Can Organized Religion Survive Itself?

Pro Christian wrote:

Hey Zero - first I have to tell you that I love the pic and Amadeus is one of my favorite movies of all time. It has got to be one of the best examples of what resentment can do to a person and Antonio Salieri, briliant in his own right, spent his life comparing himself to someone else...well, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know..lol
I have a lot of opinions about organized religion. My ex-husband was a fundamentalist abusive man who would quote Bible verses at me after calling me a whore and then telling me where in the Bible it said that I was. Took awhile to get over that.
The reason I'm involved in an organized doctrine today is fairly complicated. I have been the recipient of a few "miracles", the kinds of things that leave me no question that there is a God. Why did I get these miracles? I do not know. I know they were desires of my heart but I do not remember praying for them.
You spoke of different sects getting heated about their beliefs. I have been witness to such activity and have at times been appaled by the behavior of supposed "spiritual" people, including myself. I don't have the answer but I do believe that there are supposed to be different sects, different doctrines and different religions. We are not intended to be the same (Tower of Babel).
The God of my understanding created everything and everyone and knows the hairs on everypersons head that ever existed. My job is to live a life that honors my Savior and tell anyone who will listen about Jesus.
What is done with that information is up to the individual. I have friends who are believers, non-believers and some are on the fence. I try to love them all equally and it is not my place to tell them they are right or wrong. I live my life the way I believe I'm supposed to. I'm not the pageant type but I would like world peace. Hope this helps. Thanks for the thread.

Judged:

1

Zerotollerance wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks for you input.
It's a pleasure to read your posts.
What I would really like to get at is why the extreme attitudes?
For Christians, as an example the goal is salvation through Jesus.
Why, does it seem that the path, rather than the goal, is given more importance?
This is what I have trouble understanding.
The disagreements between Sects over this "path" has lead to some pretty nasty stuff over time, the Reformation, Northern Ireland, etc.
All that extreme stuff aside, what leads a person to choose a certain denomination? What lead you to choose one path as opposed to the other, if the ultimate goal is the same?
If I'm being too personal I appologize.
It's just that when I can get involved in a religious discussion that's on an intelligent and civil plane, I really try to get as much insight from the person as possible.
I just want "know"! Sometimes it's a curse.

Pro Christian wrote:

<quoted text>
I understand your dilema. What motivates the Mussilini's, Hitler's, Mansons and Al Quaida, ad infinitum... not withstanding the anti-thiests who go to extremes.
Many believe that these people are psychotic, in my ex-husbands case I would have to agree. I think they begin in an honest attempt to obtain "perfection" thinking that will bring them closer to God, or prove there is not God.
Things like the Romans crucifying the Jews for not worshiping Ceasar, the Egyptians slaughtered their slaves, the Spanish Inquisition was just downright pathetic and American slavery is still an embarassment to this day. I could go on and on but I believe in trying to live beyond the mistakes and doing better than out predecessors. As for our modern day fanatics, its as if they are possessed by evil. I will not name evil as I think it has too many names but I believe it does exist unfortunately.
You speak of the path to salvation and for many I believe that the simplicity of it is part of the problem. People go to revivals and such and get all hopped up on emotion, accept Christ (or the diety du'jour) and when they leave they receive no education on what just happened so when the high wears off they are more bitter than before and become angry at the very God they just gave their soul to (speaking generally of course)
The disagreement among the sects is necessary and just a part of the plan. Arguments are the only way to get out points across no?(hold on,my tongue is stuck in my cheek)
As far as choosing a denomination, I attend a church that preaches Grace. There is an international governing board and I can trace every cent I give to charities all over the world. The preachers are appointed and not chosen and they are moved frequently so the emphasis stays on Jesus (hopefully). The small churches that cannot afford to maintain themselves are taken care of by the larger (more affluent ones) so that there is a church in most every town no matter how rural and now we are spreading all over the world, for example, the church I attend supports a church in Africa with our excess. I believe that the church I attend does its best to do as Jesus taught. It is not without it's problems and faults but it is the closest thing to what I believe and it is where I feel comfortable.
I truly believe that when you are where you are supposed to be you know it in your heart. Till then, never give up the search. I was 38 years old when I found what I feel to be the truth.
Neat thread!

Zerotollerance wrote:

<quoted text>
Wow, Thank you! You are being a big help.
I hope your "ex" realizes what an intelligent, thoughtful, mate he has lost.
Don't worry, I'm not fishing for a date! LOL
Just paying an innocent compliment.

Alex G wrote:

It came about ten thousand years ago as a way to control the frieghtened masses. As long as we stay frightend religion will live. Sure it did some good things for mankind in laying the foundations for civil laws and basic public decorum. But the other side is that it did more to teach intollerance of others.
I believe it's a shame we have not been able to put away this crutch for social concience, and grown to see what men are capable of. The need for mythical dieties is at an end for sure, just not yet. Perhaps E.T. could take place of the old fables, makes about as much sense to me as any other wives tales told by the old books.

Pro Christian wrote:

<quoted text>
First let me say that I'm saddened by the fact that you (or anyone else) lives in fear. Especially one perpetrated by a sect or doctrine. Second, life is what you chose it to be and if you want to be "Angry Man" then your chances of being happy are very slim indeed. Maybe you can find a mythical creature that makes you not so fearful and angry or try something else. I chose differently than you do and from what you write it appears that I am happier. Glad to help if you need it!

Alex G wrote:

<quoted text>
Dont be so fooled by the dramatics. It's like a stage name, a persona, Just a face and name made to enforce drama. Do you think professional wrestlers are all hyped up and crazy all the time,I doubt not. But if you are highly religious I can understand how you were dooped by such an incredulous piece of media fakery. You have been led your whole life to believe in the obviously untrue.
If your faith gives you so much in your life it's ok, just sad. Sad that you must look to an intangable band of mysticism to fullfill yourself with.Humanity needs to learn that all answers to life come from within, not outdated scripts.

Alex G wrote:

My only fear is that religious dogma will be the undoing of civilization. Billions have suffered for a millenia, over who heard the word of a omnipotent being. Over who was converted, and who was not. Religion is now just a devise meant to divide and conquer. Religious texts are meant for those who can, and cannot think for themselves. I can think for myself thankyou.

Pro Christian wrote:

<quoted text>
Professional wrestlers? please.
We are our bumper stickers - what we present to the world is who we are. For you to assume I have spend my whole life beling led to believe anything takes a mighty large EGO which ususally is accompanied by a lower than normal self esteem. I became a Christian at the age of 38 by choice not by force. You do your thing and I'll do mine. I assume nothing about you except what you present.