is it religion you have a problem with, or just the christian religion specifically? because for every column you write about christianity, you could write two about islam. don’t get me wrong, your writing is entertaining; i would just like to see what you could do with the ridiculous statements, threats, and actions that are commonplace among muslims in europe, the middle-east, and asia.
John, thanks for commenting. It is indeed ALL organized religion I have a problem with. The main reason, probably, that I spend so much time blasting christian-based religions is that so many of the people in this particular country are blind when it comes to the hypocrisy, dangerous actions, and threat to society that christian-based churches can be, in much the same way the islam-based are.
understood. i am a Christian, but i sympathize with you…i think much of society needs a thorough history lesson. religion has the potential to be very powerful and very dangerous, and it very rarely (you might say never) achieves what it sets out to accomplish. i may be somewhat of an idealist, and furthermore, flat-out wrong, but it seems to me that the ultimate goal of christianity on a societal level is the establishment and preservation of individual civil liberties. granted one could argue that religion is not required in that endeavor, but i think christianity certainly helped the process along, especially in the united states.
apologies for my long-winded response. i enjoy your blog. keep it up.
John, believe it or not, I don’t disagree with your idea of the ultimate goals of christianity. I know many, many people…good christians…who share that goal. Unfortunately, I also know many, many people who CALL themselves christians – and they usually are the ones who aren’t shy about broadcasting that fact – who are indeed nothing but scumbag liars and deceitful, despicable human beings who are the farthest thing from what jesus envisioned for his followers. I worked for one such dude a couple of years ago, and I see many others daily hanging around blogs that I frequent…or formerly frequent.
Also, I agree that the good side of christianity has helped the civil liberties process along over the years, and yes, I also agree that religion is not required in that endeavor – but I do acknowledge where christianity…and OTHER religions…have at times helped the process more than hindered it. Yet, sadly, the reverse is also true. For instance, NO ONE who wears a white hood – either in public or one secretly “roots” for those who do – is a good christian in my eyes. And NO ONE who supports wars of any kind falls under my PERSONAL definition of “good christian”, but since the bible has so many pro-war moments, those folks can almost…ALMOST…be forgiven.
No need to apologize for being “long winded”, you weren’t. If anyone should know what long-winded is, it’s me, the King of long winded.
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5 responses so far ↓
1
vonster
// Feb 26, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Bill said anything worthwhile?????
2
John
// Mar 17, 2009 at 1:00 pm
is it religion you have a problem with, or just the christian religion specifically? because for every column you write about christianity, you could write two about islam. don’t get me wrong, your writing is entertaining; i would just like to see what you could do with the ridiculous statements, threats, and actions that are commonplace among muslims in europe, the middle-east, and asia.
3
bjstone
// Mar 17, 2009 at 1:39 pm
John, thanks for commenting. It is indeed ALL organized religion I have a problem with. The main reason, probably, that I spend so much time blasting christian-based religions is that so many of the people in this particular country are blind when it comes to the hypocrisy, dangerous actions, and threat to society that christian-based churches can be, in much the same way the islam-based are.
4
John
// Mar 17, 2009 at 11:43 pm
understood. i am a Christian, but i sympathize with you…i think much of society needs a thorough history lesson. religion has the potential to be very powerful and very dangerous, and it very rarely (you might say never) achieves what it sets out to accomplish. i may be somewhat of an idealist, and furthermore, flat-out wrong, but it seems to me that the ultimate goal of christianity on a societal level is the establishment and preservation of individual civil liberties. granted one could argue that religion is not required in that endeavor, but i think christianity certainly helped the process along, especially in the united states.
apologies for my long-winded response. i enjoy your blog. keep it up.
5
BJ Stone
// Mar 18, 2009 at 9:38 am
John, believe it or not, I don’t disagree with your idea of the ultimate goals of christianity. I know many, many people…good christians…who share that goal. Unfortunately, I also know many, many people who CALL themselves christians – and they usually are the ones who aren’t shy about broadcasting that fact – who are indeed nothing but scumbag liars and deceitful, despicable human beings who are the farthest thing from what jesus envisioned for his followers. I worked for one such dude a couple of years ago, and I see many others daily hanging around blogs that I frequent…or formerly frequent.
Also, I agree that the good side of christianity has helped the civil liberties process along over the years, and yes, I also agree that religion is not required in that endeavor – but I do acknowledge where christianity…and OTHER religions…have at times helped the process more than hindered it. Yet, sadly, the reverse is also true. For instance, NO ONE who wears a white hood – either in public or one secretly “roots” for those who do – is a good christian in my eyes. And NO ONE who supports wars of any kind falls under my PERSONAL definition of “good christian”, but since the bible has so many pro-war moments, those folks can almost…ALMOST…be forgiven.
No need to apologize for being “long winded”, you weren’t. If anyone should know what long-winded is, it’s me, the King of long winded.
Leave a Comment