Major Religions

[Zaus]

I just realized something very interesting. Every major religion in the world has gone through a time when they were persecuted... by another religion.

Satanists persecuted by Christians

Islam persecuted by Christians(Crusades)

Christians persecuted by Romans(Martyrdom in the arena's)

Jews persecuted by Nazi's(The Holocaust)

Buddhists persecuted by Muslims(Muslim invasion of afghanistan, pakistan and india)

Wicca persecuted by Christians(Salem witch trials)

Theres been more persecution than this throughout history but im just listing what I found after a few quick searches. Here's the most interesting thing, the religions that did NOT persecute any other religions are:

Buddhists

Jews

Wicca

So if your going to choose a religion to practice these are the ones that I would recommend. I'm not saying all other religions are evil, just that these 3 are the ones that have not shown any blind prejudice agianst other religions.

[Dowdy]

you forgot one: Mormons tormenting Christians (through door knocking)

But your right, i would choose buddhism if i was going to go for a religion. Those Shaolin Monks are really cool

[Janiel]

All religion has persecuted (or at least tried to) against atheists, least of which have been Jews and Wiccans(sp?).

As far as i know, all religion is equally guilty, one way or another...counting atheists...there is no "innocent" religion....there never was, there never will be.

[kikuchiyo]

Janiel is right all have at one point or an other persecuted someone.

the buddhist did persecute the christians in japan in the last shogun era...lets not forget the tension they put on Tibetan monks ( Free tibet!)

(don't want to turn this in to a Israel vs Palestine thread so i won't say anything)

***

you know what's the funniest thing?

There all the same...they all have the same basic structure!

AHAH!

+++

Edited November 10, 2004 by kikuchiyo

[Q-La]

On top of these, racism, sexism, 'humanism (alien fear)' etc. Not just limited to religion. We are a race not famous for its tolerence to beings of different nature. Greed and power.

[Deadly Nightshade]

Oh Zaus, bless him lol

Claiming that Christians have been persecuted, oh poor little lambs.

Sorry thats how thay advertise themselves isnt it??? Lambs of the fold and the elders, the sheep.

Well they must be sheep, if they feel persecuted all the time lol

Everyone in the World is persecuted, but they just get a grip and get on with life.

[Heart of Osiris]

People use religion to control large masses of people. It's all about power.

[Curiosity]

I hope that his thread doesn't offend anyone. I myself am a New Age Christian, (Not sure how that works but oh well. ) and I don't discriminate against anyone. A person is a person, I don't think it really matters what religion they follow. It's the person that matters.

[Zaus]

Luke 6:28-30 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also."

If more Christians(or anyone with morals) listened closer to this passage the world would be a better place. But it seems most people choose a faith simply to have somewhere to go on a sunday morning.

[Grandpa Greenman]

Wicca persecuted by Christians (Salem witch trials)

I don't think there were Wiccans at the Salem witch trials. Unless they went back in time. I don't think that the people that were killed weren't even Witches. They were just folks in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A lot of Pagans were killed by christians and a lot of christians were killed by Pagans.

Now the Jews are currently killing a lot of Palestine’s. But I guess to American eyes Palestine’s doesn’t count. There I said it sue me.

Fundi muslims are killing everybody.

Science was persecuted by christians (Galileo)

Most of the time it is not about religion. It is about power, money, and greed.

It goes round and round and round: stop I want to get off.

Edited November 11, 2004 by Darkwind

[kikuchiyo]

well actually it's a question of tradition, where parents are of X religion chances are you are going to be of X religion.

***

As Heart said it's a form of premitive power. Like all the other autorities.

+++

Dark is right, exemple the Vatican

Edited November 11, 2004 by kikuchiyo

[Potholer]

Most of the time it is not about religion. It is about power, money, and greed. 

351731[/snapback]

I'd have to say I disagree to this point. Maybe in the past it was about that. The Church was pretty much the ruler in the middle ages but that isn't so now (at least, I didn't think it was).

well actually it's a question of tradition,

I do, after a bit of thought, agree with this. The bible doesn't preach hate to others but those in high positions have been doing it so long, Christianity has now been given that reputation. There is a...Pastor? (not sure if that's the right name) here in NZ called Tamaki and right now there is a hot debate about whether to legalise gay marriage. He and many members of the church marched to parliament as they strongly disagreed. The bible doesn't say this is right, the religion doens't say it's right, but it still happens.

But, this isn't just about Christianity. I'd like to think that many religions now are there because there are people who believe they preach good things and offer hope. I've always thought it's comforting to think there's something out there looking out for us. I don't personally believe in a particular religion, I couldn't bring myself to because what if it's not true? I'd be lying to myself and that's not right.

Religion is there to comfort us when we need it. It's a brilliant concept but a few seem to spoil it....

Deadly Nightshade - you don't sound too passionate about Christianity but just because there are a few bad people, doesn't mean all of them are bad.

Many seem to get pigeonholed on their religion, and I think that's sad. What happened to judging people by what they are on the inside not what they are on the outside?

I've ranted enough, sorry.

Potholer

[dazdillinjah]

Zaus ... U left out one biggie, ALL Religions persecuted by Catholics during the entire period of the Grand Inquisition.

This however is why God despises religions as stated in the Bible.

[Potholer]

This however is why God despises religions as stated in the Bible.

352149[/snapback]

dazdillinjah, I don't understand. Why does God despise religions?

Thanks

Potholer

[Zaus]

The Bible was written to promote peace, but over the centuries has been used over and over as a reason to go to war. The clergy would say something like "We must convert the heathens." They would get the public to agree with them and then they would send troops into neighboring countries and slaughter and pillage the inhabitants(Who ironically were living in peace). Afterward they would build a castle or fortification of some type and claim the area they "converted" as part of their nation. Thats why God hates religion.

[Deadly Nightshade]

Hmmmm Whiskers you say you are a new age Christian , does that mean born again christian???

[Zaus]

I think new age Christians realize that the old form of Christianity is corrupt and take a stand closer to Buddism or Hinduism. Out of all the new age Christians I have met none of them have tried to convert me, they are a hell of alot more peaceful than non-new age christians thats for sure.

[Curiosity]

Hmmmm Whiskers you say you are a new age Christian , does that mean born again christian???

352751[/snapback]

That depends on what you mean by "born again".

I follow the teachings of Christ, though I doubt that the only way to be "saved" is through him. I've often wondered what people did who lived before Jesus' time. There are other things that I believe in that "contradict" Christianity, so I had to drop the things that made no sense. Broken down very simply my religion is very simple: LOVE.

Other things are:

I believe in reincarnation.

I believe in the spirit world.

I have nothing against gay marrige.

I have nothing against any other religions, and I treat everyone equally -- religion has no part in how I should treat other people.

There are many others, but I don't have the time to write them all down.

I was always so fearful when I was a Christian. Then I got to reading some new age books and a sense of peace and truism came over me. That's how I became who I am today.

[pagan_jedi_girl]

In my faith, live and let live are key.

And the spirtual truth: In essence we are all the same, and so are our faiths!

-----------

Kitty kat, I myself am like you, I've grown up in a Christen household, I hated the second class place women take in Christianity, so now I'm a witch, not a wiccan, just a spiritually liberated teen, whose obsessed with philosophy.-thoughsome call me wiccan, and it's easier to agre with them then they go on and on...-

-----------------------------

Blessed be.

Edited November 12, 2004 by pagan_jedi_girl

[dazdillinjah]

dazdillinjah, I don't understand. Why does God despise religions?

Thanks

Potholer

Hi Potholer sorry Its been awhile ... anyway for now the best I can answer that is with the Bible ... referring to Amos 5:21 -5:27

"I hate I despise your religious feasts, I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let Justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream! Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert O house of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god - which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus, says the Lord, whose name is God Almighty"

When I did Theology this was meant to indicate how mankind slipped away from their true relationship with God due to religious activity & ritual that basically contained man made requirements of Gods word ahead of (& blinding us) from Gods actual word (the Bible) ... all one needs IS to follow the Bible (If you believe of course) NOT a particular religion

Hope that made sense *L* - Cheers

[Deadly Nightshade]

Thanyou Whiskers for answering my question.

Blessed Be.

Nightshade.

xxx

[Potholer]

When I did Theology this was meant to indicate how mankind slipped away from their true relationship with God due to religious activity & ritual that basically contained man made requirements of Gods word ahead of (& blinding us) from Gods actual word (the Bible) ... all one needs IS to follow the Bible (If you believe of course) NOT a particular religion

Hope that made sense *L* - Cheers

353496[/snapback]

Thanks dazdillinjah. I think I understand now and that does make sense, in a way. Would you mind if I asked another question? You don't have to answer, I admire people strong in their faith and I don't like to question them, but I'm curious. If men wrote the Bible, how is it the word of God?

And I'd think that rituals would just be man proving their love of God. Giving up things that are important to them, if you see where I'm coming from.

But, if you prefer not to answer, I'm fine with that, I don't want to start a religious debate, especially when this is meant to be discussing the pros and cons of different religions....

Thanks again

Potholer

[DrStrangelove]

Luke 6:28-30 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also."

If more Christians(or anyone with morals) listened closer to this passage the world would be a better place. But it seems most people choose a faith simply to have somewhere to go on a sunday morning.

351471[/snapback]

Agreed.

think new age Christians realize that the old form of Christianity is corrupt and take a stand closer to Buddism or Hinduism. Out of all the new age Christians I have met none of them have tried to convert me, they are a hell of alot more peaceful than non-new age christians thats for sure.

Nothing about christianity is corrupt. And if these "ne age christians" do take a stand closer to bhuddism or hinduism, then they need to call themselves bhuddists or hinuds.

follow the teachings of Christ, though I doubt that the only way to be "saved" is through him. I've often wondered what people did who lived before Jesus' time.

You don't follow the teachings of Christ. The teahcing of Christ is that He is the only way to heaven. What did people do before Christ? Same thing they do after him. People back then believed that Jesus will save them and will die on the cross and will be ressurected three days later.

There are other things that I believe in that "contradict" Christianity

Then please stop calling yourself christian. And if you do continue to call yourself christian, be sure to add the "new age" part infront of it.

Broken down very simply my religion is very simple: LOVE. wub.gif

you should give it a name... like whiskerism.

[Curiosity]

Luke 6:28-30 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also."

If more Christians(or anyone with morals) listened closer to this passage the world would be a better place. But it seems most people choose a faith simply to have somewhere to go on a sunday morning.

351471[/snapback]

Agreed.

think new age Christians realize that the old form of Christianity is corrupt and take a stand closer to Buddism or Hinduism. Out of all the new age Christians I have met none of them have tried to convert me, they are a hell of alot more peaceful than non-new age christians thats for sure.

Nothing about christianity is corrupt. And if these "ne age christians" do take a stand closer to bhuddism or hinduism, then they need to call themselves bhuddists or hinuds.

follow the teachings of Christ, though I doubt that the only way to be "saved" is through him. I've often wondered what people did who lived before Jesus' time.

You don't follow the teachings of Christ. The teahcing of Christ is that He is the only way to heaven. What did people do before Christ? Same thing they do after him. People back then believed that Jesus will save them and will die on the cross and will be ressurected three days later.

There are other things that I believe in that "contradict" Christianity

Then please stop calling yourself christian. And if you do continue to call yourself christian, be sure to add the "new age" part infront of it.

Broken down very simply my religion is very simple: LOVE. wub.gif

you should give it a name... like whiskerism.

354444[/snapback]

Whoa! Um... touche, there. I'm sorry if I offended you.

[Zaus]

DrStrangelove Posted Nov 12 2004, 08:07 PM

Nothing about christianity is corrupt. And if these "ne age christians" do take a stand closer to bhuddism or hinduism, then they need to call themselves bhuddists or hinuds.

First explain to me the crusades and second christianity is already broken into 20 some denominations and new age is one of them.

DrStrangelove Posted Nov 12 2004, 08:07 PM

You don't follow the teachings of Christ. The teahcing of Christ is that He is the only way to heaven. What did people do before Christ? Same thing they do after him. People back then believed that Jesus will save them and will die on the cross and will be ressurected three days later.

If Jesus is the only way to heaven then everyone who died before he was born went to hell. If so God is one cruel b******.