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Post by Radiant Magnificence Alastair on Nov 21, 2010 8:25:26 GMT -5
"It's important that people recognize that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America, although religious texts can teach good lessons, they also advocate fear, intolerance, hate and ignorance. It's time for all moderate people to stand up against conservative religion's claim on a moral monopoly." Roy Speckhardt  www.considerhumanism.org/vimeo.com/16539810I'm considering changing to humanism now. |
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Post by Maarten on Nov 21, 2010 11:36:33 GMT -5
It's important that people recognize that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America Who cares about mainstream America anyway... |
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Post by dlectronic on Nov 22, 2010 15:10:57 GMT -5
That's just silly. What is mainstream America? Who is this person to presuppose that mainstream America's culture is simply a secular zone? I would say that mainstream America is NOT secular.
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Post by Patrick on Nov 22, 2010 17:47:25 GMT -5
"It's important that people recognize that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America, although religious texts can teach good lessons, they also advocate fear, intolerance, hate and ignorance. It's time for all moderate people to stand up against conservative religion's claim on a moral monopoly." Roy Speckhardt www.considerhumanism.org/vimeo.com/16539810I'm considering changing to humanism now. How is a literal reading of religious text out of touch with mainstream America? Isn't the tolerance for differences of opinion what the US has traditionally prided itself on? We should be proud that Christians, Atheists, Jews, Humanists, Muslims, and almost any other ideology you can think of can share a nation in peace! Onto the next topic: if there is such a thing as morality, then there is a moral monopoly. Either an ideology is right or wrong. In any case, none of them should be silenced. How does the Bible advocate fear, intolerance, hate, and ignorance unless it is read from an ignorant perspective? It's important that people recognize that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America Who cares about mainstream America anyway... Many care about mainstream America. Some people believe that America has done a great deal of good in the World, and want to keep it a viable nation. |
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Post by Maarten on Nov 23, 2010 11:03:19 GMT -5
I would say that mainstream America is NOT secular. I would. Many care about mainstream America. Some people believe that America has done a great deal of good in the World, and want to keep it a viable nation. The world doesn't seem to think so. After WOII everybody loved America because they freed from example my own country from the Nazi occupation, however, since then, the American government has kind of lost its good name.... |
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Post by Patrick on Nov 23, 2010 15:07:16 GMT -5
Many care about mainstream America. Some people believe that America has done a great deal of good in the World, and want to keep it a viable nation. The world doesn't seem to think so. After WOII everybody loved America because they freed from example my own country from the Nazi occupation, however, since then, the American government has kind of lost its good name.... What caused that to happen? The American Government has lost its good name with many of the American people as well, but I think for different reasons. |
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Post by Jeremy on Nov 23, 2010 22:03:41 GMT -5
Humans are evil and fueled by greed. There is no compromise. Trust no one. We are hopeless. Destroy everything. God save us all.
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Post by Patrick on Nov 23, 2010 23:14:32 GMT -5
On the contrary, I believe people can do what's right. Hold the United States up to North Korea, and we're not too shabby! Some humans are evil and some are good; it's all a matter of choice and values. Decency (not perfection) is not out of reach for most people. It just takes commitment and practice.
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Post by Radiant Magnificence Alastair on Nov 24, 2010 6:00:47 GMT -5
Why is US better than North Korea?
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Post by Maarten on Nov 24, 2010 11:25:47 GMT -5
'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' anyone?? One of the most basic messages of Christianity is that humans are unable to do good by themselves and therefore need God. What caused that to happen? Well, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan to give a few examples. The USA has probably caused more victims than North Korea. |
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Post by Radiant Magnificence Alastair on Nov 24, 2010 18:47:05 GMT -5
Isn't it better to be in suffering for a Christian?
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Post by Jeremy on Nov 24, 2010 19:25:41 GMT -5
It's all about the sour and the sweet. Without the sour, the sweet wouldn't be as sweet.
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Post by Patrick on Nov 24, 2010 20:09:27 GMT -5
'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' anyone?? One of the most basic messages of Christianity is that humans are unable to do good by themselves and therefore need God. What caused that to happen? Well, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan to give a few examples. The USA has probably caused more victims than North Korea. Maarten, that scripture doesn't mean people can't do good. It means that no one can meet Christ's perfect standard without Jesus' help. Even though America has not attained to that standard, it has done a great deal of good compared to North Korea, and a great deal less evil. Why is US better than North Korea? For one, the North Korean government starves, slaughters, and tortures its people. Merge the evils of Communist Russia and those of the Nazis (give or take a little), and you have North Korea. That's why America is a better Nation than it. |
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Post by Patrick on Nov 24, 2010 23:27:00 GMT -5
But it sounds like the NK people suffer more, which is better for Christians because persecution is ideal for becoming a greater Christian. So I'd say North Korea is a better country. It means that no one can meet Christ's perfect standard without Jesus' help. Even though America has not attained to that standard, it has done a great deal of good compared to North Korea, and a great deal less evil. How do you know? I bet there's less people in North Korea commiting adultery, less sexual immorality etc. North Korea's government may seem more evil, but that doesn't mean the country itself is more evil than America. I'm just trying to be intuitive and practical with the way I view the world, and especially the way I use my faith to interpret it. Where did you get this idea that suffering is better for Christians? And what about non-Christians? What kind of a god would want people to cause others misery, and give them hell on Earth? What happened to charity, kindness, freedom, and fighting to liberate others? You cannot compare sexual immorality with tormenting fellow humans. The idea is absurd. And if that's how you interpret Christianity, I reject your view! You should have compassion for your fellow man who's suffering, and seek to stop those who cause it! What kind of twisted ideas would cause you to think that North Korea is better than America? If you think so, you should move there, and tell us how suffering under your "dear leader" has helped you. |
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Post by Maarten on Nov 25, 2010 10:02:49 GMT -5
Maarten, that scripture doesn't mean people can't do good. It means that no one can meet Christ's perfect standard without Jesus' help. Even though America has not attained to that standard, it has done a great deal of good compared to North Korea, and a great deal less evil. If you're not convinced, I'll give you some more scriptures. "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isa 64:6) "The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good,
not even one." (Psalm 14:2-3) For one, the North Korean government starves, slaughters, and tortures its people. Merge the evils of Communist Russia and those of the Nazis (give or take a little), and you have North Korea. That's why America is a better Nation than it. As I've stated before, America has probably caused more victims than North Korea. |
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