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This is why we need to keep Church and State completely separated. If these Amarillo fanatics are actually threatening people with bodily or economic harm they need to be prosecuted for their assaults and properly discouraged with some jail time or being sentenced to work at a bomb factory in Amarillo, Texas for forty years of so.
The Bible does not instruct this. The fact that "man" corrupts the word for its own purpose does not make the system of belief invalid. That is, the fact that people use the Bible to justify their aggression on another does not invalidate the Bible.
While there are "some" religons out there that are very clear about their practice, many are simply twisted by the believer to fit their personal desire.
As I said, religion as by its basic definition is not the problem, mankind is the problem in its use of such for personal gain, or out of blind ignorance.
The Bible does not instruct this. The fact that "man" corrupts the word for its own purpose does not make the system of belief invalid. That is, the fact that people use the Bible to justify their aggression on another does not invalidate the Bible.
While there are "some" religons out there that are very clear about their practice, many are simply twisted by the believer to fit their personal desire.
As I said, religion as by its basic definition is not the problem, mankind is the problem in its use of such for personal gain, or out of blind ignorance.
Mankind is always the problem and always will be. But, without us being as we are, we wouldn't need a Savior, would we?
The kids on jersey shore aren't from New Jersey. And I wasn't trying to diss Texas, just showing my gratitude we don't have to deal with the Christian Taliban
If you go to western parts on New Jersey you run into some of that. Not to the degree as in the heartland but I would be careful if saying New Jersey is all some sophisticated cosmopolitan state.
Only near New York City does New Jersey have the Sophisticated Metropolitan feel. Ie Hoboken.
If you go to western parts on New Jersey you run into some of that. Not to the degree as in the heartland but I would be careful if saying New Jersey is all some sophisticated cosmopolitan state.
Only near New York City does New Jersey have the Sophisticated Metropolitan feel. Ie Hoboken.
Hoboken is sophisticated and metropolitan?
Hmmm....What's Jersey City or Bayonne? Nirvana? Utopia?
Mankind is always the problem and always will be. But, without us being as we are, we wouldn't need a Savior, would we?
Correct, but the point is that a group who abuses a religion does not in fact invalidate that religion. Some religions are straight forward and there is no mistake of their actions concerning it (many tribal religions are as harsh in their system of belief as they are in the actions of those that promote them). Yet others are not and are simply advantageous manipulation of the system of belief to promote individual interest. In the Bible, Satan used God's law and commands for his own interest many times.
The KKK claims that the Bible supports the segregation of races and their activity to pursue such. They are manipulating the word for their own gain. Some use the Bibles position on homosexuality as justification to attack and terrorize, yet this is not supported even though the Bible may condemn the act, it does not support the actions taken by some concerning it. Some pick parts from the old testament and then ignore aspects of the new (or the other way around). Some pick parts from a verse and disregard that of the next which provides context. Some ignore the whole to use the part to promote not the system of belief, but again, that of their own self interest.
I have seen one side justify their actions against a position, and the opposite side claim that actually supports the position. Often both are wrong, yet the goal of these people is not following the religion, but forcing the religion to follow what they choose to accept. In the end, none have tarnished the religion, they have simply made up their own version of it, essentially making them their own gods and failing to meet the conditions of the belief they claimed they followed. Something to be honest that happens regardless of religion.
Correct, but the point is that a group who abuses a religion does not in fact invalidate that religion. Some religions are straight forward and there is no mistake of their actions concerning it (many tribal religions are as harsh in their system of belief as they are in the actions of those that promote them). Yet others are not and are simply advantageous manipulation of the system of belief to promote individual interest. In the Bible, Satan used God's law and commands for his own interest many times.
The KKK claims that the Bible supports the segregation of races and their activity to pursue such. They are manipulating the word for their own gain. Some use the Bibles position on homosexuality as justification to attack and terrorize, yet this is not supported even though the Bible may condemn the act, it does not support the actions taken by some concerning it. Some pick parts from the old testament and then ignore aspects of the new (or the other way around). Some pick parts from a verse and disregard that of the next which provides context. Some ignore the whole to use the part to promote not the system of belief, but again, that of their own self interest.
I have seen one side justify their actions against a position, and the opposite side claim that actually supports the position. Often both are wrong, yet the goal of these people is not following the religion, but forcing the religion to follow what they choose to accept. In the end, none have tarnished the religion, they have simply made up their own version of it, essentially making them their own gods and failing to meet the conditions of the belief they claimed they followed. Something to be honest that happens regardless of religion.
You're right. Just because some oddballs pick and chose what they want to believe doesn't invalidate the whole religion. However, in the eyes of the beholder, that's often the case. In fact, you can see it right here in this thread as some have condemned all of Christianity because of the behavior of some splinter group.
Of course, a better example of that is how many people fear Islam because of the jihadist's, so it's not just restricted to Christianity.
I think, at the end of the day, a good bit of that is a result of previously held assumptions and the screwball sects merely "prove" it. We truly do see what we want to see, don't we?
This is so scary. Ya know, it might be just 1 small group..but this is something I (sadly) could see eventually growing into something really bad.
What does everyone think of this? This makes me irate with religion because it tends to bring out the crazy in a good portion of people. Yeah yeah, I understand not everyone who is religious is crazy or a bigot.. But still.
So, you have a few dozen wackos like Fred Phelps' group and you get all in a tizzy because they are protesting.
Phelps' group has been around for decades HELPING the cause of gays by being such utter morons they destroy thier own position, it hasn't "grown".
Meanwhile there are what? 50,000 gang members in Texas shooting people, robbing, raping, pushing drugs....
So, I'm sorry you feel the need to be a bigot and attack anyone religious over the actions of an extreme few. You sound no better than someone blaming everything on "mexicans".
You're right. Just because some oddballs pick and chose what they want to believe doesn't invalidate the whole religion. However, in the eyes of the beholder, that's often the case. In fact, you can see it right here in this thread as some have condemned all of Christianity because of the behavior of some splinter group.
Of course, a better example of that is how many people fear Islam because of the jihadist's, so it's not just restricted to Christianity.
I think, at the end of the day, a good bit of that is a result of previously held assumptions and the screwball sects merely "prove" it. We truly do see what we want to see, don't we?
Yeah, the anti-religious threads basically mirror the arguments you might hear from some neo-nazi about jews, blacks etc. Pick an example, use it to smear the entire group to self-justify your own bias and hatred.
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