Is Christianity Evil?

Much of what poses as Christianity today---in Western Culture,specifically the United States...seems to be one giant infomercial on how to prosper,be blessed, and gain a thirty sixty hundredfold return on your investment.I see it as so much deeper...but only in person---with other Christians.

Point taken. I suppose the first question--then---is whether or not this so-called evil is logical. Is it the fault of the doctrines of Christianity specifically or is it the fault of those who attempt to misuse a religion for personal gain?

Perhaps a question to be raised is why the very idea of belief in general causes an automatic division. Not everything imaginable can be evidence based.And that's assuming that there is no evidence for the premises which Christianity affirms. I vote benign.Is that a baseless assertion that is emotional rather than logical?Edited by Phat, : added jabberwockyEdited by Phat, : Benign Believers

Can you show that any form of lifestyle and philosophy is anything other than made up?

Which brings up more of a philosophical question of how such a Deity teaches its "children". If children---or humans in general---are simply prevented from doing "evil" by GOD---presupposing that GOD could directly intervene...or whether we are expected to culturally and sociologically learn our own lessons over time...thats the point.Perhaps Tangles point is the idea that humans would behave better were religions simply out of the way. Which brings up the question of accepting personal responsibility for our actions versus blaming GOD, Satan, or Republicans for our choices and actions. Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

It has been my experience that conversion and/or acceptance (or often rejection) of a religion or religious philosophy is done on a personal level---through relationship with others. It is one thing to reject and/or accept ideas logically. We do that every day.The reason that I attend church is not because I need a special place to worship GOD as I understand GOD. Nor is it to gather as a club...I am a loner by nature. I attend because of my personal relationships with people.

Groupthink? Crowd Mentality?

I suppose we need to agree on "what their own devices" are....in regards to historic as well as contemporary Christianity.

But yet we are charged to do....obviously the Deity would logically have to care about our discipline regarding our charge.It makes me think though...Christianity is only as evil as Christians are...and we can't blame GOD.One minor point of contention. You claim GOD to be "complete" being good and evil. I see GOD as "good". A "complete" GOD would not have as much of a problem with fallible humans doing what they felt to be best...even if those humans were behaving in an evil manor.A "good" GOD, by contrast would be a bit harder to ignore...one would think.

Sometimes division is what is needed. This whole idea of a humanistic kum ba ya feelgood mentality that not only tolerates but accepts all beliefs as equally valid is not what Jesus preached.

Truth is reality, whether one believes in it or not. IF God exists, God exists whether or not anyone believed it to be so. Religious belief can be dangerous...I will agree. It can also be helpful. There is only one God. No redundancy...unless you insist on elevating yourself up to such a humanistic standard.

Thats a good question. What are your thoughts on it?

more to the point...is evil a trait of humanity in general or does religion tend to fuel evil actions? I can see where Tangle is defending human capability to behave all of the ways that an enlightened person would ( or should) behave and act. Christian behavior most certainly can be evil, but it must not necessarily be so.

Why do most countries have only one president? Why are most courses taught by one teacher?To start with, defining God is the first step. Lets say we define God as the Creator of all seen and unseen, for starters. Its easier to imagine One source for creation rather than a sub committee! All powerful.....thus no need for helpAll knowing.....no need to share this trait.In fact, the only argument for shared power comes from our plucky cherub, Satan himself....who asks basically the same question: Why does this guy get all the glory, all the credit, and all the attention?The simple answer? He needs no help. (apart from the idea that we are all gods in the sense of being made in His image.)And even then we are taught that it is unwise to attempt to share the throne of our mind and heart as co equals.Even Jesus never thought of equality with His Father.

I believe this. I believe that God intervenes. I cant describe how it happens--There is no concrete evidence that it has happened, or is happening, or will happen....and thus I have no defense in support of my belief.My point is that I still believe.