Religion

MineralMan

(148,024 posts) Thu Jul 18, 2019, 07:38 PM Jul 2019

Why do so many Christians behave as though they [View all]

have never heard of anything Jesus Christ was supposed to have said? Even many prominent Christian leaders behave that way. Why, if that Jesus is God incarnate, are those Christians and their leaders not absolutely petrified with fear?

Although I am an atheist, I am very familiar with the teachings that are supposed to be the words of Jesus. Much of what he is supposed to have said is excellent advice. So why are those teachings so widely ignored by his followers?

That is a great puzzle. It gives the lie to much, if not most, of organized Christianity. As an example, I give you the Roman Catholic Church and its hierarchy. It is the largest denomination of Christianity, and the harm it has caused for almost two millennia is the evidence I offer.

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Why do so many Christians behave as though they [View all] MineralMan Jul 2019 OP

Jesus said that if you don't feed the poor, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, etc., The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2019 #1

Exactly. MineralMan Jul 2019 #6

Jesus is irrelevant to Christian evangelicals who crave white power & thrive on subjugating others. LonePirate Jul 2019 #2

Or never existed except in words written MineralMan Jul 2019 #10

Believers in the White Jesus are different. They ignore all that humanity stuff. Hoyt Jul 2019 #3

Jesus was a man of color, if he existed MineralMan Jul 2019 #9

God created man in his own image and man returned the favor. LastDemocratInSC Jul 2019 #29

They don't understand the goodness of Christ. CaptYossarian Jul 2019 #4

Or, as I suppose, it is all a fiction. MineralMan Jul 2019 #7

Even if it is a fiction, it's one that the fundies insist they totally and literally believe in, The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2019 #12

Inerrant but needs interpretation Voltaire2 Jul 2019 #34

Then why did you ask? zipplewrath Jul 2019 #13

Why should I not ask? MineralMan Jul 2019 #18

They are just hate clubs today. Jesus is irrelevant and in the way. n/t RKP5637 Jul 2019 #5

My theory, Cosplay atreides1 Jul 2019 #8

All theater, then, perhaps, with an ancient script? MineralMan Jul 2019 #11

The short answer is: human nature. guillaumeb Jul 2019 #14

Oddly enough, I agree with you on that. MineralMan Jul 2019 #19

Probably for the same reason that GOP voters will recite the pledge of allegiance, guillaumeb Jul 2019 #28

So, such Christians are fakes and are just mouthing the words? MineralMan Jul 2019 #30

No. They simply repeat certain things reflexively. guillaumeb Jul 2019 #32

Doesn't sound very thoughtful, does it? MineralMan Jul 2019 #35

Are non-religious people exempt or immune to this? guillaumeb Jul 2019 #36

This thread is about religious people. MineralMan Jul 2019 #37

Which avoids the actual point, and actual history. guillaumeb Jul 2019 #38

When Christianity became a state religion, chose the orthodox party line and kicked out Karadeniz Jul 2019 #15

OK, but people still ignore the words of the central figure of MineralMan Jul 2019 #20

It's Crazy.. but it's the PROGRESSIVE churches that tell of Christ's words.... JustFiveMoreMinutes Jul 2019 #16

In some cases, that is true. MineralMan Jul 2019 #22

One thing is for sure, religion has nothing to do with it Major Nikon Jul 2019 #17

So it seems. MineralMan Jul 2019 #21

They pick out the parts they like, and make excuses to ignore the rest. trotsky Jul 2019 #23

With metaphor all things are possible Major Nikon Jul 2019 #24

Cafeteria Catholics is what they were called back in the 60's. Iggo Jul 2019 #33

They think because their sins are forgiven they can behave however they want. CrispyQ Jul 2019 #25

Cafeteria Christians... picking and choosing religious tenets like they pick and choose... Raster Jul 2019 #26

It's all about the money. Farmer-Rick Jul 2019 #27

No puzzle there: Never enough money, the supreme symbol of worthiness and goodness Backseat Driver Jul 2019 #31