Religion is the greatest scam
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zonavar68 · 51-55, M
Religion is a concept created by humans so it is naturally 'monetised' as a commercial business.
God is a concept created by humans to embody everything humans do not understand (yet) through scientific study and advancement.
Bible is a concept created by humans to collate a collection of fantasies that are put forward as 'proof' of the existence of God and validation of the concept of so-called Christian religion.
God is a concept created by humans to embody everything humans do not understand (yet) through scientific study and advancement.
Bible is a concept created by humans to collate a collection of fantasies that are put forward as 'proof' of the existence of God and validation of the concept of so-called Christian religion.
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NativePortlander · 51-55
@zonavar68 Regardless of whether religion is a manmade construct or not, there are leaders, and there are followers, which are considered disciples. Just because you believe that way doesn't make it truth.
zonavar68 · 51-55, M
@NativePortlander And facts don't care if you don't like them - facts stand alone and do not require 'faith' to make them valid.
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I do believe that most religions are a form of scam and most are cults, however those two ideas are grossly oversimplified.
Walker's article is under-researched and her ideas badly analysed. She makes some good points about the financial interests of religions, but undermines herself with the use of misinformation, lack of linguistic analysis of metaphor and meaning, flaws in logic, and parochialism.
Her article is written through the lens of a Westerner in a predominantly Christian country where up to 20% of the population may be fundamentalists and where the donations and income of any religion is tax-deductible, ie, America.
As far as I know, America is the only country where religious income is tax deductible.
Walker appears to have no knowledge of ecumenical theology or comparative religions, and no historical or cultural overview.
America may be big enough to seem like the whole world when you live in it, but planet Earth is a bigger and far more varied place.
Dear BlueSkyKing,
I'd love to know whether you've studied the differences between the sects of Christianity.
Only the Creationist sects (which are recent phenomena of the last 50 years) believe in literal Heaven and Hell. They have never believed that these were physical places; the abodes of "spirits" have no need to be material entities in physical time and space.
I'd love to know whether you've studied Hinduism, Vedanta, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Pantheism, Wiccan, Sufism and at least one indigenous belief system.
Each has significantly different features. Some features overlap; others don't.
Some have no material wealth.
Some have the classic features of a cult while others do not.
Some involve require commitment to examining exactly what reality is,
and commitment to learning from direct experience.
Some involve not much more than a system of social ethics.
Some have no hierarchy.
I'd like to suggest a book by the historian and polemic thinker, Noah Yuval Harare, [i]Sapiens: A brief history of mankind[/i].
He takes a new look at social evolution and shows the roles religions have played in the development of societies and cultures. He shows the role religions played in making possible the development of law, trade and many other aspects of human cultures.
It becomes clear that even science would not have evolved if religion hadn't played a profound role in social evolution. This, of course, doesn't mean that religion will always be around.
It could become obsolete and be replaced by science, ethics, government and other glues.
But such evolution is always slow. It takes a long time for relatively new ideas to develop near universal acceptance and even longer for older ideas to die out. We cannot tell what changes will become the future within the spans of only a hundred or so years. It takes many millennia to see the whole picture.
~
Walker's article is under-researched and her ideas badly analysed. She makes some good points about the financial interests of religions, but undermines herself with the use of misinformation, lack of linguistic analysis of metaphor and meaning, flaws in logic, and parochialism.
Her article is written through the lens of a Westerner in a predominantly Christian country where up to 20% of the population may be fundamentalists and where the donations and income of any religion is tax-deductible, ie, America.
As far as I know, America is the only country where religious income is tax deductible.
Walker appears to have no knowledge of ecumenical theology or comparative religions, and no historical or cultural overview.
America may be big enough to seem like the whole world when you live in it, but planet Earth is a bigger and far more varied place.
Dear BlueSkyKing,
I'd love to know whether you've studied the differences between the sects of Christianity.
Only the Creationist sects (which are recent phenomena of the last 50 years) believe in literal Heaven and Hell. They have never believed that these were physical places; the abodes of "spirits" have no need to be material entities in physical time and space.
I'd love to know whether you've studied Hinduism, Vedanta, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Pantheism, Wiccan, Sufism and at least one indigenous belief system.
Each has significantly different features. Some features overlap; others don't.
Some have no material wealth.
Some have the classic features of a cult while others do not.
Some involve require commitment to examining exactly what reality is,
and commitment to learning from direct experience.
Some involve not much more than a system of social ethics.
Some have no hierarchy.
I'd like to suggest a book by the historian and polemic thinker, Noah Yuval Harare, [i]Sapiens: A brief history of mankind[/i].
He takes a new look at social evolution and shows the roles religions have played in the development of societies and cultures. He shows the role religions played in making possible the development of law, trade and many other aspects of human cultures.
It becomes clear that even science would not have evolved if religion hadn't played a profound role in social evolution. This, of course, doesn't mean that religion will always be around.
It could become obsolete and be replaced by science, ethics, government and other glues.
But such evolution is always slow. It takes a long time for relatively new ideas to develop near universal acceptance and even longer for older ideas to die out. We cannot tell what changes will become the future within the spans of only a hundred or so years. It takes many millennia to see the whole picture.
~
eMortal · M
Your issue is with organized Religion.
When it comes to personal beliefs, a more positive perspective emphasizes the beneficial aspects of religion, including moral guidance, community support, personal comfort, cultural enrichment, and social services. It acknowledges that while there have been negative aspects associated with religious institutions and practices, for many people around the world, religion remains a deeply meaningful and positive force in their lives.
It’s crucial to recognize that religion, like any human institution, has a complex and multifaceted impact on society and individuals. Opinions about it can vary widely based on personal experiences, cultural background, and individual interpretation of religious teachings.
When it comes to personal beliefs, a more positive perspective emphasizes the beneficial aspects of religion, including moral guidance, community support, personal comfort, cultural enrichment, and social services. It acknowledges that while there have been negative aspects associated with religious institutions and practices, for many people around the world, religion remains a deeply meaningful and positive force in their lives.
It’s crucial to recognize that religion, like any human institution, has a complex and multifaceted impact on society and individuals. Opinions about it can vary widely based on personal experiences, cultural background, and individual interpretation of religious teachings.
Ynotisay · M
[i]Secular leaders and politicians have always gone along, either because they are suitably brainwashed themselves, or because they dare not oppose that much money and influence. [/i]
As far as I know there's only ONE open, non-believer in Congress right now. A Humanist. And yet polls show roughly 30 percent of Americans are non-believers.
That's nonsensical to me and speaks to how even atheists have been 'beaten down' to not make waves. We/They are expected to just roll with it. I'd like to see that change. Particularly with issues like abortion and gay/trans rights being driven by the fearful, hateful religious elements of our country.
As far as I know there's only ONE open, non-believer in Congress right now. A Humanist. And yet polls show roughly 30 percent of Americans are non-believers.
That's nonsensical to me and speaks to how even atheists have been 'beaten down' to not make waves. We/They are expected to just roll with it. I'd like to see that change. Particularly with issues like abortion and gay/trans rights being driven by the fearful, hateful religious elements of our country.
SatyrService · M
I agree with this considered opinion
but now..
brace yourself for a hate storm
but now..
brace yourself for a hate storm
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pdxlinux · 36-40, M
bookmarked! excellent! i have an essay that i'd like to send to you to read in private. if interested let me know
Anton · 56-60, M
Religion, in general, could be. But the Gospel of Salvation as proclaimed in the Bible (KJV) isn't
kodiac · 22-25, M
💯
RedBaron · M
Nice copy-paste job.
Ever post anything original?
Ever post anything original?
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