Buyer Beware

Religions come and go. Every day there are new variations on belief systems and/or interpretations of existing religious texts. Some will last, some will not.

Interestingly enough, this is evolution at work. Survival of the fittest, where "fitness" is defined as those beliefs that appeal the most. Appeal is specific to the individual. Some people as basically masochists. Some see themselves as moralists or altruists. Still others love structure or a strong father figure. Here are hybrids of all of these. The point is that religions have diversified to offer a variety of products. This allows followers to choose the "truth" that appeals most to them.

I have never heard a theist say, "I hate this religion, but I must follow it, because I cannot deny the truth, no matter how much I dislike it."

There may be inconsistencies in the belief systems, but anyone who wants to believe can find something close to what they want. The appeal of such a "customized" system makes it rather difficult for a believer to linger on or get tripped up by the inconsistencies.

That being said, I believe that most people (regardless of their professed beliefs) realize the basic truths. They may say they prefer faith to reason, but inside they have to realize that it is reason that keeps them alive. To believe contrary to the experiences of your life may be chosen by people at their own peril. But they know when they are doing it. And they may try to ignore the inconsistencies when they are put directly in their path (say by you in a discussion), but inside they know the basic truths. Human brains are constructed that way. Still, it is possible for people to be "brainwashed." This is evident when people sacrifice themselves (or other things they value) for things of lesser value. The most extreme example is the suicide bomber. But we have all seen other examples at work. Leah's show provides numerous examples.

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I have never heard of a church that didn't sound like a cult.

You've not heard of many religions then.

Religion seems to prey on people looking for an answer,

That makes a much sense as saying you don't like going to a hospital because there are sick people there. If you don't work/volunteer at a hospital or go to visit someone there, why would you go to a hospital if you are feeling well?

Why would you join a religion if you are sure you have it all figured out?

and it takes advantage.

Some do, but it isn't exclusive to religions. Lots of companies take advantage of people under the guise of "helping" them. It is an unfortunate aspect of our lives.

When will life itself be enough for people? Science is all I need

I guess science isn't all you need, since you need to be taught to not judge people.

I find it arrogant that people are so quick to assume their bible is any different than L Ron Hubbard's books of scientology.

Hmmm, let's see. Both are available for people to read and only one of them doesn't force it's followers to keep following, isolates them from their family, was admitted to be written by a science fiction author who created his "religion" as a way to avoid paying taxes....

it's just a misogynistic, racist, homophobic storybook

That is your ignorance and bigotry shining through. Mary is worshiped in the Bible and many other women hold important roles in the Bible. And, this was during a time when most women in most societies weren't accepted as being important.

The Bible doesn't exclude any races. Where Christ taught was a cross-roads for travelers from Europe, Africa and Asia. He didn't say, "Just teach the Jews."

As far as homophobic goes, you are using the progressive "mentality" of today which says if we don't celebrate people being homosexual, then we are homophobic. The Bible says to hate the sin but love the sinner, and few today actually give a cr*p about people being homosexual - at least not until it is thrown in our face.

Personally, I thought it was stupid for the baker to not bake the wedding cake for the gay wedding. But, it was much, much worse for the government to force the baker to do so. We have a right to our religious beliefs as long as they don't specifically harm anyone else, and not baking a wedding cake when there are other bakers in the same town who will causes no one any harm.

Maybe they haven't actually read the full thing.

You most certainly haven't. All you've done is buy into the lies and half-truths which others have spewed so you can perpetuate the hatred.

Do yourself a favor. Contact a priest or minister (or both) and tell them you are interested in learning more about Christianity. You don't expect to become a believer, but you'd like to learn from an expert what is the truth about their religion and what are lies. Fear leads to hate; knowledge dispels fear.

Even if you don't do those things, learn this. Being Christian does NOT mean people are perfect. By definition people are imperfect, therefore we could never be perfect like Christ was. Being Christian means to try to be like Christ was. And, honestly, it is a struggle. It is difficult to try to balance providing for ourselves/family and giving of our time and talents to help the less fortunate. It can be difficult to want to help when you feel beaten down by life because of what you have to do for work, raising kids, dealing with an unhappy spouse, and then you see someone on assistance (living off of your tax dollars) pull up to the store in a newer car than yours.

It can be difficult to tell yourself, "Maybe their friend loaned them the car."

And, for the record, I don't care if you believe or not. Just don't be a douche-bag about it. Don't cr*p on people who believe because you don't believe. I also say the same thing in reverse to people who do believe.

But for sure, take an hour or two from your schedule and talk to a priest/minister.

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