Considering religious are intolerant of people, we have every right to be intolerant of its intolerance to us. What nasty views? There are a great many things you don't see in the world around you. That is a lie.
A guy who has made a living off of basically 'motivational lectures' with a sprinkling of Biblical Scripture thrown in, so he can have a tax exempt status. He is FILTHY rich off 'spreading the Gospel.' I'm very aware of Osteen, and while it's a free country, he has capitalized off of the 'Word of God.' Doesn't that seem wrong to you? Jesus was described as a simple man, whether he really existed or not...that is how he was described. He lived with his mother, for Pete's sakes...and yet, so many tv evangelists and Christian authors, are living like celebrities, off the money they've made...preaching Jesus' teachings. It's wrong. Jesus was humble, and from a financial perspective...relatively modest to poor. Why are the Joyce Meyers and the Joel Osteens of the world capitalizing off the Word of God? This is where I get angry. Atheists won't be the downfall of Christianity...Christians will be, Mazulu. (at the rate they're going) Yes, there are the Mother Teresas of the world, too. Frankly, that is what Christianity should breed...not the mega churches that have grown expontentially off of people's donations/tithes. Joel Osteen seems like a nice guy...but, he lives like a celeb off the ''stripes of Jesus.'' Glad Jesus' sacrifice could make him a rich man! My point being that you chastise atheists...meanwhile, you should be looking at those you hold up in your own faith.
http://houston.culturemap.com/news/...wants-to-sell-tanglewood-land-for-11-million/ He's one of those 'prosperity' preachers. What a joke. In the Bible, Jesus specifically speaks about how one shouldn't cling to riches, or aspire to become rich. He's one of many who live like this, off the 'Word of God.'
wegs, Osteen deserves to be filthy rich. He gives people hope and inspires them which is a lot more than what any atheist has ever done. All atheists and tight fisted fact collectors do is point out everything that is wrong with the world. Atheist fly the banner of cynicism; atheists fly the suicide banner. Atheism is about how every is bad in the world, except fragglerock whose life is perfect. Atheists don't give a damn about me or you. They don't have a nice word to say or a hug or a kind thought.
I'm glad he's filthy rich. I like to listen to his audio podcasts. He eases my unhappiness. He will definitely go to heaven.
You are no knight in shining armor. You're just another Joe with an overactive intellect. Move along.
Why don't you tell me how you are a good person, how you say nice things to people and offer hope and compassion to those who suffer. Do you ever try to ease the pain of others? Or do you tell people they should "man up" and give up their faith. Someone here told me that. That person is a scumbag, and they will have to account for their evil in the after-life.
I've given you no reason to believe that I'm a bad person who wouldn't do any of those things, so it's on you to explain how, exactly, I'm a scumbag. What I also find interesting is your suggestion that a person who tells you to give up your faith is a scumbag, regardless of anything else they do in their life. How very solipsistic.
What you find interesting is the ability to hurl another insult and then claim it's my fault for being insulted. You portray the quality of your character with your own words. '
I'll say it again. Atheists, like the one's here, like to affirm that we have no future, no afterlife, and no reincarnation. That is the problem with atheism. That is why atheism is nasty.
Jesus talked about how the rich will have a tough time reaching heaven. Do you not wish to recall those passages? There is nothing wrong however, with prospering financially, but a Pastor purchasing a $10 million home? If there exists a heaven and these hypocrites end up there? Hell might not be nearly as bad as we thought. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Why is someone a hypocrite for using the Bible to inspire people? This makes absolutely no sense to me. let me give you and the atheists a hint. Human beings like to be inspired. They like it when someone says positive things. They like it when someone makes this dreary cynical world look more positive. If the guy makes millions of bucks from that, why do you care? Your criticism of this man is irrational and crazy. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Mazulu...I think you have good intentions at times, but you seem to have an illusion about Christians (and Christianity) that isn't quite accurate. Joel Osteen isn't a salesman...he is a Pastor. None of Jesus' Apostles lived remotely like kings. Remotely. Including Jesus. You need to understand what you're defending. Joel Osteen and many like him, peddle Jesus, like used car salesmen. It's disgusting and it should disgust you. I see nothing wrong with earning a respectable living but not living like a celebrity when your vocation that you have chosen, is to represent God. I've seen his television program, and he requests donations after every broadcast. Why? So he can buy another house? You have a false idea about atheism because you don't even know your own faith very well. Christianity shouldn't make anyone rich. It should breed modesty and humility. You know, the fruits that Paul from the Bible spoke about? I say this to you out of kindness, and I honestly have no desire to sway you from your faith. But you put your head in the sand about the history of the Christian church and think that everyone who labels themselves a Christian, is a do-gooder. It won't be atheists who destroy Christianity...it will be Christians. You will see.
Mazulu Of course, we have a future, it's just not the one you expected. As to an afterlife, I believe we should make the most of this one because there's no reason to think you get a second chance. It kind of puts an incentive to not behave like a douche in the here and now. Nothing nasty about that. "It is easier for a camel to pass through the Eye of the Needle than for a rich man to go to Heaven." Jesus of Nazereth The Eye was a small port through a city wall, big enough for a man to pass through in a stooped over position. It is Impossible for a camel(even a newborn)to pass through. After the city gates were closed for the night it was the only access that did not require opening them again. Jesus, the man your supposed religion is based on, disagrees with you in this and many other passages. You need to reassess what it is you are worshiping here, it certainly isn't Jesus. Jesus ran the moneychangers out of the Temple with a scourge, one of the few times he showed anger or practiced violence. The moneychangers sold sacrificial offerings in exchange for various currencies and made a profit on the exchange. They also would sacrifice an animal for a fee, proclaiming loudly the source of the sacrifice who was back at the villa. It was reminiscent of the indulgences rich people purchased from the Catholic Church and served much the same purpose. The rich man asked Jesus what he must do to be saved(and go to heaven), when he heard the price tag("Sell everything you have and give it to the poor...")he went away sorrowed because he loved money more than he did Jesus or his message. I don't hate Christianity or Christians, but that guy isn't one, a love of money is incompatible with being a Christian, Jesus was a full blown Socialist. And I really don't think you have a clue what being a Christian means. Jesus was a wise teacher, he said things that are proven over time to be a good framework to follow to be a "good" person. There is wisdom to be found in his teachings. I wish more people who call themselves Christians would read and heed them. But he was just a man as mortal and fallible as that means. We celebrate those extraordinary men and women in history who advance human knowledge and understanding, in the past we have formed religions around them(Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, etc.), we know better now(oh, wait L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology, never mind). GrumpyPlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
wegs, I have the utmost respect for you. You are also the nicest and kindest person on this forum. If you look at history, 99% of it is about treachery, evil, violent bloodshed, horror, suffering, starvation, savage cruelty, horrific torture, rape, pillaging, war, bloodshed, and some trade routes. Even the Christ Jesus was made famous by the violent torture inflicted upon him by the Romans. We are so fortunate that the only violence we see is on television, and most of it is fiction. I understand that you don't like Joel Osteen because he's making money using the Bible, using Jesus to inspire people and bring happiness. Would you prefer that we had another Constantin to force a way of life on everyone through war and bloodshed?
