Sounds like a lot of “requirements” and work to do for something that is supposed to be a gift according to you. He can keep his gift and all the strings he’s attached to it. I’ll just live a good life because I’m not a shit person. If that guarantees me eternal damnation because I don’t kiss the ring then I don’t think I would’ve had much fun by his side for eternity anyway. He sounds like a dick.
You realize you’re up against the tried and true no true Scotsman defense, right? You can point out the fallacy. You can present facts and logical arguments. Nothing penetrates the “you’re talking about a few bad apples” argument.
The part I always enjoy is to put any two Christians in a room together and watch them argue until the end of time which of them is the true Christian with the correct interpretation of the infallible word of God from their book. Even as a child I thought an omnipotent God should’ve provided a much clearer instruction manual. But of course, that gets the “he works in mysterious ways” defense.
Yeah, that will be my last reply to that person. Sometimes I can’t help but try to reintroduce some critical thinking back into these peoples’ brains. Unfortunately religious indoctrination since birth is a pretty thick brick wall to break through. It’s sad
To the since birth part, I was raised in a particularly fundamentalist cult/sect/denomination (hint: two high school classmates died in Waco) and attended their schools from first grade through high school.
I graduated some thirty four years ago.
Looking at classmates today in our fifties, the delineation is interesting. All of us either completely abandoned religion to the point of hostility toward it or became zealous adherents to it. Very little middle ground.
Being told you’ll never measure up to God’s expectations all your life but he loves you if you try really hard is basically the same as being in an emotionally abusive relationship.
It will give meaning, purpose and structure to your life
The meaning of life is what you make it. I don’t need God to give me purpose.
provide an instant community
I was raised catholic and this is a valid point. The issue is it’s a community gathered around harmful ideas.
As for the rest, the placebo effect is scientifically proven to work. I have absolutely no doubt that believing in a higher power helps you beat addiction, etc. I don’t think that justifies the harm organized religion has caused, particularly recently. Does God want to force 10 year olds to give birth? Because that’s what’s happening in his name.
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Sounds like a lot of “requirements” and work to do for something that is supposed to be a gift according to you. He can keep his gift and all the strings he’s attached to it. I’ll just live a good life because I’m not a shit person. If that guarantees me eternal damnation because I don’t kiss the ring then I don’t think I would’ve had much fun by his side for eternity anyway. He sounds like a dick.
You realize you’re up against the tried and true no true Scotsman defense, right? You can point out the fallacy. You can present facts and logical arguments. Nothing penetrates the “you’re talking about a few bad apples” argument.
The part I always enjoy is to put any two Christians in a room together and watch them argue until the end of time which of them is the true Christian with the correct interpretation of the infallible word of God from their book. Even as a child I thought an omnipotent God should’ve provided a much clearer instruction manual. But of course, that gets the “he works in mysterious ways” defense.
Yeah, that will be my last reply to that person. Sometimes I can’t help but try to reintroduce some critical thinking back into these peoples’ brains. Unfortunately religious indoctrination since birth is a pretty thick brick wall to break through. It’s sad
To the since birth part, I was raised in a particularly fundamentalist cult/sect/denomination (hint: two high school classmates died in Waco) and attended their schools from first grade through high school.
I graduated some thirty four years ago.
Looking at classmates today in our fifties, the delineation is interesting. All of us either completely abandoned religion to the point of hostility toward it or became zealous adherents to it. Very little middle ground.
Being told you’ll never measure up to God’s expectations all your life but he loves you if you try really hard is basically the same as being in an emotionally abusive relationship.
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The meaning of life is what you make it. I don’t need God to give me purpose.
I was raised catholic and this is a valid point. The issue is it’s a community gathered around harmful ideas.
As for the rest, the placebo effect is scientifically proven to work. I have absolutely no doubt that believing in a higher power helps you beat addiction, etc. I don’t think that justifies the harm organized religion has caused, particularly recently. Does God want to force 10 year olds to give birth? Because that’s what’s happening in his name.
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