Knyx said:Should just combine Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. They're all the same thing anyway.
I sure hope no Klan members read that.
Knyx said:Should just combine Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. They're all the same thing anyway.
Yes, that is funny, since that means that both 19th century Western theologians and the Shinto priesthood were wrong.cckerberos said:Humorously, one of the few things that 19th Century Western theologians and the Shinto priesthood agreed on was that Shinto was not a religion.
Psyringe said:There must be some relevance of this for Civ ... there must be. This thread is in the general forum, after all, it would have been moved to off-topic otherwise. So there MUST be some relevance ... *continues searching*
Wlauzone said:Who is "everyone"????
GreenMonkey said:Calling Confucianism a religion is a stretch. Confucious himself avoided talk of the supernatural and the greater nature of the universe. Confucianism is more like the idea of Democracy...
Knyx said:Should just combine Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. They're all the same thing anyway.
This is such an oversimplification that it's funny. Mind you, unlike some other folks, I thought your personal definition of religion was fairly astute, but the idea that "god = religion" is pretty absurd. Ultimate reality need not come in the form of "God." Similarly, I don't think that believing in a higher power necessarily makes someone a religious person -- practices are an imporant part of any religious tradition. But I understand the sentiment behind your words, even if the content makes me chuckle. You want to rule out non-religious ideologies such as Communism -- which is necessary when having any meaningful discussion about religion, because otherwise things like golf become a religion. And I think that defining stepping onto the green as an encounter with ultimate reality is a BIG stretch.maxpublic said:Got god? Then you're a religion. Don't? Then you aren't.
Tearin said:LOL
I am really not sure where you get the idea that Christianity encourages slavery. Jesus came to set people free. He makes a point of it over and over again as he reached out to the poor and enslaved. He made it a point to say that all people were equal before God.
warpus said:"And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money [property]." (Exodus 21:20-21)
This is the most powerful arguement in this post. The people they were attacking were detractors of the Christian God. Jewish God at the time. The Jews were descendants of Abraham whom God had a promise to hold himself to. These other men would spit on God's face and had for many years worshipping their own faiths. It states that they are to first go to the city ask for peace, if they accepted the people that accpeted would do forced labor (slavery) to pay for their actions against God. However, they did not and that in this situation they were to kill every man and take the children, women, and all that is in the city as a reward."But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself" (Deuteronomy 20:14)
This is just basic humbleness. Put your faith in God that He is aware of your life and it still has a purpose. We will all no doubt in our lives have people higher than us. Just not as extreme of a case."Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ." (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)
The only way the Bible can be used as a moral compass is if you ignore the parts that you don't like.. which is exactly what people do. So no, isn't that clear on what is right and what is wrong.
What a silly thing to say. Haven't we already established that religions don't necessarily have gods? Why is no one making similar complaints about Buddhism?although I do follow confucian morals, I can't consider it a religion, simply becuase it doesn't have any deities
King Flevance said:This was meant more as to the times.
Tearin said:I have never heard so many misconceptions about Christianity!
Read the bible. It is VERY clear (for the most part) what is right and wrong. contains countless examples on how you should live your life. Ever read the 10 commandments?
karadoc said:What a silly thing to say. Haven't we already established that religions don't necessarily have gods? Why is no one making similar complaints about Buddhism?
Agreed but I have to do 2 things first in response in the concerns of my original post. Also I definetly agree things are not crystal clear in the bible. People study it their whole lives because of this.In any case, this is getting way off topic, so I suggest we end it right here.
The bible addresses morality and righteousness that is a teaching not bound to any time, and also a teaching proven in contrast to the time it was written.warpus said:Exactly. The Bible was written by people thousands of years ago, and so the ideas contained within the Bible as to what exactly is right and wrong relate to human society in the middle east at that time.
True. the Bible addresses these people also.When people interpret the Bible today, they leave certain things out, for various reasons, and focus on others.
True enough for me.If you really wanted to, you could use direct quotes from the Bible to show that slavery is alright, for example, just as I did. Most Christians, as you pointed out (and I was hoping somebody would) ignore those quotes because they understand that the Bible is an old book and that certain quotes contained within do not apply to society today. However, who is to say which verses are applicable to today and which ones aren't? It's all very objective.. ie. not clear at all.