I Hate Religion

[Guest]

I think it's a big mind game used to control people. 90 percent of it is ridiculous. It's used over and over again to justify killing people. If Jesus is real and really resuresurrected then Christianity/Catholicism is the only "religion" that is worth a grain of salt. The Bible says religion with any value or one worth anything is helping the poor and the widow. Used to have a great friend who was raised Mormon. Pure craziness and ridiculousness. I'm just thankful it didn't turn her atheist like it does a lot of Ex- Mormans. She still believes in God. You could argue the same for Christianity and you're right if Christ isn't raised from the dead. I believe he is. But there's so much about even Christianity that is tough to accept. God and Jesus are the same yet God says to stone adulters to death in the O.T. but Jesus says to turn the other cheek?  Protestants are defitently right though it's about a relationship with Christ and being born again. God can only be worshiped through spirit and truth. Not false religions. I'm sorry I hate religion but I honestly do. Thanks for letting me share.

Edited August 2, 2016 by Guest

[Ash Wednesday]

I'm going to respectfully disagree here -- there is good in religion. It is mankind who abuses and misuses it. 

I always liked Pope St. John Paul II's quote on religion -- he described it as "man's attempt to solve the riddle of the human condition"

 

 

[Anomaly]

It took me over forty years to realize that the various religions don't do any better than logic, philosophy, or social consequences in influencing people's behaviors to simply coexist. Religion is just another social/human institution for transmission of culture.   Religious beliefs are used as often for hate, disrespect, divisiveness, dislike, just as often as other social institution that influences societal behavior.   Unprincipled people can always find a reason and excuse.  

[LittleWaySoul]

Religion and relationship are not mutually exclusive as many try to imply. 

Also this:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE

[CatherineM]

How are you a Church Millitant if you hate religion?

[Gabriela]

34 minutes ago, CatherineM said:

How are you a Church Millitant if you hate religion?

Exactly what I was wondering. This is not the first time we've brought up whether Josh should have a CM tag.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, LittleWaySoul said:

Religion and relationship are not mutually exclusive as many try to imply. 

Also this:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE

That video is talking about Catholicism  not false religions. 

58 minutes ago, CatherineM said:

How are you a Church Millitant if you hate religion?

What's wrong with hating  false religion? 

[LittleWaySoul]

1 hour ago, Josh said:

That video is talking about Catholicism  not false religions. 

What's wrong with hating  false religion? 

I think our collective concern was that you seemed to imply that you hated all religion, not just false religions. Catholicism is both about religion and relationship, so saying that you hated religion in general was a bit worrisome. Perhaps we misunderstood you?

[Guest]

I was talking about false religion which is every single one except Catholicism. So yes i hate 99% of religion. I think Catholics get to defensive when the word religion gets brought up. They want to defend the religion of Catholicism so they think they have to defend all the other ones also. The Bible says true religion is visiting those in prison and helping widows. And even the religion of Catholicism no matter how true it is won't save you if you have no relationship with Christ. How many Catholics say "I'm Catholic " yet don't go to Mass, don't go to Confession, are pro choice, support abortion ect ect ect. So just identifying with the ONLY RELIGION THAT ISN'T FALSE won't get you anywhere if you're not regenerated and born again and have a sincere faith and belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Edited August 3, 2016 by Guest

[Amppax]

Religion is a virtue, and a natural one at that. I'd highly suggest you look at what St. Thomas Aquinas has to say about the virtue of religion in the Summa Theologiae (Question 81), Josh. Religion is the virtue of rendering justice to God. While Christ (and his Church) is the way, the truth, and the life through whom all come to the Father (John 14:6), nevertheless, there is a natural level of rendering this justice to God, and it can be seen in virtuous people of other faiths. This virtue is not salvific, for we are saved by God's grace, however it can be a conduit for God to give grace to those outside the Church. 

I would encourage you to do some reading about the natural virtue of religion. What you seem to hate is religious people's hypocrisy and legalism, and those are things that are certainly worthy of condemnation. However, take care not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. 

I'm editing to add, Dr. Scott Hahn has a section about natural religion in his book Reasons to Believe. I personally found it very helpful. He talks a lot about natural religion, in fact its one of the core topics of one of the graduate classes he teaches. 

Edited August 3, 2016 by Amppax

[Guest]

Just now, Amppax said:

Religion is a virtue, and a natural one at that. I'd highly suggest you look at what St. Thomas Aquinas has to say about the virtue of religion in the Summa Theologiae (Question 81), Josh. Religion is the virtue of rendering justice to God. While Christ (and his Church) is the way, the truth, and the life through whom all come to the Father (John 14:6), nevertheless, there is a natural level of rendering this justice to God, and it can be seen in virtuous people of other faiths. This virtue is not salvific, for we are saved by God's grace, however it can be a conduit for God to give grace to those outside the Church. 

I would encourage you to do some reading about the natural virtue of religion. What you seem to hate is religious people's hypocrisy and legalism, and those are things that are certainly worthy of condemnation. However, take care not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. 

I'm editing to add, Dr. Scott Hahn has a section about natural religion in his book Reasons to Believe. I personally found it very helpful. He talks a lot about natural religion, in fact its one of the core topics of one of the graduate classes he teaches. 

Great post. Thanks.

[little2add]

On August 2, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Anomaly said:

It took me over forty years to realize that the various religions don't do any better than logic, philosophy, or social consequences in influencing people's behaviors to simply coexist. Religion is just another social/human institution for transmission of culture.   Religious beliefs are used as often for hate, disrespect, divisiveness, dislike, just as often as other social institution that influences societal behavior.   Unprincipled people can always find a reason and excuse.  

i do not think you know what the meaning of "religion" is.

i do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya

Edited August 7, 2016 by little2add

[Papist]

Christ established a Church, not a religion. 

I agree with Ash. Imperfect humans formed the religions. 

[Anomaly]

On August 7, 2016 at 9:03 AM, little2add said:

i do not think you know what the meaning of "religion" is.

i do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya

I'm quite sure I understand what "religion" means.  

I don't have unrealistic expectations for religion.   Most religions and its followers are genuinely well intentioned and have a positive influence on society.   There is a point that any social institution that influences opinions can get misdirected misused. 

Morality isn't just decreed by a Divine Entity.   Humanity has developed its knowledge and understanding and has evolved. 

We collectively would be aghast at the thought of sacrificing a child in obedience to disembodied voices like Abraham almost did.  Both Christians and Muslums and Jews trace their religion from that story with different conclusions. 

Edited August 8, 2016 by Anomaly

[little2add]

O ye, of little faith.  Why are you afraid?

10 hours ago, Papist said:

Christ established a Church, not a religion. 

I agree with Ash. Imperfect humans formed the religions. 

 

Jesus was not imperfect

 

, “But whom say ye that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded to Peter by saying, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven’” (Matthew 16:17-19).

9 hours ago, Anomaly said:

I'm quite sure I understand what "religion" means.  

I don't have unrealistic expectations for religion.   Most religions and its followers are genuinely well intentioned and have a positive influence on society.   There is a point that any social institution that influences opinions can get misdirected misused. 

Morality isn't just decreed by a Divine Entity.   Humanity has developed its knowledge and understanding and has evolved. 

We collectively would be aghast at the thought of sacrificing a child in obedience to disembodied voices like Abraham almost did.  Both Christians and Muslums and Jews trace their religion from that story with different conclusions. 

i do not think it means what you think it means