Religious ramblings

[Russell Kanning]

You are absolutely correct
Matthew 22:35-
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=22&version=49

other similar verses
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2019:18;%20Matt%2019:19;%20Gal%205:14&version=49

[Russell Kanning]

I took the test... I broke 4 out of 10 maybe 5 depending on how you read into one.
So isn't it now love thy neighbor as you love yourself?

So where does that leave you?
How have you done on that one simple rule?
Jesus also said,""For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?"
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=5&verse=45&end_verse=47&version=49&context=context

If you have questions, I sometimes have answers.

[freedombabe]

FreedomBabe, let me reiterate the first words of this thread:

I'm well aware that there are many atheists in the free state project.? This post isn't directed at you guys.

Why do you feel the need to harass and insult participants in this thread?? Why not just put it on your ignore list?

Whoa.  Hold on there.  Why is this an insult?  To challenge the schooling that most of us received by what I would refer to as an "unenlightened bunch of statists" is not only OK, but is our moral responsibility as freedom fighters.

In my short time here I've looked at numerous discussions about statists' teachings in school settings, in govt arenas, and in business environments.  Religious restrictions, customs, beliefs, wars, jihads, persecutions, etc. should be fair game as encroachments on individual freedom. 

Taliban women ordered by religious leaders to wear burkas probably felt their freedoms being restricted.  All in the name of god.  Lots more examples; not enough space. 

The last thing we need is a political correctness thread inching its way into discussion of religious statist philosophy lest we offend someone. 

[Michael Fisher]

freedombabe,

There are BILLIONS of people on this Earth.? There are 1-1.5 BILLION followers of both christianity and islam.? Can you possibly imagine how many people that is?

Don't even think about trying to compartmentalize them into groups based on religious books they read - it doesn't work.? Religions modernize.

Religious tolerance is not about political correctness, it's about common sense.

I judge people based on their actions and character, not their religion.

[freedombabe]

freedombabe,

There are BILLIONS of people on this Earth.? There are 1-1.5 BILLION followers of christianity and islam.? Can you possibly imagine how many people that is?

Don't even think about trying to compartmentalize them into groups based on religious books they read - it doesn't work.? Religions modernize.

Religious tolerance is not about political correctness, it's about common sense.

I judge people based on their actions and character, not their religion.

All good points, and I don't disagree.  I just feel, IMHO, that religions tend to be the most intolerant of all.  Ironic?

I was taught at a young age, that "those people" over there were going to hell because they belonged to the "wrong" religion.  This is what grown adults were teaching to their children in Sunday school!!  Tolerance?

We also see that people around the world kill each other in the name of god because they are of different religions.  Tolerance?

Many of the major wars throughout history were based on religion.  Tolerance?

Seems to me, that when you add it all up,  there would be more people alive today in a more "free" state of mind without the imposition of religious rules and regulations.

The important rules are the ones we feel in our hearts that perhaps come from god.  The religious BS is nothing more than marketing.  Jerry Falwell lives on every Main street in America in his church with his hand out.  Come to my religion and leave your money with me.  I can tell you the secret path to salvation.  Just a few dollars more and we'll drive to salvation in my Cadillac.  (I actually remember being told from the alter that god finds the rustle of paper more pleasing than the clink of coin in the collection basket.)

Religions are run by statists who strive to intimidate and scare people to part with their money.  In govt, the threat is "pay us or we'll take your property"; in religion, the threat is "pay us or you'll eternally be roasted in a fire pit".  B-B-Q sauce, anyone?

Which do you find more intimidating?

[Pat McCotter]

...
I was taught at a young age, that "those people" over there were going to hell because they belonged to the "wrong" religion.? This is what grown adults were teaching to their children in Sunday school!!? Tolerance?
...

http://www.goohf.com

I have some that are courtesy of www.freestateproject.org

[freedombabe]

The "Get out of hell free" card is too funny.  lol

[Caleb]

Freedombabe,

If an individual chooses to close his mind, he can use any form of belief system to do that.  Yes, you can find Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc, who have closed minds.  You can also find atheists, humanists, libertarians, socialists, etc who similarly have closed minds.  It doesn't matter what belief you subscribe to, the possibility exists that you can embrace that belief and sacrifice your ability to think in the process.

But knowing many of those on the board here personally, I don't think that is true of the Christians on this board.  The reason that I put the statement "this post isn't directed at you (meaning atheists)" at the beginning of this post was, not an attempt to exclude atheists from the discussion by any means, but so as to make it clear that I wasn't trying to preach at anyone.

What's ironic is that the very complaints that you have about Christianity would probably resonate with Jesus himself.  Jesus hated ritual, pomp, and ceremony.  He loved the deeper aspects of man's spirituality, and taught that we could fulfill God's law simply by loving.

Humans are filled with a yearning for God, a deep spirituality that expresses itself in all of humanity.  As inconvenient as you may find that, it certainly doesn't change the reality.  Yes, that yearning makes it possible for men of low character to prey on others, exploiting them for their own financial gain.  But that doesn't make the search for spiritual meaning in and of itself wrong or misguided.  It means you have to use caution and think for yourself.

Caleb

[Russell Kanning]

If Caleb and I convert anyone ..... we don't make any money.

[Pat K]

If Caleb and I convert anyone ..... we don't make any money.

Thats why I always deal with the Devil, he pays off in Kegs of beer.

[freedombabe]

But knowing many of those on the board here personally, I don't think that is true of the Christians on this board.?

What's ironic is that the very complaints that you have about Christianity would probably resonate with Jesus himself.? Jesus hated ritual, pomp, and ceremony.? He loved the deeper aspects of man's spirituality, and taught that we could fulfill God's law simply by loving.

Caleb

This may sound like nit picking, but if you don't think it "is true of Christians on this board" , are you suggesting it is true of Jews, Muslims, etc on this board?

Also, my complaints are not about Christians.  They are about organized religion.  That's why I'm a little confused as to why you may be offended by my rants.  Unless you're a cleric with a position in church government, what have I said that is offensive?

[Caleb]

are you suggesting it is true of Jews, Muslims, etc on this board?

I don't know of any Jews or Muslims on this forum.  Except for Joey.  But he's a fake Jew. 

I don't know that anyone is "offended" by your posts on the topic.  I have my own issues with "organized religion".

Caleb

[KBCraig]

Unless you're a cleric with a position in church government, what have I said that is offensive?

Well, let's see...

Religion is the historic root of most strife, hatred, and lost freedom in the world.  To be totally free, one must free themselves from all the religious bulls*** that was force fed to us as children in the religious schools/classes/sunday-school.  Many wars are fought in the name of religion or god.

Or,

I suppose it must've been god's plan to have creepy priests molest innocent children by the hundreds just to "test" their faith or the faith of their parents.

yup.  Makes sense to me. ???

Please may I have another cup of kool-aid?

For starters, the root cause of hate, strife, and war is man. Primitive hominids fought over food, territory, mates, and "things" just the same as all animals do. Possessiveness is a survival trait.

You don't think it's just the teensiest bit insulting to say that those of us with religious fate must free ourselves from "all the religious bulls*** that was force fed to us as children in the religious schools/classes/sunday-school" if we wish to be free? Or suggesting that are kool-aid drinkers who believe "it must've been god's plan to have creepy priests molest innocent children by the hundreds just to "test" their faith or the faith of their parents"?

Naw. Nothing there to be offended over. Being lumped in with those who cover up for child molesters is just an everyday coversational observation. 

[KBCraig]

I'm no fan of "formal religion", but every "organized" religion is organized of members. To insult the institutions and their leaders is to insult the members.

Kevin

[polyanarch]

"I don't travel in circles where people say, "I have faith, I believe this in my heart and nothing you can say or do can shake my faith." That's just a long-winded religious way to say, "shut up," or another two words that the FCC likes less. But all obscenity is less insulting than, "How I was brought up and my imaginary friend means more to me than anything you can ever say or do."  -Penn Jillette