Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Gahagan on January 3, 2013 at 5:31am

And the clergy the hymns, and the prayers reinforce this message.  Take away self esteem and then manipulate the congregation.  Sad.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on January 3, 2013 at 8:34am

Well of course you've done something to feel guilty about. You were born. And worse yet, when you were conceived, it was done in sin - original sin. Before you came out of the womb, you were a sinner. Forget the fact that you have no ability to consciously remember anything before the age of 3, 4 or 5. And, it doesn't matter if you were conceived in the holy state of matrimony. It's still original sin. Because a walking talking snake conned one half of a teenage nudist couple, the rib woman, into eating from a magic tree. And, to make matters worse, you came down the birth canal of a woman. Something which all religions find to be vile and disgusting. Now, to make matters worse, having been born an imperfect sinner, you live out your entire life as an imperfect sinner. You are, of course, under a godly command to cure yourself or suffer the consequences - eternal damnation. You've done a shitload to feel guilty about, just by being alive.

Now, crawl down on you knees, grovel, and apologize about being born. And, while you're at it, lick the boots of death born out of the fear of the fire of infinity, which, odds are you're going to meet up with anyway.

But god loves you!

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Permalink Reply by Greg on January 3, 2013 at 12:04pm

I certainly hope time travel is possible. I'd like a word with the a$$ who came up with this stuff. It's caused more grief, delay, dysfunction and death than anyone could have imagined. I'm certain it seemed relatively harmless at the time. I can't help but wonder if they'd have gone through with it knowing it would have such far reaching effect.

Maybe someone can point me to an existing A/N thread for speculation regarding reasons as to how this came to be.

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Permalink Reply by James M. Martin on January 3, 2013 at 7:15pm

He sure does, Pat, He sure does!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  Pass that bottle, too.

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Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on January 3, 2013 at 9:23am

We should be careful about generalizing to "all religions".

From the neopagan text, the Charge to the Goddess:

Let my worship be within the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. Therefore, let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

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Permalink Reply by Humble Pie on January 3, 2013 at 1:36pm

Religion: Causing the problems it pretends to solve since 14,000 YBP. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Greg on January 3, 2013 at 4:35pm

I need that bumper sticker.

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on January 3, 2013 at 5:00pm

I got yer bumper-sticker:

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Permalink Reply by Pat on January 3, 2013 at 7:17pm

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on January 3, 2013 at 8:26pm

More like the gift that keeps on TAKING.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on January 3, 2013 at 1:45pm

I agree to the sign that guy is holding.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Perlman on January 4, 2013 at 2:08pm

Don't forget "parental" and "infantilizing."  A very obvious but seldom mentioned theme in religion is childishness.  Christians are urged to be like little children.  The Torah repeatedly refers to the "children" of Israel.  God is our heavenly father.  It all reinforces the ideas of helplessness and dependency. 

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