View Full Version : World Religions - Statistics
I caught the end of this TV news report 2 days ago but can't find any more data on the web for the moment. A trip to the bookstore is in order I think, so I’ll update this thread if I find anything new. But what I remember seemed interesting.
The report cited the newly released issue of the World Christian Encyclopedia that gave updated statistics on world religious beliefs over the past century.
Religion...........1900..........2000
Christianity......32%..........30%
Islam...............?...............19%
Atheism...........0...............15%
What struck me was that Atheism is now correctly recognized, and that Christianity has only double the number for Atheists. I always assumed that Christians outnumbered Atheists by more than 2 to 1, although I guess that would be true in the USA.
I suspect that since the book is created by Christians then it is most likely biased and not entirely objective, but I must reserve final judgment until I have viewed it. I’d also like to fill in the missing numbers.
If anyone has access to this reference material then please post the missing numbers.
Cris
It's on the internet, so its veracity could best be described as 'may even be true' but you can find stats for 1993 at http://calvarychapel.com/georgetown/PtoP/world_religion_statistics.htm
google could probably come up with a myriad variations, one at least as likely as the other. In that spirit, I'll make up my own for 2050.
Christianity/Microsoft - 24%
Islam - 14%
Scientiology - 3 actors
Buddhism - 8%
Judaism - 1%
Atheism - 51% - A controlling interest. Woohoo!
Universal Pantheistic Solipsism - 1%
Holy Blessed Church of the Sacred Princess Diana - 0.7%
Figures may not total 100% due to an inability to add.
Hey thanks rde - I didn't look hard enough, bit short of time at the moment.
What I'd really like to see is some independent stats and a description of the methods used for collection. For example I'd like to know how many true Christians there are compared to those who only say they are Christian because they live in a so called Christian country, but would otherwise follow whatever superstition is current. I suspect this number would be quite large.
I'd also like to find some information on how fast Christianity is declining. Some indicators might be regular church attendance or recruitment of priests etc.
Cris
Originally posted by Cris
I'd like to know how many true Christians there are compared to those who only say they are Christian because they live in a so called Christian country, but would otherwise follow whatever superstition is current. I suspect this number would be quite large.
I've a similar question, but one that I've never seen answered: how many people claim to be (for example) Catholic, but don't (pick one of) go to confession, attend Mass every Sunday, have only one house...
The one thing that bemuses me the most about religion is how people can claim that there is a creator who dictates how we should live lest we suffer eternal damnation, but feels free to pick and choose among which rules should be followed, and which are only there because God was joking. Or something.
rde,
So right. I've hit something similar with every Christian on this board. Having established they are Christian I then quote one of the, I thought, basics of Christianity, only to be told that they don't believe that particular doctrine. For example - the basics like omniscience or omnipotence.
There are now so many different Christian denominations and cults that it is now no longer possible to understand what is meant when someone says they are a Christian.
This is understandable when one realizes how the bible can be so confusing, contradictory, and ambiguous. They feel free to interpret it as they wish regardless of whether that was the author’s original intention or not.
This is good news though since with so many different interpretations, which seem to be on the increase, the religion will eventually become diffused and will lose whatever cohesion it now claims. Divide and conquer! We merely need to be patient and allow this archaic monster to destroy itself.
Cris
Deadwood
04-23-01, 08:08 AM
Hey everyone.
What struck me was that Atheism is now correctly recognized, and that Christianity has only double the number for Atheists. I always assumed that Christians outnumbered Atheists by more than 2 to 1, although I guess that would be true in the USA.
It doesn't strike me. A few years ago when I was doing research on either religion or Australia maybe both. In my research, I found a poll about all of the percentages that people belong, just like your World religion.
What struck me then, and this is the only one I remember was that Atheism was at 33%. So if you want to live in an atheist country, feel quite welcome to come here. :) I assure you that you will fit right in, but you will get JV's and Mormens, and the odd Christian thing every now and again.
Also, I've been seeing a lot of scientology pamphlets on my ways. Whenever there is a new religion, trust the Aussies to give it a go! However, the one thing I really dislike is how religions and cults can never make their own original symbols. The scientologists decided to use the cross, as does somewhat the KKK.
Also, I would like to add that a cult is not Christian. Do not associate cults with denominations. The KKK is what you would call a cult, for whatever reason they seem to believe they are Christian, but really they have no idea about repentence, forgiveness, and love thy neighbour. If you want to see the ex-leader of the KKK turned Christian, and see how an example of a true Christian, not some counterfeit, go to
http://www.johnnyleeclary.com.
The numbers could possibly be correct for the Christian numbers, but if you want true Christians, this would be significantly lower, possibly even 15%. I also do not view the US as a Christian country, but an atheist one that tries to make out they're Christian. This is a counterfeit Christian country. Not being able to pray in schools, would not be a Christian ideal. In Australia, we are allowed. At my old high school(finished last year) we have two prayer meetings a week in the morning. I did not attend, but I started going to bible study instead at Tuesday lunch time. With about 7-10 other people in a school of 1800-2000 students.
It doesn't bother me if you choose to be a devout atheist, God gave you the right to choose either Him or the world. I guess I chose Him, and you chose the world.
rde
Why do you affiliate Christianity with Microsoft.
Cris
I ask you to challenge this Christian, about the basics of Christianity. I am not afraid to say that God is omni present, omni scient, and omni potent. Yesterday, in the ministers sermon at church he told us how some of his colleagues feel embarrassed to say that Jesus is lord and saviour and the only way to the Father is through Him. Some of them laugh, these would be other church ministers and maybe even bishops. you can think what you like of them, but this Christian see nothing funny about that.
You said every Christian on this board is a hypocrate. I ask you to challenge me. BTW Did you know that Jesus actually invented the word hypocrate? That's just a little bit of trivia for you! :)
Originally posted by Deadwood
[b]rdeWhy do you affiliate Christianity with Microsoft.
Er... because we'll see a stable version of windows around the same time as the second coming? Because the unification of god and the devil will herald a new era of peace and prosperity for all? I don't know. I wrote it ages ago. I may not even have had a point, although the common desire for "world domination and to hell with the unbelievers" may mean I was making an interesting and valid point. I doubt it, though.
Originally posted by Cris
This is understandable when one realizes how the bible can be so confusing, contradictory, and ambiguous. They feel free to interpret it as they wish regardless of whether that was the author’s original intention or not.
Cris...
Of course it's confusing, contradictory, and ambiguous. Here's just part of the story...
Judas Iscariot rats out Christ to the Judaic council. the Judaic council refuses to have him executed and passes it off to the Roman contingent, Pontius Pilate, who crucifies him.
Now, while it is true that the Jews were directly responsible for the death of Jesus Christ, it was the Romans who actually carried out his sentence. When Constantine ruled Rome, he accepted Christianity but adhered to his own pagan beliefs, that of the "sun god". Christianity was tolerated in Rome.
Remember, though... The Romans had crucified Christ. In order to satisfy the growing numbers of Christian people in Rome, this fact had to be downplayed, and someone else had to take the blame... The Jews.
Under Constantine rule, the Bible, as it was known then, was completely changed. Entire books were thrown out, passages were changed, etc.. There is, or *was*, much more material to the Bible then than there is now.
Add to the fact that most of the Gospels were written after or during the revolution that saw the Jews expelled from Jerusalem in AD 66 and, well... You can gather your own conclusions.
Most of the information in the Bible is, at best, second or third hand information, passed on by, in all likelihood, an oral tradition... And we all know what that can lead to.
That he said, she said thing always leads to trouble.
-- Goat
Goat,
Hi and welcome to sciforums.
I have little doubt that Christianity is based entirely on earlier mythologies, and I have significant doubt that a Christ figure ever existed.
You might find it interesting to read through some of the posts in the Christianity forum in the Crumbling the Foundations of Christianity topic.
Certainly the bias and selection of texts that form the current bible was the height of hypocrisy and deceit. A task led by a few to further their own misguided ambitions.
Have fun
Cris
Cris...
Thanks for the warm welcome.
I just read a book that I found very interesting. The book is called Holy Blood Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Henry Lincoln, and Richard Leigh and it starts of by exploring a mystery in Rennes-le-Chataeu in the south of France and a curious man who lived there in the 1880s.
The book tells the tale of how this man, a priest in the Catholic church who earned a meager pennance suddenly accumulates a considerable amount of money. The speculation goes on and on and on...
But at the end of the book, the authors begin exploring the scriptures of the New Testament and the Gospels in particular. Needless to say, in reading this book, I'm fairly certain that there was a historical Christ, but I sincerely doubt he was anything even remotely close to the son of god.
A great read... I highly recommend it.
-- Goat
Red Devil
06-24-01, 09:28 AM
Originally posted by rde
It's on the internet, so its veracity could best be described as 'may even be true' but you can find stats for 1993 at http://calvarychapel.com/georgetown/PtoP/world_religion_statistics.htm
google could probably come up with a myriad variations, one at least as likely as the other. In that spirit, I'll make up my own for 2050.
Christianity/Microsoft - 24%
Islam - 14%
Scientiology - 3 actors
Buddhism - 8%
Judaism - 1%
Atheism - 51% - A controlling interest. Woohoo!
Universal Pantheistic Solipsism - 1%
Holy Blessed Church of the Sacred Princess Diana - 0.7%
Figures may not total 100% due to an inability to add.
I was very interested in your last choice!! That may not be far off the mark actually, the way things are going within the UK!! Tongue in cheek or otherwise. MY religion tops the scores at 51% - Wooohooo too! The missing % could be made up with the Bill Gates Church of Binary Saints!
Red Devil
06-24-01, 09:37 AM
Originally posted by Goat
Cris...
Of course it's confusing, contradictory, and ambiguous. Here's just part of the story...
Judas Iscariot rats out Christ to the Judaic council. the Judaic council refuses to have him executed and passes it off to the Roman contingent, Pontius Pilate, who crucifies him.
Now, while it is true that the Jews were directly responsible for the death of Jesus Christ, it was the Romans who actually carried out his sentence. When Constantine ruled Rome, he accepted Christianity but adhered to his own pagan beliefs, that of the "sun god". Christianity was tolerated in Rome.
Remember, though... The Romans had crucified Christ. In order to satisfy the growing numbers of Christian people in Rome, this fact had to be downplayed, and someone else had to take the blame... The Jews.
Under Constantine rule, the Bible, as it was known then, was completely changed. Entire books were thrown out, passages were changed, etc.. There is, or *was*, much more material to the Bible then than there is now.
Add to the fact that most of the Gospels were written after or during the revolution that saw the Jews expelled from Jerusalem in AD 66 and, well... You can gather your own conclusions.
Most of the information in the Bible is, at best, second or third hand information, passed on by, in all likelihood, an oral tradition... And we all know what that can lead to.
That he said, she said thing always leads to trouble.
-- Goat
Lets take this story into a modern idiom: There is this trouble maker and radical left wing (bearing in mind the right wing views of the occupying forces) who stirs up the **** big style by ransacking places of worship not of his own belief (for today read masques, for example in the UK). The local religious leaders don't want to stir it up amongst the locals so they pass the buck to the occupying forces and ask them, as mediators, to come up with a solution. So the "police" arrest him and charge him with terrorist offences. They can prove nothing except civic unrest - so they decide to pass the buck themselves and tell the local people that they can either have this radical back amongst them or release a nasty piece of work. Damn sayeth the local dignitiaries, we are between the devil and the deep blue sea here. But a few well placed bribes later, the issue is decided - lets get rid of the trouble maker - the lesser "evil" will do himself in the foot sooner or later. The CIA's judas got his pension and the authorities got rid of a terrorist.
Deadwood
07-06-01, 09:17 AM
Actually, Johns Gospel was witten by one of Jesus' closest desciples. Guess your going to tell me now that it wasn't the same John who wrote it. Oh well.
Deadwood,
Actually, Johns Gospel was witten by one of Jesus' closest desciples. Guess your going to tell me now that it wasn't the same John who wrote it. Oh well.
Gosh you’ve almost predicted my response, but here is a little more.
We really have no strong historical evidence for the existence of a Jesus figure as described in the gospel myths, although there does seem to have been a number of charismatic figures at that time. There is some evidence to show that one of them had a following of some sort. His name though is unknown. The term ‘Jesus’ is not a name that would have been given to anyone in the Hebrew world; the word is a Hebrew concept meaning Savior. To give someone such a name would be the modern equivalent of naming your son ‘President’.
The concept of disciples is pure myth and of course their names are completely fictional. The John gospel was written at around 95CE and that would have made a single author about 65 years old. That would be practically impossible for those times when you would be considered elderly at age 30 and unlikely to survive much longer.
In depth analysis of all the Gospels show a wide variety of writing styles and multiple contributors. It is also known that all these early texts were heavily manipulated and edited to fit in with the requirements of those early mythmakers. The concept of accurate reporting of real events was not something that would have occurred or been considered.
So sorry, the bizarre gospel of John was just a collection of strange stories put together by numerous unknown authors and then heavily manipulated.
Cris
Corp.Hudson
07-06-01, 02:58 PM
It also needs to be pointed out that christianity probably also has roots in the Pagan Mystery religions...
I for one am partial to the theory that christianity started out as the Jewish chapter of the Mystery religions, like the gnostics said all along....
http://bible.org/studies/soapbox/st-essay/lazarus.htm
I'll keep it short since it's a quasi-digression. But an interesting article on the Gospel of John, focusing on the raising of Lazarus, as well as an attempt to harmonize the Johanine retelling with the Synoptic Gospels.
thanx,
Tiassa :cool:
Anytime I see discussions on religion (mostly on Christianity) I come across Atheism as the alternate or antithesis. And mostly from US and UK. I do not think there are atheists in Asia because the religion is integrated in to the social life. Whether you agree or not you are a part of it.
Just an observation...I could be wrong.
Originally posted by kmguru
Anytime I see discussions on religion (mostly on Christianity) I come across Atheism as the alternate or antithesis. And mostly from US and UK. I do not think there are atheists in Asia because the religion is integrated in to the social life. Whether you agree or not you are a part of it.
Just an observation...I could be wrong.
It's an interesting point. However, if you're using this forum as your basis, you should consider that the vast majority of posters are from the US or Europe.
As for the integration into social life: this may have more to do with ritual than belief. Statistics for Ireland suggest that sixty percent of the population attend Mass on a Sunday; I suspect that while many would consider themselves Catholics, a fair number are Catholic in name only, and their only religous duty is Sunday Mass. Would these count as believers?
Deadwood
07-14-01, 08:41 AM
rde
I think that thre are people who go to church for 20 years and don't even believe. In other words they go to Mass, Chruch etc to be seen walking out.
kmguru
Actually, in China religion beyond the context of the Government regime is strictly prohibited. I watched a program which featured the sect Fu nom, or something like that maybe fou gong? If you practiced this, then you would be either sent to a labour camp and given propaganda or executed. they actually showed a row of people kneeling down from almost side view and getting shot in the head from behind and then getting shot again on the ground. Then you would see the next row of people to be shot, and other people getting driven in on the back of a ute to be executed. I didn't think they would show this in the middle of the day.
If at the camp you didn't change your mind then you would eventually be executed. But if you did then you would be let out after about 3 years of being in the labour camp. In the labour camp, they are forced to watch videos and listen to lectures. All of the detainees in a certain group, came to believe that their religion was evil, except one of the older ones who still stuck to her belief.
However, in other countries, yes, religion does play a part.
I was in China in 1983-84 on business. I observed that most of the people practice variations of Buddhism - though not openly. Unlike other religions, Buddhism can be practiced at a philosophical level - and one need not visit a temple or join in a ceremony (which were the vestiges of Hinduism anyway)
daktaklakpak
07-16-01, 03:35 PM
Tell you a secret.
In China, worshipping gods is like buying insurance in the US--the more, the better.
Ground, house, door, kitten, stove, fire, wind, sun, moon, hill, tree... You name it, you got it. There were gods everywhere.
dan1123
07-16-01, 06:29 PM
Interesting how even in the face of labor camps, man is still "incurably religious". Something inside makes us search for a higher power, no matter how modern we become, and how much science we learn.
Even Carl Sagan searced for aliens...
Is it true that you can not practice Christianity in saudi arabia?
The problem with the word God is that, there are too many of them.
Suppose we create a government that supports religion 100%, in other words a religious state. Which God they should use?
Christianity with over 800 denominations?
Hindus with 33,000 Gods
Moslems that are anti everything?
Buddhists who started out with a divine being but now have another 33,000 Gods
Mix in Mormons (who have a Third Testament), and others....
Something inside makes us search for a higher power, no matter how modern we become, and how much science we learn.
Perhaps another way to say this is that if we are not satisfied with what we hear then we go out to modify the word into that which we can live with. This would give accountability for the blossoming of so many variants on the main religion.
dan1123
07-16-01, 07:11 PM
Perhaps another way to say this is that if we are not satisfied with what we hear then we go out to modify the word into that which we can live with. This would give accountability for the blossoming of so many variants on the main religion.
This may be true with the sects that modify the Bible into something more palatable--where Jesus doesn't <i>really</i> say He's the only way, and their version of the Bible only condemns the social morality of the ancient pagan religions and not the fact that they are worshiping idols.
But there are plenty of religions which began outside of the Judeo-Christian influence, so the theory must be broadened. Maybe something like people need an explanation for the world around them, and others are willing to give it to them--whether it is true or not.
Hindus, long ago started out with just one GOD, soon it turned into 330 million Gods (I made a mistake on the previous posting) - a God for every man, woman and child.
I think, when they did that the population of the planet must be , at the time, 330 million.
I am trying to imagine, a begger at the street corner saying: "Brother can you spare a God?"
Pre-Hinduism begat Judaism and Hinduism
Hinduism begat Buddhism
Judaism begat Christianity
Christianity begat Moslem (?) and Mormonism
These are primary religions
Then starts sub-religions in thousand.....
dan1123
After rereading my post I see that I was not explicit enough in one area. I failed to lead the "main religon" into a world wide statement. You picked up on this rather quickly. Where's my belt? I think I have need of it.
dan1123
07-16-01, 07:34 PM
Pre-Hinduism begat Judaism and Hinduism
Hinduism begat Buddhism
Judaism begat Christianity
Christianity begat Moslem (?) and Mormonism
Didn't Christianity begat Islam? But see, you forget that you are talking about fairly recent major religions. The Roman gods had their time of being in the majority, as well as the Egyptian gods, and the Babylonian gods.
Judaism, however, seems to be an anomaly. As far back as records go, there has been people worshiping a single god which bears quite a resemblance to God found in the Torah. The earliest people I believe are called the Ebla by archeologists--found in ancient Mesopotamia (of course)--and this was along-side the then-current polytheisms which were nearly exclusive at the time.
Islam and Moslem same thing.
Hindukush civilization predates Egyptians as is pre-vedas and Sanatana Dharma (SD). Similarity in prejudaism (Kabala level) and SD are uncanny. Any other gods are minor , could not survive the test of time and hence not counted.
Deadwood
07-25-01, 05:24 AM
kmguru
Yes, it is true. You can not practice Christianity in Saudi Arabia. You can be put to death, if you are found with a bible.
Also, a teacher at my old school, who has a daughter who's husband is Muslim who goes to our church, had a sick brother in law. She wanted to go go over and visit him, and she received death threats that if she went over she would die. Thank the Lord that when she went over they didn't check her bags. She came back, all in one piece. :)
Deadwood:
I live in the bible belt of US. With all the bickering, atleast Christians are tolerant of other religions. But Islam is not. I have a feeling that World War III will start between Islam group and rest of the world. Nostradamous may be right. It is scary. The Asian Moslems are a liitle better than their Western counterpart. There is only one rule in Islam that makes it a terrorist religion. That is if you kill a non-moslem, you will go to heaven. And who does not want to go to heaven?
Deadwood
07-28-01, 10:29 AM
I think it probably depends on where you live. A guy from church was telling one day how one of his friends in Indonesia had their church service in one of the houses in the village. Because if they built a church the Muslims would come and burn it down. So the trick was to have the church service in a house, so as if they came and burnt that down, the whole village would be after the people who did it. Which probably explains some of the fighting there.
Also, always be careful of what you say to a person of a different religion. Sometimes they get offended easily. this happens to me just if I ask a simple question about one of their idles or something. Once I asked a Mormon friend if her necklace that she holds as an idle was made from an animal. Because it looked like a bone. Then she got offended and hit me a couple of times. It was actually fish cartilidge. I don't really know what you can and can't ask these days, even in my own western society. :( So I'm thinking about writing a book or at least a manual covering the questions that you can't ask, or things you don't say.
But generally, in my experience it is mostly people who don't know much or don't practice their religion who get offended. This is probably because they don't know how to act otherwise.
But I have been the target of hate before because of my religion and had things written on my pencil case and ruler and stuff as well as pieces of paper with Jewish hate stuck in my pencil case as well. Though I am Christian. Thats one example about people just hating because they think thats the way to act. But hey, that person was just trying to please their God(Muslim) so I respect that. But then again I don't mind being persecuted on behalf of Gods chosen people. :)
Deadwood:
First of all, we are all God's chosen people. People obey the law not because they have to but because they want to. If you obey the 10 commandments or its equivalent in your religion - because you want to, that is good enough for God.
Now, when we were in Utah, we got harrassed by the entire Mormon community because we are not Mormons. We tried to stay invisible until we had an opportunity to get out - and we did.
"Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. - Desiderata"
So, I would avoid those people, bide your time and move to a socially more open place. Let the sewer rats stay in the sewer.
Deadwood
07-29-01, 07:27 AM
kmguru, I agree with you, we should follow the law because I want to. That I do. :)
I live in a place with heaps of people of different races, its just the real small minority that like to make it hard for people. I guess you get those where ever you are.
You probably did well to get out of there. I heard Miami is a bit like that with the Cuban population. If you were for that little boy going back to Cuba, then you were an enemy as far as they were concerned.
But I just hope that I shine like a light to those people. I don't say this with pride however. Because I can see how you could interpret that that way.
Red Devil
07-29-01, 08:17 AM
Yes Deadwood, I was one of those who thought the kid should go back to Cuba. It was for political point scoring and nothing else that the cuban exiles wanted him to stay in the US. His natural and loving father wanted him at home - that is enough.
Bebelina
07-29-01, 08:52 AM
Are really just lifestyles for people who needs to have rules made by others to control their lives. Every religion has an original truth in it, but today that small part have become so hidden and distorted by all the rules made up for the sole purpose of power over the population. To opress people,and especially women. Make them believe that if they do not do what the religion tells them to, then they are sinners and must be punished. Religion have become a kind of dictatorship and will eventually fall in its selfmade grave. What will be left, is the natural spirituality of people. No needs for churches and religions and priests. I liked what Homer Simpson said once, I think it was something like this: "I don´t know much about God, but I think we´ve built a pretty nice cage for him."-refering to a church they had just built. ;)
Red Devil
07-29-01, 09:21 AM
Nicely put. Pretty much as I believe it to be. Suppression of others, in particularly, women, has been another man made definition of religion. I once told a friend, in a discussion on religion, that any "god" is within the persons heart NOT in a brick and mortar edifice built by man. I argued for athiesm; my friend argued, became "converted", then went back to believing in god again! I asked why to which his reply was vague to say the least "Well, I have to have something to believe". Again I asked why? Well if god didnt make the cosmos, who did? I gave up as the natural order of the cosmos is there for all to see, its creations, its life and the many deaths within it. As I stated in an earlier mail; Religion was invented by the ignorant, to explain the unexplainable.... but now we know better.
Is that contrary to your statement:I gave up as the natural order of the cosmos is there for all to see, its creations, its life and the many deaths within it. The more we learn of both the macrocosm and the microcosm, the more disorder and randomness we are aware of.
I myself have come to seriously question the 'natural order of the cosmos' and feel that it only seems so because of the very limited time period and very limited senses with which until very recently we have been able to observe it.
Just thinking aloud.
Red Devil
07-29-01, 02:42 PM
Understood Chagur. By natural order I meant naturally created, suppose I should have rushed less and thought more!! :rolleyes:
Originally posted by Cris
So sorry, the bizarre gospel of John was just a collection of strange stories put together by numerous unknown authors and then heavily manipulated.
Well, I guess that settles it.
Originally posted by kmguru
I do not think there are atheists in Asia because the religion is integrated in to the social life. Whether you agree or not you are a part of it.
There are millions of atheists in Asia.
Worshipping some corpse doesn't really qualify as worshipping God.
Originally posted by rde
I suspect that while many would consider themselves Catholics, a fair number are Catholic in name only, and their only religous duty is Sunday Mass. Would these count as believers?
No.
Originally posted by Deadwood
Also, always be careful of what you say to a person of a different religion.
No point in worrying about that.
Generally, non-Christians will want to kill Christians, unless they convert.
Originally posted by Bebelina
Every religion has an original truth in it, but today that small part have become so hidden and distorted by all the rules made up for the sole purpose of power over the population.
Every religion except Christianity.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:6, KJV).
To opress people,and especially women.
Except Christianity.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:28, KJV).
Make them believe that if they do not do what the religion tells them to, then they are sinners and must be punished.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(Romans 3:23, KJV).
Religion have become a kind of dictatorship and will eventually fall in its selfmade grave. What will be left, is the natural spirituality of people. No needs for churches and religions and priests.
Most explorers called the "natural spirituality" they found, savagery.
The Aztecs were one example, with their human sacrifices.
Originally posted by Red Devil
I once told a friend, in a discussion on religion, that any "god" is within the persons heart NOT in a brick and mortar edifice built by man. I argued for athiesm; my friend argued, became "converted", then went back to believing in god again! I asked why to which his reply was vague to say the least "Well, I have to have something to believe". Again I asked why?
Why the puzzlement?
He believed your preaching, and went and found a religion where God is in your heart.
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
(2 Corinthians 3:3, KJV).
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