I don't, actually. I think there's a lot of use for it in the world we live in. I think there's a ton of things we could learn from it, and a lot of stuff that could improve the world we live in. In the immortal words of Mahatma Ghandi:
'What do you think about Western civilization, Mr. Ghandi?'
'I think it would be a good idea.'
That joke's crux is what I DON'T like about Christianity. I don't like the way it allows people to not think. I don't like the way it's used to ENCOURAGE people to not think- which is in no way what Yeshua ben Yosef taught.
Sometimes, I think of the shortest verse of the bible when I read about the exploits of these enemies of personal freedom and self-worth swathing themselves in the cloak of religious authority.
What's the shortest verse in the Bible, you ask?
Jesus wept.
With thanks to
rfrancis for drawing my attention to this.
'What do you think about Western civilization, Mr. Ghandi?'
'I think it would be a good idea.'
That joke's crux is what I DON'T like about Christianity. I don't like the way it allows people to not think. I don't like the way it's used to ENCOURAGE people to not think- which is in no way what Yeshua ben Yosef taught.
Sometimes, I think of the shortest verse of the bible when I read about the exploits of these enemies of personal freedom and self-worth swathing themselves in the cloak of religious authority.
What's the shortest verse in the Bible, you ask?
Jesus wept.
With thanks to
rfrancis for drawing my attention to this.
However, when the church gets greedy and starts imposing too many rules, then we have a problem.
You know, the Bible NEVER states 'no premarital sex'? It just states 'be chaste with yourself'. The church was taken over by power-hungry, egotistical men who invented Hell to scare people.
Well, not really invented. Elaborated. Sinners don't go to Hell; they just dissappear forever if they don't repent. (And REALLY repent, not this crap about killing a man then saying four Hail Marys and doing thre hours of community service to get a clean slate.)
Then, Hell itself will be cast into a lake of fire.
Wow, this comment is REALLY not what I intended it to be... Forgive my ramblings!
I agree with you: organized religion is a useful thing to society. but when a single or a group of powerhungry nasty little men takes it over, it stops being useful.
Did you read the article? Scary stuff, man.