RE: The use of Religion to control, manipulate, and gain power
September 21, 2014 at 11:35 am
(This post was last modified: September 21, 2014 at 11:37 am by The Grand Nudger.)
I thought we've been down this road before. No one brought the pitchforks. No one even noticed. Remember, the romans didn't realize that they were dealing with christians (in the minor dealings that they -did- demonstrably have with them), they thought they were jews, or simply atheists. It isn;t until the christians assumed positions of power in the state that the pitchforks really build up steam - especially with regards to persecuting "other" christian sects and christians. Perhaps that's not the story that christianity likes to tell about itself (and clearly lengths have been gone to in order to distance themselves from this sordid affair), but it -is- the story that history tells us about christianity.
I can understand your position on books like the god delusion. A book is wonderful and all - sometimes they can be fairly comprehensive - but since you never really know what bit of minutiae arcanum is propping up any given persons view of faith (theirs or another's) it's unlikely that a general book for a general audience will ever assault that pillbox. That's where an interactive medium like our forums really shines
I can understand your position on books like the god delusion. A book is wonderful and all - sometimes they can be fairly comprehensive - but since you never really know what bit of minutiae arcanum is propping up any given persons view of faith (theirs or another's) it's unlikely that a general book for a general audience will ever assault that pillbox. That's where an interactive medium like our forums really shines
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
