Originally Posted by BenDover

that does not mean the church and state are involved. It just means that a Christian politician will have more chance of pulling the Christian vote. Its just marketting.



Ok I will admit, that is pretty hilarious, we dont have that here. Im assuming the majority of the world doesnt have that either.
It was voted on at some point, so I guess its the will of the people.



The terrorist factions of the Muslim faith are a minority. The last time i checked, there were 2 billion Muslims in the world. the amount of terrorists within those 2 billion, would not even amount to a fraction, about as much as any christian or athiest faction.
It is simply cause by the propaganda created by a few individuals. manipulating the word of the Quran, combined with racial hatred and greed.
The major description of the terrorists is that they are terrorists, not muslims. The majority dont read the Quran and decide they now hate all non-muslims, it is not a part of their basic theology.

edit:


^

Originally Posted by BenDover

yay, another debate on religion. oh wait, its the exact same one, with the exact same people and responses.
oh well.
Catholic here.



They do coexist, sort of, and have for years
The Catholic church has accepted the theory of evolution and the big bang theory for years, saying that it was all through Gods action and by his will and stuff. which can be seen as a very general answer but whatever.

The book of genesis was a fictional book created by the forfathers of the church to display the power of God. As such we cant take the story of the creation too seriously. especially when there is such overwhelming evidence towards the theory of evolution.

I think this is the 4th time ive had to explain it.

Originally Posted by William

Another important thing for me is that the argument that Christians hold.Since, the disciples of Jesus had no "gain" in following him...Indeed, they were put in a really bad place for believing and teaching by his principles.But, why is this any different than a cult.After all, they were people that really believed that this guy was the son of god,Jesus.It only makes sense that they would sacrifice such a lot for him, and still that wouldn't affirm that in face Jesus was the son of God.

Originally Posted by William

Yes, sure they can coexist if you phrase it like that.Only if the genesis part isn't meant to be taken literally.But, then how do we know what to take as literal and what to take as a symbolism?Sorry if I'm being tedious,err.

Another important thing for me is that the argument that Christians hold.Since, the disciples of Jesus had no "gain" in following him...Indeed, they were put in a really bad place for believing and teaching by his principles.But, why is this any different than a cult.After all, they were people that really believed that this guy was the son of god,Jesus.It only makes sense that they would sacrifice such a lot for him, and still that wouldn't affirm that in face Jesus was the son of God.

How can you be so arrogant(as how this position sounds to me) to claim that you know that Jesus,the son of God, did in fact live on earth.And, to claim that you know the commandments of our god etc etc...

Originally Posted by Frost-Dragon

Radical Scapegoats in a Nutshell A fine example of Christianity's ability to justify the most fucked up things that exit the mouth of a human being.

Originally Posted by BenDover

sorry if i dont post sources but:
Judaism and Islam both acknowledge the existence of Jesus, as do some historians. Although they dont consider him to be the son of God, and rather a prophet or just a man.
Although Christianity, Islam and Judaism all have roots in each others history and theology, so its not surprising that they all agree that Jesus atleast existed.

As to what is figurative and what is literal:
Educated(and uneducated) people with different opinions, interpretations, information and wants/needs, took from the bible(many of the topics of the bible come out differently depending on which translation is read) what they wanted/believed, and made the separate denominations, like Baptist, Methodist, Anglican etc.

As it stands, theologists have spent 2000 years studying the bible, and what we believe/follow is listed in the various catechisms of the church. likewise with the various denominations.
While the bible is full of inconsistencies, the things that can be taken literally and figuratively are mostly written down in the catechism.

The Pope says that Genesis, while having basis in fact, is largely fictional, written by the forefathers etc. if you want to get more specific, im sure there are plenty of articles on it. I am no theologian.

Catholicism follows(according to some people, again, different interpretations and oppinions on the scriptures) the original doctrine given by Jesus.

You have a choice, accept the doctrine, follow what you believe or find a religion or denomination that fits, always question and always learn. many Catholics, while going to a Catholic church, have issues and questions regarding the catechism, but they accept and understand what they can and follow it as best they can or are comfortable with.

I have my own issues, and i deal with them in my own way.
My moms a Catholic while my dad is a general Christian who doesnt go to church, but still believes somewhat. do i judge my dad to be evil because he doesnt go to church? no.

I know its cliche, but its always down to choice.

The disciples where given a choice, and they made theirs, although they did witness his deeds and actions firsthand, rather than a look through a book based on information that is 2000 years old.
otherwise i dont know why.
skepticism is understandable.



everyone justifies everything they do, especially when theyr in the spotlight.
i dont agree with many things the church has done over the years, but i dont hold Christianity responsible for the heinous actions people commit. i blame people.

i have the similar oppinions of Westboro baptist church, as they do towards Catholicism. i think theyr a bunch of fucktards who make Christians all over the world look bad, and being associated with them pisses me off.


As to my own oppinions/beliefs, its a constant struggle, rationalizing one thing from another, learning new things, conflicting emotions and oppinions etc
I guess its all to do with the growing process

Originally Posted by Felepeno

Im very closed minded but i try not to be "argue-y" About it, Partly cause i don't want people to believe i'm an arguing dick. But back to the discussion, I have yet another question, When was religion created, I know there was a person in greece who when he saw lightning he would believe it came from a god, But i want to know the first person to "see" god.

Originally Posted by BenDover

Ok I will admit, that is pretty hilarious, we dont have that here. Im assuming the majority of the world doesnt have that either.

Originally Posted by ImmortalCow

Seeing as religion dates back to over 200,000 BC (that is, more than 200 millennia ago), there's no way we can know who the first person to think up god was.

Originally Posted by ImmortalCow

In a nutshell, I would say America is the main reason why people dislike Christians.
...
If I didn't have Christians coming to my door or bothering me at bus stops, and there was no America leading it's modern day crusades, then I would probably be much more tolerant of Christians.

Originally Posted by Ele

I think it's got more to do with the hegemonic nature Christianity, rather than America (though it's probably a combination of the two).

Originally Posted by Boredpayne

People are not killing because of religion. They are killing for political purposes and using religion as a propaganda instrument and justification for said killing. Bin Laden did not plan 9/11 because the Qo'ran told him to.

Originally Posted by BenDover

i think its the hegemonic(i had to google that) nature of America, rather than of christianity.
Americans are far more into the "freedom of speech/oppinions" thing, than any other culture. (or atleast that is how media has depicted them)
the westboro baptist church is not the first, nor the most extreme right wing faction of anything to come out of the USA.

and in no way am i saying that it only happens in the USA.