@SageWanderer you mean ancient greeks didn't have a philosophy before christ? 😁

@Londonn Actually there were many starting about 6 centuries BC. Christianity was just another one they adopted.

@Graylight I heard something similar, "There is no hate like Christian love." Sad, but so true. I think the nail in the coffin for me was the embrace of GOP politics by American Christians. At this point, the word "Christian" provokes images and thoughts that are almost entirely negative, to me. I think of "the good ones" as exceptions, not the rule. The most hurtful, hateful things said to me came from Christians. It will take decades to repair the damage if it can ever be done. Younger generations are already moving on, feeling 'good without god.'

@exexec Sounds like they're heading in the right direction.

@DownTheStreet I agree. My disdain for organized religion has intensified over the past 5 years...

@Sarah333 well only thing I’d add is: what’s the definition of religion? I think there are social and political movements, well organized, that are religions by another name, whose members are bigoted to other ideas, and who follow everything their leaders say. Critical thinking isn’t really any more, nor is tolerance. Religion is part of a broader phenom of blind dogma

@DownTheStreet And this is why I'm an ex-evangelical. The deconstruction is ongoing.

@ElwoodBlues Facts. 😞

@SW-User So everyone should become athiest, more left-wing, more demonocrat, and follow the edicts of aoc?

@sunsporter1649 Shut up.

@bijouxbroussard Agree!

@sunsporter1649 How about Paula White? Psycho...

@Fluffybull Part of it happened because America is built on a lie. In school as young children, we learned that good people seeking freedom and new opportunities came to the eastern shore of the continent and created a utopia of egalitarian society.

Fact is, the Puritans were an outlying religious sect who were persecuted for their beliefs and felt that they could create their own perfect world in a new land. That's fine, except that they didn't intend freedom for anyone but themselves and they remained moored to their conservative, puritanical values throughout the generations. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised everyone in Massachusetts isn't dressed in some kind of red cloak.

@DCarey SEE YA - WOULDN'T WANNA BE YA!!!

@Sarah333 Straight from the 5th grade playbook. Clever! Bye-- really for now. I have better things to do with my time.

@DCarey Wait! I thought you were gone... Get a grip, man!!

@Spunkylama Religion may be largely imperfect, but the pursuit of spirituality and meaning encompasses far more than merely fan clubs of a certain religion.

@Graylight I disagree, far more harm is done in the name of religion.

@Spunkylama Mmm, I'd like to call it a wash. In addition to programs that feed, clothe, offer adoption, counseling services, proactive area development , etc., there's tangible evidence that religion plays a positive psycho-social role in our lives as well.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/04/12/religion-in-everyday-life/

Plenty of people - I'd wager the majority - practice their faith with quiet dignity and understanding for the common ground. Like everything else, it's the screamers and activists who take up most of the air in the room.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: we’re selling one God in one flavor.
Blessed are they that mourn: but you probably brought it on yourself.
Blessed are the meek: you’ll just have to bootstrap it.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: ‘cause if you did wrong, you should already be dead.
Blessed are the merciful: suckers, every one.
Blessed are the pure in heart: we don’t know what this means.
Blessed are the peacemakers: ‘cause if the bad guys have guns, the good guys will die.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: see above; “suckers.”