Religion is essentially a very broad philosophy on life. However because most major religions are so broad, they often get split up into sects: baptists, catholics, suni muslims, shite muslims... Suprisingly enough, most religions are pretty good philosophies that preach good things(ex. love thy neighbor, give to the less fortunate...). The problems arise when people pick a religion apart, emphasizing certain principles, and ignoring others. Most Baptists(at least the ones in the public eye) condemn homosexuality, abortion and infidelity. But you rarely hear about some large baptist group lobying against poverty. Hypocrasy within the church is prevalent, easy for everyone to see, but nobody calls them out. Here are a couple examples:
1. Being rich is bad:(it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to enter heaven) If this is true, and clearly stated in the bible, then why do I see so many pastors at megolithic churches driving around in mercedes and living in huge mansions.
2. Don't be judgemental, cause your not perfect either: (Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone) Then, how come I always see stuff about protestors at rallies with signs that denigrate gays, or religious nuts bombing abortion clinics.
3. You cant work of sunday(or saturday depending on your religion): (Respect the sabath, for it is holy) This may not seem very important, but you should note that back in the old days, if you worked on the sabbath, you got stoned to death. Nowadays, nobody gives a sh#t. This raises the question: if this commandment is considered outdated, and no longer relevant to todays society, then what else in the bible truly maintains relevance today?
Christianity is supposed to be based on divine law, and if you dont follow the rules, then you go to hell. So if we can pick and choose what rules are to be followed and what rules aren't important, then what the hell is the point of even having religion. If we just want to have rules and moral standars we can create laws, and societal norms.
Ultimately, religion is and has always been nothing more than a political institution used to control people. As the saying goes "religion is the opiate of the masses".
(I would like to note that I am an atheist, however I have read the bible, and am quite familiar whit religious society.)
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Thanks for the truthiness.
I totally agree with what you have to say about religion. And kudos on Marx's quote.
The problem with religion is that hypocracy is not only prevalent, as you say, but it is almost impossible to avoid. When you corner yourself behind the values of a Church, of a text, of followers, you make breaking these rules very easy. A priest himself must work on Sabath; and discrimnating against people and practices is sometimes considered "fighting for what's right."
And I think that the rigidity of spiritual belieif defeats the purpose. It's like buying a new pair of shoes and committing to wear them for life--you expect to never outgrow them, or change and develop in any way.
Religion is a time-tested and ubiquitous opiate, and not necessarily in a negative way. It may be more of man's search for cohesion, and some of the best people that I know are extremely religous.
But of course I agree with you that hypocracy--if not outright discrimination--is a common thread through many religions.
I have read parts of the Bible, the Baghavad-Gita, the Koran, the Torah, and Lao Tzu's texts in hopes for answers to--well, I don't know.
Now I think you and I are both on the same page, not identiying specifically with one sect.
Allison Parker
If you don't mind, I'd like to point out some of the flaws in your analysis on Christianity.
(I will follow your numbering system..)
1. Being rich is fine. The reason Jesus said that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God is because "you cannot serve two masters." "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil." --So, go ahead and be as rich as you want, but many times, money leads to greed for more, and therefore the people who are so wrapped up in themselves and their stuff are unwilling to accept the fact that they are in need of a Savior.
2. Christians who "bomb abortion clinics" (as you said) and condemn homosexuals are sinning!! Those things are wrong, just as much as abortion and homosexuality are wrong! The right thing to do would be to speak out peacefully against abortion and be kind to homosexuals.
As a Christian, I am sorry that you have had to wintess people who are suposed to be set apart and not "of the world" behaving in such a way. But sadly, as in any religion, there are many hypocrites. That's just the way it goes. They are wrong, and something like this should not hinder others from seeing the truth in Christianity.
3. The commandment "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy" is, as I'm sure you know, one of the Ten Commandments. - The 10 Commandments are Old Testament, Jewish Law, otherwise known as the Old Covenant. However, when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, He established the New Covenant. - This means that believers are no longer bound by the law, and all that is required for salvation is belief in Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
Christianity IS based on divine law! The Bible is the inerrant word of God. It has never been disproven and never will be.
You seem to believe that whether or not one goes to heaven is dependent on works- following a list of rules. However, this is far from the truth! In fact, Christianity is nothing like this!! As a Christian, all you have to do to receive eternal life is trust in Jesus Christ as your savior. Those who do not accept Christ, however, will accept the consequences.