What do you think of Christianity?

philologos

I just want to run a quick poll to check out what peoples opinions are of Christianity on this section of the forum, I've left a couple of options on the poll. I'm going to avoid posting in the thread as I want to see your feedback independent of my input. I personally believe in Christ, but I want to see what people at large think. Hopefully I'll find some good answers when I return, and some of these may be of use in helping me to understand what others think.

galwayrush

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

I reckon the Lions found us tasty back in the day.:rolleyes:

towel401

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

Christianity is daycent boi.

MagicMarker

Christianity is the greatest practical joke ever pulled.

Hazys

Considering its leader said condoms makes aids worse in Africa, i think the answer is very obvious.

SoWatchaWant

I think not one religious nut or crazy creationist should reflect badly on his religion. There are some nuts out there, but it doesn't mean the religion is wrong.

I don't know what to think about Christianity, but that doesn't mean I don't care. The more I thnk about it, the less sure I am.

Hazys

I dont think there has ever been a time or place in the World where the Catholic church has changed the world for the better. Since the middle ages the Church has consistenly abused its followers and its position in society. Whether it was scaring people to give money and the crusades in the middle ages to present day covering up of child abuse and disagreeing with proven scientific fact that can save lives. The list of wrongdoings goes on.

I dont want to sh1t on the work on the individual priests and nuns who have done terrific work in helping people but overall Christianity like all religions have ruled by fear and thank god (pun?) its dying out in the modern 1st world with better education and worldwide knowledge.

connundrum

I'm all for bank holidays.

Therefore I'm all for Catholicism, and by default Christianity.

God is teh king of long weekends!

Genghiz Cohen

I've made my views clear, nay to the faithies!

wes

No problems with Christianity. Went to a CBS and the Priests were sounds enough and never bothered me.

MooseJam

Garbage

Itsallzen

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

Christians, a great bunch of lads!

stakey

A very very dangerous cult that worships a two thousand (and a bit) year old zombie that demands his followers engage in cannibalism to get into his kingdom... :pac:

live2thewire

i may not believe in god but im cool with all religion i dont like to make bad comment about 1 billion people

Dinner

On a small (parish type) level it can have a good influence and help people.
But over all it's done nothing but cost lives and hold civilisation back over the centuries. And this is for religion as a whole and not specifically christianity.

The pope's latest comments just go to show that this is still the case.

stakey

Dinner wrote: »

On a small (parish type) level it can have a good influence and help people.

On a small parish level it's also ripped apart hundreds of peoples lives in Ireland and across the globe thanks to a huge problem within its ranks.

Stercus Accidit

I find that Christianity has a destructive impact on society.

Chose option 4, hovering over option 5 a lot though.

Its highly hypocritical, and in a position of power and protection by society it does not deserve, but I think this of all religions or cults.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I find that Christianity has a destructive impact on society.

Personal opinion? I think it is a joke. Not even getting into the nitty gritty parts of it...

Stompbox

Absolute codswallop. I used to be quite tolerant of peoples religious beliefs but after witnessing the severe injustices practiced in the name of religion I declare them all to be ignorant opportunists.

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

In general a fairly nondescript religion (in itself, rather than effects on people), where catholic mass is a fairly typical primitive ritual.
Nothing profound or interesting about it in all honesty. Far more interesting religions and myths out there.

Chong

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

I am happy to say I am a practising Catholic, and have a strong faith.

But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs, its the cool thing to do now right?

Dinner

stakey wrote: »

On a small parish level it's also ripped apart hundreds of peoples lives in Ireland and across the globe thanks to a huge problem within its ranks.

Very true, but I said that it can have a positive influence, not that it always does.

Joost wrote: »

I am happy to say I am a practising Catholic, and have a strong faith.

But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs, its the cool thing to do now right?

Just because someone thinks that religion has, overall, a negative influence doesn't mean that they're trying to be 'cool'. It just means that they don't belive it, and to think that the rise in secularism is caused by this, is naive to say the least.

My name is URL

I find that Christianity has a destructive impact on society.

I think there was a time where Christianity and other religious beliefs were extremely important. To make people believe that doing bad things would condemn their souls whether they were caught or not was the best way to dissuade such behavior. All religions preach the same message, be good.

In today's world however, religion has struggled to evolve parallel to us. The Vatican etc try too hard to stick to the old ways of thinking, and that is a huge mistake.

I am Agnostic, but still spiritual on some level. I don't need to feel a part of any school of thought.

Overall, Christianity is not a bad thing but how it's interpreted by those who promote it will be it's downfall.

Joost

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

Joost wrote: »

I am happy to say I am a practising Catholic, and have a strong faith.

But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs, its the cool thing to do now right?

More like the possible thing to do now, now that we aren't all afraid of what the next door neighbours and priest think[or so one hopes]. I'm sure the newfound freedom will settle down eventually

MagicMarker

Joost wrote: »

I am happy to say I am a practising Catholic, and have a strong faith.

But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs, its the cool thing to do now right?

Yeah, we're all just trying to be cool. Good call.

MagicMarker

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

MagicMarker wrote: »

Yeah, we're all just trying to be cool. Good call.

my mommy says I'm cool ;(

Hazys

Joost wrote: »

But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs, its the cool thing to do now right?

The question was asked "What do you think of Christianity?" so people answered.

MagicMarker

bluewolf wrote: »

my mommy says I'm cool ;(

Is she a christian?

Four-Too

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

I'm fine with Christianity, but don't like the religions in it. If you followthe words of Christ and accept him as your personal Lord and saviour, you are a true Christian. Most people are Christian in name only, they are not really Christians

partyatmygaff

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

Hazys wrote: »

Considering its leader said condoms makes aids worse in Africa, i think the answer is very obvious.

Actually thats the leader of the roman catholic church not christianity....

There are other denominations in the world you know.... besides the anglicans, presybterians, orthodox etc etc

Chong

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

bluewolf wrote: »

More like the possible thing to do now, now that we aren't all afraid of what the next door neighbours and priest think[or so one hopes]. I'm sure the newfound freedom will settle down eventually

Firstly I am not Irish and ya the priests/church have done irreprocable damage to religion in this country, anyways at the end of the day I believe in 2 things God and Jesus.

Stercus Accidit

I find that Christianity has a destructive impact on society.

Joost wrote: »

I am happy to say I am a practising Catholic, and have a strong faith.

As long as you are happy.

But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs,

Why shouldn't people be allowed to critisise your beliefs, to many they appear ludicrous, why should nonsense not be critisised, or would you censor all critique of any religion?

its the cool thing to do now right?

Questioning the world and the institutions of man, and finding your own answers? Yeah, pretty cool/intelligent/rational.

MagicMarker

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

MagicMarker wrote: »

Is she a christian?

No, neither of us

edit: Well, she might have some fairly liberal god/jesus belief, I'm not sure...

Hazys

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Actually thats the leader of the roman catholic church not christianity....

There are other denominations in the world you know.... besides the anglicans, presybterians, orthodox etc etc

Thanks for being pedantic, somehow that makes my point less valid.

Chong

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

I will say now that I think of it I am more of a christian rather than Catholic , I find the church a good place to practise my faith, I do not agree with many facets of catholicism, my belief is god and jesus so ya.

Hazys

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

Hazys wrote: »

Thanks for being pedantic, somehow that makes my point less valid.

It's hardly pedantic considering many of the other denominations aren't against contraception, iirc. It's easy here to confuse the two, but they do all have some different subsets of beliefs

joost wrote:

my belief is god and jesus so ya.

That's ok, we heard you the first time

MagicMarker

Joost wrote: »

Firstly I am not Irish and ya the priests/church have done irreprocable damage to religion in this country, anyways at the end of the day I believe in 2 things God and Jesus.

Is that all you believe in?

What about Santa or the tooth fairy?

Stompbox

Joost wrote: »

I am happy to say I am a practising Catholic, and have a strong faith. But hey let all the cool people come out and say religion sucks and bash other peoples beliefs, its the cool thing to do now right?

Well done you. Really. Well done. Let me know how unfilled expectations and disappointment feel.

artielange

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

MagicMarker wrote: »

Christianity is the greatest practical joke ever pulled.

Thanks for the laugh, best one in awhile

Chong

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

MagicMarker wrote: »

Is that all you believe in?

What about Santa or the tooth fairy?

You missed a few, Easter Bunny, Yeti, Boogie man....

sub-x

Christianity is out dated,contradictory and promotes a belief that Christians have the monopoly on spirituality with a healthy dose of hypocrisy for good measure.There are no gray areas,no room for debate,the bible says it,so its the truth and if you deny it to hell you go :eek:

A religion that rules by fear,and that apparently teaches peace and love to all men,ironically though many wars and countless 1000s have been killed in the name of Christ.

One of my favorite aspects of Christianity and a sore point to followers of the King James Bible is an earlier work by King James before he commission his version of the bible,Trew Law(Divine Right of Kings)which contradicts "all men are equal in the eyes of god"a law that is still in existence to this day,not unlike the popes claim to his "throne".

James VI and I:
A Trew Law of Free Monarchies: Or the Reciprock and Mutual Duetie Betwixt a Free King, and his Naturall Subjects, c. 1597

http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/kjtrew2.htm

THE KINGS THEREAFTER in Scotland were before any estates or ranks of men within the same, before any Parliaments were holden or laws made; and by them was the land distributed (which at the first was wholly theirs), states erected and decerned , and forms of government devised and established. And it follows of necessity that the Kings were the authors and makers of the laws and not the laws of the Kings. . . . And according to these fundamental laws already alleged, we daily see that in the Parliament (which is nothing else but the head court of the King and his vassals) the laws are but craved by his subjects, and only made by him at their rogation and with their advice. For albeit the King made daily statutes and ordinances, enjoining such pains thereto as he thinks meet, without any advice of Parliament or Estates, yet it lies in the power of no Parliament to make any kind of law or statute without his sceptre be to it for giving it the force of a law. . . . And as ye see it manifest that the King is overlord of the whole land, so is he master over every person that inhabiteth the same, having power over the life and death of every one of them. For although a just prince will not take the life of any of his subjects without a clear law, yet the same laws whereby he taketh them are made by himself or his predecessors, and so the power flows always from himself; as by daily experience we see good and just princes will from time to time make new laws and statutes, adjoining the penalties to the breakers thereof, which before the law was made had been no crime to the Subject to have committed. Not that I deny the old definition of a King and of a law which makes the King to be a speaking law and the law a dumb King; for certainly a King that governs not by his law can neither be countable to God for his administration nor have a happy and established reign. For albeit it be true, that I have at length proved, that the King is above the law as both the author and giver of strength thereto, yet a good King will not only delight to rule his subjects by the law, but even will conform himself in his own actions thereunto; always keeping that ground, that the health of the commonwealth be his chief law.


Source:

James I, "True Law of Free Monarchies," as reprinted in J. R. Tanner, Constitutional Documents of the Reign of James I 1602-1625 (1930), p 187.

MagicMarker

Joost wrote: »

You missed a few, Easter Bunny, Yeti, Boogie man....

Now that's just silly.

keano_afc

I don't believe but it has a positive influence on those who do.

As a Christian I'm a wee bit biased:D

But its been nothing but good for me, and I have seen God do some remarkable work in people's lives.

Mena

keano_afc wrote: »

I have seen God do some remarkable work in people's lives.

Now now, I thought ye lot were not supposed to lie?

I was raised without any religion so from the outside looking in I still find it extremely strange that seemingly rational people still cling to these archaic beliefs.

liah

Sometimes I wonder if the religious people posting ever actually turn around, look at what they've written, and think "wow. I really do come off as looking brainwashed and delusional."

I honestly can't help but lose ridiculous amounts of respect for people who believe in any sort of religion. It's so archaic and primitive. I can understand its original purpose-- it did have one at one point in time, to explain the unexplainable things around you. To unite communities and give people a sense of togetherness. That's grand.

Thing is, we've got past that now. Science has explained a great deal of the unexplainable and will continue to do so while religion has been utterly left in the dust. Science does not claim to know everything. It continues to learn and discover and evolve and it is okay with being wrong. Religion is the opposite. It claims to be "the only Truth" and can only ever be "right." That is ultimately bad for the society of this day and age. It forces its followers into becoming stagnant; they refuse to allow their brains to take in any real information, they refuse to learn about the world around them and instead put all their faith into what is, at the end of the day, a myth just like the Norse or Roman gods of ages old.

Now, it just inspires hate and misunderstanding and instead of promoting education, intelligence, and learning ends up being a great proponent of bigotry. People refuse to understand topics like sex outside of marriage and homosexuality completely based on a text written thousands of years ago, for absolutely no good reason other than this text. That is wrong. So, so wrong. And yet they're so brainwashed they just can't see it.

The only defense they have is "oh well it's cool not to believe in God." Sod off. It has so very little to do with being "cool." It's about understanding the world around you and opening your mind and realising that religion has not contributed anything new to society, it has not explained anything about the world for thousands of years. Science has. Science always has, and will continue to do so. Why on earth would you put your trust in some archaic old book instead of what has provided you with facts and evidence and is okay with admitting when it has been wrong in the interest of discovering what is right?

It's just ridiculous. It truly is. I read all these propaganda pamphlets sent out by the church and honestly, they're all written like they're trying to appeal to a six-year-old. And to be quite frank, in some cases they are appealing to the people who haven't personally evolved much past that point. I cannot fathom how anyone can look at these things, much less the bible, and actually, genuinely think "wow. That's a good idea. I'm going to believe in that." I just don't get it.

How can people convince themselves of this? And the hypocrisy of it! Most Christians you'd talk to these days (as well as anyone, really) would scoff at other religions like Scientology or old Roman religions for being stupid and just plain nuts, or a cute old fairytale, yet they completely don't understand that their religion is, in essence, the exact same thing, and has completely ripped off every single prior religion going. Every single one. There isn't an ounce of creativity in Christianity. Absolutely nothing new or genuine.

I won't even get started on the wars and destruction it has caused and how it has ripped families and societies apart or I'll probably blow a gasket.

I will never, ever be able to understand how people can actually swallow religion. It is just so completely beyond me that people can actually convince themselves of these things. To me, it's like trying to convince yourself to believe in the tooth fairy at the age of 30. It's just ridiculous.

...Sorry for the novel, but that's my take on it.

Borneo Fnctn

It's encouraging to see that people are turning their backs on superstition.

Lab_Mouse

I find that Christians are hypocritical and overly judgemental.

I thought the old testament was good,the 2nd 1 a bit far fetched..my 2 cents

Vinta81

Dinner wrote: »

On a small (parish type) level it can have a good influence and help people.
But over all it's done nothing but cost lives and hold civilisation back over the centuries. And this is for religion as a whole and not specifically christianity.

The pope's latest comments just go to show that this is still the case.

I concur.

Rabidlamb

Christianity wasn't embraced by Rome until 300 years after the death of Jesus.
The hierarchy then used it to unify the masses under one banner with a common set of beliefs.

1700 on & it's sense of belonging is still evoked by today's politicians.
God bless you & God bless America.

Do you ever cringe when you watch Reeling in the Years & see that De Valera was constantly flanked by a bishop to advise him on the morality of his decisions ?.
Did it sadden you to learn how the pulpit had the power to guilt people into changing their views on Divorce or the right to travel for an abortion ?.

Evolution brings secularism.
I play golf on Sundays

Morzadec

I would be somewhere in between options 2 and 5. Went for option 5 in the end. Come from a completely non-religous family and am a nonbelievier as I don't feel Christian belief is really compatible with rational thought.

I feel that Christianity (in particular Catholicism) can have a very destructive impact on society, especially in relation to attitudes towards sex and sexuality I find their thought very backward and out of touch with human nature. This negative impact has somewhat declined in recent year, but can you imagine living in Ireland in the mid Century?!

However I do believe that Christianity seems great for those believers. There must be a huge amount of comfort in believing in a greater power that looks out for you, a force outside this life, somewhere to go after we die etc... Sometimes I wish I could be irrational enough to believe!

But ultimately lets face it none of it is true. But I truly believe in the saying 'ignorance is bliss' and sometimes I think life might be better and happier lived in ignorance.

Hazys

keano_afc wrote: »

As a Christian I'm a wee bit biased:D

But its been nothing but good for me, and I have seen God do some remarkable work in people's lives.

His most memorable work was in that game against Juventus, Keano was performing miracles that night.