(January 27, 2015 at 2:01 pm)SteveII Wrote:(January 27, 2015 at 1:07 pm)Esquilax Wrote: And paying the priests. Don't forget paying the priests, religion is a genius plan to do that too. One might say it's kinda the main thing, is paying the priests, which is much easier to get people to do when you pay lip service to a bunch of things that make them feel good.
Do you really believe that Christianity evolved and continues because of the money? My friends in Africa running a home for disabled children will not be happy you discovered their long game.
Money and power, coupled with ignorance. It's a more complex scenario than the simplistic, one note answer you want me to give, but I do find it conspicuous that so much of the christian literature values tithing and confers so much authority to the priesthood and power structure of the religion.
As to your friends in Africa, that's not even a real response: finding isolated examples of the contra-positive, in the modern day, does not prove that the entirety of christianity from the beginning was a charitable enterprise alone. Maybe try toning down the manipulative language and actually think, for a bit? Because if you can really look at the obscene wealth of the Vatican, the huge salaries that successful preachers pull directly out of the pockets of their congregation, and the merchandising spree that is christian apologetics, and say that there isn't a hugely profitable market in your religion, then you're too far gone to talk to.
Oh, and saying those examples aren't true christians is.... another assertion, not an argument.

"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
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