Jim wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:58 am
moonshadow wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:56 am
Organized religion is a pox on the human species, always has been, always will be.
It seems you don't understand what true religion is according to the Bible:
A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. -- James 1.27
I'm glad you brought that up Jim, when I read articles like the one posted here, I get pissed off when I hear people using their religion to control others, it's a common characteristic of
organized religion. They key word here is
organized.
The verse you described is virtuous and noble, I wouldn't argue that. Whether it matters to whatever created the universe is a matter we may never know and is left to faith.
I don't mean to offend adherents of various religions, especially like yourself Jim, whom after reading your various post, I have no doubt that you're one of the "good ones". However, over my lifetime I have seen Christianity become highly corrupted.
The most recent assault on our basic liberties have come as a result of
project blitz, people who have a warped sense of what "God" wants, and who seek to legislate their constraining beliefs (such as men being
required to behave like "men", and wear proper trousers).
In my view, religion is like a tool, it can be used for good or bad. Sadly in the U.S. the ratio seems to be half and half, with the "bad" gaining ground, especially in Appalachia, where local area churches are eagerly awaiting for the Johnson Ammendment to be abolished so they can formally become a wing of the GOP.
I'm sorry Jim, "the church", in my observation, could not be further removed from "God".
Mom and I had a discussion about this the other day. Many people hear me and assume I'm angry with God. No. I don't even know that there is a God, how can I be angry with an entity I don't even know exist? No, I'm
angry with what humans have done
in the name of God. I'm angry with "the church" for not putting a stop to it, and instead [in many cases] actually encouraging the hate and bigotry. And I'm furious when Christians seek to rule over my life and the lives of others, just so that they can sit peaceful in their own world view.
If there is a Christian man that believes men shouldn't wear feminine garments, that man is free to not wear feminine garments, he has no right to dictate his view onto other men, that's not it works in a free society, and frankly I personally don't believe that whatever created the universe, ["God"], really cares either way.