Why does religion (I know I know some religions) teach that we are bits of crap?

Question

I saw a question basically saying instead of arguing and fretting about which god has the bigger d*** we should simply be good to each other, be productive and try to help your brother.
This religous fellow comes along and says,"Its selfish, we should be serving god!" Do we as a species just have a giant inferiority complex? We simply arent worthy of existence unless it is to serve?

I try... but I just dont get you people.

No, were not. We all have our moments, rest assured I have mine but... no I sincerely believe that even fundementalists are capable of altruistic moments.

How am I the one being the hater here?

Maurice- wow! Im really sad for you. I hope one day you find value in YOURSELF.

RB- uh huh talk to your self loather there.

Arnon- did you even read the question?
I said BE GOOD TO YOUR BROTHER AND HELP ONE ANOTHER. How is that so horrible for you people? THATS WHAT CHRIST TAUGHT?! Or havent you read your book?

I am getting better. All that and I didnt call one of you a tool...

Answer 1

I suppose it is a little like the approach used by some military organizations. They tear down the individual's sense of individual identity and self-worth before they mold the "new man" into a reliably obedient component of the organization.

Answer 2

Judaism doesn't teach this. We don't even HAVE such a concept as Original Sin. We believe that all people are born with pure, holy souls, unblemished in any way. Worthy and righteous, and that it's what we choose to do after we are born, really after we attain the ages of 12 and 13, that either keeps our souls clean and pure, or blemishes them.

If we blemish them, then we go to a place of purifying after we die, and after that, we may reincarnate again. Yes, Judaism believes in reincarnation, not some nasty horrid eternal hellfire place where our loving Creator tortures our souls in glee. UGH!

So, I think you'd need to be a little more specific in your question there, because I think it's really only christianity that teaches that we are born filthy as rags, worthless, and unable to do anything ourselves to remedy the situation.

Yuck.

Why do they teach that? Control. Why else? If you believe there is something THAT wrong with you, and that you can't fix it yourself, why then you'll have to go to those who teach you who CAN fix it and how, right? This will of course involve those who teach it, receiving money, power, property, etc. from those who believe this horrible teaching and come to get it fixed from those who teach it.

Answer 3

It is odd, isn't it, how some faiths set up all these hoops to jump through. Sin, redemption, heaven, hell, whatever. A sort of masochism perhaps.

My take on it (although I don't believe in a 'creator') is that if we were 'made' then surely we weren't made just to fail, to suffer? Why make something imperfect, faulty, and then make it 'atone' for its imperfections? That makes no sense to me.

But not all religions do this. Some even see us as perfect as we are, just unaware of it. Perfect crap even. Since there is really little difference between us, a tree and a pile of poo!

Peace.
.

Answer 4

Maybe you are on to something here.
What would you like? Take it all, give nothin' back and feed the worms on yer way out?
How's that for a self-indulgent, self-centered, ego-maniacal outlook on life.
Would you prefer this?

Answer 5

Christianity teaches we are all special in God's eyes.

Answer 6

That is our main purpose,to serve and prais God;and God cares about us to and likes to see that we have good,holy productice lives.

Answer 7

did someone not love you when you were younger?? ha if so i will love you and you can stop being a hater :)

Answer 8

Well, aren't we?