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Do people still believe in Hell?

They must be so hard having to treat non-Christians like human beings. That's why they have to try so hard to strip them of their rights. God intended for marriage to be between man and a woman, until the woman gets too old so he can upgrade to a younger model.
 
I wonder with Christians and how mean they are or aren't how it goes according to political views. Are liberal Christians very different than republican Christians?
I mean Martin Luthor King was a minister and I doubt he was a bad guy though I got to admit I have always wondered what his stance was on gays,abortion,drugs and etc? All I really know about him is his effort in leading the fight for Civil Eights but I'm not sure I have ever seen anything about him beyond that, other than some vague idea that he was sleeping with a white woman and J Edgar Hoover had a file on him.

Jason

There are Christian splinter groups that pay no heed to the after life at all. They think it's there, but it's not an issue of any import.

Hell, Satanism technically counts as an offshoot.:shrug:
 
They must be so hard having to treat non-Christians like human beings. That's why they have to try so hard to strip them of their rights. God intended for marriage to be between man and a woman, until the woman gets too old so he can upgrade to a younger model.
What frustrates me the most is that it's not even the majority of Christians, it's a sect of Dominionists in the Pentecostal, Baptist, and Non-Denominational Evangelical branches of Christianity, the one that says having millions of dollars is what God wants for you, and that helping the poor is just enabling them to be lazy. These people are the anti-Christ in almost every sense of the term, and they're the ones who seek the most power and influence. It's just that, since 70% of the country is Christian, even 10% being Evangelical would amount to tens of millions of these Dominionists who fuck it over for everyone else.
 
If American Christians faced actual persecution they would never leave the house. So they whine about mean atheists and Target and act like they're heroes.
I never understood the persecution stuff either. I think the only thing I can think of is maybe they feel people complain about them all the time while letting other religions off the hook when it comes to criticism.
I can sort of see this in the way when we see a Muslim radical commit a terrorist act you have people rush out to defend the Muslim people and point out it doesn't reflect the views of all Muslims yet if a Christian does something bad it does become a reflection of the religion.
While I sort of understand this I think they kind of forget the need to rush to defend the innocent Muslims is because they themselves are usually some of the first ones to blame them all. It proably is a double standard but i'm not sure they would like the best way to aproach the issue and that is to say all religion is bad unless it is allowed to exist in a secular controlled enviroment.

Jason
 
I never understood the persecution stuff either. I think the only thing I can think of is maybe they feel people complain about them all the time while letting other religions off the hook when it comes to criticism.
I can sort of see this in the way when we see a Muslim radical commit a terrorist act you have people rush out to depend the Muslim people and point out it doesn't reflect the views of all Muslims yet if a Christian does something bad it does become a reflection of the religion.
While I sort of understand this I think they kind of forget the need to rush to defend the innocent Muslims is because they themselves are usually some of the first ones to blame them all. It proably is a double standard but i'm not sure they would like the best way to aproach the issue and that is to say all religion is bad unless it is allowed to exist in a secular controlled enviroment.

Jason
Except it's spun the opposite way in the news, and by Christian organizations. One Muslim extremist murders somebody, Islam becomes the "so called religion of peace," and "let's turn the Middle East into a glass parking lot." When an avowed white supremacist who declares himself one of the true faithful of Jesus Christ walks into a school and shoots children, he's just a lone wolf. That is how it is portrayed.
 
Remember the Jesus people movement? Christianity needs another thing like that which sweeps away all the garbage and gets people excited about the good stuff. Something big and real. I'm expecting to see that in my lifetime.
I expect that as well.
If American Christians faced actual persecution they would never leave the house. So they whine about mean atheists and Target and act like they're heroes.
I think people would genuinely be surprised by the Christian church's reaction.
They must be so hard having to treat non-Christians like human beings. That's why they have to try so hard to strip them of their rights. God intended for marriage to be between man and a woman, until the woman gets too old so he can upgrade to a younger model.
What church teaches this? Genuine question, not sarcastic, as I want to know what churches to avoid.

And I'll save the trouble-the answer, for me, isn't all of them. Some of the most supportive people I have in my life are Christians, and the people who regard my life choices of being a counselor as suspicious or ridiculous are atheists, agnostics, or Pagans. There are exceptions, of course, but that has been my general experience.
 
Except it's spun the opposite way in the news, and by Christian organizations. One Muslim extremist murders somebody, Islam becomes the "so called religion of peace," and "let's turn the Middle East into a glass parking lot." When an avowed white supremacist who declares himself one of the true faithful of Jesus Christ walks into a school and shoots children, he's just a lone wolf. That is how it is portrayed.
I agree. I think people forget the first terrorist threat to America was the Klu Klux Klan and that was Christian based. I think the one upside though in modern America is that we have done a better job of keeping are radical nutjobs in check since the 60's plus the Bible had it's reboot that made God into less of a asshole, though I see that kind of being reversed with the Alt right.
I'm not sure if in some Muslim based countries they ever had any major reform to how they aproach the Koran. When do they get their reboot and hippie movement to start changing things. Maybe it will happen once America stops trying to control everything through bombs and siding with one crazed nutjob group who is the "moderate" over a equally crazed group.
Maybe instead of bringing war we could instead bring food,books and wi-fi to these countries so they can see that the world can be a better place.

Jason
 
I agree. I think people forget the first terrorist threat to America was the Klu Klux Klan and that was Christian based. I think the one upside though in modern America is that we have done a better job of keeping are radical nutjobs in check since the 60's plus the Bible had it's reboot that made God into less of a asshole, though I see that kind of being reversed with the Alt right.
I'm not sure if in some Muslim based countries they ever had any major reform to how they aproach the Koran. When do they get their reboot and hippie movement to start changing things. Maybe it will happen once America stops trying to control everything through bombs and siding with one crazed nutjob group who is the "moderate" over a equally crazed group.
Maybe instead of bringing war we could instead bring food,books and wi-fi to these countries so they can see that the world can be a better place.

Jason
The first terrorist threat to America was George Washington. #FightMe

;)

Seriously, though, Islam was the height of civilization a thousand years ago: Science, art, literature, mathematics, you can thank them for preserving and continuing these things, which occurred before they had their own Dark Ages, which we are now experiencing. I do have hope, however, that thanks to modern communication networks and the spread of information around the world, Islam will likely soon face its own renaissance as practitioners grow tired of the tightened grip of theocracy, just as the subjects of the Christian church felt it 400 years ago, and began to rebel, to fight for a refinement of what it meant to be human, to be a living, thinking being.

Culture, any culture, waxes and wanes over time. We're experiencing a waning culture, with Christianity at the helm, and prepared to drive the ship onto the rocks as opposed to handing it over to someone better suited to navigate these new waters. That said, the U.S. has never really kept anything in check. We've watched people die, we've mourned and said "how could this happen? We have to do something," at which point we make a token gesture, if that, and returned to our previous course. It has happened that way every single time, whether it was church-goers, senior citizens, children, we've done it over and over again. We've become comfortable with this routine of saying without doing, and it's coming to a head with the younger generation, who looks around and sees all of this ridiculousness. Fundamentalist Christianity is growing, as other aspects of Christianity slump, and lose members. At the same time, the younger generations are more and more likely to adhere to either a personal non-religious faith, or are agnostics and atheists. So I have hope for that future.
 
I think 'victims' become the bullies and all they can see is themselves. It's sad and I feel sorry for them but Christians have been persecuted for centuries.
 
I think people would genuinely be surprised by the Christian church's reaction.
I've seen their reactions to Happy Holidays, equality and anyone who doesn't fit into their idea of "normal".

What church teaches this? Genuine question, not sarcastic, as I want to know what churches to avoid.
They don't teach it, they just don't condemn it. Otherwise they'd have to go after their leaders and most Republicans.

And I'll save the trouble-the answer, for me, isn't all of them. Some of the most supportive people I have in my life are Christians, and the people who regard my life choices of being a counselor as suspicious or ridiculous are atheists, agnostics, or Pagans. There are exceptions, of course, but that has been my general experience.
This is my experience with Christianity. I was raised in a Southern Baptist church. I was taught that people like me were mentally ill perverts who would burn in hell for eternity. I've had Christian childhood friends publically brag about how he would assault people like me. I've heard their leaders wish that their followers would murder people like me for using the restroom and use their influence to either ban me from using it or putting me into a position where I'd be physically attacked, raped or worse.

I'm glad you've had a good experience, but nothing will ever make up for the pain, suffering and fear they caused me. So I really have no patience for Christians feigning ignorance and innocence or playing the victim card.
 
I agree. I think people forget the first terrorist threat to America was the Klu Klux Klan and that was Christian based. I think the one upside though in modern America is that we have done a better job of keeping are radical nutjobs in check since the 60's plus the Bible had it's reboot that made God into less of a asshole, though I see that kind of being reversed with the Alt right.
I'm not sure if in some Muslim based countries they ever had any major reform to how they aproach the Koran. When do they get their reboot and hippie movement to start changing things. Maybe it will happen once America stops trying to control everything through bombs and siding with one crazed nutjob group who is the "moderate" over a equally crazed group.
Maybe instead of bringing war we could instead bring food,books and wi-fi to these countries so they can see that the world can be a better place.

Jason
There are some African (I believe) countries that have already managed to create border to border wifi so it will be interesting to see how that flow of information impacts their growth.

I've seen their reactions to Happy Holidays, equality and anyone who doesn't fit into their idea of "normal".

They don't teach it, they just don't condemn it. Otherwise they'd have to go after their leaders and most Republicans.

This is my experience with Christianity. I was raised in a Southern Baptist church. I was taught that people like me were mentally ill perverts who would burn in hell for eternity. I've had Christian childhood friends publically brag about how he would assault people like me. I've heard their leaders wish that their followers would murder people like me for using the restroom and use their influence to either ban me from using it or putting me into a position where I'd be physically attacked, raped or worse.

I'm glad you've had a good experience, but nothing will ever make up for the pain, suffering and fear they caused me. So I really have no patience for Christians feigning ignorance and innocence or playing the victim card.
I'm not arguing against your experience, and I'm sorry that that happened to you.

Like I said, I've been mocked by atheists and Pagans for my choices, so there are a wide variety people in every group.

Also, I don't think the people who knee jerk react to "Happy Holiday" cups will deal well, but I think the average Christian, who genuinely wants to love their neighbor, will deal with the persecution better than many realize.

Regardless, I'm not arguing against your experience. I only wish I knew you in person so that I could support you better.
 
I think 'victims' become the bullies and all they can see is themselves. It's sad and I feel sorry for them but Christians have been persecuted for centuries.
What, to you, counts as persecution? I am speaking specifically of the United States. I know about the persecution of Christians that take place in nations like China, I want to know what you consider persecution here, in the U.S.
 
I can sort of see this in the way when we see a Muslim radical commit a terrorist act you have people rush out to defend the Muslim people and point out it doesn't reflect the views of all Muslims yet if a Christian does something bad it does become a reflection of the religion.


Jason
That's very true Jason. Same goes with an Atheist. You don't often read or hear of a criminal who is not Christian or Muslim defined in the media as the Atheist thief or the Atheist drunk driver. So there isn't a group degradation happening at the same time.
 
I think 'victims' become the bullies and all they can see is themselves. It's sad and I feel sorry for them but Christians have been persecuted for centuries.
Not in this country. Not in large parts of Europe since before the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Constantine "legitimized" Christianity three Centuries after the death of Christ.
 
I also find it very telling that @Refuge refuses to respond to anyone who has faced real persecution so she can continue to cry about being slightly criticized on a message board.
Some things must be learned through personal experience and no other way will teach.

"You can bring a child to knowledge but you can't make him think!" Lt. Colonel Dubois, Starship Troopers.
 
That 'holiday' thing amuses. Like when people feel it is not religious of origin. I mean what part of holy day don't they get? Still it is also a day of simple recreation for many. It's like when people are scared to use the word man so they use person.. don't they see the word 'son' in person? Human has man in it.. time to rewrite the dictionary I think. Perhaps people are focusing on the wrong things?
 
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