Still a lack of morals is usually the beginning of the end for anything. Rome, Sodom, the Mongol Empire, European Colonies (but WW2 had alot to do with that) all fell after a decline in morality.
What most people who consider themselves "Christian" fail to realize is that their religion has been infiltrated for roughly the last 1,700 years. During the time of persecution, Christians were probably the only group who truly understood what the meaning of respecting life was all about. They refused to engage in horrific pagan rituals such as live human and animal sacrifices, among other sick rituals. As Christianity was gaining acceptance in the Roman empire, it became apparent to the leaders at that time that they should use this surge in popularity as a means of infiltrating and perverting Christianity. By creating a state church or religion, this became one of the catalysts for holding together the Roman Empire at a time when it had fallen into much disarray. When the persecutions ended during the early 4th century, fights began to erupt between individuals who were loyal to the church in Rome and those who were loyal to the church in Alexandria. This led to the council of Nicea in 325 A.D., where church officials decided what was to become official church doctrine. Three-hundred bishops walked out of that council. Much of the motives of why this council took place were for reasons of political expediency and not for spiritual integrity, but it was sold as the former. Many of the ramifications from that council are still being felt today. Because most of the "Christian" churches that exist today were built upon Roman Catholic doctrine, they adopted many of the heresies that that church held. Many of the beliefs held by christians after nicea of 'abstaining' from various 'sins,' were in actuality euphemisms for something much more horrific than any civil human being could ever imagine! When certain "Christians" talk of the ten commandments they hold views on that document that are questionably true. Many fail to take into account what the language meant at the time. I've heard many fundamentalists state to me a statement that God "hates" one thing or another. What these people have done is violate the following commandments: Bearing false witness, using the Lord's name in vain, and committing adultery. In the former two cases, this is violated by promoting a message which is contrary to the true meaning of the Word and stating that God is someone He is not. In the last case the misuse of scripture caould also be defined as betrayal, which was the origional meaning of adultery-not necessairly the infidelity that we think of today. It's no wonder why some people who consider themselves to be decent folks are often turned away from Christianity because of the dogmatism that has perverted it. It is up to those of us to expose the deceptions and beat the manipulators at their own game. Do get a chance to look at the following sites who do a decent job trying to reveal Christianity's true message: http://www.religioustolerance.org http://freechristians.com/Site_Contents.htm http://www.americanunitarian.org
If it were not for the church, corrupt as it may have been during certain historical periods, I doubt anything of Christianity would survive to-day. It would very likely have been lost, as were many other cults and religions, with the collapse of the Roman Empire. Therefore the church has been the custodian of Christian teaching, even at times of its worst excesses of coruption in the renaissance. And when we speak of the church, do we mean the people at the top, or the ordinary, sincere christian? The thing is fraught with contradiction - who represents better the medieval church, Saint Francis, or pope Alexander?
True, and the church itself owed its existance and power to the Roman Empire, specifically Emperor Constantine. But also, you can also say that if it weren't for the church, there would be many more widely different variations of Christianity than there are today, assuming that any of it would have survived. The Church dogmatically stomped out any differing faction of Christianity when it gained power, any variation it deemed unorthodox.
This is probably not a Christian belief, per se....But I seriously am thinking about this, let me know what you think ( I am a devout Catholic/Christian btw) I think this proves--all those stories--are all the same god, he is just using differnet names and such for different people and cultures so they can know who he is. Think about this one too--all of the women goddesses--Gia--Mother earth--I think that is a form of the Virgin Mary--to appeal to other people. I obviously think it's Christ and God taking on the forms of these other beings, but it would just show how untied we are as people more than divided. Any thoughts on this, or is this not making any sense? It's late, but my mom and I were talking about this and she thinks what I think to. (Actually, my mom is a Catholic "Witch"---its the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life. If you are confused on what that is, look it up OR PM me ill let you know.)
Minus Catholic/Orthodox Churches, There are somthing like 10,000+ different Protestant denominations. I don't know how many more you would want lol. Christianity would have certainly have fallen had the Church not organized itself the way it did, I would bet money on it.
To many people here are confusing religion with Christianity. To many folks are implying that if you go to church you are being brain washed. Well, If you are a true Christian, you study The Word of God, ask for wisdom and guidence, and listen to what The Holy Spirit tells you about these things. You don't need to pray to Mary, or any other saints. You don't have to go into a booth and confess your sins to get to heaven. You don't have to ride around on your bike and pass out books that have nothing to do with Jesus Christ. All you have to do is put you whole heart into believing and relying in and on Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your saviour, and you are guaranteed a spot in Heaven, reject Him, and you will have front row seats in hell. You all can doubt all you want to. Do your best to derail Christianity. Those that call themselves Christians yet don't follow The Word of God will be easily swayed. However, those that do their best to live according to God's will and Jesus's teachings in The Bible will find themselves attacked on a daily basis. PS Come on God, I am ready for this all to end, let's light this place up and move on.
Pretending to believe in something doesn't really work with me. Convincing myself of such a farce to make myself feel better about my mortality also isn't my style. Besides, in heaven, all the interesting people are missing.
the majority of the things that put a black mark on history are centered around that cult, and stiil it continues. from the genacide of countless great peoples to flying planes into buildings, ( i know there called muslims or some such shit, but to me,, the same book, the same religon) I infuriates me that people can limit themselves in such a fasion, to beleive in something that makes absolutly no sence what so ever, how, why would the creator of the entire universe act that way, feel the need too? and when you ask "why did god tell the isrealites to destroy the zenanites, the men woman children animals? or why did he/it just do this? all you get for a response is god works in mysterous ways" or " have faith".. faith yaeh right, i have faith, faith in my ability to see right from wrong, maybe im just vain, but why would god tell some unknown person or persons the secrets of the universe but not tell me? and how could he give me a mind and then say if you want to live in paradise dont use it. personaly i believe the universe is probaly aware of itself and i try to fallow the "golden rule" thats all i realy can do, but i will not! conform to beliefs of strangers, sorry if i have offended anyone, but i got to say have you actualy read that book? I'm meen realy read it? ask yourself with the mind you have been given , does this petty god sound like a entity worth giving yourself too?,, maybe i'm wrong, maybe i'm not but i have no choice but to keep my mind open and to learn
most of us christians spend a great deal of time reading that book. and yeah, we still think it's worth it. i don't think anyone's going to be offended by your post, though. it's just how you feel. i was there once, too. then something happened to me. too long to explain, really, but if you want, i can tell you how and angry person like me, raised among angry atheists, ended up changing my mind. it's pretty personal, though, and i don't want to post it in the open yet. it's still pretty raw.
i would agree with the statement in bold....but i dont think we have a reliable source of information that accuratly depicts the truth. i also dont really think it matters that we dont. the path to god lies within....not in a book, or church, or a man that supposedly lived and died thousands of years ago (if christ did live i wouldnt say he was the savior but rather a master of that invisible energy that connects us all....there have been many throughout the ages who have been able to harness it....christ no different...)
Really? Name a few. Oh, and make sure they walked on water without using some device(there must be witneses), that they fed 3,000 people with a few loaves of bread and fish, that they cured diseases with just a touch or word, oh, and lastly, that they died for our salvation.
does it even matter? you wouldnt believe me anyway...the "miracles" jesus is said to have performed are within all our abilities, but few ever master the skills. call it Psi, Ki, Manna whatever...its just energy, and learning to control that energy through the mind is somthing many have been able to do... the buddas, the shaman of peru, many occultists (btw occult simply means hidden knowledge)... its not easy and takes hard work but it isnt impossible. the power of the mind is far greater than most can comprehend let alone believe. ...we are all gods, gods that havent a clue...
i think that christ was sinless and sacrificed himself is the most important part of his life. as for his miracles and healings, like lover here said, many are capable of this, as gifts from god. look at the miracles and healings done by his apostles after his death.
what? get over that christianity, or rather the church, has organised itself in such a way as to hate me? i dont think i will. ill get over it when they do. im aware not all christians are homophobic, but i think its wrong that an institution that promotes love of all cannot get over the differences of others.
i'm a christian. i'm over it. i'm also not a member of a church. i prefer the company of the bible and some prayers to the company of most church-goers. people are fallablie and prone to prejudices and hatreds. whatever other gripes you may have against christianity, i don't find this one to be all that worth hanging onto.
Perfect example of someone not following The Bible. Find a church. If you concentrate of the negativity of people in the church, then you are letting Satan win. We are instructed to fellowship and praise. What better place to do it than in a church? Can't find a good one? Find one out of someones home, find something, but don't allow Satan to lure you away from the truth.