The insanity of the world..caused by books

I don't think that the books are causing hatred, racism, violence, etc. It's how we interpret the words. I do believe in the bible and I believe every word that was written. To me, it's true - therefore NON-FICTION. I think the problems begin when people take things literal. I don't believe the bible or any religious manual to be literal. There are a lot of mataphors. We do not live in those times. We are not under the law anymore, that's why Jesus Christ was sent to us. We are under the grace of Jesus. Many fail to see the difference. Many religions live by the old testament and don't even acknowledge the new. For other religions it's the opposite; they live by the new and don't acknowledge the old. Then there are others that pick whatever suits them and their lifestyles. I just read the bible and have my own understanding with Christ. There are many things I don't understand and until I meet face to face with the Big Man, I'm not even going to try to understand. One thing that is clear to me, is this: Religion is man made! God/Jesus - did not create religions. Read the bible, live how you choose and when the time comes - fate will be decided. That's what I say.

Just because people and religions claim to be followers of Christ, doesn't mean they follow his teachings. In fact there will come a day when they say; "Lord, Lord did we not prophecy in your name and, expel demons in your name and perform powerful works in your name? " His response will be:" get away from me you workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:22,23) Jesus also said that the one way to recognize his disciples was this; "By this all will know you are my disciples, if you have love amongst yourselves." (John 13:35) He also said "you must love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31) And who is responsible for all the misdeeds in so called Christian lands? The men who misapply what is written in the Bible or who don't follow it's direction. So put the blame where it belongs on the ignorant clergy and their blind followers.

I think that is the very reason there has been such an upsurge of Atheism in my opinion, over the years. Because of these negative results some basically blame their religion on, ie, "God said so" extremists. I mean think about it, if all you see out of Christians is hatred, why would one want to believe in a God that supports that? I also think the media has a HUGE influence on this. They only point their cameras at the nuts and less as the sane people who represent the wonderful examples of their faith. Look at Pagan for example, because of the media, many feel they are devil worshipers that sacrifice small animals to their many Gods. LOL, it couldn't be further from the truth, but there are nuts who have it wrong that got in the news. Personally I don’t think the Books caused any of the problems we see. I think it’s one of two things. A- I think easily influenced people who can not think for themselves, got in tow with a wacko and instead of reading these books for them selves have it deciphered to them by someone who can’t understand it themselves or are complete nuts. Speaking of wacko, that brings to mind Waco. Just look at that as an example of what I am talking about. B- Those that just want to rule the world for self gain that use the Books as their excuse. They twist the religion to fit their own agenda and as mentioned previously, find non thinkers to back them or others that are just as screwy, that join in for the thrill of the ride. The Books can be wonderful inspirations for a way to live life, if one chooses it to be. They can also be hate motivators for intolerance. IMO I think if we read these Books as manuals on how to live our own lives and not how others should live theirs, it’s not a problem. I just don’t think there is a God that would support it’s own creations being so hateful among themselves in it’s name. The whole idea just escapees me.

Ravenlady, I understand the place you are coming from right now. I have stood in the same spot you are standing on and cried the same tears. Maybe it takes age to come to some sort of understanding or acceptance and put the rage behind us. Quakers and Pagans have always been peace makers. But that does not mean that all Quakers and Pagans are honest, good, compassionate, and kind people. There have been religious wars being fought since the beginning of documented time (and undocumented time as well as told through god/goddess stories in mythology). We can never lump any one religious group together and say that the book that they read/follow is wrong. I have never read the Koran, but have read the Bible several times and along with some graphic violence it also contains some truly beautiful love stories, it tell of romances, and it speaks of many different lifestyles in that time period. It serves as an excellent history book, if some cannot see it as anything else. You ask why people don't do more to stop the cruelties that surround us today. Ravenlady, that is an excellent question. As an old hippie woman (59), as a pagan, as a divorced mother of 5, and as a woman who has lived in a lesbian relationship for the past 25 years, as an advocate of pro-choice, as an advocate for a green earth I have been speaking up. Occasionally I have been heard. Occasionally I have been beaten. Occasionally I have seen my sisters and brothers in like causes hauled off to jail for their beliefs. Why have I stopped speaking up? The last presidential election took all of the speech out of me.

book ? they are not just Books ? but there is nothing wrong in Bible or Koran or Gita ? the evil is in the people Please remember that no religion in the world accepts crime. so dont / never blame it on Religion.

I don't belong to any of the major religious groups but I don't really think that the actual books themselves are to blame for the hatred that you describe but that it is peoples interpretation of the books, and the bits they ignore, that cause the problems. Just to pluck one for instance out of the air (I am only using the bible as I grew up in a mainly christian society and I am not familier with any other mainstream holy texts) I seem to remember that in the new testament this person called Jesus told people that they should forgive their enemies and yet a lot of christians seem to have had no problem marching off to war down the centuries. Even fighting against other so called christian people in most cases. I think that religious fervour and persecution probably predates the written word (I know in christianity it certainly predates the printed word) and has more to do with human nature than belief. It is merely that the powermad and downright evil have twisted the words of the various religions to justify whatever actions they wanted. Don't forget that for every book that advocates the pain and suffering of others there are many that don't or speak out against it.

It is sad how people take their faith to extremes and have so little tolerance for others. I am very religious but I do not believe in forcing my opinions on others. And that is what these people are doing is forcing their opinions on other people. There are as many ways to interpret the Bible (And the Koran) as there are people who read it. That is why there are so many religions that base themselves off of just one. When you look at history you can see all the vile things that people did in the name of their religion. Justy look at the crusades. It was just an excuse to kill, rape and pillage. And they did it in the mane of God. What a shame.

OK - this will probably ruffle a few feathers. What proof is there that these books are NOT works of fiction? I have yet to be convinced that the Koran or the Bible are not just made up in order to keep people in their place. I do think that ultimately it is people's twisted interpretations of these texts that fuels hatred and anger. However, the books have to exist in the first place for people to be able to do this. Originally I believe that these writings were used to keep people in their percived correct place. Not everyone could read, illiterate people relied on educated people to tell them what was in these texts and since people attribute a great many positives to education and the written word what was written in them took on massive significance. Partly I think that people believe what is written in the texts because of fear, partly from laziness, partly from a lack of empathy and lack of ability to get on with others. The reason people do not speak out against it? They are afraid of being accused of being guilty of bigotry. In this age of political correctness, it seems the power lies among those who believe in this possible work of fiction rather than those who base their arguments on experience and pragmatism

Blaming it on the Bible is just wrong. The Bible is God's Holy Word to us. We have evil in this world. People choose to do evil and disobey God. The Bible tells us how we should live and if more did that, this world would be a better place. Jesus Christ is the only way. God bless.

when you speak out against it you are vilified and called a bigot you can be religious with out hate but not within the confines of any organised religion

I think we should respect others' believe,and do the right thing to help others not to invade them.