Christianity

[ExoByte]

I've noticed many people on this board are Anti-Christian. My question is simple, why?

[bradybaker]

I don't have so much of a beef with Christianity specifically, just organized religion in general. It's easily the most divisive and destructive force in the world today.

[The Blue Meanie]

I don't have so much of a beef with Christianity specifically, just organized religion in general. It's easily the most divisive and destructive force in the world today. [/b] Ohhhh... I would object to this. I don't think the problem with Christianity and other similar religions is their organised nature. I think the problem, is that their pantheons are exclusive. So, the problem is theologically exclusive religions. Any religion that says "You're wrongand we're right", and that can't acculturalise with other religions, is the problem. So, I have no problem with forms of paganism, buddhism, hinduism, etc. Even if they ARE organised. As for why I'm anti-christian? I acknowledge that the majority of people need some form of religion or spirituality as a crutch. It's a basic human need. I have my own religion, history. My beef with Christianity, is that as far as religions go, it's so utterly STUPID, and has so much bad shit associated with it, such as the idea of "sin", etc. And, the majority of believers don't seem to stop and THINK critically about theior beliefs. I mean... at least buddhists are sensible and rational, and look to science and other religions and cultures with HOPE. But, Christianity is just such an IGNORANT religion.

[braha_kahn]

I don't have so much of a beef with Christianity specifically, just organized religion in general. It's easily the most divisive and destructive force in the world today. [/b] Totally agree with this Next to that for me Christianity is just a mix of older religions... Same old same old, just in another jacket. I do not need a priest nor a book to believe in God. As far as the old testament goes, it WAS what was wanted. As far as the new testament goes, I cannot say as of yet. Though I've read the entire old testament, I have yet to read the new testament. [/b] Not sure about that! Both the testaments have been heavily edited! Translation faults, changes on purpose, misinterpretations etc etc

[The Blue Meanie]

Not sure about that! Both the testaments have been heavily edited! Translation faults, changes on purpose, misinterpretations etc etc [/b] Actually, the NRSV of the bible is very faithful to the original. In many cases, it is a direct trnaslation from hebrew scrolls, or greek when the hebrew is unavailable. And in any case, I suggest you have a good read of the old testament. The sheer prevalence of violence and genocide, and completely horrific things, and God\s advocating of them, goes WAY beyond translating or editing errors.

[braha_kahn]

Actually, the NRSV of the bible is very faithful to the original. In many cases, it is a direct trnaslation from hebrew scrolls, or greek when the hebrew is unavailable. And in any case, I suggest you have a good read of the old testament. The sheer prevalence of violence and genocide, and completely horrific things, and God\s advocating of them, goes WAY beyond translating or editing errors. [/b] Could be I do not know... But too be honoust I have my doubts :-) But still we (catholics) don't have the full picture because there are a lot of writings left out of the Bible... Gnostic Gospels etc

[ExoByte]

I would like to address that point, that it only affects a minority of Christians, and the few extreme Christians. Myself, I am a strong believer. I am Christian, however I have a very widely open mind. I do not shun others for their beliefs. In fact, I take into account their beliefs. I am, I guess my very own branch of Christianity. I have my own set of beliefs. I do not believe all the stories of the Bible. I dont believe that Moses spoke to a burning bush, I dont believe he ripped the seas apart. I dont believe Adam and Eve created life, I dont believe that Jesus litterally walked on water. I believe that the stories of the Bible, are just that. Stories. They arent meant to be taken litterally. They are meant to be taken in a context, so that you follow the guidelines and be a good person. Sins, such as "Thou shalt not steal" or "Thou shalt not kill" are, though obvious, prime examples. Take "Jesus walked on water" for example. It could be completely metaphorical. It could also be crappily traslated. How many times has it been translated? From Latin to Old english, to Middle English and to Modern English. As well through God knows how many languages before that. I believe in Science as well. I believe in evolution, space and time as well. I believe in cells, I believe in free will. I believe in anything science really. I also believe in the soul. I believe in good and evil. I have many beliefs. I am a nice person (I hope), and I am really open minded. I have many beliefs, though I follow the Catholic way. I believe in both religion and science, but I dont think anyone is wrong. Nor do many of the people I speak to who are also practicing catholics. So why does Christianity have a bad name in the eyes of many? I think its because of the same reason for many other problems in the world. Many people dont stand up. The majority of Christians that you seem to see, are the few extremeists we hold. The ones who are extremely narrowminded, take the bible litteral, and leave no room for other possibilities. These are the ones that stand out, and they are giving Christianity a bad name. People have manipulated the words of the Bible, and the words of Jesus Christ. They have twisted the words to the Christianity we know today. If anyone was to really look at the Bible the way I have, it's so blatently obvious, this is not what was wanted.

[The Blue Meanie]

People have manipulated the words of the Bible, and the words of Jesus Christ. They have twisted the words to the Christianity we know today. If anyone was to really look at the Bible the way I have, it's so blatently obvious, this is not what was wanted. [/b] As far as the old testament goes, it WAS what was wanted. As far as the new testament goes, I cannot say as of yet. Though I've read the entire old testament, I have yet to read the new testament.

[Neruo]

Most of the reasons to dislike Christianity have allready been said. However, I would like to say something about you, exo. You claim to be a 'strong christian' or whatever. However the old testament clearly sais you have to stone gays and athiests to death. Yet you fail to do this. What I allso have against christians is that they all claim to be 100% right yet all have their own happy-happy freaking view of it. Every christian has their own little religion. If even within a single stream of religion there are so many different kinds: reformed, catholic, ect. And if even within those streams there are so many totally different views on what is right and what not. How can you still claim christianity is right if christians don't even seem to know what christianity really is? Christianity = Silly. I think Christians are even more silly then extreme-muslims. Those muslims live by every word of the koran. Thus, they all have the same view on things. You silly christians all made up their own fairy-tale little part of christianity, and that can clearly be seen, yet you still believe. Point is: Muslim extremist brainwash their people in a way I can see why they are so devoted. Christians brainwash their people in a way, that I have no idea why they buy all that crap, besides for the fact that they are in complete denial becouse they love their little own religion that they made with 'make-your-own-religion© kit' aka the bible.

[loveapple]

I am a way out of sight liberal Christian who thinks there are many paths to God. I think Christianity is arrogant if it claims to have the truth. I can understand why people have a problem with the faith, some Christian fundamentalists are such judgemental and horrible people!

[Burns]

I can understand why people have a problem with the faith, some Christian fundamentalists are such judgemental and horrible people![/b] That's so true - there are sooo many hypocritical christians out there, yet they claim to be fully devoted to the religion. The whole infrastructure is rotten from the inside. There are so many crooked priests out there. And don't even get me started on all the molesation cases. I hate flipping on the TV and seeing the minister/preacher guy up there yelling into the microphone, and people bawling, and speaking in tongues. It's like they're completely brainwashed. Do they not have a mind of their own to find some of their own answers? And who the hell does this guy with the microphone think he is to have the authority to be doing it in the first place? I hated being forced to go to church as a kid. Which is probably the main reason I've never gone back as an adult. When people try to shove things down my throat, I tend to go on the defense and question it. There are so many other things I dislike about christianity, but I don't have the time to go through them all right now.

[ExoByte]

I have my own views of Religion. I take things in a certain context. I dont believe we are meant to stone Gays and Atheists. Back in those times, everything was blown out of proportion. If you were different in anyway, you were considered wrong. I dont believe there is any reason to shun gays. Christianity is about acceptance, and toleration. I believe that all the reasons you hate Christianity, is because of those hypocritical, extreme ones, who take everything litterally. Who stand a top cars praising in the streets. Why not just live a good life? Thats all Christianity is. Living a good life, helping others, and not harming others... or yourself. If people would just look past all the damn metaphors, all the damn context and all the wording, it'd be clear. The Pope is an idiot, most priests are idiots. The only reason Christianity is constantly seen as this "extreme" is because it has been widely accepted as the norm, and believed this is what is wanted. There are the few of us that can actually see past this. The messege of Christianity, of almost any religion, is too lead a good life. I dont think anything in the Bible is meant to be taken litterally. I think its just a book of guidelines to live by. Respect your neighbour, cause no harm ect.

[Amethyst Star]

I'm sharing and going. Why not just live a good life? Thats all Christianity is. Living a good life, helping others, and not harming others... or yourself. If people would just look past all the damn metaphors, all the damn context and all the wording, it'd be clear. [/b] I'd have to disagree. It's more than being "good." I'm sorry if there are people who have hurt you (in the all-inclusive form). I, too, wish that we could be united and not have to disagree on the lengthy list of important and trivial topics that we do. I wish that people would stop carrying signs of unborn babies and say, "You're going to hell if you get an abortion." Do I believe blindly? No. I've seen enough evidence in my life and in the world around me to convince me. I don't necessarily remember all of it off hand and I don't have the answers to everything, but I am satisfied with my decision. I see where everyone is coming from, but I wish that hostility towards Christians would stop. I may believe in Christ and His teachings, but am I going to condemn you for what you believe? No. I hope people understand that it's the minority of "Christians" that is seen on the news.

[Neruo]

ExoByte, You do not follow the bible, the word of god. You are not a Christian. Regards, Neruo

[Keeper]

You may be surprised that I, a Christian, am commenting here with a complant. if not, oh well. My problem with it both is and isn't like many others you lot have mentioned. My problim is this: Lake of faith, Hypocrits, extremists and YOU, the exact opposite this is NOT an attack, but a statment of fact. Christians today have lost it. THey dont read the Bible thouraly. They roll over when someone attacks scripture and go with the flow, saing the Bible isn't truth when it is. If you say one part is false, how can you exept any part of it? You have "Christians" who confess with there words and lie by thier actions. THere are "Christians" who take a quick look at the Bible and then say: "Well, this cant be true" or "It means THIS" before they even look at the context. When someone says something, they arn't prepered to protect the faith, they simply say: "well, maby your right and it is a load of ****" HYPOCRITS! How dare you say that your Lord didn'y walk on the water, yet you say that he died for your sins? How can you denigh one mirical, and exept another? You are like the Church of Laodicea, niether hot nore cold. All, or nothing. Thier are so called christians who exept whatever the world says. There are christians who think the Bible is backwords because of what the old beleived, and didn't look to see what the Anchents, the true believers, knew. You say the Bible denighs evolution? Tell me where it says so? You say that it says the earth circles the sun? Go on, show me. Prove your claims, and tell me why I am wrong. Prove it with your Science, and I will prove it right by the very same meens. Millenia there was a "cloud" of ice that surounded us. When it melted, the flood happend. When the Magi, those sorcerers and scientists from the east came to witness the Christ, they followed a star. A star that scientist believe may actualy have been there, due to a remodle of the night sky, where two planets crossed each others paths. At every turn, Science exults the Creator, the All-Sorce. Entropy proves the Creator, if you look at it carfully enough. The events in the Bible are documented fact. We are missing a day in our calander. Scientists now believe that it is the day when Gidion asked God to stop the sun. The moddles of evolution are flawed in some respects, though the principle iteself is somewhat true. The expreement that showed that amino acids can be produced in sertain contitions also made amino distroying chemicles as well. Explain the Scientist beleiver to me. Tell me if the sorce of your knowledge denighs the Most High when they hemselves beleive. I will leave you with theas thoughts, even though I know I will be mocked for them. But to mock me truly, first, prove me wrong. And to do that, you must look your data up. When you do, what will you think when it conferms my words? In a few days, I will place the first of many links that prove my word. I wish you peace and understanding Oh, and those who will mock me, I pray for you especially. God Bless

[ExoByte]

ExoByte, You do not follow the bible, the word of god. You are not a Christian. Regards, Neruo [/b] I never said I didnt follow the Bible. I said I dont believe the Bible word for word. I dont take it litterally like many others. This is the exact point I'm getting at. People don't read things carefully enough. People dont see things through the way they should be seen. Humanity is too damn lazy. Everyone is skimming through the Bible, or not paying as much attention to it as they should. I follow the Bible. I follow the messege it sends us. I dont believe the stories it tells. Keeper, I dont believe the Bible was meant to be taken the way many believe. I dont believe Jesus litterally walked on water. I believe it was a term used to explain the unbelievable acts that he accomplished. I believe all the stories that were told are either hidden messeges, that may have been more easily understood back then.

[Neruo]

[color=#3333FF]I never said I didnt follow the Bible. I said I dont believe the Bible word for word. I dont take it litterally like many others. This is the exact point I'm getting at. People don't read things carefully enough. People dont see things through the way they should be seen. Humanity is too damn lazy. Everyone is skimming through the Bible, or not paying as much attention to it as they should. I follow the Bible. I follow the messege it sends us. I dont believe the stories it tells. [/b] What the hell are you saying? You are accusing Other people of 'just skimming though the bible', yet the stuff you are certain to have read you do not follow. How much more clear can 'god' tell it? : Exodus 31:15: “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.”[/b] Do you do that? Do you kill people for working on Sunday? No you don't. You are Not a Christian. n Leviticus 24:16 the Bible demands: “Anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him.”[/b] Do you kill me? No. You never killed an atheist, and you are sure to have seen alot of them. You are Not a Christian. In Leviticus 20:13 the Holy Bible commands: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death.”[/b] How many homosexuals you have killed? None? That is not what god wants a True Christian to do. Be like Jesus! Matthew 10:34 : Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. -Jesus Christ[/b] The bible couldn't be very More clear. Killing and hate is the story it tells. But you are just one of those half-ass Christians that just take the good things in the bible. You make me sad, for being such a blind hypocrite. And you make god sad, for not following his word, the bible.

[Keeper]

that may be, infact, I did touch on the part about skimming through. But are you saying that Jesus didn't walk on water, heal the sick, restor the dead to life, tell parabels, predict his own death, die for you and take your sins (a greater miricle then walking on water&#33 and didn't live? That He was not born of a (at the time) vergin? How do you explain Simon, the one called Peter, who tryed to follow My Lord, and sank because of his lack of faith? How can you exept part, but not the whole?

[spoon]

The reason I don&#39;t like christianity is that it tells people how to live. Now, in itself, this isn&#39;t a bad thing. The problem I have with christianity telling people how to live is that it&#39;s not based off experience or experimentation or careful examination of the world. It&#39;s based off a book written 1/2 in the bronze age 1/2 ~2000 years ago. So you get stupid things like "don&#39;t be gay" or "don&#39;t use stem cells". This wouldn&#39;t even be that bad in itself, but christians don&#39;t seem to see the difference between "I should live my life like this" and "everyone should live their lives like this". I don&#39;t care if individual people aren&#39;t allowed to be gay or use stem cells, but when the rest of us are forced to follow nosensical rules.. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE("keeper")</div> All, or nothing.[/b] Keeper, Do you follow all the rules set out in the bible? For example: - Kill homosexuals - Kill blasphemers - Kill adulterers - Don&#39;t let handicapped people into churches - Don&#39;t let women speak in church - Don&#39;t let women teach men If not, does that mean you now accept none of the bible (since you clearly aren&#39;t accepting all). You say that it says the earth circles the sun? Go on, show me. Prove your claims, and tell me why I am wrong. Prove it with your Science, and I will prove it right by the very same meens.[/b] Do you believe in a young earth (~6000 years), which you arrive at by accepting the biblical timeline? We conclusively know this to be false. Research into any branch of science will show this. Do you believe in a global flood that wiped out all life? Too many sciences to name have shown this to: a) never have happened and b) be impossible anyway. If you&#39;re going to try explain it at least try to keep within the realm of possibility. A "cloud of ice melting" is, and I&#39;m trying to be nice here, the dumbest thing I&#39;ve ever heard. Again, cursory research into any branch of science will tell you this never happened. And since you asked where the bible says the earth circles the sun: you answered it yourself. "Scientists now believe that it is the day when Gidion asked God to stop the sun". Besides the fact that no scientist believes that, think about what it implies. We&#39;re missing a day because god stopped the sun (from circling around the earth). The bible has many absurdities and cruel rules such as above. If you&#39;re stuck on "all or nothing" you&#39;ll have to deny human decency and the entirety of scientific thought to justify your holy book.

[ExoByte]

that may be, infact, I did touch on the part about skimming through. But are you saying that Jesus didn't walk on water, heal the sick, restor the dead to life, tell parabels, predict his own death, die for you and take your sins (a greater miricle then walking on water&#33 and didn't live? That He was not born of a (at the time) vergin? How do you explain Simon, the one called Peter, who tryed to follow My Lord, and sank because of his lack of faith? How can you exept part, but not the whole? [/b] I never said that Jesus wasnt a unique person. I believe in Jesus, and believe he accomplished extraordinary things. I never said I didnt believe in him, I never said I didnt believe he did miraculous acts. I just believe a lot of what is said about him is metaphorical.

[Tsen]

I think Keeper's post requires a piece-by-piece debunking. THey dont read the Bible thouraly. They roll over when someone attacks scripture and go with the flow, saing the Bible isn't truth when it is. If you say one part is false, how can you exept any part of it?[/b] And how can you accept the entirety of it as truth? The Bible is a mistranslated piece of garbage. As TBM mentioned, there are some more accurate translations out there, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you read the KJV, most likely. Either way, the Bible has been translated, retranslated, deliberately altered, edited, reedited and otherwise altered millions of times. Did you know that the New Testament wasn't even written until nearly a century AFTER Christ's supposed death? Thier are so called christians who exept whatever the world says. There are christians who think the Bible is backwords because of what the old beleived, and didn't look to see what the Anchents, the true believers, knew. You say the Bible denighs evolution? Tell me where it says so? You say that it says the earth circles the sun? Go on, show me. Prove your claims, and tell me why I am wrong. Prove it with your Science, and I will prove it right by the very same meens.[/b] Yes, the Bible is backward. And outright dangerous. You think that the Muslims are a violent people? Only because most Christians, RIGHTFULLY, ignore most of the Bible's teachings. Here's a brief summary for you: A Collection of Sunday Bible Passages. As to where the Bible denies evolution: And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.[/b] That implies that one species cannot transition to another. .Millenia there was a "cloud" of ice that surounded us. When it melted, the flood happend.[/b] Uh-oh. PLEASE tell me you aren't a Kent Hovind fan. This is wrong on several levels. For one, where did the water go AFTER the flood? The Old Testament had the same geography as the current world...so where did the water go? It can't have just gone into the seas--if it did they'd have risen significantly and altered the entire world's geography, not to mention left massive amounts of tangible evidence. So basically this assumes that enough water to completely coat the entire earth and drown nearly every living land animal just fell from the sky and magically disappeared. The next problem is that there is NO evidence of receding flood waters on that scale. In fact, there's a good deal of evidence against it. The Grand Canyon, notably. such a formation cannot be formed by waters on the scale your flood myth involves. Receding flood waters, especially on a large scale, create wide, round, and straight channels, not deep, narrow, winding ones. There's several other flaws. For gawd's sake, man! Use your brain! At every turn, Science exults the Creator, the All-Sorce. Entropy proves the Creator, if you look at it carfully enough. The events in the Bible are documented fact. We are missing a day in our calander. Scientists now believe that it is the day when Gidion asked God to stop the sun.[/b] No, actually we are NOT missing a day in our calendar. In fact, I'd like you to explain how we would know if we were. The myth that scientists found a day missing was created by some loser online who apparently needed something more concrete in his desperate struggle to validate his beliefs. Reference here. The moddles of evolution are flawed in some respects, though the principle iteself is somewhat true. The expreement that showed that amino acids can be produced in sertain contitions also made amino distroying chemicles as well.[/b] How is evolution flawed? I'd like to hear you explain that. In fact, I'm sure that thousands, if not millions of scientists, all of whom have spent their entire lives testing, retesting, challenging and researching evolution would all like to know. And what does the amino bit have to do with this? I understand the connection, but how does that apply to your argument? Explain the Scientist beleiver to me. Tell me if the sorce of your knowledge denighs the Most High when they hemselves beleive.[/b] Huh? Explain yourself. And please, try to spell things correctly, I'm having serious issues trying to decipher your words. I will leave you with theas thoughts, even though I know I will be mocked for them. But to mock me truly, first, prove me wrong. And to do that, you must look your data up. When you do, what will you think when it conferms my words? In a few days, I will place the first of many links that prove my word.[/b] Already had the data. I've done my homework, kid. You apparently haven't, especially with your "evidence" such as the supposed "day missing on our calendar". In fact, your entire religion is based on myth, so its rather fitting that you resort to urban myths circulated online to try to defend it. And if your much-awaited links are Kent Hovind sites, you might want to reconsider posting them, or you might just be laughed out of the room. Oh, and those who will mock me, I pray for you especially. [/b] If I had a dollar for every time I've been told that. Keep prayin' my good man. Maybe your invisible sky daddy will come down and smite me into righteousness. Wouldn't hold your breath waiting for it, though...it seems he doesn't get around to answering any prayers nowadays.

[Hard as Nails]

i have absolutely no problem with christianity. I do have a general problem with christians, though. (these statements are from my experience as a christian, and do not apply to every single one of you) Although the message of christianity is love and acceptance, it does the exact opposite. In todays world, the majority of Christians are barely Christian at all. They spend their measely 1 hour a week in a social gathering, and they think they have done good. Christians never follow the teachings of the bible. They use their club as a way to feel accepted in the masses. They generally think highly of themselves, and low of others. I got more, but it would just get too long. About Religion and war. Sure, people fight about religion and do horrible things in it's name. But keep in mind that we are just animals. If we do not fight about religion, we will fight about other things. It is human nature. I am atheist not because of the bad aspects of religion. That is a stupid reason to become atheist. I chose my path because religion is obviously just a random human trait, or maybe a malfunction. Does it not bother anybody that there are religions on every corner of the globe? And all of them have the same amount of "proof". Does that not prove that religion is just a meathod for humans to explain the things we do not know. I believe that the quest for perfection will never stop. First, religion was used to explain the earth and all in it, including weather. Once we figured our excited particles caused lightning, and not God, we moved on. Today, we use religion to explain things like good or bad fortune, death, and the afterlife. ALL THINGS OUR BRAIN CANNOT COMPUTE ARE FILLED IN WITH RELIGION. It is not that hard to see that as humans progressed technologically, religion plays less and less of a role in daily life (ex. we dont pray to the gods for a good crop season anymore) Humans, i believe, are the only animals who have progressed enough to ask questions like "why are we here". These things we cannot answer, so explain it with something that cannot be explained. God. And thats the word.

[Rav1]

ALL THINGS OUR BRAIN CANNOT COMPUTE ARE FILLED IN WITH RELIGION. [/b] My brain is not filled with any religion whatsoever. It's up to you what path will you choose to follow... Besides one can believe in whatever but it never changes anything. So the bottom line can be "All religions are the same - equally ridiculous, dangerous and completely useless". Amen.

[Burns]

They spend their measely 1 hour a week in a social gathering, and they think they have done good. [/b] oh yeah, that was the other thing I was going to say - I know a lot of people who go to church once a week and think that buys them a seat in "heaven" so they can go ahead be hypocritical for the rest of the week. The whole point of being a Christian is to follow the path 24/7 - not just on Sundays. I'm not saying all Christians do this, but I definitely know some that do. I don't need to go to a building every week to prove my faith in anything. It's how you live and act in everyday life - not how you spend 1 hour on Sundays.

[Slight]

... it doesn't make any sense, that's my general problem with it. My more detailed problem with it is, that a lot of people that are involved in church activities, that visit church every sunday, that pray every night ... I notice a psychiatric disease with those ... A lot of people who consider themselves christians aren't even christians when you ask them about their believe .. they don't know anything about it, and their imagination of god has nothing to do with the biblical view. A lot of people just say they believe, because it is so easy to lay in bed and talk about your sorrows and problems to god - who you know will listen and forgive; who holds you. But how naive is that?