Jesus loves you, so what?

[Jack]

My point was, and still is, that if light was available to mankind, religion wasn't really it's source. Religion can just as easily eb a source of darkness. And if people help each other, it isn't "God" promoting their dignity and respect, but their actions -- even if God is considered their inspiration.

Agreed. Man cannot worship a god without denigrating his own species. God worship requires one to discredit humanity.

[grandpa]

Man cannot worship a god without denigrating his own species.

Even the Biblical Jesus relied on human followers:
"There were the twelve apostles and his brothers, who may
or may not have been included among the twelve, though probably not. There was his mother and a rather large group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many others, who always traveled ..."
From Faith To Freedom (text)

Grandpa h.

[Dismay]

I fail to see how the proceeding passages justify the slavery.

[Trojan_Ripper]

"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;"
- Christ da man

1 Timothy 6:1-2
"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort."

I fail to see how the proceeding passages justify the slavery.

Were they slaves, servants, or employees? I know about the Israelites being “actual slaves” to Egypt but does that mean the word “slave” in the bible is literal in all mention? The same goes for the word “master” and how about that word “servant” still used today?

If I have a housekeeper and I’m the master (boss) that doesn’t make her a slave does it? She might be considered a servant by some (not in my household) but is a paid employee.

What is the point?

[Dismay]

Were they slaves, servants, or employees? I know about the Israelites being “actual slaves” to Egypt but does that mean the word “slave” in the bible is literal in all mention? The same goes for the word “master” and how about that word “servant” still used today?

If I have a housekeeper and I’m the master (boss) that doesn’t make her a slave does it? She might be considered a servant by some (not in my household) but is a paid employee.

What is the point?

They were slaves literal slaves and considered property as seen below.

KJV Exodus 21:20-21
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.

The KJV english is a bit archaic so I'll quote the NIV verse as well..

NIV Exodus 21:20-21
Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property

The bible fully supports slavery it isn't even debatable there are thousand of verses that verify this.

[Sean989]

My point was, and still is, that if light was available to mankind, religion wasn't really it's source. Religion can just as easily be a source of darkness. And if people help each other, it isn't "God" promoting their dignity and respect, but their actions -- even if God is considered their inspiration.

Grandpa h.

Every human is filled with light and dark, why should any concept to do with our existence not then be the same? Religious people have done many great things for Religion. It has also been manipulated to do much bad in the world by 'Religious' people.

[Dismay]

Every human is filled with light and dark, why should any concept to do with our existence not then be the same? Religious people have done many great things for Religion. It has also been manipulated to do much bad in the world by 'Religious' people.

The evils done because of religion far outweigh any minor good they had done.

[Sean989]

The evils done because of religion far outweigh any minor good they had done.

I don't argue great evils have been done in the name of religion but define 'minor good'?

[Dismay]

I don't argue great evils have been done in the name of religion but define 'minor good'?

I don't think I really need to but whatever...

minor- inferior in importance, size, or degree : comparatively unimportant

good- of a favorable character or tendency

Minor - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Good - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

[Sean989]

I don't think I really need to but whatever...

minor- inferior in importance, size, or degree : comparatively unimportant

good- of a favorable character or tendency

Minor - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Good - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Many of the worlds greatest inventors had ideas displayed to them in altered states (during religious ceremonies).

It has also helped millions of people get up in the morning and sleep at night.

'Minor' is the word I have a problem with if you had have made your statement without it I wouldn't have bothered.

[Maninorange]

Jesus wasn't illegitimate...as no physical contact lead to his conception by Mary it falls in a special category made by God (great to be the rule maker)

It is clear you are not a Mormon

I personally disagree withe the Trune God taught by modern day Christianity and believe it to be amalgamated from earlier Pagan beliefs.

But within the modern Christian sense God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are three unique entities that make one God. This basically means athough they are not physically together, their actions are as one.

I understand how most people understand it. And I'm here to say that even if we drastically lower our standards for evidence and use the Bible to settle the matter, there's still no reason to think this is the case.

I would point out anyone can ruthlessly dismiss claims and opinions regardless of evidence...

...And, if the evidence is persuasive enough, we dub these people as irrational. I would like to call young-earth creationists as an example.

...asking someone to prove the existence of God is pointless as you well know.

Indeed. Many theists are theists merely because their parents taught them to think that way. Few actually know any decent arguments for the existence of God, and it is rarer to still find one who knows how to evade some of the counterarguments (in my experience, I always snag them in the end).

[Dismay]

Many of the worlds greatest inventors had ideas displayed to them in altered states (during religious ceremonies).

It has also helped millions of people get up in the morning and sleep at night.

'Minor' is the word I have a problem with if you had have made your statement without it I wouldn't have bothered.

What inventions are these?

Nikola Tesla had come up with a lot of his inventions while having seizures. Are seizures now good? Should we stop treating them because of all the good they had done in the world? Should we cheer when we find out someone is an epileptic?