What does your religion or faith give you…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guidance for ethics and morality that enabled western civilization.

This is so funny. I am reading “The Shortest History of Europe” by John Hirst and it is page after page of horrific and immoral things done in the name of religion. And assuming you speak of Christianity, the Bible is also full of immoral things and endorses slavery, incest, mass murder, and scores of other atrocities. It’s a highly immoral book.

Alright. Enjoy your life without the ethics and morality promoted by Christ.

By the way, slavery has always existed and exists today with more people currently enslaved than any other time in history. Slavery was only abolished in large scale when the white Christian men who held power decided to do so in the name of biblical principles.

WRONG!!!!!

The Curse of Ham (Genesis 9:18–27) was a passage particularly used by Christian slave owners to justify their enslavement of black people.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_and_slavery

The Bible not only endorses slavery, it tells you who to enslave, how to do it, and how you can beat them. Pro tip from the Bible: beat your slaves so they don’t die and you can avoid punishment.

Wrong again dear.

Christianity is a Jewish cult and as such has different beliefs, primarily the divinity of Christ who taught that all people were equal in the eyes of god.

Because of this many early Christians were slaves and women (who were essentially slaves then).

But please go on denying history, although it doesn’t sound like your ignorance is making very happy or content.

If Christianity teaches that all people are equal then why are gays persecuted for example ? Why are there version the Bible (Corinthians ) that say not to eat or be around people that are doing certain things ? Why are so many looked down on by “Christians” that are following the Bible to the letter? You can’t count people that are ignoring many parts of the Bible in favor of the lovey dovey stuff that most human beings would do without an ancient book telling them to

It’s not gay people, it is sinful actions. Just as someone choses to engage in stealing, adultery, murder, or rape.

It is really interesting what you believe “most human beings would do without an ancient book”.

Do you have any understanding of pre-Christian societies which were not shaped by Christian morality? Where women were property and infanticide and slavery were common? Anthropologically and historically the concepts “equality” and “human rights” are extremely rare.

Seriously? Women were considered property for a long time after Christianity. It was only in the 20th century that women could have their own credit cards.

Of course. And the only reason why women have “equal rights” today is because of the uniquely Christian moral belief that all people have value and are equal in the eyes of god.

Goddamn I hope this is sarcasm.

Do you think that “equality” is some type of inherent natural shared belief? Genuinely puzzled by your naïveté.

Still waiting.

I’ll jump in with the obvious and self-evident answer, to hope stop your petulance.

Unless you have the unsupported by evidence belief that values are inherent and instilled by god, it is logical to believe they come from a combination of natural and cultural sourness. The primary one being the “golden rule” or the ethics of reciprocity (check Wikipedia on it if this is unclear. This is a concept that has existed for thousands of years before christ).

Quite simply, we treat others as we would like to be treated. Societal cooperation is best for us and everyone else. Pretty simple stuff. Equality is one of those values.

So not exactly “inherent”, but as inherent and evolutionarily necesasary as any other value.

Can you calm down now?

Nope.

Of course societal values come from sameness. But what determines if those values are to love your neighbor, or murder all infidels?

You are Wrong again. There is no such concept of equality in pre-Christian civilization. Your so-called distractor of the “golden rule” only applied to others of an in-group or shared status group. They had a version of this rule In ancient Egypt and Greece where slavery was widely practiced. Also there was a version of the golden rule in India where some people were born of low caste and deemed untouchable.

But go on, please do provide an example of any significant pre-Christian society which believed in universal “equality” and forbade slavery.

So you admit that the concept existed well before christ in multiple parts of the world. But it wasn't practiced WRT slaves or other classes so it does not count... a qualification which somehow doesn't apply to slaves and classes during christ's time... he still gets credit for it.

Man, that is some twisted pretzel logic you got residing in your head. Here's where you do "got me": I don't think I can navigate that pretzel logic highway, and I know it is not worth the time to try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really curious about the virgin birth reasoning. One would think that god with its infinite wisdom and knowledge would have known that us lowly minions/creations would one day understand some level of science and figure out the basics of sperm/egg cell and sexual reproduction. And, we would also understand parthenogenesis, which would make the virgin birth story somewhat plausible. Except, for that to work, Jesus was the wrong sex. It should have been the daughter of god, not the son of god.

I know, I know. The faithful are just going to shout, "miracle!".

Not to mention the fact that there is a lot of evidence that the word that was translated to mean “virgin” doesn’t mean virgin . Can anyone here imagine if it just meant “young woman” this whole time ??? It’s kind of absurd to base beliefs that inform your life and others’ lives on copies of translations of copies of many different Languages of stories that were written beginning decades after the event ? It’s quite ludicrous without a healthy dose of something to shut down the thinking part of your brain

Also, it helps to be a gullible child when you learn all this.

[Anonymous]

To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

That's nice. What if it's all made up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

You've clearly not read any of the prior posts in this thread. What an acrobatic word salad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

That's nice. What if it's all made up?

So what if it is? What difference would it make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

That's nice. What if it's all made up?

So what if it is? What difference would it make?

+1. If believing in some made up story makes PP show love and kindness to everyone every day of PP’s life, then it’s worth it. More people should believe in fantasies like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

That's nice. What if it's all made up?

So what if it is? What difference would it make?

+1. If believing in some made up story makes PP show love and kindness to everyone every day of PP’s life, then it’s worth it. More people should believe in fantasies like this.

Except most "christians" act in ways that are anything but christ like. Tell me that its love and kindness for a mother to refuse to go to her gay sons wedding because she doesn't accept his lifestyle. Tell me that politicians restricting abortion access and putting the lives of women in danger is loving. Tell me that using the bible to justify slavery was kindness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

That's nice. What if it's all made up?

So what if it is? What difference would it make?

+1. If believing in some made up story makes PP show love and kindness to everyone every day of PP’s life, then it’s worth it. More people should believe in fantasies like this.

Except most "christians" act in ways that are anything but christ like. Tell me that its love and kindness for a mother to refuse to go to her gay sons wedding because she doesn't accept his lifestyle. Tell me that politicians restricting abortion access and putting the lives of women in danger is loving. Tell me that using the bible to justify slavery was kindness.

No, they will cop out and say they don't believe in that way. Yet, the fact they are believers who engage in and with other believers providing support to perpetuate such Christian views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guidance for ethics and morality that enabled western civilization.

This is so funny. I am reading “The Shortest History of Europe” by John Hirst and it is page after page of horrific and immoral things done in the name of religion. And assuming you speak of Christianity, the Bible is also full of immoral things and endorses slavery, incest, mass murder, and scores of other atrocities. It’s a highly immoral book.

Alright. Enjoy your life without the ethics and morality promoted by Christ.

By the way, slavery has always existed and exists today with more people currently enslaved than any other time in history. Slavery was only abolished in large scale when the white Christian men who held power decided to do so in the name of biblical principles.

WRONG!!!!!

The Curse of Ham (Genesis 9:18–27) was a passage particularly used by Christian slave owners to justify their enslavement of black people.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_and_slavery

The Bible not only endorses slavery, it tells you who to enslave, how to do it, and how you can beat them. Pro tip from the Bible: beat your slaves so they don’t die and you can avoid punishment.

Wrong again dear.

Christianity is a Jewish cult and as such has different beliefs, primarily the divinity of Christ who taught that all people were equal in the eyes of god.

Because of this many early Christians were slaves and women (who were essentially slaves then).

But please go on denying history, although it doesn’t sound like your ignorance is making very happy or content.

If Christianity teaches that all people are equal then why are gays persecuted for example ? Why are there version the Bible (Corinthians ) that say not to eat or be around people that are doing certain things ? Why are so many looked down on by “Christians” that are following the Bible to the letter? You can’t count people that are ignoring many parts of the Bible in favor of the lovey dovey stuff that most human beings would do without an ancient book telling them to

It’s not gay people, it is sinful actions. Just as someone choses to engage in stealing, adultery, murder, or rape.

It is really interesting what you believe “most human beings would do without an ancient book”.

Do you have any understanding of pre-Christian societies which were not shaped by Christian morality? Where women were property and infanticide and slavery were common? Anthropologically and historically the concepts “equality” and “human rights” are extremely rare.

Seriously? Women were considered property for a long time after Christianity. It was only in the 20th century that women could have their own credit cards.

Of course. And the only reason why women have “equal rights” today is because of the uniquely Christian moral belief that all people have value and are equal in the eyes of god.

Goddamn I hope this is sarcasm.

Do you think that “equality” is some type of inherent natural shared belief? Genuinely puzzled by your naïveté.

Still waiting.

I’ll jump in with the obvious and self-evident answer, to hope stop your petulance.

Unless you have the unsupported by evidence belief that values are inherent and instilled by god, it is logical to believe they come from a combination of natural and cultural sourness. The primary one being the “golden rule” or the ethics of reciprocity (check Wikipedia on it if this is unclear. This is a concept that has existed for thousands of years before christ).

Quite simply, we treat others as we would like to be treated. Societal cooperation is best for us and everyone else. Pretty simple stuff. Equality is one of those values.

So not exactly “inherent”, but as inherent and evolutionarily necesasary as any other value.

Can you calm down now?

Nope.

Of course societal values come from sameness. But what determines if those values are to love your neighbor, or murder all infidels?

You are Wrong again. There is no such concept of equality in pre-Christian civilization. Your so-called distractor of the “golden rule” only applied to others of an in-group or shared status group. They had a version of this rule In ancient Egypt and Greece where slavery was widely practiced. Also there was a version of the golden rule in India where some people were born of low caste and deemed untouchable.

But go on, please do provide an example of any significant pre-Christian society which believed in universal “equality” and forbade slavery.

So you admit that the concept existed well before christ in multiple parts of the world. But it wasn't practiced WRT slaves or other classes so it does not count... a qualification which somehow doesn't apply to slaves and classes during christ's time... he still gets credit for it.

Man, that is some twisted pretzel logic you got residing in your head. Here's where you do "got me": I don't think I can navigate that pretzel logic highway, and I know it is not worth the time to try.

I conceded no such thing. Prior to Christ, there was no belief that all human beings are equal, as evidenced by the nearly universal practice of slavery.

But go on, I’m still waiting for your examples of pre-Christian societies which abolished slavery and believed in “universal human rights”.

There should be plenty since this has nothing at all to with Christianity right? Why you so reticent to speak up and defend your positions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guidance for ethics and morality that enabled western civilization.

This is so funny. I am reading “The Shortest History of Europe” by John Hirst and it is page after page of horrific and immoral things done in the name of religion. And assuming you speak of Christianity, the Bible is also full of immoral things and endorses slavery, incest, mass murder, and scores of other atrocities. It’s a highly immoral book.

Alright. Enjoy your life without the ethics and morality promoted by Christ.

By the way, slavery has always existed and exists today with more people currently enslaved than any other time in history. Slavery was only abolished in large scale when the white Christian men who held power decided to do so in the name of biblical principles.

WRONG!!!!!

The Curse of Ham (Genesis 9:18–27) was a passage particularly used by Christian slave owners to justify their enslavement of black people.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_and_slavery

The Bible not only endorses slavery, it tells you who to enslave, how to do it, and how you can beat them. Pro tip from the Bible: beat your slaves so they don’t die and you can avoid punishment.

Wrong again dear.

Christianity is a Jewish cult and as such has different beliefs, primarily the divinity of Christ who taught that all people were equal in the eyes of god.

Because of this many early Christians were slaves and women (who were essentially slaves then).

But please go on denying history, although it doesn’t sound like your ignorance is making very happy or content.

If Christianity teaches that all people are equal then why are gays persecuted for example ? Why are there version the Bible (Corinthians ) that say not to eat or be around people that are doing certain things ? Why are so many looked down on by “Christians” that are following the Bible to the letter? You can’t count people that are ignoring many parts of the Bible in favor of the lovey dovey stuff that most human beings would do without an ancient book telling them to

It’s not gay people, it is sinful actions. Just as someone choses to engage in stealing, adultery, murder, or rape.

It is really interesting what you believe “most human beings would do without an ancient book”.

Do you have any understanding of pre-Christian societies which were not shaped by Christian morality? Where women were property and infanticide and slavery were common? Anthropologically and historically the concepts “equality” and “human rights” are extremely rare.

Seriously? Women were considered property for a long time after Christianity. It was only in the 20th century that women could have their own credit cards.

Of course. And the only reason why women have “equal rights” today is because of the uniquely Christian moral belief that all people have value and are equal in the eyes of god.

Goddamn I hope this is sarcasm.

Do you think that “equality” is some type of inherent natural shared belief? Genuinely puzzled by your naïveté.

Still waiting.

I’ll jump in with the obvious and self-evident answer, to hope stop your petulance.

Unless you have the unsupported by evidence belief that values are inherent and instilled by god, it is logical to believe they come from a combination of natural and cultural sourness. The primary one being the “golden rule” or the ethics of reciprocity (check Wikipedia on it if this is unclear. This is a concept that has existed for thousands of years before christ).

Quite simply, we treat others as we would like to be treated. Societal cooperation is best for us and everyone else. Pretty simple stuff. Equality is one of those values.

So not exactly “inherent”, but as inherent and evolutionarily necesasary as any other value.

Can you calm down now?

Nope.

Of course societal values come from sameness. But what determines if those values are to love your neighbor, or murder all infidels?

You are Wrong again. There is no such concept of equality in pre-Christian civilization. Your so-called distractor of the “golden rule” only applied to others of an in-group or shared status group. They had a version of this rule In ancient Egypt and Greece where slavery was widely practiced. Also there was a version of the golden rule in India where some people were born of low caste and deemed untouchable.

But go on, please do provide an example of any significant pre-Christian society which believed in universal “equality” and forbade slavery.

So you admit that the concept existed well before christ in multiple parts of the world. But it wasn't practiced WRT slaves or other classes so it does not count... a qualification which somehow doesn't apply to slaves and classes during christ's time... he still gets credit for it.

Man, that is some twisted pretzel logic you got residing in your head. Here's where you do "got me": I don't think I can navigate that pretzel logic highway, and I know it is not worth the time to try.

I conceded no such thing. Prior to Christ, there was no belief that all human beings are equal, as evidenced by the nearly universal practice of slavery.

But go on, I’m still waiting for your examples of pre-Christian societies which abolished slavery and believed in “universal human rights”.

There should be plenty since this has nothing at all to with Christianity right? Why you so reticent to speak up and defend your positions?

Slavery was practiced during the time of Christ and long afterwards -- even in the US in the 1800's. Remember the civil war? The north wanted to free the slaves and the south wanted to keep them, to work on the plantations - owned by Christian "masters" who used the Bible to justify slavery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guidance for ethics and morality that enabled western civilization.

This is so funny. I am reading “The Shortest History of Europe” by John Hirst and it is page after page of horrific and immoral things done in the name of religion. And assuming you speak of Christianity, the Bible is also full of immoral things and endorses slavery, incest, mass murder, and scores of other atrocities. It’s a highly immoral book.

Alright. Enjoy your life without the ethics and morality promoted by Christ.

By the way, slavery has always existed and exists today with more people currently enslaved than any other time in history. Slavery was only abolished in large scale when the white Christian men who held power decided to do so in the name of biblical principles.

WRONG!!!!!

The Curse of Ham (Genesis 9:18–27) was a passage particularly used by Christian slave owners to justify their enslavement of black people.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_and_slavery

The Bible not only endorses slavery, it tells you who to enslave, how to do it, and how you can beat them. Pro tip from the Bible: beat your slaves so they don’t die and you can avoid punishment.

Wrong again dear.

Christianity is a Jewish cult and as such has different beliefs, primarily the divinity of Christ who taught that all people were equal in the eyes of god.

Because of this many early Christians were slaves and women (who were essentially slaves then).

But please go on denying history, although it doesn’t sound like your ignorance is making very happy or content.

If Christianity teaches that all people are equal then why are gays persecuted for example ? Why are there version the Bible (Corinthians ) that say not to eat or be around people that are doing certain things ? Why are so many looked down on by “Christians” that are following the Bible to the letter? You can’t count people that are ignoring many parts of the Bible in favor of the lovey dovey stuff that most human beings would do without an ancient book telling them to

It’s not gay people, it is sinful actions. Just as someone choses to engage in stealing, adultery, murder, or rape.

It is really interesting what you believe “most human beings would do without an ancient book”.

Do you have any understanding of pre-Christian societies which were not shaped by Christian morality? Where women were property and infanticide and slavery were common? Anthropologically and historically the concepts “equality” and “human rights” are extremely rare.

Seriously? Women were considered property for a long time after Christianity. It was only in the 20th century that women could have their own credit cards.

Of course. And the only reason why women have “equal rights” today is because of the uniquely Christian moral belief that all people have value and are equal in the eyes of god.

Goddamn I hope this is sarcasm.

Do you think that “equality” is some type of inherent natural shared belief? Genuinely puzzled by your naïveté.

Still waiting.

I’ll jump in with the obvious and self-evident answer, to hope stop your petulance.

Unless you have the unsupported by evidence belief that values are inherent and instilled by god, it is logical to believe they come from a combination of natural and cultural sourness. The primary one being the “golden rule” or the ethics of reciprocity (check Wikipedia on it if this is unclear. This is a concept that has existed for thousands of years before christ).

Quite simply, we treat others as we would like to be treated. Societal cooperation is best for us and everyone else. Pretty simple stuff. Equality is one of those values.

So not exactly “inherent”, but as inherent and evolutionarily necesasary as any other value.

Can you calm down now?

Nope.

Of course societal values come from sameness. But what determines if those values are to love your neighbor, or murder all infidels?

You are Wrong again. There is no such concept of equality in pre-Christian civilization. Your so-called distractor of the “golden rule” only applied to others of an in-group or shared status group. They had a version of this rule In ancient Egypt and Greece where slavery was widely practiced. Also there was a version of the golden rule in India where some people were born of low caste and deemed untouchable.

But go on, please do provide an example of any significant pre-Christian society which believed in universal “equality” and forbade slavery.

So you admit that the concept existed well before christ in multiple parts of the world. But it wasn't practiced WRT slaves or other classes so it does not count... a qualification which somehow doesn't apply to slaves and classes during christ's time... he still gets credit for it.

Man, that is some twisted pretzel logic you got residing in your head. Here's where you do "got me": I don't think I can navigate that pretzel logic highway, and I know it is not worth the time to try.

I conceded no such thing. Prior to Christ, there was no belief that all human beings are equal, as evidenced by the nearly universal practice of slavery.

But go on, I’m still waiting for your examples of pre-Christian societies which abolished slavery and believed in “universal human rights”.

There should be plenty since this has nothing at all to with Christianity right? Why you so reticent to speak up and defend your positions?

NP. If I'm distinguishing your posts correctly, you're trying to say that we wouldn't have certain concepts related to equality without Christianity. I will concede you that. Any religion of that scope and scale would have an impact on society overall and on culture.

However, that does not make it true that Jesus was the son of God or any other BS contained in the Bible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
To answer original question OP:

My faith provides comfort that I was/we were created by God with a purpose and plan, that He loves me/us so much that even when our free will continually chooses a path that separates us from Him, He provided us with a path back to Him through redemption in Jesus Christ.
God is LOVE and ultimately we were made to worship (this is evident in everything we do—whether it’s worshipping money or technology or influencers or social causes or God.) God wants us to worship LOVE.
❤️
And my faith gives me instructions through scripture on how to do that.
I find that when I am pursuit of God/love…I am at my best and at peace.

That's nice. What if it's all made up?

So what if it is? What difference would it make?

+1. If believing in some made up story makes PP show love and kindness to everyone every day of PP’s life, then it’s worth it. More people should believe in fantasies like this.

Except most "christians" act in ways that are anything but christ like. Tell me that its love and kindness for a mother to refuse to go to her gay sons wedding because she doesn't accept his lifestyle. Tell me that politicians restricting abortion access and putting the lives of women in danger is loving. Tell me that using the bible to justify slavery was kindness.

+1 million. I doubt many people here have seen this type of Christian “love” from the inside as I have. It has truly been one of the most painful experiences of my life to watch someone I love very much be hurt EXACTLY like this by someone else I love very much but that has been convinced that it is the right and “loving “ thing to do. And the trauma of it never ends as each day the betrayal of past love and trust happens again and again and always will be a part of our lives now . Each event, milestone, holiday , is marked by the pain and grief that this Christian “love” that was brought into our lives

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guidance for ethics and morality that enabled western civilization.

This is so funny. I am reading “The Shortest History of Europe” by John Hirst and it is page after page of horrific and immoral things done in the name of religion. And assuming you speak of Christianity, the Bible is also full of immoral things and endorses slavery, incest, mass murder, and scores of other atrocities. It’s a highly immoral book.

Alright. Enjoy your life without the ethics and morality promoted by Christ.

By the way, slavery has always existed and exists today with more people currently enslaved than any other time in history. Slavery was only abolished in large scale when the white Christian men who held power decided to do so in the name of biblical principles.

WRONG!!!!!

The Curse of Ham (Genesis 9:18–27) was a passage particularly used by Christian slave owners to justify their enslavement of black people.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_and_slavery

The Bible not only endorses slavery, it tells you who to enslave, how to do it, and how you can beat them. Pro tip from the Bible: beat your slaves so they don’t die and you can avoid punishment.

Wrong again dear.

Christianity is a Jewish cult and as such has different beliefs, primarily the divinity of Christ who taught that all people were equal in the eyes of god.

Because of this many early Christians were slaves and women (who were essentially slaves then).

But please go on denying history, although it doesn’t sound like your ignorance is making very happy or content.

If Christianity teaches that all people are equal then why are gays persecuted for example ? Why are there version the Bible (Corinthians ) that say not to eat or be around people that are doing certain things ? Why are so many looked down on by “Christians” that are following the Bible to the letter? You can’t count people that are ignoring many parts of the Bible in favor of the lovey dovey stuff that most human beings would do without an ancient book telling them to

It’s not gay people, it is sinful actions. Just as someone choses to engage in stealing, adultery, murder, or rape.

It is really interesting what you believe “most human beings would do without an ancient book”.

Do you have any understanding of pre-Christian societies which were not shaped by Christian morality? Where women were property and infanticide and slavery were common? Anthropologically and historically the concepts “equality” and “human rights” are extremely rare.

Seriously? Women were considered property for a long time after Christianity. It was only in the 20th century that women could have their own credit cards.

Of course. And the only reason why women have “equal rights” today is because of the uniquely Christian moral belief that all people have value and are equal in the eyes of god.

Goddamn I hope this is sarcasm.

Do you think that “equality” is some type of inherent natural shared belief? Genuinely puzzled by your naïveté.

Still waiting.

I’ll jump in with the obvious and self-evident answer, to hope stop your petulance.

Unless you have the unsupported by evidence belief that values are inherent and instilled by god, it is logical to believe they come from a combination of natural and cultural sourness. The primary one being the “golden rule” or the ethics of reciprocity (check Wikipedia on it if this is unclear. This is a concept that has existed for thousands of years before christ).

Quite simply, we treat others as we would like to be treated. Societal cooperation is best for us and everyone else. Pretty simple stuff. Equality is one of those values.

So not exactly “inherent”, but as inherent and evolutionarily necesasary as any other value.

Can you calm down now?

Nope.

Of course societal values come from sameness. But what determines if those values are to love your neighbor, or murder all infidels?

You are Wrong again. There is no such concept of equality in pre-Christian civilization. Your so-called distractor of the “golden rule” only applied to others of an in-group or shared status group. They had a version of this rule In ancient Egypt and Greece where slavery was widely practiced. Also there was a version of the golden rule in India where some people were born of low caste and deemed untouchable.

But go on, please do provide an example of any significant pre-Christian society which believed in universal “equality” and forbade slavery.

So you admit that the concept existed well before christ in multiple parts of the world. But it wasn't practiced WRT slaves or other classes so it does not count... a qualification which somehow doesn't apply to slaves and classes during christ's time... he still gets credit for it.

Man, that is some twisted pretzel logic you got residing in your head. Here's where you do "got me": I don't think I can navigate that pretzel logic highway, and I know it is not worth the time to try.

I conceded no such thing. Prior to Christ, there was no belief that all human beings are equal, as evidenced by the nearly universal practice of slavery.

But go on, I’m still waiting for your examples of pre-Christian societies which abolished slavery and believed in “universal human rights”.

There should be plenty since this has nothing at all to with Christianity right? Why you so reticent to speak up and defend your positions?

I presented the evidence above. You just choose to ignore it. You are not an honest interlocutor.

In fact it is pretty amazing since your claim is summarily dismissed by the existence of American chattel slavery which was the providence of American Christians.

Your god likely does not exist and your desperation to defend your worldview makes you illogical and unreasonable.