Speaking of Atheists...

Oh I know the Bible pretty much inside and out. He was focusing primarily on commandment-related law, you're correct, but then again...the Bible was not written by God or Christ. It is an amalgamation (Bible meaning compilation of books, like a library, but in one compendium) of texts relating to Christianity that was slapped together by men led by people who were kicked from power by the spread of Christianity in the first place. The Bible was literally established as a tool to control a religion.

So really, the only way one can really have a religious relationship with God is to ask what God's opinion is directly, then listen. Especially considering that most Christians feel taht God answers their prayers and speaks to them. The Bible is, by its nature, something that may directly oppose the actual intent of Christ.

Before I get into this, I just wanna say that I AM on your side, I just disagree with some of the words used.

Point by point:



Absolutely true. I would challenge our resident troll to point out some of the atrocities commited in the name of atheism. I WOULD challenge him, but I won't, as the response will probably be that I'm someone's alt again.




My problem here is twofold. One: The use of the words "...by definition itself...". By its very definition, Christianity ISN'T about that. As I said before. It's not the religion, it's the assholes who abuse it to gain power, reap benefits, line pockets and win arguments *koff koff*.

Two: Deuteronomy... Old Testament, right? They've bowdlerized the bloody Bible so much, especially the Old Testament that I'd say this reference is a little off. I personally believe that Jesus was trying to tone down the "fire and brimstone" aspects of Judaism (a religion started by a nomadic people using rules and various other aspects to keep everyone in line and under control, as well as keeping the tribe close and happy) that the Pharisees and Elders were using to control the people, gain power, etc. etc. and get back to a more "God is love" aspect of it. Not really hippy-dippy kinda stuff, just a...
Well, my rabbi (I'm only 1/16 Jewish, but a dear friend who, at age 68, sold his company, sold his house and went to rabbinical school, has decided that he is my rabbi) and I, along with a few others, went over the gospels, looked at it from this way and that, then boiled and distilled Jesus' message down to two words and an eight word addendum:

"Be Nice"
(and for God's sake, have faith in SOMETHING!)

Some may disagree, but it works for me.

Anyway... what was I talking about?

Oh, yeah... Deuteronomy and stuff...




Again. It's not the religion, it's the assholes.




Again... assholes. The biggest ones in history. Using religion for power, control and wealth.
That's not what Christianity is about and that's not what Christ taught.

(By the way, I also believe that Revelations and a couple of other parts should be edited out, as well. I DARE someone to tell me that it can't be done, or that it's a sin to chop out passages of the bible. I DARES ya!)

Having said all that, most of this discussion could be done away with if we define what we're talking about.

I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, when you say Christianity, you mean Modern Christianity, the Bible Beating, Homosexual Hating, Overly Religious bullshit artists that are using religion for their own means.

Can we.... I dunno... call them what they are? Greedy Dickheads.

Just to be clear, when I say Christianity, I mean following Christ's message.
"Christianity" (with inverted commas) I mean... well... Greedy Dickheads.

I think that's the real issue that confuses things.

Modern PseudoChristianity fucked the name up for you guys.

I'd abandon the term Christian to the psychos and pick a new name. Something nifty like the New Apostles or something.

Well, who knows? The trouble is that Christianity, as a religion, is based on the Bible. It is literally THE Christian book. Either the Bible can be taken seriously (and so can Christianity), or the Bible cannot (and neither can Christianity). You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Given that the God of Abraham wants heretics aggressively slaughtered, I'd say that in fact it is about that.



Sheer, random speculation. Christianity is wholly based on the Bible. The Bible is the rulebook that lays out what Christianity is. Either the Bible can be taken seriously, and Christianity with it, or the Bible cannot, and neither can Christianity, which becomes whatever random thing you want it to be at that moment. "I think Christianity is really about the worship of hot dogs" becomes as valid a statement as any other.



That's very sweet. Unfortunately, while the Bible does in some parts say we should "be nice," it also demands some incredibly cruelty and ruthlessness. It might be nice to pretend that the real message of Christianity is "be nice," but that is not, in fact, consistent with the actual facts.

The ugly reality is that it's the true believers who deliver some of history's worst nightmares, as well as some of our worst current ones, and that's because they truly believe -- not merely selectively, where it makes them feel good -- in a truly wicked religion.

There's a bible story were you effectively can have your cake and eat it too. That's probably where they're getting it from...

Sure you can. THat's like saying that History never happened if Jon Stewart's book "America' can't be used as an accurate account of history.


Modern Christianity is based on the bible.

The original, pre-catholic (not Roman Catholic, i mean catholic) concept of Christianity is based on the man.


Many religions don't need a specific text to be valid, they just talk to their God. Why can't Christians?

Worst. Analogy. Ever.

That would actually be partially valid if Jon Stewart's America: The Book were in fact considered the one and only, definitive, absolute source of historical information. Comparing the relationship of that book to history to the Bible's relationship to Christianity is absolutely ludicrous.

To use a Groucho phrase, you fail at logic.