Religion: pros & cons (Religion)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Sunday, September 21, 2014, 13:44 (3714 days ago) @ dhw

Of course I am not offended. People have indeed used twisted interpretations of the Bible to do horrible things, just as twisted versions of science have been used for terrible ends, and just as twisted versions of governance have been used to terrible ends. One of the places where we differ, it would seem, is that you hold the bible(and by extension God) accountable for the actions of humans with free will. I on the other hand, have seen the way it plays out when people do not take only what they want from it, when they dig and seek for the truths that lie within it. -As an example, we all know of the recent conflicts between Russia and the Ukraine. I was fortunate enough to attend an international convention of Jehovah's Witnesses a few months back, and witnessed first hand Russians and Ukrainians working together in peace, love, and harmony. People from 17 different countries gathered together in one place for a week no fighting, no bigotry, no political rivalries, no hatred, and none of the other madness so prevalent in the world. -I'm not claiming any miracle here. I'm simply claiming that those who truly do live by the standards taught in the bible, instead of some twisted version thereof, are living demonstrations of the power that it has to change lives and bring peace, even among traditional enemies. "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." Let us put the blame where the blame truly lies, with people. -I could argue every point that you have made in your post, but it would be pointless. It would be pointless to demonstrate the historical accuracy and prophetic fulfillment that are verifiable, or to show how and where things got twisted by men for their own gain. It would be pointless because, as demonstrated in your last post, you take the pain caused by men and blame it on God. -As for your beloved wife, there is nothing in the Bible that would have prevented you from marrying your wife. Nothing at all. Not even the bit about marrying within the faith, as evidenced by 1 Cor 7:13. And further, the bible does not hold people who are not Christians to the same standard Romans 2:14 "when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law."(i.e. the bit about marrying in the faith). But, surely you must recognized the wisdom of telling people to marry someone that shares your beliefs so that "your peace (could be) like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." If you've never lived in a split faith household (even if atheism or agnosticism is your faith), then trust me when I say that it causes conflict. -I'm not offended my friend, but I am saddened that you have had things happen to you that have brought you to this point. Believe it or not, I have had similar experiences. However, I recognize the difference between what God does and what his fan club does.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.