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Originally posted by worldwatcher
Man wrote every religious book in existence, if he didn't we wouldn't have them.
And while the Bible or any holy book for that matter isn't the exact word of God, he didn't dictate while someone wrote, all the holy books in existence are divinely inspired. God inspired man to write these tales to reach out and touch his fellow man's spirit.
Originally posted by spamandham
I'm glad to hear that hope rescued you, but the answer to the question you ask should be obvious. Yours is the dominant religion in the west, and is intrusive in the lives of those who don't share it.
Originally posted by madnessinmysoul
that right up there ^ is a great point. whenever someone finds out i'm a buddhist they react in one of three ways:
1) they think i'm kidding.
2) they get defensive and ask me why i turned away from god.
3) they laugh at me for making a "bad choice which i'll laugh at in the future"
well there is
4) particularly open minded people ask me about buddhism because they don't understand it well enough to talk about it.
Originally posted by plague
actually number 10 is about the sabath day and keeping it holy........
Originally posted by kalki
I have few books by Dr. Edmond Bordeaux Szekely, who translated information on the Essenes from manuscripts in the Library of the Vatican, the Library of the Hapsburgs in Vienna and the Library of the British Museum starting in 1927. No bible mention the Ancient Essenes.. 200 BC to 67 AD, even if Jesus was part of that communiity.
Originally posted by spamandham
Originally posted by Graystar
Let me leave you with this question: Ever wonder why so many atheist are so concerned with debunking Jesus more than any other Historical figure?
I'm glad to hear that hope rescued you, but the answer to the question you ask should be obvious. Yours is the dominant religion in the west, and is intrusive in the lives of those who don't share it.
If Christians just kept their religion private, few would care about whether or not there was a historical Jesus, or who he was. But they don't.
Blue laws are still on the books, evangelicals keep trying to sneak prayer and religion into the public schools and plaster the 10 commandments all over public buildings. Drugs are illegal for religious reasons, as is prostitution, gambling, etc. Christians try to pass laws to regulate what adults do in their bedrooms, or to limit the legal rights of nontraditional relationships.
Not to mention that the US is at war right now probably because of Bush's religious delusions.
Originally posted by JSquared
spamandham - I agree with some of the things you argue, however I beleive it is absurd to say that religion plays the dominant role against drugs, prostitution, gambling, etc. It all goes back to the good/evil debate really.
Originally posted by JSquared
Prostitution: I agree that religion may play a minor role, but think about this. In some countries, women are kidnapped and forced into prostitution. Would you want your mother/sister/wife to go through that ordeal? That is why prostitution is illegal.
...
Prostitution does exist legally in some states.
Originally posted by JSquared
You may not like Christianity, or any religion for that matter, but that doesn't mean it is a bad thing. Live and let live.
Originally posted by JSquared
Just because you don't think something is right in your eyes, it doesn't mean you can force your opinion on someone else.
Originally posted by JSquared
As far as the war in Iraq being religious, it very well may be fueled by that. At least, that is what "they" want you to believe. Deny Ignorance......
WTF? Who's talking about forcing opinions on people? Certainly not I. Do you really consider public discussion to be a form of coersion?
Originally posted by plague
.....as for as drugs ,gambaling, and prostitution ..these are things that i believe are moraly degrading.......and by openly inviting these things into a society your are unleashing an evil far greater than the devil or any other evil religious deity........
Originally posted by madnessinmysoul
that right up there ^ is a great point. whenever someone finds out i'm a buddhist they react in one of three ways:
1) they think i'm kidding.
2) they get defensive and ask me why i turned away from god.
3) they laugh at me for making a "bad choice which i'll laugh at in the future"
well there is
4) particularly open minded people ask me about buddhism because they don't understand it well enough to talk about it.
Originally posted by apocalypta
Guess what!? No evil has been unleasehed here! In fact, the streets are clean, the public transport runs on time, crime is very low, and poor peole go on vacations!
Originally posted by Conspiracy Theorist
Who is to say that the authors of these books are not corrupt people perpetuating a lie?