Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why do people refuse to recognize the obvious. Heck the fact that religion is comforting, especially to a weak mind is the reason we have this long thread in the first place - someone wanted help for a little girl who is having an existential crisis that her immature and weak mind is ill equipped to deal with. What's the recommendation? Religion!

I don't think a young person having an existential crisis - or questions about existence - is evidence of a weak mind. I'd say it's evidence of an inquisitive mind. And the person who asks questions like these at age 7 probably won't accept just any old explanation or story, I wouldn't think - I think that person is likely to keep reading and keep asking questions until she finds answers that make sense to her. Or comes to accept life's uncertainties.

The evidence of a weak mind is the emotional crisis, when confronted with a fact that normal people deal with just fine. One would expect a child to have a weak mind. This is why we shield things from children, to give their minds a chance to mature, to gradually introduce to them the realities of this world, until finally they are strong enough to deal with everything on their own as an adult.

It's very tough to accept life's uncertainties at a young age because they are used to being provided for and having all questions answered. Young kids have no sense that life is not permanent, especially their own. When they come to realize that one day they will die and become nothing, that's pretty big news. It impacts not just oneself, but everyone he/she knows and loves. If parents are not ready to confront this with the child, then the child will be emotionally distressed.

Children are naturally both weak and inquisitive. Religion can help with both of these characteristics, providing strength through Christ and answers through his church.

Religion gives false strength through false answers. It's a fairy tale that claims to be true on insufficient evidence.

However, circling back, I am at least glad that there's now consensus that religion is for the weak minded. That's progress.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why do people refuse to recognize the obvious. Heck the fact that religion is comforting, especially to a weak mind is the reason we have this long thread in the first place - someone wanted help for a little girl who is having an existential crisis that her immature and weak mind is ill equipped to deal with. What's the recommendation? Religion!

I don't think a young person having an existential crisis - or questions about existence - is evidence of a weak mind. I'd say it's evidence of an inquisitive mind. And the person who asks questions like these at age 7 probably won't accept just any old explanation or story, I wouldn't think - I think that person is likely to keep reading and keep asking questions until she finds answers that make sense to her. Or comes to accept life's uncertainties.

The evidence of a weak mind is the emotional crisis, when confronted with a fact that normal people deal with just fine. One would expect a child to have a weak mind. This is why we shield things from children, to give their minds a chance to mature, to gradually introduce to them the realities of this world, until finally they are strong enough to deal with everything on their own as an adult.

It's very tough to accept life's uncertainties at a young age because they are used to being provided for and having all questions answered. Young kids have no sense that life is not permanent, especially their own. When they come to realize that one day they will die and become nothing, that's pretty big news. It impacts not just oneself, but everyone he/she knows and loves. If parents are not ready to confront this with the child, then the child will be emotionally distressed.

Children are naturally both weak and inquisitive. Religion can help with both of these characteristics, providing strength through Christ and answers through his church.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why do people refuse to recognize the obvious. Heck the fact that religion is comforting, especially to a weak mind is the reason we have this long thread in the first place - someone wanted help for a little girl who is having an existential crisis that her immature and weak mind is ill equipped to deal with. What's the recommendation? Religion!

I don't think a young person having an existential crisis - or questions about existence - is evidence of a weak mind. I'd say it's evidence of an inquisitive mind. And the person who asks questions like these at age 7 probably won't accept just any old explanation or story, I wouldn't think - I think that person is likely to keep reading and keep asking questions until she finds answers that make sense to her. Or comes to accept life's uncertainties.

The evidence of a weak mind is the emotional crisis, when confronted with a fact that normal people deal with just fine. One would expect a child to have a weak mind. This is why we shield things from children, to give their minds a chance to mature, to gradually introduce to them the realities of this world, until finally they are strong enough to deal with everything on their own as an adult.

It's very tough to accept life's uncertainties at a young age because they are used to being provided for and having all questions answered. Young kids have no sense that life is not permanent, especially their own. When they come to realize that one day they will die and become nothing, that's pretty big news. It impacts not just oneself, but everyone he/she knows and loves. If parents are not ready to confront this with the child, then the child will be emotionally distressed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why do people refuse to recognize the obvious. Heck the fact that religion is comforting, especially to a weak mind is the reason we have this long thread in the first place - someone wanted help for a little girl who is having an existential crisis that her immature and weak mind is ill equipped to deal with. What's the recommendation? Religion!

I don't think a young person having an existential crisis - or questions about existence - is evidence of a weak mind. I'd say it's evidence of an inquisitive mind. And the person who asks questions like these at age 7 probably won't accept just any old explanation or story, I wouldn't think - I think that person is likely to keep reading and keep asking questions until she finds answers that make sense to her. Or comes to accept life's uncertainties.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.

Ha! You don't get out much, read the news much or interact with people much do you?

Satan is very, very real. Yes, it's just another name for Evil, but it absolutely exists. All true Christian faiths recognize that.

Ah yes -- Satan is in the news -- this definitely means he's real

Obviously you've encountered Satan yourself at some point in your life. Somewhere, you had to pick up your fervent anti-Christian beliefs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true, the death and resurrection of Jesus is so similar to other myths because of its ties to the winter solstice, when the sun is at the lowest point (dies) and rises again visibly 3 days later.

That's right, Jesus's story has roots in pagan sun worshiping.

Satan did that to confuse people, knowing that the time would come when most of the faithful would know how to read and write and could find out for themselves the similarities between their god and the pagan gods of the past. That story worked for a long time, though, because during most of the history of Christianity ( and all other religions, for that matter) people were illiterate and dependent on religious authorities for all their information about their faith.

You know, I disagree with everything you say, but I really admire your ability to come up with an explanation for everything. Bravo and oy vey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true, the death and resurrection of Jesus is so similar to other myths because of its ties to the winter solstice, when the sun is at the lowest point (dies) and rises again visibly 3 days later.

That's right, Jesus's story has roots in pagan sun worshiping.

*sound of religion collapsing under thw weight of your mighty arguments*

Yawn.

People can and will do anything to hold on to something they've devoted a lot of time and effort to. I can appreciate there. Religion is comforting, especially to a weak mind.

Felt good when you hit the Submit button on that one?

Why do people refuse to recognize the obvious. Heck the fact that religion is comforting, especially to a weak mind is the reason we have this long thread in the first place - someone wanted help for a little girl who is having an existential crisis that her immature and weak mind is ill equipped to deal with. What's the recommendation? Religion!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.

Ha! You don't get out much, read the news much or interact with people much do you?

Satan is very, very real. Yes, it's just another name for Evil, but it absolutely exists. All true Christian faiths recognize that.

Ah yes -- Satan is in the news -- this definitely means he's real

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true, the death and resurrection of Jesus is so similar to other myths because of its ties to the winter solstice, when the sun is at the lowest point (dies) and rises again visibly 3 days later.

That's right, Jesus's story has roots in pagan sun worshiping.

Satan did that to confuse people, knowing that the time would come when most of the faithful would know how to read and write and could find out for themselves the similarities between their god and the pagan gods of the past. That story worked for a long time, though, because during most of the history of Christianity ( and all other religions, for that matter) people were illiterate and dependent on religious authorities for all their information about their faith.

Anonymous wrote:Zeus will judge PPs harshly for their folly - petulant mortals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.

Ha! You don't get out much, read the news much or interact with people much do you?

Satan is very, very real. Yes, it's just another name for Evil, but it absolutely exists. All true Christian faiths recognize that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.

Not pp. Some religions absolutely believe the devil is an entity and not just a symbol.

Yes, it varies from religion to religion. This implies that a person can make the devil exist or not depending on the religion they choose

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.

Not pp. Some religions absolutely believe the devil is an entity and not just a symbol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All that Satan stuff is NOT comforting. I wasn't raised to think that it is real, but pity the kids who are told there is evil out to get them.

The problem is, Satan -- "evil" -- is real. He is living and breathing in humanity, just like the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Christians.

Just ask the people at the AME church in Charleston.

No, Satan is a Biblical character. There is no personification of evil. You have used Satan as a metaphor, but that doesn't mean the thing exists.