I personally believe that religion is not the "root of the majority of the worlds problems". I believe fanatacism and the refusal to coexist or recognize the beliefs of others is the root. This then contravenes the religious beliefs of any religion that I know of. Evil's best hiding place is behind a pretense of faith.

 

I think that the main idea of Catholism is right and just. It's the damn church and a$$holes running it that ruin it. Preists are supposed to give up sex, worldly possessions, etc. and devote their lives to God; but the next time you go to Church look around at the bling you are surrounded with. Everything is fricken gold, silver,etc. Have a look in the preist's quarters....Marble floors, kitchen countertops, oak cabinets, really nice stuff EVEVYWHERE. If this is supposed to be suffering as Christ did I might disagree.
I just think that like life in general, money and greed have ruined it all.

 

Welcome to the real world. $$$ is the new religion.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by yellafeva
In case anyone is not too familiar with Catholic priests, they are not allowed to have wives, sexual pleasures, or any form of relationship, other than families (mothers, fathers, etc.).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by EviL inside catholic priests cannot procreate, but they can gamble?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpeedTheory

 

True, there are a LOT of hypocritical Christians now days. I've known "Christians" that are openly practicing alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery... you name it. I have been fortunate enough to make a handful of friends who actually live by what the bible says, get along with people of all different religions, and they're some of the greatest people I've ever known. And no, I'm not saying I only have Christian friends, or I won't make friends with non-christians or anything like that

 

the jews probably have it right. haha they probably view the other christian religions as cult spin-offs of judism.

remember, all the various christian denominations were break offs from the catholic church.

the catholic church was founded in order to control people. the structure of the church mirrors how the old roman empire was setup which was very efficient in governing a mass of people over great distances.

those that founded the catholic church ( including the roman emperor Constantine ) put together the bible that the christians follow and added to the religion additional rules over the year to better control the people. emperor constantine also placed church bishops into high political office. marriage of church and state to complete the control over the mass.

the church will control how u live while you are alive on earth and where your souls goes when you die.

i.e. u have to cum into ur wife's hole. no pull out allowed. dont listen to the church? u get excommunicated - cant go into heaven.

 

Very true Wang.
I wonder what those writtings that were collected by the bishops and did not make it to the bible said.

 

Really, I believe the main reason for lack of credibility for Christianity today lies in the lives shown among people who call themselves "Christians". The purpose of the church is not for profit - maybe for some and even I dare say a good number of churches may exist for this purpose. If you see my pastor, he gets less than a 30k stipend, but the church gives him and his family a home and they lease a minivan for them - nothing flashy or extravagant like some of you would like to think. I don't think a real church would be "wealthy" in that sense as that is not the purpose for the existence of the church. It is there for fellow believers to come together to fellowship and worship the Lord.

A Christian is someone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and has a willingness to surrender their lives for the glory of God - that's it. The Bible is basically a framework for them on how to live their lives. It's not more complicated than some of you make it out to be. Christianity is the only religion that I can think of that doesn't stress the idea that only man by himself can attain a state of holiness and that's the difference. Because man by himself can not be perfect, he will fail every single time guaranteed. Sure even the most devout religious people in this world may be perfect by our standards (or very near perfect) but they are not 100% perfect. That's just human nature, you can't sidestep it.