Jeopardy Contestants... The Lord's Prayer... It Didn't Go Well

[Northsouth]

Originally Posted by mordant

Religion does have an important function of providing structure for people who can't provide it for themselves.

Originally Posted by phetaroi

Very true. Unfotrtunately it's not always a good structure.

No it's not a good, or more accurately, a rational structure but Mordant's whole post addresses why it IS good for certain people. I think of them as lost and when they find something or someone who accepts them exactly how they are because 'Jesus will cleanse you", they don't have to do anything but pray and include them in their cult -er-group. YOU accept, they correct. You give in to "God's will", which is actually "their" will, then conveniently - Jesus takes the wheel.

NO worries, sit back, enjoy and watch the hypocrites. All you have to do is "accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior" and you're you got the golden ticket to heaven. Does not matter one bit what you do or say.....ever. You are 'forgiven'. ONce saved, always saved. You've got to appreciate the brilliancy of that.

Depends on who you ask. I used to think (still do to some to degree, working on it) that I was so unjustly robbed of a normal childhood and adulthood because I was indoctrinated. Now, I feel fortunate to be free from it and am living my best life.

It's very different than how I used to think and view things, it's even amazing to ME how it changed me. I'm the same but my mind has expanded and grown since I became an atheist.

It's really hard to put into words. I guess I'm trying to say that having had experienced both sides of the coin, atheism and my own self-appointed structure is all I need. It's peaceful now.

[thinkalot]

Originally Posted by QuakerBaker

I think that is a fair interpretation. But the flip side is that I bet that if I had to go on that trivia show.....I'd look like a major fool to millions of people too for not knowing the questions that they got right!

I think religion and its importance is on the decline as we become focused on more and more materialistic things including social media. I try to instill in my boys....as young as they are....a love of Jesus's life...love and serving others.

I'm sure it's on the decline in some ways such as going to church and reading the bible.

Was it better when people did those things but still accepted Jim Crow, fought to defend slavery, and wanted segregated religious schools?

When religion was at its peak, we weren't the greatest people, certainly not Christlike. Now I think even more will be leaving with Christians driving them away by their politics and judgements.

[mordant]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

Very true. Unfotrtunately it's not always a good structure.

Oh yes it's a tradeoff. And outcomes vary according to the (in)sincerity of your handlers and other variables. In general it doesn't end well but it CAN serve as a way for people to do the (relatively) right things for the wrong reasons.