Is Christianity the best of the worst?

[benhur]

I know that all religions are based on blind faith, divide humanity etc. etc. But since it's foolhardy to expect 6b people to drop their beliefs all at once, wouldn't it be more prudent to distinguish between good and evil beliefs? In view of this, we can consider all religions and see that they haven't helped humanity a bit. Judaism is tribal, Islam too aggressive, Buddhism mystical and vague, and Hinduism racist to the core (due to caste and all that). These religions have been the most dangerous, whereas other 'less dangerous' cults like taoism, zen etc. encourage sloth, inaction, and indolence.

Christianity seems to be the only rational and peaceful of the lot. The excesses that occurred (like inquisitions, crusades) were all political in nature and have happened in every other culture, country, and religion; so, it's nothing peculiar. As to christianity and its pro-life stance, homophobia and all that, it's not like the founder advocated these things. Just like Islam is being used an excuse by the fundamentalists, bigots use Jesus' words to oppress people. So the religion itself cannot be faulted.

As to the good things, at least Christianity unlike other religions encourage charity, sharing, non-violence, forgiveness (contrast this with Judaism) etc. etc. It's against war and poverty (unlike Islam), believes in equality and justice (unlike Hinduism which believes a person must suffer his karma), and it's quite practical in that it doesn't reject the world (like Buddhists who're indifferent to the world's suffering). Put simply, it lets good qualities flower in an individual. So in a way, it prepares people for communism, because communism also requires good people to make it function.

To sum it up, this isn't a defense of Christianity. I am just wondering whether leftists are being too harsh on Christianity, when it might well be true that this religion might've contributed more than we think. Not perfect, but far better than cruel religions that believe in caste, jihad etc., and much more compatible with communism due to concepts like equitable distribution of wealth, justice for all, dignity of labor, collectivization and all that.

[Plagueround]

Are you fucking kidding? (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/long.html)

It sounds to me like you've taken the "western propaganda" versions of these religions too seriously. Each one is more complex than you've outlined here, and, while I agree with none of them, to try and ignore all the horrible things about christianity while focusing on the negatives is dishonest and chauvinistic.

[Devrim]

This is quite an unbelievable post though if it could have come from anybody it almost had to come from this poster.

It shows a deep ignorance of other religions, just to show one example:


As to the good things, at least Christianity unlike other religions encourage charity,

Actually 'alms' is a religious obligation for Muslims.

In my opinion, Christianity is a disgusting creed that hates women and sex. I don't think that the crusades are excesses of the past, and I think that Christianity plays its role in the anti-Islam propaganda, which is used to justify the modern days attacks on the Middle East. As in his own minuscule way does this poster.

Devrim

[berlitz23]

It is unnecessary to compare religions and to elevate one over the other on the basis that their principles morals and values they espouse are greater in purpose or meaning in contrast to the others. Christianity is neither the worse nor the best, it is simply absurd to characterize a religion superior to another on your criteria it is analgalous to asking what is the best philosopher? It is another ridiculous question. So to answer your question, Many can reluctantly concede that Christianity has offered invaluable service to those who are disenchanted and disconcerted and looking for a reaffirmation, an ostensible and pseudo-purpose that they will cling on to hopefully establish and imbue them with a restored optimism. Yet, like many religions it has become a detrimental and dynamic force that has ultimately become internecine and stifled the growth by hundreds of years of what we perceive as a "rational and secular man" that we have gradually evolved into and embody today(Save for the denominations). All religion has become distorted, twisted, jaundiced and hijacked to various degrees especially Christianity, and I see what your are implying, yet organized religion has still become an obstacle, a barrier, that has engendered innumerable circumstances that blight the hope for man to become a united and uniform entity.

[MarxSchmarx]

I know that all religions are based on blind faith, divide humanity etc. etc. But since it's foolhardy to expect 6b people to drop their beliefs all at once, wouldn't it be more prudent to distinguish between good and evil beliefs? In view of this, we can consider all religions and see that they haven't helped humanity a bit. Judaism is tribal, Islam too aggressive, Buddhism mystical and vague, and Hinduism racist to the core (due to caste and all that). These religions have been the most dangerous, whereas other 'less dangerous' cults like taoism, zen etc. encourage sloth, inaction, and indolence.

Christianity seems to be the only rational and peaceful of the lot. The excesses that occurred (like inquisitions, crusades) were all political in nature and have happened in every other culture, country, and religion; so, it's nothing peculiar. As to christianity and its pro-life stance, homophobia and all that, it's not like the founder advocated these things. Just like Islam is being used an excuse by the fundamentalists, bigots use Jesus' words to oppress people. So the religion itself cannot be faulted.

As to the good things, at least Christianity unlike other religions encourage charity, sharing, non-violence, forgiveness (contrast this with Judaism) etc. etc. It's against war and poverty (unlike Islam), believes in equality and justice (unlike Hinduism which believes a person must suffer his karma), and it's quite practical in that it doesn't reject the world (like Buddhists who're indifferent to the world's suffering). Put simply, it lets good qualities flower in an individual. So in a way, it prepares people for communism, because communism also requires good people to make it function.

To sum it up, this isn't a defense of Christianity. I am just wondering whether leftists are being too harsh on Christianity, when it might well be true that this religion might've contributed more than we think. Not perfect, but far better than cruel religions that believe in caste, jihad etc., and much more compatible with communism due to concepts like equitable distribution of wealth, justice for all, dignity of labor, collectivization and all that.You, sir, are an idiot.

I began by outlining the factual errors in your post, your logical inconsistencies even if one were to accept your erroneous premises as given, etc...

But I grew tired of this. Suffice it to say that I suspect you are trying to troll.

Because the only half-sensible conclusion one draws from your post is that you see militant Christianity, especially of the zealous and intolerant kind, as even at all desirable for leftists.

And that, sir, is why you are an idiot.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3329780877_5c5ddded87_o.jpg

Christianity is actually one of the worst religions. In addition to having a cosmic-scale sadistically cruel tyrant for a god, it has with it the revolting idea that everyone is a piece of shit (ie, inherently sinful) and that only God can forgive you for as sin you didn't commit in the first place.

Plus there's the ridiculous idea that "Christ died for our sins". The problem with this is twofold:

1) If Jesus was divine (ie the actual Son of God, or God Himself) then the sacrifice was pointless since he rose up again anyway.

2) If Jesus was simply a man, divinely guided or otherwise, his sacrifice was also pointless since it didn't actually change anything.

[Dimentio]

I know that all religions are based on blind faith, divide humanity etc. etc. But since it's foolhardy to expect 6b people to drop their beliefs all at once, wouldn't it be more prudent to distinguish between good and evil beliefs? In view of this, we can consider all religions and see that they haven't helped humanity a bit. Judaism is tribal, Islam too aggressive, Buddhism mystical and vague, and Hinduism racist to the core (due to caste and all that). These religions have been the most dangerous, whereas other 'less dangerous' cults like taoism, zen etc. encourage sloth, inaction, and indolence.

Christianity seems to be the only rational and peaceful of the lot. The excesses that occurred (like inquisitions, crusades) were all political in nature and have happened in every other culture, country, and religion; so, it's nothing peculiar. As to christianity and its pro-life stance, homophobia and all that, it's not like the founder advocated these things. Just like Islam is being used an excuse by the fundamentalists, bigots use Jesus' words to oppress people. So the religion itself cannot be faulted.

As to the good things, at least Christianity unlike other religions encourage charity, sharing, non-violence, forgiveness (contrast this with Judaism) etc. etc. It's against war and poverty (unlike Islam), believes in equality and justice (unlike Hinduism which believes a person must suffer his karma), and it's quite practical in that it doesn't reject the world (like Buddhists who're indifferent to the world's suffering). Put simply, it lets good qualities flower in an individual. So in a way, it prepares people for communism, because communism also requires good people to make it function.

To sum it up, this isn't a defense of Christianity. I am just wondering whether leftists are being too harsh on Christianity, when it might well be true that this religion might've contributed more than we think. Not perfect, but far better than cruel religions that believe in caste, jihad etc., and much more compatible with communism due to concepts like equitable distribution of wealth, justice for all, dignity of labor, collectivization and all that.

Think you should look up Buddhism instead. It is the best of the worst, definetly, at least since buddhists don't claim Buddha is God and that you must worship him or burn for all eternity.

[Sasha]

:scared: i think i'll just leave this here, it seems apropiate for some reason...


Brazilian Catholic Church contests abortion for raped 9-year-old

04/ 03/ 2009

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 4 (RIA Novosti) - Brazil's Catholic Church has spoken out against plans for an abortion for a nine-year-old girl who was raped by her stepfather, national media reported citing church representatives.
After the girl from the northeastern state of Pernambuco complained of stomach pains, a medical examination showed she was in the 16th week of pregnancy, and was carrying twins. Police say the girl had been routinely raped by her stepfather since the age of six.
Medics say the girl's life could be in danger if she gives birth, but Catholic priests have threatened to go to court to prevent an abortion, the reports said.
"We recognize the 'unjust' nature of this pregnancy, but we have to save lives," local Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho told journalists.
Brazilian laws ban abortions, but make an exception when there is a threat to the life or health of a mother.

[Picky Bugger]

1) If Jesus was divine (ie the actual Son of God, or God Himself) then the sacrifice was pointless since he rose up again anyway.

2) If Jesus was simply a man, divinely guided or otherwise, his sacrifice was also pointless since it didn't actually change anything.

This brings up the point of the arrogance within the Bible if not Jesus himself in that there is a misguided notion that Jesus had the right to "die for our sins." For one how could my sins be removed by the forgiveness of Jesus is it not for the person who I have sinned against to forgive me. This notion of dying for our sins is appalling and manipulative.

Christianity is the worst of the worst not vice versa and this post is massively uneducated and ignorant...