Why do many here hate religion ....

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Pudgygiant

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: Pudgygiant
What's that quote, "God's not so bad, but I hate his fans"? Hardcore christians have to be some of the most naive people on the planet. I'm not saying the religion is a bunch of bull, you have to figure that out for yourself, but these people would believe ANYTHING.

I think "God, save me from your followers" is what you're thinking of IIRC it's in Geekbabe's sig.

I've heard it both ways, but I didn't want to give the false pretense that I'm christian. Doesn't make it any less true though.

Agreed, and I'm an atheist

 

[sandorski]

Re: Freedom of Religion, not Freedom From Religion

Yes and No. When Government and Societal Laws are concerned the above statement is False. One can not have Freedom Of Religion if they don't have Freedom From Religion(other Religion imposing their beliefs on you). The statement is a play on words formulated to comfort those who intend to Impose their Religion on others, but it is a lie and again faulty Logic.

In ones' day to day life though, one can not expect to not be exposed to other peoples Religion. This is where No Freedom From Religion is True. This is because in order for people to practice their Religion, often part of that Practice involves making their Religion visible. Whether that be through Dress, various Trinkets, or even Proselytizing(sp)(JWs on street corners or at your door for eg), one doesn't have the Right to not be exposed to such things(IOW, cops can't be called to remove them).

So quit using that statement as a way to Justify improper Governmental Intrusion into People's lives.

 

[DigDug]

How can religions that offer "salvation" based on belief and not behavior offer anything of worth? Their sole purpose then stands to classify and divide rather than benefit society. For an example that brings out the ludicrousness of its foundation, ask a Christian this question:

If someone lived their life helping the poor, comitting not one "sinful" deed, but didn't believe in Christ, would he go to heaven?

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: myusername

Originally posted by: UsandThem
myusername, all I have to say to that will sum it quickly and in a way that you will truly understand, is that you are an @sshole.

There is a high likelihood that you are correct. Nonetheless, my points are valid.

Now, go look some more big words up at www.m-w.com, and post some more of your useless thoughts here to try and make yourself feel more important (because I have a strong sense that you aren't).

Wow, that's a mouthful of venom. While I don't make use of m-w.com, I do keep a dictionary at hand, because I'm not afraid of learning new things and admitting when I am wrong. You have disdain for both those traits, I see.
I will tell you right now: I'm far from the most educated, intelligent, well read, or well spoken [written] person on this board. However, given your responses, I highly doubt you are in a position to make that assertion. As to my "importance"? To whom? The Anandtech community? My family and friends? God? That's very thin ice to be on while you are jumping around and calling me an asshole.

Thread was created to discuss opinions, and you have to sh!t in it with your first post in it.

Wait a minute, you created a thread requesting an opinion ... then you received one and called it sh!t? Obviously this conversation will go nowhere until you address the issues I mentioned in my previous post.

Now, go get ready for bed - you have to cook the McGriddles in the morning. :laugh:

How very Christian of you.

Did I say I was Christian? I just was asking this question based off of Jesus' teachings. I can tolerate anyview point, but just because your belief that our founding fathers were not Christian, does not make it fact. From what I have read, I think most were. It's ok that we don't agree on that. However, you don't voice your opinion like you did in your post, and I quote "Obviously you've never actually read anything written by our founding fathers on the subject of religion or Christianity".

That makes you sound like a wannabe know-it-all pretentious prick.

 

[Davegod75]

Originally posted by: DigDug
How can religions that offer "salvation" based on belief and not behavior offer anything of worth? Their sole purpose then stands to classify and divide rather than benefit society. For an example that brings out the ludicrousness of its foundation, ask a Christian this question:

If someone lived their life helping the poor, comitting not one "sinful" deed, but didn't believe in Christ, would he go to heaven?

NO

Romans 3:9-10

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? No at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, no even one.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: Davegod75

Originally posted by: DigDug
How can religions that offer "salvation" based on belief and not behavior offer anything of worth? Their sole purpose then stands to classify and divide rather than benefit society. For an example that brings out the ludicrousness of its foundation, ask a Christian this question:

If someone lived their life helping the poor, comitting not one "sinful" deed, but didn't believe in Christ, would he go to heaven?

no

It requires both. The first to believe, and the second is that if you 'truly' believed, you would follow the correct behavior. So he's correct, if you do good acts but CHOOSE not to believe in Christ, then you will not go to heaven.

 

[Davegod75]

edited above with verse from bible

 

[Dedpuhl]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: virtuamike
I don't hate Christ. I just hate Christians.

Get off the ego trip. The Constitution was written on democratic morals and values, not Christian ones. If Jesus were born in the caveman era, I swear the Christians would try to patent fire too.

Are you forgetting that all of our forefathers were christian? IIRC. Of course it was on their mind during the founding of the US.

No we are not forgetting that because it isn't true!

I might be wrong (I'm not), but I thought that at least a majority of them were Deists (sp). certainly they were influenced by Christianity, but for many, it wasn't their religion.

Deism /= Christianity

Most of them were so influenced by Christianity that they decided to keep that dogma out of their Constitution...

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: UsandThem

In the old days, the excuse WAS religion. "Yeah, those people are heathens, so it's OK to kill them". See: Crusades, conquistadores, etc.

Well now we have the Muslim version of the crusades. I don't see near as many threads on them.

well, it wouldnt be politically correct to criticize the extremists, now would it?

i say damn political correctness, that will solve 50% of our problems right there. as for the other 50%, thats one hell of a combination of solutions of which i don't even have a clue.

well, christianity(specifically Roman Catholicism) is probably the most outspoken of the world's organized religions (opinion, if you couldnt figure it out). I'm catholic, so don't start bitchin at me yet (i'm trying to be very objective here). RC Church has no problem criticizing a lot of today's society, and people don't like to be told when they're doing something wrong (notice i didn't say what). You can't argue that America (culturally speaking) is going down hill. DONT EVEN TRY. I'm just saying that from the perspective of an intelligent teenager. I have nothing against pop culture, but once you start telling girls its ok to dress like a slut at the age of 10, that its ok to have sex whenever (do you really want gradeschoolers having kids of their own? think about that one), when political correctness is valued over the solution to problems, when sports achievements receive more encouragement than academic ones, i think there is a problem with that. im not saying i agree with the church on everything, this little rant is just my take on parts of american society.
Honestly though, look at what our american culture idolizes and think about it. Just don't get me wrong: I love capitalism and I love America.

 

[flashbacck]

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I can understand not believing something or not being religious, but what did Christ teach that causes so many to "hate" him.

I can understand that many preachers, priest, and people twist his message, however if you sat down and read it yourself, what in there was so horrible?

I don't think people hate religion or Christ. I think people hate it when others try to force their religion on people or when people act self-righteous and holier-than-thou.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: flashbacck

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I can understand not believing something or not being religious, but what did Christ teach that causes so many to "hate" him.

I can understand that many preachers, priest, and people twist his message, however if you sat down and read it yourself, what in there was so horrible?

I don't think people hate religion or Christ. I think people hate it when others try to force their religion on people or when people act self-righteous and holier-than-thou.

Exactly.

What makes it worse is when politicians (from the local to the national level) try to legislate their religious beliefs. Take, for example, laws restricting liquor sales on Sunday, or forcing strip clubs to close at 1am and not serve alcohol. Those types of laws just sound wholly unconstitutional, imho (and uneducated on Constitution law) opinion.

 

[jyates]

Originally posted by: DigDug
How can religions that offer "salvation" based on belief and not behavior offer anything of worth? Their sole purpose then stands to classify and divide rather than benefit society. For an example that brings out the ludicrousness of its foundation, ask a Christian this question:

If someone lived their life helping the poor, comitting not one "sinful" deed, but didn't believe in Christ, would he go to heaven?

If you lend credence (spelling?) to the Bible you can check out what it has to say
about the subject.

 

[oslama]

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I can understand not believing something or not being religious, but what did Christ teach that causes so many to "hate" him.

I can understand that many preachers, priest, and people twist his message, however if you sat down and read it yourself, what in there was so horrible?

He said that he was the only one that can save. Well thats not true, only god can save.

 

[Brutuskend]

There is a HUGE difference between hating Jesus and hating what mankind has done in his name and his memory!:roll:

 

[Isla]

Amen, Brother Brutuskend!

Jesus is way cool. It's the sociopolitical groups who try to make the whole world into an 'Us' or 'Them' that concern me. I honestly don't believe that is what Jesus had in mind when he taught about the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

[kage69]

So, honestly you think Jesus never lived? I'm not saying that you have to believe he was the Mesiah, but to say that he never existed.

I never seen a photo picture of Julias Caesar, but he had to exist, right?

Try to look at it from the perspective of one who wasn't indoctrinated into these beliefs at an early age by parents and figures of authority.

All you have on the one you call Jesus are 4 contradictory gospels and a boatlaod of conjecture. You don't know when he was born, what he did for the vast majority of his life, you don't even call him by his real name! Then for hundreds of years men have retold, edited, and 'improved' upon the stories surronding his life. The comparison to Julius Caesar doesn't really work, unless your aim was to point out there weren't cameras back then...

Most of them were so influenced by Christianity that they decided to keep that dogma out of their Constitution...

Ding! You are correct sir. Christians love to sound pithy on how our country was formed by devout christians and that we're a christian nation, but this is not the case. Many of the Framers were christian, no argument there, but the majority were agnostic or deists and knew full well the dangers of state-sanctioned religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both were quite articulate in this area.
The sad thing is there are many christians, all frothy with their self-ordained religious nationalism, who fail to see how a secular state actually PROTECTS their religion!

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: kage69

So, honestly you think Jesus never lived? I'm not saying that you have to believe he was the Mesiah, but to say that he never existed.

I never seen a photo picture of Julias Caesar, but he had to exist, right?

Try to look at it from the perspective of one who wasn't indoctrinated into these beliefs at an early age by parents and figures of authority.

Go even beyond that, there are two non-christican references to a Jesus at the time. One is an obvious edit by later christians. The other is a one sentence reference to a person named Jesus and it's believed that it could have been tampered with (as in the whole setence edited into the document later). There is almost no corberating evidence of his existence that is clean. There are vast quantities of historical documents that were lost with constantines purge of the early christians when he adopted his favored sect. The dead sea scrolls indicate that primary christian beliefs were being practiced long before Jesus was even said to exist. The reality is that Saul/Paul created what you know of christianity, the person you know as Jesus was deified by Saul/Paul and Jesus was likely a Roman Seperatist which is what resulted in his death.

There is no spoon.

 

[scttgrd]

The bible has been revised and edited countless times, entire books of the bible have simlply been removed because they did not agree with the mantra of the times. Religon begins and ends with money and power. Convert more people to contribute more money, more money and more followers equals more power. Power to mold our morals laws and ethics. The church banned science and medicine for hundreds of years calling it hearesy, just to continue their hold on the population. Better to keep us ignorant of the truth than lose the power and position they had worked so long and hard for. Also look how the pope was chosen for the first several hundred years, the title was purchased like land or cattle. And this is the the example you choose to guide your life? Kinda explains the america of today doesen't it. Get everything you can no matter who you have to step on to get it. A damn shame but true.



There was a time when the church ruled the world, it was called the dark ages. Learn from your history or you are doomed to repeat it.

 

[FuZoR]

i dont hate religion people can do whatever you like...

just dont push that crap on to me

 

[EXman]

Christaphobes

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I can understand not believing something or not being religious, but what did Christ teach that causes so many to "hate" him.

I can understand that many preachers, priest, and people twist his message, however if you sat down and read it yourself, what in there was so horrible?

Religion itself it not a horrible thing. I myself am not religous, and I understand there are many religons out there. But keep it to yourself and you have your opinions and we'll have ours. Keep your "jesus rocks" bumper stickers in your drawer and your "praise the lord" and whatever other jesus/christ comments you may have to yourself. Religion is suppossed to be a personal thing, but it seems like more of an army....always trying to recruit another member, to convert another person. Sometimes it seems like a business....selling another prayer, another cross, another roadside traffic-light donation. So, religous believers, just keep your beliefs about this touchy subject to yourself and stop trying to convert more satisfied human beings into a believer of christ.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I can understand not believing something or not being religious, but what did Christ teach that causes so many to "hate" him.

I can understand that many preachers, priest, and people twist his message, however if you sat down and read it yourself, what in there was so horrible?

Religion itself it not a horrible thing. I myself am not religous, and I understand there are many religons out there. But keep it to yourself and you have your opinions and we'll have ours. Keep your "jesus rocks" bumper stickers in your drawer and your "praise the lord" and whatever other jesus/christ comments you may have to yourself. Religion is suppossed to be a personal thing, but it seems like more of an army....always trying to recruit another member, to convert another person. Sometimes it seems like a business....selling another prayer, another cross, another roadside traffic-light donation. So, religous believers, just keep your beliefs about this touchy subject to yourself.

But if I don't try to save all the children, how else am I going to get my $10 million?

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: scttgrd
The bible has been revised and edited countless times, entire books of the bible have simlply been removed because they did not agree with the mantra of the times. Religon begins and ends with money and power. Convert more people to contribute more money, more money and more followers equals more power. Power to mold our morals laws and ethics. The church banned science and medicine for hundreds of years calling it hearesy, just to continue their hold on the population. Better to keep us ignorant of the truth than lose the power and position they had worked so long and hard for. Also look how the pope was chosen for the first several hundred years, the title was purchased like land or cattle. And this is the the example you choose to guide your life? Kinda explains the america of today doesen't it. Get everything you can no matter who you have to step on to get it. A damn shame but true.



There was a time when the church ruled the world, it was called the dark ages. Learn from your history or you are doomed to repeat it.

There is a lot of truths being spoken here on religion.

Personally, I have no problems with believing in god. It is organized religion that has always left a sour taste in my mouth. As you said, it all has to do with money and preying on the fears of others. I am agnostic, and even if I did believe, I don't need to go to church to believe in god or become whole.

However, without religion, I could imagine the problems we would have today. If someone came forward with evidence that god or jesus didn't exist, then I could imagine that there would be more crimes committed. The fear of having to answer for your sins is no longer applied. Therefore, you can imagine the people that would no longer care one way or the other if they broke the law. Quite frankly, religion is a control system in a way. Don't get me wrong, it is a great way to live your life. However, religion is there for people to NEED something to believe in.

Once again, I don't hate religion. Just don't like organized religion. This is America after all though! Let people do what they want as long as it is within the boundries of the law.

 

[eigen]

I hate him because he is the son of the god that created this sh!thole.

 

[Gurck]

And this is the the example you choose to guide your life? Kinda explains the america of today doesen't it. Get everything you can no matter who you have to step on to get it. A damn shame but true.

While I agree with the rest of your post, this statement is impertinent and unwarranted. I'm American and an atheist, how do I fit in to your stereotype? Apparently it's also your contention that only Americans are Catholic; no Europeans? Lol. Religion is actually far more diverse in the US than in Europe. Are you racist as well? It's an honest question, as racism relies on the same logic you displayed in the above quote.