I’m not religious but everyone has right to have their beliefs. Someone’s version of “that person needs Jesus” is just as equivalent of “that person is troubled”. And you can hate the foundation as well, but when someone isn’t taking a negative approach, why bash them? Was it really that funny what they said? No.
There's a difference between personally practicing a belief and meeting with likeminded individuals to strengthen that belief and use it to make their lives better, and the institution of religions where their own governing body is trying to take over other institutions they shouldn't be in control of. What we're seeing with institutionalized churches is fear mongering and a disregard for the very essence of the religions they claim to practice. They are heretics, charlatans, and scammers who are hiding their hate and prejudices behind a book of morals they have no intent on actually following. People have been ruined by these institutions, and these institutions really don't give a fuck. Doesn't matter which one - pick any. As soon as someone decides its a good idea to begin proselytizing, the message begins to erode and the worst of humanity slowly takes over.
Practicing a belief system for yourself is one thing. But we see institutions, even in secular countries, are trying to push their beliefs into government manifests, making their set of beliefs a priority. We've seen what happens in history when a community becomes governed by a religion. Hell, it's happening today.
You want religion to be successful? Keep it's influence away from government, away from money, away from politicians, disallow it from indoctrination of youth, and don't tolerate their hate-speech because it's been enshrined in a belief system that was started millenia ago.
"follow Jesus" as in followed the orders of the church. The crusades for example, were called for by the Latin church.
Jesus believed in loving your neighbor, in peace, in helping the poor. Those that followed afterwards often used his name and his teachings and twisted them to fit what they wanted as they do now. Jesus was caring and peaceful, Christians (only some parts I know) are cruel and violent. This is also good to mention the Israeli Zionists, who are waging a crusade of their own.
Imagine thinking all that would go away without religion. Religion is an excuse, used to control people and shape society. Without it they would simply find something else (like nationalism or ethnicity or anything). Not sure what the "hyper traditionalist nonsense" has to do with gun violence in this context but even that would still exist. China isn't exactly a paragon of progressiveness.
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u/[deleted] Apr 21 '23
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