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encouraging ex-Christians
News of interest to former Christians
Pope Benedict XVI strongly criticized modern-day atheism in a major document released today, saying it had led to some of the "greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice" ever known to mankind.
But in his second encyclical, Benedict also critically questioned modern Christianity, saying its focus on individual salvation had ignored Jesus' message that true Christian hope involves salvation for all.
"Saved by Hope" is a deeply theological exploration of Christian hope in the afterlife - that in the suffering and misery of daily life, Christianity provides the faithful with a "journey of hope" to the Kingdom of God.
"We must do all we can to overcome suffering, but to banish it from the world is not in our power," Benedict wrote. "Only God is able to do this."
In the 76-page document, Benedict elaborates on how the Christian understanding of hope had changed in the modern age, when man sought to relieve the suffering and injustice around him. Benedict points to two historical upheavals: the French Revolution and the proletarian revolution instigated by Karl Marx.
Benedict sharply criticizes Marx and the 19th and 20th century atheism spawned by his revolution, although he acknowledges that both were responding to the deep injustices of the time.
"A world marked by so much injustice, innocent suffering and cynicism of power cannot be the work of a good God," he wrote. But he said the idea that man can do what God cannot by creating a new salvation on Earth was "both presumptuous and intrinsically false."
"It is no accident that this idea has led to the greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice," he wrote. "A world which has to create its own justice is a world without hope."
STORY LINK
But in his second encyclical, Benedict also critically questioned modern Christianity, saying its focus on individual salvation had ignored Jesus' message that true Christian hope involves salvation for all.
"Saved by Hope" is a deeply theological exploration of Christian hope in the afterlife - that in the suffering and misery of daily life, Christianity provides the faithful with a "journey of hope" to the Kingdom of God.
"We must do all we can to overcome suffering, but to banish it from the world is not in our power," Benedict wrote. "Only God is able to do this."
In the 76-page document, Benedict elaborates on how the Christian understanding of hope had changed in the modern age, when man sought to relieve the suffering and injustice around him. Benedict points to two historical upheavals: the French Revolution and the proletarian revolution instigated by Karl Marx.
Benedict sharply criticizes Marx and the 19th and 20th century atheism spawned by his revolution, although he acknowledges that both were responding to the deep injustices of the time.
"A world marked by so much injustice, innocent suffering and cynicism of power cannot be the work of a good God," he wrote. But he said the idea that man can do what God cannot by creating a new salvation on Earth was "both presumptuous and intrinsically false."
"It is no accident that this idea has led to the greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice," he wrote. "A world which has to create its own justice is a world without hope."
STORY LINK
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"Religion" has been the 'actor' for the MOST heinous activities in recent history.
"A world marked by so much injustice, innocent suffering and cynicism of power cannot be the work of a good God," Uh... yep - can't argue with that...
This man. This... joke of a man. This head of the most corrupt institution this old world has EVER seen. This presumptuous old man, elected by a council of old men (and no women - bad sign). This man who has the unmitigated gall to speak from the assumption that he is the replacement of God on Earth. This man who blesses and condemns on an authority based on literally nothing. This hollow windbag of a man, who contributes NOTHING to the world except endless diatribes with no content or value. This man whose church actively defends child molesters and promotes the spread of AIDS and overpopulation. This man whose church even persecuted people who worshipped the same god it did. This, this affront to humanity...
He presumes to complain about atheism? Fuck him. Fuck him and the god he rode in on. Fuck him up the ass with a burning altar candle! The really BIG kind!
-Leonard
SKEPTIC
And then, let us remind his holiness that his church spent centuries torturing and killing heretics, jews, witches, and whoever else wouldn't bend their knee.
The Church never does accept it's own irresponsibility in any matters. Of course we shouldn't be surprised at their mentality because the god they worship displayed his own irresponsible behavior by supposedly cursing man for his own mistakes when it was god who screwed up and made the stupid mistake of placing Satan in the garden of Eden in the first place.
As far as the Pope is concerned, he is nothing more than a worthless political religious figure.
I remember back a few years ago when the last Pope (John Paul) was on his death bed, and I remember the thousands of weak minded fools who flocked all around his home when he was dying. They acted like the Pope was Jesus himself, and he was about to die again.
Then not long after that a little redneck church in Tennessee had a message up on their billboard one Sunday Morning that read, "THERE'S NO HOPE FOR A HELL BOUND POPE".
Which is a reminder that the Universal Church can't seem to get along with each other. Especially Catholics, Southern Baptists, and the Church of God "Holy Rollers". Those 3 denominations hate each other's guts.
According to the Southern Baptists, the Catholic Church is going to hell, and according to the "Church Of God" The Catholics and Southern Baptists are both going to hell.
What did the bible say about a divided house will fall?
The future for christianity doesn't seem to look too good. No wonder so many christians come onto this site raising hell so much. I would be too if I was still a christian, and I was losing the battle against "Secularism".
Of course it is atheists. That would explain why "the rack", "the iron maiden", "the pear", "the Judas cradle", "the breast ripper" , "the catherine wheel", and waterboarding were all invented during the middle ages to punish and torure people for primarily religious or politico-religious reasons, which included denying God or the authority and doctrines of the Holy Catholic Church.
Good one Pope Suchadick.
Maybe he should spend more time coaching his followers to look for virgin Mary appearances on cabinet doors or in IHOP pancakes.
(shrugs, smiles, and kicks over what little is left of the RCC)
In other words, "You've tried and failed a couple of times, so now just give up. It's hopeless for you so just come back under our control".
...A world which has to create its own justice is a world without hope."
The typical religious message that indoctrinates people with a belief of their own worthlessness and powerlessness.
If people stopped hearing how hopeless we all are maybe they'd have confidence enough to use their minds to their fullest extent and actually create a better world.
It needn't involve force, just honest, compassionate, reasoning together - rather than submission to imaginary beings ...represented on Earth by ...the Pope.
You are nothing but a sock-puppet invented to appease the ingorant dumbed-down self-defeatist peasants like jesus that you help create, you do not deserve to be called a human. Go get a fucking job, and not a blow job either, you worthless piss ant.
I've always been amused at how, in ancient Rome, the Christians were accused of impiety, blasphemy and were sent to their deaths with calls of "Away with the Atheists!" They were blamed for the reversal of Rome's fortunes early-on; some said the deities were withdrawing their favor from Rome because of such unbelief.
Of course, we all know how kind, gentle and saintly life became once the Christians took power, and now this: things are terrible because of all those Atheists out there, they're responsible for all that evil! As an aside, think of the late Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson and their blanket condemnations of anyone who doesn't worship the "one true faith." Gee, THAT'S why America was attacked on 9-11, remember? All them evil queers and unbelievers and pagans and so forth.
And the Fool on the Vatican Hill is whining that we can not be moral on our own, and that individual salvation must take a back-seat to mass salvation. He is so utterly obtuse that he doesn't realize that it takes individuals to make up the mass. Even Jesus didn't convert the twelvee apostles all in the same instant.
I must agree with other posters: sounds like desperation talking.
Good posts, all. Proud to be here.
Just a few more notes.......the pope thinks that the church did a great job of running Europe,and as secularism gained, things went sour. And evil. Okay, haul out your textbooks and tell me when was the golden age of xrianity that you miss so much.
Just for openers, the dark age was a time when illiterate and unwashed warlords slaughtered each other off while the church sat back and watched and played with its peter (pun intended)
Spare me from xristian justice.
"Yes, damn those evil atheist priests for touching all those little boys."
Maybe Michael Jackson should consider becoming a priest.
"If people stopped hearing how hopeless we all are maybe they'd have confidence enough to use their minds to their fullest extent and actually create a better world."
As far as christians are concerned the world is going to hell, and it is part of "Doomsday Prophecy".
That's why most christians ignore concerns in regards to our environment here on Earth. They are more concerned with dying and going to their heavenly home. They would rather let the rest of humanity rot down here instead of providing a better world for future generations.
You are right Anonymous, these evil doers know they do wrong, however forgive them dear father, for they know not what they do.
The rest of these guys like Mark/Marc, Passerby, Computer, and other various Anonymous Posters are all false teachers of the word.
You're all probably wondering, "Why should we believe you Dan?"
You'll just have to have faith, and believe that I am the only "True Christian" who posts on this site.
Personally, I'm glad we finally have a True Christian on this site that can enlighten, pray for us, and generally clean up on all those other believers!
We should all be so thankful!!!
Dan, I had a question I know you could answer: Do the Catholics have it right with the Trinity (one God three persons,) or do the Mormons have it right (three living individuals, related but not one person)?
Marvin, if you are mormon, do you lie for the lord? Do you give milk before meat?
LDS or RLDS?
The mormon is considered to be like the pope in that he is perfect, talks to god, and god talks back.
Its all about LDS Inc and the organization. They don't even talk about jesus at church. They talk about Joseph Smith and leaders. "A testiment of another Jebus". Mormons aren't even xtians.
You can call me "Danny" actually.
JEFF P. SAID.......Personally, I'm glad we finally have a True Christian on this site that can enlighten, pray for us, and generally clean up on all those other believers!
Like Christ, I am here to serve, and expose false teachers of God's Holy Word.
JEFF P. SAID.......Dan, I had a question I know you could answer: Do the Catholics have it right with the Trinity (one God three persons,) or do the Mormons have it right (three living individuals, related but not one person)?
None of them have it right. Only the "Apostolics" have it right. Three persons are in Jesus and Jesus alone. There are no 3 gods, and all Catholics, Mormons, along with Southern Baptists are going to hell unless they repent by leaving their demon church. Matter as fact anyone who does not share the "Apostolic Faith" is going to hell.
No, Mormons are going to split hell wide open.
They are evil doers indeed and deceivers. They are generals in Satan's Army.
"Once again Passerby based on your comment that you just made to me, you ignore more scripture:
MAT 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged."
You have just judged me, so therefore God is going to judge you. Plus you called me a "Heretic" one time. Remember that?
Then in the very next post Dan wrote:
"RILEY SAID.......Marvin, if you are mormon, do you lie for the lord? Do you give milk before meat?
"No, Mormons are going to split hell wide open.[bold added]
They are evil doers indeed and deceivers. They are generals in Satan's Army.
What a self-righteous two-faced bigot this Dan Marvin is.
He is a perfect example of religious fanatical dementia.
I wanted to make the point to that idiot Passerby how divided christians are and how the bible contradicts itself.
For the record, I am not a christian.
"What a self-righteous two-faced bigot this Dan Marvin is.
He is a perfect example of religious fanatical dementia"
Well considering I am no longer part of the faith, I did have many years to practice being a "Two-Faced Bigot" and a perfect example of "Religious Fanatical Dementia".
I guess since leaving the faith I am still that good when it comes to acting it out eh?
Once he found out that he was not dealing with a "True Christian" that is when he decided that he didn't want to listen to anything else that I had to say, even if it did involve rebuking him with his own scripture.
It seems that when a "Non-believer" calls him out and gives him a taste of his own medicine, scripture no longer applies to him if a "Non-Believer" quotes it. Scripture is no longer valid according to Passerby since it didn't come from a "True Christian".
I guess it wasn't valid when Satan quoted it to Jesus also.
I was raised in a denomination called "apostolic xristian". It has its roots in post-reformation anabaptism--I will briefly describe this monstrosity:
They have two services every sunday, and a service every wednesday. Men and women sit on opposite sides of the church. Singing is done with a hymnal translated out of German, with no musical instruments. The sermons, every fucking one of them, are about going to hell. Every motherfucking one of them.
Those who are damned are those not of the church. It has been within my lifetime that they preached that they are the only ones saved. The only ones, with every one else going to hell. I understand that this has been modified, but I wouldn't know. I won't come within 100 meters of those churches.
The doctrine closest to their hearts is that of "falling from grace". Yup, you can sin your way out of salvation, with no hope of re-instatement. It is a form of insanity--my mother, and all of her five sisters, spent their lives on tranquilizers. This is common; the members are driven half-crazy with fear and are running to the doctor for pills.
For whoever comes in here, fundy or not, this is xristianity pushed to its logical conclusion. This is the real thing, and do not tell me that I have experienced a "false" xristianity. xristianity is a disease, but apostolic xristianity is living death.
Just thought I would tell you xristians who come in here to preach: keep in mind that there will always be someone to accuse you as well. There will always be someone to accuse you of having a false conversion. It never stops.
Pleased to be an atheist.
I find there are too many sheep out there who support this insanity only because it's still comfortable. Force them to either shit or get off the pot, so to speak.
Derrick.
If I remember rightly, this is lifted right out of Hebrews VI: 4-6, which says that those who have converted, and tasted of the good fruit of God, if they fall away, cannot be renewed again unto repentence, "seeing as they crucify the Son of Man afresh, and put him to an open shame."
This is something that should calm us all. Once you're out, that's it. You can't be saved. No going back. You've been blackballed from the Choir Invisible. So, you are now free to enjoy this thing called Life!
You are exactly right about everything you said. Those Apostolics are a bunch of crazed lunatics. The ATF should raid their churches, and put them in a Mental Institution.
I know a guy who came from that background and he lives in a mental hell. He beats himself up just for watching a girl on TV who is wearing a bathing suit. I mean this guy drags himself over the coals and gives himself a mental beating in the name of Jesus.
Plus he is schizophrenic. Imagine what it would be like having a combination of being Schizo and Apostolic both.
For all all I know the Apostolic Faith is what made him "Schizo".
Besides, bringing up Hitler would merely have forced him to deal with the question of his own service in the Hitler Youth from 1941 to 1945 all over again.
dog, you are right about that verse in hebrews. I was hearing that verse before I could read. That, plus the one about the sin against the holy ghost; "it shall not be forgiven in this world, nor in the next". Such a sin was not specified; it was up to god to decide, and he could decide as it pleased him. And yes, I am glad I am out.
mandy, such a way of life can and does drive people mad. There is a little "brotherhood" that calls itself "XAC". We talk about this shit--we whisper about it. I personally know men who were reduced to spineless jelly for the sin of masturbating.
And for whatever fundy trash might read this.......do not tell me that I just didn't hear the "right" xristianity. Any AC can whip out his bible and show you that his is the right xianity and that you are going to hell. And you can whip out your gideon--from where your cigarettes used to be--and show him that HE is wrong and HE is going to hell.
That tells us what the source of all this madness is, doesn't it?
Ryan
I was at my friend's house one time. We were listening to some mainstream pop music. It wasn't anything bad as a matter of fact.
While I was at my friend's house someone from his Apostolic Church called him on the phone and asked him what he was listening to in the background.
After my friend told him what we were listening to, he got accused of listening to the kind of music that separates him from God. He was told to get rid of his "Music of the world", and burn it and repent.
He even told my friend that I needed to come to church with him. I guess they wanted to get me there so they could gang up on me, lay hands on me, and cast a demon out of me. I almost got on the phone and told that same guy to mind his own business.
I tell you these nuts need to be locked up.
I visited one of those Apostolic churches a few years back. After visiting and seeing how ugly some of the women there are, it should be a sin for them to not wear makeup.
Matter as fact, some of those women in that church were as ugly as sin.
"music of the world". That sent a shudder through me. Everything in that church is "the world", the world this and the world that. Music is of the world; cigarettes are of the world; jewelry and cosmetics are of the world. They had a way of zeroing in on me because I am a bright sort of person and I wanted to read. You know what I'm going to say, huh?
Phant, obviously you have been to those churches. Yeah, there are teenage girls who look like old maids. No cosmetics and severe hair styles. It is a sin to wear your hair in bangs. Oddly enough, you can build a house as big as the Taj Mahal and drive a Cadillac or Continental, but you cannot wear so much as a wedding ring.
As I said earlier, I'm glad I'm out.
Ryan
in fairy tales.(gods,heavenly saviours,etc...)I think Marx simply wasn't prepared to share his absolute power with the power hungry religeons.
http://www.nobeliefs.com/Hitler1.htm
I know from history that when the Catholic church ruled the world, the era was called the Dark Ages and when their knuckles were pried from around our throats, the era that followed was known as the Age of Enlightenment. The age of Catholicism was an age of absolute cruelty to humanity--as has every religion that controlled man.
The Pope demands subservience to his doctrine derived from a fairytale about how a girl was given a magic fruit from a talking snake which caused god to have an existential meltdown and curse all of creation over fruit. This is more of an example of how absolute forced abstinence and prohibition DOES NOT WORK even under penalty of death.
Don't put your faith and hope in the "Pope", put your faith and trust in Jesus.
He will never let you down. Please give him another chance. I promise you will not let you down the next time, if you will give him another chance.
POSTERS DISCLAIMER:
"the poster is in no way responsible for god's actions. Not every person will see the same exact results by trusting in Christ alone. Therefore, the person who posted this comment will not be held responsible if Jesus does not come through with his promises, and the person who posted this comment will be immune from any possible lawsuits that may be filed against him or Jesus for false advertising as the result of Jesus failing to deliver on his promises."
Rather than knowingly making a false oath, why not just accept that Christianity did indeed fail us and that we're not interested in trying it again?
That was hilarious. Thanks.