that one.

I've gotta say though there are true Christians around (mate being one of them), and some do try to avoid judgement and rather show the love of God in their action.

Quite like the conversations I have with him on these topics, although we both know niether will change view, it does get us to question our own view. Protagonist in me particular likes when he doesn't know the answer and so says "I don't know you'll have to ask Him".