On November 5, 2008 at 23:08, GLS said...
Stanley says,
"The other equally interesting thing to me, is how devout
and for the lack of a better term -- how some religions,
take on the form of Mind Control, where followers seem
to shut down certain behavioral and reasoning faculties,
in the name of "believing".
Snake handling, terrorism, commit suicide (Jim Jones and
that other group a few years ago) drinking poison, killing
those who they deem the bad guys, talking in tongues,
and giving money to these southern ministers with the
big-hair, and creating "holy lands" or territories. "
Would SOMEONE explain to me your fascination with snake-handling?!!!
What does talking in tongues have to do with any of this?
Because both the snake handling, talking in tongues, flopping around on the floor, healing - are all very interesting behavior, maybe? Observing those rituals is nothing more than people working themselves into self induced trances -- or do you believe in that stuff? If you do, I'm again just making an observation from a non evangelical viewpoint.
Have you EVER HEARD someone talk in tongues Stanley? You
mention Jim Jones, but does anyone mention that comet
cult that committed suicide so they could catch the comet
to their home planet, paradise, whatever? And the difference
in giving money to big haired preachers and slimy politicians
is what?
There isn't that much difference, except that those TV preachers sitting in their guilded chairs asking for money from all of the frightened old people is thievery. It's very similar though, a sales job. The bigger the hair, the closer to god! LOL
Is it totally strange that God would hold you accountable
for your actions? God is a concept. If God were such a great guy / entity, why do bad things happen to good people? Why do some bad people get away with murder?
Who and what is god? Yeah I think it's pretty much a fairy tale. Is your god better than other religions gods?
Stanley says,
"I know it is cliche' as heck, but it's sort of like we
all have to have SOMETHING to believe in, as a crutch
or means of adding sense to our lives, and when you boil
down the majority of the religions out there, they all
pretty much (for the most part) are structured to encourage
doing the right thing, moderation, decency, control of
greed, thankfulness, humility, and all that junk.'
I'm not KNOCKING the need to have something to believe in, I'm just saying it's amazing every civilazation from the Hopi indians toe Australian Pymgies have crafted belief systems. I was just making an observation.
I think you're taking this down the wrong road...
The point I'm making is it's not BAD to believe in something. I just resent it when certain "Chrisitans" get defiant and INSIST their "Word" or THEIR beliefs are the only right beliefs.
How about animals? Do dogs go to heaven or being that they don't have religion--where does it leave them?
Galatians 5:22-"But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness
faithfulness and self-control. Against such things there
is no law." I think people have gotten hung up on the
outward trapping of Christianity and missed the spirit.
If a politician professed these qualities Stanley, would
it freak you out so much? Are these bad things? I think
you hit some of them in your own post.
Why all the hostility?
