A post I saw today: 376271378_...a8a947.jpg

@Huddo's sister: thanks for posting this! I hadn't seen this one before!

Absolutely agree. I don’t think religious people are an enemy, but it does seem that religious organizations take advantage by focusing on fear of others and an “us versus them” mentality. Well meaning people are swept up because they trust the “church” I think having faith in something is essential, but the basics are getting lost in the politics. For all the Christians, when did Jesus condone hatred or prejudice, or superiority of any group of people? He was the OG hippie guy just loving people for who they are, hanging with some guys he met on the road and sharing all of his bread and wine. It feels like the message is lost on some modern day Christians

'respect' and 'hate' are alike in one thing - if you try to give them, you get them back; likewise 'tolerance' and 'intolerance'

Shadow, I am curious where you get your facts that 99.9% of the time God is there to kill? Also, what Jesus says isn’t perfectly followed or adhered to by humans, so why are you assuming that it’s the fault of the religion itself? To aspire to be kind, loving, caring, forgiving, what a wonderful thing! Surely you don’t fault that aspiration? And if we fail, whose fault is it? Surely, ours. The major problem with Christianity is not its premise, but with those who poorly live it out.

@Let's Be Kind: in regards to kill count: well, the Bible originally, but it's everywhere on the Internet (and most likely in r/theydidthemath) but it's something like God - 2.5 Million (with an M!). Satan - 10 (ten). No kidding. Like I low-key said originally ("Jesus himself spoke well, and I like what he actually *for real* stands for.") and you said at the end ("The major problem with Christianity is not its premise, but with those who poorly live it out."), and quoting Gandhi here: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I am so glad to hear you agree with my point, that a lot of Christians aren’t being the example that Christ set. And death is caused by a multitude of reasons, one being that it due directly from our free will, our own choices, whether that be hurting ourselves or hurting someone else. In the Bible, if God put someone to death it was because they made a terrible choice right before that - - free will + consequences. Don’t blame God for natural selection.

2000 years and only one person 'lived it out' perfectly; is this nature's way of saying there may be other factors involved?

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Religion in itself is a wall, a barrier, and the rules of religion can often stop you from seeing Jesus. Words can't describe how many churches out there don't even preach the message of hope, they just preach whatever 'feels good' while in reality, good preaching makes you aware of your sins and imperfections so that you can strive to follow Jesus all the more. You aren't far from the truth. What you said Jesus stands for is exactly the truth, but you are also right that religion isn't all that good. If you've read through a gospel, you'll notice the Pharisees, who are the religious leaders, trying to kill Jesus, he is defying all of their extra rules and disproving them. The religious leaders were constantly trying to put people down, while Jesus was building people up. The thing you seem to be struggling with is aligning Jesus with the religious leaders so to speak. If you know what to look for, you'll find that REAL Christians are the nicest, happiest, and most free people ever!

with an estimated mean lifespan of 25 years, I'm not sure about the 'folks did well' bit; more like 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short'. Religion may have evolved to counteract the 'I've got a bigger wooden club than you, so give me your food' bullies, but I'm not sure it is needed any more. People have evolved, too.

@Star the Furry Therian! Fixed the downvote 😊

God isn’t a genie in a bottle, nor is He Santa Claus, and answers to prayer don’t usually come in the form that we ask for. I am sorry you felt no answer to your prayer, but you did get through your dark moment, and I thank God that you did. God’s character has nothing to do with how humans behave. That’s like trying to describe an elephant when all you see is its left ear. Also, suffering is not because of God. He allows free will, WE are the ones that create suffering. We are the ones destroying ourselves and each other. Think “the most horrible bumper car ride ever.” That’s why we need to be kind.

In the words of Gandhi, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians"

Gandhi does have a point, but to blame God for bad things, to choose to not believe in God doesn’t make sense if you’re basing that decision on how people act.

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Psalms is another great book to read if you are hurting.

not always, some of them are doing their best

I agree, Andrew, but unfortunately the “Christians” that are a terrible representation of Christianity are why posts and comments like these exist- people turning away from God because they are looking at “Christians” who just are that in name only. Meanwhile, those of us who genuinely try to follow Christ are lumped in with the rest of them. It’s like believing all conservatives are racist idiot Trump followers.

Christianity does not equal hypocrisy. Most people don’t live up to their own standards or the standards that are set by God, by society, by social norms, laws, the human conscience, etc. Most people are hypocritical somewhere in their life, it isn’t just Christians.

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The downvotes here are very telling. Why is it that if I tell someone I am “xxxx” religion, it’s tolerated, even if that religion has some bad history or fanatics, but when you tell someone you’re a Christian, ooh boy, that creates a much deeper, emotional response? Accepting Christ as your Savior is so much harder than just doing a bunch of prayers, chanting and meditation. Other religions are based on my behavior and works, (I have the power to save myself), while Christianity is based solely on accepting Jesus Christ as Savior (God has the power to save me).

the reason that all religions are "fine" to tell others about and Christianity is 'bad' is because all other religions are traps by satan to keep people away from the truth. I am not trying to insult anyone and I'm sorry if you interpret it that way, it is not what I am saying. Christ is hated because he said that he is the only way to heaven and all other ways are false. This makes people mad but it is true(see all the downvotes and hidden comments) The path into the bad place is very wide and easy, and there are many ways to get into it. it looks good from the outside, but it is a trap. The way to Heaven is a very narrow path that causes you to have to fight against the stream of all the other people. You have to go through thorns and arid deserts. The gate itself is very small and narrow and very few people make their way through it because people are rebellious and would rather make their own choices than be obedient to anyone or anything. This is not God's fault it is our own.

You are insulting other people by behaving as if you are right and everyone that doesn't believe in CHrist is wrong. It's the audacity of the whole premise. I'm pagan. I was raised Christian. After 30 years of being part of that religion, I finally had enough of the hypocrisy of the Bible and the people who "teach" it. I don't appreciate people like you is because you all can't accept that other religions have merit. You discount them as "traps by satan". There are other religions that has thousands of years behind them, more than Christianity. Respect them, maybe you would get respect.