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Original poster

insulting religions

989 replies

IneedAgoldenNickname · 07/01/2013 00:39

Hi, I've never posted on this topic before, I tend to hang out in aibu, but don't want to start a bun fight!

So, I am a liberal Christian. I firmly believe that everyone had to right to believe (or not) whatever they want, provided that belief doesn't hurt anyone else.

Earlier today I posted a lighthearted status on Facebook, which had led to me being called mindless, stupid, stuck up, thinking I'm better than everyone else. I've been told God is a c**t (sorry I hate that word so much I won't type it) and that the Bible is only God for loo roll!

I'm just really angry that people think its ok to insult me/my religion like that, when I haven't once preached or insulted others.

Obviously the easy solution would be to delete them off of Facebook, but they are people I get on with other wise.

Don't really know the point of my post, just hoping id feel better writing it down. Grin

OP posts:
amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:01

headinhands 11.49am
I think many people can see that people who are Christians live, on the whole, longer than those who are not Christians.
Certainly, in Methodism, there are some very old, and surprisingly active old people still in the pews most Sundays.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:06

I think many people can see that people who are Christians live, on the whole, longer than those who are not Christians

Absolute nonsense, I'm afraid. The country with the greatest life expectancy are the Japanese (not generally Christians - although a few may be).

Himalaya · 19/01/2013 15:10

Amillion - it seems so far fetched that god created the universe (all of it) in its wonder and complexity for the purpose of having a relationship with one species on one planet (us) but he is only aware of the innermost thoughts of people who choose to communicate with him in a certain way ( through Christian prayer). Who set these limitations on god??

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:12

All powerful, yes
All knowing, no, I think He does not have total knowledge of all things that go on as they are going on, as I have already explained. More bible quotes later probably if you want them.
All loving. Much more difficult to answer.
Yes, but rather depends on what you mean by all loving. MadHairDay is probably better at some bible stuff than I am on that part.

Trouble is there is the parable of the weeds. Parts of Matthew 13
The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:16

Actually I need to better write the all knowing bit.
Yes, nature. Yes, Christian's lives if they pray, and maybe even if they dont pray.
Non Christians, no. But He will know at the end of time, or if Chrisitians have told Him before.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:16

There is some evidence that people who are religious and attend church/temple/mosque regularly tend to be happier, healthier and live longer than those who don't.

This applies to all religions, not just Christianity - and there could be many reasons for it. Perhaps religious belief is calming & the sense of community it promotes is beneficial.

And as (I think) Bernard Shaw pointed out, the fact that believers are happier than non-believers is no more to the point than a drunk man being happier than a sober one.

None of the above suggests that what believers believe in is actually true.

And anyway - why would a God want his followers to live longer than those who don't believe in him? What's so great about being alive on Earth if there's a magic kingdom in the sky waiting for you? Wouldn't he want you up there quicker?

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:18

Ellie, but many in this country are not Christian.
You cannot take the national figures of the UK and use them in that way,as it includes millions of non Christians.
By Chrisitans, I mean those that have given their lives to God.
Which is probably 10%, or perhaps maximum 30% of the nation.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:19

Sorry, Amillion but I have to ask - why exactly do you need to rely on the Bible so much? Can you not think for yourself?

Oh - and if your god is not all knowing then, sorry, he can't also be all powerful. All powerful means being able to do ANYTHING including knowing everything.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:19

Ellie, He needs Chrisitians alive.
The bible says, the workers are few.

Himalaya · 19/01/2013 15:21

Maybe he is all powerful but chooses not to concern himself with nonchristians? Why though amillion?

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:22

Didnt know all powerful meant that. Are you sure?

Without the bible, I am very little.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:22

Christianity is NOT the only religion in this country. Show me the evidence that Christians live longer than Muslims or Hindus.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:23

Some people try and memorize the bible.
I tried that.
I didnt get very far.
I decided it wasnt for me.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:24

Yes, I'm quite sure.

Omnipotence: Having unlimited power, being able to do anything.

Except know everything? That would limit his powers, violating his omnipotence.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:26

Himilaya, he is very concerned with non Chrisitians.
Many of them are potential Chrisitans.
When Jesus was on earth, he got told off for spending so much time with non Christians.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:28

Ellie, you seem quite keen on the omni words.
As they are not in the bible, the words are not at all important to me.
The words that are in the bible are important to me.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:29

When Jesus was on earth, he got told off for spending so much time with non Christians

Pardon? There weren't any Christians when he was alive. He himself was Jewish. Christianity wasn't born until, at least, he rose again!

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:32

I couldn't give a monkeys about the words, Amillion - let's never use them again.

Let's stick to all knowing, all powerful, all loving if it makes you feel better.

Now tell me why you don't think your god is all knowing, even though the Bible says he is?

1 John 3:19-20 [19] This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence [20] whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Job 37:16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

DioneTheDiabolist · 19/01/2013 15:32

Ellie what a ridiculous statement. And the fact that you have attributed it to GBS doesn't make it any less ridiculous.

AFAIK, the happiness that may come from having faith or being a member if a religious community doesn't come with a bag of side effects such as hangover, increased heart diease and cancer risk and liver disease.

I work in MH. I would certainly advocate increased participation in religion (if that is what my client feels would help). I would never advocate them getting drunk to help with their happiness/depression levels.Hmm

specialsubject · 19/01/2013 15:35

actually I DO know how the clouds 'hang poised', and so does anyone else with a basic understanding of science.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:37

DadOnIce 13.06pm

Yes, if you cannot pray, then you are limited in what you can do when there are problems in your life and others around you.
Which also answers headinhands post of 12.51pm

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:39

Ellie what a ridiculous statement

Are you being serious? You think that analogy is advocating alcoholism? Dear me Hmm

Er, I would have thought it was fairly obvious - but it's trying to explain (metaphorically) that just because religion makes people happy that doesn't make it true.

DadOnIce · 19/01/2013 15:40

amillionyears - but this is so frustrating. I don't consider it being "limited". Why would it make me less "limited" being able to ask an imaginary being for help - one who often doesn't give it anyway? What would be the point? I solve problems in a pragmatic way.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:40

actually I DO know how the clouds 'hang poised', and so does anyone else with a basic understanding of science

Well, go and tell Job, not me! It's a bloody bible verse.

Himalaya · 19/01/2013 15:41

Amillion - I didn't know there were any Christians when Jesus was supposedly on earth? Do you mean Jews?

It seems like you are saying god is just in the numbers game - he is not interested in people's hopes or suffering or their moral dilemmas, just their potential to become Christians?