Understanding Religion's Relationship To Human Social Systems

In reply to that video, one commenter said "I'd need to see proof this is an actual quote. don't buy it for 1cent." - @TheChesireKat  --- To his credit, the creator of that video then offered a supporting citation. He said:  It’s from a sermon in 1865.. Page 23 https://lincoln.digitalscholarship.emory.edu/blake-001/ -- In reply, let's really set the record straight. He never said it. That SERMON claimed it. But if you dig a little deeper, you'll find out: That preacher lied. And he lied for the same reason apologists are repeating that lie today; no matter if those apologists realize it was a lie or not. Moving forward, it is a terrible disrespect to the memory of that poor broken soul to paint him that way; as a man who was NOT nearly so moved to faith by his own best or worst lived experiences (neither the birth nor death of his own son; for example). But that he was so moved by other people's lives and deaths. Real life doesn't

  I don't really wear the "atheist" label. "Igtheist" is the best default label, if I had to choose one. There isn't anything I call a "God" or "god". I agree with Epicurus' famous quote about it. Nobody worth of the title could possibly exist. But then again, that's really only a matter of personal standards; based really on how we feel about it. And so, at the same time, if someone with different (lower) standards (when it comes to what qualifies to wear a god-crown), I'm fine with that. For example, ... I really don't object to a sun-worshipper pointing to the Sun and saying "that's my God". I would only object (very casually) if they tried to tell me "and that's your God too". Because it's not how *I* feel about the Sun. I've heard all the arguments for why some people worship our Sun. Some of those are even pretty good justifications. It really does shine brig

In some random (non-religious) Facebook group, a random fundamentalist Christian  decided to promote her God-Awful religion.  She specifically claimed that Jesus Christ (that specific Jesus) existed. She went even further than that. However, this blog is only about that one single point of contention.  In reply, I mentioned that he (the "Jesus" she claimed existed) did not exist.  In reply, an avid supporter of her abusive religion  came to her rescue.  He said:  "If you want to be taken seriously, please note the the existence of an historical Jesus isn't in question among ...". Now, I'm not even going to bother quoting the rest of it. Because that first part is what actually addresses the issue.  --- So, now, here I am;  explaining to another rando-LocoMotive4Christ  where he's gone off the rails. -- I never mentioned Muggle-Jesus. I was only responding to a claim about Magic-Jesus. Magic-Jesus is the only Jesus she mentioned. Aka "Jesus Christ&qu

The Global Center for Religious Research epStroosnd 9a319c M5g1 t2cr36m4Peu gee9bl5c121t6064D0:1fa920 · The History of Religion: A field that helps you spot those ancient texts your pastor takes too literally! #ReligiousWisdom #GCRR James Apperson eh. I mean, sure. For some passages, this is true. But let's just admit that the fundamentalists are mostly correct. The most psychopathic, irrational, and factually wrong texts were simply written by unhinged religious lunatics who knew almost nothing about history, science, etc..    Author The Global Center for Religious Research James Apperson Yikes, brother. Those are some wild assumptions about the mental state of ancient people ... whom you've never met and (apparently) don't know much about. Perhaps a History of Religion class should be on your Christmas wish list this year  ------- James Apperson   Dude. How are you going to get a friendly metaphor out of commands to hurt babies, children, families, old people, etc?  

 Shame is often confused with guilt. However, they are different emotions.  Guilt is a feeling you get when you did something wrong, or perceived you did something wrong.   Guilt is often a positive/productive emotion.  It can move people to take personal accountability for their attitudes and actions.  Through these experiences, a person can become more pro-social, as they gain:  greater awareness of,   appreciation for, and connection to:  self and others.  However, carrying too much guilt over a prolonged period of time can be detrimental.  In some cases, guilt can become so psychologically heavy that it can hurt a person's health, productivity, and relationships.  What, then, is the general remedy for too little or too much guilt? 1. Simply recognizing that either extreme can happen. 2. Offer to pay on those debts. If the wronged-person agrees, then follow through. If the wronged-person refuses, then your debt is nullified.  It's exactly like how a company is no longer owed