How Real Is Christianity?

midnight rain · 04-04-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepy jack

I'm not going to do this point for point thing as apparently it annoys many people. Religion can lay no claims to morality though; it existed before the advent of monotheism. You can't look at a murderer and go "well he was an atheist" and leave it at that. There were other ideas operative there that drove him to murder, be they greed or envy. I'm so sick of Evangelicals looking at secularists and claiming them to be immoral. I've never heard of a murder driven by skeptical inquiry. I have however heard of the crusades.

Secondly your arguments are all some of the most arrogant I've heard. Not only all they are faith based and anecdotal, as opposed to fact based but they're vague and can be applied to anything.

All I'm saying about Christianity is that it guides people down the right path, lots of people who could've done very bad things have chosen faith instead (I should know, I've talked to people who were thinking suicidally). People who don't have faith obviously won't use religion as justification, as their is no set principles for non-believing

Blue · 04-04-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzz

All I'm saying about Christianity is that it guides people down the right path, lots of people who could've done very bad things have chosen faith instead (I should know, I've talked to people who were thinking suicidally). People who don't have faith obviously won't use religion as justification, as their is no set principles for non-believing

But it goes two ways, you must realize that. Not everyone who chooses Christianity goes down the right path. I know a lot of Christians who judge endlessly, and do very negative things, especially to "non-believers." What you're saying about religion saving people can happen with any belief system, but it can always go more then one way.

Also, religion is the biggest cause of war in history if I'm not mistaken.

Terrible Lizard · 04-04-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue

But it goes two ways, you must realize that. Not everyone who chooses Christianity goes down the right path. I know a lot of Christians who judge endlessly, and do very negative things, especially to "non-believers." What you're saying about religion saving people can happen with any belief system, but it can always go more then one way.

Also, religion is the biggest cause of war in history if I'm not mistaken.

No not the biggest, but nonetheless many, many have died uselessly because of it.

sleepy jack · 04-04-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzz

All I'm saying about Christianity is that it guides people down the right path, lots of people who could've done very bad things have chosen faith instead (I should know, I've talked to people who were thinking suicidally). People who don't have faith obviously won't use religion as justification, as their is no set principles for non-believing

That isn't all you're saying. You're also making arrogant and bigoted remarks in regards to nonbelievers. I do love have you've changed you're tune though. I'd still be interested to hear you disprove that you're not a reincarnate personality though.

jibber · 04-04-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzz

All I'm saying about Christianity is that it guides people down the right path, lots of people who could've done very bad things have chosen faith instead (I should know, I've talked to people who were thinking suicidally). People who don't have faith obviously won't use religion as justification, as their is no set principles for non-believing

This I think is the most off-putting aspect to Christianity for me. It's that holier-than-thou attitude that a lot of Christians have that they somehow have better morals, better judgement, and as an extension are better people than me because I don't believe in God.

I know TONS of people who proclaim to be devout christians, and they are some of the most dishonest, mean-spirited destructive people I've ever come into contact with. Christianity doesn't "save" people. I would not be a better person if I were a Christian, I would not be better off, I would not have an easier life.

I'd like you to clarify what you mean by "there is no set principles for non-believing." The way I understand it, you think that people who don't believe in God lack a system of principals and morals. I'm really tempted to go off on that but I'll give you a chance to clarify before I do.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 04-04-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibber

This I think is the most off-putting aspect to Christianity for me. It's that holier-than-thou attitude that a lot of Christians have that they somehow have better morals, better judgement, and as an extension are better people than me because I don't believe in God.

I know TONS of people who proclaim to be devout christians, and they are some of the most dishonest, mean-spirited destructive people I've ever come into contact with. Christianity doesn't "save" people. I would not be a better person if I were a Christian, I would not be better off, I would not have an easier life.

I'd like you to clarify what you mean by "there is no set principles for non-believing." The way I understand it, you think that people who don't believe in God lack a system of principals and morals. I'm really tempted to go off on that but I'll give you a chance to clarify before I do.

To continue your point Jibber, I will add that it is well known that people who are unreligious often still hold morals and principles very highly, in regards to living life without seeming completely selfish, having dignity and respect for yourself and others, etc. Morals are a major aspect of Christianity, but are often abused and used to make others feel unworthy and always in debt to their faith. It's about finding middle ground, and being influenced from wise role models to decide how you want to live your life and treat others. Paris Hilton is not a good example of this. Ha.

jibber · 04-04-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla

To continue your point Jibber, I will add that it is well known that people who are unreligious often still hold morals and principles very highly, in regards to living life without seeming completely selfish, having dignity and respect for yourself and others, etc. Morals are a major aspect of Christianity, but are often abused and used to make others feel unworthy and always in debt to their faith. It's about finding middle ground, and being influenced from wise role models to decide how you want to live your life and treat others. Paris Hilton is not a good example of this. Ha.

Exactly, but I've run into too many christians who honestly believe that non-christians are inherently immoral because they do not have God guiding them.

I think spirituality and religion can be a good thing, it's just not something I've ever been exposed to, or ever felt the need for. What someone believes is their own business, it's just when I get fed a long tirade about how empty my life is and how deprived I am and how I'm going to go to hell for not accepting Jesus as my lord and savior that I get a bit annoyed.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 04-05-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibber

Exactly, but I've run into too many christians who honestly believe that non-christians are inherently immoral because they do not have God guiding them.

I think spirituality and religion can be a good thing, it's just not something I've ever been exposed to, or ever felt the need for. What someone believes is their own business, it's just when I get fed a long tirade about how empty my life is and how deprived I am and how I'm going to go to hell for not accepting Jesus as my lord and savior that I get a bit annoyed.

That's completely understandable for you to feel that way, and I suppose by how you said that it's someones own business what they believe, it also works for those who don't believe. My advice is don't let the bastards grind you down (metaphorically), you know that it's your decision and if others don't agree then that's their problem. I still think it's wonderful though when others do find a spiritual path, but everyone's life story is different and people can change.