Religion has had it's time.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

If not for the Bible, and as many people fearing burning in hell as there are, how many people would go out and kill others rather than let the law handle it if they knew for a fact there was no God to answer to? Hell, just look how bad some groups act from the middle east .. they act out much different than Christians. Would you want to take it all away, and everyone live in a free for all world where nobody feared any consequence for their actions?

I dunno, those Christians have showed some pretty barbaric tendencies in the not all that distant past. Burnings at the stake and such.

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by bobabode

I dunno, those Christians have showed some pretty barbaric tendencies in the not all that distant past. Burnings at the stake and such.

Oh yes, indeed there were and are hypocrites no doubt. Some far worse than others. But theres more good than bad Christians by far, IMO.

[sanford12]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

But theres more good than bad Christians by far, IMO.

I believe that too.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

Oh yes, indeed there were and are hypocrites no doubt. Some far worse than others. But theres more good than bad Christians by far, IMO.

This may be controversial to some but I also believe that by far most Muslims are good folk who don't condone the violent acts of the few.

[sanford12]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

If not for the Bible, and as many people fearing burning in hell as there are, how many people would go out and kill others rather than let the law handle it if they knew for a fact there was no God to answer to? Hell, just look how bad some groups act from the middle east .. they act out much different than Christians. Would you want to take it all away, and everyone live in a free for all world where nobody feared any consequence for their actions?

I don't think very many. Most people are basically good. Our instincts are to work together. It's kind of built in. I think you be surprised how many so called christians would resort to barbarism against other groups without a police force to hold them in check. There's always that bad egg ready to stir the pot. The thought of jail is a much bigger deterrent

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by sanford12

I don't think very many. Most people are basically good. Our instincts are to work together. It's kind of built in. I think you be surprised how many so called christians would resort to barbarism against other groups without a police force to hold them in check. There's always that bad egg ready to stir the pot. The thought of jail is a much bigger deterrent

I admire your faith in humanity, however having lived long I find that it is misplaced. Also you seem to be equating the current lot of churches with belief in some higher power. It has been our experience that the majority of churches are the last places to look.

[sanford12]

Originally Posted by merrylander

I admire your faith in humanity, however having lived long I find that it is misplaced. Also you seem to be equating the current lot of churches with belief in some higher power. It has been our experience that the majority of churches are the last places to look.

I'm not a believer in organized religion but I am in the majority of peoples goodness. This doesn't keep me from carrying protection in areas I deem sketchy. I think you have me by a bit in age but I'm 60 and have seen enough to know that good people of any race/religion can show up in completely unexpected places. I seem to have become less of a cynic as I age, not bad for a natural born introvert. I also think you find what your looking for and the bad seems to be what your seeing. We're looking at things from 2 different perspectives. Bible verses are all well and good if that's what you believe. I have a different view of the world, for lack of a better word I think this may be heaven. If I were to go tomorrow I couldn't bitch. It's been a wonderful life.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by sanford12

I don't think very many. Most people are basically good. Our instincts are to work together. It's kind of built in.

I have no idea where you live but I sincerely doubt that it is here in the US of A.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

If not for the Bible, and as many people fearing burning in hell as there are, how many people would go out and kill others rather than let the law handle it if they knew for a fact there was no God to answer to?

In the history of the world, I am guessing, none.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

If not for the Bible, and as many people fearing burning in hell as there are, how many people would go out and kill others rather than let the law handle it if they knew for a fact there was no God to answer to? Hell, just look how bad some groups act from the middle east .. they act out much different than Christians. Would you want to take it all away, and everyone live in a free for all world where nobody feared any consequence for their actions?

Dave we don't have to fear Hell, it is right here now. Go into any supermarket and watch the young women mistreat older folk. Any possibility that people today possess any social graces is remote in the extreme. Drive your car a few miles and observe your fellow motorists, and you don't dare admonish them as they may be armed.