The Purpose Of Religion

[Rampant.A.I.]

OP has it backwards. The Christian religion asserts the basic human dignity of all, even janitors.

The Christian religion as it is in the bible only asserts the dignity of christians.

The Inquisition was a great example of Christianity asserting human dignity.

[Neo-Scholastic]

All the while you forget about Christians like John Newton, former slave trader, and abolitionist reformers like Wilberforce. Why? Because it doesn't fit your antireligious and bigoted narrative.

[Tobie]

All the while you forget about Christians like John Newton, former slave trader, and abolitionist reformers like Wilberforce. Why? Because it doesn't fit your antireligious and bigoted narrative.

I did not say christians don't care about non-christians, just that the general theme of the bible (Old Testament especially) is that everyone else can go fuck themselves, so before you accuse people of bigotry take some time to actually read what they're saying.

[Faith No More]

All the while you forget about Christians like John Newton, former slave trader, and abolitionist reformers like Wilberforce. Why? Because it doesn't fit your antireligious and bigoted narrative.

No, those examples are ignored because they aren't direct refutations to the absolute claim you made earlier.

But thanks for dodging the point and attempting to change the subject by attacking everyone's character with claims of bias and bigotry. This actually gives us great insight into your own character and just goes to show that Christians won't hesitate to play the persecution card when backed into a corner.

[Esquilax]

All the while you forget about Christians like John Newton, former slave trader, and abolitionist reformers like Wilberforce. Why? Because it doesn't fit your antireligious and bigoted narrative.

Ah, so because you found some people that don't fit our claims, therefore no people fit our claims? Do you even listen to yourself talk?

Look, it's right there, in the bible, for all to see: Matthew 15:23, Jesus explains that he's just there to hang with the Jews, and he refuses to help anyone of another race because "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

The only bigoted narrative here is the bible, and the fact that you are content to merely dodge over that hasn't gone unnoticed.

[Sinbad]

[/quote]

Religion was spawned out of primitive man's fear of the unknown. They didn't know why volcanoes erupted, why earthquakes shook the ground, why there were hurricanes and tornadoes. People way back when had no answers for such awesome sights. So, surely there had to be a god behind them; a punishing god that forced man to guess at why they were being punished. Hence, laws were made. Lawbreakers were killed. Virgins were tossed into volcanoes.
[/quote]

Also through lack of understanding, contitions such as epilepsy were attributed to demon possession. It would appear that certain people still believe this.

[Whateverist]

I agree with those who think the reasons for religion are not to be found among conscious, utilitarian considerations. No one invents religion in order to control the masses, even though once it exists it -like any other human institution- can be co-opted. No one invents religion in order to have a handy explanatory tool for unexplained phenomena, though once it exists it can be put to that purpose. I assume that the reason religion arises has something to do with human nature, but it isn't a deliberate concoction.

[archangle]

Nazism had nothing to do with evolution you should stop drinking.

Ever heard of social Darwinism?

errr ... really?

I would say tor should never talk to people under the age of 25. They may actually buy into his complete ignorance.

[RobbyPants]

Look, it's right there, in the bible, for all to see: Matthew 15:23, Jesus explains that he's just there to hang with the Jews, and he refuses to help anyone of another race because "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

That's only half accurate. He starts that way, then the woman talks him into healing her daughter.

Matthew 15:21-28

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.[a]

Now, I can certainly see a problem as to why Jesus started out only helping one group. I guess the question is: did this woman change Jesus' mind, or was it only a one-time thing?

[Sinbad]

Look, it's right there, in the bible, for all to see: Matthew 15:23, Jesus explains that he's just there to hang with the Jews, and he refuses to help anyone of another race because "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

That's only half accurate. He starts that way, then the woman talks him into healing her daughter.

Matthew 15:21-28

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.[a]

Now, I can certainly see a problem as to why Jesus started out only helping one group. I guess the question is: did this woman change Jesus' mind, or was it only a one-time thing?

Creative writing. The author injected a bit of humanitarianism into the storyline, makes for more of an interesting read.