You seem like you're approaching this in an honest spirit of inquisitiveness, so I'm going to play nice, though I'm also not going to pull my punches. Be warned. 
I'd suggest to you that teaching that everyone in the world is evil is itself something that's terrible about religion, but a quick search through the bible also reveals a persistent devaluing of the nonbeliever over the believer; the fool has said in his heart there is no god, after all. Arrogance may not be explicitly encouraged, but the idea that those who are saved are just plain better than those who are not is well founded within your religion.
Then you haven't been looking hard enough, because I don't take "slaves, obey your masters," to be a moral commandment. But it's there, along with a parable from Jesus himself that endorses the beating of slaves. Combine those with the never-repealed old testament rules for the owning of slaves from the tribes around you, and we've got one hell of an immoral system, right there. Here, take a look.
Actually, a little delve into the rest of the book hints that it's just coveting in general that's forbidden: "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
What kind of evidence are you talking about? Believe me, I've been exposed to plenty, and the thing is, there are counter arguments for everything that I've heard. And whenever I see those counters used, I never then see a christian let go of their faith, or even soften their position. That faith gets its hooks in, even beyond the efficacy of the evidence that put it there.
Skirting Pascal's Wager, there: if any of us are wrong in any direction, based on any religion, we're all missing out. We're all taking the same risk, here.

(November 12, 2013 at 12:43 am)Avodaiah Wrote: 1) Christianity encourages arrogance among its followers.
I agree with you on at least one thing, Esquilax: It is a mistake for a Christian to think of themself as somehow better than a non-Christian. It doesn't turn the world into the Saved and the Evil; we are all equally evil, but being saved means we have a chance to change. It is because of God, not us, so there's no reason for us to be arrogant. If we are, then that's a problem with the Christians themselves, but Christianity in no way supports it.
I'd suggest to you that teaching that everyone in the world is evil is itself something that's terrible about religion, but a quick search through the bible also reveals a persistent devaluing of the nonbeliever over the believer; the fool has said in his heart there is no god, after all. Arrogance may not be explicitly encouraged, but the idea that those who are saved are just plain better than those who are not is well founded within your religion.
Quote:2) Christianity commands us to do evil things.
I've read a lot of the Bible (not its entirety, I'm ashamed to say) but I've not come across one of Jesus's commandments that is truly evil.
Then you haven't been looking hard enough, because I don't take "slaves, obey your masters," to be a moral commandment. But it's there, along with a parable from Jesus himself that endorses the beating of slaves. Combine those with the never-repealed old testament rules for the owning of slaves from the tribes around you, and we've got one hell of an immoral system, right there. Here, take a look.
Quote:Let me use BSB4's examples:
-No coveting.
At first glance, this may seem like an exercise in futility. It commands us to put aside all motivation to build a successful comfortable life and future for ourselves, since we cannot even desire things we don't have.
Except that's not what the commandment is.
The commandment says, Don't covet things that belong to other people. As in, if someone has something you'd like, don't resent them or hate them for it. Be happy for them, because something good happened to them.
Actually, a little delve into the rest of the book hints that it's just coveting in general that's forbidden: "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
Quote:The kind of faith I'm talking about is based on evidence.
What kind of evidence are you talking about? Believe me, I've been exposed to plenty, and the thing is, there are counter arguments for everything that I've heard. And whenever I see those counters used, I never then see a christian let go of their faith, or even soften their position. That faith gets its hooks in, even beyond the efficacy of the evidence that put it there.
Quote: But I would encourage you to keep looking, because whether you believe in God or not, if you're wrong you've missed everything.
Skirting Pascal's Wager, there: if any of us are wrong in any direction, based on any religion, we're all missing out. We're all taking the same risk, here.
"YOU take the hard look in the mirror. You are everything that is wrong with this world. The only thing important to you, is you." - ronedee
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!