Reply #55: Last I heard the pentecostal church had 80 million members strong in the US alone. [View All]

[Union Yes]

They are perhaps the most politically influential religious group in America.

Well funded and well organized. They have defeated progress perhaps moreso than any other political organization in the history of our nation.

You're spot on correct about the AOG church. I'd have a hard time explaining it any better than what you said.

Let's take a look at a much more tolerant or so called more tolerant denomination.

The Episcopal Church of America.

Years ago, 2003 I think, Pastor Gene Robinson was elected as the first openly gay Bishop of the ECOA.
The church divided nationally and many left in anger that the church would ever embrace LGBT people.
The homophobes left en masse.

I actually felt hope for religion at the time. Like religion was turning a corner and looking to embrace those whom it once shunned.

Yesterday, I heard in the news that the ECOA announced that they would now perform civil unions for LGBT couples. I thought this was great news and gained even more respect for the ECOA.

Then today, the new story broke that half of the ECOA's leadership was very angry and opposed to this new outreach to the LBGT community. And many of the church's membership are also angry at this new policy.

Once again, cementing my belief that in regards to religion.. ALL HOPE IS LOST.

A few questions..

Do you see/not see just how shamefully inventive that ALL religions have become?
I'm simply asking that people open their eyes. Is that so bad?

If this were 300 years ago, i would have been already burnt at the stake for this kind of talk.

Which leads to my next question.

For perhaps thousands of years early scientists, or anyone who challenged the church or whatever religious authority ruled the land, had a habit of vanishing. Or many were burnt at the stake in some public square for all to see that if any challenge religion it'll be their ass burning on that pole. Or they were drawn and quartered with arms and legs sent to the four corners etc. You get the point.

Do you not see how religion has set humanity and scientific discovery back by perhaps 3000-5000 years or more?

All the while, not 1 shred of scientific evidence has EVER supported the theory of a god, a soul, or an afterlife.

In a desperate attempt to keep up with science over the years, religion has had to resort to being shamefully inventive.

Incapable of ever producing any scientific evidence to support it.

Next question..

Do my Atheist rantings scare you in any way? I got news for ya.

I'm not that scary in real life. Really.

I'm quite normal.

If a gay Atheist can ever be considered normal in America.