(no subject)

[inaki]

So.. A good number of folks on my friendslist like to post anti-christian posts all the time. The christians did this and did that and so on..

I think, just to balance things out and play Devil's Advocate (heh), I'm going to start posting positive things various Christian groups do. Just because I can.

Comments

Thank you!

[toraneko.livejournal.com]

I'm getting sick and tired of all the Christian bashing. Not all are fanatics and hypocrits and the basic message of Christianity is one of love and peace. That seems to be forgotten a heck of a lot.

Re: Thank you!

[keeperofdreams.livejournal.com]

I fully agree with this statement. May not be my religion of choice, but I don't care if others walk down that path. Long as they follow that whole 'do unto others' rule, it's all good!

[loranskunky.livejournal.com]

It's basically like any other group. The few nuts out there are making it look bad for everyone else. Yes, there are some fanatical types out there, but it's not the majority of them.

[asrinmoore.livejournal.com]

The bad is easier to see then the good, becazuse when the bad happens, people share it more then when the good happens.

Christians or not, I think /any/ group of people that does good should have recognition.

[jonasbagel.livejournal.com]

I'm indifferent to Christianity. I don't see it as inherently worse or better than any other religion. It's just another belief system to me -- when people do bad or good things in Christ's name, I see the person doing that, not the religion.

[rogue-richek.livejournal.com]

I've been playing the devils advocate for years. Except I actually like Christianity for the most part.

That and most of the arguments that people put forth are based on bad information and personal prejudices. Numbers often rip them asunder.

And numbers dont lie... but they do bitch-slap faulty logic.

[mharpold8.livejournal.com]

What sucks is that Christian bashing disguises the crimes of political organizations that cloak themselves in Christianity. It's a step backwards to blame what, say, Focus on the Family does on Christianity. It helps their cause. It's simply power politics with a thin candy coating.

[dv-girl.livejournal.com]

I think that's a very thin line. They might be a political group but they wouldn't have any power if religious people didn't give it to them. Take Hitler for instance. Most christians these days are quick to claim that Hitler wasn't a christian but he absolutely used the bible as a rallying cry to gather followers and preyed on the conservative christians in his country to use as tools.

Certainly these people weren't acting like 'good christians'. They were greedy and selfish and the jews made a good scapegoat BUT as with Milgram's experiment wasn't it a LOT easier for them to justify hating jews because of the New Testament, just as now it's easier for conservatives to justify hating feminists and homosexuals. Who is God but the ultimate authority?

To be fair though. ANY authority can be so badly misused and Hitler combined his misuse of christianity with the bad science of social Darwinism. Those two ideas make deadly playmates (which is why the american right really frightens me)

... Which leads me to see the obvious. Religion is full of flaws. It's easy to take shots at but there are lots of little people who are religious and they'll rise to defend it no matter how obviously broken it is. Meanwhile, the ideas that suit the oligarchy go largely unchallenged and they only have to give lip service to religion to keep the pawns in line. Arguing religion is a waste of time. It's a war of attrition with the foot soldiers. It would instead be better to focus on the power coupling.

Two problem there. The first being that our plutocrats have deeply embedded themselves as spokespersons for God. Per Milgram's experiment, this effectively means what they say IS religion to a degree.

Second: Were I to press home points like: 'What IS the connection between Jesus and global warming?' or 'There's about two hundred places in the bible both old testament and new where God and Jesus talk about being charitable to strangers and the poor. So why are you opposed to social security and healthcare?' I would, in effect, be no better than our republicans as I'd be trying to manipulate religion in the same manner. Plus, since I am speaking from outside the power structure, my voice has no authority and is easily dismissed.

The direct approach also fails because the plutocracy controls the media and can pump out misinformation at thousands of times the volume of what the opposition can. So... What do you suggest one should do? Shut up and conform?

[ilthuain.livejournal.com]

So what, you're trying to spread tolerance and understanding rather than distrust and hate?






craaaaazy

[swordianmaster.livejournal.com]

Hey! I don't post anything any of the time!


The christians did it! No, to be honest, "The Christians" don't do anything. It's a disgustingly broad term in America that can cover anything from Baptism to Presbyterianism to, in the political sense, roman f***ing Catholics. :\ The media sucks..

[miriafox.livejournal.com]

It heavily depends on the denomination and the people involved, like any group. The 'Homosexuals are bad' crew certainly won't be gaining any of my support, though, regardless of how anyone might try to candy coat that. However, to say that athiesm or agnoticism is any sort of majority is ignoring percentages by quite a margin, so lets not start bashing a minority.

[ilthuain.livejournal.com]

"The 'Homosexuals are bad' crew certainly won't be gaining any of my support, though, regardless of how anyone might try to candy coat that."

There might be some good people in that "crew". Just because someone holds an opinion you disagree with it doesn't make them black-as-pitch evil. Some are pretty nasty business, but I'll bet you could find plenty of otherwise good people who are creeped out by gays.

Gay rights is a new thing, so not all the good folks are on board yet. There were some awesome people who were pretty darn racist at the turn of the century, just like there are some nifty folks who are a little homophobic now. Understanding and tolerance will defeat discrimination, not division and hatred.

[blackswan666.livejournal.com]

While granted, there are some christians that DO do positive things, most of the press that is seen/heard is of the negative nature. Also, please don't say EVERYONE posts anti-christian things ALL the time. I sure as hell don't. Rob sure as hell doesn't... :/

Who are the people bombing abortion clinics and shooting doctors that perform abortions? Christians.

Who protests the loudest about teh_gayz? Who is the most vocal group protesting gays being allowed to marry? You know... Godhatesfags.com? Christians.

Just a couple of examples, I know... however, if you want to be christian, then get straight and quit taking it in the ass, as the bible says being gay is wrong. Don't be kinky.

Instead of doing things to help friends and bitching about not getting paid back, do as the bible says and forgive and forget. Love thy neighbor and all that other good stuff.

In my life, I have seen VERY few christians walk the walk when it comes to the whole Jesus is love thing.

You're probably the least likely person I know to be spouting off about christians being so wonderful. While I appreciate the fact that your parents are christian and do good things for the people in Africa, the vast majority take what they want out of the bible to protest about things, and leave the rest because it doesn't fit in with their agenda.

So... are you going to walk the walk, or just work the mouthpiece and go through the motions?

I'm sorry if this pisses you off, but I'm rather put off by being lumped into the "EVERYBODY" catagory and I'm tired of having christianity shoved in my face and told I'm going straight to hell when I'm just trying to live my own life to the best of my ability. :/

I consider religion to be like politics. It's something I would much prefer not to get into a "discussion" about, due to the fact that it's such a heated subject and has been the downfall of many a friendship. Your mileage may vary, just my .02, opinions are my own, void where prohibited, etc.

[miriafox.livejournal.com]

I think I agree with you there. Sorry to say, I might have to remove this journal from my watch list if the religion thing becomes a constant. I get enough Christ-botting as it is from my parents, and it certainly isn't awesome to constantly get bashed for being agnostic or athiest just because you choose to speak out against a /majority/ of people for your beliefs.

[kyhwana.livejournal.com]

The bible DOESN'T say that teh gay is wrong, though.
That's misinterpretation/mistranslation/misunderstand..
As mharpold8 said, they're just using their bad translations to justify their bigotry.

As an example.

[ilthuain.livejournal.com]

"In my life, I have seen VERY few christians walk the walk when it comes to the whole Jesus is love thing. "

You're probably looking in the wrong place.

[kadyg.livejournal.com]

That's interesting idea. Allow me to suggest your first talking point: Positive thinking from KC ripples around the world

I think this is a brilliant idea and I'm happy to see a church start it. It's like someone finally read the Gospels and got what they're trying to say.

[doodlesthegreat.livejournal.com]

Feel free. I treat all religions equally. =};-3

[kyhwana.livejournal.com]

I know! Lets have a competition! See who can find the most pro/anti christian/religious stories!

[doodlesthegreat.livejournal.com]

In and Out Burger is run by Christians. 'nuff said.

opinion

[belunar.livejournal.com]

There are good Xs out there. Problem is that most that call themselves X arnt. They ether do not understand the origional message, decide to twist it to their own meens, or just dont understand what it is to be X. Please fill in the X with your choice of religion, political group, or other major sociological orginisation.

Reply

[baxil.livejournal.com]

But I have had bad experiences with X, which privileges me to challenge your opinion.

(I think you'd enjoy efw. :))

[baxil.livejournal.com]

If you're serious about this (one of the commenters said it was for the lulz, and I don't know what to think), you could do worse than reading Slacktivist. A liberal evangelical Christian who spends a great deal of time taking down the horrendous theology of the "Left Behind" series, and arguing for what Christian values really should be about.

[amethe.livejournal.com]

I love how those that say "I prefer not to discuss religion" are the ones leaving dissertations on why religion is bad and such. Of course, being one of the few that "get it" when it comes to the purpose of this drama explosion, I find it all hilarious anyway.

It's a true demonstration of how people with chips on their shoulders will try to act civil only AFTER their message has been delivered. Civility can wait until they've had their rant after all, right?

[miriafox.livejournal.com]

I personally said it depends on the denomination and the person, but this whole thing is an example of why I don't discuss it my journal, mention it, or bother to talk about it in LJ land, because it can end up with one side bashing the other, and it's a great way to lose friends. LJ has little to nothing in terms of moderation beyond the users themselves, and as this sort of debate gets heated and often quite ugly, it's easy to understand why people wouldn't want to be involved, though everyone is going to give their reasons before they pull out.

Baiting is a troll tactic (look it up on ED, lolz), regardless, which is what you're doing when you deliberately try to go out and get people on your friends list to create drama. Is this an admittance to this, or what?