BF2S Forums With all the religion topics, I've always had a question..

Why don't you ask an African American person that question?  I cannot answer for them. 

I would like to address one small point.  Catholicism and Christianity are not one in the same.  The Vatican does not represent Christianity as a whole.  Also, not all white men who killed natives, took slaves, took land, etc were religious.  I submit they used religion as a smokescreen for their own selfish ambitions.

CommieChipmunk wrote:

Alright, so this isn't intended to be racist and I hope that it is in no way viewed that way.  But.. I've been wondering why African Americans or people of Hispanic descent would even consider being Catholic/Christian?

The white men, who introduced your ancestors to this religion (more forced it upon them) killed their people, used themas slaves, took their land... the list goes on.  But why would you follow a religion given to you by the same people that killed you, took your land, etc...

I first thought of this when I was listening to a Christmas gospel performance and an African American guy in front of me got up and started "praising the Lord"... When I thought about it the irony was incredible...

Any who, its just a question I've always had

I've noticed the same.  It's just that people generally accept the norms and religions around them.  Few people choose a different route.

My life probably could have been a little easier if I had chosen to remain Methodist.  Because I chose to disassociate myself from religion, I have to be careful who I tell I'm atheist to.  For example, my grandparents don't know I'm atheist, and I don't want to offend them.  It's these kinds of pressures people often face in religion.

In a weird way, it's almost like being gay.  I'm straight, but I can definitely see why most gay people are in the closet about it.

Stingray24 wrote:

Also, not all white men who killed natives, took slaves, took land, etc were religious.

If not all, then almost all, were religious.

Heres my religion questions.... if Christianity was real then technically we would all be inbred and hence would all have horrible diseases like the amish. If Christianity was real then how did Adam and Eve's 3 sons spawn the rest of humanity? My last question is why do Christians not believe in Dinasours when it's proven that they existed.

EVieira wrote:

CommieChipmunk wrote:

Alright, so this isn't intended to be racist and I hope that it is in no way viewed that way.  But.. I've been wondering why African Americans or people of Hispanic descent would even consider being Catholic/Christian?

Lets just clear up on thing here. People of hispanic descent are European descendants. You should be refering to the native-americans.

Most South Americans are at least partially Native in their heritage.  A lot of intermingling occurred in places like Brazil.  So, technically, that should at least cause someone to question what they are supporting by following a religion that killed off part of their heritage.

J3ST3R wrote:

Heres my religion questions.... if Christianity was real then technically we would all be inbred and hence would all have horrible diseases like the amish. If Christianity was real then how did Adam and Eve's 3 sons spawn the rest of humanity? My last question is why do Christians not believe in Dinasours when it's proven that they existed.

Because they think that bible proves good. You don't trust their source, they don't trust yours.

CommieChipmunk wrote:

J3ST3R wrote:

Heres my religion questions.... if Christianity was real then technically we would all be inbred and hence would all have horrible diseases like the amish. If Christianity was real then how did Adam and Eve's 3 sons spawn the rest of humanity? My last question is why do Christians not believe in Dinasours when it's proven that they existed.

Alright then tell me this.  If Darwinism (the theory of evolution) is for real, then why hasn't the need for religion been pushed out of our brain?  There is obviously some necessary tie between religion and humanity. (i'm not talking about just Christianity I'm talking about the feeling that there is a high being)

in my opinion the need for a religion is what helped communism fall in russia.
i would imagine that laying on your deathbed wondering what was next felt pretty lonely.....but on the other hand, i kind of understand what lenin said about the whole opiate for the masses thing.
my father in law is a deacon in his southern methodist church, and my views on religion are no secret.
though im not athiest, i do believe that there is a power greater than myself.
i just dont buy into any of the religions that i have read about.

but dinasaurs are millions of years old while christians believe the earth is only thousands of years old.
Another question, why do the christians believe the grand canyon was made in 3 days?

Last edited by J3ST3R (2006-12-10 00:39:42)

Not all Christians have the same beliefs.  It comes down to interpretation of the bible.  100% true, or something less than that.  I personally do not think the grand canyon was made in 3 days, or that the world is only thousands of years old.

I'll go for a two in one:

J3ST3R wrote:

Heres my religion questions.... if Christianity was real then technically we would all be inbred and hence would all have horrible diseases like the Amish. If Christianity was real then how did Adam and Eve's 3 sons spawn the rest of humanity? My last question is why do Christians not believe in Dinasours when it's proven that they existed.

I in an attempt at being a smart arse asked the religion teacher at school. She said that there genes were so pure that their offspring wouldn't be genetically corrupt... whatever.

CommieChipmunk wrote:

Alright then tell me this.  If Darwinism (the theory of evolution) is for real, then why hasn't the need for religion been pushed out of our brain?  There is obviously some necessary tie between religion and humanity. (i'm not talking about just Christianity I'm talking about the feeling that there is a high being)

Darwinism and evolution revolves around genetics. There is no gene that determines religion, is there? You are not born with religion, but into religion.

Your parents taught you about god, like they taught you to speak. People learn English. They write, speak and even think in English. Other have learnt French. They speak, write and think in french. It is not their genetics that determine the language that they use, it's what they are exposed to.


On a similar note, what religion one may practice is based on what they are exposed to. For example, this is the reason people convert to other religions. Their exposure to a different religion has resulted in the choosing to practice that one. There is no part in their DNA that says "you shall worship 'this' god".

This also applies to religious fundamentalism. For example, take the Amish. They live in a traditional lifestyle that may seem absurd to the outside viewer. For the people that actually believe in this, often it is the only type of life they have been exposed to. As such, it's the one they choose.


Like an essay reaching it's conclusion, I'll come to my final point. There is no part of the human DNA that determines the religion of a person. It is ones exposure to religion that plays the role of choosing the religion they follow. Even though we might not need religion anymore, enough people still believe in it, and as such expose their children to religion. As a result of this exposure, they will practice that religion. When they themselves have children, the cycle will continue.



In a way, I have also answered the OP's question.

Mcminty.

whyd most germans convert to nazis? because if you didnt, youd probably be killed

Turquoise wrote:

I've noticed the same.  It's just that people generally accept the norms and religions around them.  Few people choose a different route.

My life probably could have been a little easier if I had chosen to remain Methodist.  Because I chose to disassociate myself from religion, I have to be careful who I tell I'm atheist to.  For example, my grandparents don't know I'm atheist, and I don't want to offend them.  It's these kinds of pressures people often face in religion.

In a weird way, it's almost like being gay.  I'm straight, but I can definitely see why most gay people are in the closet about it.

Thats quite sad that you can't tell your grand parents. My Grandmother is strongly Catholic, but she isn't offended by the fact that I don't believe in God and im not a Christian even though I was christened.