Why I think Christianity is bull.

[GeminiBrian]

[QUOTE=Aristotle;608493]
I'm curious what tenet of the Christian faith leads you to believe this. Christianity places a loving and benevolent God at the center of its faith and uses the teachings of Love and Forgiveness as espoused by Jesus and the fundemental function of Faith in God. At no point does this seem like a scare tactic to me. Could you clarify where you found the "fear" that Christianity uses?

Believe, accept - or else...

Fire and brimstone for eternity... If that is not a scare tactic I don't know what is.

[Whatssnew]

Many of you attack the Bible for its use in teaching moral value. You are welcome to believe as you wish. However in your advanced state of moral superiority, would you be so kind as not to insult the values and faiths of others? For example, they way you speak down to others, Jack, is very insulting.

And Christians who think only they are moral or that morals originated with the Bible should do some reading as well.

You might do well to consider that atheism is also a faith, a faith that there is no supreme being. A faith which is just as much lacking in solid proof. A faith with supporters equally devout as in any other faith. I am open to all forms of questioning, however I am not open to questions or statements made in a manner to cause insult.

[Praxius]

Sorry, to you Bible tumpers, but I have to let it out.

I see Christians commit contradictory acts every day, despite their beliefs.

It's like I'm stuck in a neverending spiral of stupidity. 90% chance someone will respond to this and say:

" Well Slander, you just haven't found Jesus yet."

I'll tell you my religion, and that is realism. Realists are a group of very select people who refuse to listen to the crap out of other's mouths. We are the people who truly dictate what we do.

So..... just like every other religion out there right?

None of them listen to other ideas or concepts and are already set in their own ways, much like how you just described yourself..... speaking of a contradiction, lol.

We see things for what they are, not for what some higher power makes it out to be.

I don't need a book, or a chest of stone tablets to give me good guidelines for life. I am human, and with that comes conscience.

The most obvious reason as to why Christianity is bullsh*t, is because the stupidest things have happened in the name of it.

The Crusades

A pointless series of wars, that lead to suffering of thousands. It went back and forth over hundreds of years, always coming to a standstill. Yet the Pope kept insisting, so they kept going back.

Most of you have probably never heard of the Childrens' Crusade. This was a forced march of over 10,000 children, most not even teenagers. By the time they arrived in the Holy Land, they were so weak and malnourished, that the Arabs slaughtered them all. They thought faith would protect them, yet it did not.

The Spanish Inquisition

This is when Christian "Inquisitors" went from house to house, determining people's faith. If they didn't meet standards, they were executed. Not to mention, corrupt clergy used this as a chance to get rid of their enemies.

The Slaughter of the Knights Templar

This pisses me off more than anything, as this is quite possibly the most horrible thing Christianity has to answer for. The Knights Templar were essentially the Holy warriors of the Crusades. After countless years of service, they were repaid by being murdered and tortured by none other than fellow Christians. If I spent years in service to God, only to be attacked by God's servants, I would drop that faith immediately.

Well you'd be dead like they were, so it wouldn't really matter if you dropped the faith at that time.

And I have one more point to make.

The Condemning of Galileo

The dumbest thing Christians are responsible for, is their slandering of Galileo. The man is responsible for most of our modern ideas on space, and yet they couldn't accept the fact that he was right, even when he slapped them in the face with truth. Galileo lived hundreds of years ago, and it wasn't untill the 1990's that the Catholic Church admitted he was right. Way to go, you arrogant bastards.

" Sorry we destroyed your life, and that you're not here to accept our apology."

Most Christians attack other religions too. It's ridiculous.

My synopsis: Christianity is bull sh*t.

Don't forget about the expansion and forcing of the religion in Africa or on the natives of North America, where native children were taken from their parents and forced into catholic schools where many many of them were abused mentally, physically and sexually.

Don't forget about witch burnings and the sort.

Don't forget about the brutal chastity belts with spikes that would prevent a male from having an erection and beatings children got when they were caught masturbating.

There's a plithora of bad things about the religion.... but there's always bad things with every belief out there.

[Aristotle]

Believe, accept - or else...

Fire and brimstone for eternity... If that is not a scare tactic I don't know what is.

This is a generalization, very hasty at that. You site no dogmatic text of Christian Faith, no acclaimed Christian figure, no Biblical refernences with detailed explanation.

This is what I mean people. I'm okay with both GeminiBrian and SlanderCage stating that Christianity is bull IF they can show me why. So far the ball is still in your court. Use some evidence that I and other Christians must refute to put the ball in our court please. Then we can start debating.

[Jack]

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 New International Version)

This passage not only details the fate of those not saved but appears to indicate a person's deeds are just as important, if not more so, as their faith. So is the frequent dismissal of the value of "works" just wishful thinking on the part of those who do not live their faith? Could it be that their failure to live as Christians cause them to suffer the same fate as non-believers?

[Whatssnew]

God is loving, forgiving, and wise. Lead a good life, do little evil and much good, for you will be judged not only what you do, but by what is in your heart. I can not pretend to know what Gods judgement will be on each of us, but I can't see God punishing good people for a lack of faith, or difference in faith. I personaly believe that most faiths are worshiping the same God, we just dissagree on the history, and the rules.

[Harry098]

This passage not only details the fate of those not saved but appears to indicate a person's deeds are just as important, if not more so, as their faith. So is the frequent dismissal of the value of "works" just wishful thinking on the part of those who do not live their faith? Could it be that their failure to live as Christians cause them to suffer the same fate as non-believers?

put simple my understanding of it is that faith is needed for salvation and works determine the reward of those saved in heaven.

"And Christians who think only they are moral or that morals originated with the Bible should do some reading as well."

and as to that comment I neither stated that, nor do I believe its true that morals originated with the bible. rather I believe that morals originated with God which is a totally different thing if you think about it. and yes so you do know I am rather well read for my age. cheers

[GeminiBrian]

This is a generalization, very hasty at that. You site no dogmatic text of Christian Faith, no acclaimed Christian figure, no Biblical refernences with detailed explanation.

This is what I mean people. I'm okay with both GeminiBrian and SlanderCage stating that Christianity is bull IF they can show me why. So far the ball is still in your court. Use some evidence that I and other Christians must refute to put the ball in our court please. Then we can start debating.

Oh! - cm'on, Aristotle - I'm looking beyond the superficial mythology of Christianity to deconstruct the whole theological architecture on which Christianity is pinned.

Looked at from that broader perspective, such a deconstruction might run along the following lines, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Christ and God are One Being - so we're told... Christ is also separate from God, and has a specific role to play in God's big plan for humanity.

Putting aside the logistics of that conundrum for a second, it is undeniable that Jesus was sent to Earth, not to teach or enlighten humanity as is often supposed, but to present himself as a perfect sacrifice to God (ie. himself) for the forgiveness of the curse of Original Sin.

Again, leaving aside the odd fact that God had planned it this way since before he first created mankind - (which is rather perverse of him) - along with a fiery lake for the eternal torment of those who failed to win his sympathy - it seems obvious to me that any notion of Christianity as a fair and loving doctrine is instantly swept aside when one considers the truly sinister implications... Comply totally - or suffer.

As I said in the last post, then - accept Christ's 'sacrifice' on your behalf, or, if you have any problems with that, be prepared to send eternity in Hell... hardly a humane alternative if you happen to have a mind of your own.

So, however you gloss over this grim theological structure, a thinking individual will always remember just how draconian and primitive the backdrop to Christianity really is.

Deny that if you can.

[Praxius]

God is loving, forgiving, and wise. Lead a good life, do little evil and much good, for you will be judged not only what you do, but by what is in your heart. I can not pretend to know what Gods judgement will be on each of us, but I can't see God punishing good people for a lack of faith, or difference in faith. I personaly believe that most faiths are worshiping the same God, we just dissagree on the history, and the rules.

Makes sense to me.

I kinda follow along the lines that I can not prove that God exists or doesn't..... and since the teachings of all religions are based on what other humans dictate (Not God) then how can one know for sure that you're actually doing what God wants, rather then what other humans want? (That is if he exists)

I live my life as best as I can, I do not attempt to take advantage of anybody, I help others when I can, how I can.... and I try and learn and experience my life as best I can, at the fullest. And I am willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

If there is a God after this life, all I can say for my actions is that I did the best I could based on what I felt was right in my view.

And if that's not good enough for him/her, then maybe he should have gotten off his ass and showed people he existed and set some ground rules for today's way of life/culture.

Since he/she hasn't, I and everybody else on this planet can only do the best we think we can for ourselves.... and if that's not good enough, then fine.... send me to hell.... I'm sure Satan and I will have plenty to talk about.

[Rog]

And Christians who think only they are moral or that morals originated with the Bible should do some reading as well.


How can an atheist have morals?@Everything2.com

Jack you are so confused, i feel sorry for you sometimes.
If you read the NT you would notice those laws were written in our hearts.

[Rog]

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 New International Version)

This passage not only details the fate of those not saved but appears to indicate a person's deeds are just as important, if not more so, as their faith. So is the frequent dismissal of the value of "works" just wishful thinking on the part of those who do not live their faith? Could it be that their failure to live as Christians cause them to suffer the same fate as non-believers?

Again Jack you are very confused reader.
That passage is talking about the second death. The believers in Christ already went up. the second death are the ones after the first death. maybe you should ask for help when you read those text.

[Rog]

God is loving, forgiving, and wise. Lead a good life, do little evil and much good, for you will be judged not only what you do, but by what is in your heart. I can not pretend to know what Gods judgement will be on each of us, but I can't see God punishing good people for a lack of faith, or difference in faith. I personaly believe that most faiths are worshiping the same God, we just dissagree on the history, and the rules.

There is not punishment for lack of faith, we get punished because our sins.
Weather one chooses to believe there is no God, or one chooses to believe we are still under the 600 or so Moses commandments, we dont get punished by what we did good, we get punished by what we do bad.