What's your Religion?

Oh!

 

So back on topic.

Why are nonbelievers so chastise by the religious masses?

 

gary johnson, new mexico gov. future pres.

 

Ill take a crack at this one...

In a literal sense, by definition, nonbelievers are not chastised by believers. Encouraging one to become a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ is not chastising.

Of course..."religious masses" include peeps of all faiths & beliefs. So I guess one would include Islam...radical Islam to be clear, yes those who believe in this will chastise you if you don't join their beliefs.

In this case ^^^ "chastise" would be defined as death.

In the case of Christianity (includes many "religions")...one could perceive moral judgement as chastising, but it's not (in a literal sense)

However...there lies the issue JUDGEMENT.

And there is the basis of atheism/secularism...many do not want to live by ANY moral code. Want to have sex with multiple partners or farm animals...Go for it! (secularism)...Want to cheat or steal from your neighbor, because it makes you the winner in your mind...Go for it! (secularism)...

Christianity comes with moral judgement. The teachings of Jesus Christ tries to give wretched humans (self included) a moral compass.

It's not about money...or mega churches...or who is the best charitable giver....etc. It is about what is in your heart. And how you treat your fellow man.

Churches (in the case of Christianity) are basicially schools. And preachers are teachers. While we are born innocent, we are also born sinners in a natural world. Jesus choose disciples to teach this moral conduct. Many, like Saint Paul, gave up everything to travel the nations and spread the word of love and charity.

Understand my friends...ancient worlds were brutal. Women & children were less than zero, not even property worth owing. Slavery was rampant. basic needs were scarce. disease and death was a fog that covered the nations.

We have come a long way as humans. Christianity has played a part in this. (as have other peaceful faiths I'm sure) Others will have to speak of Judaism, Buddhism, and that Flying Spaghetti thingy, as I'm not of deep understanding of those beliefs...or their teachings/contribution to mankind.

Enjoyable thread...again excellent job at keeping it civil. Jesus would be proud.

 

Again, I am on my phone most of the time, so I only skimmed it, but wasn't there wording prior to that section that stated these were stricken down (not removed).

If not, I agree fully that it is wrong and has no place in the constitution of any governing body.

 

Maybe this is where I am different from most, but I could careless what you do, I don't think you are less of a person or a bad person because you don't have religion. Likewise I don't know that my religion is right, it could be the Mormons, and boy if that is the case I'm f*cked.

Also, maybe it is just the extent of who I know, but I don't know anyone who looks down an others either. I have friends of every denomination.

Just like I've stated many times before, me personally, I can't stand when religion is forced on someone, likewise when the religious are chastised because they believe. Why can't everyone do whatever it is they want to do?

 

One of their best ones ever... dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dumb

 

have you ever heard of mithra, the story sounds awfully familiar to a popular religion today.

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen048.html

 

Very true... Most of Christianity is copy/pasted from "ancient" religions, and more recent religions are copy/pasted from Christianity...

 

But if it is in a State constitution, that would make it law wouldn't it? Like in the U.S. constitution, there are certain requirements that must be met or a person can't be PotUS. Some states have it in their state constitutions that a person must believe in God in order to serve that state in elected capacity (although many of those instances have been fought in court).

 

In a literal sense, by definition, nonbelievers are not chastised by believers. Encouraging one to become a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ is not chastising.

Constantly telling people that if they don't follow your beliefs they will be tortured in an afterlife that you believe in is most definitely chastising. Encouraging people to follow your beliefs too much also crosses a line in to forcing your beliefs on someone. I am most certainly not saying you have done this, but it happens more than you think... It is one of those situations where no one thinks they are doing it, but someone has to be guilty of it because it is obvous that it happens.

And there is the basis of atheism/secularism...many do not want to live by ANY moral code. Want to have sex with multiple partners or farm animals...Go for it! (secularism)...Want to cheat or steal from your neighbor, because it makes you the winner in your mind...Go for it! (secularism)...

Just because atheists / agnostics do not attribute their moral code to a higher power does not mean that they do not live by a strict moral code. If what you posted was true, it would stand to reason that atheists / agnostics would make up a substantial part of the prison population since they are the second largest "religious" group in the country. In reality, quite the opposite is true, as atheists / agnostics make up the smallest portion of the prison population, while followers of faith are nearly the entirety of the populace. There is also the fact that in the country, more abortions occur in what is known as the "bible belt" than any other part of the country, teen pregnancy rates are higher their as well (just used as an example of people claiming to have a moral code given by God that choose not to follow it, meaning they have their own self serving moral code!). It is impossible for a person to say that atheists / agnostics do not live by a moral code, or have an ever shifting and self serving moral code when the religious are just as bad or worse at following their moral law given by a higher power. You could say that the people breaking God's law aren't "real" Christians then, but that is irrelevant because they believe they are, and they are the overwhelming majority in the country.

While we are born innocent, we are also born sinners in a natural world.

This is a fundamental flaw with Christianity. You are saying that a newborn baby that has done nothing, and is capable of nothing (not even evil thoughts) is inherently evil. I understand that is what your faith teaches, but it borders on the ridiculous. Imgine it, as soon as the baby leaves the womb, a priest is there saying that it is evil. This is essentially what is happening when saying a person is born a sinner.

Understand my friends...ancient worlds were brutal. Women & children were less than zero, not even property worth owing.

While certainly true in some respects, it was more about the ruling class and the rich than anything else, and it was much more rampant in areas with the "Abrahamic" religions than anywhere else in the world. In ancient times, medieval Europe, the middle ages and even more recently in history, it was in fact the church that held people down as peasants and held up a ruling class.

Enjoyable thread...again excellent job at keeping it civil.

I could not agree with you more! Much rep to you for being able to have a discussion, without it turning in to a debate or e-peen measuring contest!

 

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*atheist

I used the extreme example to make a point, responding to the "chastising" comment...and injection the "judgement" issue.

I do not believe all (or any) atheists and secularists want to have sex with animals. however, I do know they want no judgement in life. and while "doing what you want, when & how you want" may not be of immediate personal harm to the secularist...it may have impact on others.

again, it's not always about YOU...it's about others. and what is in your heart concerning others.

sorry you feel this way. but there are folks who may feel superior to you or others reguardless of the religious discussion.

and the "seems to me" part sounds like you come to the discussion with a bias. and that's OK. we all have bias.

I will say, personally...and everyone I know who is a Christian does not cast judgement upon others.

and I sure as heck am not superior to anyone, reguardless of beliefs...talents...wealth...education...or lifes experiences.

I am a sinner and a wretch. I seek redemption through Jesus Christ.

*atheist

if by "keeping people in check" you mean...teaching people to be of a kind heart and not a barbarian, than there may be some truth to your assertion.

sounds like you have made good life choices. but those examples are only a piece of the moral conscience.

possibly

my question would then be...where did you learn those high standards? someone or something instilled those high personal & moral standards in you.


*atheist, a good one should at least know the spelling...or use spell check.
google won't cast any judgements upon you...moral or otherwise.

 

I want to respond to you Brad, but I'm old and wore out today. you make some excellent points I'd love to address. maybe later after a cup of coffee.

and btw, thank you for your service. you are close to me, I'm in Destin...I'd love to buy you lunch some day.

 

No worries Larry, I feel old and worn out most days... haha!

And thanks for the thanks! I never know how to respond to it, I am doing something that I love (I am a jet mechanic, currently on the F-35), and I feel lucky for that!... I'm sure the opportunity for brews or food will present itself, if nothing else there has to be a Tacoma meet in the future!