Jim,

>>>I guess that Mother Teresa comes closest, at least in modern times, to being a well known example of practising Christianity as it is intended.
>>
>>And what were the intentions of Christianity, in your own words?
>>
>SNIP
>
>The intentions of Christianity as I learned/understand it (mainly through listening and very modest reading of the Bible) could be summarized as (in no particular order):
>- be respectful of all people and all things
>- be honest in all that you say and do
>- be a good example
>- believe that Jesus has prepared the way for me
>... and when I die I will be in Heaven. I understand Heaven to be a place free of want or worry or despair and a place where I will meet up with others who matter to me.
>
>I don't feel any need to "promote" any of this to others.
>I don't feel any need to argue any of this with anyone.
>I don't feel that this is superior to anyone else's beliefs.
>I don't feel that every word of the Bible is verbatim truth and so I don't let apparent conflicts between its words and scientific theories worry me at all. I don't even let apparent conflicts among its own passages worry me. I rely on the message as a whole rather than particular extracts.
>
>I also intend this to be the first and last time that I write this personally on my views of my religion.

Thanks..

I like what Jesus said. "Love God with all your heart, mind, strentgh, (etc) and love your fellow man as yourself."

Sums it up nicely don't you think? <g>