@iapetus_rocks wrote:
@secondhand-wonderland wrote:
Religion exists today as nothing more than a means of social control,
Couldn't agree more iapetus. I think it's always been about that. Think about it, societies need controlling to an extent, and if the people believe in God (I say God rather than God/s because I think we are really discussing the Christian God in this thread and to Christians there is only one true God that should be worshipped above all others. Doesn't mean I'm denying the existence of other Gods btw, but Christians are taught not to worship the other Gods, they should worship the Abrahamic God of the Old and New Testament.)
The Bible outlines exactly how good, strong blooded societies should run, especially the first 5 books of the OT, (hence why they seem so blood thirsty) and then it proceeds to lay down the law, pretty clearly too can I just add. But the people seem to always go astray, and start to worship idols and love themselves more than God. tsk tsk naughty people lol So then comes the wrath.... Sodom and Gamorah know all about that.... And honestly (even if the bible is just a big elaborate story written by a handful of super intelligent guys) what do the people expect, they've gone degenerate, they are breaking every law under the sun, it's almost like it's a competition to see who can break the most commandments in the one sitting lol. They cop a floggin from Dad and get punished for their disgusting behaviour. It's divine justice... ๐
Apologies for the rather late reply.
Think about it, societies need controlling to an extent
And societies need Order, and it is therefore better for social cohesion if everyone in a said society all holds the same moral and ethical values as everyone else in that society.
Nowadays, we have the Law which imposes these rules (and therfore, Order) on us. Well-ordered societies have an advantage ( both economically and militarily) on those societies which are less well ordered.
Doesn't mean I'm denying the existence of other Gods btw, but Christians are taught not to worship the other Gods, they should worship the Abrahamic God of the Old and New Testament.)
It has been said that those who worship one god are actually atheists or infidels in the eyes of all those who worship a different god.
So then comes the wrath.... And honestly (even if the bible is just a big elaborate story written by a handful of super intelligent guys) what do the people expect, they've gone degenerate, they are breaking every law under the sun, . . .
I'm a bit disturbed by the fact that some people who apparently devoutly believe in their religion would offer threats of violence to those who choose to follow a different religion (or even no religion at all).
There exists one religion which would even go so far as to call for the death penalty for people who give up that religion in favour of another religion or for those who choose to give up following religion at all.
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Haha thats okay, thanks for taking the time to reply as extensivly as you did ๐
You said: I think it is exactly that; a big, elaborate Story. the Carrot (promise of heaven) and the Stick (the threat of hell). it's a tried and true method of controlling people. The Law operates in sort of the same way. The carrot being a guarantee of freedom, and the stick being the threat of the deprivation of that (imprisonment).
Oh but this conversation has gone way beyond just the concept of heaven and hell. And the Bible also speaks of much more important "life" lesson type stories that really dont even touch on heaven and hell. Churches may like to use the concept to appease the people. But if you think all the bible does is brainwash people about 2 fantasical, after death lands one for the baddies the other for the goodies. It's not what the bible teaches from what I've read.
