WHere would be science, medicine, space, food industry, engineering, literature, movies/entertainment.
NOTHING would exist, we would still be in the dark ages, because all of these things would be considered to be sin.
I don't understand how Christianity thinks it can win people over by introducing concepts like heaven/hell, and a judgemental/fearful god.
If anything, christianity is scary.
Yes, the world has sin and evil, and we need answers and something needs to be done,
but is extremism with religions like Christianity the answer?
DENY yourself?
Oh, so let me give up my personality completely, say no to going to the beach to have some fun, say no to career, shopping, fashion, fun, and give it all up for God, because this life is worthless and hes all that matters?
THIS LIFE is the only physical experience we've GOT!
And this "GOD" is trying to take that away from us, and make us worship HIM.
If that isn't scary, I don't know WHAT is.
2007-07-23 05:08:14 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a God believer, but I absolutely under no circumstances am a blind sheep who is going to do it all by the bible or according to what some "Preacher" tells me to do.
Why should I let some stranger influence me?
We have to pay bills, work, we have to lead life, and I'm not going to waste all my effforts on some ....religion.
I am a good person by no means the wicked "sinner" type, and I don't think I need to become a total "nun" in order to be "saved."
And you know what, this form of extremism isnt healthy whatsoever!
Look at the muslims, they're convinced they're right too!
So are the christians!
You know what that means when they clash?
That means, war. war war war. Both sides are convinced they're not right.
Is this the answer?
SHAME on both christianity, muslims, and all other religions who are so strict, and have "created" such a vengeful, disguisting God, that is NOT loving.
You guys FEAR everything.
It's disgusiting, and disturbing.
2007-07-23 05:11:06 · update #1
Wow, what kind of Christians have YOU come into contact with?
I am a Christian. I still have fun, most people say that my personality hasn't changed since I became a Christian (except I'm less abrasive and argumentative), I see nothing wrong with working and making money (though I think God and family should come first), I LOVE to shop, I LOVE clothes, and truthfully...I haven't given anything up for God that wasn't bad for me anyway.
No, society would not stall. The Roman Empire was one of the most advanced civilizations of its time. Even now, they're considered advanced. The Mesopotamian, and Persian, and Greek empires were ALSO very advanced. Their ideas on government, sanitation, philosophy, medicine, science, and military are the foundations for what we use today!
I am all for scientific research, medicine, space, engineering, architecture, literature, and so on. Most Christians are like me!
Ignore the extremists. Most of us are quite moderate. I mean, I haven't burned a book or spat on anyone all week! J/K. I have never and would never do that.
God isn't trying to take anything away from anybody. And we don't HAVE to worship Him. However, when it hits a person just how incredible He truly is (after they've started believing that He exists), we WANT to worship Him. I don't HAVE to go to church. I WANT to. I don't HAVE to read the Bible. I WANT to.
It seems to me that you're quite misled about what Christianity is, and what it means. If you have questions, feel free to email me. I promise I won't try to convert you. I already got my car for converting 100 people anyway. Ha ha.
2007-07-23 05:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all the "dark ages" are a myth, borne out of black legend. The middle ages were a wonderful period for mankind, considering the recent collapse of the Roman Empire.
Science, medicine, space, food industry, engineering, literature, movies/entertainment, would be considered a sin? Please! Can you show me one document from the Church of the Middle Ages condemning any of these things? Paper, bound books, and the printing press are just a few inventions to come out of the Middle Ages, inventions the Church smiled upon. What about Beowulf, and the Canterbury Tales--delightful works of fine British literature, never condemned by the Church.
Other than maybe the "food industry"--depending on what you mean--nothing you listed above is intrinsically against Christian teaching. But seeing the level of obesity in this country, I'd be hard pressed to call that particular "advancement" a good thing.
The fact is, progress must always be progress towards something--an ideal. If you disagree with the ideal a society is progressing towards, that doesn't mean there's not progress. You just don't like the direction it's taking. Right now we are not progressing--we're wavering back and forth. You know why? There is no ideal--no dogma--that everyone can agree to progress towards!
2007-07-23 12:21:22 · answer #2 · answered by delsydebothom 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In very many ways, the greeks had technology that 100 years ago would have been seen as advanced. The antikthyria (sp?) alone is the oldest known computer, and had abilities even still only being rediscovered in the device... it was able to predict retrograde planetary motion, and the only way to do so is to recognize the orbital nature of the solar system.
The very first vending machine was a holy water dispenser used in the various temples.
They had developed democratic and republic systems of government to equal or rival the original federalist republic style of government first forged by the founding fathers of the USA.
Rome had managed to maintain a great deal of that technological advancement. There are Roman aqueducts and Roman roads still in use today. They had built a Colleseum so large it rivals some even today, and could be filled with water deep enough for naval battles.
Then Christianity comes along... and for nearly a millenium, knowledge is intentionally crushed, stomped, destroyed... "God-Chosen" monarchies replace republics and democracies... Western Civilization, in short, gets a huge boot to the bollocks.
Stall?
We'd go culturally retrograde.
2007-07-23 12:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your mind is polluted with anger and ignorance. Before you start touting your own goodness which makes it unnecessary for you to be a nun you need to see what you really are - a sinner just like everyone else.
The Bible says that your righteousness in the sight of God is filthy rags, your heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and that there is not one righteous human being on the face of the earth.
It is the holier than thou, arrogant people like you that cause dissension more so than religious differences. You come on with your accusations as if you were God Himself!
You are what is scary. You are the person who will one day persecute and kill others because you are intolerant and bigoted. You are the one who is EXTREME IN YOUR BELIEFS AND REJECTING THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOUR VIEW TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE EXCLUSION.
Take a look in the mirror - you might be surprised to see who is really behind that mask you are wearing.
2007-07-23 12:20:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
what's scary is to think this is all there is :-) Christianity is not the only religion, you really mean all religions have slowed mankind's growth. But seriously, as flawed as religions are, they provide some semblance of conscience of which I believe there would be a lot LESS without the teachings that religion bring. As far as the dark ages, I hate to tell you but these still ARE the dark ages. War, vanity, exploitation, overflowing prisons, glut and starvation. Sounds pretty dark to me. Go ahead, give me a thumbs down, but you're limiting yourself by just choosing the safe level of knowledge, science.
2007-07-23 12:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by Jameskan Video 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
the only thing that's scary is your ability to attack a strawman.
Since when is having a personality a sin?
You do know that the Vatican just approved the building of a huge observatory right?
Christians don't fear everything.
You built a strawman, then said it was an extremeist, and wrong. In which case you're right. The character you presented was in trouble and messed up. But christians aren't like that.
lost(dot)eu/21618
replace (dot) with .
2007-07-23 12:23:03 · answer #6 · answered by Quailman 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Of course not! God or not, we will have medicine. God wants us to use the brains He gave us. He never tells us not to study our environment or space. People would continue to write and make movies and people would watch them. Why do you say that they wouldn't? Mankind would progress, but we would all know that this life's main purpose is preparing for the next. We are allowed to have fun while we're here. Without God, you would not be here to experience this physical world. Have good clean fun. There's nothing wrong with that. Your words hurt God.
2007-07-23 12:21:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You seem have put yourself into fiction. You don't seem to know what the Bible says at all. There is nothing that says advancing in science is wrong.
But I have found a place in the Bible that says reading fiction is wrong. You would be best to get out of your fiction mind and got to using facts. Like the Bible requires and science uses.
2007-07-23 12:21:30 · answer #8 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
http://www.adherents.com/people/100_scientists.html
List of scientists and their religious affiliations.
My faith is not in need of defense or explanation to you. I am strong in the knowledge of who I am in the Family of G-d. I am sorry you are having a hard time reconciling your wants for this life and its 'enjoyments' with the needs of your spiritual life. I also know that G-d is not in need of defense either, He is strong enough to withstand any and all attacks. Only the weak will attempt to 'defend' their beliefs and faith.
I will leave you with this last message: No, matter how you feel about G-d or His followers (members of His Family), He and they will always love you unconditionally. You are in my thoughts and prayers. :)
2007-07-23 13:15:50 · answer #9 · answered by yahweh_is_the_lord 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it would stall completely, but it would probably be severely slowed down. It sort of depends on exactly how much everyone buys into it and who they listen to once they do.
As for winning people over with heaven and hell...
I think most christians decide to believe in their religion because it makes them feel important and good about themselves.
They are very hung up on ideas such as:
- God loves them personally
- God was willing to die for them personally
-They will go to heaven when they die
-They are the children of God
-God personally listens to all their prayers
-God has a "wonderful" plan for their life
Basically, for people that are able to swallow this type of thing, its a big ego boost. Its also comforts them and makes them believe they have knowledge in regards to a number of areas that they would otherwise be complete unsure of, (such as death, meaning of life, etc).
Everybody wants some reason to feel good about themselves. For people that don't have many real reasons to feel good about themselves, they can grab onto these religious beliefs.
As long as they are willing to play along, and not give much serious thought to their religion, they will be able to feel important and special, despite the fact that there is nothing especially important or special about them.
2007-07-23 12:26:13 · answer #10 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋