But what if they actually LIKE the way things are and have no desire to change or evolve spiritually?
Misogynistic men will never want to acknowledge women's equality out of the fear that what they've done to us will be done to them in turn, if we take control out of their hands.
Warmongers enjoy causing wars, religious warmongers even more so.
People who like it the way it is will fight a thousand battles to have this bullshit entrenched forever.
The religions are not about devotion to the Creator, really. They're just wrong-headed attempts to control other human beings. Nothing spiritual about it; merely a control mechanism.
I sincerely doubt that the Creator of the Universe wants us to kill each other in the name of the Creator. That would be insanity. Laughable, if it wasn't so stupidly tragic.
Pope Leo gets it and talks tough. Now, if only the theocratic warmongers would take heed and stop using Jesus as a cudgel instead of a an instrument of love.
excellent idea and article. i don’t see enough “kind christians” (i’m agnostic and trying to refer to folks who don’t use their faith to bully and steal) calling out harmful fundamentalist views. thank you for speaking up and calling for reform!
what i do see is a whole lot of “no true christian” fallacy nonsense where “good” christians pretend that “bad christians” don’t worship the same deity or read the same sacred text. that’s shirking of responsibility. if “good christians” had actively called out evil fundamentalist beliefs, rather than ignoring the hate and immense greed coming from too many (mostly white) christian “leaders”, things might be different.
organized religion by definition includes anyone practicing those religions, celebrating their holy days, following their tenets, or attending their services. denying that one is a part of that organization because they behave kindly, don’t steal from their neighbors, don’t cram their dogma down other’s throats (or use it to control women) smacks of hypocrisy and willful ignorance.
none of that is meant to be mean or offensive- just observation based on my lifelong negative experience with literally EVERY major religion and how their adherents ruin lives and destroy communities. 🫶
It’s a mess. No argument there. It’s why I’m really a Course of Miracles person than a traditional Christian. The only church I ever attended was an interfaith church that welcomed every faith. The pastor (I can’t remember how he referred to himself in that regard) was clearly a Jesus guy, but he was pretty fantastic. It was in San Jose, CA. He was also very funny, which made it more worthwhile, since I love a good laugh.
After I moved from there, I have been unable to replace it, so I don’t attend any services. They all either bore me or drive me crazy. There was a very nice reverend at the Episcopal church here in Atlanta. She is very cool, but I just can’t get into the service.
Anyway, sorry, I’m rambling. Overall, my plea is really to those who care. There’s institutionalized patriarchy, racism, and other stuff, but there are lots of people who care, too. They need to establish themselves as the louder voices to stifle the old ways, which were formed in medieval times.
Although there are indeed misguided priests, real priests, please don’t confuse them with the charlatans who have grown fat on the carcass of the needy, the frightened, the insecure. Rapture is rubbish whose stench refuses to leave.
But what if they actually LIKE the way things are and have no desire to change or evolve spiritually?
Misogynistic men will never want to acknowledge women's equality out of the fear that what they've done to us will be done to them in turn, if we take control out of their hands.
Warmongers enjoy causing wars, religious warmongers even more so.
People who like it the way it is will fight a thousand battles to have this bullshit entrenched forever.
The religions are not about devotion to the Creator, really. They're just wrong-headed attempts to control other human beings. Nothing spiritual about it; merely a control mechanism.
I sincerely doubt that the Creator of the Universe wants us to kill each other in the name of the Creator. That would be insanity. Laughable, if it wasn't so stupidly tragic.
Good points. I’ve updated with Pope Leo’s response.
I'll check it out.
Pope Leo gets it and talks tough. Now, if only the theocratic warmongers would take heed and stop using Jesus as a cudgel instead of a an instrument of love.
Time will tell. History is not kind to the prognosis, of course.
excellent idea and article. i don’t see enough “kind christians” (i’m agnostic and trying to refer to folks who don’t use their faith to bully and steal) calling out harmful fundamentalist views. thank you for speaking up and calling for reform!
what i do see is a whole lot of “no true christian” fallacy nonsense where “good” christians pretend that “bad christians” don’t worship the same deity or read the same sacred text. that’s shirking of responsibility. if “good christians” had actively called out evil fundamentalist beliefs, rather than ignoring the hate and immense greed coming from too many (mostly white) christian “leaders”, things might be different.
organized religion by definition includes anyone practicing those religions, celebrating their holy days, following their tenets, or attending their services. denying that one is a part of that organization because they behave kindly, don’t steal from their neighbors, don’t cram their dogma down other’s throats (or use it to control women) smacks of hypocrisy and willful ignorance.
none of that is meant to be mean or offensive- just observation based on my lifelong negative experience with literally EVERY major religion and how their adherents ruin lives and destroy communities. 🫶
Thanks. Not mean at all.
It’s a mess. No argument there. It’s why I’m really a Course of Miracles person than a traditional Christian. The only church I ever attended was an interfaith church that welcomed every faith. The pastor (I can’t remember how he referred to himself in that regard) was clearly a Jesus guy, but he was pretty fantastic. It was in San Jose, CA. He was also very funny, which made it more worthwhile, since I love a good laugh.
After I moved from there, I have been unable to replace it, so I don’t attend any services. They all either bore me or drive me crazy. There was a very nice reverend at the Episcopal church here in Atlanta. She is very cool, but I just can’t get into the service.
Anyway, sorry, I’m rambling. Overall, my plea is really to those who care. There’s institutionalized patriarchy, racism, and other stuff, but there are lots of people who care, too. They need to establish themselves as the louder voices to stifle the old ways, which were formed in medieval times.
Although there are indeed misguided priests, real priests, please don’t confuse them with the charlatans who have grown fat on the carcass of the needy, the frightened, the insecure. Rapture is rubbish whose stench refuses to leave.