how do you stop a religion that WANTS the world to END?

[mopaul]

ever hear of such a crazy ass religion? one that actually thinks the end of the world is inevitable and desirable? one that thinks it's icon is coming back from the dead after two millenia to cleanse the world of infidels. what kind of insane cult is that?

a cult that thinks israel has a right to treat palestinians of another religion like the nazis treated the european jews, what kind of nutball cult is that? the president and my mother also, believe that ancient buildings and moldy relics shall soon be 'restored' to the jews in israel and then the jews will all convert to jesus and then the book of revelations kicks into high gear.

the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, the beast, the whore of babylon, the rapture, the damnation of the unbelievers, how fucked up in the head are these people?

how do you stop a stupid, dangerous religious death cult like this?
how do you get through to the millions of people living right next door to you who actually believe this shit?

[Eurobabe]

1. unfortunately you don't. Karl Marx was right.

religion is the opiate of the masses.

[Union Thug]

19. I'll double that!

Religion is one of the great social pariahs of the modern age. The soviets got this one right...

[demwing]

34. Religion is very much like a forest fire

It can serve, or it can destroy.

IMO, religion is not the true problem. Fanatacism is the problem.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jonnyblitz]

59. exactly. n/t

[Solly Mack]

2. stage the rapture and see how many turn up?

then take the show on the road

[demwing]

32. You nailed the answer!

If a group is hellbent (pardon the expression) on Heaven, then let them go, and quickly, before they take us all with them.

I'm a religious person, though not strictly a Christian, and I see the perversion of Christianity as one of the all time great threats to world peace.

Damn, I hope we're not looking at a holy war, but I don't see how Islam and Chritianity can co-exist in their present forms.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dob Bole]

33. WTF??? Bring on the Crusades? Bring on the Gas Chambers?

Think before you speak. That's one of the stupidest things I've ever seen on DU, except last time somebody posted that without thinking...

[xocolatl]

4. Problem is...

The world will end. And I don't mean when the sun dies, I mean imminently, for our civilization.

Fact is: we have tons of WMD's of all different kinds, becoming dispersed among greater numbers of groups with less and less sense of responsibility to the globe. Also, we have monumental environmental problems (melting polar ice caps, global warming, mass species extinction, polluted and/or exhausted water supplies, ever-increasing toxic waste). Not to mention the lifeblood of our civilization, oil, is set to peak in the next ten to fifty years.

You don't need religion or prophecy to predict the end of days.

Let's face it folks: the curtain is about to fall.

[mopaul]

5. no doubt, the world will end

even though the methodist hymn says, 'world without end, amen'.

we're doomed one way or another. comet, asteroid, stupidity, disease, etc. we are only here temporarily. but the nutball fundies see a different angle on it of course.

they want it now, and they mainly want to prove a point. they are right and all others are wrong. star bellied sneetches and sneetches with none on thars

[xocolatl]

7. I know...

... the irony is that many of our problems have solutions if we act and plan now.

I remember participating in a debate on the so-called "stewardship" issue, which is of relevance to Christians, especially the fundamentalist/apocalyptic types. In a nutshell, are humans stewards for our world, should we take care not to hasten the end, or do we just sit back, pop the corks, party, and wait for the world to end? Obviously I'm on the side of stewardship. Too bad the right-wing fundies and the neocons in power are trying to suck the world dry before Jesus comes.

[stopbush]

24. If by the world ending you mean life on the surface may be obliterated,

then you may be correct. But I doubt that all the WMD's in the world would blow the Earth to atoms à la some Death Star kind of power.

And if the surface world ends, that may be a fulfillment of some nutty destiny.

Maybe George Carlin was right: humans were put on Earth to discover and develop plastic. Now that we've done that, it's buh-bye time.

[xocolatl]

46. Actually, I'm not that pessimistic

I believe humans will survive. Just not very many of us (relatively speaking).

[ilovenicepeople]

88. It's never too late to be a Pessimist!

:hi:

[xocolatl]

91. What was that Lily Tomlin line?

something like "no matter how cynical I get, it's hard to keep up...".

BTW, :hi: too!

[codegreen]

6. declare the rapture has just occured; only 5 or so people were taken

we could hold a press conference and hold up their clothes as evidence.

coming up with some real people who've disappeared or or hiding some people that are really still here will be a problem, because there will probably be an investigation by the police, probing for possible murder and cannibalism or something.

we can do this, people! let's make it happen! sing along:

Hoax the Magic Rapture
In Mississippi,
Roy Moore will come and say,
"why's god forsaken me?"

And all the loony fundies
might lead examinded lives
looking at where they went wrong
brainwashed by right wing lies

(to the tune of 'puff the magic dragon')

[The Zanti Regent]

8. Wish I knew because my whole family believes this crap

They are all in the ASSemblies of GAWD and believe the RAPTURE® will be coming in a week or 2 and they've believed this shit for the last 20 years.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Tell them about the Millerites

This nineteenth century group thought the same thing. When their leader told them it was the end time, they sold everything and climbed up to the tops of trees, so it would be easier for God to take them up. Some stayed up for two weeks, I'm told. Interestingly enough, many of the 'end times' religions around now spring from the Millerites.

[The Zanti Regent]

62. They've whiffed too many farts from the ASS of Gawd

sadly they are totally brainwashed, all they watch is Jesus TV and listen to Jesus Radio and go to the ASSemblies of GAWD every chance they can

[Jose Diablo]

9. Time will reduce them to irrelevance

By their own definition, it would not be possible for them to bring about the end, they hope for.

They could cause a lot of damage, but the end these people speak about, would require a divine intervention.

If there is no divine intervention, then its man-made and by their own definition, would not be "the end" but just a calamity they themselves started. Thus in this way they would be 'false prophets'.

Now IF there was divine intervention, then it would be "the end".

Could they fake a 'divine' intervention, I doubt it, they could try but it would be discovered eventually an they would again be exposed.

They will make themselves irrelevant, as all do that try to claim to be divine and are not.

I think the next election will be their end and we can get back to rebuilding what these idiots have done.

[Baltimoreboy]

10. Nutballs

Claiming that, in any way, Israel treats "palestinians of another religion like the nazis treated the european jews," certainly makes your post worthy of a nutball something or other.

[kysrsoze]

51. I fail to understand how you don't see the hypocrisy in what you just said

In fact, the Palestinian situation is remarkably like the Warsaw Ghetto in Europe. Why don't you try actually reading about a situation before dismiss it because pisses you off?

BTW - do you mind that these people cozy up to, and use Jews to bring about the rapture, all the while not caring that those Jews are supposedly going to hell?

Whatever.

[Baltimoreboy]

57. Not even remarkably close

About the only similarity is that Jews were involved both times.

The ghettoes of Europe were designed to keep Jews in. The fence in Israel is designed to keep terrorists out.

[ilovenicepeople]

90. Whew thanks.

I was waiting for Auntie Semetic to come to the rescue.

[gauguin57]

11. I was watching this lady evangelist on TV recently

who was talking about how the European Union is obviously The Beast of Revelations ... therefore, END TIMES ARE HERE, PEOPLE!

This just shows how insane it becomes when you're trying to "predict" the end of the world, based on a bunch of biblical fairy tales. Seriously ... I'd listen to the predictions of Nostradamus as presented by the Weekly World News before I'd try to figure out when and how the world will end based on Revelations or any other part of the Bible.

And this whole business about "my reward is in heaven." Yeah, we don't care if life sucks on Earth, or if I'm living a full life on Earth, because "my reward is in heaven." Disregard this life here -- concentrate on the afterlife. Appalling, as far as I'm concerned.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. But used to great effect in the Middle Ages

the serfs were told to mind their lords, because even if life sucked here, they would be rewarded in Heaven. It was a tool that was used (and still is in some cases) to mold people's behavior.

What makes me laugh about these fundies predicting the end of the world is that it says in the Bible that it will come 'like a thief in the night' when people least expect it. So, to me, it seems that all this caterwauling about it means the Rapture is far, far away.

[Zidane]

41. You are probably talking about

Jan Crouch - married to the owner of TBN. Which is actually a religious network that covers the earth. (literally)

You can find some totally insane people on it. One of their big things is that the EU is actually run by the anti-christ. They made a movie in which the EU (which has become something like nazi germany) teams up with the rest of the world against a China/US aliance. China/US wins - and that's basically armagedon.

BTW - the movie reflects their understanding of US government. (which is probably why they don't get sep of church and state among other things) Let's just say they have the FBI and secret service in gun fights against each other.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. People who have studied history

especially the way the books that are now in the Bible were chosen, not by God but by men, usually lose any fundamentalist bias they might have grown up with. One fellow I heard on Fresh Air said as much-when he started this study, and realized how the Bible was created, he had a crisis in faith. Interestingly enough, he is still a Christian-but one whose faith is based on the teachings of tolerance and forgiveness. Unfortunately, many fundatmentalist Christians don't want to learn the truth about the evolution of religion. And there is the problem.

[Sparrow]

15. the only way to defeat evil

is to become evil.
I just worry about myself and let the crazies do what they want.

[lil-petunia]

16. let them start retail.

We'll hold off on the wholesale for jsut a bit yet, thank you.

[Mr.Green93]

17. take away their tax exemption

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Now I know why Reagan closed down

all the mental institutions.

In the past, folks like this were prime candidates for a straight jacket and a shot of Thorazine. Now, they're running the country.

[TeacherCreature]

20. What religion is that?

[TeacherCreature]

70. I'd still like to know what religion you are talking about Mopaul

seriously

[Syncronaut Seven]

21. We have fundie Christian churches right here in Portland Oregon

whose congregations openly pray for the rapture to come SOON! They just can't bear to spend ANOTHER DAY in this sin infested existence.

Pussies, scared little rabbits, incapable of taking responsibility for their own lives. Cultists. I loath them.

Edit:sp

[TeacherCreature]

69. And how are they harming you?

Why would you hate people for practicing their religious freedom? Do you hate the constitution?

[Syncronaut Seven]

85. Actually

They target the secular infrastructure with zeal. Education, health care, social services, all are fair targets in their holy war against secular society. Many of them openly admit this.

They infest our state legislature and actively work to eliminate programs that aid the poor and under classes.

They scream with foam flecked mouths that God wants them to be wealthy and angrily dismiss those who suggest that they have an obligation as citizens and Christians to maintain an equitable society.

Why do you ask? It's the evils of secularism.

I have met several that have openly declared war on a society that doesn't reflect their narrow range of values.

That's harm enough for me.

[depakid]

89. Agreed-

While I have no problem with people practicing their religion, they can worship at the church of Elvis, as far as I care- the problem is that these types want to impose their twisted and irrrational world view on everyone else. They've done immeasurable harm to people in this state- and that's what I judge them on- their actions- not their beliefs.

[leftofthedial]

22. a purge?

re-education camps? Unfortunately, neither of those is very effective.

At the very least, as a society we should stop encouraging them. Tax breaks; blanket "freedom" to call any cult you want a religion; ingrained belief that irrational, anti-human, anti-environment cults are tolerable--all encourage those who would exercise this kind of apocalyptic mind control.

[Dob Bole]

23. Why does it need to be stopped?

People can believe what they want to believe. This is America. Their belief that they might dissapear at any moment has no bearing on your life. Politics isn't an excuse either- most of these people don't even vote.

[opihimoimoi]

25. In this case its like saying in a crowded life boat..we all have the

freedom to drill holes.

"I want to drill holes", "Its my Right, its my Freedom". I am American Citizen, I can drill holes if I want to."

The rest of the occupants would drill him and throw him overboard as a way of preventing chaos....

[Syncronaut Seven]

26. Good analogy!

.

[Dob Bole]

30. Bad Analogy!

They're not drilling any holes. There is no need for us to drill them in the fucking head. They just believe that the world will end. It's not like they believe they need to destroy it.

America is crowded? We need to silence some people to prevent chaos? Hmm...your first name wouldn't happen to be George, would it?

[opihimoimoi]

36. In my mind, they are "drilling holes". While I do not advocate drilling

their heads and tossing them over to the lions,,,, I do advocate/suggest a better Education System which includes

Famine Prevention Programs: 101 through 488

Global Sustainability : 101 through 572

Political Symbiosis : 101 through 485

Addressing Global Warming : 101 through 432

and others leading toward keeping our Earth "Afloat" longer and richer for Humanity.

[Generic Other]

37. Nuclear armageddon fulfills prophecy so they do not work for peace

In fact they actively thwart it.

The lifeboat analogy is a valid one.

[theHandpuppet]

39. Yep, and here's just one example...

http://www.rof.net/wp/wfcook/larry_yarber_009.htm

(the following is but a short excerpt)

A MESSAGE FOR YOU BELIEVERS by Larry Yarber

This is for you people out there that are Christians, or so-called Christians. If you are in Jesus Christ and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is best that you study closely, because the events of this world are beginning to happen. Jesus did say that there will be wars, so you people who are trying to stop the wars, you are going against what is in the bible. Jesus said that nations will rise up against nations, so you people out there who are trying to stop those things, stand clear, because you are actually fighting against God Almighty yourself. For I tell you this, even as of today (I say this today in the month of January), that Saddam Hussein, who is a tyrant, is going to die. The reason why he is going to die is simply that Jesus Christ said, “He that lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” Therefore, Saddam Hussein has violated the laws of God and therefore this nation will destroy them.

[opihimoimoi]

40. Somehow, somewhere, they made PEACE a dirty word..... sad

What a waste of a beautiful Planet. The Better Homes and Planets Ladies(ETs) who visit us are pissed we Humans would ruin the Garden Nature made.

We are such fools, blinded by Emotion and Greed......We know not what we do.

The Fundies and NeoCons have a Death Wish and want us Unwilling to join them.....BAD...Very Bad....

[Disturbed]

75. Apocalypse Now: Why the Book of Revelations is Must Reading

http://www.counterpunch.org/leupp07172004.html

These people are quite dangerous. If one studies what influence they have had in Central and Latin America one will realize that merely ignoring them is not wise.

[opihimoimoi]

77. We need another ingredient in beer to foster thinking, not stifling...

We are Bots with Stepford Cousins...

[Baltimoreboy]

38. So you advocate forcing them to believe your way?

I agree with the other poster. Are you sure your name isn't George?

[opihimoimoi]

52. Read the message, my name is not George. He is the fool in the Oval Office

[Baltimoreboy]

53. Yes he is

But basically saying that anyone who dares disagree with you needs reeducation is a scary position to take.

[opihimoimoi]

54. Please read my post carefully....I said I "advocate/suggest"...did not use

the term "FORCE"....

[Baltimoreboy]

56. I notice you don't dispute reeducation as your goal

That seems very Stalinist to me.

[opihimoimoi]

63. How in the World is it Stalinist???

And who said anything about "reeducation???"

[Baltimoreboy]

65. Perhaps Maoist would be better

Since both leaders used reeducation as a policy.

And I'm not the one who listed the new curriculum.

[opihimoimoi]

67. Why are you forcing the status quo?? Change, if done right, is for the

Common Good.

We killed George Washington through BLEEDING. It was thought that bleeding was GOOD when sick....the docs bled him 3 times...Our poor Prez croaked..as a result of a practice not rooted in confirmation.

So I ask, why do you SEEM to fear change? Look all around you, the status quo needs fixing....

edit; and you still did not explain the Stalinist thing.

[Baltimoreboy]

71. Forcing the status quo

Now that's a classic.

What a perfect propaganda quip designed to advocate almost anything.

Change, as you will one day learn, isn't always good.

As an aside, I did explain the Stalinist thing. Stalin and Mao, two of the world's most well-known butchers, liked the whole concept of reeducation.

[opihimoimoi]

76. Exactly. the change Bush advocates is counter productive and counter

culture....

and America is now undergoing a shift toward re education through the private school route what with tax credits, vouchers, etc.

The Pubs are mostly miserable people with a death wish...problem is: they want all of us as company.

[Baltimoreboy]

78. Silly hyperbole will get you no where

None of the Republicans around here have a death wish. You might call them greedy. Even self centered. But not a death wish among 'em.

And to combat their "reeducation" you just want to do the exact thing in the opposite direction?

[opihimoimoi]

81. They are eagerly awaiting the Rapture, the day when the world comes to an

END...if that is not a Death Wish, I don't know what is...

It would be OK by itself, but they work toward hastening this with the Nuke Solution.. These guys WANT WAR.

An aside: There must be GOOD Education and BAD Education.... why do you infer the education I suggest is Bad?

[wuushew]

87. Zion's Christian Soldiers

Transcript of 60 Minutes segment


BOB SIMON reporting:



What's the number-one item on the agenda of the Christian right? Abortion?School prayer? No and no. Believe it or not, what's most important to a lot of conservative Christians is the Jewish state, Israel; its size, its strength, its survival. Why so? Well, there is the alliance between America and Israel in the war on Islamic terror, but it goes deeper. For Christians who interpret the Bible in a literal fashion, Israel has a crucial role to play in bringing on the Second Coming of Christ.


This Friday, thousands are expected to gather on the Mall in Washington to express their faith and to lobby the administration. The rally is being organized by the Christian Coalition, which wants to make sure that the Bush administration sees the struggle in the Middle East between Jews and Muslims their way, the Christian way.



http://www.jfkmontreal.com/zions_c_soldiers.htm

[TeacherCreature]

68. Garbage

it is nothing like that.

[lottie244]

27. God is not the problem...people are the problem.

They shape God into their own image literally and figuratively.
But God is a 'spirit' and must be worshiped in spirit and in truth.
Just because we don't understand this spiritual connection doesn't mean God doesn't exit. But the God I worship is nothing like the funddies would have you believe.

[demwing]

42. thanks

Im not alone :)

[Generic Other]

28. Mix the koolaid for them?

You can't stop stupidity that is inbred. You just try and help them achieve their goals.

When they speak of the end times, encourage them to take an early out. Perhaps assisted suicide for the stupid is an idea whose time has come.

[JohnLocke]

29. I don't think they want the world to end.

They want Jesus to come and establish his reign on Earth. It's not a "death cult."

[arwalden]

31. Excellent Question, Mo.

Folks who believe crap like that are DANGEROUS! DANGEROUS! DANGEROUS!

Even if they don't actively pursue a course of action that will actively "help along" the so-called prophecies into coming true... they also aren't very likely to do anything to prevent it either.

I believe that BOTH approaches have been used by this administration. Their policies have been actively aggressive, and PASSIVE-Aggressive as well.

They ignore TRUE building threats while pursuing other non-threats and engaging in inflammatory rhetoric and foreign policy.

THEY WANT THIS TO HAPPEN!

He's a lunatic!

He's a FREAK!!

He is INSANE!!

-- Allen

[YNGW]

66. Just Wondering

>Even if they don't actively pursue a course of action that will actively "help along" the so-called prophecies into coming true... they also aren't very likely to do anything to prevent it either.

Seeing that they believe that God is going to be the one to put the wheels in motion in order for these prophecies to be fulfilled, how does one propose to stop God?

[arwalden]

72. I'm Not Sure What You're Asking

Personally, I know that there are no gods to stop... but it's their belief that their reckless actions are guided by their god that frightens me the most.

Even if they realize that their action (or inaction) will result in global disaster, they are not likely to choose another course if it's their belief that it's ordained by their god... or if they believe that anything contrary would be to go against the will of their god and would be "overruled" anyway. (And still they would have to answer for their defiance at the Pearly Gates.)

The way to "stop god" is to stop the LUNATICS who are in power from acting like gods.

-- Allen

[YNGW]

74. Here's what I'm saying

If God exists, and he wants something to take place, how do you stop God?

What you view as "reckless actions", they view as your ignorance of the purpose of the earth and mankind. Who's in power is ultimately irrelevant to them. Their first allegiance is to God.

[arwalden]

80. But Gods Don't Exist

so I don't really understand the point of that question.

However, those who DO believe that their god has a master plan will be less inclined to make rational choices if they feel that irrational choices are all part of their god's plan.

>>Who's in power is ultimately irrelevant to them. Their first allegiance is to God.<<

And that's exactly why they are dangerous and must be removed. This is why religion and worshiping gods is bad.

I'm still unsure of the message you're trying to get across or the point you're trying to make. Are you justifying their actions? Are you serious? Or are you playing their advocate for the sake of an argument?

I still maintain that their actions are reckless, dangerous, arrogant, psychotic and idiotic. If Bush* and others believe (honestly believe) that a god speaks to him (them)... then they are hearing-voices and are just as insane as David Berkowitz.

Let's talk about ignorance. --- When someone like Bush* won't even consider reasonable alternatives that are presented by others because he believes that his own (idiotic) thoughts are divinely inspired... that's INSANE! Arrogant. Ignorant.

[LoZoccolo]

35. How do you get through?

how do you get through to the millions of people living right next door to you who actually believe this shit?

I think you start by not mischaracterizing their beliefs and exaggerating them. It may gain a certain amount of trust and respect, I'd imagine.

[Astarho]

43. Fun as it is to blame the religion

I still think it's just the fact that this country is full of miserable assholes. We're told all our lives, if you work hard you can make the "American dream" happen to you. But the fact is most of us are working ourselves into an early grave and we're still struggling to keep our heads above water. And so if we're not rich, than there must be something wrong with us (Religion did play a part in that, but that's another topic). So everyday we go on, working our asses off and getting nowhere, but all we have to do is turn on the TV and see how Britney Spears is paying over a million dollars for Dutch tulips for her wedding. It's enough to make anyone insane.

Most people want to escape this dreary existance. Some go with drugs, others with suicide, other with the vicarious thrill of "Reality TV". There are numerous ways of escape. Religion is just one of them. The problem is with the others all you need is a TV or money for drugs, but with religion, a whole lot of things have to happen before they get to be raptured into heaven, which is what they're working towards.

How do we change it? We have to take a hard long look at our culture (why do we work so hard? And for what? Why are things so important to us?), something I don't think we're willing or ready to do.

[midwayer]

60. But why change it?

When it's working so well for the aristocrats.

Why work when you can make more money selling crack?

Sometimes I think "they" have some of us right where they want us

[Zomby Woof]

64. my next sig line

I still think it's just the fact that this country is full of miserable assholes.

:D

[Demeter]

44. Free KoolAid to Believers ala Jim Jones

some people will swallow anything.

[maggrwaggr]

45. buy them an island. Ship them there. Burn the ships.

let them have their own little paradise. let them run it as they please. Make sure it's very far away, where they can't hurt anyone else.

[Pathwalker]

47. Don't underestimate the damage 150 million BELOW AVERAGE

people can do. Even worse is that average isn't what it used to be - we ARE getting DUMBER.

[Mr_Spock]

48. Dumb and Dumberer - Elitist's love 'em.

Duh

[midwayer]

61. And more desperate (eom)

[killbotfactory]

50. You can't, really... What you can do is not vote for them

Bush is fucking insane. He thinks he's doing the will of God. He thinks the world is going to end. He's also mentally lazy and hates people smarter than himself. He will be able to justify any sort of shitty behavior and still believe God's on his side. DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS MAN OR HIS COMPANIONS.

[rucky]

55. Make them restate their goals as often as possible. n/t

[maggrwaggr]

58. Hey! Maybe Ralph Reed will speak at the GOP convention!

wouldn't that be nice.

BWA HAHAHAHAHA!

[JVS]

73. Relax and have a beer.

Maybe a few televangelists might talk about the world coming to an end, but nobody cares what they say. Lotto tickets are still selling fine, which means that people are obviously planning on future existence.

[Democracy Died 2004]

79. if they want it to end

i say we help them on their way and "Let the sane inherit the earth"

[Mike Niendorff]

82. There's no way to "get through to them"

If you ignore them, then, in their minds, you're obviously "one of the unsaved".

If you oppose their radical and apocalyptic agenda, then their cultivated paranoia kicks in, and they go into hysterics about "Stalinism, Maoism, reeducation camps", etc, etc, etc. Witness previous replies to this thread for multiple examples of this.

The point is twofold, really.

On the one hand, these people have created an insulated cult-world for themselves. They only read pre-approved books, listen to pre-approved music, watch pre-approved TV channels, etc, etc. They immerse themselves in the cult's version of reality, to the exclusion of all other information. The cult tells them that this makes them "the good people". Or, more to the point, that it makes them "the better people". Better than "the nonbelievers". Better than "the unsaved". Every word you speak to them will be filtered through layer upon layer of this brainwashing.

On the other hand, the cult has aggressively instilled in them a cultivated paranoia about "the nonbelievers". They have been trained to believe that people who reject the cult are all secretly part of any number of "anti-Christian" conspiracies. In their minds, the world outside the cult is a dangerous mix of "heathens", "pagans", "secular humanists", "communists", "the NEA", "the gays", "socialists", "gun-grabbers" -- on and on and on. And, of course, all these groups share one thing in common : we are all secretly conspiring against the cult, trying to "corrupt their children" and "lead people astray". In short, their entire world is divided into two camps : members of the cult vs. "the evil outsiders". Dialogue will not -- and cannot -- exist under such a mindset. And that is by design.

It's tragic that real Christians have allowed their religion to be perverted in this way, because true Christianity has much to recommend it. But, again, good luck even trying to have that conversation with one of these fake-Christian cultists. The cult's conditioning simply will not allow it.


MDN

[Meldread]

84. You hit the nail on the head. -nt-

[ProdigalJunkMail]

83. unfuckingbelievable

Once again...this board allows a rampant misrepresentation of the beliefs of mainstream christians to go about its merry way while at the same time calling christians 'fucking nuts'. You wonder why people think this board is anti-christian? You wonder why you can't draw more democrats to the causes voiced here? Take a good long look at this thread and the 80 some-odd responses and the fact that it has been allowed to run this long contrary to your 'rules' for posting and you will have your answer...

theProdigal

[ck4829]

86. You should never blame the religion

If you do, you are going down the same road that some of the Conservatives took, and now they are blaming Islam for terrorism.

I remember I made a list of similarities between the Christian Right and the Islamic terrorists. When you get right down to it, they are linked to each other through the Cold War, they are also linked through other various people and dictators. There is one other link and that is that the leaders of both groups are Wealthy monsters who care not for their fellow man, but for spreading their extremist hatred throughout the world and getting money from it too. I don't think wealth and religion mix too well together as any faith can be a path to peace and harmony but that message becomes destroyed when things like power, money, and hatred are also mixed in with that person's perception of their religion.

[Disturbed]

92. "Why work when you can make more money selling crack?"

Selling crack is work, just as selling vitamins or any other product except that crack is illegal. Some people make a lot of money selling religion. Zealots of any religion can be a destructive force.

The only thing we can do is make sure the hard core Christian Right is kept out of local, state and natl. offices. They are relentless and will subvert The Constitution if they are allowed to do so.

I don't feel that anyone in this thread is necessarily speaking about all Christians just the ones that persist in forcing others to adopt their beliefs and attempting to change the laws of the USA.

[Moderator]

93. Locking

Please exercise an appropriate level of sensitivity when discussing religion. Thank you.