Quote:Science then proceeded to point out all the flaws in that system. Oh, and you're wrong anyway, because it wasn't just the christian cultures that developed scientific discoveries. Remember how everyone keeps pointing you to the east? Yeah.
I think you will find the scientific and industrial revolution happened here in the West not the East. You can point to the East all you like but it didn't happen over there. Christianity did incorporate much of the learning from the pagan classical world, Aristotle and Plato and that kind of thing the foundations of the scientific world was a strand that goes all the way back through history into the pre-Christian era. But certainly Christianity isn't "anti-science" it may even be the foundation of modern science. We likely wouldn't have developed scientifically if we thought thunder storms were controlled by Thor or something.
Quote:Oh my, I believe Christ himself might have something to say about that...
Jesus just didn't support oppression of the poor by the wealthy elite and slavery fits snugly into that bracket. I'm sorry about this that's just how he rolled.
Quote:I love the dishonest seeding of the ground, talking about parables. But here's a fairly direct quote from Jesus, where he endorses the beating of slaves, even if they aren't aware of whatever infraction they caused: "The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)
No it's a parable, what he's saying is that if someone like yourself doesn't actually believe in God you will only have a slight chastisement for wayward sinful nature but if you genuinely believe yet willfully ignore it your chastisement will be far greater. If you don't believe and do a little good you will have a small reward and if you believe and do a little good you will get a greater reward from God. Jesus spoke in parables that his audience could understand. In a way you ought to like this because he's saying atheists are ok, they just aren't aware of God.
