I see that with most charities, I work for a few different ones , 1 little office , there have to have the heating on 24 degress , another charity have it on 24/ to keep office warm for the paid staff members@give it to gordon In relation to the Salvation Army. In the UK they seem brilliant. if you ignore the tambourines and uniform, their work with the homeless etc is great, but, there is always a but, I went to New York for a wander round. As I wandered I walked past the head office of the Salvation Army, it was in a very expensive area of N.Y. and was one of the largest, poshest buildings I have ever seen for a so called non profit, religious 'company'.
The building said to me that all those hard working volunteers were being fleeced by the bosses and to me is just the same as all the other religions.
Fleecing the poor for the benefit of a few.
You clearly know more than me about the historical context here and I’ll defer to you. My comment really was aimed at the lazy generalisations people make blaming the actions of people on a conceptThat makes no sense though, because in the history of Africa, Christianity has depicted them as a curse, pegan and savages. They have also forced people to convert and if not killed them. You have of Christian leaders such as the pope and Mohammed himself doing and saying disgusting things about Africans.
don’t get me wrong, I understand both religion have had individuals doing good things. But you can’t just ignore centralism of religion when coming in contact with africa. It’s an excuse to say religion has been a tool for excuse.
mohammed sold slave, African history had the Arabic slave trade. I don’t see the excuse?
Christianity considers African spirituality as pegan, the pope gave the go ahead for the slave trade of Africans as they were considered uncivilised. I don’t see the excuse? Just people people believing in their religion. This still happens today.
But then don’t claim that you are the salvation for humanity and condemn others to hell because they don’t agree with your salvation? That sounds like a needy god.The problem with organised religion is that it is always abused by humans on a power trip. However, it does cater to the spiritual side of human beings (which is part of us) that many of us deny having. It also does a lot of good work at what might be called 'the local level.' I bet there isn't a church, synagogue, mosque or temple in our city that does not do some good for someone. Often via charitable work, support to the community, whatever you like to call it. Some of it is quite subtle, like providing a meeting place. Some is more obvious 'doing stuff' for people in need.
How you cut out the cancer of abusers - people who exploit their power and position in the religion to advance themselves or do evil shit like child abuse - I do not know. But all human organisations are similar. You will find good people in charities, local government, political parties - you name it. You will also find utter twats, some of whom should be in jail. It's humanity that's the problem.
The big problem is religion attempts to describe/put in place the 'rules' of how humanity should behave.The problem with organised religion is that it is always abused by humans on a power trip. However, it does cater to the spiritual side of human beings (which is part of us) that many of us deny having. It also does a lot of good work at what might be called 'the local level.' I bet there isn't a church, synagogue, mosque or temple in our city that does not do some good for someone. Often via charitable work, support to the community, whatever you like to call it. Some of it is quite subtle, like providing a meeting place. Some is more obvious 'doing stuff' for people in need.
How you cut out the cancer of abusers - people who exploit their power and position in the religion to advance themselves or do evil shit like child abuse - I do not know. But all human organisations are similar. You will find good people in charities, local government, political parties - you name it. You will also find utter twats, some of whom should be in jail. It's humanity that's the problem.
We are told that by the likes of Greta Thunberg, and she doesn't use religion as an excuse for imposing her views, although she does get on my wick.The big problem is religion attempts to describe/put in place the 'rules' of how humanity should behave.
Yeah totally agree, there are many places we get rules imposed on us thats for sure! I guess I was trying to say that religion is all about what these rules are and how they should apply to humans, "Thou shalt" and "Thou shalt not" as examples.We are told that by the likes of Greta Thunberg, and she doesn't use religion as an excuse for imposing her views, although she does get on my wick.
Religion isn't the only imposer of rules.
There are people that genuinely care for your welfare, because of their evolved human nature. If the only reason they think they care is because religion tells them to…then they’re screwed in the head.All political philosophies (including the one we are living under) tell you how to live your life. Governments in the 21st century have far more power than any religion. As do the shady corporate interests that dictate to national governments, especially weak, isolated national governments like ours.
Does anyone seriously believe that Rupert Murdoch is not telling us how to live our lives? Of course he is! His pulpit is the propaganda put about in the Sun and his other outlets. He tells you who to love and particularly who to hate. The difference is, some religious people (not all admittedly) genuinely care for your welfare. Murdoch and his ilk don't give a shit, they just manipulate you for their own advantage. They literally don't care if you die in the gutter as long as they pay less tax.
There are religions and religions. Not all say you will go to hell if you don't sign up for their brand. Not even the Pope says that these days.
He was most likely talking about your ancestors though.That’s a great quote.