I was sent this and even-though it was all over the place and avoiding the fact that people do bad things DIRECTLY because of their religious affliction, I think it has a few good points, mainly.. people are being 'deceived' into doing bad things because it is not the actual word of god but charlatans that pretend it is and use the bible to do it.
I split it up into easy segments.
*Do you agree at least with me, that a religious doctrine, institutions, leaders and what so ever people understand about "religion" is not neccesarily the same like for example the content of the bible, Gods Word?
*
-- Im saying this because A LOT of christian leaders, pastors, priests who teach theology ingore what the bible teaches.
*
-- Theology and the Bible are two different things. Thats what I actually want to say.
*
-- So if a pastor [Stephen Anderson about Orlando Nightclub] like you quote says something like that, it shows that he doesnt understand what he is representing or he doesnt know what the Holy Scriptures say about a topic like this.
*
-- Its again what I meaned before: A form of abuse. Because he is abusing his position of a leader without any real understanding about the new testament that "created" Christianity.
*
-- Also it shows some form of fanatism because there are a lot of verses in the bible who condemn any form of violence against other people.
*
-- It also condemns any form of fanatism. Someone who is using bad language and behavior against homosexuals should overthink what it means to be a christian.
*
-- The problems start if they FIRST dont understand and secondly if they start to think they are "better" or more worth then someone else. Do you agree?
*
-- Do you think people would listen or even agree to a pastor like you mentioned, if they knew what "God" (Bible) teaches?
*
-- Im not a person who is trying to reform people so they start to believe in God, so please dont missunderstand me.
*
-- But I also know the bible very good. Thats why I see a lot of differences and A LOT of abuse and missunderstanding. I hope your ok with my answer. *
My answer would still be.. the people who do bad things directly because of their religion are still religiously motivated REGARDLESS if it is the word of God or not, which was my point all along. They would do anything for gods approval and get an eternity of bliss in heaven. They would believe and do anything their pastor tells them. Why? It is the religious mentality to want to be a slave, to have eternal protection and to gain certainty in heaven. Yes Theology and the bible are different and they can overlap.. still doesn't disprove that what people are doing IS because of their religion.
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I think this a typical religionist cop-out. If somebody connected with a religion says or does something evil, instead taking responsibility for the actions of one of their own, they disown him and claim that he doesn't really represent the "true" word of god.
As far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as the word of god, so whatever evil religious people do is entirely on their own heads, and if one of their group commits a crime in the name of their theology/fantasy, they share in the blame.
My thoughts exactly.. just the way it was worded seemed humble.
I'm in a cynical and uncharitable mood today, so I'll say that religionists do humility and sincerity quite well. Sometimes they even convince themselves.
I'm less apt to worry about what's in the Bible and Pastors who preach from it, than I am about what's in the Koran and what Imams have to say. I haven't heard any pastors lately telling their flock to go out and kill the unbelievers (Atheists, Christians, Jews and anyone else that they believe are Infidels). The old testament no doubt has much killing and mayhem, but you don't see that today as most of the emphasis is put on the teachings of Christ in the New Testament. I spent 50+ years moving through the Christian environment, moving from Catholicism, and Fundamentalist Baptist Sects. I have to admire any Muslim who is willing to step out of Islam. Ex Christians don't risk much. Ex Muslims risk their lives and the lives of their families.
@Zeus
So in your infinite wisdom, you would gin up the conservative base and engage in a "Holy War."
If you want to understand Islam, you must understand the different sects. I fought in the middle east for years in many locations. The fact is that the terrorists are using religion as an excuse. The war is political.
If you lived with the Isamlies, or the Kurds, you'd know that they are peaceful and fighting for survival.
Basically, ISIL is the defeated Iraqi army the Ba'athist. Every single terrorist group in the middle east are political groups. There is only one religious factor, that being Sunni vs. Shia. Even that is somewhat isolated. The Ismaili are Shia, but progressives, even welcoming Jews into their societies. They have no grievance against any religious or non-religious group. In Afghanistan, the tribes don't care WHAT religion you are. They are just trying to eke out a living. The Taliban (which means "to teach"), are a bunch of criminals which are remnants from the rebellion against Soviet occupation. Osama Bin Ladin used them for his own means. They are just criminal warlords and nothing more.
If you tout this Islam is evil propaganda bullshit, you will see killings in the name of christianity. You are basically promoting a crusade. Ironic since you claim to be an atheist.
@james; If I understand you correctly, what you are saying is that salvation is only through pleasing God even if that is against the greatest commandment?