The above quote is from Jesse Ventura, ex-governor of Minnesota.
Definition of Cult- typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding population considers to be outside the mainstream
By this defintion, christianity is a cult. Remember, the first christians were Jews, they broke from the mainstream to form Christianity.
Just to clarify, I'm not athiest, I believe in god. I just don't believe in Jesus Christ, or any religion. Jesus was just a regular guy. There is no proof he did anything extraordinary. People back then were just amazed by things they'd never seen before. Imagine if David Blane went back to those times, he'd be the messiah!
"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business."
I'm not sure from whom that quotation came, but it's an example of why atheists are largely considered to be ignorant.
I find it to be bigoted (by referring to all faiths as simply "organized religion," and those who would be involved with it as "weak-minded") and obvious (humans survive because of our interdependancies - we're pack animals, and need each other - strength in numbers - whether in a church or a school or a supermarket).
And not all organized religion tells people to go out and stick...whatever you said.
Jared - just semantics, but by that definition Christianity would not currently be defined as a cult, since it is the largest religion in the world by a significant margin, and, for better or for worse, is in the mainstream.
Either way, it in no way aligns with the popular use of the term "cult" to refer to groups where people get brainwashed and drink the tainted koolaide.
Not all cults do stupid things. Religion under a certain banner, such as Christianity, is no diffrent in definition than a cult, other than it has become mainstream. They still act and function in the same ways. Cults are just smaller. Christianity was once a cult.. it just grew bigger, but opperates the same. Mainy people in religions are brainwashed.. they are trained as a child to act and think certain ways before they can make decisions on their own. Proper thinking and social behavior is programmed in their brain without them ever having the chance to question it. Catholic school is no diffrent then the nazi youth program other then the fact, that Catholic schools generaly do good things for the child and society, where as nazis schools did horrible things. Just because the brainwashing leads to a positive path does not mean its no longer brainwashing, or acceptable. Some people that grow up in such a system do reject it and turn away, but the numbers are low.. Im sure much the same accured in nazi youth programs. Some people in Jonestown refused to drink the koolaide and tried to escape. But the fact is the overwhelming majority of people that grow up in such a system are heavily affected by it, and their brain is programmed without their ability to exercise intelligent free will. Some also come into the system later on in their lives and accept the ways of the system, as an addiction replacement or stabilizer in their life.. which is not always a bad thing. Many people turn away from spousal abuse or alcohol and join the church. Very very few people that have never been surrounded by a religion or cult growing up, have later grown up and freely decided to part take in the system, unless they were using the system to escape something else. There are some, but its very very few. There are also some people who randomly jump off a bridge for no apparent reason.. its just the nature of humanities randomness.
Jared - just semantics, but by that definition Christianity would not currently be defined as a cult, since it is the largest religion in the world by a significant margin, and, for better or for worse, is in the mainstream.
Either way, it in no way aligns with the popular use of the term "cult" to refer to groups where people get brainwashed and drink the tainted koolaide.
Aright, I dojn't want to get into a big debate, I totally respect everyones rights and all. I was raised christian, went to church and Sunday school every Sunday until I was 15. I made an informed decision, it's not for me.
But one more thing, isn't Islam the worlds largest religion, in terms of follwers?
Paul is correct. Catholics account for an enormous % of Christians throughout the world, and Protestants are pretty prolific as well. Believe it or not, the vast majority of Americans would identify themselves as Christian, though far fewer are more than "ChEasters" (Christmas & Easter Christians).
Comments
The above quote is from Jesse Ventura, ex-governor of Minnesota.
Definition of Cult- typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding population considers to be outside the mainstream
By this defintion, christianity is a cult. Remember, the first christians were Jews, they broke from the mainstream to form Christianity.
Just to clarify, I'm not athiest, I believe in god. I just don't believe in Jesus Christ, or any religion. Jesus was just a regular guy. There is no proof he did anything extraordinary. People back then were just amazed by things they'd never seen before. Imagine if David Blane went back to those times, he'd be the messiah!
"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business."
I'm not sure from whom that quotation came, but it's an example of why atheists are largely considered to be ignorant.
I find it to be bigoted (by referring to all faiths as simply "organized religion," and those who would be involved with it as "weak-minded") and obvious (humans survive because of our interdependancies - we're pack animals, and need each other - strength in numbers - whether in a church or a school or a supermarket).
And not all organized religion tells people to go out and stick...whatever you said.
I think that's a George Carlin quote.
Either way, it in no way aligns with the popular use of the term "cult" to refer to groups where people get brainwashed and drink the tainted koolaide.
Jared - just semantics, but by that definition Christianity would not currently be defined as a cult, since it is the largest religion in the world by a significant margin, and, for better or for worse, is in the mainstream.
Either way, it in no way aligns with the popular use of the term "cult" to refer to groups where people get brainwashed and drink the tainted koolaide.
Aright, I dojn't want to get into a big debate, I totally respect everyones rights and all. I was raised christian, went to church and Sunday school every Sunday until I was 15. I made an informed decision, it's not for me.
But one more thing, isn't Islam the worlds largest religion, in terms of follwers?