You fear such a small m9inority. Strange. I take it that you are homophobic and misogynous. Right? If not, then all gays ands women are equal in value to you. Right? If not, why does your God create gays? Regards DL
As a Gnostic Christian, I disagree. Gnostic Christians have always recognized the good social work a local church can provide and that they are good tools for the enlightenment of the general public. It is the teaching that a church is necessary for us to find God that we condemn. Listen to what even Martin Luther thought. Most do not know that he was basically a Gnostic. Regards DL
Indeed, both right and left wings must be represented. Balance should be maintained and if one wing is way overpowered as compared to the other, then the Eagle cannot fly straight. We all need to conserve the good while being liberal enough to change the evil. Regards DL
This is quite untrue. Please have a look at some without a religion who still have what we would call morals. You will be surprised. Regards DL
Its still not the point. Its like language, without an understood commonality or point of reference, we would be speaking different languages. In general, religion serves a real function of teaching a common or well known ethics and morality that no other institution really does.
I dont mean homosexuals, just immorality in general just like with heterosexuals. To me, soddom and gommorah just represents a metaphor of insanity and immorality in general. I dont remotely think being gay means you are immoral.
The point is if they commit a crime such as (murder, rape, terror...) then they are not being religious, any more than Amy "I'm a good person" Smith, being good when she murders her husband for saying her ass looked big in those jeans. They do. Because someone professes to be religious, doesn't make them religious, just as Amy Smith isn't good because she professes it. Jan.
Babies get along without any language. But to your comment. Yet both Christianity and Islam grew from war and not moral persuasion. You find that to be an expression of good morals and ethics do you? As to common teachings of morals and ethics, you will note that most secular governments have bested religious laws to the point where you never see Christians wanting to live under the draconian biblical laws. Regards DL
Good, since the story of lot is a Jewish tale of hospitality and has nothing to do with gays. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/doug-french/hospitality-could-be-a-lo_b_797483.html Regards DL
How to created both positive and negative biases that are designed to protect us. We begin creating those biases when born and never stop. Regards DL
People are misunderstanding. I am not saying most of this isnt true but it is true that especially religion but also philosophy is the primary vehicle where morals are fostered in society and it definitely has some necessary conservative counterbalance. That said, it doesnt mean religion or religionists should have some unquestioned, never scrutinized, hallowed status on a pedestal either. Im saying religion does play a beneficial and vital role in society in its place and in fair amount. Its like medicine, you dont overdose on it or its harmful. That is the same thing with ideas or groups in society, they should have representation but not allowed to oppress or abuse others and vice versa.
Yes I agree with you. Religion has been a Jekyll and Hyde influence: on the one hand a source of moral and more general guidance on how to live well, not simply responding to all our primitive urges, but on the other it has also been a means of control by a priestly cast and has often been invoked to justify warfare between one tribe or group and another. Because of this double nature, you will never persuade some people that it has been more a force for civilisation than for barbarism, as this thread demonstrates. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Because people are generally not ready to accept a moral man. Ask Jesus. He felt the sting of being too moral. If you have talked morals with Christians and Muslims, you can also see how un-ready they are even today to accept proper moral positions on things like equality for gays and women. That thinking is harmful and quite insulting to all moral people. Regards DL
Civilization would include equality for gays and women and that notion is not what Christianity and Islam embrace, thus showing they are still un-civilized, so how can you say they have added to civilization? Regards DL
I agree and condemn all the Holy Wars, Inquisitions and Jihads that still try to oppress those not of their theistic idol worshiping ilk. Regards DL