Rick

I 100% agree with this statement and the New Testament of the Christian Bible shows how Christ was also against "the establishment". He got really ticked off at people who were making the church a "den of robbers" and lamblasted those political church leaders who made the church a place of rules rather than a place of love. Rick

An opium for the masses...hmmm...I've heard that before. I couldn't agree more and believe me...there's a lot of weirdness among Christians...like the snake handling among some groups? I just don't get that at all but if that's what floats their boat...

Sure it contradicts my beliefs...IF I'm wrong about this whole deal called Christianity. I have examined evidence both scientific and historical which bring me to the point that I am convinced that Christianity is indeed correct. Further, I believe that it was the very first religion, but my point above was that we cannot, reliably, look back to the beginning of time from a historical standpoint and deduce that Christiantiy is a religion pasted together by other, more ancient religions or vice versa. Now I know your next question..."If you are saying that we don't know then how can you say that Chrstianity is the original?" For that...you have to take a look at the abundance of other information. The logic follows that if I have found the Bible to be accurate and I believe that it is all true, then I have to believe that God did indeed create us and that Christianity was the first. I don't think it's really fair to look at this and say, "Well, Christianity must be wrong because it's an evil religion." I happen to believe that God created what we call Christianity, not a person or people. However, there have been many people who have tried to play God in the past. This does not make it right for them or even justifiable. Many have used Christianity for their political gain and powerful. For instance, pre-Martin Luther, no person other than a cleric or monk could read or touch the Bible nor participate in the Sacrements. This was clearly wrong and very much against Biblical teaching. Jesus really lambasted these same kinds of "religious", legalistic, overly-fundamental people by calling them a "brood of vipers." (It was 2000 years ago so give the Bible a break on the cheesy language here .) Remember this...we are very imperfect people and are very prone to screwing it up every time. Enough for now. Rick <><

Nobody knows for sure whether Christianity was the first religion or not. We do know that there is evidence of other religions throughout history and even the Christian Bible talks about these religions. We also know that many ancient religions had similar beliefs as Christianity but who influenced who?Could it be that we were created with a desire to have soemthing more? Is it an evolutionary development or possibly a created, inborn, desire to have relationship with the creator? Neither of us can prove, scientifically, one way or the other. But you must at least entertain the possiblities. How do you explain the countless people who have died or been severaly beaten in the name of Christianity (and other religions) with the opportunity to recant? Our basic drives would tell us to recant and live. Afterall, that is evolutionary. Rick

Wow! There are some heavy attacks and very broad generalizations on religion and on Christianity in particular? Why be so hostile here??? I think that there's way too much for me to answer right now or I'd be sitting here till the sun comes up but let me just say that I think it's really unfair for a person to bash something that they know little about. And don't tell me that you do because the obvious ignorance in posts above says that you don't. I have taken the time to study other beliefs such as atheism and religions and so I don't hate you if you believe there is no God or that you believe in controlling your own destiny. So why do you have to slam the hell out of Christians? You have stereotyped Christians to be a certain way but I'm not any of the ways you describe above. Just a few examples...what's wrong with putting God and science in the same sentence? Could the Adam and Eve story be a metaphor of a creation story that spans millions or billions of years? How would you have explained something like this upwards of 2,000 years ago? Miracles: There have been perfect explanations for nearly all of them. All within reason of science. For instance...the Red Sea parting. The actual Hebrew term used in the manuscrips is Reed Sea. Well, if you follow the Red Sea down toward Egypt, you will find fairly shallow water full of reeds. Every once in a while there are strong winds that push the water to a shallow enough point that one can walk across. Is it possible that God simply directed nature when the time was needed and sent the wind to clear the way? Would this make God any less God if he chose to do it this way? Enough for now.