How could you miss it? I think that you expected others to find what only you can find for yourself. Now you are disappointed that "they" led you astray, as if you are some "victim" of religion.
Personally, you could toss out all of the NT save the Sermon on the Mount and, if you followed it, you would be the LIGHT of the world......few opt to go that route though. Most are looking for somebody else to tell them how to get to the kingdom.
You should simply accept that Christianity was made political long ago, but that doesn't alter the initial intent of Jesus Christ and His teachings.....go read the Sermon on the Mount again and you will "see" it more clearly.
All religions teach that to some extent or another. The beauty of it is that IF you can't control your mind you are a slave to it and hence you create your own hell.
"Fear NOT, ye of little faith." You have now traded your fear of hell for fear of "Christian terrorists" so I'd say you are no better off for it.
you've admitted you've willingly crippled your mind, but you havent explained why rational people should pay attention to you.
Oh, do tell, how have I "crippled" my mind?
You haven't provided any indication of rationality yet. A "rational" person would accept that nobody has asked you to pay attention and a "rational" person would ask themselves why they continue to do so. Why do you need any explanations from me in regards to where you place your attention?
you agree that all religions require you to cripple your mind.
you seem to be a christian.
what are we supposed to think of your pretenses at rationality?
My point of agreement comes from a greater depth of reading and attempting to understand MULTIPLE faiths and with no judgment as you place on it. What you deem to "cripple" any person's mind is actually your own inability to understand and your feeling of having been "led astray" in your quest for understanding. Simply because you feel crippled by your limited understanding, doesn't mean that the rest of us feel this way.
You think this because your understanding is limited to that which is Christian. Hence, you can only grasp a concept from this limited perspective, but you are in error in attempting to limit mine.
What are you/we to think? I am not here to tell you what to think......that is your job. A rational person thinks for themselves.
why are you swallowing dogma that cripples your mind?
What dogma would this be? You seem to be "crippled" from your experiences because you went to others to think for you and now you feel that you are a "victim" from what they "taught" you about religion. I don't suffer this affliction.
why are you swallowing dogma that cripples your mind?
A mind can only be crippled if it thinks it can be crippled. Not only do you see or think yourself as having been crippled, but now you see crippled minds EVERYWHERE...even where they do not exist. You suffer weak thinking, but I don't have this affliction. : )
Change your thoughts lead.and.lag......and change your world. Your world is crippled. Mine is strong, vibrant and healthy. Are you going to answer my question about reality? How about dogma? Your diversion is duly noted.
This is actuallly a funny thread. The references to being 'mistreated' in Sunday school reminds me of those books by Bradshaw all about 'the inner child' & the hell on earth many shackle themselves with from memories years past. Eegads.
I agree with you that fear, particularly fear of demons & hell, is no way to introduce children to Christianity. That is a very wrong tact & is not what Jesus did. I am sorry if that is what you experienced.
Christianity certainly shouldnt terrorize anyone.One can believe that hell exists without exploiting it to scare kids to death. If i can ask, what religion were you raised in? That may help me to understand your position better.
The reason I asked what religion you were was to determine who exactly taught you that way.If it were a protestant, where did he get his 'credentials', etc. Probably minimal, which is why there are not really 1000's of Christian sects.Only one true church
If one believes Jesus is the Son of God & came to establish His church, it would not make sense to have 1000s of sects disagreeing on everything.Thats not logical. Jesus established one Universal Catholic church. Luther went astray.
#152. To: Eric Stratton, christine, psusa, james deffenbach, abraxas, wudidiz (#146)
eegads. You were raised Catholic?? That's very interesting, and I never would have guessed that, (which you're probably happy about).
.. that cannot possibly be true since to be a Roman Catholic one must not even necessarily possess faith in Christ. All one has to do is go through the motions, accept the sacriments, pledge devotion to a man-made/created/corrupted institution to one extent or another, etc.
Of course that is ridiculous and untrue. Catholics, like protestants, even with our differences, all profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and we both believe in the Trinity. Ive never even heard the most ardent fundie claim that Catholics are not Christian. Of course we are Christian.
If you think that SacrAments are simply 'going through motions', it sounds like you were not instructed at all in the actual teachings Catholic faith as a youngster. Many people teach their kids nothing about the faith. , although actually, if a parent is Catholic, they have an obligation to actual bring up their kids teaching them the faith, or else the result is the kids being fallen- aways.
One example of the differences between beliefs of protestants vs Catholics, Catholics believe that the body of Christ is the actual body and blood of Christ, not a representation. Jesus said that those who do not eat my flesh and drink my blood will not have life in them. That's not a confusing verse. Protestants believe it is a mere representation. So be it. Early protestants and Catholics had this arguement. But even the earliest founding protestants never dared say something as absurd as 'Catholics are not Christian'. Just absurd, and bearing false witness, to boot.
Many Italian mob figures in history were devout Roman Catholics for example. Many people that have overtly perpetuated anti-christian and evil behavior both today and in former times were "devout" RCs, including popes. Otherwise, the teachings and practices of the RCC actually counter those taught by Christ.
As far as the corrupt popes, and 'sinners' who dare to be Catholics have fallen human nature. All humans do. This doesnt negate the legitimacy of the church.
Universal. meaning, it is not different in every city with 'Pastor Bob' who may have got his preecher degree out of a cracker jack box, By the way, did you know that PSUSA is an actual minister?? Yes. nuff said about 'ministers'. No offense to PSUSA, just making a point,. lol.
So as far as universal, I can go to Catholic Mass in Canada, Mexico, U.S., Italy, Frace, (all of which I have) and anywhere else and it is universal. meaning exactly the same. Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist. in other words, the Mass.
I had a feeling that my protestant comments would raise the ire of some,. but that's OK. Hopefully I can set an example to others who will see that I try to be a good Christian and will respect my beliefs. Like james deffenbach, who is a protestant and very nice Christian, I do not like to bicker about religion here, it is not why I come here. just not interested in it. Can't stand it. I'm not gonna change anyones mind, nor they mine.(which begs the question, why am i posting in this thread? lol)..
At the very least, we can all agree on the patriot act, 9/11, and we are united against the jackboots. ;-) God will sort the rest out on judgement day. Only God can judge someones heart.