Excellent post, now you are coming back to the track.. Yes ofcourse it's men, but then who made the religion? Man made the religion, Man made the ideology, Man asked followers to do whatever he asked for. Religion is nothing, Its just a medium to control a bunch of people. Without men religion can not survive. so in short Men = Religion..
Ah, ha! For those of you who made it past the religious war going on for the last page or so, I will try to get this back on topic. Wicca is a pretty peaceful bunch of folk! I mean, they might accidentally hug a tree too hard but that doesn't count. Now, back to the war, I am sure...
Now THAT is a great response and I agree with you 100% their. Men naturally seek to create conflicts (heck if you want to see it happenin in a faster way give a group of guys some pints of beer who are all of different colors, sizes and races and your sure to witness a fight or at least an argument). Religion is just something people created to control others, and since men created it and its not perfect, it begins to fall apart and conflicts arise. Wicca? I've heard about a group of people hugging trees and loving nature but thats the first time Ive heard the name of that group (or religion). thanks for the info mate! Time to read up on them a bit
I remember there was something about it in the news, I think Bush said it. Something about having personal conversations with God or something. It was a few years ago...
I must say, I'm kind of impressed with your replies and politeness. I thought you usually make very militant replies? Or maybe I have you mixed up with someone else
I like to keep it fresh. Rest assured, I am neither truther nor nixonian. I'm a guerilla, waging war in the dark, without a candle.
Jehovah's Witnesses Over 6,000,000 world wide and in 232 lands. 1) will not vote 2) will not go to war 3) Love all races 4) all 6,000,000 believe in peace and that all humans are equal. Jehovah's Witnesses were the only Germans who died in Germany at the hands of the Nazi's for their beliefs. Why, they would not side with Hitler even though they were blue eyed Germans. JW's would not sign the political card and renounce their faith even though they were Germans. All they had to do was sign for their freedom. 10,000 were incarcerated, and one thousand were murdered. They will not fight, even when their life is at stake. D
Or true religion, the one where all adherents learn to behave in a peaceable manner, refuse to obey man (governments) when this is in conflict with God, refuse to go to war, love their neighbour as themselves. There is one, but it has already been mentioned!(not Buddhism, they finally gave in and some have taken up arms against the Chinese in Tibet). In true religion, NOONE, not any member in any country, no matter what the provocation, would take up arms and take part in a political fight. Members of true religion suffer gaol terms, persecution, torture and whatever hardship the opposing government chooses to place on them rather than go to war. They also have no racial or nationalistic boundaries but put into practice what it says at Acts 10:34 ..." God is not partial, but in EVERY nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him". This also shows that while race, colour, ethnicity or gender are not the factors that make one acceptable to God, there are qualifications.
Says who? There is no rule in the definition of religion that says one cannot defend one's self. Buddhists rank well above Christians for clarity of mind and general peacefulness, and they have every right to take up against their oppressors. Christians have historically taken up against the oppressed - that is the difference.
I agree that those who claim to be Christian have been terrible oppressors over the centuries since Christ's death. The two world wars took place in and amongst so-called Christian nations. Does that not tell you that they are not in fact Christians, but just in name only? It was Jesus who told Peter to put back his sword, that all those who "..take the sword will perish by the sword". We can certainly defend ourselves to stop ourselves being hurt, as in if someone is invading our actual home and family, but not with weapons because to kill someone in that process would mean we become a manslayer, unless it was completely accidental. I assumed though we are referring to political fights here, usually based on either racial, religious or nationalistic grounds, fought by governments to either invade or ward off invaders. It is terrible that we cannot have peace between people, but it shows just how much we cannot solve the problems afflicting the world and why we need God's rulership rather than our own.
A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus is the son of "god" and accepts him as their personal lord and savior. Many people who have committed atrocities in the name of "god" have been Christian to this definition. I'm not going to argue this with you. Christianity is a foolish religion based on absolute foolishness and tainted with the blood of millions. "god's" rule obviously hasn't done anything for mankind, ever. While I'm sure you feel personally righteous and self-served in your belief, the rest of us are working to gain and spread a better understanding of our planet and universe that will help to promote peace through the belief that we are all the same. So long as fools like you run around quoting scripture and threatening eternal damnation, the weak will respond. While I have no doubt that you believe everything you say and that you are well-intentioned, you are still wrong. You can throw quotes and gospel at me until you're blue in the face: I know for a fact that you're wrong. I know where my spirituality comes from and where it resides, and it is not reflected by anything found in your religion. I understand the appeal of a monotheistic god, an afterlife, etc. I just happen to be strong enough to withstand the need to explain away that which I don't understand. To be Christian is to be completely without the potential for humility. So long as you spend your days thinking that you know how the universe works there will be potential for zealots to use your bible to justify war. They believe in themselves as strongly as you do but, again, they are still wrong.
Its better to attack the argument than the person presenting it, that will show that you are a reasonable and interesting person who respects others' viewpoints. It doesn't bother me in the slightest that you think I am a fool, nor that you despise my work and my love for Jehovah, you are not alone!
I certainly don't mean to bother you, I'm simply offering you some truth. And yes, I am well aware that I'm not alone. Considering the insanely small following that JWs have in comparison to other organized religions and those who choose not to subscribe to any such thing, I'm one of billions who think you're wrong
But they still won't leave your front door alone! Since it is established that you Can qualify each denominational branch a separate "religion" then, among the descendants of the Judeo-Christian movement, my personal experiences around and among the Amish were a haven of Peaceful Being. These were around the south-central area of Pennsylvania. While their attitudes may be of smug knowledge of their place in "heaven", they don't need to wage violence, it is true they will remain a non-violent people!
Good day Col. The comment was in reference to the Amish folk who know they will enter paradise. Belief CAN be a wonderful thing when you are growing crops and not blowing things up. It is the same self assurance that keeps the Buddha monks in their blissful state. I have read some of your posts before and know you have stated you are "a believer". However, JW or mormon, you guys won't usually take "no" for an answer until we've had to get somewhat rude to get your teams to stay away. With some JW groups they would wait a few weeks then send a different team to work the block. The door thing was intended as a tongue-in-cheek comment on certain stereotypes. No offense was intended. L8r...
Fair enough. However, what you will find is we are organized in such a way to try and reach everyone in every community. Just because someone says "No thanks" one time does not mean "No thanks" forever. If this were the case, I would not be talking to you today. For the facts, if you or an individual requests specifically that you do not want Witnesses to call on you, you can rest assured they will stay away for at least 12 months. They will attempt to make contact every year or longer because a lot of the times, people move houses and new people move in. There's no way our people will know this if we stay away permanently. To put Witnesses in the same boat is Mormon's is unfair. Their methods of preaching would be very different to ours, I can assure you. In all respects. Our people have got an invitation for all to receive a free education course to learn about the Bible. It's never forced. It's just an invitation. Every householder has the right to refuse. It's just a simple "no thanks" that is required. Regards, Col
I disagree with you. Christianity falls for sure in that category. Luke 6:27-36 [27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you. [32] "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Actually Mormon missionaries stay away if not invited... missionaries are timid. Not rude. You don't have to get rude with them. Just be a nice guy, and we'll all get along better.