organized religion is not the way

[gorder]

god, if he exists, would want you to find your own way. organized religion = slave mentality. anyone who tells you to be a slave to (their)god has their own agenda.

[Iluminado]

Bravo!

I completely agree.

[thule]

Didn't somebody once say: "God gave men religion, then the devil came and organized them".


/Alex

[DruidSmith]

I was just listening to NPR's "Fresh Air" the other day, they had Elaine Pagels talking about the early evolution of Christianity, that the gospel of Thomas was censored and removed in favor of the gospel of John, and this totally changed the flavor of christianity from an egalitarian system, where Jesus was NOT god, but a teacher, a man among men... to the gospel of John, which said Jesus WAS god, a supreme being, and set up the dogmas, institutions and hierarchy of church in order to consolidate power over the masses. Just one frightening example of how spirituality and the message of great teachers like Jesus, Muhammad and Buddha have been twisted.

I think organized religion has had more to do with power and politics than spirituality.

[disillusioned]

The notorious religious debate. Who is right? If God is omnipotent and all knowing isn't it absurd to believe we could ever conceive of the true message. We make ouselves what we are, and form our own opinions. Are we truly to beleive in institutions that use violence throughout history and the constant threat of eternal damnation to subdue their flock and rob them of independent thought. Organized religion could possess a beauty of thought and life, unfortunately it has been corrupted due to the arrogance of most who abide by it.

Short and sweet but definitely one of the better threads on the religion board.

[Nolvinge]

Hello everyone

Tongue in cheek reply :

Organised religion is not the way, the disorganised one is better

Double tongue in cheek reply :

It is refreshing to know I am a slave within the Devil's organisation

Tuning out to radio WKRZ....Jezebel Jig.

[thisdude]

to an extent, i could say i agree,
but as a christian, i would have to qoute from the bible to point out my side of this. and im sure i would get beaten up in this thread for that...
Jesus did say to fellowship, he said wherever there are 2 or more of you gathered in my name's sake, in AGREEMENT then im with you. so to a point "organized religion" is necassary. but on the other hand i agree to this, some organized religions have lost the message of love a long time ago. im not pointing out any particular religion, or picking on any certain belief, because no ones hands are completely clean. Christians had their crusades. the muslims have their osama bin laddens. christians in the US killed anyone who wasnt white protestant for many years in the south.. thisa isnt the message Jesus sent.. and i dont know anything about the Qoran, but i dont think it says in there anywhere to blow up buildings, and kill americans.

i wouldnt blame the problem on God, but man's inability to live up to him.. again in the bible it is said "we all fall short of the glory of God"

"a liberal is a person who doesnt let facts get in the way of his oppinion"

[DruidSmith]

My complaint is, the Bin Ladens of the world, the Christian Crusaders and so on, are still in the FRINGE. They are not OUT of the organization. Problem is, the organization evidently does not see them for what they are, or otherwise refuses to deal with them honestly.

[thisdude]

Originally posted by DruidSmith
My complaint is, the Bin Ladens of the world, the Christian Crusaders and so on, are still in the FRINGE. They are not OUT of the organization. Problem is, the organization evidently does not see them for what they are, or otherwise refuses to deal with them honestly.

point taken druid, but still,,, they do not truly represent the religion they claim they do. as a christian i cant account for everything another christian does. and frankly it does tick me off abit that they stain the name of christianity. but still,, there is not alot i personally can do about that, other than denounce the act.
and anyone can claim they are christian, or islamic. but thaT Doesnt necassarily make it so.

[thisdude]

Originally posted by Niquie
Exactly my sentiments...as I have often said...If you have to use fear in your daily life to render you a decent human being, THAT is a personal failure.

I admire and hail the athiest/agnostic who is a decent adult child, parent, spouse, relative, neighbor, employer, co-worker, etc., because it is how one should live one's life....PERIOD.

but that is the whole point nique.... we are all full of "personal failures".. that's why we do need God

well, thisdude, that also goes with another point of niquies that religion should be a personal matter, you and your ilk would not hesitate to instill a theocracy with a moral oligarchy

[thisdude]

Originally posted by kinison
well, thisdude, that also goes with another point of niquies that religion should be a personal matter, you and your ilk would not hesitate to instill a theocracy with a moral oligarchy

hmm... not sure what you mean there?
do you mean something along the lines of, that i want to shove my beliefs down your throat?

if she can voice her beliefs,that "religion is a personal matter".. why cant i do the same?
or do you mean i want to lobby the government to shove my beliefs down your throat? the government was lobbied a long time ago to throw secular humanism's beliefs down my throat all my academic life..

or do you mean in my church? we hold to doctrines that are biblical? if you dont like my beliefs, dont attend my church

Originally posted by thisdude


or do you mean i want to lobby the government to shove my beliefs down your throat? the government was lobbied a long time ago to throw secular humanism's beliefs down my throat all my academic life..

yeah, yeah, those damn secular humanists...whats next?! those heathens will probably start throwing christians into a colliseum with lions

Originally posted by thisdude

or do you mean in my church? we hold to doctrines that are biblical? if you dont like my beliefs, dont attend my church

ok, but heres the difference, nobody goes into your church to tell or make you do/believe certain things

Originally posted by thisdude
but that is the whole point nique.... we are all full of "personal failures".. that's why we do need God

How will god help us? Has god 'if really existing' helped us? How? All I see or hear regarding is alot of worthless words. If such thing/person really existed then this world as we know it would be way different, but I don't see that can you honestly say you do?