That is the only use he has for religion. I know that Thou Shalt Not Steal applies to both rich and poor. What should I say to him?
2006-12-30 10:57:40 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I say he is an atheist because he presents himself as one. He is well educated and tolerates his wife's religious beliefs because he says it comforts her. I would like to offer him another "use" for religion.
2006-12-30 11:06:59 · update #1
Nothing you really can say...sounds like he's made his life choices...funny how in hospice care, sooooo many atheists suddenly have 'awakenings'....LOL
2006-12-30 11:01:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ask him what why he came to that conclusion and have him justify it rationally and reasonably. Chances are he won't be able to and it turns out he just picked up a funny saying that he thought had meaning and assumed it to be true. By challenging him on it with reason and compassion you'll force him to rethink his beliefs. Who knows, maybe you'll learn some good reasons why he believes so.
And why does it matter whether he's Atheist or not? The statement "religion keeps the poor from robbing the rich" should be an easy argument to defeat regardless of who says it. Bringing up the fact that he's Atheist is like saying you know a black man who doesn't tip very well. It's derogatory and unnecessary.
2006-12-30 11:03:54 · answer #2 · answered by godlessinaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your moron brother how many rich people are in prison for burglary and robbery. Not a federal pen for white collar crimes, but a plain, old state prison. I would probably be safe in saying that 90% of the population in prison for theft crimes were poor to begin with. So, he's wrong. Religion does NOT keep the poor from robbing the rich.
2006-12-30 11:03:46 · answer #3 · answered by qfrasier 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is right, and quite literally. Back when peasants/ serfs were illiterate, the lords to whom the peasants paid tax money depended on religion and social order to keep them from revolting. The lords themselves had very little power over the serfs other than money (which equated to food, which everyone needs), and so depended on the concept of religion to keep all the poor in line and under power. Peasants could not read the bible and determine what their rights under Christianity were, and services were done in Latin, a language which only the wealthy understood, so by going to church and listening to the services the peasants were no closer to actually researching their own beliefs. They honestly believed a revolt would land them in hell, and so they, for centuries, did nothing.
2006-12-30 11:06:55 · answer #4 · answered by reverenceofme 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He has it pretty much down.
The rich are also encouraged to embrace religion publicly to convince the poor that "their way" to the lord has given them all of their blessing.
And, by the way poor - don't worry about the injustice of your miserable life HERE, the REAL life comes next and if you're really, really good and stay on your knees, it won't be like this.
2006-12-30 11:04:47 · answer #5 · answered by justagirl33552 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say Nothing.===
Robin the Hood only took from the Rich because the poor had no money.
The Bobbies of England were invented to protect the rich from the poor...............and they made the poor pay the wages for the Bobbies!
It is a CRUEL WORLD.
2006-12-30 11:02:37 · answer #6 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope - In Islam all people who have savings above a particular amount MUST pay 2.5% of their income to the poor -its called zakat the 4th pillar of islam - this is the bare minimun -muslims must regularly give charity
and as far as Im aware all religions encourage their followers to give to charity
2006-12-30 11:02:58 · answer #7 · answered by jewish n proud 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that religion also makes the poor accept exploitation and misery pay, by promising justice in the next life. Why do you think governments promote religion?
2006-12-30 11:06:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is real hard to be rich and to follow Jesus. The very nature of Christianity is to be "Little Christ" . I.E. Forsake the world for our home in Heaven. I would just let him know you love Jesus and let him know about your joy of everlasting life with GOD through Jesus finished work on the cross. Just tell him the truth and don't push. He seems smart enough to figure out the real deal.
May the Lord richly bless you.
2006-12-30 11:06:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does religion put shackels on his wrists and hold him from the rich people? Or maybe it sends the rich mans money over to a swill bank account. That's just a silly idea.
2006-12-30 11:01:58 · answer #10 · answered by Your hero until you meet Jesus 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Religion is a way of controlling the masses. That's the only reasons that the monarchs adopted the belief of christianity. It saves them from spending a fortune on protection if everyone is scared out of their witts of hell
2006-12-30 11:01:04 · answer #11 · answered by Ghost Wolf 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋