How Real Is Christianity?

SATCHMO · 06-20-2009, 11:20 PM

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Originally Posted by AwwSugar

The thing that bothers me most about Christianity, and by Christianity, I mean the Catholic church I'd been exposed to from 3 years old to 15, is that they DO use threats.

If you're homosexual, "God" won't love you.

If you have sex before marriage, "God" won't love you.

If you don't donate to the church, "God" won't love you.

And then recently, I was accepted in to a college that made it clear that it was necessary to have recieved all of your sacraments.

I was blind in looking for colleges, and for some reason, didn't notice how strict the school was religiously.

But that's what I've been exposed to throughout my life.

That's how "God" introduced himself to me.

Where in the bible does it say any of those things?

Arya Stark · 06-20-2009, 11:22 PM

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Originally Posted by SATCHMO

Where in the bible does it say any of those things?

I didn't even bring up the bible. What are you talking about?

Neapolitan · 06-20-2009, 11:53 PM

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Originally Posted by AwwSugar

The thing that bothers me most about Christianity, and by Christianity, I mean the Catholic church I'd been exposed to from 3 years old to 15, is that they DO use threats.

But that's what I've been exposed to throughout my life.

That's how "God" introduced himself to me.

Really, that's how people introduced "God" to you. It not that "God" won't love you, when you do something wrong, it is that when you do something wrong, you won't love God. God is Love, and God can not "not love" a person. And because God loves the person no matter what, people should love the sinner and hate the sin - there shouldn't be any threats. It is up to the person to know right from wrong, good from evil, so they can love and respect God, other people, and themselves.

Arya Stark · 06-20-2009, 11:58 PM

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Originally Posted by Neapolitan

Really, that's how people introduced "God" to you. It not that "God" won't love you, when you do something wrong, it is that when you do something wrong, you won't love God. God is Love, and God can not "not love." God loves the person no matter what, God loves the sinner and hates the sin. It is up to the person to know right from wrong, good from evil, so they can love and respect God, other people, and themselves.

It's not what I was taught.

I was told that my birth was a sin and that God forgives me for it.

I was told a lot of shitty things about religion.

And I was young.

SATCHMO · 06-21-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwwSugar

I didn't even bring up the bible. What are you talking about?

Just sayin' that religious authorities like to make us think that god is quite selective with how he dispenses love.

Arya Stark · 06-21-2009, 12:03 AM

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Originally Posted by SATCHMO

Just sayin' that religious authorities like to make us think that god is quite selective with how he dispenses love.

Oh, are you agreeing with me?

SATCHMO · 06-21-2009, 12:08 AM

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Originally Posted by AwwSugar

Oh, are you agreeing with me?

Lol, Absolutely! I didn't quite make that clear with my initial post though.

Arya Stark · 06-21-2009, 12:14 AM

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Originally Posted by SATCHMO

Lol, Absolutely! I didn't quite make that clear with my initial post though.

Ohhh! Haha.

I thought you were disagreeing, and I was like, "B-but..." xD

Hesher · 06-21-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATCHMO

Where in the bible does it say any of those things?

Bartlet: I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality ‘an abomination.'"

Jacobs: "I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does."

Bartlet: "Yes it does. Leviticus-"

Jacobs: "18:22."

Bartlet: "Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? [silence in the room] While thinking about that can I ask another? My chief-of-staff, Leo McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important, 'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean, Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side-by-side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you."

-The West Wing

Inuzuka Skysword · 06-21-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKSmith

Why is it so bad to want to believe in a being that loves you unconditionally, and enough that he would do anything for you? Why do you believe us to be stupid because we hope for a better place than this wretched planet? If you ask me, it is better to believe in a god/God and be wrong, then not to believe in a Deity and be wrong.

First of all, unconditional love is not love. Love is conditional which is what makes it love in the first place. If you like someone for no reason, that is not love. What do you appreciate in the person? Nothing. It is an insult to have someone to say they like you for no reason. That undermines everything you are.

I don't think you are stupid for believing in God. I just think that you are choosing to waste your existence. I guess you could say that is a stupid thing to do. In reality, there is no reason why you will be happier off with religion. Also, your last sentence sounds a lot like Pascal's Wager. The problem with that is that you are viewing this life as worth nothing when there is the possibility that it is worth everything.

Also, why do you call this place a wretched planet? The place is great. I have the ability to work hard and get what I want. I have the ability to love and be loved. I have the ability to exist for the sake of myself. This is all I know and to call it a "wretched planet" is basically like saying that my life here is worth nothing aka nihilism.

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I agree with you, because scientifically, faith usually makes a person healthier, happier. Whether they're experiencing the 'placebo effect' is irrelevant from a utilitarian standpoint.

How do you measure happiness scientifically?