Songs Of Praise

[AfricanBluebird]

I've enjoyed reading this thread.

Some excellent points of view and also some good banter.

No one can demonstrate and prove the existence of God. Atheists know that and believers who say they can are lying or deluded.

I don't think that its even a believers job to convince people there's a God.

As someone who does believe in God but sees the absolute insanity of it and also the damage and manipulation of religion, I will probably bring negative response from both camps.

I think that religion has both been a cause of good in the world and also the cause of much hatred, death, abuse and corruption. All can be true.

The holy scripture is full of poetic beauty and also some shockingly absurd things.

I find the conservative evangelicalism in the US absolutely abhorrent. But I also see the kindness, gentleness, wisdom and care of some people of faith inspiring.

At the end of the day it's everyone's right to believe and not to believe... And I think everyone, believer or not, should be on a journey to discover their own beliefs or non-belief and many shades in-between.

The damage is done when people are indoctrinated into certain beliefs that removes critical thinking, logic, care and kindness from the equation. Religion is about controling people.

But someone with a quiet, personal faith that is centred on love and kindness surely is a good thing.

If there is a God, and I believe their is, I think he and his son left the building of religion a long time ago.

[Gofer Blue]

I've enjoyed reading this thread.

Some excellent points of view and also some good banter.

No one can demonstrate and prove the existence of God. Atheists know that and believers who say they can are lying or deluded.

I don't think that its even a believers job to convince people there's a God.

As someone who does believe in God but sees the absolute insanity of it and also the damage and manipulation of religion, I will probably bring negative response from both camps.

I think that religion has both been a cause of good in the world and also the cause of much hatred, death, abuse and corruption. All can be true.

The holy scripture is full of poetic beauty and also some shockingly absurd things.

I find the conservative evangelicalism in the US absolutely abhorrent. But I also see the kindness, gentleness, wisdom and care of some people of faith inspiring.

At the end of the day it's everyone's right to believe and not to believe... And I think everyone, believer or not, should be on a journey to discover their own beliefs or non-belief and many shades in-between.

The damage is done when people are indoctrinated into certain beliefs that removes critical thinking, logic, care and kindness from the equation. Religion is about controling people.

But someone with a quiet, personal faith that is centred on love and kindness surely is a good thing.

If there is a God, and I believe their is, I think he and his son left the building of religion a long time ago.

Thank you African Bluebird, spot on, IMO the best, most balanced post in this thread. Ironically Jesus, (who the OP describes as a 2000 year old myth and dismissed by others as a pure fantasy figure) was anti-organised religion. I think if I was going to create a person (fantasy or otherwise) to initiate or promote a controlling religion, Jesus would not be my first choice! I think he would be embarrassed to see what passes for Christianity in some quarters if he came back today.

[lisvaneblue]

Thank you African Bluebird, spot on, IMO the best, most balanced post in this thread. Ironically Jesus, (who the OP describes as a 2000 year old myth and dismissed by others as a pure fantasy figure) was anti-organised religion. I think if I was going to create a person (fantasy or otherwise) to initiate or promote a controlling religion, Jesus would not be my first choice! I think he would be embarrassed to see what passes for Christianity in some quarters if he came back today.

I agree with much of what you say. I don't think Jesus was anti-organised religion, he was a rabbi and celebrated in the traditional way. His disagreements with the Pharisees stemmed from the fact that they were more concerned about ceremony than content.....[I]They do all their deeds to be seen by others....they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogue...."
I feel he was a bit of a radical and history shows that he upset the establishment but for good reason..
In this section of the gospel he goes on to say..When you give to the needy sound no trumpet before you..reminded me of TBG comments his Christian friend.

[Tuerto]

I agree with much of what you say. I don't think Jesus was anti-organised religion, he was a rabbi and celebrated in the traditional way. His disagreements with the Pharisees stemmed from the fact that they were more concerned about ceremony than content.....[I]They do all their deeds to be seen by others....they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogue...."
I feel he was a bit of a radical and history shows that he upset the establishment but for good reason..
In this section of the gospel he goes to say..When you give to the needy sound no trumpet before you..reminded me of TBG comments his Christian friend.

Agree, Jesus was obviously a Socialist, i knew that you'd see the light some day