Well I know that and you know that but not everyone knows that. I didn't know it until my 20's. Most Christians are taught from birth that the Bible is the world of God and that God and Jesus are real life beings. They are taught it by people they trust and it is never (or rarely) challenged by anyone they trust. Plus, there is no downside to believing because most everyone they know believes. The church brainwashes them into believing "the world" is out to get Christians and the devil is trying to trick them into sinning. Many are taught that doubt is a sin, questioning too much is bad. So even if a Christian isn't "saved" or active in the church, they still have these fears of eternal damnation. On the upside, if you wrong someone, all you have to do is ask God's forgiveness - that's it. If you stole, you don't even have to give it back, just ask for forgiveness. No downsides. That's powerful. That's the Protestant viewpoint. Catholics are a bit more relaxed (except about sex) because they wrote the Bible and are more welcoming of science and learning (ironically considering their history).
I was raised Protestant, my wife is Catholic, so I've spent a lot of time with both sides. But it is in my nature to question everything and always doubt until I can prove it myself. With regard to active churchgoers, I like Catholics better. As an atheist, I can chill with Catholics and have a good time. I could be churchy or indifferent and they are fine with it. Protestants are constantly inviting me to church, probing my beliefs, and trying to convince me of the healing power of Jesus Christ. If I reveal to a Protestant that I'm an atheist, most of them become very angry, argumentative, defensive, and sometimes threatening. Catholics just seem disappointed for me, like I was late to dinner and missed the rolls.
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brux (14666)
7 years ago
I don't think it is all that nefarious, or the people are all that stupid. It doesn't really matter unless you are really stupid whether the Bible is literally true or not, but it does matter whether you generally believe the moral code necessary to follow to be a Christian and get along with other people.
The problem is that there is no real mechanism except repression and ignorance to keep people in their little mental cages. That would be an easy problem to fix, and many Christians and even Jews are secular now, but they still count themselves as in their religion for social and life choices.
When I see people express such hate for religion I must confess I don't really get it. The number of real nuts is small, and what would they be in their societies if not for religion ... probably the same or maybe even worse.
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McQualude (4231)
7 years ago
Most people are barely self aware, why else do you think they pray to fairy tales. Also, morality has nothing to do with religion. Nada.
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Keelai (32173)
7 years ago
"why else do you think they pray to fairy tales."
I never forgot what Marjoe Gortner said during an interview. He was an ordained evangelist minister at 4 years old. When he became older, he told his followers that they were free to do whatever they wanted. That's not what they wanted to hear. They preferred someone telling them how to live. He eventually became an actor.
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brux (14666)
7 years ago
Marjoe Gortner was a weird guy. Seems his whole life was using his scamming abilities ... albeit for less evil or corrupt results. People do not know what they want because they do not have much choice, but also, they work too hard and have too little access to what is really going in the world to understand.
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