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Find the commonalities and work together instead of dividing over the differences.
I'd say that's what humanism is about. If differing ideas about religionsor gods is dividing us, put them aside, and "let people believe what they want". That's absolutely what the bumper stickers should say. Instead the message is 'Make everybody the same under Jesus." Religion doesn't have to be divisive, but it is. You should be able to elect a president no matter what her ir his views on religion as that wouldn't matter. in the USA it is apparently the only thing that really matters.
I agree with you. And I'm not complaining, just making an observation. It really is not possible to suggest that all religions are equal, or correct when they are mutually exclusive.
No one said they are all equal or correct. I believe they all have some validity, because they all have an aspect of trying to be more than we are, to reach for something higher.
They are only mutually exclusive when they are declared to be exclusive.
I'd say that's what humanism is about. If differing ideas about religionsor gods is dividing us, put them aside, and "let people believe what they want". That's absolutely what the bumper stickers should say. Instead the message is 'Make everybody the same under Jesus." Religion doesn't have to be divisive, but it is. You should be able to elect a president no matter what her ir his views on religion as that wouldn't matter. in the USA it is apparently the only thing that really matters.
I was talking about the COEXIST bumper sticker, not the Jesus Saves one.
It's discouraging to see outsiders say things like you said above. There are so very many Americans for whom that is not true, but that's what so many focus on.
You really need to visit someplace like the NY/NJ metropolitan area, where I am from, or Vermont, which is rural but equally liberal and open-minded re religion.
No one said they are all equal or correct. I believe they all have some validity, because they all have an aspect of trying to be more than we are, to reach for something higher.
They are only mutually exclusive when they are declared to be exclusive.
But putting them all on the same message/sticker/whatever does imply a certain equality. Several of them are mutually exclusive, and they do not view themselves as equal to any other. Ready the OT--Yahweh would not tolerate being paired with a false god. Ask a Muslim if their God is equal to Jesus.
But putting them all on the same message/sticker/whatever does imply a certain equality. Several of them are mutually exclusive, and they do not view themselves as equal to any other. Ready the OT--Yahweh would not tolerate being paired with a false god. Ask a Muslim if their God is equal to Jesus.
You're still missing it, unsurprisingly.
It's not about who's less wrong than the other guy, it's about getting along.
I personally have always been turned off by religious signs. I'm not talking about words posted on the signs of churches as that makes sense to me. But bumper stickers, people standing on street corners with signs - those all make me feel like it's an advertisement for religion.
Is religion treated like substance abuse programs where it's a reach out like a helping hand? Call xxx-xxx-xxxx if you need help, etc. Do people need religion, and as such, am I being told I need Jesus? I suppose I personally don't feel I need a savior, and I guess that alone may make me feel negative. And I know there are lost people in the world, but who says what they need to help them?
I know I'm being cynical, but for whatever reason the appearance of religion being sold like used cars just turns me off.
Therein lays the dilemma: statements like “Jesus Saves!” presuppose that the reader thinks there is anything they need saving from. If they are told they need saving from “the wages of sin” or “eternal separation from god”, that rings hollow unless someone actually believes in hell, damnation, etc.
I wouldn’t exactly call it snake oil, because the evangelist truly believes in the power of their “product”, but it is a useless product unless a need for exists... or is created.
Therein lays the dilemma: statements like “Jesus Saves!” presuppose that the reader thinks there is anything they need saving from. If they are told they need saving from “the wages of sin” or “eternal separation from god”, that rings hollow unless someone actually believes in hell, damnation, etc.
I wouldn’t exactly call it snake oil, because the evangelist truly believes in the power of their “product”, but it is a useless product unless a need for exists... or is created.
I contend that most people have regrets in life and would be apt to ask their creator for forgiveness, at the end of their life, assuming they get that opportunity.
Those are several different mutually exclusive things. They can't all be correct.
It doesn't matter if they are correct or not. The point of the bumper sticker is that all people self-identifying with ANY of those symbols all live right here on Earth together, so may as well learn to live and let live.
I contend that most people have regrets in life and would be apt to ask their creator for forgiveness, at the end of their life, assuming they get that opportunity.
You're close jimmiej, yet so far away.
You will confront yourself as you breathe your last - not your god-thing. You. A life mirror will hold your gaze and not let go. You will see yourself as you truly were - not as you hoped you appeared.
Good luck with that.
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