(Article) The Sad State of Religion

[LtPage1]

I can understand maybe being an outsider you wouldn't see the differences, you probably don't study it at all. It was already pointed out that Mormons made their own holy book. They have beliefs contradictory to Judaism and Christianity. Same with Catholicism. Catholicism has beliefs that are explicitly declared wrong by Jesus himself. The whole point to the term Christian was that it was applied to Jews that followed Jesus. If these other religions contradict the teachings of Jesus you can't call them Christian. That's not sane. A study of cults and the bible make this very clear so it's completely understandable if you've never studied any of it. They are completely different religions.

My point isn't that I can't tell the difference, it's that it makes no difference. Yours is the one true Christian religion because you say so. Theirs is the same because they say so. All of them are based on some book that some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

You asked if he thought they shouldn't be allowed to vote; of course he doesn't think that. Did you read the article that started this thread? I have no idea if its numbers are accurate, but it claims that evangelicals make up ~7% of the population in this country. I find that surprising, given that their perspective seems to be 80% of what we hear spewing out of "conservative" politicians and the most popular cable news network in America.

I don't have any questions for you, I'm only making observations.

The article that started this thread is ridiculous. It takes takes the Pope's comments out of context, and shows a picture of a charlatan as if he is repsentative of Christianity in America.

If you don't like FOX News, don't watch it. If you don't like conservatives, vote for liberals.

 

[Ns1]

All of them are based on some book that some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later.

This is truth, undeniable.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

My point isn't that I can't tell the difference, it's that it makes no difference. Yours is the one true Christian religion because you say so. Theirs is the same because they say so. All of them are based on some book that some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later.

The bible is the best selling book of all time. Not bad considering it was written by "some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later".

 

[Ns1]

The bible is the best selling book of all time. Not bad considering it was written by "some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later".

Harry Potter sold 400MM copies.

Fiction books do well I guess.

BTW, care to argue his point?

 

[sandorski]

The bible is the best selling book of all time. Not bad considering it was written by "some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later".

...and the significance of that is?

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Harry Potter sold 400MM copies.

Fiction books do well I guess.

BTW, care to argue his point?

What point was that?

Did you ever think that maybe there's a reason why the bible is the hest selling book of all time?

 

[Ns1]

What point was that?

Did you ever think that maybe there's a reason why the bible is the hest selling book of all time?

lemmings

the point still remains

"All of them are based on some book that some guys wrote in their spare time a few thousand years ago, and which was arbitrarily compiled by some other dudes about a thousand years later. "


People need hope, something to believe in. If you're in a poor ass country and can't afford shit, you're not gonna fly to LA and get the best medical care you can. You're gonna get a hand-me-down bible and fucking pray

and between prayer and science, I'll take science 100% of the time.

My neighbor is a buddhist. He chants every tuesday. He "believes" that this chanting helps him, and anything good that happens to him he attributes to his chanting.

Everything bad that happens to him he just blames on shit luck.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

lemmings
. "

Or maybe its the eternal truths and life changing power it confers to its readers.

 

[Ns1]

Or maybe its its eternal truths and life changing power.

see edited post above

 

[sandorski]

Or maybe its the eternal truths and life changing power it confers to its readers.

Every Religion claims the same.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Every Religion claims the same.

So? Caveat emptor.

 

[MrWizzard]

Yeah another thing that gets me about christianity is that only positive testimonies of born-again christians are legitimate.

Any negative testimonies simply don't count because those people aren't "true christians". this is the exact same style of double standard that cerpin is arguing against.

Don't forget that the testimony is the #1 method used by evangelists to convert people.

I am not sure what evangelists you have been around but those are different than the ones I have met..heh.

 

[sandorski]

So? Caveat emptor.

Lol, Fail.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Lol, Fail.

Which means what?

 

[Jeff7]

What point was that?

Did you ever think that maybe there's a reason why the bible is the hest selling book of all time?

It's popular, therefore it's true.
The market hath spoken.

So? Caveat emptor.

Yes, The Bible is the best selling book of all time.
Buyer beware.




I think The Matrix is trying to compensate for the banning of GodlessAstronomer now, but its hysteresis settings are a little bit off.

 

[sandorski]

Which means what?

Fail. What's there to compare? Empty claims Merchants Sell Empty. I'm not Buying.

 

[DanDaManJC]

Or maybe its the eternal truths and life changing power it confers to its readers.

my gripe with christianity, and the reason i don't buy it, is that Christianity makes the claim that it is the only religion or worldview that can fix peoples lives. For those without significant problems (you werent ex drug addict etc), it also works to fill the hole or void in people's lives -- which is a very real problem.

Before going too far forward with my point -- i do have to admit that religion does an absolutely great job of solving the problem in the human condition. for most people, having the comfort of knowing there's is universal truth and security in one god is amazing and does work to change people's lives. it's just that people get overzealous with this... it is just as bad as dawkins or hitchens berating the religious.

my issue is that Christianity isn't the only worldview that offers this hope... from personal experience I've seen all shades of christians who are genuinely life changed and hungry for christ -- catholic, evangelistic, calvinistic or full on charismatic. Not only the christian faith... but basically anything that offers people a grander vision and purpose for life outside themselves. Muslims.. buddhists.. people of no particular faith. Seen 'em all. Another point, working in the tech field, im surrounded by alot of first-generation Indians and Chinese. None of these people have christ --- yet they are living completely fulfilled lives with a passion for whatever it is that they do that is comparable to the fire found in a born-again.

This testimony speaks volumes to me.

 

[sdifox]

It's popular, therefore it's true.
The market hath spoken.



Yes, The Bible is the best selling book of all time.
Buyer beware.




I think The Matrix is trying to compensate for the banning of GodlessAstronomer now, but its hysteresis settings are a little bit off.

GA got banned? Bummer.

 

[MrWizzard]

Which means what?

We put both of you in a cage and you fight it out.

TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES!

TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES!

 

[Jeff7]

We put both of you in a cage and you fight it out.

TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES!

TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES!

And then 3 days later, the other man leaves.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

my gripe with christianity, and the reason i don't buy it, is that Christianity makes the claim that it is the only religion or worldview that can fix peoples lives.

Every major religion claims to be correct where others are not. This is certainly not exclusive to Christianity.

Before going too far forward with my point -- i do have to admit that religion does an absolutely great job of solving the problem in the human condition. for most people, having the comfort of knowing there's is universal truth and security in one god is amazing and does work to change people's lives. it's just that people get overzealous with this... it is just as bad as dawkins or hitchens berating the religious.

my issue is that Christianity isn't the only worldview that offers this hope... from personal experience I've seen all shades of christians who are genuinely life changed and hungry for christ -- catholic, evangelistic, calvinistic or full on charismatic. Not only the christian faith... but basically anything that offers people a grander vision and purpose for life outside themselves. Muslims.. buddhists.. people of no particular faith. Seen 'em all. Another point, working in the tech field, im surrounded by alot of first-generation Indians and Chinese. None of these people have christ --- yet they are living completely fulfilled lives with a passion for whatever it is that they do that is comparable to the fire found in a born-again.

This testimony speaks volumes to me.

Indeed it does speak volumes: It should tell you that no one faith is required to be happy or lead a good, fulfilled life. I would think it would also make you wonder if any is required at all. If not, then of what real use is it?

 

[Malak]

My point isn't that I can't tell the difference, it's that it makes no difference.

I'm sorry I thought I was having a rational discussion, but if you don't actually want to make any effort then never mind.

 

[nonlnear]

Strangely the moral legitimacy of the state is rarely brought up in discussions of religion when it is really the only form of religion that has ever played a significant role in the course of human history. The recent divorce of mysticism and spirituality from the machines of power has been very fortuitous for the propagation of the myth of the "secular state". What is religion if not an institution to control people's thoughts and actions, predicated on mythical tales granting moral legitimacy? I'm not sure I don't prefer the moral legitimacy of Apollo to the whim of 51%. At least back then it was occasionally fashionable to deride the machines of power. In the secular state everyone is either a true believer, insane, or a terrorist.

The only novel innovation in the course of religion (by which I mean political power) is that it eventually spawned systems of theology and spirituality that are capable of self-replicating without the machines of the state. How unfortunate that these strange children are what people have come to believe "religion" is, all the while continuing to elect a clergy that rapes them from the cathedrals of Washington DC.

 

[nonlnear]

Strangely the moral legitimacy of the state is rarely brought up in discussions of religion when it is really the only form of religion that has ever played a significant role in the course of human history. The recent divorce of mysticism and spirituality from the machines of power has been very fortuitous for the propagation of the myth of the "secular state". What is religion if not an institution to control people's thoughts and actions, predicated on mythical tales granting moral legitimacy? I'm not sure I don't prefer the moral legitimacy of Apollo to the whim of 51%. At least back then it was occasionally fashionable to deride the machines of power. In the secular state everyone is either a true believer, insane, or a terrorist.

The only novel innovation in the course of religion (by which I mean political power) is that it eventually spawned systems of theology and spirituality that are capable of self-replicating without the machines of the state. How unfortunate that these strange children are what people have come to believe "religion" is, all the while continuing to elect a clergy that rapes them from the cathedrals of Washington DC.