If Christianity ....

[headheart]

Why would you think it wasn't.

It wasn't my question. Why would you think it was?

A death cult. (Vicarious redemption is immoral.)

Please explain how you arrived at Christianity = 'A death cult. (Vicarious redemption is immoral.)'

Peace,
Eric

[headheart]

A very successful neolithic cult.

Neo who? I Google'd it and my heads still spinning. Please explain your recipe? I left the cake out in rain ....

Peace,
Eric

[headheart]

No religion "in essence" is any one of those things. Christianity, like most religions, is all those things. I don't understand your question.

Isn't that a refreshing change of pace Mr. Whag? I'm sure it'll come clear in the morning, it normally does.

Peace,
Eric

[pancreasman]

This view reminds me of a cake with way too much icing on it.

So no actual refutation or discussion. Got it.

[headheart]

So no actual refutation or discussion. Got it.

I thought that's how you like it. Just you and your one-liners.

Peace,
Eric

[pancreasman]

I thought that's how you like it. Just you and your one-liners.

Peace,
Eric

No, I pointed out that any religion is a complex mix of factors. I also pointed out that any major religion is a 'broad tent' that encompasses a lot of views, some of which at least are contradictory. If you disagree you could simply say so.

[Kane]

Neo who? I Google'd it and my heads still spinning. Please explain your recipe? I left the cake out in rain ....

Peace,
Eric

Simple: it's when the 'new stone age' started and gave rise to the age of agriculture. At that point in time (roughly 10-12,000 years ago) the makings of present-day monotheism started taking shape via shifting loyalties in the polytheistic communities, and political pressures in the ANE. Out of that morass of religious cross-pollination Christianity came to the fore roughly 2000 years ago and became the most successful cult in history.

[headheart]

No, I pointed out that any religion is a complex mix of factors. I also pointed out that any major religion is a 'broad tent' that encompasses a lot of views, some of which at least are contradictory. If you disagree you could simply say so.

'This view reminds me of a cake with way too much icing on it.' = I think that Christianity is in essence was neither a creed, nor a code, nor ceremonies. That's what it's become but I don't think that's what it was meant to be like. It's just too much of too much. I think whatever it was it's grown too be like 'a cake with TOO MUCH icing, if you know what I mean?

Peace,
Eric

[Kane]

'This view reminds me of a cake with way too much icing on it.' = If Christianity is in essence neither a creed, nor a code, nor ceremonies. That's what it's become but I don't think that's what it was meant to be like. It's just too much of too much. I think whatever it was it's grown too be like 'a cake with TOO MUCH icing, if you know what I mean?

Peace,
Eric

Yeah, but your view of Christianity is sympathetic. If you were a Muslim, you would probably take umbrage with an easy assessment of the sociological factors that shaped it. In the same way, you might prefer your mother's cake over everybody else's cake because you love your Mom more than any other mom.

[headheart]

Simple: it's when the 'new stone age' started and gave rise to the age of agriculture. At that point in time (roughly 10-12,000 years ago) the makings of present-day monotheism started taking shape via shifting loyalties in the polytheistic communities, and political pressures in the ANE. Out of that morass of religious cross-pollination Christianity came to the fore roughly 2000 years ago and became the most successful cult in history.

Oh, okay. I'll get back to you on that one tomorrow some time. Peace, Eric.

[Catholicity]

Yeah, but your view of Christianity is sympathetic. If you were a Muslim, you would probably take umbrage with an easy assessment of the sociological factors that shaped it. In the same way, you might prefer your mother's cake over everybody else's cake because you love your Mom more than any other mom.

Ot maybe Mother's cake really just does taste better because no one else can bake a cake like Mother can?

[pancreasman]

'This view reminds me of a cake with way too much icing on it.' = I think that Christianity is in essence was neither a creed, nor a code, nor ceremonies. That's what it's become but I don't think that's what it was meant to be like. It's just too much of too much. I think whatever it was it's grown too be like 'a cake with TOO MUCH icing, if you know what I mean?

Peace,
Eric

I am not sure Christianity was ever simple and clearly defined. Even the scriptures show arguments between apostles.

[Kane]

Ot maybe Mother's cake really just does taste better because no one else can bake a cake like Mother can?

Yes, but this is not something you can actually prove unless you have the same mother and the same sympathies. In which case, proving it is a cake-walk. ;)

[headheart]

I am not sure Christianity was ever simple and clearly defined. Even the scriptures show arguments between apostles.

I think that once it might have been but we humans are like Graham Nash's "King Midas in Reverse" or Bob Dylan's "weeds of yesteryear," who , "Like criminals, .... have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer." (Every Grain of Sand)

I think that Graham Nash's song "Be Yourself" has a line that sums this up beautifully, "We once had a Savior but by our behavior the one that is worth it is gone" (A nod for Frank )

Peace,
Eric

[magellan004]

If Christianity is in essence neither a creed, nor a code, nor ceremonies, what is it?

This thread is strictly for Atheists.

Peace,
Eric.

We need to look to authority for answers to this. St Paul tells us that the Christian Church is the living body of Christ. Asking atheists to grapple with such a mystical concept is a Big Ask. But I admire your optimism.

Magellan