This is pathetic... And funny!

[Yax]

Now this ought to be one of the most funny things I’ve ever read. When my brother went out to go for a walk, he ran into these persons. ‘We’ve got important infromation’ they said and handed him a piece of information. He first believed it to be political proganda from the leading partys. But no.

‘The End of False Religion Is Near’

That was the headline. And then came a rant concerning the nature of ‘False religion’. False religion causes evil actions, exactly as “A sick tree brings bad fruit” according to the Bible. All arguments in this ‘infromationpaper’ is based on verses from the ‘Holy Bible’. And, if something is written in the Bible, then it must be true, right?

False religion is religion which participates in politics and war. “In the entire Asia and in other locations around the world leaders without scrouples are using religion for their own gain. Now, what a coinsidence that they aim their rants on the Islamists and not  ‘fellow’ Christians? 

After a short rant concerning priest’s who recieves payment for praying for the dead’s soul’s they start to get really aggressive. They think it’s very immoral that homosexuals are allowed to get married in some places. They qoute bible to point out that being homosexual is a crime and will be punished by being banned from heaven. Is it not said that God loves us all? Does that not include homosexuals?  No. If you are homosexual, then you are ‘sexually immoral’ as stated by Jehovas witnesses.They also state that being a pedofile is just as bad. Here in Sweden, Jehovas Witnesses are commonly known of having most convicted sexual crimminals. It is a bit ironic, is it not?

And right after that, a bold question is asked. ‘Do you know any churches that tolerates sexual immoral?’ I think it’s directed to mobilize hatred. It’s so obvious. I got  his image in my head, with an old man pointing his finger while holding a sign saying ‘Do you know any...bla bla...’
It makes me scared.

Now, how does the future look like for the ‘False religions’? That’s the nexy qestion answered. As qouted from the bible (Swedish translation by me): ‘ Every single tree which does not produce decent fruit will be cut down and destroyed.’

The political powers of the world will fight the ‘False religions’ and destroy them! And, what will be the reason, it’s asked? The answer is just at hand. ‘God will infuse his will into the hearts of man’.  And, He will also make the ‘False religions’ leaders stand trial for all the loathsome actions committed in His name. And, his justice will prevail. At least, that's what they said.


Now, there’s the summary of the ‘information paper’ we recieved. It makes one laugh, eh? 

 

[Anomica]

I'm just happy that not all (in fact very few) religious people are as fanatical as this.

 

[Natalie]

It's better to laugh at this sort of thing than get angry because of it, in my view. Still, we shouldn't be completely laid-back about this either. We might laugh at it now, but who knows in 20 years how the world might be? Imagine if the majority of people in Sweden (or anywhere else for that matter) came to think like this? We can't let the same thing happen as it did in Germany in the 1930's when in the 1920's the Nazi party was still being laughed at. Granted, this isn't quite the same thing, but its similar because its extreme.

 

[SneakySneaky]

Ridiculous as it may be,  they do have one single point (but of course they don't believe it).  Indeed religion is false when it's used in politics and war etc.  That involves every religion and not just the Islamic one.  Even if what they said was right about "false" religion,  I highly doubt they really believed anything they said....

 

[IronDuke]

The Bible mentions gays once. So fundies think it's important to ban gay rights. Fine. They're entitled to believe whatever they want. BUT, the same Bible contaains about 368 instances of helping the poor and sick. Where the hell are these same zealots then? Why aren't they using 368x as much energy trying to feed the hungry and building hospitals/homeless shelters?

I'm reminded of the following scene from NBC's The West Wing:
The President is in a big crowd, and singles out a right-wing religious radio sow host.

BARTLET: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

JACOBS: I don’t say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

BARTLET: Yes it does. Leviticus.

JACOBS: 18:22.

BARTLET: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?
While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?
Here’s one that’s really important because we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?
Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you?

 

[Natalie]

Excellent, excellent. Give 'em some of their own medecine. If this all wouldn't be so serious because of all the insane extremist religious people out there, I would be rolling on the floor, laughing my head off.

 

[Raven]

The Bible mentions gays once. So fundies think it's important to ban gay rights. Fine. They're entitled to believe whatever they want. BUT, the same Bible contaains about 368 instances of helping the poor and sick. Where the hell are these same zealots then? Why aren't they using 368x as much energy trying to feed the hungry and building hospitals/homeless shelters?

I'm reminded of the following scene from NBC's The West Wing:
The President is in a big crowd, and singles out a right-wing religious radio sow host.

BARTLET: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

JACOBS: I don’t say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

BARTLET: Yes it does. Leviticus.

JACOBS: 18:22.

BARTLET: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?
While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?
Here’s one that’s really important because we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?
Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you?

Thanks for that, Duke.  I was just about to mention the hypocrisy and inconsistency of the way some Christians follow the Old Testament when it suits them.  It's interesting to note that Jesus never states anything in the Gospels about homosexuality, and any mention of it in the Epistles is against immoral homosexual sex, in the same breath as heterosexual immorality...pretty much, unless you want to read it literally, the Apostles condemn any sexual immorality, but don't condemn sex as an act of love.  The fact is that some religious fanatics are so close-minded, it scares me.

Woot! 666 posts! >:[

 

[Anonymous]

hehe, congrats raven

Don't even get me started on religion, it's a touchy subject but I'll just say it's full of hypocrties and liers most times. Catholics are supposed to be forgiving and understanding yet they automatically comdemn beliefs that are not theirs and the whole, "we're good holy people, repent sinners" whatever, just think about the priests getting it on with little boys, and if they really are as holy as they say they are.

doesn't it get you irratated when people come to your house trying to get you to go to their church and won't leave you alone? grrr happened last week

 

[IronDuke]

Don't even get me started on religion, it's a touchy subject but I'll just say it's full of hypocrties and liers most times. Catholics are supposed to be forgiving and understanding yet they automatically comdemn beliefs that are not theirs and the whole, "we're good holy people, repent sinners" whatever, just think about the priests getting it on with little boys, and if they really are as holy as they say they are.

Pot, meet kettle.

 

[Onhell]

doesn't it get you irratated when people come to your house trying to get you to go to their church and won't leave you alone? grrr happened last week

No, what irritates me is people talking about subjects they no nothing about. Every race, religion, nation, etc has bad apples and they are a MINORITY. You are new here, but know that the days of huge religious discussions on this board are long gone and careful with your critiques, because you'll have people on both camp (atheist and religious) come down on you.

p.s.
  Thank you Duke

 

[Raven]

No, what irritates me is people talking about subjects they no nothing about. Every race, religion, nation, etc has bad apples and they are a MINORITY. You are new here, but know that the days of huge religious discussions on this board are long gone and careful with your critiques, because you'll have people on both camp (atheist and religious) come down on you.

p.s.
  Thank you Duke

Unfortunately, however, there are so many 'bad apples' in the Christian faith that the impression is that all Christians are prejudiced, judgmental conservative bigots.  I suppose it follows the old maxim; the voice of the bigoted minorities will always be louder than that of the majority.  Bah.

 

[Urizen]

If people in general took religion less seriously, there would be less antagonism and more understanding in the world.

 

[Albie]

Trouble is, people do. I read a quote today from a last.fm user, prompted by my argument to some anti-metal berater, that simply said:

And lets not go into the two thousand years of bad decisions christianity has done with the world from simply taking a very cool cat named jesus a bit too seriously.

I have to admit, it made me smile. If you are interested, read the discussion here.

 

[Natalie]

Those were some very good, rational, level-headed comments on that anti-metal person's rant. It made me laugh in a weird way, because we've all heard this kind of thing before. Just because one band has pro-satan lyrics or whatever doesn't make the entire GENRE pro-satan. And anyway, you can tell that these kind of people have no idea what they're talking about. If they care so much about their kids and what music they listen to, they should read the lyrics of every metal band. If they don't give up, they might realize that there is more to metal lyrics than one might think.

 

[Albie]

Natalie, pretty much in my train of thoughts.

 

[Natalie]

Natalie, pretty much in my train of thoughts.

Great minds think alike! 

 

[Wästed The Great]

Albie, thought those remarks were very well thought out!  I think many people think that just because many of us listen to heavy metal, we can't be intelligent, and form good arguments ourselves.  I do have kids and will let them listen to what ever they want... they seem to be able to form their own opinions about music and the world that way.  Thot it amusing to see my son listening to Number of the Beast, and reading the Bible to compare the intro. My mom turned the 'Maiden Hater' corner when I asked her to listen to some lyrics off that album, 20 years ago, and became accepting, even tho not a "fan"; she is heavily religious, and open minded.  I've been lucky to have that type of influence in my life.

 

[Albie]

Thot it amusing to see my son listening to Number of the Beast, and reading the Bible to compare the intro.

As a teenager, that is pretty much the sort of thing I did. And it has taught me to be open minded - to see both sides. It just grates me to see folk so closed of in their opinion.

 

[Wästed The Great]

I agree completely , and it is frustrating to hear such closed minds.  I think it was stated earlier that many of the loudest voices in that fold are the closed minds.  But, hopefully, people will realize that there are lots of open minded people out there, if we take the time to respect their thoughts while expressing our own.  -- much as those previously well mentioned remarks were made earlier.  People seem to get on their 'high horse' and look down on the religious fanatics... but the thoughtfull comments, made calmly, are the ones that go deepest.  I say again:  great on the rebuttal earlier!!!

 

[Onhell]

If people in general took religion less seriously, there would be less antagonism and more understanding in the world.

There is nothing wrong with taking religion seriously, and in fact it should be taken seriously, not just by believers but by non-believers. They should at least respect it instead of making a mockery of it.

I take my religion very seriously, but you don't see me calling women who have gotten abortions "baby killers" or people of other religions "heathens" or calling for oppresion of Jews.

I cannot stress this enough, just cause there are a few bad apples it doesn't negate or override that religions original message and intentions.