Religion…What is it good for?
Musings March 10th, 2007
I’ve just been watching the pantomime that is the Northern Ireland Election. This isn’t about politics but religion - Catholics vote one way and Protestants the other.
It got me thinking - what is the point of religion? It just seems to bring grief and pain all over the world and all through history…
…WWII, Bosnia, Iraq, Ireland, Nepal…Sunni killing Shia, Shia killing Sunni, Protestant killing Catholic, Catholic killing Protestant. Repression, hate, discrimination…what is the point of it all?
On top of all this we have the hypocrisy that seems to be common to them all.
So for God’s sake can we all try to get along?
| 2.5 |
You’re such a narrow-minded fool!
You really think that if there were no religions things would be any better? You’re such the exponent of “Generation X”, aren’t you? Your vocal chords only echo John Lennon (“imagine there’s no heaven… and no religion too) and the stupidity of a rotten heart. The UK has forsaken true Christianity and Christian heritage alright, but what benefits has that brought about? An amazing growth in materialism and hopelessness. One thing I admit, though: hypocrisy and fanaticism are evil. But please don’t put Christianity in your dirty little bag of religions - it’s so unique and different and you know that. If people claim to be Christians and act like the devil, you shouldn’t be naive enough to believe they’re indeed Christians, but liars. Scotland’s had great examples of man of integrity who did a lot for the nation, men like Eric Liddell, John. G, Paton and John Knox. Please be more sensible in your writing.
How very Christian of you to point out that I’m a narrow-minded fool.
So, you the broad-minded Christian believes that apart from Christianity the rest are a “dirty little bag of religions”.
John G Paton? I don’t think the “missionaries” of the 19th Century have much to be proud of. They destroyed many aboriginal cultures with their interfering.
Eric Liddell - more of the same but he could run fast.
John Knox - Involved in conspiracy to murder, again, very Christian.
Even you Christians are divided - no doubt you hate Catholics?
Well, I hope you get your reward in heaven
Ok. Here we go.
What’s your daffynition of “Christian”? Someone who only says sweet things, hides their heads in the sand and avoids confrontation? Think again. Do you think Jesus was ever afraid to confront sinners with their wrongdoings?…
“The fool has said in his heart,’There’s no God’; they are corrupt and have done abominable works. There’s none that does good.” Psalm 14:1
And, no, I didn’t say I was broadminded; actually, I admit that I might be as narrow-minded as you are, in a different way, but I’m not a fool.
Also, I didn’t say that all other religions were dirty and you know that. So, stop trying to twist my words. What I meant was YOU regarded all religions in the same despicable way. People have the inalienable right to choose whatever religions they like, and I back and respect that. On the other hand, Christians (and any other religions) have the right to speak up for their beliefs and reason with people about what they believe in.
And, once again around the mulberry bush: authentic Christians do not hate people. Hypocrites do.
“Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that know murderer has eternal life abiding in him” 1 John 3:15
To round off, Christians do not follow Christ in exchange for a reward; Christians serve God out of gratitude and love (which is placed in the individual’s heart by God in the first place.)
As for Patton, Liddell and Knox, that will be made plain one day.
Coram Deo.
“What’s your daffynition of “Christian”?”
OK my definition of “Christian” is someone who purports to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ - simple enough?
Strange you should admit to being narrow minded - hardly “Christian” is it?
“Also, I didn’t say that all other religions were dirty and you know that”
I quoted your own words.
“As for Patton, Liddell and Knox, that will be made plain one day.”
WTF???
And please, stop quoting from the Bible all the time - it was written by men for their own ends and is one of the most contradictory books around.
The point of my original post was that throughout history, and today, more killing and grief has been perpetrated in the name of “organised” religion than any other reason. No doubt you approve of the atrocities being perpetrated daily in Iraq and Afghanistan by all sides?
And yes, as a libertarian I believe that you can believe whatever you want without fear or favour - just don’t ram it down my throat.
“the right to speak up for their beliefs and reason with people about what they believe in.”
How can you “reason” with people over the unreasonable, the unproven, the untested, the unknown? You can put forward your beliefs (God?, miracles?, Santa Claus, pixies at the bottom of your garden?) as is your right but there is no “reason” or testable theory to it so please don’t inflate your beliefs into something they are not…..
Now, go in peace and be nice….!