"Why Believe in God" ad campaign

[wendybeth]

Suddenly I feel like gardening.

[Gn2Dlnd]

^ I would really love to see a good production of that show. The only thing I can remember being produced around here, was a concert version some years ago.

[wendybeth]

I love Voltaire. I totally would have stalked him if I lived during his time.

[flippyshark]

I know quite a few folks who certainly know how to "Glitter and Be Gay."

Candide - Love the book, love the show, best Bernstein score ever!

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Master Pangloss taught the metaphysico-theologo-cosmolonigology. He could prove to admiration that there is no effect without a cause; and, that in this best of all possible worlds, the Baron's castle was the most magnificent of all castles, and My Lady the best of all possible baronesses.

"It is demonstrable," said he, "that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for as all things have been created for some end, they must necessarily be created for the best end. Observe, for instance, the nose is formed for spectacles, therefore we wear spectacles. The legs are visibly designed for stockings, accordingly we wear stockings. Stones were made to be hewn and to construct castles, therefore My Lord has a magnificent castle; for the greatest baron in the province ought to be the best lodged. Swine were intended to be eaten, therefore we eat pork all the year round: and they, who assert that everything is right, do not express themselves correctly; they should say that everything is best."

For truly this is the best of all possible worlds. Nothing like a good Candide quote to make the day a better place to be.

Originally Posted by flippyshark

Another quick thought - There is scarce little in the teachings of Jesus that isn't also found in earlier traditions. It isn't that Jesus was saying anything terribly innovative, but more that Christianity succeeded (in its pre-Constantine days) because it sought to bring its ethic to a broader community, essentially making the in-group more diverse and inclusive. There was a price for admission (exclusivity; you couldn't be Christian and still belong to your former religion) but Christianity succeeded in the ancient marketplace of religions (and boy was that a buyer's market!) in part by breaking down some social barriers, at least within its own house.

I've been talking lot about how Christianity is driven to convert others to their beliefs. I'm not sure how this same concept plays out in other religions - I certainly have no Muslims coming to my door. I think Buddhism is more "religion" or attraction rather than promotion. I am not familiar with the specifics of other religions to know if other have the "Go, be a fisher of men" concept. I find the way that concept has played out in our culture to be very interesting.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Judaism is definitely not a proselytizing religion. You're either born into it or you choose to convert. And according to certain traditions, rabbis, when asked to perform an "official" conversion, are supposed to turn the person away 3 times before agreeing to to ensure their commitment.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

But, then, many Christians aren't looking to convert anyone. (It simply wasn't something we did in the diocese where I grew up.) And [big disclaimer here] a few extremist Muslims aren't looking to allow anyone who isn't Muslim to survive.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

But, then, many Christians aren't looking to convert anyone. (It simply wasn't something we did in the diocese where I grew up.) And [big disclaimer here] a few extremist Muslims aren't looking to allow anyone who isn't Muslim to survive.

But as an institution, Christianity has historically encouraged it more than any other. Or at the very least, have been most successful at expanding their conversion efforts worldwide. Just ask native Americans and Africans and European pagans, and just about everyone during the crusades, and countless island nations, and...well you get the point.

I'm sure there are Jews that have taken it upon themselves to proselytize their religion, but if they do so it's without encouragement from any accepted part of the community or the world-wide institution such as it exists.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

But, then, many Christians aren't looking to convert anyone. (It simply wasn't something we did in the diocese where I grew up.) And [big disclaimer here] a few extremist Muslims aren't looking to allow anyone who isn't Muslim to survive.

I know some groups are more into upholding Christ's command than others. To certain groups, it is COMMAND!

This was one of the songs we sang over and over based on Matthew 4:19-20 and Mark 1:17.

"I will make you fishers of men
fishers of men
fishers of men
I will make you fishers of men
if you follow Me

if you follow Me
if you follow Me
I will make you fishers of men
if you follow Me..."

In my church, we took the Fishers of Men part pretty seriously - my family even more so since my Mom was raised a version of Pentecostal.


Oh, and in my seraches to confirm bible verses (somehow I just cn't quote them like I used to) I found GODTUBE!

[Alex]

Well, in terms of religious outlooks on salvation, I suppose evangelism (sure, give up what you are and join us) is preferable* to racism/ethnicism (tough titties said the kitty when the milk ran dry, unless you were born to the right group of people then it is a nice titty).


*If you accept as a given that at least one religious faith is the truth (which, of course, I don't ).