I am not against religion and I think religious people on the whole seem to be well established and secure in their lives. As with anything however there are negative aspects. One being a superior ego by thinking you are somehow better than others because you blessed or redeemed or others are less than you because of the way they believe. This breeds a situation where harming others....not like you....can be justified in the mind of a man.
I don't quite know the answer to that but there is a prohibition in the Old Testament and the Quran by "God".
In the begining religion and law was the same thing, it still is, the names have been changed to protect the guilty
There was no need to, religion is silly fairy tales does not mean every single sentence of every religious writing is silly fairy tales, obviously. It's not about what sex you believe that guy is or not, the "God" depicted in major western religions is designated as male, not female and not even of neutral sex. I've never gotten that by eating pork nor do I personally know anyone who did. It doesn't mean if you eat undercooked pork you won't get that but that isn't the point anyway. You just cherry picked one thing that isn't even considered a fairy tale. I don't have to prove the big bang is fact or fantasy. It's a scientific theory unless and until proven otherwise and still has nothing to do with religion. Except for a very rare few no one really accepts that any scientific theory has anything to do with religion. I never argued otherwise. I don't know if it's true or not, it sounds highly implausible but then again so does the static Universe or multiverse theory. I would guess it's one or the other but either way these are still just scientific theories that have nothing to do with religion. Already addressed, scientific theories are not accepted as any part of any religion other than some very few exceptions. This discussion is not about exceptions, it's about what the overwhelming majority accept as religion. Of course, just ask the Taliban for one or back in the day the Inquisition. My father was beaten whenever he decided to stray from religion. I was forced to accept my religion as truth as a child. Many are forced into their parents' or community religion via physical and/or psychological threat, especially children who don't know any better. Tell me you never heard of that? I always said government is the closest analogy to religion, just ask the fool who devoutly believes everyone should pay their "fair share" in taxes or "serve" one's country by doing the bidding of the military industrial complex. However, it's still not religion, just similar mentality. They both have certain things in common, such as bend over to authority and accept government propaganda as truth.
Silly fairy tales lol. But seriously it's not my personal definition it's the vast majority concept of what religion is.
So says the Religion Of Religion Is Silly Fairy Tales. Whatever moral values you hold is, de facto, your religion. "a million dollar church"? Not long ago my family helped build a $7,000,000 dollar church and a mere some 700 people did that. And Lakewood Church in Houston Texas cost $100,000,000 and we (Christendom) have every intention of surpassing that and going really big. Christendom today has over 1300 mega-churches with a weekly attendance of over 2000 and this is just the beginning of the growth of worldwide Christendom ~~ which now has over 2.3 billion believers and we're growing like wildfire in the Global South. Best Regards. JAG
But you quoted it below.... If to be a "Christian" you must obey....or else, how does that fit as a positive aspect??
Why such huge churches? Why do you need a church at all? “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Besides the profit aspect for contractors some religions are also about bragging rights. Isn't that just so holy?
Yes and there is enough evidence in history that proves your point. And it could happen again at any time. People that seem to be...."well established and secure in their lives" as you put it...can change at the drop of a hat.
I don't promote the penalty phase of that as a "positive aspect". But, presumably Christians could be convinced to follow that scripture given that Jesus presented it so clearly and strongly.
...and below is the kinds of **** messes you get when people with absolutely zero knowledge of theology interpret the bible LOL with that wacky logic if he beat you people for not eating your dinner you and bob would be screaming that we should condemn eating, your arguments are completely irrelevant, and do nothing more than proclaim you both grew up in abusive families, and are projecting that abuse on to the belief system (religion) rather then your parent where blame belongs. Bingo! Spot on!
I have to admit Im a bit surprised to see you of all people dodging, but if you insist on giving us a nonresponsive answer, I accept your concession.
But that happens in many religious families because they're all religiously indoctrinated (forced into a belief system) and as noted it happens with many backward civilizations. There's nothing irrelevant about these arguments, they are exactly one of the primary characteristic of many religions. It's a system based on stories handed down through the generations that are accepted as true strictly on faith ... or else.
It seems it's you who refuses to accept any answer that you disagree with. There's nothing to accept or "concede", it's strictly a discussion, not a contest. Everyone has a point of view just like you.
True. And, I don't see how it could be otherwise. If the religion promises everlasting hell to those who don't believe, then what's a parent to do? Should they not give a crap about the everlasting lives of the kids? What parent is built like THAT?
For the same reasons humans need houses to live in: Rain, Heat, Freezing weather. Families with children. Can you imagine 40,000 people (Lakewood Church in Houston has a weekly attendance of over 40,000 people) meeting out in the middle of an open field? And then there comes up a severe rain storm? By the way, just for the record the Bible teaches that Christendom will eventually conquer the entire world peacefully through simple Holy Spirit blessed gospel preaching. Start with Matthew 28:16-20. Best Regards. JAG ``
That's purely a social issue, with financial overtones and definitely with political overtones. They preach "prosperity gospel" - basically, that "prosperity" is a blessing from god for being pious. And, of course, the claim is that "prosperity" certainly doesn't mean wealth - lol!! It just means, uh, you know, prosperity! The Bible says he's there with you whenever two or three are gathered together. The scary idea that it might rain is certainly NOT the reason for the hugely "prosperous" church (again, surely not meaning wealthy, lol).
Is that what the Crusades were all about? Peace? Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists aren't buying it for one second. The Bible also says Jews are the chosen people (according to Jews). And Jehovah Witnesses believe they will be the only ones to survive Armageddon. I guess it depends on what your religion wants you to believe in which fairy tale.
Read Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think. This is a secular read and the writers are probably not Christians but they accurately predict the future of the human race that is predicted by the Bible ~~ which is prosperity and abundance for all ~ as the world is slowly and incrementally Christianized. Do you like poverty? Do you want to see poverty prevail? I'd bet not. I'd bet you love abundance and prosperity and would love to see the world's poverty ended. Christianity is doing exactly that and as human history unfolds, the world will have more and more wealth, not less wealth. Meanwhile I monthly support (with a small amount $) about 8 huge Christian Charities out there helping people who need help. Here is one right here ~ , , , Samaritan's Purse: (my motive is I want to be able to say that I had a small part in helping to make the world a better place.) Then there is: Catholic Relief Services The Salvation Army Lutheran World Relief Joni And friends Life Without Limbs Compassion International Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital Tunnel To Towers Foundation Assemblies of God Trust ,,, and , , , My Local Church Just to name a few . . . and all of them have one thing in common: they all need MONEY to help people. So? So there is nothing wrong with the $$$$$ prosperity gospel $$$$$$$ in the context of the above. MONEY , , , is GOOD , , , if helping people is GOOD , , , eg. food cost $$$$$$$$ Best Regards. JAG ``
Christendom grows and learns. Christendom does not stay the same century after century. Christendom makes progress. She moves from being at the Third Grade maturity level, up to being in the Eight Grade maturity level. She has a long way to go before she graduates from college so to speak ~` but she will get there. Here is how it all ends: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3-4 Best. JAG ``
ALL those services together do not come close to touching the need that exists. AND, they don't come anywhere close to the governmental support for doing what those groups are doing. In fact, many of those groups have the US government as a major source of funding. Claiming that their contribution is proof of Christianity prevailing over poverty is JUST PLAIN FALSE. I'm glad they are there, doing their thing. But, claiming their progress for your religion is NOT HONEST.
I believe there is a god. I just choose not to congregate. I believe as long as you’re a good person you will end up in a good place.