Well, I suspect it would take a room full of biblical and Christian experts to come to some rough approximation of what the essence of the religion is - and the same goes for Islam. Humans, being human, will tend to read into it what they wish to read! I was raised in a (supposedly) Christian country but 'I was not then nor have I ever been' a practicing Christian. On the other hand, my 'guesstimate' based on general knowledge as to the essence of Christianity is that is a loving religion that desires its adherents to be as virtuous as possible. The fact that they frequently fail is no basis for criticising the religion, any more, I suppose, than the fact that all centralised socialist systems end up as rich dictatorships and impoverished people!
As an X-xtian I can say that they LIKE to SAY they are a loving religion but just like the 'religion of peace' they are lying. Most xtians I've known go with the buyBull which has very little love in it and a LOT of authoritarianism. The basic idea of the buyBull is exactly as shown above.
I would not say, from the outside looking in, that fear plays much of a part in Christianity. Of course, they suggest that if you fail to be a loving, moral and charitable person your soul might risk going to hell but as most of us would prefer to live in a world of love, morality and charitability then I don't see much harm in it.
That is why I take mild exception to your piece of agit-prop up above which like all such artifacts has only a glancing engagement with truth and/or complexity.
ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. And neither will racist,homophobic, or misogynistic comments. I do not mind if you disagree, but make your case in a decent manner.
Succinct, yes - but also very, very silly!
ReplyDeleteIsn't this the essence of christianity (and islam)?
ReplyDeleteWell, I suspect it would take a room full of biblical and Christian experts to come to some rough approximation of what the essence of the religion is - and the same goes for Islam. Humans, being human, will tend to read into it what they wish to read! I was raised in a (supposedly) Christian country but 'I was not then nor have I ever been' a practicing Christian. On the other hand, my 'guesstimate' based on general knowledge as to the essence of Christianity is that is a loving religion that desires its adherents to be as virtuous as possible. The fact that they frequently fail is no basis for criticising the religion, any more, I suppose, than the fact that all centralised socialist systems end up as rich dictatorships and impoverished people!
ReplyDeletePeople! Heh!
Why does a "loving religion" have to rely on fear to convince its adherents to follow its teachings?
ReplyDeleteAs an X-xtian I can say that they LIKE to SAY they are a loving religion but just like the 'religion of peace' they are lying.
ReplyDeleteMost xtians I've known go with the buyBull which has very little love in it and a LOT of authoritarianism. The basic idea of the buyBull is exactly as shown above.
I would not say, from the outside looking in, that fear plays much of a part in Christianity. Of course, they suggest that if you fail to be a loving, moral and charitable person your soul might risk going to hell but as most of us would prefer to live in a world of love, morality and charitability then I don't see much harm in it.
ReplyDeleteThat is why I take mild exception to your piece of agit-prop up above which like all such artifacts has only a glancing engagement with truth and/or complexity.